Nationwide fall potato production this year has been cut by 69,200 acres or 6.3 percent less than last year, the NASS reported today.
One of the largest cuts is in the Red River Valley of North Dakota/Minnesota where growers have slashed 35,000 acres.
By state, Idaho is down 10,000 acres from 360,000 last year to 350,000 this year. Washington is down 3,000 acres from 163,000 last year to 160,000 for 2004.
Other major fall production states: Oregon 42,800 to 40,000; North Dakota 117,000 to 95,000, Minnesota 60,000 to 53,000, Maine 66,000 to 63,000, and Colorado 66,500 to 66,300.
Seed potato acres entered for certification total 125,711 as compared to last year's 140,470. Idaho stands at 36,924 as compared to last year's 40,032, Colorado 14,884 as compared to last year's 15,700, North Dakota 16,746 as compared to 20,200, Maine 13,000 compared to '03's 15,146, Minesota 10,000 as compared to 12,732 and Montana 9,682 as compared to last year's 9,638..
By variety, Idaho's 2004 crop is 95 percent russet varieties, Washington's is 88 percent russets, Oregon comes in at 74 percent, Colorado 82 percent, Minnesota 67 percent and North Dakota 44 percent.