Idaho's Crop Progressing Nicely

Idaho's 2004 potato crop is progressing nicely to mid-July with some water shortages expected before the crop is finished.

Reports from the Idaho Agricultural Statistics Service showed that condition of the crop was listed at 82 percent good and 11 percent excellent.

Only 7 percent of the crop was listed as fair to poor.

Idaho has received some cooler early summer weather interspersed with frequent thunderstorms which has taken some pressure off irrigation. Despite this the IGSS reports that 55 percent of the state's crop has closed rows to date as compared to 76 percent last year on July 11.

Below average temperatures prevailed over most of the potato production areas of the state with ranges from 40 to 60 at night and 80-95 in the daytime to July 11.