Despite a cold, dry spring with lots of wind, the Colorado potato crop is poised to have a slightly better-than-average year.
Jim Ehrlich, Executive Director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, notes that despite the wind, the quality and volume of the crop should not be affected.
"This year's crop is a little better than last year's." Though, he notes that overall, the crop is roughly on par with previous year's crops. "It's about average, both in terms of volume and quality."
He admits that the dry spring weather brought lots of wind, but despite potential damage associated with this, the crop remained unscathed. "The only thing was that the dry weather required growers to use more water, but this had no effect on the crop. This was more a cost issue for growers than an issue with the produce itself."
This year's crop started 8-10 days late and the delay continued throughout the season. However, despite the delay and weather concerns, the crop is looking fine. Ehrlich notes that now, the only danger is if there's an early frost this season. "If there's an early frost, within the next 10 days, that might hurt volume. But we don't see that happening."