Badger Common’Tater November 2014 Issue

Wisconsin Certified Seed Potato Crop Report: Good Yields and Quality

Alex Crockford, Program Director of the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Agency, provides the following comments on this year’s Wisconsin certified seed potato crop:

“Another reluctant spring delayed some seed potato plantings, but overall, the bulk of Wisconsin’s 8,500 acres of seed potatoes were planted within norms, with only a slight increase in acreage from 2013.

Regular rain and cooler temperatures promoted extensive and healthy vine growth. No Late Blight was detected in field inspections by the Wisconsin seed potato certification program. Aphid pressure was below normal for the 2014 season.

Bulking weather was good for early maturing varieties, but many growers delayed vine kill to allow for further bulking of full season varieties. Yields and quality look good despite plenty of rain in early September. Digging was slow at first due to wet conditions, but gradually improved in the second half of September. Potatoes entering storages were of good type and condition with ideal nighttime temperatures for cooling.”

Check out the November Annual Seed Issue of The Badger Common’Tater for more information.