Idaho potato acreage is down to its lowest level since 1980, but revenue to potato farmers is on its way to a third straight year near all-time highs. Potato farmers in the last couple of years reduced acreage by planting more corn, wheat and other crops that continue to see very high prices, Idaho Potato Commission President and CEO Frank Muir. They are accelerating their crop-rotation schedules, which ultimately will make the ground more productive for potatoes, he said.
Yield per acre has increased for potato growers over the years, he said. Over time, supply exceeded demand - warranting a supply reduction that ultimately should boost profits at a time when farmers face soaring costs for fertilizer, fuel and other inputs, he said.
Farm-gate revenue paid to farmers figures to exceed $750 million for a third consecutive year, completing the best three-year stretch ever, Muir said. Potato prices paid to the farmer have approximately doubled in five years, he said.
Potato growers in Idaho planted an estimated 300,000 acres this year, down 14 percent from 350,000 in 2007. Harvested acres, at 299,000, also fell 14 percent. Both totals are the state’s lowest since 1980, the National Agricultural Statistics Service Idaho field office said in a release.
Planted and harvested acres in 10 southwest Idaho counties fell to the lowest total since 1963.
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