The weather has put Red River Valley farmers through the wringer this year.
Now the nation could be feeling the effects.
“You know you kind of take care of them as if they’re your kids. So, you know, it’s probably like other kids seeing their kids get hurt,” says third generation potato farmer Andrew Moquist.
He says this season is nothing like his family has seen in more than half a century, and around half of his potato crop has been destroyed by hail and torrential rains.
He also says his farm isn’t the only one. Some in the area have reported from up to 80 per cent losses.
“Everybody is kind of ready to write this season off. It’s pretty depressing driving around and looking at what once was a lush, nice crop and now it’s just gone,” says Moquist.
According to the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association, nearly 4.5 billion pounds of potatoes come out of Minnesota and North Dakota.
Those numbers are expected to be lower this year.
The Moquists don’t know what their total financial hit will be yet. As for the potato prices nationally, it remains to be seen if the crops take any more damage before a September harvest.
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