Wet conditions in eastern Canada are causing potato yields to be lower, while warm, dry conditions in the west are pushing yields higher there, an Oct. 5 newsletter from the United Potato Growers of Canada (UPGC) said.
On Prince Edward Island, there was a lot of rain over the summer with up to 100 mm falling in some areas during the first two weeks of September. While the effects of Hurricane Lee were less than expected, the ground is still very wet.
“Many growers continue to harvest and ship out of field with expectations of starting storage harvest perhaps next week, weather depending,” UPGC said.
The newsletter noted that with wet ground and temperatures cooling at night, there are concerns about potential issues during harvest. Overall, the crop is looking good but not as good as last year — which was an ideal season. Yields are estimated at 320 per hundredweight (cwt) per acre which is still higher than the five-year average. Production is pegged at an estimated 26.3 million cwt, down 1.1 per cent from 2022.
“It is important to note that weather through harvest could impact the number of abandoned acres, we will continue to monitor and provide another update in October,” the newsletter said.
New Brunswick has had quite a lot of rain over the growing season, but it’s starting to get sunnier out for harvest. UPGC noted the wet ground has had growers struggling to get into the fields to dig potatoes. The early crop hasn’t shown great quality, with issues of hollow heart and rot due happening due to the excessive rain.
Yields are expected to be average to slightly below average with a low set, the newsletter noted. Abandoned acres at predicted to be at around 1,100 cwt with an average yield of 310 cwt per acre which is below last year but still above the six-year average. This would make for an estimated for a production of 16 million cwt.
In Quebec, growers are in full harvest mode with an estimated 15 per cent dug, the newsletter noted. There was excessive rain throughout the summer with yield losses expected to be at least 10 per cent or higher depending on the area.
“The crop is decent overall but growers are still reporting expectations of up to 15 per cent off on yields and concerns about storability if weather conditions don’t improve during harvest,” the newsletter said.
There are predicted to be upwards of 2,300 acres lost for various reasons, so UPGC is expecting much lower production for Quebec this year at just under 12.8 million cwt. This will be almost two million cwt lower than last year but still be on track with the five-year average.
In Ontario harvest weather has been great with good quality reported for the potato crop so far, but there could be potential storage issues due to excessive rain throughout the summer. UPGC is predicting growers will harvest 36,695 acres which is less than 2022. However, yields are expected to be better than average at 230 cwt, making for a total production increase of just over three per cent from last year at 8.4 million cwt.
In Manitoba, potato quality has been very good depending on the field. The newsletter noted dry land regions had their driest year ever with about one inch of rain falling all summer. Irrigated fields faired better with reports of a good, but not fantastic, crop with lower sets. Harvested acres, yields and production are expected to be higher than last year at a record production of 28.2 million cwt.
In Saskatchewan, there has been ideal digging conditions for harvest. Reports have the crop rated as good with above average quality, however dry land areas have saw poorer results due to a hot, dry summer. UPGC is predicting an average yield of 240 cwt with 7,285 acres being harvested making for a production of 1.7 million cwt, up just over 20 per cent from last year.
In Alberta, UPGC reports there’s a big crop with good yields overall — sandier ground was impacted by a dry and hot summer, but heavier ground is doing well. Water supplies for the irrigated region in the south did become tight throughout August. Yield is predicted to be at 395 cwt, production at just shy of 31.5 million cwt, making for a 17 per cent increase over last year.
British Columbia has had the warmest and driest summer in memory with only about two inches of rain falling since April, UPGC said. The crop has been reported as better than average for both yields and production.
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