b'ONTARIO NEW BRUNSWICKKevin Brubacher, general manager Jean-Maurice Daigle, director of market of the Ontario Potato Board information for Potatoes New BrunswickOnce again Ontario saw a wide range in weather patterns throughout the2020 has been a difficult year for the potato industry and the challenges have growing season. Some areas received more than enough rain while others ex- not escaped New Brunswick potato growers. COVID-19 reared its ugly head perienced extreme drought situations. Some locations are confident the 2020in March making for uncertainty in the outcome of the remaining 2019 crop. crop will be one of their best in history, while others are extremely devastatedGrowers worked with industry stakeholders to re-direct some of the excess by what they are seeing in the ground.product in storage because of the decreased demand.At the time of writing this, harvest of the 2020 early Ontario potato cropDue to the uncertainty of the demand, New Brunswick growers planted is well underway. Fresh potatoes began hitting the market in large volumesfewer processing and seed acres this spring and slightly more table acres. The the third week in July. Pricing has been fairly strong and stable. Quality hasplanting season was ideal, and optimism was high for a good growing season. been excellent, but yields have been below average in most areas. Harvest ofThat optimism soon was hampered by the hottest and driest summer in recent our early process potato crop began in early August with excellent quality andyears. Very little rainfall and sporadic showers have reduced the yield potential good yields.of this years crop by 15 to 20 per cent on early varieties and the verdict is still Harvest of the storage crop will be in full swing for both fresh and processout for the long season varieties. potatoes by the first few weeks of September. For the most part we are expect- The province got much needed rain on the last week of August, but it ing an average yield but as mentioned earlier, some areas which were affectedmight only benefit later season varieties as early varieties were already past by drought are very discouraged.the point of no return. The processing chip crop has already started to be The annual general meeting of the Ontario Potato Board is scheduled todug and the fry crop is due to start the first day of September. Growers report take place Dec. 2, 2020. With current COVID-19 restrictions in place, detailssignificant reductions in yield. are still being discussed as to what our meeting will look like this year. PleaseNew Brunswick growers hope the moisture received recently will help direct any questions regarding the AGM to the board office at info@ontariopo- the later varieties grow and perhaps return a respectable yield for the tatoes.ca or (519)-846-5553. storage crop.FALL 2020 SPUDSMART.COM 55'