b'EYE ON THE NATION BRITISH COLUMBIA ONTARIOHugh Reynolds with Reynalda Farms Kevin Brubacher, general managerin Delta, B.C. of the Ontario Potato BoardBritish Columbia had a good early start this year, as most potatoesThe 2023 growing season has been a welcome change from recent were planted in early to mid-May. In fact, many areas of Northyears in the province of Ontario. For much of the summer producers America got off to a good start. After several years of short supplyacross the province received adequate rainfall to produce an and fair prices, every seed piece that would throw a sprout wasexceptional crop. Although the wet weather brought its own set of planted. challenges along with it, all reports indicate a better than normal Most potatoes planted are Russets as they yield well and can beyielding crop with good quality. We will see some losses in low lying sold everywhere. The changing weather this summer gave manyareas and from a few cases of late blight. As producers begin the growers perfect days with yields greater than the storages wouldstorage harvest, we know they will do an excellent job of leaving any hold. In the east more rainfall than the potatoes needed placed thosequestionable potatoes in the field. potatoes in peril. Farmers in both situations are desperate to sellAt the time of writing this in mid September, harvest of the 2023 potatoes fast and out of the field if possible. This sudden extra supplyOntario summer potato crop is winding down. Movement has been is weakening prices. steady with pricing holding strong. Harvest began on the fresh With winter, supply will be back in balance with good demand,potato crop in mid-July with harvest of the storage crop beginning and fair prices should return. For those of us in the middle we needmid- September into October. We are confident the majority of acres to store our potatoes and stay out of the market so that the marketwill be harvested by the second week of October. Field run product can right itself. It may take until Easter but with patience we will stillfor the process market has been of excellent quality and movement make money. has been brisk. Harvest of the storage crop for our process customers is in full swing. The annual general meeting of the Ontario Potato Board is scheduled to take place Dec. 6, 2023. We invite anyone interested in MANITOBA attending to please do so. Direct any questions regarding the AGM Susan Ainsworth, general manager of thecan be sent to the board office at [email protected] or call Keystone Potato Producers Association(519) 846-5553.Planting began roughly a week later than average this spring; however, when compared to 2022, the crop got in and out of the ground nearly two weeks earlier with over 50 per cent of fields at emergence by the first week in June. By contrast, planting wasnt completed in the province until June 18 in 2022. Above normal temperatures in May and June contributed to quick emergence and tuberization. At the same time, rainfall was significantly below normal (50 to 75 per cent below) and remained that way throughout most of the growing season apart from some sites in the western part of the province. Many rainfall events came in the form of thunderstorms leading to multiple incidents of scattered hail damage.The off-field harvest began in early August and looked very good which is leading growers to be optimistic as we move into harvesting the storage crop. Early indications of process fields being harvested as of Sept. 11 suggest it will be a good crop. In addition, irrigated seed that has been dug to date is also showing excellent quality and strong yields. Wishing everyone a safe and abundant harvest!Planning has begun for Manitoba Potato Production Days which will be held Jan. 23 to 25 in Brandon, Man. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend as we anticipate an excellent show.58SPUDSMART.COMFall 2023'