Harvest will pick up steam in August for the 2021 Wisconsin potato crop. Sources said acreage won’t be much changed from a year ago, and the crop outlook is generally favorable, though weather factors could influence the outcome of the crop through the end of harvest this fall, writes Tom Karst in The Packer.
The Wisconsin potato planting season started about 10 days earlier than usual, with south-central and central Wisconsin beginning in early April, said Dana Rady, director of promotion and communication and consumer education for the Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, Antigo.
“The potatoes look pretty good at this point despite the stretches of dry weather,” said Larry Alsum, owner and CEO of Alsum Farms & Produce, Friesland, Wis. Because of the dry weather, Alsum said the company has been irrigating potatoes more than normal.
“So far, the crop is looking good,” said Mike Carter, CEO of Bushman’s, Rosholt, Wis. “The crop has rebounded nicely from (hot weather in June) so that we’re really not seeing any effects at all.” Carter said he anticipates an “average” potato crop.
