Acreage for harvest is up by 2 percent, while yields are expected to average 360.0 cwt. per acre, the same as for 1996. Summer potato harvest was essentially complete by the end of August. Growers had a generally favorable growing season with few disease or pest problems to damage the crop. The U.S. production of summer potatoes is forecast at 17.3 million cwt. for 1997, up 5 percent from the July forecast, but 11 percent below a year ago. The average yield of 262 cwt. per acre gained 10 cwt.
Yields are better than last year in most of the Midwest and Central states.
Colorado and Nebraska yields are record highs, although Colorado harvest was interrupted in August by heavy rains. Texas' yields are higher than anticipated in July. Harvest in Missouri is nearly finished, with yields above last year. Dry weather cut yields along the Central Atlantic Coast. New Jersey and Delaware yields dropped 20 cwt.