Warehouses accounted for 3.70 million cwt., with the remainder in mill storage. The majority of California's 1999 summer potatoes were harvested by mid-August, slightly later than normal due to cool spring temperatures. Quality is described as good, especially for those fields harvested in July or early August. No disease or pest problems were reported. Harvested area is estimated at 64,400 acres, down 5 percent from last year and slightly below two years ago.
Yields are above last year in Alabama, California, Delaware, Illinois, Missouri, and New Mexico.
Irrigation helped Delaware growers. Most areas got off to a late start in the spring and were hit by hot, dry weather during the last of the growing season. Yields are down in Virginia, New Jersey, and Texas. Harvest is virtually finished, although late in many areas. Late spring rains slowed early development in Colorado and Nebraska, but most fields caught up to normal as warmer weather prevailed.