The availability and widespread use of technical expertise also favors high yields. Columbia Basin production is geared primarily toward frozen processing, especially frozen fries. A small amount is used for chipping. The Treasure Valley of southeastern Oregon around Ontario and Vail produces about 10,000 acres almost exclusively for frozen processing. Weather conditions somewhat resemble those of the Columbia Basin but temperatures tend to be slightly more extreme.
Soils are also generally much heavier than Columbia Basin soils.
Consequently, Treasure Valley growers have traditionally relied on furrow irrigation. Because of Russet Burbank's extreme susceptibility to the dark-end fry syndrome, almost half of the local acreage has switched to Shepody in recent years. Treasure Valley growers typically derive irrigation water from the Malheur and Snake Rivers and wells. Malheur yields average about 410 sacks per acre compared to 468 for the state. Substantial acreages also exist in the California portion of the Basin.