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Manitoba potato growers have officially started harvesting this year’s crop, with early reports indicating healthy yields across the province.

Susan Ainsworth, general manager of the Keystone Potato Producers Association, says conditions have been favourable for farmers.

“It’s been a really good season. We had good temperatures and moisture to get the crop off to a good start,” Ainsworth notes. “The quicker we can get that crop established, the better the yields, and that’s why the crop looks really good.”

Harvest started earlier this week, slightly later than usual, by about five days to a week. Ainsworth adds that timing is influenced by last year’s larger crop, which caused a bit of carryover.

This year, Manitoba farmers planted roughly 74,200 acres of potatoes, down about 5,800 acres from 2024. Of these, approximately 54,000 acres are dedicated to processing potatoes, used for frozen products and chipping.

“That reduction is largely due to provincial cuts in processing,” Ainsworth says. “Roughly on a provincial basis, we’re down 11 per cent in volume.”

Processing crops are grown across the province but are more concentrated in the west. Fresh table potatoes are more common in the east, though pockets of production exist throughout Manitoba, including in Portage, McGregor, Baggett and Austin.

While some regions faced drier-than-normal conditions, most of the process potato fields are fully irrigated, which has helped maintain crop health.

Ainsworth continues, “All of the process crop is fully irrigated. It was one of the drier years that we’ve had on record in certain regions.”

She adds that recent rainfall across parts of the province has further supported the crop.

“In other places, towards more of the eastern side of the province and Winkler, they did have more rain, especially earlier on. I don’t think the crop has suffered as a result. I think the guys have been able to adjust.”

Ainsworth remarks that growers have not faced unusual pest or disease problems this season.

Late blight, a common concern for potato farmers, has not been reported anywhere in the province this year.

Earlier in the year, some growers faced challenges with processing contracts, particularly with companies like McCain and Simplot. Ainsworth notes the situation has been addressed, though it contributed to the reduction in planted acreage.

Harvesting continues, with McCain already working on new crop potatoes and Simplot expected to begin shortly.

Despite a few challenges, Manitoba’s potato crop is shaping up well for 2025. Farmers are optimistic as the harvest progresses, with healthy plants and good weather conditions supporting what could be an above-average yield year.

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