Potato farmers may face losses this harvest

Potato farmers in eastern Idaho are preparing for potato harvest, but this year it’s something of a bittersweet occasion.

Both yields and prices are down for many farmers and some worry if they’ll turn a profit.

“This year has been a challenge,” said Jared Wattenbarger, who’s been growing potatoes on 125 acres near Shelley for the past six years.

Lower potato prices are one of the biggest concerns for farmers.

“We hear everybody’s getting between $5 and $6.50,” said Wattenbarger. “If we don’t get at least $7, we’ll lose money this year.”

With harvest less than two weeks from now, Wattenbarger is also worried about the size of his potatos.

“The rain affected the yields. The quality’s there, but in this area the yields are down quite a bit,” said Wattenbarger.

He said heavy downpours hit during a crucial period for potatoes – when they would normally do a lot of their growing.

“The size profile just didn’t happen. The spuds are a little smaller in our area,” said Wattenbarger.

“Everybody’s hoping that Mother Nature’s kind to us. It hasn’t been really kind the last month, but we hope that she treats us well,” he said.

The potato harvest is expected to begin Sept 22.