Farmers may have new issue this year with potatoes

Last year, water consumption was said to be the problem with local farmers. This year at the Idaho Ag Potato Expo, farmers have said storage and quality of life of the crop could be the new issue.

Farmers and many people have visited the Expo since Tuesday, as Thursday was the last day. People visited farmers and local businesses that set up information booths. They gave farmers all kinds of information on planting, maintaining, getting loans for upcoming farm seasons, and more. Industry Director of the Idaho Potato Commission Travis Blacker was there at one of the booths to answer questions.

“Mother nature has blessed us with a pretty good crop of potatoes this year, but they’re a little rougher than usual. So, we’re just packing them out as fast as we can,” said Blacker.

He says the last half of last year and beginning this year, we have gotten pretty good snow packs to help with the water consumption. But keeping up with their quality of life is most important.

Farmers and information booths were there this year to help with just that. Showing off new, fancy equipment, fertilizers, and many more solutions to everyday farmer life with potatoes and more.