According to growers and researchers who gathered at Hoverson Farms near Larimore for Northern Plains Potato Growers Association’s field day, the Red River Valley potato crop has overcome getting into the ground later than optimal to looking like one of the best in the last few years.
“It’s hard to find a bad field. Things look excellent,” said Sander Dagen, a Hallock, Minnesota, potato grower. “In early June when we were trying to get things planted, it was hard to imagine we would have a good crop.”
T.J. Hall, a Hoople potato farmer, like Dagen, was pleased with the progress of the 2022 crop. Hall is part of an intergenerational farming operation that includes about 1,500 acres of red and yellow potatoes grown for the fresh market. The Halls planted their first potatoes in mid-May this year, about a week to 10 days later than they typically do, but favorable temperatures and moisture gave the crop the boost it needed to catch up.
