Even though there is still time left for numerous growing regions, the Canadian potato crop in mid-August appears to have good potential (in many but not all provinces).

“Early harvest of table, chip, and processing potatoes has begun in most provinces,” according to the latest United Potato Growers of Canada (UPCG) Crop Update Report.

When it comes to Prince Edward Island (PEI), “the potato crop (…) has experienced almost ideal growing conditions for the first 90-100 days of its growing season”.

As reported, the province received 130 plus mm of rainfall during July, a welcome change from the drought of previous years. Growers will be monitoring lower areas of fields for good storage management.

New Brunswick regions have an overall health level of the crop – good to excellent. The moisture level in the northern part of the province is dry to very dry, so timely moisture is still needed to finish the later maturing varieties.

“Moisture levels in the southern area of the province have been better but will still need rain. The hot temperatures last week did stress the crop but with the large tuber set this year, yield potential is still very high,” explained the experts.

Stressed Potato Crops

In Quebec, although the growing season has been “excellent” earlier on, the excessive heat and dry conditions experienced lately have been “stressing the crop”.

Growers who can irrigate are busy doing so. The situation could still improve if rain comes in time, but the size profile of russets will be smaller than of the earlier round whites.

In Ontario’s case, the 2021 potato crop has enjoyed a nice growing season throughout the province. Some years would see large differentials in moisture levels and resulting yields from the southern Simcoe County to the northern parts of Dufferin County. In 2021, abundant rainfall has taken some of the pressure off long days of running irrigation systems.

For Manitoba, fresh potato growing areas of the province have experienced the most severe drought in the province, with very hot and dry conditions. Many reservoirs in the Carmen and Winkler areas have been drained and yield is being substantially affected at this time. Current estimates are 50% of a normal crop. Rain is forecast for the weekend, but unfortunately, many fields will not have the benefit of that moisture, as producers need to start top killing for harvest.

Higher Demand for Seed

Despite the heat and drought this year, Saskatchewan has a very decent-looking crop. Growers have been able to keep up with water demand using irrigation, which is expected to produce a better crop than the previous two years, in terms of both quality and yield. Crop stages are extremely varied due to the heat and also smoke from wildfires.

“Growers report higher demand for seed than seen in many years with a shortage of red seed expected to bring strong prices,” the UPCG expert’s report.

Alberta received one inch of rain this week – the first in about two months. Hot temperatures are starting to cool off, but crop damage has already been done. The crops do look green and lush on top, but underneath is a very different story. Stress to the potato vines caused much of the crop to dump its first set of tubers and the second set created, is a very low one. Good weather will be needed until the end of September to make at best an average crop.

Finally, British Columbia has had record-setting heat since June 15th. Most growers have been able to keep water to the fields which should result in a good average yield but not like the one experienced last year.