Potato harvest begins in Wisconsin

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The potato harvest has begun in Wisconsin.

Jeff Huber of Alsum Farms and Produce says, “We started digging yesterday and they’re probably going to be in the stores today.” Huber tells Brownfield they’re starting harvest about two weeks earlier than normal and they’re starting slow. They’re only sending a couple of half bags of fresh potatoes to the grocery store each day. “For our early crop, we’re getting about 450-475 bags (per acre) here. I expect the yield to increase as the later crop comes in.”

Huber says it’s a busy time of year in Wisconsin’s Golden Sands region, as harvest is in full swing for more than just potatoes. “With the partner farms that we lease and rotate with, there are cucumbers within a mile and sweet corn just across the field.”

Huber says he expects good yields, but possibly some minor quality issues. “We’re waiting for some to come to market and we’re hoping to dig some russets here in a couple of weeks, but the early yellows are here and the neighboring farm is growing some reds, so we’re looking forward to that.”

Wisconsin ranks third nationally in potato production, behind Idaho and Washington.

Wisconsin also ranks third nationally for growing sweet corn, peas and carrots, fifth for growing cucumbers, seventh for cabbage and second only to New York for producing sauerkraut. Wisconsin is the nation’s top producer of snap beans and cranberries.

Audio: Jeff Huber of Alsom Farms and Produce discusses potato harvest with Larry Lee of Brownfield