The freezing temperatures in North Dakota and Minnesota this week put a stop to just about the entire potato harvest. That’s according to Northern Plains Potato Growers Association marketing and communications director Ted Kreis. “Most reports we’re hearing is they’ve sustained too much frost damage already to continue harvesting. Frozen soil chunks also come through the harvester, damaging the potatoes.” A majority of the seed, chipping and fresh potatoes are grown in the heart of the Red River Valley. Kreis says about half of the crop is harvested in the Grand Forks area. That is causing concern for the industry going into 2020, especially when it comes to seed supplies. “We’ve lost seed in almost every county where potatoes are grown, so it is going to cause some issues.”
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