Features Planting
UPGC update: Good planting conditions coast-to-coast, slight dips in potato acreage

Good planting conditions across Canada have provided relief for potato growers during times of market uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many Canadian potato growers have been dealing with a difficult two months as they manage an unexpected larger supply of processing potatoes in response to decreased sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the United Potato Growers of Canada’s (UPGC) latest update on May 28.

However, fortunately for most areas, planting conditions have been very good, allowing growers to get their 2020 crop into the ground in a timely manner.

UPGC provides a breakdown of planting by province and here are some highlights across Canada:

• Planting across Canada is near completion, or complete.
• Coast to coast, planting conditions have been good overall with warm dry weather reported in many provinces and timely rains.
• Processing acres are down from 2019 for some provinces:
  • P.E.I. estimates a 10 per cent drop
  • Quebec estimates a 12 per cent decrease
  • It’s still too early to say for Manitoba, but estimates are around a decrease of 2,000 acres for processing and no changes in fresh acres
  • Alberta estimates a decrease of 10,000 acres but its fresh acres are up slightly
• Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Nova Scotia are reporting stable acreage

Prince Edward Island

As of today, planting on P.E.I. is around 70 per cent complete with very good conditions and no rain delays over the past ten days. Some growers will finish up this week and soil conditions are now getting dry.

Processing acres in the province are expected to be down 10 per cent below last year. Chip acres will be up slightly, and little change is expected in fresh or seed acres. Last year, P.E.I. planted 85,500 acres. Potatoes from the old crop continue to go to intended markets. There will be a significant amount of unused seed as a result of lower processing acres. Surplus seed will be diverted to fresh markets, dehy, cattle feed or waste. Old crop potatoes will likely be processed into September.

New Brunswick

Planting is around 80 per cent complete with most farmers hoping to finish this week, wrapping up as June hits. Soil was cooler earlier on but has warmed up now and is quite dry. Rain would be welcomed to break up some of the dry weather.

Based on extra seed that has recently became available, there have been some acreage reductions, although it is still uncertain if all growers cut back to their volume reductions. Growers planted 52,900 acres last year.

Old crop is moving slowly, and excess seed is now adding to the pile. As a result, old crop may not clean up until well into October and there are also some potatoes may not make it into the table market.

Orders for more french fries seem to be coming back, as processing plants begin to start ramping up again in reaction to people wanting to go out and eat again and try to return to their consumer buying habits. Global News reported that New Brunswick is reporting no new cases of COVID-19 on June 1 despite processing more than 2,000 tests in the previous 24 hours. The low case numbers in Atlantic Canada are good news for businesses that are opening up again.

Nova Scotia

Some of the first potatoes were planted on April 6 are now enjoying good growing conditions. Planting season was normal with not much change expected from the 1,600 aces planted in Nova Scotia last year.

Quebec

Planting is about 75 to 80 per cent complete with excellent soil and temperature conditions this year. There were no delays due to rain and resulting soil conditions are dry.

Fresh acres are expected to increase by 1,500 acres and processing acres are expected to decrease by 860 acres (-12 per cent) this year. Much of the seed volume in the province was already sold and delivered before the processing cuts were made.

The biggest processor in the province will be able to use all of the remaining old crop volume but will need to run later into the season in order to be able to do it. Therefore, contracts for next year are reduced by 12 per cent.

It is still uncertain whether the fresh cut processors will be able to use all of their old crop, but the Quebec industry is optimistic they will be able to move all of their potatoes this year. Old crop will likely run until Labour Day. Quebec producers are not concerned about using up this year’s crop because the province was short of potatoes from the start. However, they will be taking a close look at volume after the new crop is harvested in the fall.

Ontario

Planting is about 85 to 90 per cent complete and growers should finish up by early next week. Soil temperatures have been ideal for planting. There were above-average air temperatures this week, but the province also received adequate precipitation to mitigate that effect.

Acreage is expected to be stable, around last year’s 34,000 acres, as they have not seen any contract volume reductions. Demand for chips has been good so old crop chipstock will clean up earlier than normal. Fresh crop looks to be on track for comparable years. Old crop should run until the first week of July.

Potato specialist Eugenia Banks says a crop consultant from Setterington’s Fertilizer in Essex County, Ont. summarized the season saying, “Potatoes are looking great here. Loving the rain and heat.” Joe Lach near Delhi, Ont. says that lots of fields have nice, green rows after the hot spells with steady rains. In his opinion, he told Banks, “It is already starting to be quite a year.”

Manitoba (processing)

Planting is about 97 per cent complete, which would be seven to 10 days later than normal. Planting conditions in Manitoba were wet and cold this spring, although the weather did turn warmer two weeks ago. Some of the earlier fields planted on April 18, are now at ground crack.

It is still early to determine acreage changes but suggest the acreage may be down by 2,000 acres due to an initial 16 per cent cut by McCain Foods (three per cent was returned during planting). J.R. Simplot was down nine per cent of intended planting, (leaving some seed long), but then offered six per cent back during planting. Simplot’s overall volume compared to last year will be up slightly. Old crop movement through McCain Foods has dropped 75 per cent over the last month, but they are looking to bring people back to work in the next few days and begin production again. The Simplot factory has been running fairly steady hoping to add a few days run time if they can secure the additional quality product. Old crop in the province will likely run to August 31, 2020.

Manitoba (fresh)

Planting is around 85 per cent complete. Conditions were wet and cold at the start which delayed planting for about ten days, however, conditions are perfect now.

Fresh acreage will be similar to last year. Whites up a little (150 acres), russets down, yellows up a little, and reds down. The table crop is expected to clean up by early July.

Saskatchewan

Growers were delayed starting to plant due a cold spring with frost at nights up to mid-May. A lot of growers started planting around May 15 and progress has been good with about 75 per cent planted. Most growers expect to finish within the next ten days.

Last year Saskatchewan planted 6,300 acres. Seed acreage is expected to be similar this year with a couple of new entrants starting into the fresh sector.

Alberta

The southern part of the province, where most of the processing is grown, finished planting two weeks ago. The earlier fields have emerged and look good. Seed growers in the northern part of the province are finishing up this week. Temperature and soil conditions have been excellent with the province receiving 1.5-4 inches of rain last week, getting the crop off to a great start.

Processing acres in Alberta are down about 10,000 acres this year. Fresh acres are up slightly. Seed acreage is unknown at this time after many growers had orders from their processing customers in the U.S. and Canada cancelled this spring. Last year Alberta planted 61,235 acres of potatoes. Old crop processing inventory continues to be a drag on the industry as reduced demand for french fries during COVID-19 has created plant shutdowns and lay-offs throughout the spring. Alberta hopes to have old crop cleaned up by the third week of August.

British Columbia

Planting conditions have been good in B.C. with almost all of the planting now done. Planted acres are expected to be similar to last year’s 6,700 acres. Kennebec, a popular variety used for french fries in the local restaurants may see a slight decline this year. The first early Warba’s were planted on February 28 so they will soon be coming to the marketplace and real digging will begin in early June.