News
Wisconsin potato planting receives timely rain, replenishing soil moisture
Potato planting was briefly slowed by rainy weather in the central sands region of Wisconsin.
Jeff Huber is the agronomy manager for Alsum Farms and Produce in central Wisconsin. He says they started planting potatoes at their Grand Marsh location a week ago Friday. “When we started off, the temperatures were a little bit cool yet. You know, we were around the 42 degree mark. By the end of the day, we were up to 50 degrees in that soil when the sun started working that soil.”
And he says progress has been good. “In total, we’re looking at about 29-hundred acres so we’re getting close to that halfway mark here.”
Huber says this year’s seed potatoes are in good condition. “Quality seems to be good this year. You know, we have had to fluctuate a little bit around some of the quantities we’ve had from different growers, but for the most part, we’re looking pretty good on seed for our operation.”
He says they pushed late into the night planting 110 acres of potatoes Wednesday knowing cold temperatures were coming in the morning.
Friday’s rains were heavy. Christine Lindner with Alsum Farms & Produce tells Brownfield as of Monday morning, planters are rolling again at their Adams and Arena, Wisconsin farms as the soil was very dry and the rain was welcome. Friday’s rains were heavy, and kept planters sidelined for the day but with the windy conditions we were back in the sandy soil fields Saturday with our track tractors planting. She says the crews have about 14-hundred acres planted so far.
Alsum Farms & Produce focuses on Wisconsin Healthy Grown® russet, red, yellow and specialty potatoes and most of their sales are for the fresh market, getting bagged and shipped to national retailer distribution centers.
