F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 POTATO GROWER 21 72 Percent Of Region's 2018 Potato Crop Remained In Storage On Dec. 1 North Dakota growers, dealers, and processors held 17.0 million cwt of potatoes in storage on December 1, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Current stocks represent 72 percent of the 2018 production. Total stocks are defined as all potatoes on hand, regardless of use, including those that will be lost through future shrinkage and dumping. In North Dakota, russets represent- ed 45 percent of the stocks on hand followed by round whites at 27 per- cent, reds 21 percent, long whites 4 percent and yellows 3 percent. Minnesota growers, dealers, and processors held 13.0 million cwt of potatoes in storage on December 1. Minnesota current stocks also repre- sent 72 percent of the total 2018 crop. In Minnesota, russets represented 86 percent of the stocks on hand followed by reds at 7 percent, round whites at 5 percent; long whites and yellows 1 percent each. The National Agricultural Statistics Service collects variety data in seven States, accounting for 83 percent of the 2018 United States fall potato planted acres. The seven States con- duct objective yield surveys where all producing areas are sampled in proportion to planted acreage. Variety data are actual percentages from these surveys. Count on Techmark for all of your storage ventilation needs. Contact us at 517-322-0250. www.techmark-inc.com