Early potato harvest underway

Overall, it's been a good year for Manitoba's potato crop.

Vikram Bisht is an industry development specialist with Manitoba Agriculture.

"In many fields, the crop looks very good," he said. "There were some late planted fields that are going to be setting the overall production a bit behind and that is because of the early rains, planting wasn't done in time."

Bisht says the delayed crop may have an impact on overall yields.

Early potato harvest has begun for processing 'direct from field'. Bisht notes growers have been happy with early yield results.

"We may still need some potatoes from other provinces because we did not have enough acres under irrigation this year," he added.

Bisht says there have been no cases of late blight in Manitoba potatoes this year. Colorado potato beetles have been an issue in some areas.