Potato planting is nearing completion

Manitoba's potato farmers are getting close to wrapping up planting.

Vikram Bisht, Industry Development Specialist with Manitoba Agriculture, estimates seeding progress at about 80 to 85 per cent complete. He expects growers should be able to finish with a couple more days of nice weather.

He commented on soil conditions.

"Soil conditions in many of the potato fields, which normally are sandier or lighter, fields, are moist deep but on the top in the planting zone, it has been reasonably ok. There are some areas within the fields where the planting will have to be skipped."

Bisht says the positive aspect of the delay in seeding is that the soils are warmer which will result in quicker emergence.

He notes seed rot could be a concern in some of the wetter fields.