News and Stories

December 30, 2014

Currently, temperatures in Eastern Idaho are below zero degrees with highs forecast for 10 degrees; wind chill warnings are also in effect. Eastern Idaho potato shippers will not be able to haul potatoes from storage sheds to production facilities today. The forecast for Wednesday, December 31 also calls for unfavorable weather for potato production (a low of 1 degree with a high of 17 degrees). The freezing weather, coupled with shorter working hours over the New Year's holiday, will result in shorter production hours for the week overall. The extreme cold snap will persist through this entire week. Idaho weather should begin to improve Sunday, January 4 and become more viable for potato production next week. 

• Temperatures need to be 18 degrees or warmer for five to seven hours of the day to transport potatoes to sheds for full production
• Loading delays are likely due to short production windows, however it is difficult to gauge how severe the situation will get at this point
• Growers do not ship potatoes to packing sheds when temperatures are below 18 degrees; doing so can cause internal and external bruising as well as black skins and flesh (located on the outer edges of potatoes and just under their skins)
• Prices could increase if there are shortages

Please contact your Markon customer service representative for more information.

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