By Blake Jackson
Wisconsin's potato production saw significant growth in 2023, with total output reaching 28.4 million hundredweight (cwt), an increase of 8% compared to 2022, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service's Potatoes 2023 Summary.
Wisconsin potato farmers planted 68,000 acres, an expansion of 2,000 acres from the previous year, and harvested 67,500 acres, a similar increase from 2022.
The average yield per acre rose by 5% in 2023, reaching 420 cwt, compared to 400 cwt the previous year. However, the price per cwt dipped slightly to $15.50, 10 cents below 2022 levels.
Despite the small drop in price, the total value of Wisconsin’s potato crop surged to $439 million in 2023, an 8% rise from the previous year.
The report also details seed use and farm disposition. Out of the total production, 1.595 million cwt were used for seed, while 26.508 million cwt were sold.
Wisconsin's potato farmers faced some shrink and loss, with 1.547 million cwt categorized in this section.
2023 proved to be a strong year for Wisconsin's potato industry, marked by increased acreage, higher yields, and a greater overall value of production.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-npantos
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Fruits and Vegetables, Government & Policy