PEI·Photos

P.E.I. potato farmers seeing 'very good' crops

Despite a dry summer, it's so far so good for the Island potato harvest, says the chairman of the P.E.I. Potato Board.

Harvest about 3rd of the way through, says chairman of the potato board

The view from above at Clarkin Farms in Emyvale. Alex Docherty, with the P.E.I. Potato Board, says this year's crop as been "very good." (Clarkin Farms/Twitter)

Despite a dry summer, it's so far so good for the Island potato harvest, says the chairman of the P.E.I. Potato Board.

Island farmers are about a third of the way through the harvest, and the quality and quantity of spuds seems to be better than expected, said Alex Docherty.

"So far what we've been into has been very good, the rounds," he said.

Docherty said there are still some spuds being harvested, but things are good to date.

"The big unknown is the burbank crop, which entails a lot of acres on P.E.I. and it's only really just starting to get harvested now," he said.

"I'm hearing a few guys that are at it are pleasantly surprised also with them, so but there's a big block of acres yet to be dug."

Docherty said unlike previous years, the problem of potato tampering doesn't seem to be a big concern this year.

Island potatoes are safer than ever because of extra measures like metal detectors in warehouses, he said.

Check out the crop

Here are some photos of the potato harvest gathered from various social media sites.

Potatoes are waiting in the row waiting to be scooped up. (Submitted by Bryan Maynard)
Potato farmers begin their day before the sun rises. (Submitted by Tim Linkletter)
Robinson will still plant for 2019. (Submitted by Lori Robinson)
The potato harvest at the Craig Family Farm in Tryon. (Lauren Craig/Instagram)

With files from Stephanie Kelly