Spudman May/June 2023 - 13

By Doug Ohlemeier
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
" W
ho'll Stop the Rain? " , a
1960s song from California
group Creedence Clearwater
Revival, is highly applicable to
present-day growers bedeviled by an
overabundance of water.
Beginning in late winter and
continuing through spring, torrential
rains and multiple " atmospheric rivers "
dumped voluminous rain throughout
the Golden State from Southern
California north to the San Joaquin
Valley, saturating potato plantings.
From February through March, at
least 14 such atmospheric rivers -
narrow corridors of concentrated
moisture that help carry saturated air
from the tropics to higher latitudes -
brought vast amounts of rain and snow
to the Golden State.
" If we're not in a drought, we're
drowning, " said Juan Hidalgo, Monterey
Because they thrive in water, plant diseases are
expected to multiply in such soggy conditions,
according to Extension researchers.
County Agricultural Commissioner.
" Certainly, this year has really been hard
for a lot of our counties. "
RUNOFF WORRIES
With warmer temperatures and
the late March storms adding to the
snow accumulation, growers worry about
spring bringing a rapid runoff. That
could add pressure on rivers, dams and
reservoirs, which are already almost at
capacity, said Jason Davenport, founder,
president and owner of Allied Potato in
Bakersfield, which grows chipping white
potatoes and russets for fries.
" We worry that it may put pressure
on the system, " said Davenport, who
grows in the San Joaquin Valley.
" With all the rain they've had in the
valley, we're hoping nothing breaks
open. I also worry about a lot of water
coming all at once, which will put
pressure on the dikes and levy
systems going into the Delta region
in northern California. "
Damage estimates from the
downpours weren't immediately
available, with growers expecting it
to be weeks before the full extent
is revealed. Tricia Stever Blattler,
executive director of the Tulare County
Farm Bureau, a leading potato growing
county, said much of the damage
assessment is still emerging.
Spudman.com 13

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Spudman May/June 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Spudman May/June 2023

Editor's Letter
Table of Contents
Heartland farms
Growing uncertainty
Connecting the dots
Potatoes USA: Where do chips and fries fit?
National Potato Council: Setting sights on Japan
Idaho Potato Commission: Positive impacts
Potato Sustainability Alliance: Water stewardship
Upcoming events
Advertiser Index
Spudman May/June 2023 - 1
Spudman May/June 2023 - 2
Spudman May/June 2023 - 3
Spudman May/June 2023 - Editor's Letter
Spudman May/June 2023 - 5
Spudman May/June 2023 - Table of Contents
Spudman May/June 2023 - 7
Spudman May/June 2023 - Heartland farms
Spudman May/June 2023 - 9
Spudman May/June 2023 - 10
Spudman May/June 2023 - 11
Spudman May/June 2023 - Growing uncertainty
Spudman May/June 2023 - 13
Spudman May/June 2023 - 14
Spudman May/June 2023 - 15
Spudman May/June 2023 - Connecting the dots
Spudman May/June 2023 - 17
Spudman May/June 2023 - 18
Spudman May/June 2023 - 19
Spudman May/June 2023 - 20
Spudman May/June 2023 - 21
Spudman May/June 2023 - Potatoes USA: Where do chips and fries fit?
Spudman May/June 2023 - National Potato Council: Setting sights on Japan
Spudman May/June 2023 - Idaho Potato Commission: Positive impacts
Spudman May/June 2023 - Potato Sustainability Alliance: Water stewardship
Spudman May/June 2023 - Advertiser Index
Spudman May/June 2023 - 27
Spudman May/June 2023 - 28
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