Potato farmers in Maine had such a bountiful harvest last season that they stepped in to help their big brothers in the West who were short of potatoes.
Maine farmers shipped potatoes by rail for the first time in four decades this winter thanks to the state’s robust harvest and the heat and dry weather that has hobbled farmers in popular potato-growing states like Idaho and Washington. Potatoes have made their way over 2,500 miles (4,000 km) to processing, riding in climate-controlled rail cars.
Finally, 21 million pounds (9.5 million kilograms) of potatoes, nearly all from farmers in northern Maine, flowed through a railroad-connected warehouse owned by LaJoie Growers LLC. This equates to more than 530 truckloads of potatoes, said Guy Lagoy, co-owner.
It’s a good piece of potato,” said Don Flannery, executive director of the Maine Potato Council.
Most of Maine’s potatoes went to processors in Washington State, where a lot of French fries and other products are exported. Shipments to Idaho were seed potatoes, including Maine’s Caribou Rosette, which will be planted this spring.
Chris Voigt of the Washington State Potato Commission said processors were grateful for the potato shipments, but they hope the services of Maine farmers will not be required in the future.
The shipments ended early about two weeks ago due to economic turmoil caused by the war in Ukraine. But it was good while it lasted, helping potato processors in western states while reducing oversupply of potato spots in Maine.
It has also proven the value of railroads to agriculture, Lagoy said, especially during the truck shortage in the pandemic.
There is no way farmers can get enough tractor trailers to transport potatoes, but there is a railroad available that connects to a LaJoie-owned warehouse in Van Buren.
The shortage of truck drivers has contributed to supply chain problems during the pandemic.
“I don’t see an improvement in transportation anytime soon,” said Lagoy.
While Maine is famous for its famous lobster, the state was in fact the potato capital of the country during World War II. Other states later increased production in the 1950s. Idaho and Washington State are currently ranked 1 and 2 while Maine ranks 9th, according to the USDA.
The unusual potato shortage in the West is the result of strange summer weather.
A heat wave with temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) hit the Pacific Northwest in June, just as potatoes were beginning to grow. The result, Voigt said, has been lower yields and lower quality.
“The factories are kind of closed,” he said.
Extreme heat reduced yields by about 10% for potato growers in Idaho and Washington, while potato yields in Maine grew by more than 30% thanks to good weather, according to the USDA.
In northern Maine, the crop was so great that farmers were quick to find stores. Some of the buildings at the former Loring Air Force Base have been conscripted for the last minute home of the abundant tubers.
In the end, Lagoy said, it proved to be a successful pilot rail delivery program that could be used again if unusual weather patterns persist. Plus Maine has enjoyed getting some potato industry attention thanks to David’s taunts for helping the Potato Goliaths.
