In northwest North Dakota and northeast Montana (a.k.a.
the MonDak region), almost unlimited potential exists to produce and process high value
crops through development of center pivot irrigation systems. The irrigated production of
high value crops would promote use of the region's water and agricultural land resources
to improve its economy and population growth. Considerable interest has been created for
commercial potato and potato seed production under center pivot irrigation in the region.
This applied research project will demonstrate the potential yield and quality of
irrigated potato production in the MonDak region under center pivot irrigation on light
(sandy) to heavy (clay loam) soils.
The specific objectives of this study were to (1)
Determine the potential yield and quality of potatoes produced using center pivot
irrigation systems in fields of various soil textures in the MonDak region. (2) Evaluate
the economics of production of two potato varieties in the MonDak region. (3) Identify the
limiting factors of potato production in the MonDak region and to determine whether they
are manageable.
The study site was located in the Nesson Valley, which
is 25 miles east of Williston. The study area consisted of three fields for a total of 340
acres (Figure 1). Four quarter-section pivots were involved. Two soil types with differing
soil water characteristics were at the study site. Two fields, named "Pluto" and
"Neptune", were predominately Lihen sand with an available water capacity
of 1.3 in/ft and a permeability of 13 in/hr. The third field, named
"Saturn", was predominately Korchea and Shambo loam with an
available water capacity of 2.2 in/ft and a permeability of 1.3 in/hr.
Two potato varieties were grown. Shepody is a white,
medium-maturity variety for early harvest and Russet Burbank is a russet, late-maturity
variety for regular harvest. Shepody produces fewer but larger tubers than Russet Burbank.
Both varieties were grown under contract with a French fry food processing company. The
earlier maturity of the Shepody variety allows for an earlier startup of the processing
plant while the superior storage properties of Russet Burbank allow for year long
processing.
Certified diseased free potatoes were planted in late
April to early May. Production activities throughout the growing season are listed in
Tables 1a and 1b. Irrigation scheduling was aided by measurement of soil water
content and meteorological data. Nitrogen fertilizer needs during the growing season were
assessed by plant tissue petiole analysis.
Harvest began in mid-August. Quality samples (one sample
per 8 acres;16 samples per quarter-section pivot) were obtained at each production site.
Each sample consisted of all the tubers from five hills. Sample area for yield estimation
was determined by measuring the row length used by the five hills sampled. Samples of
Shepody potatoes were obtained on two dates from Neptune and Saturn to determine the
effect of harvest date. No Russet Burbank quality samples were obtained from Pluto.
Quality analysis was performed by J.R. Simplot Company (Grand Folks ND). Quality
data is presented in Tables 2a and 2b.
All production activities were recorded and assigned
current custom costs (Tables 1a and 1b). All other costs are actual costs incurred by the
producer unless otherwise specified. Potato enterprise budgets are shown for each variety
grown in Tables 3a and 3b.
The following assisted with funding
for this project
J.R. Simplot Company - MSU Eastern
Agricultural Research Center - NDSU Williston Research Extension Center - North Dakota
Agricultural Products and Utilization Commission - Tri-County Regional Development Council
- Williams County Water Resource Board - Williston Area Economic Development Foundation -
Williston Basin C&D Council
