Wet weather slowing potato harvest
CBC News
Posted: Oct 15, 2012 6:11 PM AT
Last Updated: Oct 15, 2012 8:02 PM AT
About two thirds of the Island's potato crop is harvested. (CBC)
After the driest summer in decades, a wet fall is slowing down P.E.I.'s potato harvest and raising concerns about how well the crop will keep in storage.
About two thirds of the potato crop is harvested. Rain has been fairly steady for the last month, and there is little let up in the forecast.
"It is discouraging and makes it harder with the equipment. It's more costly," said P.E.I. Potato Board general manager Greg Donald.
"Also the wet conditions increase concern with diseases that could be caused by excessive moisture as well."
Any disease in the potatoes will spread more quickly in storage in moist conditions, Donald said.
The eastern part of the province has been hardest hit by the wet weather. Donald said a good dry week of weather is needed to complete the harvest.
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