Jemison speaks with WABI about state’s potato crop

WABI (Channel 5) interviewed John Jemison, a soil and water quality specialist with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, about the state’s potato crop. “If growers didn’t irrigate this year in Aroostook County, yields might be a little lower, but the quality should be good and if they were able to irrigate timely, I think they’ll do just fine,” Jemison said, adding many potato growers got a late start with the cold weather, and the month of August offered little rain. With changes in the state’s climate, Jemison said it’s more important than ever for growers to be smart before they plant. “Our growers need to be thinking about everything they can do to improve their odds,” he said. “Crop insurance, irrigation, drainage, building soil quality. Anything they can do to improve.”