North Dakota potato crop up 8 percent

FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota’s potato crop is estimated at 90,000 acres, up 8 percent from last year.

The Agriculture Department on Friday projected area for harvest at 84,000 acres, a 12 percent increase from 2009.

Potato planting in the state was wrapped up by May 30, two weeks ahead of the five-year average. Russets account for slightly more than half of the total acreage.