Posted: 09.30.2010

Wisconsin potato growers are evaluating how much of their remaining crop they'll be able to harvest after 5 inches of rain that fell last weekend.

Portage and Wood county officials say right now they're estimating as much as $20 million lost in the potato crop alone.  Growers say 40 percent of the crop remains in flooded or saturated fields.  They say they risk harvesting potatoes that are already rotten, or to wet for proper storage.  Estimates are that the shelf life of remaining potatoes is running between 60-90 days in storage.

In Trempealeau county, county ag agents say the biggest threat their farm fields may face is uncovering hidden debris that's been washed into fields.  John Zander, Trempealeau county ag agent told farm broadcasters that pastures also have to be monitored to avoid permanent damage.  Zander said for waterlogged pastures - the best suggestion is to keep all livestock off those fields until soils dry.

The Wisconsin River is dropping, promising relief for the state's flood-weary south-central section.

The river started overflowing its banks on Saturday after heavy
rains to the north flowed downstream. The river poured around a
levee and flooded low-lying areas in the town of Caledonia, just
outside Portage. Dozens evacuated.

The river peaked at 20.6 feet on Monday, about three feet above
flood stage.

State Department of Natural Resources spokesman Greg Matthews
says the river was at 18.7 feet early Wednesday morning. He expects
it will drop below flood stage by mid-afternoon.

Columbia County Emergency Management Director Pat Beghin didn't
immediately return a message seeking an update on when residents
will be allowed to return to their homes.
 

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