Central Oregon Specialty and Seed Crops Program

Potatoes

Acreage has varied from a high of well over 2,250 acres in 1969, to a low of about 230 acres in 1992. The yields have increased from around 200 cwt/acre to over 300 cwt/acre. The bulk of the potato production takes place north of Highway 126 in the Cloverdale, Terrebonne, north Redmond, and Lower Bridge areas. Most of the potatoes are grown for seed potatoes rather than commercial.

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For further information, please contact:

Steve James
Central Oregon Potato Faculty
Central Oregon Agricultural Research Station
Oregon State University
850 NW Dogwood Ln
Madras OR 97741
Telephone: 541-475-7107

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Seed Crops

Due to the relative isolation of the area, a few seed crops are grown. Major seed production since the early 1970's has been grass seed---primarily bluegrass. Until the early to mid 1970's about 15 acres of strawberries and raspberries could be found. The strawberries were grown for certified plant stock, not berry production. Peppermint was first grown in the late 1960's and has been produced yearly since then, primarily for oil, with root stock acreage fluctuating from 5 to 100 acres. The production of peppermint oil has fluctuated from 60 to 600 acres. The average being 250 acres. A number of various crops have been grown in Deschutes County over the past 25 years. With the need to diversify, new crops come and go. A given acreage of grain crops are always present, primarily used in rotation with alfalfa or potatoes.

For further information, please contact:

Marvin Butler
Central Oregon Crop Faculty/Research
Jefferson County Extension Service
Oregon State University
34 SE D St.
Madras OR 97741
Telephone: 541-475-3808

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Fred Crowe
Central Oregon Plant Pathologist Faculty
Oregon State University
850 NW Dogwood Lane
Madras, OR 97741
Telephone: 541-275-7107

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FTE - Extension 25% / Research 75%