Potato farmers in the province were glad to see some rain fall over the past few days.

Vikram Bisht, plant pathologist with Manitoba Agriculture, says many areas were between 40 and 70 per cent of normal rainfall.

He adds while the rainfall was needed, it may also cause some disease issues.

"One of the concerns that we may have because of this wet weather right now, is any cull piles that we may have in the farm yards or in the corner of the fields. Those must be taken care of, otherwise they can be a potential source of late blight, if they have infected tubers in there."

Bisht says late blight is not a major issue out in the fields, although there are some concerns with the disease infecting volunteer potatoes that are coming up from last year.

He adds potato growth is ranging anywhere from "close to emerging" to about six inches in some of the early planted crops.

Bisht notes the recent warm weather has really helped speed things along.