Test harvesting figures from VTA show that the potato crops produced a relatively large amount of regrowth between mid-August and mid-September. As a result, the yield ends at a high level. The association has a hand in hand. For example, many members report water damage. The direct and indirect consequences for the yield are still unclear.
VTA calculates the average potato yield, after test harvesting figures from September, at 58,5 tons per hectare. Since 2001, these trial harvests have been carried out nationally, at the same time, according to the same protocol and with different varieties. After the August figures, the hectare yield was 3,5 tons behind 2014. Due to significant growth, it ended at the same level a month later.
This makes the September 2017 average the highest average since 2012, and is 23% higher than last season. Compared to the 5-year average, the yield is 11,7% higher.
Big differences per race
Between the test harvesting moment in August and September, the crops achieved significant regrowth, averaging 12 tons per hectare. Almost all varieties have delivered quite a few kilos. The differences in yields between varieties are sometimes large. Since few samples were submitted from some varieties, VTA has calculated an average. The 5-year average is 8.971 kilos of regrowth per hectare.
Water damage and tare
Many members say they have experienced water damage. VTA cannot yet say how extensive the damage will be. Estimates vary between 10% and 20%. The figures do not take this into account. In addition to direct damage, in the form of reduced yield, there is also the risk of storage problems. A striking number of samples also have deformed tubers, which results in extra tare. Wash-out and rot were also found during the test harvests.
Few tubers
The sorting again varies greatly per plot. On average this amounts to 71% in the size 50 millimeters upwards, which is exactly the average. Last year this percentage was only 57%.
The number of tubers per sample (2x3 meters) is relatively low at 176 pieces. The average is 196 tubers and in 2016 this was 178 tubers. Much further growth is no longer expected. Most plots are worn out or sprayed to death. Some crops are still green.