News Weather
Making up damage after a sweltering heat wave
Large parts of Europe groaned and groaned under a heat wave that brought record temperatures in late July. In the weekend, however, this heat was extinguished locally with a lot of rain locally. How have crops survived 'the grill'?
The differences in the Netherlands are enormous. Some regions have received virtually no rain in July, while significant precipitation has fallen in the south-west in particular. Last weekend, up to 20 millimeters of rain fell locally. In contrast, the middle and northeast of the country is extremely dry.
France stays dry
Belgium was also treated to precipitation, which fell mainly around Brussels. It will also remain very dry in France. The precipitation there was limited to a maximum of 10 millimeters. It was precisely in the large northern French potato areas that there was hardly any precipitation and it was very hot.
Germany, like our country, is split in two. Southern Germany has received precipitation. In the Alps, just like in France, it was haunted, so that huge amounts of precipitation fell in that region. Northern Germany remains extremely dry, as has been the case throughout the season. Lower Saxony, where most potatoes are grown, the counter also records 0 millimeters. There has been no rainfall at all further to the east.
Potatoes on their way back
Arable farmers now have to take stock. The crops have a temperature of up to 40 degrees Celsius sledgehammer got. In particular, the early potato varieties, such as Innovator, have suffered badly and are clearly on the decline. Also the plots of the Crop Tour to show this image. The plants are literally roasted.
In addition, the onions also received a blow. The plots have spontaneously started ironing. The maize on the dry sandy soils also suffered greatly from the drought. This also applies to sugar beets.
How is it going now? Rain has cooled locally, but through-wash is still lurking. It will become clear in the coming days whether the wash through induction is getting underway. That is why MH is now being used, both in potatoes and onions. DCA's market analysts estimate that the impact of the heat has been significant. A less yield of 10% is estimated for potatoes. The same goes for the onions.
Changeable weather
All weather models show a changeable weather type for the first 10 days of August. After tomorrow, temperatures will drop to around 20 degrees, with the occasional few millimeters of precipitation. Given the drought in the country, this brings little relief, but the moderate temperatures ensure low evaporation. It has to happen now for the main crop of ware potatoes and onions. In that respect, anything can still happen, although the top is gone after the heat.
The cards are not all that open everywhere. In North(east) Germany and Poland it has been so extremely dry for so long that the yield is really going to be disappointing. The picture of Belgium and northern France is somewhat more unclear. The insiders there speak of plots with potential as well as crops that are failing. The first trial harvests of the main harvest will be announced soon, which will provide more clarity about the current situation.
Niels van der Boom
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