The picture in the various test harvesting figures is very similar. Despite dry growing conditions in many regions of the Netherlands and Belgium, Fontane managed to work towards multi-year yields. Challenger does significantly less and lags behind. With more than 30 degrees on the plates, much regrowth can no longer be counted on.
In Belgium, Fiwap, Carah, PCA and Inagro have again sampled their 31 Fontane plots. In week 37 the average yield here is 45 tons per hectare net. That is exactly the 5-year average and 3 tons more than last year. With 82% in the size 50 millimeters upwards, the Fontane's can be called coarse. On average that is three quarters. This is mainly due to the fact that the number of tubers is lower. This season 12 pieces versus 16 on average.
Aging
As has been the case all season, the crops in Flanders are doing better than in Wallonia. Partly because more irrigation can be done here. The yield is slightly higher at 47 tonnes net. In Wallonia this is below average at 43 tonnes. The underwater weight of 410 shows that the crops are already quite advanced in aging. This is also reflected in the weekly growth of the plots.
The 18 Challenger plots yielded 42 tonnes per hectare in week 37, compared to an average of 41,2 tonnes. With 63% in the size 50 millimeters upwards, the games this season cannot be called very rough. The heterogeneity is also striking. The spread between the worst and best plot is 19 tons. At Fontane this is even 32 tons.
Figures Bruwier
Potato trade brewer also sampled these varieties in week 37. The Fontane's arrive at 49,1 tonnes per hectare net at 86% in the size 50 millimeters upwards. The 5-year average of Bruwier is 48,7 tons per hectare. Challenger remains stuck at 48,7 tons per hectare and is also less coarse here.
Aviko Potato for all varieties and all areas it amounts to 60 gross tons, which amounts to 51 net tons. The figures are therefore slightly above those from Belgium, but below those of last year. The coarse percentage remains high and is already approaching 90%. Due to the rainfall (in the Netherlands), the underwater weight has decreased. The average underwater weight of the Aviko plots is 380, which is much lower than the Belgian figures indicate. This is, by the way, fairly average for the company.
Final sampling
Both Bruwier and Fiwap/PCA sample once more in week 39. Aviko will continue until week 40. Fiwap reports that the potato plots have died by an average of 60%. Given the high temperatures and low moisture supply, hardly any further growth is expected. Bruwier also reports that the potential of the Fontane and Challenger crops is limited or nil. The 2020 harvest can therefore be summarized as average, very coarse and with a (very) high underwater weight.