Smart storage, higher returns

Towards spring, there are still mainly batches of potatoes for long-term storage in the storage facilities. The aim is to store these products optimally with the lowest possible energy consumption until the end of the journey. This requires knowledge of potatoes, ventilation, cooling, germination inhibition and storage computers.

"We see that potatoes are much calmer in terms of germination than last year," says Jan van Maldegem, product manager at Tolsma-Grisnich. "That shows that no year is the same, not even in storage." Together with Bart Hoogeveen, R&D engineer and supervisor of study groups of potato growers at Tolsma-Grisnich, he gives potato growers tips in this article to dot the i's and cross the t's in the last months of the storage season.

1. Growing season also determines storage yield
Practice shows time and again that more field data of the stored products is necessary for optimal storage. "The conditions under which a crop has grown in the field have a great influence on the storage strategy and the storage yield," says Hoogeveen.

"Temperature, precipitation, soil type, soil conditions during cultivation all affect the storage yield. You want to get a better grip on this in order to better predict which storage strategy is needed and how long you can store a product well." A crop that was not yet in its prime (ripened) before killing also has a lower baking quality, which continues to play a role throughout the storage season.

It also appears that the temperatures after killing and before harvesting have an effect on the final baking quality. "More insight into these factors helps storers to be better prepared and to make choices for the right storage strategy," says Bart. "What is not suitable for long-term storage must be delivered on time. Making a clear choice in this also yields its return."

2. Mechanical cooling as a 'germination inhibitor'
"In practice, we see that rising costs play an increasingly important role in cultivation and storage," says Jan. In cultivation, the costs of controlling phytophthora have risen sharply in the past year. In long-term storage, energy is of course an important cost item, but the costs of sprout inhibitors also have a major impact.

All in all, arable farmers are looking for measurable savings. This can be found in the more targeted use of sprout inhibitors in combination with mechanical cooling. By keeping the temperature in the storage tight and flat, this not only benefits the baking quality, but also limits the storage losses. Bart Hoogeveen says: "The discussions in our study groups show that it is possible to halve the losses in practice by using mechanical cooling. Cooling to the storage temperature in time and short but intense cooling actions ensure that the potato remains calmer and less moisture is extracted from the tuber." An additional advantage is that the number of treatments with a sprout inhibitor can be reduced, which is a saving in hard euros.

3. Storage computer and energy
'Can't that storage computer turn on the cooling when my solar panels are producing a lot of energy?', is a frequently heard question in the market. Many arable farms have invested in solar panels and wind turbines, but the problem is often that energy generation and consumption are not synchronized. During the day, when the sun is shining, there is often a surplus of energy, while extra energy is needed at night. "A good energy management module can make a difference in this," says Bart Hoogeveen. "By measuring the energy production and linking ventilation and cooling to this via a priority scheme, your own energy can be used optimally." This also offers opportunities to use energy from battery storage yourself.

However, energy saving should not be at the expense of product quality. Smart sensors and automation play an important role in this. By continuously monitoring temperature, humidity and CO2 levels, storage computers can make immediate adjustments and thus prevent problems such as condensation, mould or dehydration of products. A good balance between energy saving and quality preservation is essential for the storage of arable products.

Future
How we can further improve the yield in arable farming in the future may lie in the use of artificial intelligence and data analysis. AI techniques can be used to predict more accurately when energy is cheap and how storage conditions can be adjusted most efficiently. In addition, historical (crop) data and weather forecasts can help to cool and dry even more efficiently. Jan van Maldegem sees opportunities in this: "Smart technology ensures that storage becomes less dependent on the outdoor climate, strongly fluctuating energy prices and at the same time products can be kept in top condition."

Bart Hoogeveen agrees and emphasizes that these future ideas are also discussed in the study groups. By sharing knowledge with growers and the French fry factory, arable farmers can ultimately make further steps in increasing the storage yield.