'There is still much to learn about soil processes'

Alex van Erp (21) is a new participant of the Gewastour and works with his parents on their arable and dairy farm in Midwolda. The farm grows potatoes, seed onions, corn, grass and beets. In addition, 200 dairy cows are kept. 

Alex focuses on arable farming on the company that uses 120 hectares for growing potatoes (1 in 4), seed onions (1 in 8), corn and beets, with as much grass as possible in the crop plan. He grows 23 hectares of Innovator on three different plots. In the spring, he first tries to mow a cut of grass, after which the land is ploughed. Then he uses an AVR multivator, followed by a loosening plough and then a work pass in which he mills and plants.

The Gewastour plot is 3 hectares and around 20 April an attempt is made to mow the grass. After mowing, 50 cubic metres of cattle manure is spread, which contains 3,1% nitrogen instead of the usual 4%. In addition, 500 kilos of polysulfate and 300 to 400 litres of NTS are applied. Amistar or Allstar are often used for planting. 

The potatoes are usually stored until December. At the moment the potatoes are grown under contract with HZPC, but Alex is considering free growing in the future. He does not yet know whether he will stay with Innovators. "The variety uses a lot of nitrogen, which poses challenges in NV areas these days. I see that more and more is becoming known about soil processes and I realise that there is still a lot to learn."

Crop protection a major challenge
Crop protection remains a major challenge, especially in years with high disease pressure, such as now. In the winter, the land always remains green, which contributes to soil health. Another advantage of growing grass is that the bearing capacity is good in the spring. As soon as the milling machine goes in, it dries up immediately. He does indicate that he must always be on time with the work, because on the heavy soil that is essential.

The company started as a family business with dairy cattle, but Alex always had an interest in arable farming. Over the years he has further developed this passion, whereby the dairy farm still remains an important part of the company. The combination of dairy cattle and arable farming complement each other well. Through his internship at seed potato companies he rolled into potato cultivation. Alex says about the cultivation of seed potatoes: "I don't really see a future for our company here, the soil is too heavy and that's why the numbers are lagging behind."

'Entrepreneurship is in my blood and I learn from my mistakes'
What he likes most about being a farmer is the freedom to work for himself. "I I decide for myself where I start and end and in doing so I create something of my own." He finds the most difficult thing is that the story of the agricultural sector does not always get across well to citizens. "Entrepreneurship is in my blood and I learn from my mistakes. When something goes wrong, I get extra driven and focused, but sometimes also frustrated. Not seeing any obstacles and just carrying on, is my motto, because making mistakes is part of it and you never know everything in advance." According to him, he has learned more from a year of practical experience in cultivation than in eight years of school.

In ten years, Alex hopes to build an insulated storage shed for potatoes and onions and eventually take over the company completely. He also wants to grow in area, so that he can further develop the company and make it future-proof.

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