First trial harvesting figures lower than last year

The first trial harvesting of the potato plots of the Gewastour took place in week 31. What is striking is that these trial harvesting figures show an average yield that is lower than last year's results.

Just like last year, the trial harvesting took place in week 31. Last year's growing season was characterized by extreme drought. At the time, this yielded an average yield of 37,6 tons. It must be said, however, that the trial harvesting figures for last year's plots were proportionally higher than the average figures from the sector. This was due to the fact that a number of plots scored above average.

Dry start to the season
Just like 1 year ago, the 2019 growing season started very dry. This dry start is also visible in these test harvesting figures. At 36,7 tons, the figure is 0,9 tons lower than last year. It should be noted that this year 2 of the 10 plots have not been irrigated, whereas last year only 1 plot was irrigated. The trial harvesting took place on Tuesday 30 July, while precipitation still fell throughout the Netherlands later in week 31. More precipitation will also be released in the coming weeks.  

Especially in the east of the Netherlands it is extremely dry this season. Many parcels in the east are marked by a dead foliage package. The plot in Goor (Overijssel) clearly shows how dry it was during the first months of the growing season. In addition, it is not possible to irrigate on the plot. With a yield of 21,8 tons, this trial harvesting figure is the lowest of all Crop Tour plots.

Southwest a lot better
The drought of last season was especially visible in the southwest of the Netherlands. In Scharendijke (Zeeland) and Fijnaart (West Brabant), 2 plots participated in the Gewastour last year. These plots faced very difficult growing conditions, resulting in low yields. The plots are coming out better this year.

Just like last year, the plot in Scharendijke (Zeeland) cannot be irrigated. In the 2018 season, this resulted in a yield of 31 tons in week 19,6. This was then the plot with the lowest yield. The plot has received more rain this season, bringing the trial row figure to 40,4 tons. The plot in Fijnaart (North Brabant) had a yield of 29,2 tons last year and will be 39 tons this year.

Irrigation pays off
Last season's drought also ensured that many growers were well prepared from the starting blocks. Many potato growers have started irrigating early in the season. The plot in Escharen, Brabant, has been irrigated the most with 8 times. This has resulted in a yield of 47 tons. 

All Crop Tour plots were planted within a period of 2,5 weeks. The potato plot in Scharendijke was planted first (on 6 April) and the plot in Spijk last (26 April). Last year, the spread in these data was much larger. Then the first plot was planted on March 29 and the last plot on May 16. 

Trial harvesting figures
Last season, 6 out of 10 growers also participated in the Crop Tour. These plots can therefore be compared with each other. In addition, the plots in Ens and Dronten can be compared with the plots in Marknesse and Biddinghuizen (which participated last season). These plots are located in the same region. The plots in Goor and Voorst are not compared with last year, because these plots do not correspond to the regions of last year. 

* 15% has been deducted from the gross proceeds, including for spraying tracks.

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