'Keep calm and don't switch strategy'

De Boerenbusiness This year, Gewastour is following 10 plots of potatoes of the Innovator variety spread across the Netherlands. Every week we ask 1 potato grower about the plot, his choices and vision. This week it is Kees Vrolijk, arable farmer in Fijnaart in Brabant.

The new growing season has arrived, how is the plot of the Crop Tour?
"Last year there was winter wheat here, the straw of which was shredded. This year goat manure has been applied and the plot has been plowed. The plan is to apply pig slurry with the drag hose, but that should not be at the expense of the structure. on the plot. The structure is very good at the moment, we have not been used to that for a few years. We hope that the weather will not be too bad in the coming period. The good structure does mean that the soil is more sensitive. be patient now."

What role does the cultivation of potatoes play on the farm?
"The potato is the engine of the company. We grow French fries potatoes of the Innovator, Fontane, and Markies varieties. Normally, the acreage is divided equally. We store a lot of potatoes for long-term storage. There is room for 6.500 tons of potatoes in the warehouse. long storage. Long storage is my strategy."

Last year it was very dry, are you going to adjust the strategy?
"No, in principle I don't do anything different than usual. Last year I opened up everything on my potato plot and it went exactly the other way. As a result, the plot has dried up so deeply that the potatoes on the heavy part will not be ready until June. what were going to do. Every once in a while something like that happens, it's no different. You have to stay calm and I think you have to stick to your strategy."

Has a lot changed at the company in the past 10 years?
"Something has changed in the construction plan. We were previously on a potato crop of 1 in 3. The last few years were dry. It emerged that we have been saved in yield and quality by a broader construction plan with certain plots. did not work out, there were plots that accidentally had a crop plan of 1 in 4 and 1 in 5. We had the feeling that these plots coped better with the hot and dry summer I am now with the crop plan on a potato crop of 1 on 4. Broadening the construction plan at a dairy farmer offers me the opportunity to realize this. It is a fact that we have been dealing more with weather extremes in recent years. I see that with a more extensive construction plan we can master those extremes better Of course I want to keep my acreage of potatoes."

Why are you participating in the Crop Tour and what will it bring you?
"The big advantage of the Crop Tour is its accessible character. This means you can visit the plot every week for a photo with an explanation. This way you keep track of the plot and the associated data. I have been participating for the fourth year. The nice thing is that I also developed a friendship as a result, I met another grower from the tour and since that day we have a lot of contact about everything and anything at the company. helps you further."

Jesse Torringa

Jesse is an editor at Boerenbusiness and focuses in particular on the arable farming sector, including grain and onions. He also closely follows the fertilizer market. In addition, Jesse works on an arable farm in Groningen with seed potatoes as the main branch.

j.torringa@boerenbusiness. Nl

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