Crop tour Onions week 10
These are the onions plots for the Crop Tour 2021
De Boerenbusiness Croptour follows the growing season of 8 plots with onions this year. What is the situation on the plots, what choices do the growers make and what will the yield ultimately be? The 2021 crop tour will keep you informed of the current developments in onion cultivation.
This year we are monitoring the cultivation of yellow seed onions of different varieties. The plots are nicely spread throughout the Netherlands. The choices made by growers can lead to differences in yield and quality. We also look at the influence of soil types and strategies on growth and yield.
North Netherlands
The northernmost plot is located in Onerum (Groningen). arable farmer Dirk Binnema is participating in the Crop Tour for the first time. In addition to onions, he grows seed potatoes, grains and beets. The plot is 10,2 hectares in size and the soil type is light loam. The plot is still undeveloped. Last year there were potatoes.
Binnema is not in a hurry and is busy sorting seed potatoes. "It will take a while before we start sowing here. We are only in the first half of March." Plowing is done before sowing, after which the Hypark variety is sown on beds of 2,25 meters.
In Friesland we are following the second plot in the Northern Netherlands. This plot is located in Kimswerd and is from the Hogenhout arable farm. The company grows various crops such as; potatoes, beets and grain. In addition, Hogenhout provides growers in the area with seed.
The onion plot is 3 hectares in size and has loam as the soil type. Grower Reinder Hogenhout wait patiently, but has already received the seed. "Here in the north we are always a bit later than in the south. It is also too cold now." Last growing season there were potatoes and after the harvest the plot was dug. Before sowing, Reinder tills the field with the power harrow. The Centro variety is sown on the plot, in 1,5 meter beds.
In the south of Drenthe we follow the onion plot of the Jakobs partnership in wezup. Arjan Jacobs is going to grow the onions on an 8-hectare plot of sandy soil. In addition to onions, he grows starch potatoes and beets. Hoza is the variety he sows, on 1,5 meter beds. If the soil is proficient this week, and the weather permitting, Jacobs will likely spread compost. "It is still too early for sowing. With a higher temperature, there will be a more even emergence, I think".
Central Netherlands
We have 2 plots in Flevoland. The first plot is located in Nagele and is 5 hectares in size. The company of the Hospers family grows potatoes, grain and seed onions. "The soil type is light loam and was plowed in the autumn under good conditions. Before that, there was radish," says Harmjan Hospers† The onions are grown on 1,5 meter beds and the variety is Hysky.
The other plot in Flevoland is located in Dronten and is part of Aeres Farms† Students of the Aeres University of Applied Sciences are doing various tests here. This year, the Crop Tour follows a 1,4 hectare plot of the Hyway variety, on a bed width of 1,5 metres. Jacco Biesheuvel does the processing on the plot and has been satisfied so far. "The conditions under which we plowed were exceptionally good, especially compared to last year." A test with mechanical weed control will be carried out on the onion field. The students will monitor the crop during the growing season.
South of the Netherlands
In North Brabant we follow 2 plots that are close to each other. The first we encounter is in oeffelt and is from Jillissen Agri. The plot is a loam soil, has a size of 6 hectares and is still undeveloped. Geert Jillissen knows what he wants to do. "Before sowing, we plow the area and then seedbed preparation starts."
A little further south we find Maatschap Derikx Akkerbouw in Ysselsteyn† The onion plot has a size of 7,2 hectares and the soil type falls under sand. Besides onion cultivation Martin Derickx such as potatoes, peonies and beets. "This week I sowed onions at another company, but I think it is still too early for myself. I do have a number of plots that can be used. But, if the seed is in the ground, it does nothing, but the weeds do. ." The variety sown this year is Baritto. The bed width is 1,50 m.
In Zeeland Kortgene is the last onion plot of the Crop Tour. Klaas-Jan Boer has his business here and grows the Hybelle variety on his 4,5 hectare plot. The plot, with a light clay soil type, has had grass last year. It is a leased plot of a dairy farmer. "I sprinkled fertilizer on the plot over the frost, then it was possible," says Boer, who is in no hurry.
Jesse Torringa
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.
