'Be triggered by growers who do things differently'

De Boerenbusiness Crop Tour 2021 will follow this year 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 Trouw, arable farmer in Hellevoetsluis (ZH).

What about the crop tour plot?
"The plot was plowed in November and last year it had winter wheat on it. 40 m3 of cattle slurry and 30 tons of compost were spread on the plot. I also already have the potash on it. As soon as the weather permits, we will start with potato legs. only have to change the tires, the rest is ready. I do that in one pass with the front cultivator and a potato potato in the lift, then I mill it. Fortunately the structure is better this year, because there was a lot last year some diesel oil through it preparing the ground."

Do you have a specific strategy in potato cultivation?
"We are fully equipped. We are well mechanized, can irrigate and also have good water to irrigate. So if the crop asks for it or if there is a long period of dry weather, we have 2 reels ready. Of course. there is a philosophy behind it and you shouldn't irrigate right away, but we strive to do the maximum work to grow a good crop."

What kind of potatoes do you grow and what is your idea behind it?
"I have 34 hectares of Innovator and 16 hectares of Donata. That has to do with the storage in the shed. I can store a total of 3.000 tons of potatoes and it is nicely stocked. I choose these varieties because I want to grow potatoes in the higher segment, which gives it more added value."

What do you enjoy at the company and how do you envision the next 10 years?
"I find the development of the crop, from the tuber to the moment you are storing the potatoes, fascinating. Especially when that large stream of potatoes comes in with the harvesting. I get a lot of satisfaction from that. And in 10 years' time the company still exists, whether it's me or one of my boys. I don't know exactly which direction it will go, but I want to keep the company and the size as it is now. I can manage the 150 hectare area well. During busy periods I fortunately have some extra staff, but I am mechanized in such a way that I will be fine in the coming period.Maybe even a bit over-mechanized.I have the philosophy that when the weather is good, you have a lot of capacity must run, because with bad weather it always gets worse."

This is your first year participating in the crop tour. What expectation do you have?
"I hope for good interaction between the growers who participate, so that as an individual grower you get more insight into how it grows and flourishes in other areas. I also like to be triggered by growers who do things differently, so that I can do better. New insights can only strengthen you, so that you can optimize yourself. I especially find the openness that the growers base in this crop tour very interesting. I want to contribute to that."

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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