Trial harvesting figures: potato chip harvest low

The trial harvesting figures confirm the picture that potato growers already suspect. The trial harvests of the Gewastour show that the average yield of the Innovator variety is considerably lower than in previous years. The spread runs from 34 to 68 tons per hectare. 

In week 37, the second trial harvesting was carried out on the potato plots of the Gewastour. Compared to the first trial grubbing-up, the spread between the plots is again large. The highest yield is the plot in Dronten (Flevoland) near Van Liere, with a net yield of 68,2 tons per hectare. This is followed by the plot in Someren (North Brabant) with 64,3 tons per hectare.

The lowest yield is the plot in Appelscha (Friesland) with a net yield of 34,6 tons per hectare. Like some other plots, more kilos can be added in the coming weeks, although the regrowth has been disappointing so far.

_{*Yield in tons of kilograms per hectare. 15% of the gross proceeds have been deducted due to spray marks, etc.} 

Average yield more than 10% lower
For quite some time the kilos seemed to be not easy and that is now demonstrable with the test harvesting figures of the Boerenbusiness Crop tour. This year the average potato yield of the Crop Tour is 52,8 tons per hectare, a lot lower than the last 2 years. The yield is 7,3 tons lower than the 2020 season (60,1 tons per hectare). In the 2019 season, the average yield was 58,1 and thus 5,3 tons lower in comparison this year.

In addition, on 4 out of 10 potato plots already haulm killing has taken place and therefore nothing more grows on these plots. This concerns the Scharendijke, Dronten (Van Liere), Hellevoetsluis and Someren plots.

At least 3 times 1 square meter has been harvested on each plot to get a good idea of ​​the current yield.

Multi-year overview

_{*Yield in tons of kilograms per hectare. 15% of the gross proceeds have been deducted due to spray marks, etc.} 

Underwater weight
The underwater weight (OWG) with an average of 381 grams is about the same as last season. In 2020, the underwater weight was 380 grams on average. The highest OWG is on the plot in Mill en Sint Hubert with 427 grams and the lowest OWG is on the plot in Appelscha with 350 grams.

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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