Dutch Crop tour Potato - Week 27
It's not going to happen by itself with the potatoes this season
Warm summer weather is coming the coming week, which can give the potatoes a good knock. Some growers participating in the Boerenbusiness Dutch Crop tour can therefore not avoid watering, especially given the journey the potatoes still have to make this season for a good yield.
If we look into the potato ridges, many potato growers are not dissatisfied, with few exceptions. They do note that the foliage package is sometimes smaller than in other years. That is due to the drought, the growers suspect, they were stressed at the start. There is still some time for some crop growth, but will the crop also have the time and space for it with the oncoming heat? Or will the Innovator plots go into the summer with the greenery that is now on it?
Irrigation badly needed
Kees Trouw from Hellevoetsluis (ZH) is pleased with the current growing season. He indicates that the foliage volume is less than last year, but does not think that is an indication that the yield is lower than in previous years. "Last year the yardstick disappeared in the crop, that's how high the foliage was". On the advice of the AgroExact weather station, he has started to irrigate, in order to be prepared for the warm weather that awaits us next week. He says he has an advantage in terms of location on the North Sea. "Because I'm on the North Sea, extreme temperatures are leveled out, I also have the option of irrigating". Just before the 30 millimeter precipitation, Trouw also spread fertilizer. He now sees a healthy green color on the potato crop. Trouw sees the potatoes that growers planted very early in decline.
Kilos are paid
Kees Vrolijk from Fijnaart (NB) informs us that the foliage cover is in excellent condition this year. He found the tuber setting on the lean side, but in terms of stems we are on the same level. He has about 6 to 7 tubers under the foliage, but expects more. He often has the same tuber setting and then sees larger potatoes grow, so that they still gain weight. "A lower tuber setting generally means really coarse potatoes and therefore kilos. That is paid for." Merry is not dissatisfied with the stand and does not intend to water either. According to him, the potato goes into a survival phase during drought, where growth is halted. "If you leave it alone, it's a tough plant." With these diesel prices, Vrolijk wonders whether and when irrigating chips potatoes is interesting.
Daan Goense from Driewegen (Z) says that Innovator has less on his plot this year. His previously potted Marquis and Challenger are also in better shape. He says that planting later is disappointing, given the volume of foliage.
Measuring stick still visible
Herman Schlepers from Dronten (FL) has already started irrigating to be prepared for the coming heat. He sees that there is clearly less foliage for the time of year and that the plant is shorter. At the beginning of July last year, the measuring stick had almost disappeared in the foliage, now the plant is still flowering and the measuring stick is clearly visible. Last Thursday 8 to 20 millimeters fell on a plot, but Schlepers saw this as a danger rather than a relief. "The soil stock is hardly replenished as a result, this only ensures a longer leaf wet period, making it more susceptible to phytophthora." According to Schlepers, we will not get a top yield in potatoes in the Netherlands this year, given the current state of the crop.
Robin Winter
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