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Crop tour Arjan Jacobs

'You shouldn't spoil onions too quickly with the reel'

10 April 2023 - Robert Reijerse

organized for the sixth year in a row Boerenbusiness the crop tour. Also this year we follow ten arable farmers throughout the Netherlands in the cultivation of yellow seed onions. In this series of business reports, we introduce the entrepreneurs. This time: Arjen Jakobs from Wezup (Dr).

Jakobs is a familiar face at the Boerenbusiness Crop tour onions and will also be present this season. He has been growing onions in Drenthe on the sandy soils for years and has now also started storing them. At the moment Jakobs is busy with maintenance of the machines for the coming season. "The compost has been spread on the plots where the onions will grow next year. Let the spring begin."

More about Arjen Jakobs' arable farm

Jakobs' company is located in the east of Drenthe near the town of Wezup. Seed onions, table and starch potatoes, sugar beets and grass are grown on the farm. The total size of the company is 112 hectares, with cultivation on sandy soil. At the moment the crop rotation for onions is 1-to-6.

That's why 21 business and personal questions to Arjen Jakobs, participant in the Boerenbusiness Crop tour onions.

Which onion varieties are grown on the farm?
"These are Delta Gigant, Donna, Tina, Romy and Rolijn. Tina was chosen because it is an early variety with a good root system that will grow on a relatively dry plot this year. Delta Gigant is a new variety and was chosen to comparable to the Donna variety. The most important choices for a variety are made on the basis of storability, skin firmness and root system. I am not someone who immediately spoils my onions with an irrigation reel. The onions prefer to fend for themselves until the longest day ".

What is the precursor for onion cultivation?
"The fore crop is potatoes."

What do you think is the most beautiful crop to grow?
"I still think onions are the most beautiful crop. The overall picture of onion cultivation makes it so beautiful. Delivery, sale, harvesting, just everything that comes with it all year round."

Are there any side activities at your company?
"In addition to arable farming, we also engage in contract work. You should think of activities such as planting and lifting potatoes, sowing grain and grass, lifting and loading onions and spraying. Those are my hobbies."

What occupation would you have had if you were not a farmer?
"I'm not a person to go into paid employment. Then I immediately argue with the boss, I think. I really like trading and refurbishing machines. Then it would have become something in that direction".

What kind of soil preparation/fertilization do you use for onion sowing? 
"For onion cultivation, the plot is slightly worked. This causes the soil to dry out a bit. Then the potassium fertilizer is applied before sowing the onions. The Vinassekali is sprayed over the plot, which is cheaper and low in chlorine. cattle slurry is spread as fertilizer. Due to the slow release of minerals from the slurry, you will hopefully also benefit from the nitrogen, phosphate and potassium in the second half of the season. Compost is also used for the cultivation of the onions. is the moisture balance and workability, because occasionally there is also some loam in the soil. The reason behind this method of fertilization is a longer release of nutrients during the season." 

What is the crop protection strategy for the onion plots?
"The strategy that is applied is in consultation with the consultant. It is important to keep to the schedule. The pressure of thrips is increasing, so next year we will really spray for that. We had suffered damage in the past year of thrips."

What are your hobbies?
"Organizing classic car tours, watching Trekkertrek, ice skating, mountain biking and cycling".

What are you proud of when you look at the company or cultivation?
"I am most proud of the fact that I can give it my own twist. In the past, the potatoes were lifted by the contractor and no onions were grown. At a certain point I started doing this myself and started growing onions. I built the barn in the yard myself. These are things that I am proud of".

How do you see the future of the company in terms of developments?
"You don't know what the prices will do in the coming years and the changing regulations of GLB, but I think you have to think in terms of opportunities. Try to keep taking steps forward and keep seeing opportunities".

What has been the best choice/change in recent years at the company?
"Starting with onion cultivation eight years ago and making the switch to consumption potatoes. The choice to start with consumption potatoes is because your input is rewarded faster compared to starch cultivation."

French fries or boiled potatoes?
"Fries".

What activities are you most looking forward to during the year?
"Every moment of the season has its charms. Pulling out the reel is also fun once in a while, but not always. The variety during the season makes farming beautiful."

What role does the cultivation of onions play on your farm?
"The cultivation of consumption potatoes and onions are at the top of the ranking".

Onions from your own company or onions from the supermarket?
"Onions from our own company, of course".

Are the onions sold off the field or from storage?
"One shed has a capacity of 800 tons of onions and the shed has 300 to 400 tons of onions. The rest of the onions leave the country. The onions are stored until January."

What is your onion sales strategy?
"Part of the onions are sold off the land, part on participation and part free. The reason behind this is risk spreading. The more the traders start asking, the more you have to sit back."

What is number 1 on your bucket list?
"Seeing more of the world. Once to the other side of the world such as Africa or Australia. I also think it's important to continue with the company".

What do you see as the opportunities and threats for your company?
"The new regulations are causing changes in the area, but we continue to look for opportunities. If there is money to be made with other crops, we will do so."

Can the onions be irrigated? If so, what is the strategy you use?
"The plots are irrigated with surface water or from the source. We have sand on top of this in Drenthe, so brackish water doesn't bother us. When it needs to be irrigated, it is done based on feeling. But as I said, I also want my onions don't spoil too quickly".

What is your reason for participating in the Onion Crop Tour?
"This is the fourth year I'm taking part in the Gewastour. I enjoy learning from colleagues and partners' services."

Do you have a tip, suggestion or comment regarding this article? Let us know

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Crop tour Potatoes - week 28

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