'We will grow the majority of potatoes under contract'

organized for the sixth year in a row Boerenbusiness the crop tour. This year, too, we are following ten arable farmers throughout the Netherlands in the cultivation of chips potatoes of the Innovator variety. In this series of business reports, we introduce the entrepreneurs. This time: arable farm Johannes Kerkhovenpolder with the grower Maarten Schuttenbeld (left in the photo) and manager Ludolf Fledderman (right) from Woldendorp (Gr).

The name actually says it all, but the arable farm Johannes Kerkhovenpolder BV owes its name to the reclaimed area in the North Groningen region of the Oldambt. The area is traditionally known for its large-scale arable farms with relatively large areas of cereals such as wheat and barley. But chips potatoes of the Innovator variety are also grown.

That's why 20 business and personal questions to Maarten Schuttenbeld, participant in the Boerenbusiness Crop Tour Potatoes.

Which potato varieties are grown on the arable farm? 
"We grow the varieties Agria, Innovator and King Russet at the company. We grow Agria for the table potato market and deliver it to our buyer Schaap in March. Innovator and King Russet are for long storage until May."

What is the pre-crop for potato cultivation?
"The pre-crop is wheat. This year we also have a plot of tulips as pre-crop. The tulips are harvested on time, after which we sow green manure on that plot."

What do you think is the most beautiful crop to grow on your farm?
"I think the potatoes and onions are the most beautiful crop. I don't have a specific preference. Each crop also has its own thing that you have to think about and that's great."

Chopping or baling straw?
"All the straw is pressed by a contractor. Particularly on the heavier soils, you plow everything up again a year later when you start chopping the straw. We sometimes chop a lighter plot, but not often."

What kind of tillage/fertilization is done prior to potato cultivation?
"All plots are plowed in the autumn to allow the soil to weather. To spread the soil tillage, we sow the green manure over the plow cut. If spring allows, we try to use drag hoses for potato planting. Then milling and potato planting with an All-in-One. Before planting, we spray NTS on the King Russet and Innovator varieties."

French fries or boiled potatoes?
"French fries"

What is your crop protection strategy in potato cultivation?
"We keep our spraying schedule quite tight. I think the cultivation risk is too great in the potatoes, considering the costs you save by spraying one or two times less. It is better to just keep the interval, then you know for sure that there is less chance on illness."

What are your hobbies?
"I am now busy renovating my house. I like doing odd jobs."

What are you proud of when you look at the company or cultivation?
"I've only been working here for the fourth year, but if you look at the allotment, it's easy to work here. The large plots allow us to operate efficiently. The great thing is that we can turn the company around with four full-time workers. We do have extra employees available during peak periods."

How do you see the future of the company in terms of developments?
"We see a future in mechanical weed control and spot spraying. This year we invested in a sprayer with spot spraying. We are going to apply the technique in sugar beets and seed onions. The aim of spot spraying is only spraying where there are weeds instead of the whole plot, so we can reduce the use of crop protection products."

What has been the best choice/change in recent years at the company?
"That we started cultivating seed onions a few years ago. We like the cultivation, so maybe we'll expand the onion area a bit in the future."

What is number 1 on your bucket list?
"I think it would be nice to go to New Zealand again."

What activities are you most looking forward to during the year?
"I'm not specifically looking forward to anything, but I'm happy when spring starts again. After a long winter period you can go back into the field."

Are the potatoes sold off the field or from storage?
"All potatoes are sold from storage. We store Agria until March. King Russet and Innovator are stored until May. We grow the potatoes under contract or free, which differs per year. The contract prices for next season are good, so we are growing for the most part this year under contract."

What profession would you have chosen if you had not been a farmer?
"I studied civil engineering, so it would have been something along those lines."

What do you see as the opportunities and threats for the company?
"A threat is the uncertainty in government regulations, as a result of which no clear strategy is issued for the future."

Can there be watering? If so, what strategy do you use?
"We can irrigate the crops with surface water. In recent years we have been lucky with the amount of precipitation that has fallen here. Since last year we have had an irrigation reel, which is just a bit easier to work with than calling in the contractor. is dry, we grab the reel and then we can irrigate immediately. Then you are less likely to be late."

Sun holiday or winter sports?
"Sun vacation anyway, I'm not into winter sports."

What is the reason you are participating in the Potato Crop Tour?
"We have been in contact with Boerenbusiness if we could join. I think it would be fun and interesting to learn from each other."

Potatoes from your own company or potatoes from the supermarket?
"Potatoes from their own company, of course."

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