'Data is the instrument and my feeling is the machine'

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: Peter Holster from Marknesse (Fl).

Holster is participating in the for the first time this year Boerenbusiness Crop tour. As a new participant, he looks forward to learning and discussing topics with fellow arable farmers. Holster himself is fanatical about the use of drone images, which gives him more insight into his plots. After the company takeover, he also switched from growing French fries potatoes to seed potatoes.

That's why 20 business and personal questions to Peter Holster, participant in the Boerenbusiness Crop tour Onions.

Which onion varieties are grown on the farm? 
"In recent years I have grown the Hyway and Hypark varieties. This year I am only growing the Hyway variety, because I feel that this variety is less sensitive to fusarium."

Onions from your own company or onions from the supermarket?
"Of course I just get the onions from the shed."

What do you think is the most beautiful crop to grow on your farm?
"I think onions are a particularly beautiful crop. I think the best thing about onion cultivation is that a nice big onion eventually grows from such a mini seed."

Are there additional activities on the farm besides arable farming?
"In addition to running the company, I am involved in drone flights for drone workers. In addition, part of the wheat is used to make Holster Puur Polder bread."

Chopping or baling straw?
"The straw is chopped to preserve organic matter. For the cultivation of mini tubers, part of the straw is pressed for self-use. The straw is spread over the potato ridges in the spring after planting, to be used at the beginning of the season. better protect the mini tubers against aphids."

What kind of tillage/fertilization is done for onion cultivation?
"Kaliflow is applied for the cultivation of onions. If possible, a green manure is then sown. The green manure is finally plowed in with an eco-plough. The onions are grown on beds, which are milled full-field and then pressed down with a Güttler roller "This way you get a connection with the subsoil for capillary action. The onions are grown on beds of 2,25 meters. The sowing machine is equipped with skis instead of a front wheel for the sowing element."

French fries or boiled potatoes?
"French fries"

What is the onion crop protection strategy?
"At the beginning of the season I use a short interval. Then I try to choose the right moment so as not to pester the onions too much."

What are your hobbies?
"Participating in the Bloemencorso Vollenhove and skiing."

How do you see the future of your company in terms of developments?
"I recently took over the company from my parents. I want to continue to develop the company in a business-economic way."

What has been the best choice/change in recent years at the company?
"The switch, after the company takeover, from French fries potato cultivation to seed potato cultivation. I think that is the most important change in recent years. I did this because I can make a higher return with seed potatoes than with French fries potatoes."

What is number 1 on your bucket list?
"Driving a Pistenbully and Skiing in Canada."

What activities are you most looking forward to during the year?
"I think the best thing is that everything grows again during the season. I can really enjoy that during that period when I wake up in the morning."

What role does the cultivation of onions play on the farm?
"Onion cultivation has a fixed value at my company, because I can get a good return from cultivation every year."

Are the onions sold off the field or from storage?
"The onions I grow on my own plots go into storage. I don't have the storage capacity for the plots I rent. As a result, these onions are sold off the land."

What is the sales strategy of the products?
"I always grow the onions for the free market, so not on contract. The onions are the only crop where I can influence the price myself."

What do you see as the opportunities and threats for the company?
"Because of a small company everything remains clear. A threat to the company is the rapidly changing laws and regulations"

Can the onions be irrigated? If so, what is the strategy you use?
"I water the onions via my reel. I determine the moment of watering based on data and my feeling. The data is the instrument and my feeling is the machine."

What is your reason for participating in the Onion Crop Tour?
"Sharing knowledge with colleagues."

What occupation would you have had if you had not been a farmer?
"Representative in the agricultural sector"

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