'We always spread the risks in onion sales'

Organizing for the sixth year in a row Boerenbusiness the crop tour. Also this year we follow ten arable farmers throughout the Netherlands in their decisions regarding the cultivation of yellow seed onions. In this series of business reports, we introduce the entrepreneurs. This time: René Haaijer from Veelerveen (GR).

Arable farming and contracting company Haaijer is located in Veelerveen, located in the southeast of Groningen. Loonbedrijf Haaijer has been fully focused on the cultivation of onions since 2012. The company sows around 600 hectares of onions in the surrounding area every year. This is done with three sowing machines of 3 x 2 meters. 7 rows of onions are sown on one bed.

That is why 19 business and personal questions to René Haaijer, participant in the Boerenbusiness Crop tour Onions.

Which onion varieties are grown on the farm?
"We mainly grow Hazera varieties. The Vento variety was sown on the Gewastour plot. We grow this variety because we have had good experiences with it for years with various characteristics such as storability."

What do you think is the most beautiful crop to grow on your farm?
"Onions! Because onions are our core business. It's not just the cultivation itself, but also everything around it that makes onions such a beautiful crop. Here in the Veenkoloniën, onions are a crop that you have freedom in, not just contract cultivation. That's the charm of the crop."

Are there any side activities on your farm besides arable farming?
"In addition to the arable farm, we have a contracting company that specializes in the cultivation of onions. We sow 600 hectares of onions every year. We also have a poultry branch."

Chopping or baling straw?
"That depends on the price of the straw, but in general the straw is chopped. The choice for chopping is for structure and organic matter in the soil."

What kind of tillage/fertilization is done prior to onion cultivation?
"Ninety percent of the plots are spaded as the main tillage. The fertilizer for the cultivation of the onions comes from animal manure."

French fries or boiled potatoes?
"Fries."

What is the crop protection strategy in onion cultivation?
"Preventively protect the crop. We can apply sprays variably. As a result, I try to give the desired dose at every location. In other words, where there are fewer or no weeds, a lower dose."

What are your hobbies?
"Working is my hobby and also my three children. Football and car and motorcycle sports are also a hobby of mine."

What are you proud of when you look at the company or cultivation?
"That we, as a contracting company, have completely specialized in growing onions in recent years. We were one of the first to start growing onions in the Veenkoloniën."

What has been the best choice/change in recent years at the company?
"That we switched from a traditional contracting company in 2012 to only focus on onions."

What is number 1 on your bucket list?
"At the moment I don't have anything right away. But I would like to see how farming is done abroad."

What activities are you most looking forward to during the year?
"I always think the sowing is the best, but that's personal. It's always a hectic period in the spring. That was the case again this year. That also makes it fun."

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

What is the sales strategy of the products?
"We always do risk spreading. We grow pink onions under contract and they leave the country to cover the risks. We still have the rest available for harvest 2023 at the moment. The company has room for 1.600 tons of storage at onions and the rest are stored in external storage. The onions in external storage leave before Christmas. We do not have a fixed sales time for the onions in our own storage."

What occupation would you have had if you had not been a farmer?
"Yes, tell me. I was a project leader in the industry for years and I also liked that job."

What do you see as the opportunities and threats for your company?
"What is a problem for one person can also be seen as a challenge. The cultivation of onions is becoming more difficult due to various circumstances, so you have to delve into that. Look together to find a solution together, that's where the opportunities lie ."

Can the onions be irrigated? If so, what is the strategy you use?
"It is possible to irrigate the onions here. The onions are irrigated with surface water. We used a soil moisture sensor for the first time last year. But to be honest, in the end we just did the irrigation by feel."

Sun holiday or winter sports?
"Sun vacation."

What is your reason for participating in the Onion Crop Tour?
"Curiosity, seeing how things are going in other parts of the country. And further discussion and exchange of thoughts with other growers."

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