Crop tour Potatoes
Trial harvest: low harvest Innovator close to 2021
The average yield of the French fries potato Innovator in week 32 is clearly lower than in previous seasons. This is evident from the annual test harvests on plots of growers of the Boerenbusiness Crop tour. The low figures that come out of the bus are comparable to the 2021 season. However, the spread in yield is large, with the possibility of irrigation also paying off in the number of tons per hectare this year.
The low average yield is no coincidence, given the late potato planting with poor weather and a long period of warm and dry weather. Several growers indicated during the trial harvest that this is quite in line with what they had in mind. "It is what it is, with such a special year," was a remark that came up several times. The plots in Wouw (NB), Voerendaal (L) and IJzendijke (Z) were planted in the first week of May, the other plots two weeks later, which is reflected in the yield: The plots in Wouw (NB) and Voerendaal (LI) have grown better on the sandy soil than the plot on clay soil in IJzendijke (ZL).
Test harvests of the Innovator variety were carried out in week 32 on ten plots across the Netherlands. On each plot three times 1,5 meters were lifted in different places in order to get an idea of the current kilos. As in other years, the trial harvesting takes place at the same time in order to make better comparisons with other growing seasons.
| Place | Net gain (ton/ha) |
Number of times rained |
Soil type | growth potential 1-9 |
| Woldendorp (Groningen) | 31,2 | 3 | Clay | 8 |
| Appelscha (Friesland) | 30,7 | 0 | sand | 6 |
| Zeewolde (Flevoland) | 28,7 | 1 | clay | 8 |
| Elst (Gelderland) | 34,7 | 1 | clay | 8 |
| Hellevoetsluis (South Holland) | 34 | 3 | Clay | 7 |
| Hank (North Brabant) | 7 | 0 | Clay | 9 |
| Steenbergen (North Brabant) | 31,2 | 3 | Sablon | 8 |
| Wouw (North Brabant) | 48,1 | 4 | Zand | 6 |
| IJzendijke (Zeeland) | 27,7 | 0 | Sablon/clay | 6 |
| Voerendaal (Limburg) | 42,3 | 1 | Zand | 7 |
| Average (incl. Hank plot) | 31,6 | |||
| Average (excluding Hank plot*) | 34,3 |
*Yield in tons of kilograms per hectare. 15% of the proceeds have been deducted due to spray marks, etc.
The spread in yield between the plots is very large, with plots that have been irrigated clearly scoring better in terms of yield. Innovator's average net yield in week 32 during the Crop Tour is 31,6 tonnes per hectare. However, that is not a very fair comparison, because there was something special going on with the plot in Hank* this year. The plot was replanted on 10 June due to a heavy infestation of fusarium in the seed potatoes. As a result, the crop has only been on the road for more than eight weeks and the yield is very low at 7 tons.
Disregarding the Hank plot, the average Innovator yield is 34,3 tons per hectare. Still a low result, which comes close to the 33,7 tons from the trial harvest in the 2021 season. The yield in Wouw (NB)) is the highest at 48,1 tons. The plot in Voerendaal (l) has also grown well. These are exactly the two plots that were planted earlier than the other plots. They are also regularly irrigated.
| year | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Net gain (ton/ha) |
34,3* | 46,6 | 33,7 | 37,6 | 38,5 | 40,3 |
The long-term average is 39,3 tons per hectare, which means that the 2023 growing season is far below that average at 34,3* tons. It must be said that this is only a test harvest in week 32. Some yields seem high over the years, but in the end the kilos turned out to be disappointing towards the end of the season. That was the case in 2022 and also in 2018, when regrowth was ultimately disappointing.
Low number of tubers, little size
The first table also includes the growth potential with a range of 1 to 9, where the figure 1 applies to a crop where regrowth is hardly possible and 9 to a crop that is still very green, straight and vital. Despite the fact that the potatoes went into the ground late, there are still a number of plots that are already quite worn. There is now enough moisture, but at higher temperatures (which is expected next week) the crop can go downhill.
What is also striking about the trial harvests is that the average number of tubers is lower than in other years. It also differs per plant within the same plot. One had only three large, coarse tubers, the other planted another six. In addition, the size lags behind other years, but that is not surprising given the lower number of growing days. The number of tubers was low, especially on the heavier plots, where the potatoes were quite coarse. These can become even coarser in the coming weeks, but you cannot get really large yields with a few tubers per plant.
As soon as the crop has died completely, another test harvest is carried out. It will then become clear whether Innovator was still able to benefit from the precipitation that fell in recent weeks. The expectation of some of the growers about the kilos that may still grow is not so positive. Despite the late planting dates, the draft is already coming in nicely.
Jesse Torringa
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