First potatoes from Innovator have already been stored

The offspring of the Innovator variety is over and done with. Harvesting the potatoes is therefore in the planning of the growers who participate in the Boerenbusiness Crop tour. The harvesting conditions appear favorable. The first potatoes from Innovator are already behind the shelves.

After rain comes sunshine, as it turns out. Last week's rainfall has been good for the soil in many parts of the Netherlands and with the current warm Indian summer, this will lead to favorable harvesting conditions in the near future. Several growers indicate that the harvesting machine is ready in the yard or is already working overtime. 

Innovators cleared in Groningen
In Woldendorp in Groningen, the potato harvester has already finished harvesting Innovator. The Crop tour plot was cleared there last week under good conditions. Grower Maarten Schuttenbeld indicates that they often start the harvest a little earlier. "We sprayed the foliage at the beginning of September and last week we cleared the plot. We are usually quite on time with the clearing, especially where Innovator was located this year. That is heavy soil, so we always take that into account when clearing."

Even though the harvesting went well, the potato harvester is currently at a standstill in Woldendorp. "We have only harvested Innovator so far. Other varieties have not gotten that far yet," says Schuttenbeld. 
 

All potatoes on the plot are stored in Woldendorp Recruiting innovators in Woldendorp (Groningen)

It is not surprising, given the special season this year, but according to Schuttenbeld the yield is probably slightly lower than average. I think the net yield was about 50 tons per hectare. In other years we achieve just a little more, but I think we have done everything we can this season. The potatoes have become fairly large." Schuttenbeld indicates that this may be due to a lower tuber number. A tuber number per plant that is somewhat behind other years this year seems to cost kilos in many plots.

Jesse Torringa

Jesse is an editor at Boerenbusiness and focuses in particular on the arable farming sector, including grain and onions. He also closely follows the fertilizer market. In addition, Jesse works on an arable farm in Groningen with seed potatoes as the main branch.

j.torringa@boerenbusiness. Nl

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