Potato planting 2018

[TJB]

a video of us going on Monday,
as I write this its pouring with rain out side, this seems like a different world now


https://twitter.com/ProvenancePots/status/989843876319031296

 

[Honest john]

Why you worried? Are you batting for the other side?! Longer planting delayed better the job will be. Need to see plenty of 14 t/acre crops not these blasted 20 plus tonnes.

Thanks for trying to cheer us up. Not sure it's working.

 

[AndrewB]

First field cultivated today, ridged tomorrow hopefully.

 

[farmerphilly]

Could a later plant result in less tuber numbers? Would it be better to tighten spacings as time goes on?

 

[Sonoftheheir]

I was thinking go wider so they can get bigger?

 

[farmerphilly]

Good point

 

[Trying]

Finding the seed on the large side so not going so far.

 

[Sonoftheheir]

We’re going to have a go after lunch

 

[Trying]

We’re going to have a go after lunch

Still too wet here. Try in the morning.

 

[Trying]

We’re going to have a go after lunch

How did you get on?

 

[Sonoftheheir]

How did you get on?

Done about 4 acres so far, fairly dry. Light black Fen ground.

 

[Iben]

Anyone know how they are getting on in the rest of Europe?

 

[Sonoftheheir]

Anyone know how they are getting on in the rest of Europe?

@Niels ?

 

[TJB]

Over 40mm of rain in the last 24 hours, fields flooded ditches over flowing.... just when I thought we were getter somewhere [emoji53]

 

[Wombat]

Anyone know how they are getting on in the rest of Europe?

Seemed quite a lot planted in Holland and Germany last week

 

[Sonoftheheir]

Seemed quite a lot planted in Holland and Germany last week

I should imagine they’ve got on well, but there is some very heavy land in Holland. Looked like they’ve had a lot of rain in northern France, Belgium and Holland in the past 24hrs.

 

[riverside2]

Anyone know how they are getting on in the rest of Europe?

Some good progress in Holland after a delayed start according to a colleague over there, but 33mm of rain in the south yesterday. Early areas of Germany were 2/3 weeks behind at one point but have made progess since. Poland were a fair way behind and only really got going 10-14 days ago. Not heard an update on Belgium/France...............

Not sure if there is going to be a reduction in planted area unlike the expected drop over here. Processing capacity in NW Europe is rising at such a pace that the factories are expecting more tonnage year on year. Rotations don't seem to be able to stay at a sensible gap in Belgium and Holland based on this sort of pressure, makes you wonder how some of this land will end up.

 

[Sonoftheheir]

It amazes me how they continue to grow so many potatoes in Holland and Belgium. And onions in Holland. They’re not exactly big places are they.

 

[Honest john]

Over 40mm of rain in the last 24 hours, fields flooded ditches over flowing.... just when I thought we were getter somewhere [emoji53]

It looks like that big dump of rain that came from France has landed on Holland & western Germany.

 

[Niels]

Yes its wet here. Depending upon the area in Holland 30 to 60mm+ rain during the last 24 hours. Countrywide my guess is that 60-70% is planted but again this depends upon the region. Southwest and East have been a lot wetter, maybe only 30% there compared to 80%+ in the North.

France got a real beating by the looks of things. They were at 25% planted last week. Belgium further behind even but a good bit should be in by now. Maybe half? Been to Poland last week and they had a very warm and dry April. In March it was freezing -18 but they got on well afterwards and early maize was already showing in the rows and beet looking good. Potato boys were taking it easy but 75% must have been planted. In the North maybe a bit less as they had milder weather. Haven't been up there this time.

Areas in Germany, France and Belgium will increase this year despite the free market prices. Farmers are only to willing to sign up for contracts. Especially after a poor year. Area in the Netherlands is stable until we can reclaim more land.. Rotations are tight as it is so the limit has been reached. Hence why the Belgian industry has outgrown the Dutch one. The area in Poland should increase as well a few %. Main reason being that cereals are worth bugger al and people have no faith left in sugar beet. There's a lot of land left in these countries grown mainly cereals, rape and beet before which can be put into potato production.