Potato planting 2018

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start made at last then rained off for 5 days
 

Honest john

Member
Location
Fenland
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.

Thank you for that update @Niels.

If we had that much here while planting I think the damage would be significant.

It’s to wet here to think about a start till next Tuesday. 8th May. If we get get tomorrow’s rain.
 

Niels

Member
Thank you for that update @Niels.

If we had that much here while planting I think the damage would be significant.

It’s to wet here to think about a start till next Tuesday. 8th May. If we get get tomorrow’s rain.
John, I think there's a bit of damage in the low spots where the ridges are flooded and tubers will rot. Some guys went in very early about a month ago they had similar issues. Things going far from easy... Even if it rains 15mm you see water in between the ridges. Makes you wonder if it has something to do with the 25 tonne combinations they are running...
 

Sonoftheheir

Member
Arable Farmer
Location
West Suffolk
I was wondering why they stopped using chitted seed because of frost risk.

If the crop is through the ground, then that is different.

Frost cut them to the ground, why not chiting would make any difference I don’t know? So they are not so advanced in the higher risk frost period maybe?
 

riverside2

Member
Location
Shropshire
Frost cut them to the ground, why not chiting would make any difference I don’t know? So they are not so advanced in the higher risk frost period maybe?
Balancing early emergence for an advanced crop with having all that growth pruned back to ground level by frost, you won't get that vigour back.

Was a touch of frost in West Shropshire this morning although unlike previous years I don't think there will be many early chippers that have emerged enough to have been really damaged.

Still time for another one yet have seen a few May frosts here and even a June one about 9-10 years ago.
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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    Votes: 77 43.5%
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    Votes: 28 15.8%
  • 50-75%

    Votes: 3 1.7%
  • 75-100%

    Votes: 3 1.7%
  • 100% I’ve had enough of farming!

    Votes: 4 2.3%

Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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