Wilson's Country agronomist, Stuart Meredith, has reported that the 2024 main crop potato harvest has commenced. Meredith notes that despite a cold, late spring which delayed crop emergence, the year has been favorable for potato cultivation with well-timed moderate rainfall.
Early planted main crops are yielding at average or slightly above average levels. However, Meredith highlights the rising costs for growers, particularly due to a challenging year for blight, necessitating weekly sprays with the most effective, yet costly, treatments to manage the disease effectively.
An interesting observation this season is the differential response of crops to chemical versus organic fertilisers, with chemically fertilised crops senescing earlier. This may be linked to lower initial soil nitrogen levels and the slower release of nitrogen from organic manures.
2024 has seen an increase in potato acreage in Ireland, attributed to a late spring deterring cereal planting and strong market conditions earlier in the year encouraging an expansion in potato cultivation. Despite current favorable weather, it is unlikely to significantly impact crop bulking at this stage.
During a visit to the Rathfriland farm of Alistair Moore, where the Elland variety is grown, both Meredith and Moore noted good yields and excellent ground conditions for harvesting. The Elland variety, known for its early maturation, high quality, and resistance to Potato Cyst Nematode, is currently being processed and packed directly from the field, with plans to begin storage in the coming week. The demand for potatoes remains strong in both the prepack and processing sectors.
Source: Farming Life