Wilson's Country has reported that the completion of the maincrop potato harvest in Northern Ireland is currently below 40%. Lewis Cunningham, the company's managing director, mentioned that recent heavy rainfall temporarily paused harvesting activities. Nonetheless, with a favorable weather forecast, there is optimism for accelerating the harvest soon. Cunningham stressed the importance of avoiding over-wintering of potatoes in fields, recalling last year's significant tuber losses and quality impact due to such circumstances.
Despite delays in planting, Cunningham noted that most crops are faring well, with yields generally averaging between 19 to 21 tons per acre, though some are as low as 15 tons per acre. He described this year as having average yields without any exceptional bumper yields. He also highlighted the filling and sealing of their first cold store for the season.
Additionally, Cunningham revealed a roughly 10% increase in the planted area of maincrop potatoes in Northern Ireland for 2024, attributed to the unavailability of many cereal crops and favorable potato prices and seed availability during planting season. Despite the increase in planted area, he anticipates the market's total potato supply to remain relatively stable, assuming timely harvest completion.
The 2024 growing season is characterized by the absence of extreme conditions like drought or flooding, with the only downside being the cool summer and lack of sunshine, which are crucial for maximizing yields. Despite challenges with blight, adherence to recommended spray programs has helped maintain crop quality across all potato varieties. Cunningham concluded by emphasizing the critical role of weather conditions in the final stages of the 2024 harvest.
Source: Agriland