The commencement of the Jersey benne potato harvest in North Otago has been announced, following a postponement attributed to inclement weather conditions, according to a local commercial cultivator. Peter Armstrong, proprietor of Armstrong and Co, cultivates approximately 20ha of this potato variety across owned and leased territories in Reidston, Totara, and Kakanui. The season's progress was hampered by excessive rainfall in October, deviating from the crop's preference for moisture without saturation.
Armstrong noted the unusual challenge this year, stating, "They like rain but they don't like wet feet," highlighting the departure from the typical frost-related difficulties faced in potato cultivation. The excessive moisture led to a delay in harvest commencement, with the damp conditions complicating the extraction of the soft-skinned tubers. Despite these challenges, Armstrong remarked on the improvement in conditions and the availability of labor for the harvest process.
In North Otago, six cultivators engage in the production of Jersey bennes, a practice initiated by Armstrong's late father, Bruce, in the 1960s, maintaining traditional hand-picking methods due to the crop's fragility. Armstrong also discussed the strategic planting schedule and the impact of rainfall timing on crop yield, noting significant loss in sections of the crop due to saturation. He emphasized the advantages of cultivating in "fresh ground" for enhancing crop quality and expressed hope for dry conditions leading up to Christmas to meet the heightened demand during the festive period.
Armstrong concluded by reflecting on the seasonal stress and his anticipation for relaxation post-Christmas, underscoring the intense effort required to fulfill the seasonal demand for Jersey benne potatoes.
Source: ODT