News on Potato Cultivation from Europe

Earlier today Statistics Netherlands (CBS) published its latest update of the potato harvest of 2017 in the Netherlands. Total production of potatoes for consumption for the first time since 2000 exceeded 4 million tonnes, an increase of 27 percent compared to 2016!

Dewulf~Miedema - supplier of a complete line of agricultural machinery for the cultivation of potatoes and root crops - has selected Dewulf as its new official company name.

Levity CropScience, a UK based company specialized in 'smart fertilizers' has announced it will reveal industry changing research at BP2017 on how their products have increased potato yields by at least €1000 per hectare in farms across Europe.

A genetically-modified (GM) Maris Piper designed to resist the devastating plant disease late blight has worked “brilliantly” during the first year of field trials, according to scientists of The Sainsbury Laboratory (TSL)

One of the key features of the biennial British Potato event is the seminar programme and the approaching Brexit is of course a topic that must be front and center at an event in the United Kingdom.

During the Agritechnica trade show, potato machine manufacturer AVR will launch its latest 2-row potato harvester: the AVR Spirit 5200.

Potato growers in Hungary are in a tough position as potato prices are low. On top of that, yield has been negatively affected by heat and quality is far from optimal.

Ten Dutch potato (processing) companies and two associations have established Holland Innovative Potato (HIP) to facilitate and coordinate joint pre-competitive research activities. A budget of € 4.5 million is available for the first research program of HIP.

For the current European potato harvest, the North-western-European Potato Growers (NEPG) estimate the total potato production at 27.9 million tons for the five NEPG countries (Belgium, Germany, France, The Netherlands and Great Britain). This is up 13.5 percent compared to last season.

Op basis van proefrooiingen en praktijkresultaten verwacht de NEPG een totale oogst van 27,9 miljoen ton aan consumptieaardappelen in Noord-west Europa. Dat is 13,5% hoger dan vorig jaar.

Despite the cancellation of the first day of Potato Europe (Wednesday) and the less then perfect weather on Thursday, the 270 exhibitors were able to welcome around 10,000 visitors, just on the Thursday

Dewulf now unveils Torro, its long-awaited trailed 2-row sieving potato harvester with haulm conveyor, flat hedgehog units and bunker.

In consultation with the municipality of Noordoostpolder all activities of PotatoEurope 2017 are cancelled for Wednesday 13 September, due to the expected weather conditions.

Dewulf-Miedema presents an impressive number of machines at Potato Europe. Much of the equipment can be seen in action during numerous demonstrations of harvesting and storage technology. But the the main eye-catcher will be the unveiling of Torro!

Check out the five products nominated for the Potato Europe 2017 Innovation Award. Until Monday September 11, noon, you can still vote for your favorite!

Potato Farmers are reminded to consider safety during harvest, since incidents during the potato harvesting season remain a common cause of serious and fatal injury.

Tong’s market leading Caretaker mobile (potato) grader is now available with a new option of trailer reversing sensors, make loading the grader’s hopper much quicker, safer, easier and more accurate than ever before.

As the potato harvest in the United Kingdom progresses, there are increasing reports of widespread scab.