Lower yields and higher costs facing potato growers

The ongoing dry weather and soil moisture deficits continue to cause significant stress and strain on the country’s potato growers. Many growers are facing reduced yields and substantially higher production costs as they grapple with this year’s unique agronomic challenges.

Higher farmgate prices and worries about supermarkets’ ongoing policies regarding skin finishes are key concerns of growers this year. We spoke to six farmers around the country to get their views on how the season is developing and how things can be improved.

John Carroll, Paughanstown Farm, Co Louth

John Carroll farms in Dunleer and grows all maincrop varieties, such as Kerr’s Pink and Maris Piper. Planting was delayed until early May. Since planting, around an inch of rain has fallen and growth is stunted. The crops only stand around 2ft tall.

Pre-emerge weed control proved to be an issue as there wasn’t enough moisture in the soil to be effective. He doesn’t irrigate the crops and the uncertainly of yields and price is cause for concern this year.

“Potato farmers’ main mental strains are not knowing what they are going to get – both in production and profit.”

Charlie Doherty, Burt, Co Donegal

Farming around 130ac of potatoes, including 30ac of certified seed, Doherty’s planting season was also delayed by around one month.

“Overall, things aren’t too bad as we had 15ml of rain a few weeks ago as well as 25ml last week.”

Many growers in his area have had to irrigate crops.

“Many haven’t irrigated in the last 15 years until this year.” He believes that retailers need to improve their tolerance for skin finish. If it wasn’t for a good crop of certified seed, the prospects for this year’s harvest could be a very different, he said.

Tom Murray, O’Shea Farms, Co Kilkenny

Growing a number of different varieties such as Maris Piper, Kerr’s Pink and Rooster, crop condition remain variable, explains O’Shea Farms agronomist Tom Murray.

While irrigation is costly, it more than reaps the rewards in terms of quality, but it takes massive effort, says Murray.

The difference between crops irrigated and those which aren’t is stark.

“Non-irrigated crops have a much smaller canopy, meaning lower levels of photosynthesis, which will lead to a smaller yield,” he said.

It has been a very testing year for all farmers, he said.

David Rodgers, Ballyboughal, Co Dublin

Growing maincrop Roosters and a small amount of Kerr’s Pink for packing, planting this year was delayed by one month. Rodgers now expects to start harvesting in about seven to 10 days’ time.

The results have been good from his irrigated 60ac but he is unsure about his remaining crops: “We don’t know what the yields are going to be.”

David has had to purchase an irrigator and piping this year and also bore a well, which cost €50,000. “Irrigation involves a lot of hard work and late nights,” he said. Secondary growth in some of his Roosters has been an issue.

John Griffin, Carrigaline, Co Cork

John Griffin grows and packs early varieties such Queens and maincrops such a Kerr’s Pink, Roosters and Golden Wonders. Crops this year have failed to reach full canopy development, have flowered too soon and growth has been stunted.

Around 30% of his crop is under irrigation which is very expensive. He has to draw water and spread it with tankers, which works out about €800/ac. “For the past six weeks, someone has been here 24 hours, seven days a week, keeping the irrigation going.”

He believes supermarkets are too strict on appearance and this has to change this year.

Thomas and Bernard McKeown, Co Meath

Farming 500ac and growing maincrop varieties such as Kerr’s Pink and Roosters, the McKeowns farm on heavy land in Meath and irrigation isn’t usually required. However, the crops are coming under significant pressure and there appears to be a lot of scab present. Weed control is also an issue as the herbicides weren’t effective this year due to the lack of moisture.

Thomas explains that prices need to rise and suggests that some packers are now talking €500/t. “Potato growers are resilient but things are getting harder and harder – I hope everyone pulls through.”