Wet weather has pushed potato planting more than two weeks behind schedule for many growers across the UK. Emma Gillbard caught up with two farmers to find out how they are getting on, and reported to Farmers Weekly.
Cousins Peter and Euan Grewar, who grow a huge 650ha area of potatoes in northern Scotland, are anticipating a 5-10% yield penalty as the optimum planting window closes. Planting began on 17 April after persistent wet weather stalled field work, but a wintery blast of freezing temperatures is causing further concern.
Currently, 25% of the 490ha area of ware potatoes is planted – where the cousins would usually expect to be 70% planted for this time of year. “We are already about two to three weeks behind on spring work, which we won’t be able to get back. “With later potato planting, we expect fewer tuber numbers and yield penalties between 5-10% – going by our yield records from late-start seasons in 2012, 2016 and 2018,” says Peter.
Source: Farmers Weekly. Read: Wet weather delays potato planting and risks yield loss
Photo: Credit Peter Grewar via Farmers Weekly
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