Most main crop potato canopies are now ‘meeting between the drills’, according to Teagasc agronomists, with the recent rains having boosted growth rates across the country.
Meanwhile, the threat of blight remains a very real one. Teagasc has updated its proposed blight spraying schedule, taking crops through to their later growth stages.
This is particularly relevant this year as growers are expecting a much slower die-back of canopies, given the restriction on chemicals now available to them.
The updated Teagasc fungicide spraying programme now contains a 15th and 16th application recommendation, covering the late season period.
The 15th applications features Infinito at a rate of 1.6L/ha, with the final fungicide application comprising a mix of Ranman and Shirlan.
Teagasc agronomists are stressing the absolute need to apply all fungicides at their recommended rates, whether they are used individually or in combinations.
Only in this way can the use of existing blight fungicide chemistries can be retained for the long-term.
New season potato crops
Meanwhile first earlies grown in Co. Wexford are now in the shops. The quality of this year’s crops is reported to be excellent.
And it is the same story in Northern Ireland, where Comber earlies are in the shops now.
Wilson’s County sales and marketing manager, Joanne Weir said: “We are delighted to have local new season crops in the shops so early.
“Last year crops were not harvested until the last week of June.
“New season Comber potatoes remain a firm favourite with consumers of all ages across Northern Ireland.”
Meanwhile, weather extremes are not new phenomena for local potato farmers.
Newtownards Co. Down-based grower William Gilmore said: “Normally the issue is a combination of too much rain and cooler than normal temperatures.
“But this year the polar opposite has been the case. The new season crops have been coping with almost drought-like conditions for the past six weeks and more.
“Thankfully the rains have returned. But, as of a few weeks ago, it was fast becoming a ‘touch and go’ situation. All the crops were crying out for rain.”
Making the difference for Gilmore were the excellent planting conditions that were the order of the day between the end of January and the middle of March.
This year he is growing a range of new season potato varieties, including: Home Guard; Accord; Queen’s Navan; and Sagitta.
