Low potato yield in the Netherlands, according to VTA yield trials

Yield trials of the Dutch Farmers Union VTA indicate a yield mid August 19 percent below the 5-year average.

The Dutch Farmers Union VTA (Verenigde Telers Akkerbouw) has reported on the annual potato yield trials among its members. a test potato harvest of a plot of 2 by 3 m.

These annual yield trials, a test potato harvest of a plot of 2 by 3 m using a standard protocol have been going on since 2001 and are carried out every year at the same time mid August.

A range of potato varieties for consumption are included in the trials. Seed potatoes and potatoes destined for starch production are excluded. A considerable number of samples in different regions of the Netherlands by a representative group of VTA members is measured.

This year, the average yield of the plots was 38.459 kg/ha. This is 19% below the 5-year average. In August 2012 the yield was 46.536 kg/ha.

The average number of tubers in the testplot of 2 by 3 m was 188, which is rather low, with only 45% of the tubers larger than 50 mm.

The low tuber count, the low yield and the low number of tubers over 50 mm overall result in a 17% lower yield compared to last year.

Results of the last 5 years of VTA potato yield trials: Green bars indicate the average yield per hectare in the test plot, the red line indicates the percentage of tubers larger then 50 mm. (Source: VTA)