Potatoes - Farm Frites, Poland
Resources
Irrigation
The profitability of potato production is heavily influenced by irrigation management with efficiency of water usage being highly dependent on timing, uniformity and volume.
Correct irrigation applications during tuber initiation is vital. Farm Frites operates a centre-pivot irrigation system; there are currently four of these on the farm, which are able to irrigate around 85% of the potato crop. The centre pivot spray nozzles are more accurate and efficient than the conventional rain-gun system.
Irrigation of the potatoes is strictly controlled via three key components; 1) EnviroSCAN, 2) PLANT-Plus, as used in pesticide management above, and 3) Dacom weather stations.
The EnviroSCAN system continuously measures soil moisture over three depths in the crop's root zone, pinpointing how often and how much to irrigate. The field sensors monitor soil moisture, taking readings every minute. The readings are then downloaded to a computer using the PLANT-Plus software which has a model for irrigation management based on evapotranspiration data. The PLANT-Plus system also has an integrated 5-day weather forecast, with up-to-date information provided by two Dacom weather stations on the farm. The field capacity for moisture retention is set at 70% allowing the management team to define when to irrigate and the appropriate amount of water to apply, thus ensuring optimal application.
The farm has an extraction licence to remove water from the river Lupapawa which runs through the centre of the farm. The river water is tested at three points: prior to the farm, in the middle of the farm and as it exits the farm, monitoring water quality and any related pollution to the river water. There are seven wells sunk at different points on the farm where it is inefficient to pump the river water.
Efficient analysis results in optimal irrigation; reducing water use, wastage and cost.
Soil erosion
Accelerated soil erosion is one of the most widespread of today's environmental challenges. It has impacts both on site and off site.
The majority of soils on the farm are graded as loamy sand and therefore have a high risk of erosion. Land used to grow potatoes (a spring-planted crop) is especially at risk as unplanted winter soils are easily eroded. Farm Frites has a policy of planting a cover crop of radish in the autumn on all land destined for potato production, which substantially reduces the threat of soil erosion while also aiding disease prevention. In addition to this the cereal and oilseed rape crops used in the farms rotation are also sown in the autumn.
Crop rotation and cover crop planting reduces soil erosion, and reduces environmental damage through soil displacement.