Irish potato growers continue to face challenges following the loss of diquat, a key chemical once used for haulm desiccation. Farmers have since turned to a mix of mechanical, chemical and emerging methods, each with advantages and drawbacks.

To help evaluate these alternatives, the Irish Farmers Journal and Teagasc will host a potato haulm desiccation demonstration at the Crops and Technology event in Teagasc Oak Park on 25 June.

Demonstration highlights

The demonstration, located beside the main sprayer demo, will feature a range of desiccation techniques such as:

  • Spotlight Plus (Carfentrazone-ethyl): Used alone, followed by flailing, and combined with CropZone electrocution.
  • Flailing: Live flailing of both untreated and Spotlight Plus-treated plots.
  • Haulm Pulling: Live demonstration using mechanical pulling.
  • Electricity: The first public Irish demo of the Crop.Zone machine, used alone and in combination with Spotlight Plus.

    • Machinery on display

    There will be four machines working on the day:

  • Grimme Toppa: Rear- and front-mounted toppers cutting up to six rows. Distributed by GRIMME.

    • Grimme Toppa.

  • Struik Glutton: A mechanical topper with Smart Clean System, available in multiple widths. Distributed by Quaile Machinery.

    • Struik Glutton.

  • Vegniek DiscMaster: Haulm puller with adjustable depth and pressure, reseals ridges after pulling. Distributed by Quaile Machinery.

    • Vegniek DiscMaster.

  • Crop.zone: Uses electricity to desiccate haulms, covering 10 drills (9m width), with full kill in 12-14 days. Distributed by Meath Farm Machinery.

    • Crop zone.

    Watch the full interview below:

    The Crops and Technology event will take place in Teagasc Oak Park, 25 June.