Potato growers are facing a significant drop in yields this season as prolonged dry conditions have put crops under pressure.

In some areas, growers are reporting yields dropping by up to 40%, while access to water is becoming an increased challenge as irrigation continues.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Wexford potato grower and IFA potato chair Jason O’Leary said growers are irrigating wherever possible.

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“Some growers in Wexford are using slurry tankers to bring water to crops. If we don’t get rain over the next few weeks, a lot of crops are going to be very poor.”

O’Leary said his harvest has been underway since May, and he’s now beginning to move into maincrop varieties.

“We’ve started into the main crops, Maris Piper and new-season Rooster, and yields are back 30% to 40%. They’re back in size as well.”

“There will still be enough potatoes in the country, but prices will be up. We’re seeing smaller potatoes because of the conditions.”

He said there remains uncertainty around the overall national crop.

“A lot is still unknown because many growers haven’t started harvesting yet, but overall, it looks like yields will be well back. In some cases, Queens are back three to four tonnes per acre.”

Water pressure

Dublin grower and IFA potato committee member, Peter Garrigan told the Irish Farmers Journal that the impact of the drought is particularly evident in crops which cannot be irrigated.

“We’ve been irrigating for the last two or three weeks, but we’re starting to struggle to get water to our crops because other local growers are irrigating as well, putting pressure on water supplies.”

Garrigan said around 40% to 50% of his crops cannot be irrigated.

“Water is mainly sourced from the local river. If there’s more than one or two people irrigating from the same river, it reduces the flow and eventually it can become too low to run any more irrigation.”

“Some people have wells they may be able to use, but they are few and far between.”

Despite the difficult conditions, Garrigan said the quality of potatoes harvested to date has been relatively good.

“The quality seems quite good. We started harvesting about 10 days ago and harvesting is quite easy because the ground is dry.”

“The early varieties are struggling, but the later varieties may be okay if we get rain,” Garrigan said.

Kildare grower, Kevin O’Gorman said keeping crops irrigated has become a constant job.

“We’re trying to keep water on the crops, but we can’t bring water to some of them. Even on the irrigated ground, yields might be back,” he said.

The IFA is also in ongoing discussions with potato retailers and packers over specifications as smaller sizes are expected as a result of dry conditions.

“We’re in dialogue with retailers and packers in terms of specifications and size, and we’ll continue those discussions as the season progresses,” O’Leary said.

Adjusted

“Individual specs for potato lines may have to be adjusted, and retailers and packers have indicated that they will adjust spec if needed.”

O’Leary said ensuring the sector remains viable for growers will be particularly important this year, with reduced yields coming on top of higher costs.

“High temperatures have stressed the crops, so we’re going to see more small potatoes.

“We don’t want to get into the same situation as vegetable growers.

“We have to look at the viability of the sector going forward,” O’Leary concluded.