“Last year the growers we surveyed said they lost an average of £200/ha to bruising, due to downgrades and rejections. We’re not looking at another season like that. But there is still room for improvement.”

Later planted crops could be at particular risk as fewer tubers were set, leading to a heavy, damage-prone sample at harvest. Varieties also need handling differently, he adds. “Look at the BPC/NIAB pocket book and any varieties with a bruising resistance rating below five, like Atlantic, is going to be at high risk. Varieties with ratings over five, like Nadine, are at lower risk.”

So far the BPC has sent out 2,910 of its Minimising Bruising Kits. Key risk factors include sandy soils, dry conditions, high dry matters, mature crops, inadequate potash levels, poor depth control and kinks in the row from planting, and stones, clods and compaction. 

Harvesting problems like odd shaped fields, poor haulm destruction/stolon detachment, slopes, wheelings and irrigation spray lines also need attention, he adds.