European cash helps serve up earliest ever potatoes
European cash helps serve up earliest ever potatoes
By John Burns South-west correspondent
SALES of Cornish early potatoes started two weeks ago through Safeways Penzance store, marking a major step forward for the crop.
The Apr 26 start date (Arable, May 3) is believed to be the earliest any supermarket has ever offered Cornish earlies. Whats more, the potatoes travelled just seven miles from farm to store.
The crop of Premiere was grown and supplied by the family farm of WJ Thomas and Son, working through Albert Bartlett of Airdrie in Scotland, which supplies potatoes to Safeway and also packs for Somerfield.
Until recently, the Thomases potatoes would have been hauled 500 miles to Airdrie for grading and packing and then hauled back to Safeways distribution depot in Somerset.
Thanks to an EU Objective One grant covering 40% of the cost of a new packhouse at the Thomases Trevorrian Farm at Sennen, this years crop avoided those journeys. Customers were able to eat Cornish new potatoes less than 24 hours after lifting, while they still had their special new potato qualities.
Dec 9 planting played a key role. "When we were traying the seed up for chitting, soil and weather conditions were so good we decided to plant five acres," says William Thomas, who runs the farm with his son Richard.
"Wed never planted earlier than January, but even December 9 wasnt the earliest in Cornwall. Some farms planted in November. Is this going to be the pattern for the future, with climate change?
"Whatever happens, if the supermarkets are prepared to take earlies this early well have to take the gamble. If wed had just one hard frost that crop could have been a write-off. In the past it was mid to late May before supermarkets took earlies."
From May 4, the Thomases will deliver direct to Safeways depots in Devon, but still through Bartletts. Another farmer is working with them to ensure adequate supplies.
Mr Thomas is not prepared to reveal details of contractual arrangements or prices.
Planting conditions on Dec 9 were better than for later plantings in January and February, he says. Apart from applying slightly more nitrogen because of the longer period in the ground – 18 weeks instead of the normal 12 – treatment was much as usual.
Residual herbicide Opogard (terbuthylazine + terbutryn) was applied before covering with plastic. By mid-March the plants had filled all available space under the plastic and it had to be removed. Blight was not a problem.
Agronomic advice is provided by Bartletts and Cornwall Farmers co-op, and membership of Assured Farm Produce is obligatory for Safeway suppliers.
Lifting started on Apr 25, using a two-row Grimme harvester filling bottom-unloading boxes to minimise tuber damage. Mr Thomas estimated initial yield at about 3t/acre (7.4t/ha).
"Thats no big tonnage, but Safeway challenged us to deliver as early as possible." The crop was planted into cold soil so the number of tubers per plant was low. "Crops planted in February and March would have double the number." *
Earliest ever? Premiere early potatoes planted on Dec 9 were lifted on Apr 25 and on sale in Safeways Penzance store the day after, largely thanks to EU Objective One funds, says producer William Thomas.