Netherlands: Arable crops crave water

“Every reel out there is spinning here now. Bulbs in particular are irrigated extensively, but onions, sugar beets and summer cereals are also regularly given extra water', reports Klaas Schenk, LTO manager and arable farmer in Anna Paulowna in North Holland. He explains the development of the crops in his growing region. According to Schenk, the last potatoes will be planted this week. 'That doesn't happen automatically because of the dry top layer. Many growers choose to mill the ridges quickly after planting in order to retain as much moisture as possible. That too is difficult due to the mediocre structure and often produces large dust clouds.' According to Hydrologist Niko Wanders of Utrecht University, the starting situation for arable crops is not favourable. 'Newly sown crops need moisture for germination and early development. It is currently drier in the season than in 2018. Then it was quite wet in April and May.' 90 millimeters The data from the KNMI's drought ...