Harvesting and Storing Potatoes – Potato Yield per Acre
A widely used pre harvesting technique is called “killing”. Many farmers “kill” the potato plants by stopping all irrigation, by mechanical means and/or by spraying chemicals and thus literally killing the upper part of the plants. After killing the plants, they let the potatoes in the ground for another 10-14 days before harvesting. In this way, the skin of potatoes becomes thick, something that is preferred by certain markets for various reasons (the potatoes can be transported with a lower risk of bruising etc.).
2,5 to 4 months after planting, the potatoes are ready to be harvested. Potatoes are harvested through modern potato harvesting machines that are attached to tractors. The machines harvest by lifting the potatoes from the bed using a share. Soil, dirt, rocks and potatoes are transferred onto a series of webs where the potatoes are finally separated from the foreign materials.
During your first year of cultivating potatoes, a good yield would be 25 tons per hectare or 10 tons per acre (22.000 lbs. per acre). Experienced farmers after years of practice can achieve yields from 40 to 70 tons per hectare, or from 16 to 28 tons per acre. Keep in mind that 1 ton = 1000 kg = 2.200 lbs. and 1 hectare = 2,47 acres = 10.000 square meters.
After harvested, potatoes are stored in a cool but not freezing (40°F/4.4°C) dark, humid place. Potatoes can generally be stored for several months in proper conditions. Commercial potato growers store their potatoes in huge buildings built especially for storing potatoes. Specialized air circulation systems keep the temperature and humidity as uniform as possible in the pile.
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3.) Growing Potatoes for Profit
4.) Soil Requirements and Preparation for Potato cultivation
5.) Potato Planting, Seeding Rate and Plant Spacing
6.) Potato Fertilizer Requirements
7.) Potato Water Requirements and Irrigation Systems
9.) Potato Harvest, Yield and Storage
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