Farm Storage of the Potato Crop

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 90, Issue 4, 15 April 1955, Page 407

Farm Storage of the Potato Crop

, San over-supply of potatoes in city ** stores is an ever-present possibility, farm stprage facilities for this perishable crop should receive more attention. In this article some of the methods of storage are described by H. A. Duff, Fields Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Dunedin. "COR some years a shortage of pota- * toes in New Zealand readily assisted the grower to dispose of his crop, with the result that in many instances the necessity to give consideration to storage facilities was overlooked. As it is not possible to forecast production accurately from season to season, it is always advisable to provide for adequate storage on the farm. Serious losses can occur if suitable or adequate storage facilities are not available. Storage in Pits Pitting is perhaps the most common method of storage for large quantities of tubers, but it has some disadvantages in districts where the weather is uncertain. Tubers can be stored either loose or in sacks. Handling for grading at a later date can be simplified if they are stored in sacks. Where a well-drained and sheltered site is available baled. hay or straw can be

used for the sides and ends of the pit. The top can also be covered with bales, but : care is needed in the placing of them if moisture is to be prevented from entering the pit. Loose hay or

straw, if used, should be covered with soil, some of which will be obtained from the drainage ditch around the site. The tubers will not keep satisfactorily if excess moisture is allowed to enter the pit. On the other hand provision for ventilation is also important. Pits covered with straw and then soil are likely to be insufficiently ventilated, particularly when the potatoes

are stored loose. This can be overcome by leaving a very narrow band at the apex of the pit uncovered by soil. This will provide adequate ventilation and if the apex is well covered with straw and the part uncovered by soil is kept narrow, not sufficient rain will enter to injure the . potatoes. The number and size of pits will usually

have to be determined, after digging begins.. If tubers are to be stored in the standard grain sacks (23in. x 46in.) approximately 90 to 100 cub. ft. of storage space will be required per ton of potatoes, 14 bags being allowed to the' ton. Slightly less space will be required if tubers are stored unbagged in the pit. When bales of 5 hay or ; straw are used the corners of the stack should be bound by the same. methods as the bricklayer employs (see ' diagram at left).

Storage in Buildings

In districts where frosts are not severe the use of a well-ventilated farm building is favoured by many growers and undoubtedly has much to recommend it. Such a method allows for the grading of the tubers irrespective of weather. A woolshed provides ideal storage, and a hay barn not required for storage. of hay is also suitable for potatoes. On some farms a disused stable might be available, but a loose-box. or similar building is too enclosed. In these types of storage potatoes for eating must be well covered to prevent greening unless the building itself can be sufficiently darkened. Though adequate and suitable storage space may be provided, serious losses can occur if the crop is inefficiently handled at the time of digging or grading. All digger-damaged, diseased, green, and frosted tubers should be discarded before being stored. Rough handling of the filled bags should be avoided as much as possible. Attention to the points outlined will save the grower much labour and wastage in the marketing of his crop.