An annual inspection of buildings and hardware is an important step in store preparation before the new potato crop can come in for the winter, according to AHDB Potatoes. For practicality, this can be carried out at the same time as store cleaning a few weeks before loading, but it should not be left until the last minute. AHDB instructs sore managers to look for signs of fabric damage and take action to seal any gaps and repair any defective equipment.
Here are some of the other essentials, according to AHDB:
- Loading the store should be an activity that is planned well in advance of harvest. It is important to match crops, in terms of quality, likely storage periods and market expectations to the storage available, so management is effective and returns are maximized.
- Crops should be harvested as free as possible from damage, soil, stones and haulm. Within an hour or two of entering store, the crop should be ventilated to remove surface moisture from tubers and from any remaining soil.
- Try to load stores within a week and absolute maximum of 14 days. This ensures potatoes can be brought under optimal control and reduces the need to compromise on store management and, ultimately, crop quality.
- Field sampling should identify rots, blemish disease, or slug damage, while warm storage (greater than 20°C) of samples before harvest can identify potential rotting prior to loading.
- As at harvest, mechanical damage when loading should be kept to an absolute minimum. Rots and blemish diseases invade through wounds and broken skin, while bruising causes rejection from premium markets.
- Make sure the stacking arrangement is properly carried out as this is crucial to achieving uniform air distribution and crop temperatures in box stores.
