At EARL de Ponthebart in Paimpol (Côtes-d’Armor, France), Alexandre Jacob and his family manage a 150-hectare farm, with 50 hectares dedicated to early potato production. The farm also grows winter and spring cereals to extend crop rotation, along with greenhouse crops that benefit potato cultivation. Thanks to the region’s mild coastal climate—where frost is rare—planting begins as early as December, allowing for exceptionally early harvests.
Revolutionizing Soil Preparation for Better Yields
Three years ago, the farm shifted its soil preparation methods to improve efficiency and reduce labor. Previously, fields were plowed and harrowed twice before planting. Now, the farm uses a Rotostone stone burier (Massano) to separate stones from fine soil, creating well-formed ridges. This machine works by reversing the rotor’s direction, throwing soil against a sorting grid while burying stones below.
An Actisol subsoiler loosens the soil at 25-30 cm depth before ridging, enhancing root development. The result? 10 extra days of earliness, better soil warming, and reduced irrigation needs. Alexandre notes, “Loosening the soil improves root penetration, which directly impacts water efficiency.”
Precision Farming to Prevent Soil Compaction
Spring planting demands careful soil management to avoid compaction. The farm uses central tire inflation systems, adjusting tire pressure to 0.8 bar (rear) and 0.6 bar (front). Twin wheels on the planter tractor further minimize soil impact.
Ridging helps warm and dry the soil faster, making planting smoother. However, unpredictable weather can delay operations—this year, continuous rain prevented early planting until mid-March.
Harvesting Efficiency with Advanced Machinery
The farm’s Grimme Airsep harvester allows efficient potato lifting even in stony fields, reducing labor from 9 workers to just 4. This machine can harvest 30 tons in just 1.5 hours, a game-changer for early-season operations.
Managing Soil pH and Pest Control
With diverse crops (artichokes, beets, carrots, cauliflower, and potatoes), soil pH management is crucial. Potatoes thrive at pH 6.5, while cabbages prefer neutral pH (7.0). Frequent tillage increases the risk of scab disease, so the farm uses finely shredded sorghum cover crops in greenhouses to avoid soil clumps.
For open fields, autumn cover crops (fava beans, oats, radish, clover, sunflower, buckwheat, and fenugrec) improve soil health. To combat wireworms, systematic plowing exposes pests to birds, reducing infestations naturally.
Balancing Early Harvests and Sustainability
EARL de Ponthebart demonstrates how precision farming, advanced machinery, and soil conservation can enhance early potato production while maintaining sustainability. By optimizing irrigation, reducing labor, and managing soil health, the farm sets a benchmark for modern, efficient agriculture.
