Organic Expertise Driving Superior Conventional Potatoes

After 30 years of organic potato farming (Anchor Farm Organics and Yum Tasmanian Gourmet Potatoes), and more recently becoming an agricultural merchant (All Supply Direct), Terrence Rattray is leveraging his organic expertise to cultivate superior conventional potatoes, as he diversifies supply to meet market demand.

Even with a shift to conventional farming, it is still crucial to Mr Rattray and his team that fewer synthetic chemicals are utilised on farm, without compromising yield. In fact, his goal is to always optimise crops for higher yields and enhanced flavour, which he believes, cannot be achieved using synthetic fertilisers alone.

On his property in Devonport, Tasmania, Mr. Rattray has successfully incorporated a new source of organic potassium into his nutrient regimen for fresh market potatoes, specifically targeting King Edward and Nicola varieties.

Known as Phosta K (from ECTOL), this certified organic input (granule or powdered form), is a slow-release, high-potassium retort ash containing 30% potassium (K) and is a viable, organic alternative to muriate of potash (MOP).

Derived from the sugarcane industry, Phosta K contains potassium as well as phosphate, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, and various trace elements present at the time of incineration. It serves as more than just a potash source, due to the retention of non-volatile minerals.

As an agricultural merchant, Mr Rattray employs a range of nutritional products from various sources.

Working with ECTOL Plant and Crop Nutrients, his program now includes 100 kg/ha of Phosta K, along with liquid fertilisers, ECTOL Protect and Grow (at 5L/Ha) and NitrotainTE27 (at 10L/Ha), which are applied throughout the growth cycle, in combination with fungicide. He has also achieved positive results with ECTOL STARTER, a high-phosphorus liquid input, used during the bulking phase.

For his potatoes, the growth cycle spans 16 weeks, with images below depicting the potatoes at 12 weeks, projecting a yield of 70 tonnes per hectare.

Mr. Rattray emphasises the importance of initiating premium nutrition early and reapplying throughout the growth cycle to achieve optimal results.

More info on Phosta K

Phosta K is available in two forms, prilled 3-5.5mm granules for application via a seeding machine or as a top dress, and a non-prilled powder, suitable to distribute in Tow and Fert equipment. Both are shipped in 1.25 tonne bulka bags. For more information contact ECTOL Plant and Crop Nutrients on +61 02 9816 2057 or visit www.ectol.com/phosta-k.