AAFC Plowdown Challenge demonstrates sustainable practices in potato farming.
The Charlottetown Research and Development Centre once again asked Canadian farmers to put their knowledge to the test with the 2024 AAFC Plowdown Challenge — this year with a twist.
Organized by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), the challenge aims to showcase innovative nutrient management strategies that could shape the future of potato production. This year, AAFC specialists Scott Anderson and Roger Henry planted the Mountain Gem potato variety, using a cover crop of red clover. But they also introduced manure into the growing process and then invited farmers to guess the yield produced under these new conditions.
“Word of mouth from last year’s challenge helps,” says Scott, noting a significant spike in participation. “Roger attended various meetings and tradeshows throughout the year to gather more than three times the number of guesses compared to last year.”
When the potatoes were harvested, the results revealed a yield of 293 hundredweight per acre — a marked increase from the 169 hundredweight achieved in 2023, when manure was not applied. This year’s yield approached the estimated 2024 average for Prince Edward Island, which stands at 304.7 hundredweight per acre.
“Adding manure puts potato plant growth into hyper speed when combined with the soil nutrients left over from the previous red clover crop,” Scott says. “The potatoes are of good size and very uniform, which is excellent for both table stock and processing into chips and fries.”
Prince Edward Island organic farmer Matt Dykerman claimed victory this year, making the closest guess at 275 hundredweight per acre. Ashley Ching secured the runner-up spot with a guess of 269 hundredweight, while the overall average on farmer guesses was 192 hundredweight, demonstrating that growers underestimated the potential impact of adding manure.
“Our marketable yield this season did surprise us,” Scott says. “I think the general consensus from participants is that since you have no nitrogen fertilizer applied, the yield will be pretty low. Our 2024 yield results confirm what our research has been telling us all along — with proper nutrient management practices you can reduce your nitrogen fertilizer application rates and still get good yield.”
This event not only tests farmers’ estimations but also aims to highlight the advantages of utilizing leftover nutrients in the soil, showcasing how combining organic practices with conventional farming may lead to better outcomes.
“The biggest message to potato producers is that the concepts of this challenge have been demonstrated time and time again,” Scott says. “Adopting this practice will reduce their environmental footprint and improve their financial bottom line (i.e.: fertilizer is expensive!) Also, this approach can be phased in over time. They can take their time and gain a comfort zone. We are starting to see many local potato producers willing to go this way.
“With the outpouring of support for this challenge, we increased awareness about the benefits of factoring in leftover nitrogen from previous crops, as well as the value of manure as a natural fertilizer.”
Looking ahead, the AAFC team is considering possibilities for future challenges that could explore other intensively grown crops. “We’re exploring potential options, but we haven’t finalized plans yet,” Scott says.
One thing’s for sure — the AAFC Plowdown Challenge will be back. As farmers continue to adapt to changing environmental and economic conditions, initiatives like this provide valuable insights that could lead to a more sustainable agricultural landscape in Canada.
