Stuart Meredith, an agronomist at Wilson's Country, explained that severe soil moisture deficits across Ireland and the UK have halted potato growth entirely.
"Potato crops have been impacted by the current heatwave conditions," Meredith said.
He noted that recent weather patterns initially encouraged tuber development before extreme dry weather set in.
"Here in Ireland, the wet spell at the end of June encouraged the creation of tubers," he said.
He emphasized that crops require a return to baseline seasonal weather patterns.
Meredith pointed out that immediate rainfall could recover partial yield potential.
"If crops get the moisture they need over the coming days, their yield potential might be achieved," he said.
He warned that high soil moisture deficits have effectively suspended plant growth across regions.
"Potato crops have, essentially, stopped growing as a consequence of the very high soil moisture deficits," Meredith said.
He added that extraction restrictions on rivers leave un-irrigated farms vulnerable.
"And it's the same story in the UK, where even growers with irrigation systems are coming under pressure," he said.
Meredith noted that farm-constructed dams are currently the primary line of defense for growers.
"As a result, the only potato growers managing to keep crops on track are those who invested in the construction of irrigation dams on their farms over recent years," he said.
He stated that stored water remains the sole buffer against crop failure.
"They are hoping to have sufficient water in store to get them through the current drought conditions," Meredith said.
