Potato crops urgently need significant rainfall after the driest and sunniest April on record, an agronomist has warned.
Stuart Meredith, who works for potato firm Wilson’s Country, said growers had experienced an eight-month period of "absolute extremes".
He said last autumn's heavy rains severely affected the 2019 harvest, although fairly mild weather in February had helped growers.
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"However, no sooner had growers started thinking about this year’s planting season when the weather turned in the opposite direction entirely," he said.
"We have just experienced the driest and sunniest April on record.
"As a consequence, soils are so dry that there is insufficient moisture in the ground to allow growers get their field work completed to a standard that will ensure top potato yields next autumn."
Mr Meredith said conditions are extremely dry in parts of Co Down
“All potato crops need significant rain now," he said.
He added: "Growers are struggling to get drills formed as it takes a certain amount of moisture to hold the drill in place.
The agronomist said the dry growing conditions can lead to issues relating to potato quality at harvest.
"Some growers will be forced to look at the option of irrigating crops over the coming days," he said.
"However, this comes at a cost."
