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 Taking care of the environment is very important to Rollo Bay Holdings. The crops are rotated once every three to four years depending on soil nutrition. A key component to rotation is alternating crops. This enhances nutritional crop production allowing the soil and the sun to produce a healthy potato. Part of this rotation is to increase the fibre content in the soil, protecting the environment from soil erosion. This rotation also provides a natural earth filter for our water ways. Another focus on protecting the environment is working with varieties that are more environmentally friendly. These varieties take less fertilizer to grow, and they require a shorter season, thus allowing Rollo Bay Holdings more time to do something positive with the soil. A cover crop such as winter wheat can be planted when the potatoes are grown within a shorter season. Rollo Bay Holdings strives to work with varieties that can be grown in 120 days or less. Harvesting early allows us to plant the winter cover crops. The cover crops are planted and start to grow immediately after the potato harvest. This helps in reducing the potential for rainfall and snow melt to cause soil erosion during the late fall, winter and spring as the leaf material and root mass that is produced acts a barrier. A benefit of growing potatoes in Prince Edward Island is the Northern vigor. It helps to ward off viruses. The rich red soil of PEI is famous for giving potatoes grown here a delicious and distinctive flavor.  |
