Day to praise the humble potato

PREPARATIONS are underway for next month’s North of England Potato Day, which is expected to attract a significant crowd of people.

Due to be held on September 13 at York’s Askham Bryan College, the event will feature a wealth of advice, according to organisers.

It consist of a series of in-the-field interactive workshops and trials in addition to topical seminar sessions, covering a range of key areas that will appeal to farmers and staff alike.

On the day, growers will be offered a valuable insight into retail and consumer trends and how they might affect the new marketing season.

Keynote speaker Dr David Hughes, Emeritus Professor at the University of Kent Business School and Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, will present an overview of market trends and influences, outlining the challenges that lie ahead.

Yorkshire potato grower Stuart Stark believes the North of England Potato Day is an unmissable event.

Mr Stark, managing director of Fridlington Farms Limited, who is responsible for 520 acres of processing potatoes grown for Walkers Crisps and McCain Foods, believes the flexibility of the programme will make it easier for growers to attend at what will be a busy time of year.

“Many growers will be drilling oilseed rape or winter cereals and some may have started lifting. But the workshop programme is repeated morning and afternoon, meaning growers can attend for two or three hours and then send their staff along afterwards.

“That way, everyone can keep up with all the latest messages without compromising work back at the farm.”

The in-the-field workshops will focus on costs savings and quality. Mr Stark said: “Potato growing is all about risk management these days – quality is all, and the last thing you want is rejections. This event offers all the key information you need at the right time of the year – operators can go back ready for harvest with these messages fresh in their minds.”

A workshop on bruising will be hosted by Eric Anderson of Scottish Agronomy and Barry Baker of Grimme while effective spraying with Syngenta’s Tom Robinson will be another highlight.

The North of England Potato Event is organised by the Potato Council and sponsored by Masstock Smart Farming, SAC, Syngenta, NFU, Branston, Grimme and Cockerill.

VALUABLE HELP AND ADVICE

Potato Council’s Phil Bradshaw says other workshops likely to attract plenty of attention on the day include soil scientist Selwyn Richardson’s soil pit, which offers an assessment of soil structure and compaction and examples of remedial action, and the eight plots of variety trials.

“We also have three presentations on storage, with Potato Council’s Adrian Cunnington and Adrian Briddon.

“Subjects include store efficiency and managing CIPC as well as coping with the challenges of a severe winter, a subject that is likely to stir up plenty of interest after the last winter.”

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