Potato growers are being urged to attend one of Potato Council’s summer events. Britain’s leading experts in potato research will be delivering the latest technical information and it will be a chance for growers to discuss technical challenges and improve profitability.
Potato Council’s summer meetings kick off on June 3, 2009, with West Midlands Potato Day at Chasepool Farm, near Dudley, Staffordshire.
Chris Steele Potato Council’s water, soil and energy specialist says: "Feedback suggests the Potato Council summer events are now an established route for growers, agronomists and farm managers to gather key technical updates from the nation’s top experts. It’s not just a day out from your business, it’s an essential part of your business."
West Midlands Potato Day, sponsored by McCain Foods, Greenvale AP and the NFU comprises of formal presentations and field discussions, and will address a range of topical issues.
Potato Council’s chairman Allan Stevenson will open the event and update growers on the changes at the Potato Council and discuss what levy payers should expect in the future. Meurig Raymond, NFU deputy president will discuss economic challenges and opportunities for the UK potato industry in the face of a global downturn.
Dr David Hughes, emeritus professor of Food Marketing, Imperial College London will give an in-depth perspective on how consumers are reacting to the new economic climate and what this means to the potato industry. Potato Council’s Rob Clayton will present the impact of the latest changes to pesticides legislation.
Morning papers will be followed by afternoon workshops. Independent engineering consultant, Fraser Milne, will discuss the dos and don’ts of the different cultivation practices.
ADAS consultant Ken Smith will bring crop nutrition requirements into focus with the new RB209 recommendations. Andy Barker will discuss the implications of treating seed versus untreated seed.
Potato Council Events 2009 – www.potato.org.uk/events:
• Potato Council stand Cereals 2009 June 10 and 11, 2009 Wendy, near Royston, Cambridgeshire
• South East Potato Day June 22, 2009 Quex Barn, Quex Park Estates, Birchington, Kent
• East Midlands Potato Day June 30, 2009 Manor Farm, Holbeach Hurn, Lincolnshire
• Cambridge University Farm (CUF) Open Day July 7, 2009
• Potatoes in Partnership open days: Sauchenloan, Fisherford, Colpy, Aberdeenshire July 21, 2009; Gilchorn, Inverkeillor, Angus July 22, 2009; Luffness Mains, Aberlady, East Lothian July 23
• Potatoes in Practice August 13, 2009 Balruddery Farm, near Dundee
• East Anglian Potato Event September 3, 2009 Stratton-Streles Estates, Colby, Norfolk
• British Potato 2009 November 25 and 26, 2009 Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate
