Potato growing findings unveiled at conference
More than 240 growers went to Holbeach Hurn for a landmark conference for potato farming.
A H Worth and Co hosted the Potato Council's East Midlands Potato Day when growers were told that serious savings can be made on potato crops if they are managed and monitored carefully.
They also heard how a concerted effort by the industry to promote the healthy, natural side of processed potatoes is paying dividends.
With crop production costs spiralling, farmers are ever looking for ways to cut costs and Tim Pratt, from farm energy experts FEC Services, outlined initial results from a Potato Council project monitoring electricity use in a number of commercial potato stores.
He said that one business involved in a case study used twice the energy to chill a pre-pack crop than another involved, prompting the early closure of one of the stores.
Host farmer Duncan Worth said A H Worth and Co's involvement in the Potato Council funder Grower Collaborations project, run by Cambridge University Farm (CUF), is providing some interesting findings.
Five farms across Britain involved in the project are pitching agronomy of commercial crops based on CUF research against conventional practice.
This includes dropping the nitrogen fertiliser rate by 22 per cent and increasing seed planting distance from 28cm to 38cm.
Mr Worth said: "To really discover where the benefits are we are doing a lot more monitoring, such as measuring crop cover closely, and have to provide very detailed information on our agronomy practice.
"But there is robust research on trial here, implementing fairly radical changes. If just one element bears fruit, it will have a significant advantage for us."
Delegates in attendance also heard how work in promoting potato products to the consumer by major companies McCain and Walkers is resulting in the strong sale of potato products.
Ed Garner, from TNS Worldpanel, said; "McCain and Walkers in particular have succeeded in taking a positive message to consumers and that has resulted in strong sales.
"The lesson for food producers is clear: Don't get hung up on negative issues. Present the positives to the consumer – it works."
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Weather for Spalding
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
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Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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