Potatoes

Population monitoring has revealed little change in the British late blight population during 2023, but the threat from resistant strains in Europe looms large and will require the use of robust anti-resistance fungicide strategies next year.

Burdens’ specialist vegetable machinery department is looking for more dealers for the Struik range of potato equipment.

British potato farmers have been facing significant challenges in recent years. The costs of production have all increased substantially and the sector is also being asked to become more sustainable. Everybody wants more predictability in the cost of inputs, marketable yield and the selling price at the farm gate. More and more UK potato farmers are turning to biostimulants to mitigate these challenges. Maxstim Ltd CEO Richard Salvage and CSO Dr Colin Fleming, who are both research scientists at the Institute of Global Food Security at Queens University, Belfast, explain.

National potato supplier Branston has appointed a new general manager for its pioneering protein extraction facility, in preparation for full scale production and commercialisation of potato protein in early 2024.

With preparations for the new year in motion and the harvest season typically concluded, the British Potato Show (BP2023) will return on 22nd-23rd November to the Yorkshire event centre in Harrogate.

NFU Scotland welcomed the news, but warned the UK government must double its efforts to unlock the damaging post-Brexit loss of trade with the rest of the EU.

Extreme weather events driven by climate change and industry net zero commitments are focusing the potato supply chain’s attention on how to reduce the crop’s carbon footprint. Andrew Blair, field technical manager at the UK’s largest potato supplier, Branston, explains how an Innovate UK funded project is examining the potential for reducing carbon in potato production from growing through to storage and transport.

Outbreaks of late blight are springing up in potato crops across the country following an unusually wet July and early August. Fortunately, EU_43_A1 has yet to be found in the samples analysed, but growers must remain vigilant.

Arable farmers are being advised to revise their blight strategies now to target Alternaria, as a cold and wet spring followed by weeks of hot and dry weather have made potato crops significantly more susceptible to infection.

Crop protection manufacturer UPL has reminded potato growers of the importance of maleic hydrazide in sprout control and has issued best practice guidance to maximise its effect this season.

Extreme weather events, increased demand for water use, plus environmental legislation continues to put pressure on water availability and the need to demonstrate justification for crop irrigation.

A new trial pioneering the net zero production of potato crops through sustainable fertilisers, reduced cultivations, varieties and improved soil health has entered its second phase this year, with UK potato supplier Branston leading the way towards achieving net zero production in the years ahead.