You are in > Home > News & Events > News > “Do what your Potatoes tell you” - SAC Conference Urges Potato Producers to go the extra mile for quality

“Do what your Potatoes tell you” - SAC Conference Urges Potato Producers to go the extra mile for quality

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N07
Published: 12 Jan 2011

Potatoes (opens in new window)

Scotland’s potato growers are used to heeding messages from customers and consultants, but now they are being urged to respond to what their potatoes are telling them! At the SAC Association of Potato Producers Conference outside Perth plant physiologist Professor Phillip White will explain the importance of paying attention to the crop and how it is responding to conditions. It is a new take on the old adage that the farmers boot is the best fertiliser.

The SACAP meeting on the 27th January is the eleventh in the series of specialist annual events organised by SAC’s respected potato specialists. They will be joined by invited experts, including Professor White from SCRI in Dundee, for what is a full day’s programme. Among the topics on the agenda are tackling waste, preventing virus infection, growing techniques and the potential of new varieties.

According to well known SAC potato guru Dr. Stuart Wale, the conference has always provided practical take home messages whilst delivering food for thought.

“The marketing season we are in might be producing better returns than last year, but over the long run, only quality produce will achieve the best prices every year.  ‘Going the extra mile for effective potato production’ which is the theme of the conference is just what is required to achieve quality.  As ever, this conference aims to produce nuggets of practical information to help farmers achieve this.”

In a market where 40% of the crop might be rejected by the fussiest customers, tackling waste is a key issue. Simon Brown will explain what Waitrose have learned from studying every link in the production chain and identifying where damage and blemish occurs. Meanwhile, with environmental regulations getting ever tighter, the session on avoiding diffuse pollution will help growers plan their programmes to protect water quality.

The recent scare over imported disease in Scotland will form the background to discussion on grower’s responsibilities. Professor Peter Gregory, well known as Director of SCRI, will give his vision of the future directions for the potato industry. Finally Stuart Wale will send delegates home at 4.00pm with messages on how to go the extra mile and meet the challenges ahead. Any other messages growers should get from their crops!     

Those wishing to attend and book their place should contact Sandra Chalmers, SAC Aberdeen, on 01224 711080 or Sandra.chalmers@sac.co.uk.

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Mrs Sandra Chalmers
Secretary
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work Ferguson Building, SAC, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn,
Aberdeen
AB21 9YA
TelWork 01224 711080

Add to Address Book | Help

News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

Add to Address Book | Help