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Is a potato yield of 80 t/ha achievable? Eric Allen of CUF believes that it is and increasing yield is one way to sustain or improve profitability. He believes that a yield increase hinges on the contribution that research can make. However, there are factors, including the British weather, that might restrict yield improvements. The editorial discusses the practicalities of this issue.

Walter Simon is a potato grower from Pembrokeshire. He had to leave his studies as an agricultural student to take up significant responsibilities running the family farm at 19. He has taken major decisions in restructuring the business and increased his commitment to potatoes. This bold step has given him ultimately the opportunity to give back some of his experience to the industry. However, it is Walter's attitute to a work/life balance that perhaps provides a valuable message to others in the industry.

Andrew Gore farms on the moss peat in Lancashire. He has built up a successful potato growing and washing and packing enterprise for himself and other local growers. What is unusual about his production is that he overwinters Nadine in the field. This is done entirely on the moss land. The skin finish of the produce that field storage gives ensures a supply of high quality potatoes throughout the winter. Field storage is most unusual in the UK but this story shows how successful it can be.

Rod McGovern continues his series of articles on potato storage. In this article he examines how energy efficiencies can be achieved. Given that prices are above average this year and growers may be planning to invest in their business, improving the energy efficiency of stores is one way that dividends will be repaid over many years in the furure.

Iain MacGregor provides an update of all the key potato industry changes in the last three months.

In the second of a series of articles from SCRI about the SEERAD-funded R&D programme they are carrying out on potatoes, they are addressing plant virus resistance. The current basis of virus resistance is first discussed for the major 8 viruses that are significant in the UK. Therafter, novel mechanisms of virus resistance, which are the focus of their studies, are explained. These novel mechanisms will hopefully form the basis of future breeding.