2018-12-14 |
   |
Potato Conference to Discuss Weather Impact
The implications of one of the hottest and driest seasons on record will be one of the main topics of discussion at a major potato industry event next month.
Organised by SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College, the SAC Association of Potato Producers’ 20th annual conference will take place at Perth Racecourse on Wednesday 30 January.
Potato Harvesting
This year’s theme is Resilience – the key to future profitability,
with a wide range of speakers including key players in the industry
as well as researchers.
Chairman for the day, Andy
Steven from Agrovista, will welcome delegates
before Innes Jessiman, Senior Potato Consultant at SAC Consulting,
reflects on the past season and its implications for the future.
Philip Benzie, from Gairnieston, Aberdeenshire, will explain the challenges of managing one of the largest potato enterprises in the country, while Professor Jerry Knox from Cranfield University will explain the latest advances in irrigation.
Roma Gwynne from Biorational and Andrew Gough from Lallemand Plant Care will give their expert insight into the future of biopesticides – a highly relevant topic given the pressure on the use of conventional pesticides. SRUC’s Robin Walker and Cathy Hawes from the James Hutton Institute will present research findings from Scotland’s longest-running trials on potato crop rotation.
The conference will also feature a poster demonstration from Dr Simon Gibson-Poole, SRUC’s drone expert, a resilience workshop and a potato cookery demonstration from the hospitality department at SRUC’s Elmwood campus in Fife.
Innes Jessiman, co-organiser of the conference, said:
“The conference is the perfect opportunity for members of the industry
to hear specialist advice from across the sector. Not only will they
hear about the challenges facing potato producers, but they will also
learn about the array of opportunities and help available. Once again,
we have an outstanding line-up of speakers and we’re looking forward
to another successful event in Perth.”
