Raising issues awareness at Winter Forums

 

Nigel believes that many growers are unaware of the consequences of individual field soil compaction and the resulting water uptake problems that can affect yield and tuber quality. 

 

“With Cambridge University Farm’s research showing compaction causes up to ten per cent loss in yield, prevention is better than cure,” says Nigel.  “We are working closely with growers and others in the sector to establish best practice in terms of soil and water management. In view of the risks we would like growers to ensure the correct crop is planted in the right field in the right field conditions.

 

“We also offer training and advice workshops and offer growers grants for investment in farm infrastructure, making a real difference to their business sustainability.”

 

 Other well-known industry specialists such as Eric Anderson from Scottish Agronomy, Pat Haydock of Harper Adams University College, and Marc Allison of Cambridge University Farm (CUF) will all be holding seminars on their areas of expertise, including the costs of cultivation, potato cyst nematode control (PCN) and nematicide incorporation and canopy management.

 

Following the popular format, the afternoon agenda will consist of interactive workshops with Ruairidh Bain of Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) on blight and Mark Stalham (CUF) on destoner depth. Martyn Silgram of ADAS will be presenting outcomes from his work on cover crops at Sutton Bridge and Phil Burgess of The Cooperative Farms (CWS) will be talking through what was learned about green manures in the study tour undertaken by Potato Council in 2010.

 

“We have received feedback from levy-payers that they would like these technical forums to be held in different areas of the country,” says Potato Council head of communications Dr Sharon Hall. “The forums are in essence very similar, but some of the speakers and topics will be different.”

 

“There will be informal breakout sessions so delegates can ask questions concerning their specific concerns, so everyone can make the most of their day,” explains Dr Hall. 

 

 The Technical Forum East will take place at Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research on January 25 and the Technical Winter Forum West will be held on February 16 at Harper Adams University College.

 

For further information go to: www.potato.org.uk/events or contact Miya Kotecha on miya.kotecha@potato.ahdb.org.uk

 

For information on catchment sensitive farming case studies go to http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/Images/LittleOuse_tcm6-27557.pdf.