Expert advice to be served up at potato conference

Potato experts from around the world will provide Scotland’s growers with valuable advice on how to combat the effects of Covid-19 and Brexit.

Organised by SRUC, the 22nd annual conference of the SAC Association of Potato Producers (SACAPP) will take place on 27-28 January.

Among the speakers will be Patrick Hughes, Head of Potato Export Development at AHDB, who will discuss exporting potatoes post Brexit, and Cedric Porter, editor of World Potato Markets, who will give his views on the lasting effect of Covid-19 on the markets.

The webinar will also hear from Keith Taylor, a grower from Western Australia.

Day two will focus on the technical details of crop production, with Jon Pickup and Christophe Lacomme from SASA reviewing virus control in 2020, while Dr Mathuresh Singh, from New Brunswick, Canada, will share how the Canadians have brought viruses under control.

New approaches to haulm destruction will be explained by Kyran Maloney from SAC Consulting, while topical tips will be on offer from colleagues in the SAC Consulting potatoes team.

With sustainable production key for the sector, Colin Herron from McCain will explain the company’s approach around the world. Dr Mark Stalham, meanwhile, will speak about the related topic of irrigation scheduling for Scottish growers.

Event organiser Dr Philip Burgess, lead researcher and consultant for scottishpotatoes.org, a partnership between the James Hutton Institute, SRUC and SASA, said: “Scotland’s potatoes are renowned around the world for their high quality. So, it is appropriate at this virtual conference that we can hear directly from growers and scientists in other parts of the world.”

The first day of the conference (27 January) is free. The second day (28 January) is free to SACAPP members and £10 for non-members.

For more details and to sign up, visit www.sruc.ac.uk/sacapp

Posted by SRUC on 18/12/2020