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Potato News
New Chair for Potato Council

The appointment of a new chairman to the Potato Council is an important step forward for the industry in these times of change. Allan Stevenson, who took office from 21 July 2008, also becomes a main Board Director of Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Allan Stevenson is a director of his own arable farming company which specialises in high quality pre-pack potatoes; he is a qualified chartered accountant and has a wealth of commercial management and corporate governance experience.
Dennis Heywood, who has been acting as the interim chairman, has stepped down and resumes his duties as an independent board member of the Potato Council.

AHDB Chairman John Bridge said: "I am delighted to have someone of Allan's calibre joining the AHDB and Potato Council Boards. We are going through a period of massive change as we build a new more efficient levy board structure and I look forward to his contribution to this process.

"I thank Dennis Heywood for his tremendous work since February when he agreed to temporarily step in as interim chairman of the Potato Council."

Potato Council Chief Executive Helen Priestley said: "The British potato sector is under threat from EU competition. It faces significant challenges such as the reduction in available pesticides and managing soil and water issues. It also must promote the positive nutrition profile of potatoes and fight against rice and pasta for its place in young people's diets. "My team and I look forward to working with Allan in shaping the strategies to best deploy levy funds to meet these challenges".

Gowan Acquires zoxamide rights from Dow AgroSciences

Gowan Company has reached an agreement with Dow AgroSciences to acquire the rights to its global zoxamide fungicide business, marketed primarily under the brand names zoxium, Gavel, Electis, Unikat and Harpon.

Zoxamide is a highly active low-use fungicide used to control Oomycete fungi infecting potatoes, vines and vegetables. This purchase will further strengthen Gowan’s position in these markets, and allows Dow AgroSciences to focus resources on priority solutions in its chemical and biotechnology portfolios.

“Due to the press of competing priorities for new product development, Dow AgroSciences, as a research-based company, has not been able to devote the time and resources needed to position zoxamide for optimal growth,” said David Hindes, Global Business Leader, Fungicides. “We believe that zoxamide will be better positioned with Gowan, where it represents a better strategic fit with the company’s portfolio and general business direction.”

“The addition of zoxamide expands Gowan’s fungicide portfolio globally, and is consistent with our goal to identify important products that growers need”, states Matt Comer, Global Marketing Manager for Gowan.

Under this agreement, Gowan and its subsidiaries throughout the world will start selling zoxamide and its formulations effective August 1, 2008. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

UK potato production could fall by 40 per cent unless there is a dramatic change of heart by the European Parliament, which is planning to ban many agricultural pesticides, experts have warned.

This level of fall would bring about a steep rise in the cost to the consumer of what is considered an affordable food in these straitened days. Rob Clayton, agronomist with the Potato Council, described the situation as potentially very serious for the UK potato industry. The proposal being considered in Brussels could see the removal of the main ingredient in fungicides used in the all-important battle against blight.

“It could also see many of the current range of herbicides used in potato growing removed from the shelves. And although not so important in Scotland as in the main English potato-growing regions, all the chemicals used to remove eelworms from the soil would go into the "do not use" category.

If that was not a lengthy enough list, Euro politicians want to remove the main herbicide used against the pernicious grass weed, couch. ”The loss of this last pesticide would take us back to the era when we could only hand-rake the couch and then try to burn it off.

.The legislation is working its way through under the guidance of the French presidency. Although some member states, including the UK, have expressed opposition, they are heavily outweighed by the environmental lobby.

RobClayton said that the Potato Council would be sending information to all the potato growers in the country giving advice on how to lobby for the status quo. He was supported in his call for politicians to think again by the recently appointed chairman of the Potato Council, East Lothian farmer Allan Stevenson, who said that the EU Directorate should have carried out an impact assessment on the consequences of the proposals before proceeding even to this stage.

He had no direct criticism of politicians but said they had the responsibility of not pushing through legislation without first of all weighing up the outcomes and the risks of their actions. He believed if this had been done, there would not be the emotive clamour for the removal of essential tools that helped make the UK potato industry one of the top performers on the world stage.

"Currently, potatoes are seen as an affordable crop. They are a crop that is strongly associated with this country and they are available over a long season. Any change to that equation would be felt far beyond the farming industry," he stated. One possible solution would be the advancement of genetically modified potato varieties that did not need any chemical controls. Until now some industry leaders and most politicians have shied away from this emotive route.

But Helen Priestley, chief executive of the Potato Council, openly stated that GM technology was definitely one possibility for the future. Potato Council urges growers to take action against pesticide proposals
The Potato Council is urging growers to take action against the EU’s pesticide proposals. A special edition of the Council’s ‘Grower Gateway’ publication contains information on writing to MEPS, arranging face-to-face meetings and preparing essential facts and figures.

Potato industry honours Jim Godfrey, OBE

Potato Council has honoured Jim Godfrey with a special award in recognition of his outstanding service to the British potato industry. Potato Council chairman Allan Stevenson paid tribute on behalf of the British potato industry to Mr Godfrey's impressive achievements and contributions.

“Jim Godfrey has been an extraordinary and superb ambassador for the British potato industry. His cv says it all – he has travelled far and wide and worked tirelessly to promote the industry. We all owe him a huge debt for his years of dedicated service and innovation.” Mr Godfrey has for many years been a major player in the potato industry, both as a grower and member of the Potato Marketing Board, SCRI and other bodies. He has also been a member of the farming ‘establishment’ where his contacts at the political level have ensured a powerful potato voice at high level.

In 2002 he was awarded the OBE for services to agricultural research in Scotland, and in 2006 the World Potato Congress Industry Award for his contribution to the development of the global potato industry. In December 2007 Mr Godfrey was awarded an honorary degree by Reading University. The degree of Doctor of Science was awarded for his outstanding international reputation in the potato industry and substantial contributions to agriculture and business worldwide.

He is a former chair of the international Potato Centre in Peru (CIP) and former chair of the Alliance Board of the centres supported by the CGIAR (the controlling and funding body of CIP). His move into the international field compounds a tremendous career in serving his industry and is acknowledgement of his achievements.

Mr Godfrey was one of the Chairs at the UN Year of the Potato conference, held also in Dundee the day after Potatoes in Practice (August 8), and organised by SCRI.

Climate change responsible for earlier flight of aphids

Aphids are emerging as sentinels of climate change, researchers at BBSRC-supported Rothamsted Research have shown. One of the UK’s most damaging aphids - the peach-potato aphid (Myzus persicae) - has been found to be flying two weeks earlier for every 1°C rise in mean temperature for January and February combined. This year, the first aphid was caught on 25 April, which is almost four weeks ahead of the 42-year average.

Dr Richard Harrington of the Rothamsted Insect Survey said: “One of the most noticeable consequences of climate change in the UK is the frequency of mild winters. As a direct result of this, aphids seeking new sources of food are appearing significantly earlier in the year and in significantly higher numbers. We have been studying the seasonal biology of aphids for a long time now and we know that populations can continue to grow over the winter and spring provided that conditions are warm enough. After a warm winter, there are much larger numbers flying and they are hence detected much earlier. This means that there are more aphids flying in spring and early summer, when crops are particularly vulnerable to damage.”

Scientists at Rothamsted Research have been monitoring the flying form of all aphid species for 42 years. They use a network of 16 suction traps (12 in England and 4 in Scotland), placed at various sites, to collect a representative sample of all flying insects.

The long term data on aphids can be used to understand the wider implications of climate change, and also to prepare for the season ahead by determining the need for and timing of aphid control measures (based on preceding winter temperatures). As well as being important indicators of a changing climate, aphids can cause devastating damage to crops. They extract large amounts of sap, weakening the plant, and also spread plant viruses.

In addition, because the sap is very high in sugars the aphids excrete very sticky honeydew, which can encourage the growth of sooty moulds that build up and prevent sunlight from reaching the leaves, causing further weakening.

Professor Nigel Brown, Director of Science and Technology, BBSRC said: “Environmental change is one of the big challenges facing the world today. These long-term data on the seasonal appearance of flying aphids not only show that there are already noticeable changes in the UK climate, but they also provide the knowledge which will help to mitigate the consequences.”

In-crop control of volunteers with Fazor

Volunteer potatoes left behind from the previous year’s crop are one of the primary sources of blight inoculum and growers are being advised to think ahead to prevent the problem happening again next year. Growers are also being urged to plan an integrated control programme, including the application of the only in-crop solution, Fazor.

“A foliar application of Fazor in second earlies and maincrop potatoes reduces the viability of small daughter tubers and suppresses volunteers developing in the field after harvest. When applied at the right time and under the right conditions, data shows that Fazor will give 75% control or more of potato volunteers in following crops. It will also inhibit sprouting in store,” says Andy Leader, Principal Biologist for Dow AgroSciences.

“The timing of Fazor is fast approaching but there are a number of criteria that need to be met in order to optimise performance. The effectiveness of Fazor is a function of growing conditions at application, accuracy of application, variety and storage conditions,” adds James Maud, Technical Manager for the manufacturer, Chemtura.

“In terms of timing, recent trials work suggests that Fazor should be applied at least twelve weeks after planting, although this is not a specific label recommendation, just a guideline. This year with the spread of planting timings, this is perhaps one condition that hasn’t been relevant for a few years.”

“Growers should then look at the other end of crop development and calculate back at least three and not more than five weeks from their intended burn down date. This allows the chemical sufficient time to be taken up by the leaves and translocated to the tubers where it acts. The optimum timing is five weeks before harvest.”

Each field needs to be checked for maturity and tuber size, using test digs and a Fazorometer. The smallest tubers required to reach marketable size should be greater than 25 mm across. If too many tubers are going through the 25mm riddle, it is worth waiting a week and re-sampling in five days time. With the broader planting window this year, it may be more important to focus on this criterion,” James advises.

The ideal timing for Fazor is when the crop is actively growing and the haulm is mostly green but with a few of the lower leaves turning yellow and most of the flowers having fallen, he adds. James Maud also indicates that the crop should not be stressed by drought, pests, diseases or high temperatures.

“Potato volunteers are an increasing problem, brought about by shorter rotations and milder winters. They arise when undersized tubers fall through the harvester webs or become detached from the plant at harvest. You can get up to 300,000 volunteers per hectare and they can remain viable for up to eight years. Not only are they an important source of blight inoculum but they also act as a reservoir for other diseases, viruses and pests including Potato Cyst Nematodes. A planned and integrated approach to their control across the rotation is necessary, using wider potato rotations, other herbicides such as Dow Shield in sugar beet, Starane in cereals and glyphosate in non-crop situations, but Fazor is still the only solution that can be applied in potatoes,” says Andy Leader of Dow AgroSciences.

He points out Fazor is included in the Assured Produce. It is recommended that growers check with their supplier before making an application.

Business opportunities at British Potato Seed Event 30th October 2008

The Potato Council’s Seed Industry Event to be held on the 30th October 2008 at the Crieff hydro, Perthshire, brings together the ‘movers and shakers’ from across Britain’s seed potato industry.

The event has a successful track record for getting growers, breeders, merchants, researchers, exporters and other decision makers from this vital industry in one place, open to new ideas and focussed on the future.

This year’s event will build on this success with an exciting new format that packs high profile presentations from world-class speakers, topical workshops and the ever-popular industry dinner into one day, while encouraging interested organisations to seize the opportunity of holding complementary meetings the following morning. A number of business opportunities are available on a first-come-first-served basis, so why not consider how your product or business could benefit.

New posh chips from McCains

The chips are far from down for Britain's favourite fast food, but for a posh new fry will cost more than three times the normal price. The upmarket chip from McCain is cooked in beef dripping and comes in fancy silver foil packaging but at a price which could be hard to swallow for credit crunch-hit shoppers. For they will be forking out around £2.29 for a 550g bag when the normal McCain's frozen fries are available at just £1.93 for a 1.5kg bag - almost three times the size.

The fancy fries are bigger than usual and gently fried first before being basted in beef dripping, said the firm, which describes them as "the ultimate chip indulgence".

The makers say the new Simply Gorgeous frozen range will appeal to those who want a 'posher kind of chip'. McCain marketing director Simon Eyles said: "Brits love their chips and we wanted to create a really special chip for those occasions when you simply want to treat yourself. "It is restaurant quality food for home and there's nothing else like it on the market."

The firm is also launching a similarly packaged roasting potatoes product in which the spuds are cooked in goose fat, the oil favoured by top chefs for a truly crispy roaster, and a sweet potato with rosemary and garlic product, its first non-potato offering. The products will be backed by a £3million ad campaign and will be launched next month.

Greenvale makes new board appointments

Greenvale AP has strengthened its board with a number of new appointments. Brian Macdonald has become financial director, having notched up 25 years at Scottish and Newcastle plc, initially covering its UK trading and production businesses, then overseas. He is also joining the board of Produce Investments Ltd, Greenvale AP’s parent company.

David Rankin is procurement and seed director, after 14 years at Burrelton, where he was general manager of seed.

Trevor Dear will take on the role of operations director, while continuing with his existing commercial responsibilities.
Tony Bambridge, a potato grower from Norfolk and a long-standing Greenvale director, has resumed the position of non-executive chairman.

Development growth leads to promotion at Branston

Vidyanath Gururajan (29) has been promoted to the position of Group Head: Development & Projects at Branston Ltd, following a restructure of the company's Development Department.

The restructure is a result of Branston's continued growth and increasing investment in innovation, which has also led to an expansion of the department. Vidyanath – known throughout the potato industry as "Vee" – will focus on innovative best practice across all areas of Branston's operations and be responsible for the co-ordination of operational capital projects, working alongside the company's general managers.

In keeping with Branston's ethos of reducing its carbon footprint year-on-year, Vee will chair the group environmental forum; ensuring the continued monitoring of carbon measurement resulting from Branston's activities, identifying carbon-producing hot-spots and developing and implementing carbon reduction plans.

Previously responsible for implementing improvements in the operation and supply chain, Vee was instrumental in delivering the carbon footprint labelling program for Tesco.

His new role will encompass ongoing management of Branston's Manufacturing Excellence Teams – an initiative introduced and implemented by Vee in his former position as Development Projects Manager - at the company's three sites across the UK.

Following his appointment, Vee commented: "I am looking forward to the new challenges of this role and furthering the work I undertook when Development Projects Manager. This is an exciting time for Branston and expanding the department will enable the company to focus on its growth and ongoing development while, at the same time, meeting its environmental responsibilities."

Researchers want crop trial sites kept secret to beat the anti-GM protestors

The public should be kept in the dark over whether controversial GM crop trials are taking place on their doorstep, scientists have said. Vandals and eco-campaigners have destroyed almost every attempt to grow experimental genetically modified plants outdoors in Britain in the past five years, they say. Under current EU rules, scientists have to publish the map reference for every GM field trial.

Professor Howard Atkinson of Leeds University, whose research into pest-resistant potatoes was destroyed last month, wants the UK to follow the example of Canada, where details of small-scale trials involving a few hundred plants are kept secret.

Other options could include a national, secure field testing site for GM crops or that universities conducting trials should not have to bear the costs of security measures such as fences or guards, researchers said.

Scientists are unable to assess the benefits of the latest GM technology as trials are frequently vandalised by protestors. They are calling for better protection like secure sites. The scientists said the number of field trials had declined in recent years because of sabotage, damaging the UK's ability to inspire innovation and commercial investment.

Professor Jim Dunwell, of the University of Reading, said GM crops were being created which would be more drought-resistant or would take up nitrogen more efficiently, cutting the need for increasingly expensive chemical fertilisers.
Field trials were an important part of developing the 'exciting opportunities' GM was presenting to tackle rising food prices and agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, he said.

Prof Atkinson's study into resistance to crop-damaging nematodes in potatoes - which he said could be developed for Africans who depend on plantains for food - at Leeds University was destroyed last month. There is currently just one GM trial in the UK, into genetic solutions to potato blight, which was vandalised last year.

Protesters are able to find the sites in the UK because their location is publicly available under rules brought in to allow farmers to know what was being grown near them - but in Canada small-scale trials which are judged not to have environmentally damaging consequences are not publicised.

Professor Wayne Powell of the National Institute of Agricultural Botany, which is running the trial into potato blight, said current rules 'should be reassessed in the face of global challenges we face and the potential benefits of GM'.