Promising results for growing potatoes with fewer inputs

Good progress is being made in the quest to grow potatoes sustainably – benefiting farm businesses and the environment, say researchers.

The Transformative Reduced Input Potatoes (TRIP) project brings together researchers from Dyson Farming and Bangor University with a host of other partners – including commercial companies.

Funded by Defra via Innovate UK, the three-year initiative is investigating disease resistant potato varieties, foliar nutrient treatments, reduced tillage systems and new methods to monitor greenhouse gas emissions from fields.

Results from the project can be expected to offer farmers a range of methods to reduce crop inputs – as well as the impact of growing the crop, says Christine Jones, of Dyson Farming Research.

“Many farmers are seeking ways of producing their crops more sustainably. But the particular requirements for growing a potato crop can make it a challenge to incorporate potatoes into a sustainable rotation.”

First-year results from crop nutrient specialist Emerald Research suggest reduced rate seedbed fertilisers or manures could provide commercially viable yields when supplemented by foliar nutrition and biostimulants.

Trials suggest the use of either farm-yard manure or half-rate (50%) seedbed fertilisers in combination with foliar fertilisers provided yields equal to – or greater than – the yield from the standard conventional approach.

This indicates that it might be possible to produce a viable commercial crop with fewer inputs. Trials over the coming year will investigate this further – possibly applying foliar nitrogen at an earlier stage.

Sustainable

Overall, the goal is to develop an approach that offers growers a low input, sustainable programme that results in lower costs, higher yields and ultimately higher margins while being better for the environment.

As well as the James Hutton Institute, the project consortium includes a small number of commercial potato growers across England – from Lincolnshire to Cornwall – among them farms owned and managed by Dyson Farming.

In addition, ad hoc TRIP trials are being conducted by Emerald Research and other commercial partners on potato crops of interest directly with existing customers to extend the range of the project.

The move to foliar applications is being used to assess to extent to which nitrogen and phosphate levels can be reduced without a detrimental effect on yield. In turn, this should reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Supply chain manager appointed at Haith Group

Vegetable handling equipment manufacturer Haith Group has appointed a supply cjain manager as it seeks to deliver greater value to customers.

Alan Hewitt’s appointment is a direct response to the changing business landscape and global market challenges, said Haith. He will have responsibility for procurement, stock levels and Haith’s parts and after-sales departments.

Growth targets

With after-sales support vital customers, Mr Hewitt’s appointment will see Haith introduce new systems to ensure its production process remains smooth as the company targets new markets and ambitious growth targets.

An experienced engineer who started his career in 1999, Mr Hewitt has been involved in all aspects of supply chain management during his working life – including logistics, sales, purchasing and warehousing.

“My role at Haith feels like a cumulation of everything I have learnt during my 25 years in the industry,” he says.

“Every skill I have gets put to use in my new role. I am currently mid-way through a modernisation of the parts department procedures. In the next few months, we will fully overhaul several systems to further enhance the department’s efficiency.”

Mr Hewitt will report to Haith managing director Duane Hill. He said: “By strengthening our supply chain leadership, we are not only preparing for future growth but also ensuring that we can deliver even greater value to our customers.”