Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com AHDB ON THE SPOT the list for potatoes has been storage. Over the past three years we have spent £500,000 per year on research into how best to store potatoes without CIPC. Work has ranged from assessing alternatives such as mint oil, ethylene and DMN with the latest research results shared via Webinars, our website and face-to-face via our Storage Network. While full approval for DMN is awaited AHDB have taken a central role in co- ordinating input from all industry sectors to make an emergency application. And it’s not just about managing without CIPC, it’s how best to clear residues from stores. One-to-one storage advice and practical tools As mentioned above, we have introduced a Storage Network service to give free 1:1 advice. So far independent experts have visited over 100 stores, and if you haven’t yet signed up for this unique support service there’s still time – call 01406 359419 to book your visit. In due course the CIPC situation will get resolved, but the potato industry is sure to face a steady stream of chemical withdrawals making life all the more challenging. e theme emerging from AHDB’s trial work is that replacement chemicals do not invariably provide a new magic wand solution, but that a much more sophisticated combining of treatments is the way ahead. is is the whole new dawn of integrated pest management (IPM) where AHDB’s research programmes, combined with practical trials at Spot farms across the regions, can bring independent evidence-based solutions. We are well versed in delivering monitoring tools, systems such as Fight Against Blight, Blightwatch and Aphid Monitoring have been valued by growers and agronomists for years, and through our IPM work we will continue to focus on producing usable and practical tools. With a background in marketing, I cannot write this piece without making mention of the ‘emergency’ marketing campaign for potatoes that ran in June and July. It was a small budget but yielded a big impact, reaching over 4.3 million people on social media. Consumers, me included, really appreciated a fantastic range of modern, easy, versatile recipes to help with meal ideas as home cooking increased during lock down. While views are mixed on how much potato marketing AHDB should undertake, it does seem key to me that we keep potatoes front of mind and ahead of other carb choices. Please get in touch ese are tough times and AHDB is not standing still. While we are con dent our work has added value, we also know change is needed, driven by the needs of levy payers. Please feel free to share your views with us by contacting your local Knowledge Exchange Manager, or by contacting an AHDB Potatoes Board Member, you can nd their details at ahdb.org.uk/potatoes. In the normal course of events, I would be looking to get out and about to hear from you rst hand, but while that’s not feasible then please email me on alison.levett@ahdb.org.uk to arrange a virtual meeting or phone call. I will close by reiterating that we want AHDB to work for all levy payers, and know that means we need to change. We want to hear your views, and we have committed to running another open board meeting this winter – we will announce the date and format of the meeting soon. “The potato industry is sure to face a steady stream of chemical withdrawals, making life all the more challenging.” “While we are confident our work has added value, we also know change is needed, driven by the needs of levy payers.” www. tongengineering .com e: sales@tongengineering.com t: +44 (0)1790 752771 > Gentle Handling > Advanced Design > Intelligent Control THE COMPLETE SOLUTION Designed with you in mind