Potato Review

CHALLENGE ONE: We are so con dent that a new 2021 GRIMME GF600 Tiller with speed- blades will outperform any similar machine from a competitor and improve tilling quality and soil condition that, if it doesn’t, we’ll give you a complete set of new blades for FREE. 1 GRIMME UK Ltd. Terms and Conditions Apply. For full details visit www.grimme.co.uk . 1 Excludes comparisons with hook and other non-L blades and relates only to soil condition / clod size. No cash alternative. Look for the GRIMME logo. The latest 12mm gauge blade is manufactured from high grade steel and carries the GRIMME logo to show it’s Original Quality. In most conditions this blade offers extended working life. CHA LENGE ONE: We are so con dent that a new 2021 GRIM E GF6 0 Tiller with sp ed- blades will outperform any similar machine fro a co pe itor and improve tilling quality and soil condition that, if it doesn’t, we’ll give you a co plete set of ne blades for FR E. 1 GRIM E UK Ltd. Terms and Conditions A ply. For full details v s it w.gri me.co.u k . 1 Excludes comparisons wit h ok and other non-L blades and relates only to soil condition / clod size. No cash alternative. L ok for the GRI ME logo. The latest 12 m gauge blade is manufactured from high grade steel and carries the GRI ME logo to show it’s Or ginal Quality. In most conditions this blade offers extended working life. NEWS Smiley new look for frozen potato product? McCains’ Potato Smiles could be re-branded for the UK market, following a relaunch in Australia. The product was withdrawn from the Australian supermarket shelves five years ago, but has now reappeared under a new name, EmotiBites, featuring dierent face emojis. Maris Piper retained its position in 2018 as GB’s most widely grown potato variety but AHDB planting returns confirmed a significant decline in area. The figures for Piper and sister variety Maris Peer were down by 8.4% and 10.4% respectively. Prepacker Nectar moved up two places in the rankings with an area increase of 16.5% to occupy the number four slot while plantings of two of its competitors, Harmony and Melody, dropped sharply. Processing varieties were among the winners this season with crisper Taurus up by 8.2% and French fry varieties Royal and Innovator up 19.5% and 10.8% respectively. Nominations are now open for two awards recognising individuals who’ve made significant contributions to the UK potato industry. The Potato Industry Award is a lifetime achievement accolade, whilst the Above and Beyond Award recognises a person who’s made a substantial contribution to the industry within the last five years. Anyone working in the potato industry can be nominated. Last years’ winner was recently retired Head of Agronomy at NIAB CUF Dr David Firman. Previous winners include Managing Director of Cygnet Doug Harley (2018) and seed producer Jim Cruickshank OBE (2016). Interim chair of the AHDB Potatoes Sector Board Alison Levett said: “This has been a very challenging year for potato growers. A combination of extreme weather, loss of key actives, the impact of Covid-19 and big policy changes on the horizon. “These awards recognise those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to our vital industry. I encourage you to nominate deserving industry colleagues.” To nominate someone, contact award committee secretary Margaret Skinner on 0131 297 7460 or by emailing Margaret.Skinner@ahdb.org.uk . The deadline for this years’ nominations is October 9th 2020. The winners will receive their awards later this year. Outstanding individuals sought from industry Successful harvest for Jersey