Potato Review

NEWS £1.3m funding to develop eco-friendly insecticides A Glasgow University spinout specialising in the next generation of green insecticides has secured seed investment of £1.3 million to support ongoing development of its nature- inspired pesticides, the first of their kind to be developed worldwide. Established in May 2020 after four years of research funded by UKRI BBSRC and the EC, and commercialisation support from Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spinout Programme, SOLASTA Bio has a technology platform for creating neuropeptide-based insect control products that target insect pests while preserving beneficial pollinators such as bees. Investors in this seed funding round include The Yield Lab Europe, SIS Ventures, members of Cambridge Agritech and UKI2S, who also provided access to the UKI2S- managed Innovate UK Sub Fund grant. Founding investors UKI2S and Scottish Enterprise provided pre-seed funding. With this latest funding secured, SOLASTA Bio is aiming to take the trials of its biopesticides out of the laboratory and into real-world settings. The company aims to bring its first biopesticides to market in 2027, around half the time traditionally taken by synthetic pest control products. Newchitting systemlaunched in time for trials A NEW chitting tray system is likely to be available for trials next spring, according to manufacturer Techneat Engineering. The system, which will be exhibited at this year’s BP 2021 event, has been designed to reduce labour and tuber damage. Each tray is robustly designed and capable of holding up to 125kg. Trays can be stacked up to 4 high, assuming the size of a 1t box. The semi-translucent trays are designed to aid the perfect chit. The company predicts that a number of units will be available for trials next Spring. ‘LABOUR REDUCTION A KEY FOCUS’ GROWERS’ minds are now more focused on labour reduction than ever before, according to Derek Scott, Managing Director of Scotts Precision Manufacturing Ltd, based in Boston, Lincs, in the UK. A combination of Brexit and what he describes as “a core drive towards e ciency around harvest” have led to a stepped increase in demand for retro- fitted units, Derek said, adding: “We are already into double figures of these upgrades ranging from 3ft wide machines approaching 30 years old to very modern high capacity 8ft mobile graders.” More and more dealers are now carrying out machine work in the field and supporting the product throughout the harvesting season, he added. Varitron model pictured contains additional options not included in the base price. The GRIMME Varitron 470 Platinum is hard to beat. Fuel efficient engines; gentle efficient cleaning; fast unloading (in just 40 seconds!) with a Non-Stop reversible bunker; premium cab and operator friendly, innovative control systems. With local parts and service packages from GRIMME, your harvest cost per acre could be hard to beat too! GRIMME UK Ltd. To find out more visit www.grimme.co.uk or talk to your local GRIMME Partner. myGRIMME • Customer portal includes map view; machine overview, “geofencing” and a link to the data exchange platform agrirouter CAB • ErgoDrive Control Centre – superior operator control and productivity • Clean Control – saves operator settings for specific conditions • 2 Terminals + 2 Monitors and Visual Protect with on-board cameras monitor all machine and crop-critical functions • Comfort cab option includes fridge, heated seat and side windscreen wipers DIGGING • Terra Depth Control reduces crop damage and enhances flow • Auto pilot reduces operator fatigue