Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW JANUARY 2022 15 BP2021 of their irrigation systems during the year in course, but also we are helping them to be more environmentally friendly with a circular business.” Andrew also revealed that Howseman Agriculture has developed an award- winning machine for tape winding over the last four years which now enables waste tape to be handled much easier. “This has led to Netafim, the world’s biggest Drip manufacturer, wanting to work with us on this cutting edge project,” he said. Optimising energy consumption in storage One of the biggest costs of crop storage is energy consumption, so Ray Andrews of Crop Systems has been exploring ways to help growers make these operations more energy efficient. Already well known for innovations such as SmartStor, TaperStor and CoolStor systems, Ray has been exploring ways to minimise energy costs. SmartStor enables owners to monitor and control their storage facilities remotely with many energy saving features. At BP2021 Crop Systems introduced SmartSola, which tracks solar energy output and connects the energy produced to up to ten stores. Real-time information then allows the store controller to see how much free solar energy is available and then directs it to the store in most need and will even prioritise a primary store, explained Ray. This means the cheapest available energy can be used, keeping costs down. Ray said: “We all know that recently prices have been rising fast, and in some cases they have doubled. By creating your own energy through solar panels and then pointing it to where you need it most is an investment that could pay for itself in just a couple of months.” Building healthier soils Healthier soils not only increase the availability and absorption of nutrients but also improve the distribution of soil- applied plant protection products and fertilisers, said Andrew Zengerink of Oro Agri. The company, which already has a portfolio in mainland Europe, has only recently brought its business to the UK. Speaking on the stand at BP2021, he highlighted the difference a soil conditioner such as Transformer can make, evening out difference in soil density and improving infiltration and distribution of water throughout the profile. Andrew said: “Compaction can result in tubers having restricted root growth and because of the uneven hydraulic properties, there can be preferential water flows. That means that the potato crop may not even receive rainwater or water applied through irrigation. “These challenges can be addressed through the application of a soil conditioner which reduces the surface tension of water. It can infiltrate into smaller pores and therefore the water can spread over a larger area. “Infiltration results in carbon dioxide (CO2) being displaced in the soil and replaced by oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N) so the soil becomes more aerobic. This, in turn, improves feeder root growth, “We need to find a way to work together in our research and be accountable to the industry funding it.” Eric Anderson, Scottish Agronomy “By creating your own energy through solar panels and then pointing it to where you need it most is an investment that could pay for itself in just a couple of months.” Ray Andrews, Crop Systems ➜

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