UK Potato Growers Set for Packed Conference in Dundee

Key Highlight

SACAPP will hold its 27th annual potato conference in Dundee on 5 February.
Speakers from Japan, Scotland and Orkney will share new ideas and farm lessons.
Talks will cover water scarcity, data use and ways to use harvest waste.
The event aims to help producers face new pressures in the sector.

Potato growers and experts from across the UK will meet in Dundee on Thursday 5 February for the 27th SAC Association of Potato Producers (SACAPP) conference. The event, run by SAC Consulting, will give producers a chance to hear fresh ideas, learn from other farms and talk about shared pressures in the sector.

Wide range of talks lined up

This year’s theme is “Driving potato production success with data and innovation.” Dr Kerry Leslie of SAC Consulting said the aim is to help the sector adjust to rising pressures and keep improving. She noted that the mix of talks and knowledge sessions should give growers useful lessons they can take back to their farms.

Speakers from Japan will open the programme. Ren Okamura and Hiroto Sugiura of Calbee Potato spent time with the SAC team earlier this year. They will talk about their work back home and what they learned while visiting Scotland.

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Water use and farm practice under focus

Water scarcity will be another key point. The Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW) has been studying how farms can cope with tighter water supplies. Gavin Prentice from SAC Consulting will take the audience through recent work on water resilience and irrigation methods suited for Scotland.

Growers will also hear from Orkney farmer James Thorburn of Farewell Farms. As the most northerly commercial potato producer in the UK, he will share the challenges he has faced and how he has managed to keep output strong.

Also read: Why Food Manufacturers Are Picking Potato Starch

New uses for potato waste

One of the lighter but eye-catching items on the agenda comes from Jacob Smith of Fibe, a clothing maker that uses potato harvest waste to make fabric. He will explain how the idea works and how waste that would once be thrown out can now support a new line of products.

Closing remarks from Scotland’s plant health lead

The event will end with a talk from Dr David Kenyon, now head of Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) and Scotland’s chief plant health officer. His closing remarks will look at sector needs and the role of plant health in keeping farms safe.

With a full day of speakers and lessons from home and abroad, the conference aims to give growers new ideas to help them deal with fresh pressures and find better ways to run their farms.