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Potato plantings 2010
The Potato Council's estimate of plantings for 2010 is 126,887 ha, down on 2009's final planting figure of 130,200 ha. With an average yield of 44.9 t/ha this gives a total production of 5.70 million tonnes. Read more..
Top potato varieties in 2010
Maris Piper is the dominant potato variety, with 18% of planted area. Estima was second-ranked variety, although area has halfed since 2005, and the crisping variety Lady Rosette third. Markies is fourth and Maris Peer fifth. Read more...
New chairman for NFU Potato forum
Tim Papworth has been elected as chairman of the NFU Potato Forum. As chairman of the group, he will become vice chairman on the national NFU horticulture board with specific responsibility for potatoes. Read more..
New research facility opened at Sutton Bridge Storage
New research stores at Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research (SBCSR) were officially opened on 2nd September by the government spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, Lord Taylor of Holbeach. Read more..
Approval of two new potato blight fungicides with new chemistry
BASF have received approval for two new potato blight fungicides, Resplend and Decabane, based on a new active ingredient from a totally new class of chemistry. Read more..
New SOLA for Signum for Alternaria control in potatoes
Signum has received a new and significant off-label approval for use against early blight or Alternaria in potatoes. The SOLA reference number is 1942 of 2010. Read more..
New E-learning Module for Fazor
Dow AgroSciences has launched a new e-learning module for the potato sprout suppression product, Fazor. Designed for potato growers and advisors, the e-learning module can be found on-line at www.dowagroadvice.co.uk/fazor and will help improve understanding of how the product works, what it does and how to get the best from it. Read more..
Walkers crisps pioneer water efficient potatoes
Walkers crisps are pioneering water efficient technology to make their potato production process more environmentally friendly. Read more..
'Zero tolerance' on Dickeya in Scotland to protect crops
Scotland has introduced a "nil tolerance" on Dickeya solani, a new more aggressive form of blackleg, to protect potato crops this season. The zero tolerance policy has been incorporated into the Scottish Seed Potato Classification Scheme (SPCS). Read more..
Need for blight fungicides with proven tuber blight activity
As the maincrop develops growers should be using fungicides with proven foliar and tuber blight activity, says Gowan Comércio. Read more...
Potato growers must treat blight and Alternaria separately
Potato growers are being warned not to compromise blight control programmes during high risk conditions when tackling the threat of Alternaria. Read more..
Slug control timings critical for potatoes
New metaldehyde guidelines for 2010 further restrict use but will not impinge on potato growers deploying the Draza forte backbone approach. Read more..
Crop progress
According to the Potato Council, harvesting continues to make good progress with an estimated clearance to 27th August at 23,000 has (18%) compared with 20,000 has (15%) in 2009 and 20.900 has (16%) in 2008.
The Fight against Blight indicates over 85 confirmed outbreaks of blight across most major potato growing areas.
For the latest on market prices see Potato Weekly which can be found by following the link from the homepage of the council's website (just click on the banner below).
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