Strategic Potato Farm Results Week

Join us for a week of online events exploring the work from our Strategic Potato (SPot) Farms. Online sessions hosted by AHDB will bring the growers, agronomists and researchers who have delivered field trials in 2020 together to discuss the work, deliver results and talk about what they learned.

Our SPot Farms this year grow everything from certified seed, through salads to maincrop for the fresh and processing markets. With a range of geographical locations, soil types and challenges - there is something to learn for all growers.

In fact, over the last three years of SPot events, where 94% of levy payers who attended say they improved their technical knowledge with 86% picking up something to improve productivity or efficiency.

If you missed any of the sessions you can rewatch them here.

SPot results week 2021 presentation topics

• Desiccation of seed, salad and ware crops
• Aphid control
• Irrigation
• Trap crops for PCN control
• Storage: applying Maleic Hydrazide and using natural dormancy
• Weed management
• Cultivation practices

Our SPot Hosts

• SPot East: Mike Shapland, James Foskett Farms - Suffolk
• SPot North: Will Gagg, RJ and AE Godfrey - North Lincolnshire
• SPot Scotland: Jim Reid, Milton of Mathers Farm - Montrose

Read more about our host farmers on our Strategic Potato Farm pages

Schedule

Jan 19 9:00AM–10:30AM · Stage

Desiccation – how effective are Diquat alternatives for potato crops

Results from the 2020 crop and previous season’s research, with lead researcher Mark Stalham before a discussion with SPot hosts, Jim Reid (SPot Scotland), Mike Shapland (SPot East) & Will Gagg (SPot North).

Jan 19 12:00PM–1:00PM · Stage

PCN: Deceiving potato pests with trap crops

Discussed by Ivan Grove (Harper Adams) & James Lee (Produce Solutions), results from this PCN field lab will aim to develop good establishment for trap crops when drilled after cereal harvest. Including date of drilling, weed control and drilling depth.

Jan 19 3:00PM–4:30PM · Stage

Weed control with fewer actives

Data on how to replace lost chemistry. Drone footage of this year’s crop from SPot East, and a discussion with agronomist Graham Tomalin and SPot East host Mike Shapland.

Jan 20 12:00PM–1:00PM · Stage

Irrigation – findings from the SPot Farm trials

What is the most effective use of water when irrigating your potato crop to meet high supermarket quality standards? Mark Stalham & Will Gagg will discuss the findings from the SPot Farm trials and how to best use the water available, followed by Bob Hillier from the Environment Agency who will give an abstraction and licensing update.

Jan 20 2:30PM–4:30PM · Sessions

Resilience through research

Using AHDB research to inform your on-farm decisions. An up-to-date walk through of all AHDB funded research developments including management of; weeds, pests, disease, soils, rotations and storage.   

Jan 21 9:00AM–10:00AM · Stage

Reducing the threat of aphids in a potato crop

Reflecting on the 2020 trials with agronomist, Graham Tomalin, SPot East host, Mike Shapland and SPot Scotland host Jim Reid. We will discuss what can be done differently in 2021 to minimise the risk of aphids for potato crops.

Jan 21 12:00PM–1:00PM · Stage

Managing sprout suppression without CIPC

AHDB’s Storage Research team will discuss the results from the SPot Farm trials looking at the dormancy of 40 popular varieties.

Jan 21 3:00PM–4:30PM · Stage

Land preparation for planting potatoes: cultivations & seed placement

An independent panel consisting of Philip Wright (Soils consultant), Kerr Howatson (Bruce Farms), Andrew Wilson (CJ Wilson), Harry Henderson (AHDB) & Will Gagg (R J & A E Godfrey) will discuss their views and findings on where reductions in costs or increases to yield can be made in cultivation practice.