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First estimate of 2009 plantings
The Potato Council's first estimate of plantings for this year in GB is 129,100 ha's, 0.9% down on last year. read more...
Start aphid control strategies early
Potato Council is advising growers to put their aphid control strategies into practice early this year, beginning with roguing to help keep a tight rein on virus health. read more...
New Director for Potato Council
The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) announces the appointment of Sandra Ziles as the new Director of the Potato Council. read more...
Potato Council launches summer campaign
The Potato Council is set to target its Love Potatoes summer campaign at young families in a bid to secure the long-term future of the category. read more...
Bright prospects for British potatoes
There are bright prospects for British potato growers to address global economic challenges aaccording to Potato Council. read more...
Certis metaldehyde slug pellets get the green light for potatoes
The range of Certis’ metaldehyde slug pellets, Trigger, Certis Metaldehyde and Certis Red have had the use on potato crops re-instated. Uniquely, the approval permits a harvest interval of just seven days. read more...
Marker gene in GM crops found to be safe
A marker gene found in genetically-modified potato starch, and other GM products, has been declared safe for humans, animals and the environment by the European Food Safety Authority
read more...
National Sprayer Testing Scheme to be extended
The National Sprayer Testing Scheme is to be extended to offer testing of slug pellet application kit and machinery. The test protocol will be available through recognised NSTS centres read more..
Scab control option
A coded product A8348G, based on fludioxonil, has been shown to be active against seed-borne rhizoctonia, silver scurf and, uniquely for a potato seed treatment, black dot. read more..
Don’t skimp on nutrients in potatoes
Growers are advised not to skimp on nutrients, but to adopt an integrated approach, making optimum use of available manures and nutrient alternatives, to feed a profitable crop. read more...
Potato disease control heightened
Branston R&D manager Dr Andy Barker said that the company had increased its efforts to develop a range of biofumigants which can be used to treat the soil, reducing levels of pests such as slugs and nematodes prior to planting the main crop. read more...
Best timing for Electis from start of tuber initiation onwards
Gowan Comércio, the new owners of the active ingredient zoxamide, are advising potato growers that the best time to start using their protectant fungicide Electis is from the beginning of tuber initiation onwards. read more...
Training for slug pellet applicator operators
Slug pellet applicator operators are to be offered training this autumn to ensure they are aware of the environmental impact of slug control products. read more...
Crop progress
Crop development is going well, with most crops meeting along the rows.
Blight programmes are well underway across the country. With soil moisture deficits building, irrigation is common. Only two new cases of blight have been reported on the Potato Council's Fight Against Blight website so far this year. But there have been Smith Periods reported right across the country, with most in the south west, Wales and te south east.
According to the Potato Council, total early crop harvest to 26th June was estimated at 1400 ha cleared compared with 2000 ha by the same date last year. Yields look very promising.
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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