The future of potato crop production will be a major focus at Potatoes in Practice (PiP), the UK’s largest field-based potato event, happening on Thursday, August 8, in Dundee.

Organised by the James Hutton Institute in collaboration with SRUC (Scotland’s Rural College) and Agrii, this event will feature a range of demonstrations, cutting-edge research, trade exhibits, and expert insights, making it a key event for anyone involved in the potato industry.

This year's event will explore how the potato sector can come together to ensure its future sustainability. A series of seminars will be led by notable industry and science leaders, including Mark Taylor from GB Potatoes, Mike Wilson from the Seed Potato Organisation, Faye Richie from ADAS, Mercedes Torres from B-Hive, and Graham Tomlin from VCS Potatoes.

The seminars will cover:

• ‘Supporting our future industry’: An update from GB Potatoes and the Seed Potato Organisation (event sponsors), including feedback from earlier stakeholder workshops held by the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC).

• ‘Innovation in Potatoes’: A look at the latest innovations in the sector and future prospects.

• ‘Virus, the problem and how to control it’: Insights from VCS Potatoes and James Hutton Limited on managing viral issues.

• ‘Fight against blight’: An update on the Hutton-led initiative aimed at protecting the UK's potato crop from late blight, and ‘An update on fungicide resistance guidelines’ from ADAS.

Professor Ian Toth, director of the NPIC at the Hutton and newly appointed president of the European Association for Potato Research (EAPR), will kick off the seminars with a discussion on grower concerns and potential solutions.

Prof Toth commented: “Futureproofing the potato industry remains a key goal of the Hutton and our partners. Bringing science and industry together helps us to build long-term sustainability and resilience for the years to come, and PiP is an excellent opportunity to knowledge share and discuss the threats and opportunities facing the sector.

He added: “We thank our partners Agrii and SRUC for their continued support for the event, as well as our sponsors the Scottish Society for Crop Research (SSRC), GB Potatoes, and the Seed Potato Organisation.”

The annual event is designed to encourage learning and innovation in agriculture, showcasing the latest developments in the potato industry. Attendees can expect to see new technologies, machinery, and emerging trends.

Visitors will have access to a wealth of scientific expertise, view new potato varieties from commercial breeders, observe advancements in crop protection, and discuss recent research findings.

Kyran Maloney, senior potato consultant at SRUC, noted: “Potato production in the UK and Ireland has a strong sustainability and productivity story, but the industry faces unparalleled uncertainty.

“Rising costs of production, shortage of labour, and growing technical challenges mean that the need for practical innovation has never been greater. SRUC is proud to support Potatoes in Practice, as it represents an almost unique forum for engagement between industry and technical experts, ensuring information is shared that is grounded in the needs of producers.”

Kyran added: “This year we have a simulated herbicide drift crop injury demonstration. Careful trial work such as this can help farmers to quantify (and mitigate) risks. We will be on hand to discuss how we investigate such cases and raise awareness about how they can be avoided.”

David Barclay, agronomist at Agrii, underlined: “In an ever-changing and more uncertain world, Agrii is focusing on innovation and sustainable production. This year, the eight plots at PiP look at novel biologicals for improved plant health, skin finish, storability and nitrogen fixation.

“This includes two interesting products plus the bio-stimulant NIENTRIS, which is a combination of a free-living nitrogen-fixing bacteria and a prebiotic that potentially allows for lower nitrogen inputs. We look forward to showing you around the trials on August 8.”

Potatoes in Practice will run from 09:00 to 15:30 on August 8 at the James Hutton Institute’s Balruddery Farm in Dundee.

For more information and admission details, please visit: www.pip.hutton.ac.uk/programme