Successful potato production requires continual innovation and improvement – the market and threats to production are ever-changing.

Meeting the challenges will be the focus of the 26th annual gathering in Dundee of the country’s leading potato producers and the companies that support them.

The annual SAC Association of Potato Producers (SACAPP) conference, hosted by SAC Consulting - part of Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) – takes place on Friday, February 7 2025.

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The conference is entering its 26th year, with its longevity epitomising how valuable it is for the potato industry to have a platform to share knowledge, connect with other producers and to hear from experts covering all aspects of potato production.

This year the focus will be on safeguarding the industry’s future.

Senior potato consultant at SAC Consulting, Gavin Prentice, said: “Having attended the conference as a supply chain professional in the past, I’m delighted to be chairing this year’s conference.

“A highlight of past conferences has been the focus on potato farmers, and that’s a strength that continues with this year’s programme.

“Together we can target the challenges the industry faces - but also explore the opportunities the future offers.”

Defending the health and reputation of seed production is the industry’s chief priority. The growing season has raised many questions about how disease and pest threats are changing and evolving.

The keynote conference presentation by Dr Ali Karley of the James Hutton Institute will put the spotlight on the biology and control of aphids – key transmitters of potato virus such as leaf roll and PVY.

Managing pests and disease with fewer plant protection products is a daunting task for potato products - but growers in Denmark are managing just that. Lars Bødker from SEGES Innovation will explain how Danish growers and agronomists have risen to the challenge of fungicide resistant potato late blight with much fewer fungicides than GB growers have access to.

Renowned agronomist Martyn Cox of the AIPC will also deliver a joint presentation with SAC Consulting’s Dr Kerry Leslie on wireworm – a pest that is causing havoc in some areas and which has the potential to become an even bigger threat as the effects of climate change accelerate.

However, the SACAPP conference is very much focused on solutions as well as challenges.

Dr Denis Griffin, of Teagasc, will outline the powerful genetic tools that potato breeders can use to develop varieties fit for the future. Whilst Robert Pearson, from Auto Spray Systems, will detail the exciting prospect offered by drone technology; exploring if we are at a point where plant protection products can be applied without a tyre touching the ground.

Mr Prentice concluded by saying: “The voice of producers is key and an absolute cornerstone of the conference.

“I’m looking forward to hearing talks from both a representative of the Yorkshire Highland Seed Potato Growers Association and from Strathmore Potatoes, explaining how they are safeguarding the health and quality of early generation production.”

The event is free to SACAPP members, but tickets are also available to purchase for non-SACAPP growers and trade.

To book your tickets, email sacapp@sac.co.uk or visit www.sac.co.uk/potatoes for more about how SAC Consulting supports the potato industry.