23 July 2015
UK: Event for AHDB 'SPot' farm
Each SPot farm partners for three years with a technically advanced grower innovator. The aim is to validate to the host business and to the wider potato industry the value from making change.
The ambitious range of work covers soil management practices; crop nutrient; seed rates and varieties; the use of precision; practices to limit in-field greening; irrigation scheduling and managing crop variability and water run-off.
James Daw, based near Rugeley, has been chosen as the first host farmer and is well known for trying the latest evidence based research and putting it into practice.
As part of the study, James has been working closely with Dr Mark Stalham of NIAB-CUF, to evaluate the nine different AHDB Potatoes-funded work streams. His aim is to supply his customers with the best possible quality, to drive his yield potential, reduce his environmental impact, as well as his cost of production.
AHDB Potatoes knowledge transfer executive, Hannah Goodwin, has been blogging about the trails and is the AHDB lead for the project.
Several members of NFU’s Potato Forum had a sneak preview at a farm walk during June and were supportive of the range of work on display.
Seed rate principals and the yield impact of variable depth bed-forming, destoning, and bed tilling practices was popular with attendees.
An area which particularly impressed Norfolk Agronomist, Andy Alexander was the use of tram line and bed profile management tools on sloped ground. The study is evaluating the Richard Lapage Wonder Wheel; the Briggs Tied Ridger; and The Aqua Agronomy Creyke tied tracker roller.
“Considerable run off was occurring following 25mm of irrigation in untreated areas,” said Andy “While in the trial area, run off was almost completely mitigated. Seeing these options in action really makes a difference.”
For more information:
Miya Kotecha
AHDB Potatoes
Tel: +44 07792 209 919
www.potato.org.uk/events