Potato Growers urged to quantify costs

As crop production costs spiral, serious savings can be made across a range of potato inputs if you manage and monitor them carefully. This was the message for than 240 growers attending Potato Council's East Midlands Potato Day near Spalding, Lincs, on Tuesday (July 8). They also heard how taking a positive message to the consumer is paying dividends for the industry.

Ed Garner, from TNS Worldpanel, said a concerted effort by the industry to promote to the consumer the healthy, natural side of processed potatoes was paying dividends. Chips and potato products have performed "remarkably well"recently, with expenditure higher in oven chips by 10.7%, for example.

"McCain and Walkers in particular have succeeded in taking a positive message to consumers, and that has resulted in strong sales of its products,"he reported. "The lesson for food producers is clear: don't get hung up on negative issues. Present the positives to the consumer – it works."

Other topics covered during the East Midlands event, organized in association with McCain and QV Foods, included:

• Energy use in potato storages
• The latest advice on chlorpropham (CIPC)
• The Potato Council-led industry initiative to minimise residues
• Potato Cyst Nematode control
• Efficient fertiliser use and herbicide trials