Potato growers in the UK could save money, boost yields and help the environment through a new irrigation benchmarking tool.
Although irrigation benchmarking is common in Australia and Spain, this DEFRA-funded initiative is the first of its kind in the UK. Led by Cranfield University, it will enable farmers to compare their farm and individual field performance against others, identify best practice and improve irrigation efficiencies.
The free, confidential and anonymous tool is now being rolled out across the country via the UK Irrigation Association's website, www.ukia.co.uk, as well as through producer groups and other stakeholders.