Potato Days UK concludes on a high note – a forum for the entire potato sector

Potato Days UK, held in early September at Dyson farming’s Nocton Farm in Lincolnshire, ended on a high note, meeting visitor and exhibitor expectations. The two-day, field event included live demonstrations of potato harvesting, crop trial plots and almost 100 exhibitors representing organisations from across the sector. The organisers, DLG, expressed their satisfaction with this event's first edition, with around 2000 participants visiting over the two days.

Demonstrations, a great hit

Six top-of-the-range potato harvesters from leading manufacturers AVR, Dewulf, Grimme and Standen gave visitors a close-up view of action as they tackled the specially grown 12Ha of crops.

Mark Taylor, Chair of the industry group, GB Potatoes:

"This is the first time in over 20 years that British farmers and growers have had the opportunity to see a field days event like this and watch different machines in action."

"Visitors were able to experience 24 harvesting sessions on each day, showing both two- and four-row harvesters working in varied conditions. Organising a show of this scale takes some doing and the experienced DLG team should be congratulated on the way it ran."

In addition, potato handling lines from AVR, Dewulf and Downs showed the newly harvested crop being cleaned, sorted and loaded – leaving the field for processing by McCain.

Exhibitors from across the potato industry

Lars Huf, Project Director:

"We were delighted with the support we have enjoyed from our exhibitors, representing the entire potato industry. With almost 100 organisations filling our purpose-built marquee and the outside area, there was something for everyone. Exhibitors reported strong interest from the high-quality audience of farmers and growers, including many from Ireland and the Netherlands who came to this first edition of our event."

Trial plots and new innovations on show

Ten specially made crop trial plots allowed exhibitors to show new potato varieties, innovative agronomy and the latest technology for sustainable potato production.

Dan Hewitt, UK manager for global brand Restrain:

"It was great to be able to show our products to farmers and growers at this event. A huge amount of work goes into these plots and we were able to show excellent results."

Andrew Howesman of Howesman Agriculture:

"This was the best opportunity we have had to showcase Drip Irrigation in the field ever, and it generated lots of interest. I’m looking forward to future Potato Days events."

Learning, knowledge exchange and meeting platform for farmers

In addition to many opportunities for visitors to meet and network at the event, the DLG Expert Stage provided the platform for a series of talks and discussions held over both days. An impressive lineup of 25 speakers, including industry leaders, academics and researchers, kept audiences engaged with topics such as machinery, automation and AI, net zero, water and the impact of policy on sustainable production.

René Döbelt, Vice President, DLG:

"The DLG takes a leading position in knowledge transfer, technical competence and improvement in farming practices. We create unique platforms to promote learning, share understanding and show technology and innovations across the world."

"Potato Days UK is the first professional exhibition and field demonstration event for potato growers for many years and we are very happy to create this for you. The potato industry is vital – producing one of the world’s most favourite foods – and a key crop for British and Irish farmers. But producing potatoes is not easy! We look forward with confidence to bringing future events to this important market."

The next Potato Days UK, an event by farmers for farmers and organised by DLG, is expected to take place in September 2026 in the heart of the British potato production region.