For the first time Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) is offering potato growers in the north of England a package their Scottish counterparts have had for eleven years.
At an inaugural conference in York, on February 17th, SAC will launch SAC Association of Potato Producers – England, or SACAPP. It will give English growers the same inside track on the latest research and developments in their sector that Scottish producers have valued for over a decade.
SAC has had a Potato Consultant working across Northern England for the last 7 years and opened its new office in York just over twelve months ago from where two potato specialists provide independent, research- driven, agronomy and consultancy advice. Senior SAC Potato Consultant John Sarup, who leads the operation, is excited by this latest development.
“We are making what is a hugely successful concept in Scotland more accessible to growers in England”.
“For a basic, annual subscription, growers and other members of the industry will get an annual conference, 10 topical newsletters and phone/email access to SAC Specialists. Various agronomy and consultancy packages can be added according to individual needs as required.
We are truly independent, selling only advice based on years of practical experience backed up by the latest industry R&D. For those attending our first conference this is a unique opportunity for growers to cash in on these benefits”.
Following the Scottish model SAC has three Divisions, Learning, Research and Consulting with close ties between them. SAC Consulting offers a whole range of advice to rural businesses and is widely respected. In Scotland SAC’s network of offices and specialist consultants assist with everything from farm management problems to renewable energy, disease control and surveillance in plants and livestock as well, as biodiversity issues. SAC research informs Governments at Scottish, UK and EU level. In recent years SAC has established new north of England bases in Wooler, Kendal and York.
The Inaugural York Conference, “Sustainable Potato Growing for the Future” has been tailored to suite the concerns of farmers in the north of England, but is based on a model that has proved popular with the Scottish industry since 2000. Key to its success has been the delivery of practical, take home messages whilst encouraging active discussion and debate.
“There is something for everyone”, Says John Sarup. “The aim of the conference is to deliver information in a format which everyone can understand. The morning programme includes the use of satellite technology, climate change, getting the most from pesticide applications and the latest information on planting and harvesting equipment. The afternoon takes on more of a workshop format. The delegates will be encouraged to discuss subjects including potato cyst nematodes, free living nematodes, new varieties, diagnostics, Alternaria, catch crops and plough versus non-plough. We finish the day with a look at the role R&D has to play and how growers may benefit”.
“There is a huge amount of information out there for growers so what we aim to do is take the relevant bits and put it into practical applications that growers can use and hopefully profit from”.
The SACAPP England Conference takes place at Askham Bryan College, Askham Bryan, York, YO23 3FR, on Thursday 17th February, starting at 9.45 pm. Those wishing to make a reservation should contact the SAC Office in York (+44 1904 744190) Mill Hill, Braegate Lane, Colton, Tadcaster, N Yorks, LS24 8EW
At an inaugural conference in York, on February 17th, SAC will launch SAC Association of Potato Producers – England, or SACAPP. It will give English growers the same inside track on the latest research and developments in their sector that Scottish producers have valued for over a decade.
SAC has had a Potato Consultant working across Northern England for the last 7 years and opened its new office in York just over twelve months ago from where two potato specialists provide independent, research- driven, agronomy and consultancy advice. Senior SAC Potato Consultant John Sarup, who leads the operation, is excited by this latest development.
“We are making what is a hugely successful concept in Scotland more accessible to growers in England”.
“For a basic, annual subscription, growers and other members of the industry will get an annual conference, 10 topical newsletters and phone/email access to SAC Specialists. Various agronomy and consultancy packages can be added according to individual needs as required.
We are truly independent, selling only advice based on years of practical experience backed up by the latest industry R&D. For those attending our first conference this is a unique opportunity for growers to cash in on these benefits”.
Following the Scottish model SAC has three Divisions, Learning, Research and Consulting with close ties between them. SAC Consulting offers a whole range of advice to rural businesses and is widely respected. In Scotland SAC’s network of offices and specialist consultants assist with everything from farm management problems to renewable energy, disease control and surveillance in plants and livestock as well, as biodiversity issues. SAC research informs Governments at Scottish, UK and EU level. In recent years SAC has established new north of England bases in Wooler, Kendal and York.
The Inaugural York Conference, “Sustainable Potato Growing for the Future” has been tailored to suite the concerns of farmers in the north of England, but is based on a model that has proved popular with the Scottish industry since 2000. Key to its success has been the delivery of practical, take home messages whilst encouraging active discussion and debate.
“There is something for everyone”, Says John Sarup. “The aim of the conference is to deliver information in a format which everyone can understand. The morning programme includes the use of satellite technology, climate change, getting the most from pesticide applications and the latest information on planting and harvesting equipment. The afternoon takes on more of a workshop format. The delegates will be encouraged to discuss subjects including potato cyst nematodes, free living nematodes, new varieties, diagnostics, Alternaria, catch crops and plough versus non-plough. We finish the day with a look at the role R&D has to play and how growers may benefit”.
“There is a huge amount of information out there for growers so what we aim to do is take the relevant bits and put it into practical applications that growers can use and hopefully profit from”.
The SACAPP England Conference takes place at Askham Bryan College, Askham Bryan, York, YO23 3FR, on Thursday 17th February, starting at 9.45 pm. Those wishing to make a reservation should contact the SAC Office in York (+44 1904 744190) Mill Hill, Braegate Lane, Colton, Tadcaster, N Yorks, LS24 8EW
