Potato News from United Kingdom

March 08, 2012

Practical tips for potato growers facing water restrictions

The 12 months up to January was the eighth-driest year in the UK since records began and unless there is substantial, above-average rainfall in the coming weeks, growers will almost certainly face water restrictions this summer.

March 07, 2012

Returns from long-term potato storage only in high price years?

Time spent assessing the crop is time well spent, said North Norfolk potato grower Tony Bambridge, speaking at Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research.

March 05, 2012

UK potato crop at risk from aggressive new disease

An aggressive strain of disease is a major threat to the country’s potato industry, a leading researcher has warned.

March 05, 2012

UK: Top Norfolk grower’s potato storage secret: Use your nose

Store managers must use their nose to achieve the best results, said award-winning Norfolk potato grower Tony Bambridge.

March 03, 2012

Congreso Mundial de la Papa: Taller de sanidad vegetal en el cultivo de papa

El congreso, que tendrá lugar en mayo, ofrece algo para todos involucrados en el sector de la patata, según el director de Potato Council el Dr. Rob Clayton. El WPC (World Potato Congress) tendrá lugar en el magnífico Centro Internacional de Conferenc...

March 01, 2012

Crearon escáner que utiliza inteligencia artificial para mejorar el proceso de control de calidad de la papa

Un equipo de investigadores de la Universidad de Lincoln en el Reino Unido ha usado una plataforma de hardware y software para construir un sistema de bajo costo que identifica los defectos y las enfermedades de la papa en tiempo real, y que además se ...

March 01, 2012

Everett Brothers Engineering placed into administration

Everett Brothers Engineering, which specialises in the design, manufacture and sales of machines linked to vegetable production and processing, has been trading for 38 years. However a downturn in orders has seen the company, based in Hockwold, near T...

March 01, 2012

Space age agronomy on show at the World Potato Congress

Satellite technology developed during the cold war is set to deliver state-of-the-art crop monitoring systems to help growers improve agronomy and drive up profits. Although the technology dates back several decades, its capabilities for remote sensing...

March 01, 2012

Droogte bedreigt aardappelen in Engeland

In Groot-Brittannië dreigen grote delen met hoogwaardige gewassen verloren te gaan. Oorzaak is de droogte, zeggen experts. Het gaat om meer dan de helft van het geïrrigeerde aardappelareaal. Voor niet-geïrrigeerde aardappelpercelen is de situatie het...

February 29, 2012

United Biscuits achieves zero waste to landfill in the UK

United Biscuits (UB) has become the first major food manufacturer in the UK to achieve zero waste to landfill across all of its 16 UK sites including its UK factories, distribution centre and administrative offices. The company, which produces much lo...

February 29, 2012

Potato Council Storage Forums to take place in East and West of England

Assess store suitability before using CIPC, urges Adrian Cunnington, head of Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research (SBCSR), who will be offering tips on how to follow best practice at the Potato Council Storage Forum East on March 1 and the Storage F...

February 29, 2012

Research team creates intelligent potato scanner for QC

Researchers have unveiled a potato scanner that uses artificial intelligence to improve the quality-control process. The team from Lincoln University used off-the-shelf hardware and new software to build a low-cost system that identifies defects, dise...

February 28, 2012

Potato company Branston buys fleet of green forklift trucks

UK Potato firm Branston has bought a fleet of green forklift trucks to tackle emissions. Branston's nine hybrid vehicles will produce 60 per cent less carbon dioxide and use 20 per cent less fuel than alternatives. The RX 70 trucks are run on diesel ...

February 27, 2012

Potato Store design: the Dutch, the American or the British way?

Potato store operators must ensure they specify both airflow and air pressure when planning new stores, says Ray Andrews, from crop storage specialists Crop Systems Limited.

February 27, 2012

Potato Packing Plant Preva Produce acquires top accreditation

The Norfolk potato industry now has its first British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Standard for Food Safety accredited potato packing facility. This is a unique achievement within the County and is a major step forward in putting more Norfolk grown ...

February 23, 2012

Tong Peal invests in State-of-the-art laser cutter

The UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of handling and sorting equipment for the vegetable industry, has replaced its former plasma cutter with a state-of-the-art laser cutter. The new equipment will be quicker, more accurate and produce a better f...

February 23, 2012

King Edward potato most recognized potato variety in the UK

Recent findings from YouGov SixthSense reveal that the Kind Edward potato is familiar to 84% of UK adult potato eaters, making it the most recognized potato variety. The Maris Piper (83%) and Jersey Royal (81%) closely follow. Meanwhile, potato variet...

February 22, 2012

Greenvale AP invests £1.7million to reduce water usage

Leading UK potato supplier Greenvale AP is on target to reduce its water usage by 100 million litres a year after rolling out its revolutionary Cascade eco root vegetable washing system to its Floods Ferry site in Cambridgeshire at a cost £1.7 million.