News on The Potato Supply Chain from Europe

August 30, 2012

Pepsico UK introduces smartphone app to predict potato yields;i-crop trial results revealed

Smartphone App to predict potato yield PepsiCo and Cambridge University have joined forces to introduce mobile technology to crop planning, with a new smartphone app that will help farmers predict future harvests.

August 29, 2012

Legal challenge refused over first genetically modified potatoes in Ireland

A group of campaigners in the Irish Republic has been refused a legal challenge over the first trial of a genetically modified potato crop. In July, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave the go ahead for a gm blight-resistant potato crop to be tested in County Carlow.

August 28, 2012

Toename broeikasgas positief voor aardappelopbrengst

De toename van de CO2 concentratie in de atmosfeer kan gunstig werken op de aardappelopbrengst.

August 28, 2012

Technical in-field workshops to be held at North of England Potato Day

Damage awareness is one of the key topics to be discussed at the North of England Potato Day to be held at Headley Hill Farm, Tadcaster, Yorkshire on September 4.

August 28, 2012

Greens in Ireland seek to sue over trials on potato

Moves will be made in the High Court today to launch a legal challenge to a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow trials on a genetically modified (GM) potato to be carried out.

August 21, 2012

New Headquarters for AKP Group

Nearly £3-million has been invested into making northern Lincolnshire a central hub for the needs of some of the UK’s biggest potato sellers. Elsham Wold has just become the new headquarters for Arundel Kerr Produce Ltd (AKP Group), supplier to superm...

August 21, 2012

Northern Ireland potato blight warning issued

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute and CAFRE, Greenmount Campus have issued a further potato blight warning.

August 21, 2012

Progressive Potato Farming conference to highlight new innovation and ideas

After an incredibly challenging season for potato growers, the ADAS Syngenta 2012 Potato Conference and Exhibition is perfectly timed to provide the essential new technical innovation and marketing inspiration for all growers, agronomists and potato industry specialists.

August 20, 2012

British growers advised to take care with pulverisation amid high blackleg risk

With bacterial disease blackleg posing a threat to Scottish seed potato crops for a second consecutive season, there was advice at Potatoes in Practice on managing the risk of spread during haulm destruction.

August 19, 2012

Quality problems on the rise for British potato growers

Figures from the Potato Council Grower Panel Lifting Survey estimate that 11,600ha (10%) was cleared to Friday August 10, compared with 12,500 ha (10%) the same week in 2011 and 13,000 ha (10%) in 2010.

August 17, 2012

Blackleg concerns over Scottish seed crop

Wet weather is once again favouring blackleg development in Scottish seed potato crops, although disease levels are believed currently to be below the record levels seen in 2011.

August 16, 2012

Oils could reduce viruses in seed potatoes

The application of oils has the potential to assist in the control of non-persistent viruses in potato seed crops. However, more work is required to establish the effects on seed crops.

August 16, 2012

Bayer CropScience Completes Acquisition of AgraQuest

Bayer CropScience announced today the completion of its purchase of AgraQuest, Inc., a global supplier of innovative biological pest management solutions.All required transaction waiting periods have expired without objection from the relevant competit...

August 16, 2012

France: Blight pressure strong;lower potato yields predicted

In France, according to the UNPT, blight pressure remains strong and there are signs of early senesce in some crops.

August 15, 2012

Potato wart disease cleared from Northern Irish fields

A scheme to clear fields in Northern Ireland of potato wart disease has been hailed as a success.

August 14, 2012

Jerry Knox to speak of lessons from the wettest drought at East of England Potato Day

Jerry Knox from Cranfield University will discuss the lessons learnt from the wettest drought in history at the East of England Potato Day

August 14, 2012

New British app allows potato chip bags to predict the weather

It is probably hard to go wrong with a promotion based on the British obsession with the weather. That is why packets of Walkers crisps, as the Brits call potato chips, will feature augmented reality weather forecasts using an app from Blippar.

August 12, 2012

Europe: 'Quality of potatoes much better than last year'

The potato market is very successful at the moment. "The demand is at a high level and the prices are good,"says Karel Casteels from Lathouwers &Co. "We didn't expect it at first, but it is a lot busier than last year."He believ...