Potato Review

8 POTATO REVIEW NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 NEWS Three new Dewulf Kwatro Xtremes started harvesting potatoes in the UK recently. This self-propelled four-row sieving harvester maintains the full sieving path. Manufacturers say the harvester, with a large 17 m³ bunker, is ideal for growers who plant in 4 x 90 cm or grow in beds of 1800 mm. ree more go to Xtreme The 30th Annual Cambridge Potato Conference will take place at Robinson College, Cambridge, on December 17th and 18th. The conference will see the foremost industry innovators and scientists interact and debate current issues. The title of the 2019 conference is Solani Tvberosi Negotiorvm Corroboratio (Building resilience in potato businesses). As such, it will attempt to define resilience and address how we might improve it in the current actual, economic and legislative climates. Day 1 will see a return of last year’s successful forum slot, this year with a panel of experts addressing sprout control and storage requirements. The Potato Barons Banquet in St John’s College will have Tracy Mackness of The Giggly Pig Company as after-dinner speaker and entertainment by the Gentlemen of St John’s. Day 2 will feature a mix of interactive workshops. The conference is expected to attract more than 200 members of the industry. Industry innovators and scientists come to conference FSOOTY 2020 seeks best farm sprayer operators The Farm Sprayer Operator Of The Year awards are back for 2020 - to find and reward the best farm sprayer operators in the UK. The application of crop protection products is one of the most complex jobs faced on the farm and today’s operators are faced with many possible challenges, along with demands for ever greater accuracy and precision, according to in association with the Voluntary Initiative Syngenta which runs the awards in association with the Voluntary Initiative. The award aims to recognise their professional approach, enable them to share their skills and experiences and to help encourage further improvements. Syngenta application specialist, James Thomas, said: “The use of plant protection products is under constant scrutiny, so it is important to use them safely and e¡ciently in a way that meets crop needs, as well as public, operator and environmental safety. It’s a tricky balance, but for many operators it comes as second nature. FSOOTY seeks to recognise and reward operators’ skills.” All operators who can demonstrate ingenuity and an ability to meet these varying objectives by using agrochemicals e£ectively, are in with a chance of winning. Last year’s finalists are pictured.