Potato Review

Grimme UK Ltd. www.grimme.co.uk To find out more about our Platinum Range Harvesters talk to your local GRIMME dealer today. PERFORMANCE FIRST Platinum Range Harvesters from GRIMME CAB • ErgoDrive Control Centre – superior operator control and productivity • Clean Control – saves operator settings for specific conditions • 2 Terminals + 2 Monitors and Visual Protect with on-board cameras monitor all machine and crop-critical functions • Comfort cab option includes fridge, heated seat and side windscreen wipers ENGINE • Mercedes Benz 354HP engine (Tier 4 Final) with Automotive Drive for economy on the road and increased power in the field TOPPER • Auto height-adjustable topper with infinitely adjustable speed settings from the cab myGRIMME • Customer portal includes map view; machine overview, “geofencing” and a link to the data exchange platform agrirouter NEWS The EU’s announcement means member states have until January 8th 2020 to withdraw authorisations on all CIPC-containing products. Following this withdrawal period, growers will have a period to use up all stocks of CIPC. The maximum duration of this grace period is nine months but it is down to each member state to decide the length of grace period permitted. Gavin Towers, Product Manager at seed potato producer Agrico, said developing varieties with better dormancy could be a solution to the concerns surrounding its withdrawal, and trials are currently being carried out with four growers. “The loss of CIPC is obviously a concern but we are trying to tackle the problem by developing varieties with better dormancy,” he said. He went on to say that Corsica, a crisping variety, has shown extended dormancy as a real strength and has performed very well in long-term storage. Processing varieties Fontane and Performer, are also among those o ering high dormancy ratings, which is why Gavin urges growers to try something new. “Growers tend to stick to historical varieties CIPC withdrawal: Should growers now consider di erent varieties? but to reduce pressure on sprout suppressants, they may need to try new varieties that can retain tuber quality for longer in storage,” he said. “Reviewing storability for varieties is often di cult, especially when they’re not conducted on a commercial scale, but our trials results have been promising and the feedback has been very good. We’re confident that Corsica, Markies and Fontane o er growers excellent process quality potatoes with stable sugars at higher temperatures. We also have more exciting varieties in the pipeline like Beyonce that will help growers to become less reliant on chemicals.” The active has been under scrutiny in Europe since 2015 and was recommended for non-renewal following a review by the European Food Safety Authority. It had been discussed at successive SCoPAFF (Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed) meetings and the Appeal Committee, and no opinion was reached. With Member States unable to reach agreement on a way forward, the decision ultimately defaulted to the European Commission. Growers are being urged to ‘try something new’ following the non-renewal of chlorpropham (CIPC), which was announced by the EU on June 18th. Gavin Towers, Product Manager at seed potato producer Agrico, said trials results have been promising.