Potato Review

4 POTATO REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 NEWS Editor Stephanie Cornwall 01778 395055 stephanie.cornwall@warnersgroup.co.uk Multimedia Sales Executive eresa Geeson 01778 392046 theresag@warnersgroup.co.uk Publisher Juliet Loiselle 01778 391067 Julietl@warnersgroup.co.uk Design Robbie Relf robbie.relf@warnersgroup.co.uk Subscriptions 01778 392464 subscriptions@warnersgroup.co.uk Subscriptions & advertising copy Potato Review, Warners Group Publications, e Maltings, West Street, Bourne, PE10 9PH www.potatoreview.com ISSN 0961–7655 © AREMI Ltd 2019 e publishers are not necessarily in agreement with opinions expressed in this journal. No responsibility can be accepted for statements made by contributors or advertisers. POTATO REVIEW is published by: Warners Group Publications, e Maltings, West Street, Bourne, PE10 9PH Printed by Warners (Midlands) Plc Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincs. PE10 9PH November/December 2019 PRINTED BY WARNERS 01778 395111 in more precise application, as it will help reduce input costs and pollution risks to watercourses. It will also increase the viability of options associated with higher treatment costs.” The team at Harper Adams University will build on an AHDB-funded PhD project that used radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag technology to monitor slug movements. The student found that, despite varying in size, patches were su ciently stable for targeted treatment. Slug patches could also be located using commonly assessed soil characteristics, according to the research. The latest £120,000 investment will be Re ning treatment techniques for slugs used to identify the optimum combination of soil characteristics needed to pinpoint patch locations. It will also be used to investigate how to create targeted application plans based on soil maps. By working with industry, the team will also identify commercially available technology that can be adapted to allow the variable application of slug treatments. Charlotte said: “This is an ambitious and exciting project that aims to develop a complete system for targeted slug treatment. Critically, the commercial viability of this system will be looked at throughout the project.” Targeted treatment techniques for slugs will be refined, following continued investment by AHDB. The fresh injection of funds will help develop approaches to predict where slug patches are most likely to form in arable fields. The new project will also explore the potential to modify o -the-shelf technology to assist with the application of molluscicides to the most slug-prone parts of a field. Charlotte Rowley, who manages pest research at AHDB, said: “Plans to withdraw metaldehyde-based slug pellets were derailed earlier this year, but authorisation remains fragile. There is tremendous interest Sta and supporters go the extra mile MORE than 20 employees and supporters of potato supplier Branston Ltd recently completed a 500-mile group charity challenge to raise more than £3,000 for Dundee charity Maggie’s Centre, which provides practical, social and emotional support to people with cancer and their family and friends. Sta , suppliers and their families walked and cycled to complete the challenge. Kevin Imrie, general manager at Branston in Perthshire, said: “At Branston, giving back to the community and charity causes is so very important to us as a business and we really value the time and e ort put in by our generous team members and their families to support the cause.” The fund-raising challenge saw the group of volunteers give up their Sunday to complete as many laps of the eight-mile- long circular “Rynd Roond” from Bridge of Earn as they could. The distance trekked by each individual was added together and totted up to a total 389 miles travelled on the day, adding to the miles previously logged up through lunchtime walking and weekend cycling. Laura Boyd, Centre Fund-raiser for the charity said: “We are simply delighted with the amount raised and a huge thank you to everyone involved for being a part of such a great event,” “Maggie’s Dundee welcomes over 13,000 visitors a year and it costs around £2,400 for the centre to be open for one day.”