Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 5 NEWS NIAB has appointed Dr Mark Stalham as the new Head of NIAB CUF, the potato research division of NIAB. Already a senior research associate at NIAB CUF, Mark will guide the overall scientific direction, development and management of NIAB CUF’s activities, including knowledge exchange. He will continue to have close involvement with the executive committee of the Cambridge University Potato Growers Research Association (CUPGRA), which funds and supplies industry support for potato research. He said: “I’m looking forward to this great opportunity to pursue some new avenues for collaboration in the field of potato research, agronomy and commercial services. There is some fantastic science being conducted at NIAB and the links with the University of Cambridge, through the Cambridge Centre for Crop Science (3CS), should expand this. The key will be linking the pure research with the applied end of R&D and knowledge exchange, for which NIAB CUF has become widely recognised. “I have the same enthusiasm for our team, and potatoes, as when I started my career. My goal is to see NIAB CUF expand again to a sustainable number of senior and junior researchers, supported by a technical staff who take pride in their work and its implications for the industry. I’d also like to explore opportunities to enhance the connection between all of NIAB’s potato research, trials and services, which span agronomy, disease testing, varieties and inspection. By continuing to develop NIAB CUF’s worldwide services, such as irrigation scheduling and yield modelling, we should continue to bring in considerable income in the future.” With a PhD in potato crisp agronomy, and an MSc in viticulture, Mark has more than 33 years’ experience and success in the areas of potato research and knowledge exchange. He has been instrumental in establishing and brokering industry and academic contacts, securing funding, and developing and managing key industry and research relationships with AHDB, industry partners, universities, CUPGRA and potato farmers in the UK and elsewhere in the world. Director of NIAB Agronomy, Stuart Knight said: “Mark is the outstanding candidate to lead and further develop our research activities within the potato sector. Having joined NIAB CUF when it was part of Cambridge University Farm, he is also in a unique position to build on the excellent foundation created by former colleagues Eric Allen and David Firman.” Director of Greens of Soham and CUPGRA Chairman, Philip Kingsmill added: “We look forward to continuing to work closely with Mark, and the great team he now leads, to further our understanding of potato production. I know he will embrace the position of leading NIAB CUF to deliver the high-quality research data that we have come to rely so heavily on.” Mark takes on leadership of NIAB potato research division HSE launches latest farming inspections Farmers are being reminded to pay closer attention to how they manage workplace risk or face serious penalties, as the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) begins its programme of inspections to review health and safety standards on farms across the country. The inspections will ensure those responsible for protecting themselves and workers are doing the right things to comply with the law and prevent death, injury and ill-health. Where compliance isn’t being adhered to, HSE will use enforcement to bring about improvements. Agriculture as a whole has the poorest record of any industry in Britain and latest figures show that 39 people were killed in agriculture across Britain in 2018/19 - around 18 times higher than the all industry fatal injury rate. HSE’s Acting Head of Agriculture, Andrew Turner, said: “We are seeing signs of a change in attitude across the farming industry and while this is encouraging, these inspections act as a reminder to farmers of the importance of managing risks so that everyone can go home healthy and safe from work.” Growing 3,800 grams of spuds in less than three months, a Lincolnshire primary school has secured the top spot in the national Grow Your Own Potatoes (GYOP) competition. Competing against almost half a million primary school pupils in England, Scotland and Wales, 70 children from Market Rasen dug deepest, chitting, growing and harvesting almost 225g more potatoes than any other school in Britain. Potato variety Rocket performed best for the school, with growth fuelled by a special ingredient. “Reducing food waste is really important, so we decided to mix used coffee from the filter machine into the soil to help them grow. That could be the secret to our success,” said Rita Griggs, Teaching Assistant at Faldingworth Community Primary School. “The children particularly enjoyed harvesting and finding the potatoes hidden in the soil. All kids should know where their food comes from and how it grows. Grow Your Own Potatoes is a great, fun way to teach this.” On behalf of farmers and growers, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), organises the free activity for schools, which can now register to take part in GYOP 2020. AHDB Education Manager Sue Lawton, said: “While the competition is great fun, we’re also educating children on how potatoes fit into a healthy, balanced diet, where they come from and how they grow. “We had a fantastic uptake with almost 16,000 kits sent out to primary schools all hoping to win the top spot, or one of the 10 regional prizes up for grabs. Growing kits are limited so don’t miss out and sign up now for 2020.” To find out more visit www.growyourownpotatoes.org.uk. Market Rasen school gets ‘top pot’ in national awards

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