Potato Review

www.potatoreview.com POTATO REVIEW MAY/JUNE 2022 9 GROWER PROFILE in under four minutes and whistle when the mash is evenly warmed and ready to eat. Their four children, Alexander, Jessica, Hannah and James, have all returned to the farming business. The youngest sibling, James Stirling, makes the mash, and spent many months perfecting the balance of ingredients for each flavour. He said: “We have seen the rise in demand for fresh, healthy convenient food, but with a greater consciousness around health, customers don’t want a long list of preservatives. We wanted to create a high-quality, honest, home-style product that customers can fit into life, whether it’s feeding the family or a nutritious meal-in-one to sustain you at work. With quick cooking, we are sealing in the goodness of our potatoes from the farm for customers to enjoy all the freshness, taste and nutrients without unnecessary additives. The long shelf life then allows retailers to hold stock for longer, save costs in supply and reduce food waste.” Side dishes and soups are also be produced and will be sold from vending machines at the farm’s coastal setting above Lunan Bay. Eldest daughter Jessica, who has masterminded the on-farm Larder with the family, said: “We will be building the Upper Dysart Larder brand through our farmgate sales and social media, to support retailers to sell our products. Buying from the vending machines will not only be convenient and easy but seeing the farm will be part of the experience, particularly for young children, to encourage them to see and enjoy their vegetables in a different way. There will usually be someone from our family around to chat to and find out more about what we do here, and the Larder is close to plenty of lovely beach walks so customers can make an outing of it.” Walkers unaware of impacts on growers: Survey reveals ignorance of Countryside Code ALMOST nine in ten (86%) Brits are breaking the Countryside Code when they go out walking and potentially affecting growers’ crops and work practices without realising, a new report has revealed. The report, carried out by Rohan, surveyed 2,000 walkers on their knowledge of the Countryside Code, and what they do to protect their favourite natural landscapes. The British designer and supplier of outdoor apparel has teamed up with the NFU to try to raise more awareness and encourage walkers to play their part. “Radical overhaul of Red Tractor needed to support reduction in pesticide reliance” GREATER action is required to improve Red Tractor’s current approach to pesticide reduction, according to a new report published by the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN). The Sub Standard report – supported by Pesticide Action Network UK and RSPB – states that Red Tractor urgently needs to review and strengthen its promotion of non-chemical pesticide alternatives, including via Integrated Pest Management (IPM). It highlights the scheme’s lack of targets to reduce pesticide use and its failure to require its certified farmers to adopt alternative approaches such as selecting pest and disease resistant crop varieties, crop rotations and using biopesticides. Record shipment brings reassurance GROWERS have been reassured regarding liquid fertiliser supply, despite pressures in the supply chain. OMEX Commercial Director, Rob Burton, paid tribute to the company’s international supply network, stressing that local delivery could be maintained. He said: “Supply security for all agricultural inputs is under serious pressure. Global issues have compromised the situation further, however farmers can rest assured that they’re able to make timely applications of essential nutrient inputs, such as liquid fertilizer.” OMEX recently received another record shipment of liquid nitrogen raw material (UAN) into ABP Immingham, ensuring that its UK growers are provided with season-long supply security of liquid fertiliser. The 25,000mt DWT vessel docked on April 6th and is destined for the OMEX dedicated processing, storage and distribution terminal located at the port.