Potato Review

24 POTATO REVIEW MARCH/APRIL 2023 VARIETIES AND TRIALS N EW variety Babylon is creating welcome optimism in the potato sector. Mainly a chipping variety, reaction from growers and fryers has been equally positive. “Babylon has had a successful introduction so far,” says Alex Moore, Sales Manager at Agrico. “We have seen strong demand for the variety, since we rst introduced it, from growers through to the end chip shops. e results have been excellent. Nearly 100 people from across the whole supply chain have come to the launch event which shows interest in Babylon.” Alex sees Babylon becoming the benchmark variety for chipping and also expects some processor use. Agrico has ambitious targets to produce 3000 tonnes of Babylon seed on more than 100ha by 2026 in the UK to meet demand. e optimism isn’t con ned to the UK. Globally, Agrico expects the variety to be a success. Seed is already being exported to 22 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa and there will be 500ha of seed crops in the Netherlands by 2025. “It has consistent size and a long oval shape with 21% dry matter which is ideal for chipping. ere is scope for year-round supply because of its long-term storability and there will be earlier crops in Mediterranean countries like Spain and Cyrus,” said Alex. Product Manager at Agrico NL, Olaf van Campen, said he had been impressed by Babylon’s performance in trials and, as a result, felt enthusiastic about its future. “ ere are good yields in every country growing Babylon. It can survive heat and drought. It’s a really strong variety,” he said. Olaf points out that Agrico trials varieties across Europe andMediterranean countries to test performance over three to ve years. Only varieties that o er a signi cant improvement on what is already available are brought to market. Seed grower “pleased to be part of the story” Farming in the Northern Cotswolds, specialist seed grower Jason Brain has grown for Agrico since 2014, and also grows cereals for seed. e farm sits at over 1000 feet and he thinks the isolation helps to keep varieties clean. Reliable seed production in the UK is now essential for any potato variety to succeed on a large scale and Jason is pleased with what he’s seen from Babylon. “We want growers to be at the forefront of new varieties coming through. It ticks the boxes we want from a variety, and we are hopefully at the stage where we can start producingmore commercial volumes for growers. Potato Review reports on a recent launch event where seed and ware growers, as well as chip shop owners, gave the thumbs-up to a new Agrico variety. The advent of the Babylon empire Sales Manager at Agrico, Alex Moore, with the Babylon variety. Jason Brain Alex Moore at J Brain Farm with Babylon plant.