POTATO PRODUCTION in Scotland will be the focus at the SAC’s Association of Potato Growers Conference at Perth Racecourse on Thursday, January 28.

Growers will hear from some of the country’s top experts and, just as important, get a chance to have their say during the workshop sessions.

Disease will be much to the fore with a workshop on the threat posed by Dickeya spp, another form of blackleg, which has already devastated Dutch crops and could do the same in Scotland. There are also concerns about the increase in alternaria early blight and questions over how to control it.

Some might argue GM can help, but a special debate by two Scottish Crop Research Institute heavyweights, Finlay Dale and Gavin Ramsay, will highlight the pros and cons of a sometimes complicated strategy.

Mechanical innovation wont be ignored either. Lawrence Defty will consider the potential of automated grading in a world where people are increasingly reluctant to take on the tedious task. In addition, with sulphuric acid no longer available for haulm destruction, there will be presentations on alternative chemical and mechanical options.

Dr Stuart Wale, SAC’s Potato guru, has invited an Australian, Andrew Powell, to give his impressions of British potato production. As expected from an Aussie, it will be a candid, no holds barred reflection and a stimulating start to a busy day.