following on from ahdb potatoes

[graham mc]

GB Potatoes​

The work begins now...​

We are here to work on your behalf supporting and representing the GB Potato Industry.

We will be operating as GB Potatoes Organisation Ltd, incorporated as a business limited by guarantee and not for profit. ALL stakeholders will have the opportunity to become members; there will be no one controlling influence.

The GB Potatoes News ​

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER- November 2023

​ I am delighted to have joined GB Potatoes as it embarks on its second year, and I am eager to leverage my experience to build upon the foundation that has already been established. With a month under my belt since starting in October, I would like to share a few initial reflections. Weathering the Storm My first reflection on the past month pertains to the weather. The persistent heavy rain and flooding have wreaked havoc. In the face of climate change, which is bringing more extreme weather more frequently, our industry must adapt. While weather challenges have always been a part of our journey, the current extremes call for innovation and adaptation. This will require coordinated efforts across the supply chain and with the support and assistance of government. Supportive policies, infrastructure enhancements, and the development of new crop varieties will all play a part in shaping the future solution. Collaboration is Key My second reflection is that collaboration is the solution to the problem of extreme weather, as well as the answer to all the issues our industry faces, and the driving force behind GB Potatoes. Our objective is simple: we are here to ensure a viable future for GB potato production. GB Potatoes serves as a platform for the entire supply chain to collaborate in addressing the myriad challenges confronting our industry. It also acts as a respected voice representing the industry when engaging with government bodies to tackle emerging challenges and seize opportunities. A Bit About My Journey Allow me to share a bit about my background and what has led me to this point in my career. I have spent the past 11 years as the Chief Executive at NFU Scotland, passionately advocating for the interests of farmers and A New Chapter Begins at GB Potatoes SCOTT WALKER- CEO GB Potatoes growers. I derive immense satisfaction from representing our industry and working with Executive at NFU Scotland, passionately advocating for the interests of farmers and growers. I derive immense satisfaction from representing our industry and working with others to find solutions to the challenges we face. GB Potatoes is a new organisation with tremendous potential. It is crucial that the potato industry has a strong, clear voice, and I look forward to ensuring that the industry's voice is heard and to collaborating with others to address the sector's issues. I aim to grow GB Potatoes' membership as we demonstrate the value of our endeavours. I am also combining this part-time role with another part-time position as the Executive Manager of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers. Transparency and Communication This year, there will be a strong focus on communicating the activities in which GB Potatoes is engaged. This is important not only for our current members to appreciate the breadth of our involvement but also for prospective members to see our impact. By being more visible and proactive in tackling industry issues, we can demonstrate why everyone in the industry should consider becoming a member. Your Input Matters No one has a monopoly on ideas. I encourage you to reach out with any questions or thoughts on the projects and activities GB Potatoes is involved in. If there is an issue that you believe we should address but are not currently involved in, please let me know. I look forward to meeting all of you in the weeks and months to come. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Whether you meet me at an event, give me a call, or drop me an email, please know that I am here to serve you.

POTATO DAYS COMES TO THE UK IN 2024 ​

GB Potatoes are pleased to be one of the launch partners for the first Potato Days in the UK. A brand new two-day agricultural event will be held in the UK next year. Potato Days UK will beheld at Nocton in Lincolnshire – at the heart of the Dyson Farming business. Aimed primarily at UK and Irish farmers and growers, Potato Days UK will attract exhibitors from across the potato production value chain. Potato Days UK is made by the DLG, the world’s foremost agricultural events organisation and part of the German Agricultural Society. The DLG has global reach through its combination of shows and trade fairs, including AGRITECHNICA – the world’s largest agricultural machinery and technology event. DLG’s experience in this sector is significant. Potato Days events have been held for several years in countries such as Turkey, Ukraine, Poland and China and are based on the Potato Europe field days events that are held annually in Germany, Netherlands, France and Belgium. Bringing technical and exhibitor stands with in-field demonstrations of harvesting, handling and cultivation equipment, these popular events attract many thousands of professional visitors and exhibitors from across Europe each year Potato Days UK, which will take place on 4 and 5 September 2024, will be a free-to-attend event and offers visitors a unique and immersive opportunity to engage with the industry. Greg Smith of the DLG said “We have listened carefully to the market and are delighted to bring Potato Days to Lincolnshire. Nocton Farm is an ideal location, accessible from across the UK and Ireland, and an excellent showcase for many aspects of innovative, research-led, arable farming. We are very pleased to be working with key industry partners, including GB Potatoes, and are confident that this is going to be an exciting and successful new event“. A key feature of Potato Days are live, field-scale, demonstrations of cultivation, harvesting and crop handling, working on around 15Ha of crops that are being specially grown for the event. In addition to indoor and outdoor exhibitor stands, trial plots showing new varieties and agronomy practices. A particular focus on agritech, research and innovation will run through the event, with a programme of talks, presentations and networking opportunities taking place over both days.

“As well as being able to see the latest potato growing machinery at work, visitors will be able to learn about the latest trends and issues affecting the industry. Potato Days will offer an ideal knowledge exchange and learning opportunity for all our visitors” he added. ​

Potato Days UK –key facts Dates: 4 – 5 September 2024 Location: Nocton Farm, Nocton, Lincolnshire Format: Outdoor field days event - total site area of 20 Ha. High quality inside trade stand space for over 100 exhibitors. Outdoor static stand and display spaces. Trial plots and technical demonstrations. 15 Ha of live demonstrations including cultivation, harvesting, load line and crop handling. Tickets: Free to attend – pre-registration required. Registration will open before end 2023. Launch partners: GB Potatoes, GRIMME UK, McCain, Dyson Farming, University of Lincoln and UK Food Valley. Exhibiting and sponsor opportunities: contact [email protected] for a proposal or to discuss.

 

[graham mc]

to me this shows what can be done its early days so far but these guys seam to show it can be done