Potatoes in Practice 2011

Another downpour in Dundee, it must be time for Potatoes in Practice. This annual event, which claims to be the biggest field potato event in the UK, brings together variety trials and research in one place.

Unfortunately, the weather is hardly ever kind and yet again substantial rain before and during made even a trip to the loo feel like an Amazonian jungle trek.

The upside of rain is that local growers have little else to do and so turn out in good numbers, probably 500-600 were in attendance this year.

The Higgins team was split in half, with the well prepared, hardy duo manning the field plots and the unsuitably dressed, no wet weather clothing pair based in the Marquee.

Most visitors spend time indoors and outdoors which meant a steady stream of visitors throughout the day, discussing the prospects for the current season both seed and ware.

We received a number of complementary comments about
our trials particularly the crisping variety, Olympus, which showed good tuber numbers with very even shape and size.

The variety has grown well in Europe and we are now trialling it commercially in the UK.

The day before the exhibition we had taken the opportunity to arrange a meeting with a number of our seed growers to discuss the upcoming season and the various changes which had taken place in the Seed Office.

It also allowed the growers to discuss any and all issues they wished to raise. A very full and open debate followed. This finished with dinner and a few drinks in the bar as the discussions continued, late into the night for some.