The organisers of a major UK potato exhibition and field demonstration have confirmed a strong Irish interest in the event.
Potato Days UK will take place in Lincolnshire on Wednesday, September 4 and Thursday, September 5.
DLG, the German Agricultural Organisation, is organising the event. It is the first of its kind to be held in the UK and Ireland for a number of years.
Greg Smith is DLG’s representative in the UK. He believes that Irish potato growers will find lots to interest them in Lincolnshire during the first week of September.
“The event will show case the latest thinking on all aspects of potato production, from the breeding of new varieties through to all aspects crop management and final harvest,” Smith said.
“Four international potato machinery manufacturers will be in attendance with two new equipment launches scheduled.
“The harvesting demonstrations will be a major attraction for the visitors in attendance,” he added.
Potato exhibition
Growing potatoes sustainably against the back drop of climate change and the need to main soil quality will be over arching themes for the event.
The challenges associated with the effective storage, packaging and processing of potatoes will also be addressed.
Smith continued: “DLG already hosts its popular Potato Europe series in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
“So, hopes are high that Potato Days UK will be equally successful. It should also be easier for representatives from the Irish potato sector to get to Lincolnshire, rather than travelling to mainland Europe.”
In addition to the potato harvesting demonstrations, a select group of exhibitors taking part in Potato Days UK have planted trial plots that feature new technologies in weed reduction, crop protection and input application systems.
A range of different potato varieties and new irrigation systems will also feature at the event.
“Potato Days UK combines practical demonstrations with in-field displays of machinery and equipment. It has been specifically designed to meet the development needs of both UK and Irish potato professionals.
“We also wanted to replicate the conditions that exist on commercial potato farms.
“This is why we pushed to have a potato harvesting demonstration area that extends to 12ha,” he added.
DLG has a strong track record in hosting high-profile exhibitions for Europe’s various farming sectors. It is the organisation behind Agritechnica – the largest agricultural machinery exhibition in the world.
