Potatoes Strategic Farms give growers


confidence to manage risks • Trials help farmers adapt to change • Seasonal data underpins decisions • Work on nitrogen helps drive yields


G


rowers are improving risk management by tak- ing part in the AHDB’s


Strategic Potato Farm East pro- gramme.


More than 100 delegates at- tended a packed event at New- market Racecourse to hear how results from trials and demon- strations carried out at Strate- gic Potato Farm East have helped growers improve business man- agement and productivity. Reflecting on three years as the programme’s eastern re- gion host, Elveden Farms direc- tor Andrew Francis praised his team – saying trials work car-


Strategic Farm status has benefited the Elveden business, says Andrew Francis


ried out on the estate has ena- bled him to meet challenges in the ever-changing potato industry.


Singling out the most valu- able work on farm, Mr Francis highlighted trials looking at Po- tato Cyst Nematode (PCN) toler- ance and resistance in different potato varieties as being of par- ticular value to his business, and the industry as a whole. “While the work looking at PCN tolerance was particularly useful for us, the Strategic Farm programme has benefited the business in many ways,” he said. “The responsibility of pro- viding in season data to under- pin each year’s demonstrations meant we had to become even bet- ter at data recording and com- munication. As a result, we have been able to adapt some of our key management practices.” Speaking to delegates at the Newmarket meeting in January, Mr Francis said he would recom-


32 ANGLIA FARMER • APRIL 2019


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