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Free field event to offer potato growers agronomy support
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DLG has been organizing trade fairs and exhibitions for the agricultural and food sector since 1885. These events serve as a forum for ideas, innovation and networking and are highly respected among exhibitors and visitors alike – internationally, nationally and regionally.
DLG brings together exhibitors and visitors at world-leading shows such as AGRITECHNICA and EuroTier as well as at over 40 shows in many different countries. As an international platform for current trends, issues and strategies, our trade fairs provide direction and impetus. They are leading showcases for new technologies and products as well as successful business marketplaces.
Potato Days UK is a new and free-to-attend field event launched for the whole potato sector by Agritechnica organiser DLG (German Agricultural Society).
With nearly 100 expected exhibitors, live demonstrations and trial plots across 20 hectares in Nocton, Lincoln, the event also offers expert presentations and networking.
“Potato growers from the UK and Ireland have long been asking the industry to support them with a dedicated venue directly in the field that offers technical and agronomy solutions in one spot.
This is now happening with Potato Days UK for which we are offering free entry at this launch event,” says Greg Smith, DLG’s representative in the UK & Ireland.
The purpose-made 20-hectare Potato Days UK kicks off on 4th September at Dyson Farming’s Nocton Estate in Lincolnshire, UK, 4-5 September, 2024.
UK’s potato growers and potato professionals are expected in large numbers over the two event days, not only to see harvesting and loading equipment in action but also to network with fellow professionals in the field plots and exhibitor stands from across the value chain.
© DLG Service GmbH
Machinery demonstrations in the field
Nearly 100 exhibitors have already prepared their machinery and innovative solutions ready for visitors who all enter for free.
Products and services on show include novel practices in trial plots, demonstrating the latest advances in crop nutrition, irrigation, fertiliser management, harvesting and storage.
Held over both days, machinery demonstrating cultivation, harvesting, cleaning, loading and mechanical weeding will be presented in a 12-hectare demo area on a crop that has been especially grown for the event.
The machinery demonstrations on 12 hectare is a major draw © DLG Service GmbH
Free entry on both days
“Our farmer and grower visitors will be taking advantage of Potato Days UK to make investment decisions for machinery, farm inputs and management,” adds Greg Smith.
Visitors to Potato Days UK enter for free! Register today.
Made by farmers, for farmers
Launched by the DLG (German Agricultural Society) with professional event partners, Potato Days UK aims to meet the high demand from both UK and Irish potato professionals for an event that combines practical demonstrations, indoor and outdoor exhibits, knowledge exchange and learning opportunities.
The purpose-built marquee contains around 60 exhibitors from across the sector and the show field allows larger static machinery and equipment displays as well as the chance to spend time in discussion with a wide range of manufacturers, suppliers and support organisations to build business relationships that help move farming operations forward.
Large-scale potato grower James Harrison of EG Harrison & Co Ltd, Norfolk is planning to attend the show.
“It’s so good to bring the potato industry together on a working demonstration site where farmers and growers can see the latest technology at first hand.
“And it’s a great way to look at the current options available to deliver potatoes to their chosen markets and engage with the industry,” says James.
James Harrison, professional potato grower © DLG Service GmbH
Field solutions over two days
Potato growing in 2024 is already requiring a particularly high degree of flexibility from farmers in this year’s growing season due to profound changes in weather conditions.
Potato growers will be using the event to identify both technical and farm input solutions to prepare for similar scenarios on the future.
“At this unique farm venue, potato professionals will be able to identify market-ready farm solutions efficiently and, what is more, we offer free entry,” said Greg Smith.
The event was created to be as close as possible to farm conditions. Taking place on both event days, the live harvesting demonstrations are performed by the latest machines from industry specialists AVR, Dewulf, Grimme and Standen.
The live machinery demos will allow visitors to see close up how to get the potatoes out of the ground efficiently and into the trailers for the loading lines.
Machinery trials © DLG Service GmbH
Trial plots present latest agronomy methods
A select group of exhibitors have planted trial plots that feature new technologies in weed reduction, crop protection and inputs, different varieties and innovative irrigation systems.
The crop trials offer visitors the opportunity to inspect crop and agronomy methods in detail.
One crop trial exhibitor is Emerald Research.
“Our on-site trial plots are designed to evaluate ways of reducing the fertiliser and fungicide footprint through using comprehensive programmes of microbials, biostimulants and nutrient placement at planting combined with foliar applications once there is a canopy,” said Helen Holman, marketing and communications manager at Emerald Research.
“We’re looking forward to meeting growers and discussing the changing world of crop management,” she added.
Dan Hewitt, business manager GB for Restrain manufacturer of a unique generator that converts ethanol to ethylene gas for post-harvest sprout control in potatoes, said: “We are thrilled to have a demo trial plot at Potato Days UK to showcase our amazing new ‘Restrain Precision Ethylene Treatment’ technology and Accumulator seed treatment.
“And of course we’ll be there to connect with familiar faces and meet new customers who share our passion for cutting edge technology”.
Knowledge exchange and learning opportunities
At the DLG Expert Stage, an informative programme of talks and workshops will take place on both days.
The specially curated panel discussions, talks and seminars has been put together with support from partners at UK Food Valley, University of Lincoln, McCain, Dyson Farming and GB Potatoes.
Ormskirk-based potato grower Andrew Webster is particularly keen to come to the event: “I’m interested in learning from the talks and discussions.
“Knowledge exchange is vital and even if you take away one thing and use it, there’s a benefit.
“You learn so much from the questions and discussions, too. It’s all about marginal gains to reach your goals.”
Andrew Webster © DLG Service GmbH
“Supporting this event is so important for potato farmers and growers – if you don’t attend it won’t be there in future!
“If you’re in the industry you should be looking into the future – to ‘next generation’ potato growing. Potato Days UK offers us that opportunity,” he added.
Listen to “Talking Tatoes” podcast
Before a visit Potato Days UK, listen to Greg Smith, DLG’s UK and Ireland representative, and Mark Taylor, chair of GB Potatoes, discuss trends in the UK potato industry and why this event is ‘must attend’ for the industry.
Potato Days UK, on 4 and 5 September 2024, will present many of the technologies and market issues discussed in this podcast.
Event partners include Dyson Farming; industry organisation, GB Potatoes; AVR; Dewulf; GRIMME UK; McCain; the University of Lincoln; and UK Food Valley, the regional network for innovation in the food industry.
Nocton Farm is owned by Dyson Farming, one of the largest and most innovative farming companies in the UK.
Dyson Farming will be providing a total area of 20 hectares in the heart of the British potato region for Potato Days UK.
With a cultivation area of 137,000ha and an annual harvest of some 5.5 million tonnes, the UK is the fourth-largest potato-growing region in Western Europe after Germany, France and the Netherlands.
DLG (German Agricultural Society) is the organiser of both Agritechnica, and Potato Days UK.
The DLG, as part of its non-profit objective of offering local know-how for farmers, has been organising successful exhibitions for the potato industry for many years.
It is particularly well known for Potato Europe in the Netherlands and Germany, the international potato industry field exhibition.
DLG’s event, Agritechnica, the largest agricultural machinery exhibition in the world, presents international potato equipment indoors, in a dedicated hall for potatoes and other crops.
Visit the Potato Days UK website and book a free ticket today.
