The newly appointed Lead Potato Researcher and Consultant for Scotland will use his first public appearance in the role to highlight the importance of collaboration within the industry.
Dr Phil Burgess, who has been employed by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), the James Hutton Institute and SASA, will be among the speakers at next month’s annual SAC Association of Potato Producers in Perth.
Dr Burgess said his role was “all about putting cutting-edge research rapidly into practice”, adding: “Collaboration between the three leading organisations in Scotland, drawing on their expertise in research, consultancy, diagnostics, knowledge exchange and regulation, creates a powerful whole which will help lead the industry forward as it continues to face a number of challenges, including the pressure to produce more sustainably using fewer pesticides and the market challenges post-Brexit.”
The conference, which takes place at Perth Racecourse on Wednesday 29 January, will be introduced by Innes Jessiman, Senior Potato Consultant at SAC Consulting, part of SRUC.
He will be followed by a range of guest speakers, including Philip Wright from Wright Solutions, a specialist in agricultural machinery and systems who will examine which cultivations best suit potato root development.
Other speakers include independent potato agronomist Denis Buckley, who will advise on how growers can address a loss in pesticides to sustain yield and quality.
Two workshops, on virus control and management and on Haulm destruction, will also be held on the day.
Stuart Wale from SAC Consulting, who co-ordinates the event, said: “With a great line-up of speakers and the subject matter really relevant to potato producers, in these challenging times I am confident we will demonstrate the theme of the conference – that the future really is in the industry’s hands.”
The 21st annual conference of the SAC Association of Potato Producers takes place at Perth Racecourse, Scone Palace Park on Wednesday 29 January 2020 (9.30am-4pm).
The conference, which includes lunch and refreshments, is free to SACAPP members but is also open to non-members.
To sign-up, email Janis Forrest at Janis.forrest@sac.co.uk or call 0131 603 7525.
