An award-winning potato breeder from the north-east is among the line-up of speakers confirmed for a major potato industry conference next month.
Morrice Innes, who alongside his wife Ann grows and maintains nearly 700 varieties of potatoes at his home in Oldtown, Newmachar, will discuss heritage varieties at the annual conference of the SAC Association of Potato Producers (SACAPP).
The full-day event takes place on Wednesday January 18 at Perth Racecourse.
Mr Innes will speak together with John Marshall, from Perthshire, who along with his wife Rhona helped the Innes couple win two gold medals for potato exhibits at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Event organiser Dr Stuart Wale – a potato industry expert from SRUC – said: “Their displays are outstanding and what Morrice and Ann Innes, together with John Marshall, have done in their quiet way to promote potatoes is worthy of recognition. I am sure it will be a real talking point over lunch.”
Other speakers lined up for the event include: Lancashire farmer Andrew Webster and his agronomist adviser John Sarrup; Stuart Smith from potato equipment manufacturer Grimme; Mark Tucker from fertiliser giant Yara; and soil scientist Elizabeth Stockdale from Newcastle University.
Dr Wale said the event, which runs from 10am to 4pm, would provide a platform to discuss the implications of Brexit on the potato sector, as well as offering advice and expert opinion on issues such as market dynamics, fertiliser supplies and sustainable soils.
He said: “Growers are asking will we have a supply of good labour and adequate Government support after Brexit? Can we continue to improve efficiency with ever rising costs of production? “Can we continue to fertilise our crops efficiently with dwindling resources? This event has been planned with practical solutions in mind. I am delighted with the diverse range of good speakers that have agreed to give their views.”
