The future of sustainable potato farming is under the spotlight at this year’s Potato Event 2023, held at the Yorkshire Event Centre on 22nd and 23rd November. Emerald Research Ltd (ERL) is leading the charge, posing the pivotal question: “Is regenerative potato farming commercially viable?“
The event, which sees the collaboration of various commercial and academic entities, will unveil the first results of the three-year ‘Transformative Reduced Inputs in Potatoes’ (TRIP) project, generously funded by Innovate UK.
ERL is inviting farmers, growers, and industry connoisseurs to weigh in on the debate, offering three distinct perspectives: full commercial viability of regenerative potato farming, a balanced approach incorporating regenerative rotation, or the belief that such a practice is commercially unfeasible.
The TRIP project, which utilizes ERL’s OptiYield soil analysis and other innovative techniques, aims to assess alternative farming methods. The goal? To diminish the overall resources used by the crop without compromising its commercial value, thereby boosting both profitability and sustainability.
The first full set of TRIP field trial results will be published at the event. This year’s trials tested a number of variable combinations :-
- Base nutrition provided by FYM, green waste and a reduction in nitrogen of 50%
- Fungicide or biological approach with either Maxim and Amistar or Consortium
- Foliar nutrition applications
- Additional foliar – Blight programme or Diamond
Attendees at the Potato Event are encouraged to visit stand 193, where they can discuss the future of regenerative potato farming with ERL experts, cast their vote on its feasibility, and get a firsthand look at TRIP’s inaugural year findings.
ERL supply tailored crop nutrition programmes including their own range of bio-stimulants, microbials under the OptiYield Brand.
Source: Emerald Research Ltd (ERL)
Contact:
Simon Fox, MD
sfox@emeraldresearchltd.com
