The 2024 Caythorpe Potato Breeders Demo Days are poised to make a significant impact on the potato industry, with the event scheduled for August 28th and 29th at Heath Lane, Caythorpe, near Grantham, Lincolnshire. This annual event has become the largest outdoor exhibition in Europe dedicated exclusively to potato varieties.
Having gained momentum over the years, the Demo Days now cover an expansive 5-hectare site (see picture below) and feature participation from 12 leading breeding companies. This year’s lineup includes:
- Cygnet Potato Breeders
- Cullen Allen Norika
- Grampian Growers
- Caledonia Potatoes
- Stet
- Irish Potato Marketing Group (IPM)
- HZPC
- Greenvale
- Agrico UK
- Solana UK
- Germicopa UK
- Meijer Potato
With the participation of these key players, the event draws over 200 representatives from various sectors within the UK potato industry, including packers, processors, and growers.
Alistair Redpath, Director at Cygnet Potato Breeders, highlighted the significance of the event, saying, “Varieties on show include both established standards as well as new entries onto the market, with a strong focus on improved pest and disease resistance, particularly G. pallida PCN resistance and late blight resistance, low inputs, and sustainability.”
The Demo Days offer an invaluable platform for industry professionals to observe and assess the latest advancements in potato breeding. With a focus on sustainability and resilience, the showcased varieties reflect the industry’s ongoing commitment to innovation in response to evolving challenges.
As the largest exhibition of its kind, the Caythorpe Potato Breeders Demo Days continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of potato cultivation across the UK and beyond.
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