New risk criteria which will transform the performance of Potato Late Blight alert systems has been revealed. Arising from research undertaken by the James Hutton Institute and funded by AHDB Potatoes, the ‘Hutton Criteria’ is a significant advancement on current methodology for predicting blight pressure, known as Smith Periods, now 60 years old this year. “Smith Periods have been immensely valuable in[Read More…]
Equipment/Technology
Potato-based Mars wrapper wins bioplastics award
A bioplastics packaging development by chocolate snack group Mars in partnership with Rodenburg and Taghleef Industries has won this year’s Global Bioplastics Award. Netherlands-based Rodenburg developed a special grade of its Solanyl recipe consisting of waste starch from the potato processing industry and recycled PLA (production waste from sheet extrusion). The prize was awarded to the winning companies on 29 November[Read More…]
Worldwide exclusive sales agreement signed for potato defect cutter
Dutch industrial equipment manufacturer Optiserve has granted worldwide exclusivity to FAM – European market leader in industrial cutting solutions – for the sale of its Glide defect cutter. The Glide is a unit that automatically cuts defects from raw potato strips destined for the production of french fries. OptiServe has been selling the cutting machine with success for about 4[Read More…]
Canada: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) coming to a potato field near you
Though unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are just beginning to buzz over Canadian crop fields, experts agree these new ‘eyes in the sky’ are about to fundamentally change how potato farmers see, interact with and manage their crops. Agriculture is on the cusp of a game-changing leap forward in technology. Currently, most agricultural unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are used for the technologically[Read More…]
Tong showcases the latest Caretaker and Pro-Series controls at Lamma
Leading vegetable handling equipment manufacturer, Tong Engineering, is once again exhibiting at the UK’s largest farm machinery show LAMMA, to present its latest range of equipment for 2017, on stand R37. Further to advancements in the company’s Auto-Touch HMI controls, which have seen the introduction of Pro-Series control features including safety, diagnostics and maintenance features for more efficient running and minimal[Read More…]
European potato processor purchases Pulsed Electric Field system
Pulsemaster, a producer of Pulsed Electric Field systems for potato processing, announced on Nov., 21 that it has entered into an agreement for the sale of a 100kW PEF system to a major producer of high-quality French fries and potato specialities. The customer is EU-based and operates in the potato processing industry. Pulsemaster’s proprietary PEF-technology will be used to treat whole potato[Read More…]
Key Technology opens new Innovation and Solutions Center in Belgium
Key Technology strengthens support of European food processors with the opening of a new customer visit center – The Innovation and Solutions Center – in Hasselt, Belgium. This state-of-the-art facility enables processors to participate in equipment demonstrations, application tests and training, both in-person and remotely via a live video interface. It is designed to create a superior customer experience while[Read More…]
UK: Sainsbury’s tackles potato greening with new opaque packaging
British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s has launched a new opaque packaging for potatoes aimed at giving them a longer life and reduce their wastage caused by discolouration. The new packaging technique from the retail giant would prevent potatoes from becoming green and tasting bitter. It is said to be completely opaque and yet giving scope for the potatoes to breathe. The new packaging[Read More…]
Jantz Canada introduces heavy duty bin tipper for the fresh produce industry
Working with Grimmway farms in the US, Jantz Canada has developed the industries benchmark in bin tipping technology. With over a year of research, design and prototyping the result is both elegant and able to withstand the demands of daily industrial use. There are several features which sets this tipper apart from others on the market explains Jantz president Robert[Read More…]
‘Humigator’ helps potatoes stay disease-free, not shrink
A local invention called a “humigator” is helping potato growers across the country have yearlong control over their potatoes. Garry Isaacs, the creator of the humigator, developed the first prototype in 1985. He said the name is a combination of the words humid and fumigator. Its primary function is to clean the air of potato storage sites, by doing so the[Read More…]
India: Mahindra HZPC opens minituber lab – Aeroponics facility to provide top quality seed potatoes
Last week, MHZPC, a 60/40 joint venture between Mahindra Agri Solutions Limited (MASL) and HZPC Holding BV, started a new, particularly modern, miniature tuber laboratory in Mohali, located in the vicinity of the city of Chandigarh in Punjab, Northern India. This facility has been opened by Mr Stoelinga, Ambassador for the Netherlands in India, in the presence of Mr Ashok[Read More…]
US: Invention cleans air in spud cellars
Reed Searle says he’s found a cost-effective way to rid potatoes in storage of diseases without using additional chemicals. The Shelley, Idaho, farmer has installed machines called “humigators” — invented by businessman Garry Isaacs and manufactured in a small, local shop — in all seven of his potato cellars. Isaacs’ invention continuously recirculates the air, removing pathogens and particulates while boosting humidity,[Read More…]
‘PotatoSize’: An easier way of estimating potato crop size distribution
As the third most important global food crop, potatoes are grown for many different markets. It is fundamental for farmers to know when to halt crop growth to achieve optimal tuber size for market and so maximize profits. Until now, standard practice has been to grade a sample of tubers through multiple sieves, counting the number within size ranges, which[Read More…]
NL: Kiremko sets ‘the new standard in steam peelers’ with the Strata Invicta
The Dutch company Kiremko, fully dedicated to equipment for the potato processing industry, has launched a new steam peeling solution, the STRATA Invicta®. This steam peeler promises high speed and superior yields. Kiremko: How fast, thin and long can you peel? We can finally reveal these answers and promise you that no other machine in the market today can beat[Read More…]
Tomra to launch sorter at Pack Expo
Tomra Sorting Food plans to introduce the Tomra 5B, a sorter for the vegetable, fresh-cut and potato processing industries, Nov. 6-9 at Pack Expo 2016 in Chicago. Tomra Sorting will be at booth E-7335. The sorter combines Tomra’s surround view technology with a 360-degree inspection, according to a news release. It features high resolution cameras, and LEDs provide improved light intensity for[Read More…]
Pulsed Electric Field for french fries and chips: Quantify your benefits with Solidus
The innovative Dutch company Pulsemaster introduces a surprisingly effective Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) pilot-scale batch unit under the brand name Solidus to determine the effects of PEF on whole potato tubers to make French fries and crisps. New is you avoid tissue damage prior to PEF treatment. For the first time the food and scientific sectors have an instrument to[Read More…]
US: Drone technology, computers ushering in a brave new world for northern Maine potatoes
Wayne Kilcollins remembers picking potatoes by hand while growing up in Aroostook County. Things are getting a little more high-tech these days. This past summer the Northern Maine Community College instructor of wind power technology found himself back in — and above — the northern Maine potato fields using cutting edge drone technology to record variations in potato crop yields and quality. “It[Read More…]
Potandon Produce to introduce new Light Blocker bags at the 2016 PMA Fresh Summit
Potandon Produce LLC, a leader in fresh potato innovation in the US, will debut a new line of Light-Blocker potato bags at this year’s Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit Convention. This cutting edge technology will be available in the leading national potato retail brand, Green Giant™ following the show. Vice President of Sales, Ralph Schwartz remarked, “This is truly a[Read More…]
UK: Cultivating better practice
Most potato growers could afford to cultivate at least one inch shallower, according to NIAB research scientist, Mark Stalham, who outlined the benefits of reduced cultivation at the latest AHDB SPot farm walk. The event, held at James Daw’s farm in Staffordshire, identified reduced erosion, better work speeds and reduced costs as just some of the advantages associated with limiting secondary[Read More…]
Show Review: Over 300 Exhibitors at PotatoEurope 2016
The 300 exhibitors present (25% more than in 2008) were able to meet with their customers, at PotatoEurope, in Villers-Saint Christophe, France, September 14-15. The dynamism of the various sectors, from seed production to trade of consumption tubers (France being the leading European exporter) but also the processing industries, attracted a wide international audience. Foreign participants came mainly from Benelux, Germany and[Read More…]
Battered and Bruised: Managing bruising during harvest
What can be done to minimize bruises and wounds this harvest season? There are two major components to bruise management: 1) factoring in tuber conditions and variety susceptibility to bruise with a harvest, and 2) running a handling operation designed to minimize physical impact or damage of the tubers. There are two types of harvest bruises: blackspot and shatter. Two events[Read More…]
Kenya, the Netherlands, US: Farmers to learn over 100 ways of cooking potato at agri-fair
How many ways of cooking potato do you know of? One boiling, two frying, three mashing… There are 100 of them. These many ways and other value addition skills will be showcased at the University of Eldoret from September 22 to 24 during an agricultural fair. Celebrated Kenyan and Dutch chefs will display how the popular delicacy can be cooked in different[Read More…]
Potato Europe 2016: Grimme to present many practical improvements of its equipment
Agricultural Machinery manufacturer Grimme will present at the Potato Europe in France several practical improvements of its planting, harvesting and handling technology. The self-propelled harvester, the 354 HP strong 2-row potato harvester VARITRON 270 Platinum with 7 tonne NonstopBunker and ground protecting rubber tracks will be on display. The 2-row potato harvesters SE 260 and SV 260 will also be demonstrating with[Read More…]
Make healthier, better tasting potato chips with this Pulsed Electric Field unit
Heat and Control, in response to snack processors recognising a demand by consumers for a healthy snack product with an enhanced taste and ‘mouth feel’ has developed a technology that will change the way you think about potato chip processing. Just when you thought the potato chip couldn’t get any better, this technology that was developed and tested over a number[Read More…]
New warehouse to double Monte Vista Potato Growers’ capacity
The new 15,000-square-foot warehouse and new line at Monte Vista Potato Growers will double the grower-shipper’s capabilities, according to General Manager Jason Tillman. In mid-August construction was well under way, and Tillman said the building will be ready by Oct. 15 and the first loads of this year’s crop. “Our harvest will start in late August or early September,” Tillman said, noting[Read More…]
Editor & Publisher: Lukie Pieterse
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