Monthly Archives: October 2015

GB seed potatoes promoted under new branding

AHDB Potatoes used the recent Potato Europe event in Belgium to introduce overseas buyers to their new identity.

AHDB Potatoes (formerly known as Potato Council) were on the GB seed and science stand at the event emphasising the high health, high quality reputation of British seed potatoes and providing a high-profile marketing and networking platform for GB seed exporters and related science organisations.

This year’s newly-branded stand showcased varieties and expertise from organisations and companies including as Greenvale, Cygnet PEP, Skea Organics, Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research, James Hutton Ltd, Scottish Government, IPM Potatoes and Cullen Allen. According to AHDB potatoes, the stand welcomed hundreds of international visitors over the two-day event. Visitors were also able to enjoy tasty cooked samples of GB varieties, supplied by the exhibitors and cooked freshly on the stand.

Greenvale’s General Manager in Scotland, Gordon Stark reported, “We attend this event every year. It’s vital for us to maintain our high profile with the international potato community and we see new people each time, as well as keeping in touch with existing contacts and friends.”

The international potato and horticulture communities will also see AHDB Potatoes and AHDB Horticulture exhibiting together alongside leading GB potato and horticulture organisations at next February’s Fruit Logistica event in Berlin (3-5 February 2016).

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New Dutch greenhouse alliance

The five biggest growers’ associations in The Netherlands have agreed to a new partnership under the name Federatie Vruchtgroente Organisaties (the Dutch Federation of Fruiting Vegetable Associations) or FVO.

The new group claims to represent more than 70 per cent of all Dutch greenhouse crops and is working alongside the Dutch government and Rabobank to restructure and develop greenhouse horticulture in the Netherlands.

Headed by former Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Cees Veerman, the group will work to implement the recommendations of the McKinsey report published in late 2014 which warned that much of the sector was struggling. “We are not out to achieve overnight results with this process but are taking a more in-depth, careful and deliberate approach. We are pleased that the foundation has been laid,” commented Mr Veerman.

The five growers’ associations behind the Dutch Federation of Fruiting Vegetable Associations are: Best of Four, DOOR, The Greenery, Harvest House and Van Nature.

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Scottish cider maker asks for donations

East Lothian cider maker Thistly Cross is offering people who donate spare apples for its range of Scottish ciders a free bottle in exchange for each bucket of apples donated.

The Dunbar-based company said it would accept most varieties, apart from crab apples. Head cider maker Peter Stuart told the BBC, “We have a tradition of using apples grown across Scotland from a wide range of sources including professional apple growers, schools, large estate owners and the general public who grow apples in their gardens at home.

“Our popularity is increasing but Thistly can’t make all the cider it wants to without the help of the public. Our unique system of using donated apples also eliminates the waste that is all too often associated with the food industry of modern times.”

The company exports its cider around the world.

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Patterned sticky roll captures more thrips

Welsh-based IPM manufacturer Russell IPM has said that recent experiences in South American trials has reinforced the benefits of using its Optiroll Super patterned sticky strip trap compared to non-patterned alternatives.

These recent results have been gathered at protected carnation and rose growers in Ecuador. According to the company, Mr Galo Pita V. who has been conducting the trials, found ‘some extremely positive results, with Optiroll Super capturing 450% more thrips than the control. Additionally, the protection was seen to increase substantially as infestation levels increased.’

An additional trial measured the capture rate in a range of flowers where Optiroll Super was found to significantly suppress insect populations when compared to a conventional chemical application. Mr Pita V. Commented, “The traps act as barriers to the relocation of the thrips, to reduce the opportunity for migration and mating which ultimately reduces the population and spread of the fly and of course this works to protect the flowers from damage.”

The patterned sticky roll was developed by Russell IPM after the company noticed that trapped insects were found mostly at the edge of their non-patterned sticky roll, being attracted to the contrasting colours of the border.

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Syngenta outlines pipeline of new chemistry

On 16 September Syngenta outlined its pipeline of new product innovations during an Investor Day held at its research centre at Stein in Switzerland.

In crop protection, the company showcased its technology pipeline of nine new active ingredients including the breakthrough, broad spectrum fungicide ADEPIDYN™ (pydiflumetofen) and ORONDIS™ for vegetables and specialty crops, which the Syngenta hopes will reinforce its global leadership in fungicides. The pipeline also includes new insecticides, herbicides and seed treatments.

Trish Malarkey, Head of Research and Development, said, “We are accelerating the rate of our innovation while further improving productivity and return on investment. We are at the beginning of an exciting period in the innovation journey of Syngenta with cutting-edge science driving significant value creation in the short, medium and long-term across all technologies.”

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Growth in organic sales doubles

According to the latest Soil Association figures, the last year has seen steady growth in organic sales with sector outperforming non-organic products.

The Soil Association also says that the number of new products released with Soil Association Certification shows there is confidence in further growth in the sector.

The figures showed growth in the organic market of +3% in the 52 weeks to 15 August 2015, compared a fall in non-organic sales of -1.2% in the same period. Mike Watkins of Nielsen said, “To me it is clear that brands need to look for growth through new channels and to reach out to developing categories, such as alcoholic drinks, confectionary and snacks, that offer the opportunity to capture their customer and create loyalty. Products should be affordable, accessible and achievable.”

Speaking at the market briefing where the figures were unveiled, Clare McDermott, business development director at Soil Association Certification said, “The UK’s organic market is looking immensely positive for the future. Brands are releasing new lines and expanding their offerings to respond to food trends and demands.”

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