‘From seed to ware’, this year’s Seed Industry Event (SIE14) on 25 November, at the Crieff Hydro in Perthshire, widens its’ appeal to the whole supply chain, covering seed, plant health, pest and disease advice, seed supplier and customer case studies, processing, storage and retail insights.
This year’s seed event will not just be about seed! The speaker programme features industry leaders and technical experts from a diverse range of disciplines and organisations from right through the supply chain.
We will hear from Norman Soutar, Chief Executive of food producers William Jackson Food Group based in Hull, Humberside, talking about their successful fresh and processed potato product lines, their leading door-to-door ‘veg box’ delivery scheme and their fresh prepared veggie and salad business.
The recently appointed Director General of the Potato Processors Association, Dr Sharon Hall, will talk about the needs of the GB potato processing industry and how breeders and growers can work with the processors to ensure supply of the quality and volume needed for year-round, value-added potato products.
For the first time, we hear from one of Kenya’s leading figures in their emerging potato industry. Dr Hassan Were from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology will provide insight into this important potential market for GB seed.
The Netherlands’ seed potato inspection service (NAK) will give us the Dutch perspective on the recent EU harmonisation of the Seed Potato Classification Scheme (SPCS) and what impact the new rules will have on growers, trade, and on GB and NL seed in general.
Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research celebrate the huge advances in crop storage in recent decades and look to the next 50 years to see where storage technology needs to go to drive efficiency and sustainability in this vital industry sector.
A first at this event, a Gloucestershire seed supplier and a Cornish ware grower present their own case study, joining forces to discuss their own farm businesses and lead discussions about seed supply chain issues.
Focused interactive sessions see Fera leading the first-ever ‘vector and virus’ identification workshop, where delegates will learn how to recognise key aphids and pinpoint the plant viruses they carry.
Experts from Spud Agronomy address Potato Cyst Nematode (PCN), looking at the implications of ‘PCN creep’ and how, if left un-tackled, this yield-destroying pest could devastate our industry.
Blackleg – one of the greatest plant health concerns within our industry – will be addressed by SASA’s Head of Potatoes and Plant Health, Prof. Gerry Saddler, examining on-going investigations into this disease and the work being done to identify the sources of infection and spread.
As well as a first-rate speaker programme, there will be ample networking opportunities. The conference is followed by the popular Industry Dinner and Awards, allowing delegates and guests to enjoy some traditional Scottish hospitality during the evening.
