IN BRIEF

12 July 2002

IN BRIEF

uROTHAMSTED research centre has changed its name from the Institute of Arable Crops Research to just Rothamsted Research, to reflect the wider range of work it now undertakes. The move coincides with the closure of facilities at Long Ashton, near Bristol, and the imminent opening of a £31m research facility at the site. "It will put us streets ahead of anything else in Europe, showing the confidence we have in the future of agricultural research," says deputy director Stephen James.

uASDA is the latest supermarket to sign up to the Linking Environment and Farming project in support of integrated farming principles. "We are concerned about preserving and enhancing the environment and reducing the impact of our suppliers activities," says Asda agricultural development manager Chris Brown.

uSKIN quality checks on potatoes are a step closer to being standardised with Electroconnect emerging as a commercial backer for the SAC-developed bloom-meter. "There should be a number of prototypes available this harvest ahead of possible commercial production next season," says SACs David Ross. By pinpointing changes in the bloom of potato skins the gadget should remove operator error from intake checks, aid store outloading decisions and improve potato shelf-life management in supermarkets. Likely cost is £500. &#42