Spud guide helps reduce store losses
4 September 2001
Spud guide helps reduce store losses
By Tom Allen-Stevens
A new bible to help potato growers store their crop and retain a premium quality was launched at the British Potato 2001 event on Tuesday (4 September).
The 68-page guide has been written by Bob Pringle of Scottish Agricultural Colleges and British Potato Councils Adrian Cunnington.
Divided into 27 sections, its launch was timed to coincide with the start of the potato harvest.
With thousands of tonnes of crop being loaded into stores over the next six weeks, I urge everyone to get a copy, said Mr Cunnington.
He pointed out that poor storage can lose growers a premium market, which could cost them 50-100 per tonne.
With the guide there is no excuse for not being able to take out of store virtually the quality and quantity of potatoes that went in.
The guide is designed to be an easy-to-read reference manual with key issues and action points in each section.
It explains how to avoid problems such as condensation and moisture loss, how to handle drying and wound healing and how to use ambient air cooling.
I wouldnt expect growers to read the whole book now, but there are some important checks they should be making now, Mr Cunnington said.
Go in now and check your store, check the store hardware, dont leave it until the store is full of potatoes.
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