Potatoes in Practice, Britain’s biggest field-based event for the potato industry in 2009, takes place at Balruddery Farm, Invergowrie, Dundee on Thursday 13 August.

The free-to-attend event is acclaimed as the most important gathering for the potato industry in 2009.

Hosted by SCRI, Scotland’s leading centre for crop research, Potatoes in Practice (PiP) is sponsored by Potato Council.  The other key partners are the Scottish Agricultural College and CSC Potatocare.

It is a unique opportunity for farmers, advisers and others to view the latest industry and government-supported research at a single site.

Challenging times call for innovative solutions, and rarely has the potato industry been more focused in its response and its resolve to maintain crop profitability. For 2009 Potatoes in Practice has relocated to a new site at Balruddery Farm, just down the road from its previous venue near Dundee.

Balruddery is to become an experimental research centre for sustainable farming methods and will be unique as such in the UK.

PiP remains the largest outdoor gathering for the industry and Britain’s premier showcase for the latest R&D and technical information that will shape the sector. Whether it is the threat of a reduced pesticide armoury, responding to climate change or reducing cost, those looking for the technical edge will gather again at PiP 2009.

SCRI Director and Chief Executive, Professor Peter Gregory, said: “PiP is one of the major highlights of our year at SCRI. With a record number of exhibitors this year, we are hoping to take the event to a new level. The potato industry is hugely important to the UK and to SCRI. We are very proud to host this remarkable event.”

Potato Council Head of Seed and Export Mark Prentice said: “More and more growers are now coming to Potato Council’s summer events, and PiP is the founding father of these, with the broadest range of innovations on display.

“You simply can’t get a better understanding of how new technical solutions relate to your own on-farm situation than by coming to the event and discussing the issues first hand with the experts who will be there.”

PiP is now well-established as the leading gathering for growers, merchants, packers and processors to catch up on the latest levy-funded and other potato-related research. Free to attend, seminar topics cover PCN control, energy use and the latest response to the pesticides directive.

“It’s also the largest gathering of seed breeders and providers – growers come from all round the country to see what’s on offer and often tie it in with a visit to their usual supplier,” adds Mr Prentice.

“But the real value of PiP is the practical focus of the research on display, and that’s what draws such a broad range of growers and industry representatives. There has been a staggering industry response to the massive cost and regulatory challenges growers currently face. There’s no better event to find out what this is and how your business can benefit.”

The wide range of field trials demonstrates this industry resolve to meet current priorities with practical solutions. Potato Council, SCRI, SAC, Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) and CSC experts will be there to explain their latest research and products. Both in the field and in the event marquee there will also be a host of industry-leading companies showcasing the latest products, research and services. Meanwhile, machinery dealers and manufacturers will display the latest models and technology.

Notes to editors

Attendance is free and registration can be done on the day. The event runs from 9.30am – 4.30pm. More information and detailed directions to Balruddery Farm can be found on the Potatoes in Practice 2009 page.

More information from:

Phil Taylor, Head of Communications, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 560044 (direct line), Mobile: 07810 860 701 or

Lorraine Wakefield, Information and Online Service Officer, SCRI, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA. Tel: 01382 560047 (direct line) or 562731 (switchboard).