Dublin, Ireland
February 14, 2008
The IFA/Teagasc National Potato
Conference and Trade Show 2008, taking place in Dublin today,
Thursday, 14 February, is one of the key events marking 2008 as
the ‘International Year of the Potato’. This year’s conference
is focusing on putting potatoes back on Irish plates.
Nutritionist Paula Mee is outlining the nutritional benefit of
potatoes in a healthy diet and award-winning chef Neven Maguire
is demonstrating the art of cooking potatoes.
The industry forum is providing an opportunity for lively debate
among the panel and growers. The conference discussion is
focusing on price-related issues but also areas such as the
specifications for washing and the trends in production are
featuring. As part of the discussion, Michael Hennessy,
Teagasc potato specialist
said: “The Teagasc Potato Advisory Service was reorganised
recently and is now in excellent shape to help growers improve
quality production and improve profits on potato farms”.
The conference was officially opened by Trevor Sargent, Minister
of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
with responsibility for food and horticulture, and was addressed
by IFA president Padraig Walshe.
The withdrawal of key herbicide products for the control of
weeds in potatoes is making life more difficult for growers.
Matt Molloy, Teagasc tillage adviser said: “Many commonly used
products are not available this year and growers will have to
find alternatives. This may mean a change in practice and will
inevitably increase the cost of weed control in potato crops.”
He added: “On the positive side, new weed control products have
been registered which will help to give overall weed control in
the coming season.”
The emergence of brown rot as a disease in potatoes in Ireland
is of concern to growers. Producers are being advised by Teagasc
to select land carefully for growing potatoes and to be
selective about the water sources used when irrigating crops.
They are also being advised not to grow potato crops for seed in
fields prone to flooding. |
|
