Potato supplier the Higgins Group is launching its successful in-house diagnostic service commercially under the banner Alves Diagnostics.

The group developed the service for its own growers over many years and now brings it to the commercial arena for the benefit of producers, merchants, processors, consultants and scientists.

The service includes Blackleg testing, washed brock assessment, bruise testing, hotbox testing, dry rot species analysis, full-stock assessment and fry testing.

“Breeding is of vital importance in the potato industry, and in order to meet the challenges of a changing market, Higgins has, through Alves Diagnostics, put its technical skills and expertise developed over many years, within the grasp of the wider industry,” a company spokesman said.

Alves Diagnostics tests mini-tubers for a range of diseases using the latest scientific advances which mean that disease organisms can now be identified at very low levels. Highly skilled laboratory technicians employ the technologies used in medicine and forensic science that have been specially developed for commercial testing. Micro-plants and mini-tubers provide a healthy starting point for potato production, and commercial production lowers unit costs and adds flexibility to the supply chain.

“We firmly believe that quality is the key to successful potato production,” explains David Higgins, managing director of the Higgins Group. “We have a first class laboratory facility, which is now available to the wider industry through Alves Diagnostics. Disease diagnostics is now a viable tool in the promotion of a healthy potato crop. Improved quality means reduced risks.”

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