Lincolnshire farmers RJ and AE Godfrey have become the latest potato growers to join the AHDB’s £1 million Farm Excellence Network.
Director Alex Godfrey and farm manager Will Gagg will open up their site to promote shared learning opportunities to improve potato crop production.
The farm grows around 440 ha of main-crop potatoes for the packing market each year, in a rotation including peas, sugar beet, wheat, oilseed rape and linseed.
Director Alex Godfrey said: “We’re always interested in what we can do better when it comes to growing potatoes and we thought this was a fantastic opportunity to see some of the newest developments applied on our farm.
“We hope this will benefit others in the region as well. We’re looking forward to sharing what we do and hearing what ideas other growers have. We know there is some fantastic knowledge out there.”
Gagg is encouraging growers from Lincolnshire and Yorkshire to attend a series of four events to be held on farm over the summer. Trials will include varieties grown for both the packing and processing sectors.
Graham Bannister, AHDB knowledge exchange manager for the north said: “Alex and Will want to lead honest and open discussions on how to make positive change on farm. I am sure northern potato growers will be as excited as I am to have them on board.
“Inspiration for farmers to adopt new technologies and make beneficial changes on farm must come from voices they are familiar with and trust. This is why AHDB is investing £1 million in our Farm Excellence Platform, across more than 50 farms in 2018, to build on and create new groups to allow more farmers to see action on farm and channel innovation to those that can use it the most.”
