A former Royal Norfolk Show boss has returned to the agricultural events scene - leading a new showcase for the potato industry.
Greg Smith, who stepped down as the chief executive of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association at the end of 2020, is now show director for Potato Days UK.
The free event on September 4 and 5 was launched for the nation's potato growers by the German agricultural society DLG, which organises major trade fairs and events worldwide.
With nearly 100 exhibitors, live machinery demonstrations and crop trial plots across a purpose-built 20-hectare showground at Dyson Farming’s Nocton Estate, near Lincoln, it expects to attract thousands of farmers from across the East of England's potato-growing heartland.
Mr Smith, who is DLG’s UK representative, said although his latest project is across the border in Lincolnshire, there will be plenty of interest for potato farmers in his home county of Norfolk.
"I had a very enjoyable time working in the agricultural show world in Norfolk, and this is a natural extension to that," he said. "I find it so satisfying to see a show come together, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to keep doing it.
"It is very different, working at scale in a business-to-business environment, with the world's leading machinery and equipment manufacturers, but I find it very exciting.
"It fills me with awe, but also it gives me a great reassurance that these organisations are working enormously hard on some of the challenges that agriculture has in the future, and how we can do that in a sustainable and more environmentally sensitive way."
Mr Smith said the challenges for potato growers include climate change, extreme weather and water availability - some of which can be tackled through breeding more resilient crops - while other issues include the regulation of crop protection chemicals, high production costs and dwindling subsidies.
"Put all of these things together and you have got a perfect storm around growing a crop which is widely quoted as being the nation's favourite vegetable," he said.
"Our show is a way of trying to bring all of that together and giving people an opportunity and a platform to look at new innovations, have these discussions, see the latest machinery and equipment and be exposed to the latest thinking to enable farmers to crack these challenges."
Mr Smith said Norfolk and Suffolk's "brilliant farmers", at the "epicentre" of UK potato production, had a key role to play.
"These guys are really at the top of their game in terms of growing potatoes and they are also leading the way in trying to solve some of the industry's issues," he said.
Among them are North Norfolk potato grower James Harrison, of EG Harrison and Co, who is planning to attend the show.
"It’s so good to bring the potato industry together on a working demonstration site where farmers and growers can see the latest technology at first hand," he said.
"And it’s a great way to look at the current options available to deliver potatoes to their chosen markets and engage with the industry."
The show will demonstrate cultivation, harvesting and loading machinery, while trial plots will illustrate the latest agronomy methods and new technologies in weed reduction, crop protection and nutrition, seed varieties and irrigation systems. There will also be a programme of expert talks and interactive workshops on both days.
For more information and to register for free tickets see https://potato-days.uk/
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