World Potato Congress

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 6.830 billion (2010), is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and traits. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of 20,700 and is represented in more than 120 countries. The company is uniquely positioned to connect everyone along the value chain from seed-to-shelf to create sustainable programs that will make ongoing contributions that tackle the complexity in the industry and contribute towards feeding this hungry planet. With a leading position in potato seed treatment, Bayer CropScience has a first-class product portfolio, a well-stocked research and development pipeline and comprehensive knowledge in the fields of application technology and mechanical engineering.

Cygnet Potato Breeders Ltd and Gentech Propagation Ltd are part of the Alexander Harley Seeds Ltd group of companies. Cygnet Potato Breeders Ltd operate the UK's largest British controlled breeding programme and have exclusive rights to many varieties suitable for production in a wide range of climates for both the processing and fresh potato markets. Cygnet Potato Breeders Ltd also grow and supply high-grade seed stocks to both UK and overseas customers. Sister company GenTech Propagation Ltd is a purpose built micro-propagation and minituber producing business that specializes in high volume output of potato micro-plants and mini-tubers.

DuPont Crop Protection provides potato farmers worldwide with innovative solutions that help boost the supply of safe, high quality and affordable potatoes. We work closely across the production & advisory chain to ensure the strongest possible link between sustainability and productivity with the aim of ensuring a significant reduction in the estimated 40% global loss in potato yields due to pest & diseases. Market leading brands from DuPont include: Vydate® nematicide and insecticide, Curzate® and Famoxate® based fungicides, Titus® herbicide and new insect control products based on Rynaxapyr®, which set a new standard of control against potato tuber moth. New crop protection innovations in the pipeline include Cyazapyr™ cross spectrum insect control products, as well as a highly active fungicide with a new mode of action against oomycetes. Our portfolio protects yields, helps ensure premium quality and reduced storage losses to both fresh and processed potato markets.

The James Hutton Institute was formed in 2011 by the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute in Aberdeen and SCRI, the Scottish Crop Research Institute based in Invergowrie near Dundee. The Institute’s commercial arm, Mylnefield Research Services (MRS) Ltd, undertakes contract research, especially plant breeding, licenses plant varieties internationally and delivers analytical services. The James Hutton Institute is one of the world's largest centres for research into potatoes, and was the UK lead organisation in the potato genome project. It is the role of MRS to convert this research into products and services of value to the potato industry. We have a long and distinguished history of breeding commercially successful varieties, including the well-known Pentland series such as Pentland Dell and Pentland Javelin together with Anya, Lady Balfour and the Vales series: Sovereign, Everest and Emerald. We are interested in talking to companies considering initiating their own breeding programmes or who like to access new varieties of potatoes. We are a world leader in the study of pests and diseases of potato with particular expertise in late blight (Phytophthora infestans). The Institute takes its name from the 18th century Scottish Enlightenment scientist, James Hutton, who is widely regarded as the founder of modern geology and who was also an experimental farmer and agronomist.

Headquartered in Ireland, IPM is an international leader in seed potato variety innovation, production and marketing. Boasting one of the largest and most advanced potato breeding programmes in Europe, IPM proudly presents 27 commercial proprietary varieties in its portfolio which are exported to over 40 countries worldwide. Customers are catered for from production bases in Ireland, Scotland, Holland, Denmark, France and South America and through licensing agreements in North America, Australia and New Zealand. IPM is the leading seed potato company in Ireland and the largest exporter of protected varieties from the UK.

Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 26,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. One of the unique things about Syngenta is that our actions and products can help address one of the planet's most challenging dilemmas: how to grow more crops from less resources. That is why our ambition is to bring greater food security in an environmentally sustainable way to an increasingly populous world by creating a worldwide step-change in farm productivity. And that means on every farm, each farm and farmer has a role to play. Through deploying our world-class science, we aim to transform the way crops are grown and look beyond yield. Developing innovative products that help farmers grow more from less to controlling the impact of our operations.

Biofresh was formed in 2003 to implement research by academics at Newcastle University’s School of Biology, relating to the introduction of safe and effective residue free alternatives to chemical biocides used in the fresh produce sector. Originally a spin-out company from the University of Newcastle, the Biofresh brand was bought out by Freshpallet Limited in 2011. The two principle Biofresh technologies are: a) Ethylene Management Systems used to inhibit sprouting in long-term storage of potatoes. As an alternative to CIPC chemical treatment, ethylene leaves no detectable chemical residues on the surface of the produce. b) Ozone Management Systems for use in decontamination of stores, crates, and containers, with the additional benefit of reduced CIPC residues in treated areas. The company is based in the UK, but has an extensive international sales and support network. Biofresh systems are being supplied commercially throughout the UK, Europe, North and South America, and Asia.

Caithness Potatoes was founded in the 1980’s as a fully integrated breeding, growing, exporting and variety development company. As the business approaches its 30th Birthday, it now has a turnover of around 35,000 tonnes of seed from its UK base, consumption potato sales to Europe and Canaries and licensed production of its Caithness varieties in many countries including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and North America. Its main varieties include Nadine, Valor, Harmony, Osprey and Winston.

Grimme Landmaschinenfabrik is the market leader in potato planting and harvesting machinery. Marketing to over 100 worldwide countries Grimme offers innovative technology from simple planting machines to very sophisticated self propelled harvesting machines to meet the indigenous requirements of these countries. Grimme has been producing potato equipment for over 70 years initially established as a forge in 1861. Over 2,000 staff is employed by Grimme worldwide and with the diversity of where potatoes are grown local knowledge is essential. The transfer of knowledge is the ethos of the family owned Company, where continuous investment in R & D and resources are essential for the future of the potato world. Development of the Grimme handling equipment range is a natural progression to enable Grimme to offer machinery from soil to plate. Grimme's aim is always to provide the worldwide farmer with machinery allowing him to harvest economically, productively and cost effectively.

Makhteshim Agan is the world's leader in branded off-patent crop protection solutions with over six decades of field proven experience. The company creates simplicity in agriculture leveraging its impeccable reputation for quality, value, attentive service and environmental responsibility. With sales of more than US$2.6 billion in 2011 and market share of 5% in the global crop protection industry the company is the 7th largest agrochemical manufacturer in the world. The group's comprehensive portfolio of solutions includes a full range of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, as well as environmental solutions products. The group is characterised by its know-how, high-level technological chemical abilities, expertise in product registration, observance of strict standards of environmental protection, stringent quality control and global marketing and distribution channels.

Founded in 1957 by the McCain brothers and still family-owned, McCain Foods today is a global food business operating 55 plants on 6 continents with sales in over 160 countries. It is the world’s largest producer of frozen French fries and also manufactures a range of other foods, including pizza, appetizers, oven meals, juice and desserts. McCain is the largest purchaser of British potatoes buying around 15% of the UK crop and contributing over £100 million annually to British agriculture. The company works closely with around 250 potato farmers, many of whom have been suppliers to the business for three generations of the same family. The company also has its own specialist seed operation, McCain Potatoes, at Montrose in Scotland, which contracts certified seed from around 50 specialist growers, and coordinates grading and despatch to its main crop grower network. In the UK McCain Foods primarily makes frozen chips and other potato products for the retail, foodservice and Quick Service Restaurant sectors. The company has been a household name for over three decades and its products, including brands such as McCain Oven Chips, Home Chips and Smiles, have become familiar and trusted staples for consumers and caterers alike.

Solana GmbH & Co KG is the exclusive export organisation of SaKa Pflanzenzucht GmbH & Co KG, the leading private breeding company in Germany for high performance potato varieties. The Solana group has created strong links between breeding, field production and sales. With the extensive range of more than 40 varieties, Solana provides high-performance seed potatoes to its customers all over the world. By careful development and perfection a constant, superior and reliable quality is guaranteed. Solana's customers can rely on the company as a strong partner that will pass on its experience concerning potato cultivation and marketing. Since many years, the sales and distribution team offers a client-oriented service and supplies seed potatoes of superior quality according to the clients' demand.

Sorma Group is an Italian multinational specialised in the manufacturing of packaging material, machinery and systems for fresh fruit and vegetables. Nearly 40 years of experience guarantee our reputation as one of the most dynamic and innovative companies in the industry. From grading to handling and from packing to palletising the Group offers complete lines designed and built according to the specific customers need. One of the main line of business is the potato industry where Sorma produce high productivity weighers and packaging machines as well as high impact packaging already widely sold all over the world. Efficiency, precision and productivity are the main characteristics of our equipment, which combined to attractive and innovative packaging are the key to the success of Sorma Group and the satisfaction of our customers.

As a leader in innovative biological and low-chemical pest management solutions, AgraQuest is at the forefront of a shift in how food is grown. AgraQuest focuses on discovering, developing, manufacturing and marketing highly effective biological and low-chemical pest, disease control and yielding enhancing products for the agricultural, home & garden and food safety markets. In the U.S., AgraQuest has launched new Serenade® SOIL Biofungicide for the suppression of common scab of potato, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Pythium and Phytophthora. Applied at planting or transplanting, Serenade SOIL first attacks soil-dwelling pathogens, and then quickly builds a disease protection zone around the seed. As the seedling grows, the beneficial bacteria in Serenade SOIL continue to grow, attaching themselves to the roots of the plant, expanding the disease protection zone, resulting in higher-yielding fields, larger and better quality potatoes.

Agrico UK is a specialist developer and supplier of high grade seed potatoes for the home trade and export markets supplying pre-packers, processors, seed merchants and branded operations worldwide. As a breeder, Agrico carefully cross parent plants to develop new varieties that are healthier and stronger to meet the needs of the potato industry and consumers more sustainably. After many years of trials, evaluations and selections, just a handful of new varieties are produced that meet our strict quality criteria. Based in Scotland, Agrico works with a carefully selected team of growers who are all officially approved under the Seed Potato Classification Scheme throughout the UK. Growing both conventional and organic seed from mini tubers to commercial stock all our production is to, 'safe Haven', EU and UK standards. Agrico seek to develop supply chain partnerships with our key wholesale customers to bring forward new more sustainable varieties that offer good factory utilisation or excellent pack out quality and yield thus underpinning competitiveness and profitability for our supply chain partners. This is achieved by offering assistance to growers to help them understand the characteristics and dynamics of new
varieties thus helping suppliers strike the balance between risk and reward. Agrico produce certified seed for supply into the markets covering all consumption categories covering; table, chipping and crisping varieties. Our aim is to deliver the highest quality seed potatoes to our customers in a reliable and sustainable way.

AVR, a Belgian company, has been a leading and trend-setting supplier of equipment for potato production. Great emphasis is placed on seedbed preparation, rotary cultivation, haulm topping and potato harvesting. AVR has made its mark in this industry thanks, mainly, to continual product innovation and its close collaboration with end users. AVR delivers machines that are tailored to suit the needs of the modern arable farmers.

The specialist in crop conveyor belts. Broekema is already 50 years the specialist in producing crop conveyor belts used on harvesting equipment. Production locations are established in Veendam in the Netherlands and in Minnesota & California in the USA. Our products are also known as the original Dutch belted chain and are supplied to more than 40 countries. The Broekema belted chain is used in a wide variety of equipment such as harvesters for potatoes, sugar beets, carrots, onions, tomatoes, flower bulbs, fruits, cabbages and many other crops. As well as conveyor belts, Broekema also supplies a complete range of rollers and drive wheels. Broekema has a suitable solution and spare-parts for every brand. Broekema conveyor belts are very suitable for washing installations and for the fishery. For this application of course, stainless steel is used. Broekema continuously initiates product development in order to improve the end product. Where ever there is a conveying challenge, there is a Broekema solution.

Fischbein Saxon have it all bagged up! Fischbein Saxon part of the Fischbein group have for years been know as the leader in bag ‘closing’ technology which is a name and image that we’re proud of for over 100 years and the Fischbein handheld and high speed sewing machines and Saxon sealers will continue to be the preferred methods of bag closing and a core part of our product range.  However, we would like to state we can offer more than that!  Recent machinery developments and designs have enabled us to be in a position launch new total bag closing and handling solutions including Bag placers, bag top formers, combined total bag handling of these methods to complete bagging lines including specialized conveying, palletizing and integrated wrapping.  Robust in design, cost effective and with efficient bag handling reliability you can experience pay back from initial investment within under two years.

Haith Tickhill Group is now one of the world leaders manufacturing machinery for handling root crops such as potatoes, carrots, onions, Swedes, and all manner of other vegetables. The company specializes in Grading, Washing, Bulk Handling, Weighing, Pre-Packing lines and water Treatment systems, using the latest computer aided design and production technology. Today Haith is recognized as a fore runner in design and technology having just won 'The Queens Award for innovation' along with many other awards for its quality and design and is constantly launching new products which keep the company ahead of its competitors!

Interpom | Primeurs, the international trade fair for the potato, fruit and vegetable sector, will be held in Kortrijk Xpo, Belgium, on 25, 26 and 27 November 2012. The event is famous as the most complete information and contact platform for the whole sector in Europe, from growers right through to processors. The next edition in 2012 expects no less than 250 exhibitors covering 29000 square metres of exhibition area in 6 exhibition halls. This makes Interpom | Primeurs the top European indoor event of the year, with a complete, top quality range of exhibitors and exhibits covering all aspects of the business for growers, contractors, processors, packers, buyers and traders of potatoes, fruit and vegetables. Interpom | Primeurs is an initiative of Belgapom, the official professional association for the Belgian potato trade.

LGC Genomics (www.lgcgenomics.com) is the genomics division of the international science-based LGC Group. Following a merger with KBioscience in 2011 the combined company now provides a full range of high quality genomics products, services and solutions including, sample preparation (primarily, nucleic acid extraction), nucleic acid sequencing, genotyping and biobanking. LGC Genomics has laboratories in the UK, Germany and North America along with sales and support staff in over 15 locations in Europe, America and the Far East. Our experience includes development of high throughput singleplex genotyping products, services and solutions which have created a position for the KBioscience/LGC Genomics business to become an integral and respected supplier of technologies which delivering genetic based solutions for Agricultural and Biotechnology research. Our unique SNPline laboratory instrumentation solution combined with our proprietary KASP chemistry has enabled the development of innovative solutions to crop development utilising high-throughput singleplex genotyping solutions to deliver unrivalled flexibility adn quality in genotyping data generation.

Newtec has for the last 35 years (with over 10,000 installations) been among the world leaders in the manufacturing of computer controlled weighing, packaging, optical grading machines enhanced with our web based data capture system for business and productivity information from our machines. At Newtec we focus on bringing value to our customers. We base our business on long lasting relationships built on trust, quality and innovative solutions. Traditionally, our key words have been gentle handling of products, speed / productivity and technology - these are still valid.
This position gives us the capability of following the market and its demands, keeping focused on development and innovative solutions. Our advanced technology allows us to offer our customers the latest solutions without compromising basic requirements such as user friendly interfaces, easy cleaning and straight forward maintenance. In other words products that live up to one of Newtec’s fundamental philosophies 'keep it simple'

Neogen Phytodiagnostics offers the potato industry unparalleled expertise and easy-to-use diagnostics to help produce the safest, highest quality, and most profitable potato crops. Neogen has developed a comprehensive range of diagnostics for viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens of concern to the potato industry, including potato virus Y (PVY) and potato mop top virus (PMTV), and numerous others. Each diagnostic was specifically designed to be easily and accurately performed by potato industry personnel in a range of formats to suit all requirements, including standard ELISA and rapid detection methods. Perhaps as important as the diagnostics we offer, Neogen stands behind its products like no other diagnostic kit provider. Scotland-based Neogen Europe Ltd. is an R&D and production centre dedicated to the development and support of novel diagnostic kits of particular relevance to the challenges faced by crop growers worldwide. Contact us to learn more about what we can do for you.

With over 40 years’ experience, Odenberg is a global market leader in the fresh and processed food sector. The company designs and supplies highly advanced optical sorters and graders, peeling systems, process analytics machinery and chilling-/freezing solutions. We specialise in optical sorters for the fresh and processed potato industry with a market leading position. Passionate about achieving the very best, we improve our customer’s profitability and protect reputations by ensuring high quality and safe food with the minimum of waste and cost. Six of the world´s top ten global food companies are Odenberg customers. Our equipment is also used in the production of about 65 percent of all French Fries worldwide. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Odenberg also has offices in Slovakia, Italy, France, the Netherlands and the United States. The company was acquired by Norway-based TOMRA Systems ASA, a leading global provider of advanced recycling solutions, in February 2011.

Potatoes Canada is an organization which assists the Canadian Potato Industry in marketing and promoting seed, tablestock/consumption, and fresh for processing potatoes in the international marketplace. Potatoes Canada is your gateway to opportunity in Canada’s potato world. Our organization brings together leaders and stakeholders from across the country, representing every sector of our vast industry. As an industry organization, we can help you: • Identify suppliers of the product you seek • Overcome technical and trade barriers • Identify new and promising varieties that meet the needs of your market • And much more

PVMI, the Potato Variety Management Institute, was launched in 2005 to market and promote Tri-State varieties from the Pacific Northwest. It is a non-profit, grower controlled organization that organizes licenses and collects royalties that are returned to fund ongoing research and breeding efforts. PVMI is helping to maximize the success of new varieties by providing information regarding variety features and management to growers and industry. For more information about PVMI and the all the Tri-State varieties go to www.pvmi.org.

Yara - delivers global solutions for sustainable agriculture and the environment. Our fertilizers and crop nutrition programs help produce the food required for the growing world population. Our industrial products and solutions reduce emissions, improve air quality and support safe and efficient operations. Founded in Norway in 1905, Yara has a worldwide presence with sales to 150 countries. Safety is always our top priority. In the UK - Yara’s crop knowledge, product combinations and in-field expertise helps farmers match nutrient requirement to crop need with minimal environmental impact. Committed to improving nutrient use efficiency and helping farmers raise agricultural productivity to meet the growing global demand for food. Yara – your first choice for soil or foliar applied crop nutrients - quality low carbon footprint N2O abated ammonium nitrate and compounds, Chafer liquids and YaraVita micronutrients, supported by agronomic advice, innovative precision farming tools and analytical laboratory services.