Irish Told To Work Together

Northern Ireland's potato growers were told they needed to cooperate in the ownership and use of expensive specialized equipment and buildings if they want to remain competitive.

"Controlling fixed costs is vital if growers are to operate profitable businesses," potato storage expert Bob Pringle of Sustech Ltd. told a Crop and Horticulture Development Branch seminar attended by more than 120 growers.

He said successful storage required attention to detail and a high degree of technical competence during harvesting, drying, store loading, curing and cooling.