Until now substituting artificial fertiliser with livestock manures for potatoes has been a fairly unscientific art. This year a trial is taking place to assess the potential for significant cost savings.
A group of West Country potato growers is looking into the opportunities to substitute artificial fertiliser with livestock manures, cutting fertiliser spend. The growers are all part of a Sainsbury's potato development group formed to look at a range of issues in the supply chain.
Steered by marketing outfit, Greenvale, the group has been split into regional teams each exploring a different angle - cultivations, water use, storage and nutrition.