Potatoes in Practice 2026 to Showcase SPOT Robot Dog, Live Cooking and Smart Farming Innovation in Scotland

Potatoes in Practice 2026 will return on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Balruddery Farm in Invergowrie near Dundee, bringing together leading voices from the potato sector for a full day focused on innovation, sustainability and the future of potato production. This year’s event will take place one week later than usual and is expected to attract growers, agronomists, researchers, breeders and industry professionals from across the industry.

Event Organisers and Industry Focus

The annual event is hosted by The James Hutton Institute through the National Potato Innovation Centre in partnership with SRUC and Agrii. Organisers say the event is designed to provide practical insights into current challenges and emerging opportunities across the potato value chain while encouraging collaboration between scientists, farmers and industry experts.

SPOT Robotic Dog Demonstration

A major attraction at the 2026 edition will be a live working demonstration featuring SPOT, the robotic dog developed for agricultural monitoring and autonomous field operations. The demonstration by the National Robotarium will allow visitors to watch the robot automatically move through potato plots while carrying out autosurvey and crop-monitoring activities. 

Industry professionals attending the event will have the opportunity to speak directly with the robotics team about how data-driven technologies and agricultural robots can support farming operations, reduce production costs, minimise negative environmental impacts and assist human labour in modern agricultural systems. The demonstration highlights the growing role of automation and precision agriculture technologies within the potato sector.

First-Ever Live Cookery Demonstration

For the first time in the event’s history, Potatoes in Practice will also feature a live cookery demonstration. The session will be led by Sarah Rankin, a former MasterChef finalist who is now recognised as a food writer, broadcaster and private chef. Rankin is known for championing local produce and creating food focused on quality ingredients and traditional cooking values. 

During the demonstration, Rankin will prepare a range of potato-based dishes aimed at showcasing the versatility, quality and value of potatoes as an essential staple crop. Organisers believe the addition of a culinary element will help connect consumers and producers while highlighting the importance of potatoes beyond the farm and processing sectors.

Sarah Rankin, former MasterChef finalist, will deliver a live cookery demonstration at Potatoes in Practice 2026, showcasing potato-based dishes.

Field Trials, Seminars and Research Exhibits

In addition to the new robotics and cookery features, visitors can expect a comprehensive programme of exhibitors, technical seminars and working field trials. The event will showcase the latest developments in potato breeding, crop management, agronomy, machinery, sustainability practices and scientific research shaping the future of the industry.

Potatoes in Practice continues to serve as one of the United Kingdom’s leading field-based potato events, offering attendees direct access to researchers, breeders, agronomists and commercial partners involved in advancing potato production technologies and practices.