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British Tomato Growers’ Association – Newsletter- October 2014
In this Issue:
The Triumphant British Tomato Conference 24 – 25 September 2014
TGA Welcome two new Board members
Tastiest Tomato Competition at the National Fruit Show 15 – 16 October 2014
Technical News Dr Phil Morley
The Future of Protected Cropping?
Bumble Bee consultation
Growsave event and energy topics
FACTS NMP course
Grower of the Year 2014?
Operation Pollinator
Tomato and Cucumber recipe booklet
Other news
Welcome to the October Newsletter
With the British Tomato Conference taking up so much time and energy during August and September it’s rather nice to sit back and reflect on what is being hailed as the ‘best conference ever’. A new venue, an extra seminar, record number of trade stands and delegates and a phenomenal programme of speakers, it’s difficult to know how to follow that in 2015, however, we already have some ideas! We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the conference, the organisers, the sponsors, speakers, trade stands and delegates, not to mention our four legged delegates; we have already approached Basil for reception duties in 2015, he’s checking his diary! Julie Woolley
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LET US HAVE YOUR IDEAS AND THOUGHTS FOR AN EVEN BETTER 2015 CONFERENCE
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British Tomato Growers’ Association – Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the British Tomato Growers’ Association was held on the afternoon of Wednesday 24 September. Along with the general theme of the 2014 Tomato Conference (#TGA14) there was an increase in attendance numbers. Those in attendance received the Report of the Board of Directors, from Chairman Nigel Bartle, Financial report from Treasurer, Paul Faulker and the Report of the Auditors. Two new Board members were voted as Directors of the Association, Patrick Harte from Cornerways Nursery and Kevin Peat from Vitacress Tomatoes. The Chairman welcomed Patrick and Kevin to the Board and looks forward to working with them in the future to the benefit of the TGA and all its members.
Tastiest Tomato Competition at the National Fruit Show 15th & 16th October 2014
This event is nearly upon us, is this your year to get your hands on the David
Stapley Cup?
Details of all entries must be pre-registered and emailed to the National Fruit
Show Secretary [email protected] or faxed to 05600 760808.
For full information please follow the attached link and you will find the tomato entry form on page 8.
http://www.nationalfruitshow.org.uk/assets/pdf/Competition_Schedule_2014.pdf
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Technical News – Dr Phil Morley – TGA Technical Officer The recent TGA Conference ‘An invitation to innovation’ certainly lived up to its’ title. A fantastic event at our super new venue with a range of excellent speakers giving those present lots to think about from both commercial and technical perspectives. Thanks in particular to Julie Woolley for her incredible energy in pulling the whole event together. We are very fortunate to have her in the team. A photo-montage of the event is still available on the HortiDaily site at the following address: http://www.hortidaily.com/photoalbum/PAViewAlbum.asp?ID=38&CMD=THUMB&photo=1
And preparations are already beginning for our 2015 conference. So, if you have any suggestions, ideas or opinions just what the 2015 event should look like please do let us know at the TGA office. With the end of the 2014 season approaching there is, as ever, lots going on in the industry. If you come across anything interesting you think we might include in future editions of the newsletter do please let me know ([email protected])
Raising the Roof to Light Up the Future North Yorkshire Applied Research provider Stockbridge Technology Centre (STC) has recently confirmed it is
to raise the roof on one of its glasshouses to create a new, state of the art research facility to examine the effects of different LED lights on long season crops such as tomato. The project will be partly sponsored by Philips lighting along with other collaborators to create a unique UK based facility to develop best practise in the use of this evolving technology. For more information visit the STC web site: http://www.stockbridgetechnology.co.uk/
The Future of Protected Cropping? Certis have recently published a document outlining some of the thinking about where protected cropping could be by 2030. It is well worth a read. The document begins by outlining that by 2030 we can expect that:
Food production will need to have increased by 70%, to feed 2.3 billion additional people.
At the same time food production will be more vulnerable to extreme weather events as a result of climate change.
Food security will be high up the political agenda. Increasing food prices may have been a factor in triggering social
unrest. With these and other pressures to be considered, sustainability is an imperative for the future of our food system. Certis Europe is a leading
supplier in the speciality and high value crop market sector, providing customers with access to product choice and solutions to build and protect their business. Protected cropping, i.e. crops grown in a managed environment, usually under plastic or glass, and protected from the natural elements, is a major contributor of high value horticultural crops from salad crops, vegetables and soft fruit, through to ornamental plants and flowers. It is a system that allows for a more sustainable approach to crop management, in particular pest control. For more information see: http://www.certiseurope.com/protectedcropping2030.html
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Natural England Consultation on the future use of non native bumble bees in UK
protected cropping The recent consultation regarding the effective prohibition of use of non-native Bumble bees from the end of 2014 has now closed. The TGA Technical committee has been following this process closely and is lobbying for a favourable outcome to this consultation which will not economically impact on our industry. We consider the recent consultation does not accurately reflect the current research and makes no economic impact assessment of immediately withdrawing the use of non native bumble bees. The TGA Technical committee (in this case lead by our entomologist Dr Rob Jacobson) are continuing dialogue on this topic with
Natural England and will update members on progress and developments in future issues of the TGA Newsletter. For more information visit the
Update on the latest greenhouse energy saving research in Europe
Thursday 6th November 2014
10.30am – 3.30pm
Stockbridge Technology Centre (STC) Ltd
Cawood, Selby, North Yorkshire, YO8 3TZ
Join the GrowSave team on the 6th November to hear about some of the latest energy saving research that’s
being carried out in both the UK and Europe.
This event is free for all HDC members. If you are not a member, there will be a charge.
During the morning, the team from STC will give you an update on their latest work looking at the application
of LEDs in protected horticulture.
The afternoon session will be dedicated to presentations from a consortium working on a project called
GreenGrowing. Researchers from Denmark, Germany and Belgium will present the results of their work into
light management, humidity control and new energy saving methods.
Below is the programme for the day, covering both edible and ornamental crops:
10.30am - Update on LED work at STC including tour of facilities
Noon - Lunch
12.45pm till 3.30pm - The GreenGrowing Project European Energy Saving Research Update:
o Smart solutions for greenhouse ornamentals - Bert Schamp, PCS, Belgium
o LED and dynamic light management - Carl-Otto Ottosen, Aarhus University, Denmark
o Energy saving in Belgian greenhouses - Evert Eriksson, PCG, Belgium
o Effects of high humidity on plant reaction - Carl-Otto Ottosen, Aarhus University, Denmark
o Energy saving in German greenhouses - Andreas Bettin, Osnabrück, Germany
Complete the booking form on the GrowSave website: http://www.growsave.co.uk/events/update-on-
the-latest-greenhouse-energy-saving-research-in-europe
Growsave and the Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme (ESOS) and update of the
Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
At recent TGA Technical events as well as the TGA Conference Chris Plackett
reminded growers that they need to be aware of the new ESOS scheme. The
ESOS requires all businesses above a threshold turnover or employee number to
register for a 4 yearly energy audit. Members who may qualify for this should be
aware that there are heavy financial penalties for not meeting the required deadlines.
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More information on this important topic can be seen at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/351158/ESOS_Guide_FINAL.p
df and on the GrowSave web site (www.growsave.co.uk ).
Renewable Heat Incentive update
The FEC team have also highlighted recent changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme.
Further details of these updates can be seen on the Growsave website by following this link:
http://www.growsave.co.uk/database/rhi-scheme-updates/wood--straw-boilers
FACTS NMP training course requirement for all FACTS qualified persons You may be aware that all FACTS Qualified Advisors must have attended and passed a Nutrient management Planning (NMP) training course and exam by December 2014 or within 5 years of getting FACTS certification in order to remain a FACTS Qualified Adviser. A course is being held for you to achieve this in mid December 2014. Course details are below. Additional funding may be available so please do ask the course organisers if you qualify. The course aims to prepare FACTS Qualified Advisers (FQAs) to manage the challenges of
the Water Framework Directive, greenhouse gas mitigation strategies and soil protection, while also improving farm profitability. Once you complete the course you will then be eligible to take the online examination which, if passed, will secure your FACTS qualification for the next 5 years.
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Course content
• Crop nitrogen utilisation and efficiency
• Managing farm phosphorus
• Techniques for in-field nutrient management
• Efficient use of manures and organic materials
• Environmental regulations and policies
• Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS) and farm security Course duration – 2 Days The provisional dates are: 16th and 17th December 2014 Venue: West Sussex - TBC For further information please contact: David Godsmark: [email protected] Sandra Joyce: [email protected] Phone: 01243 543834
Grower of the Year Awards 2014
The nomination process for the 2014-15 Grower of the Year Awards is now open.
Entry Deadline is Friday 10th October 2014 and the ceremony itself will be held on Wednesday 25th February 2015. Well worth making the effort to send in your entries for the chance to win one of these prestigious awards to help promote your business and show that you are a world class grower with world class staff. The UK Grower Awards is the highlight of the production horticulture year, giving professionals the chance to showcase their achievements, reward the efforts of staff and ensure potential customers know
just how good they are.
With UK food security back on the agenda, interest from supermarkets in sourcing UK fruit, vegetables and flowers growing, and independent retailers looking to differentiate through locally sourced ornamental stock, there really couldn’t be a better time for the UK’s commercial growers to raise their profile and boost their brand. Success really is in your hands!
Thanks to some recent significant changes to the entry process, it is now easier than ever for even the smallest businesses to take part. To enter, firms just need to answer the questions in the entry form (see the enter competition page at: www.thegrowerawards.co.uk ), and to supply one testimonial in support of their entry. These “first stage” entries will then be forwarded to the judging panel, which will select a shortlist for each category. Only those entrants who are shortlisted will then be asked to supply more detailed information in support of their entry. A second round of judging will then select the winning entries.
An article by Belinda Bailey: Syngenta
Operation Pollinator is an international biodiversity program to boost the number of pollinating insects on commercial farms and Golf courses across Europe and America. Instigated by Syngenta and based on scientific research, The Buzz Project, Operation Pollinator has proven to help growers to successfully establish and manage pollen and nectar rich habitats in key areas around the farm and out of play areas on Golf courses.
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Pollinating insects are crucial for the success of many natural habitats and the production of many food crops. More than 80% of European crop types are directly dependent upon insects for their pollination. Pollination by native bees and other pollinating insects is worth an estimated €5bn a year to Europe’s farmers.
Numbers of pollinating insects have declined significantly across Europe in recent years due to loss of feeding sites and loss of habitats for nesting and breeding. Experts believe the likely future losses with some pollinators will become increasingly severe. Operation Pollinator gives a practical solution to help growers create the valuable on-farm habitat to encourage natural pollinators. Through training and demonstration Operation Pollinator supports growers to use suitable pollen and nectar habitats, how to establish and manage these habitats, and demonstrates that commercial farming and positive environmental management can coexist. Increasing pollinator numbers has been shown to increase yields and quality of some key European crops but these habitats also significantly increase
other biodiversity on the farm and bring many environmental benefits, soil and water protection, and become a multifunctional benefit delivering an ecosystem service on farm. For more information see: http://www.operationpollinator.com/
Association of Applied Biologists IPM Conference November 2014 As in previous years, the AAB’s objective in 2014 will be to create a gathering of the IPM community at which policy makers, experienced researchers, young scientists and practitioners can detach themselves from their usual day-to-day pressures and become totally immersed in the subject The conference will be spread over two days with the option to stay overnight and enjoy an informal conference dinner. The programme will be broken down into a series of important subject areas. Each session will be introduced by invited keynote speakers who either have responsibility for the implementation of new policies or work at the forefront of technological developments. The bulk of the sessions will be comprised of short papers selected from those offered by delegates. In order to involve as many people and topics as possible, speakers will be restricted to slots of 15 minutes. The events have been fully subscribed in previous years and we strongly advise you to register your interest as soon as possible to secure your place. For more information and to book your place go to: http://www.aab.org.uk/contentok.php?id=173&basket=wwsshowconfdets
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Tomato and Cucumber recipe booklets sponsored by Plant Raisers Limited
For the Great Yorkshire Show in July 2014 TGA member Plant Raisers Limited created and produced a tomato and cucumber recipe booklet which was distributed in a pack with some fresh herbs. So popular were these packs that Plant Raisers commissioned some more to be given away at the tomato conference. Thanks to Plant Raisers Limited for sponsoring this initiative and to their Sales Manager, Jackie Lygo for her stunning photography.
Contributions for Newsletter Please send us your snippets of information, and anything you think readers might be interested in and we’ll insert in the next issue…
Send your contributions to the TGA office for inclusion in a future issue. This is a fantastic way of advertising what you are doing and an inspiration to fellow TGA members. Make the most of it. It is, after all, your newsletter.
TGA web site update and member’s area We have added a more items of interest on the TGA member’s area which we are sure you will find useful and informative. And if you have anything to contribute please send us a copy and we can add it to the site. Once again, please do let us know what you would like to see more of in this secure member’s area... If you haven’t got your unique access details yet then please get in touch with Julie at the TGA office ([email protected]) who will be happy to help.
We now have 670 people following us on Twitter our aim is to have 1000 by 31 December 2014 – Can we do it? – Yes, we can!
@Britishtomatoes
Did you know you can also follow our tweets and re-tweets from the home page of the Association website!
