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British Tomato Conference 2016

For the third time in row the British Tomato Conference was organized at the Warwickshire Chesford Grange Hotel on the outskirts of Kenilworth.
For the third time in row the British Tomato Conference was organized at the Warwickshire Chesford Grange Hotel on the outskirts of Kenilworth.
Simon Manley and James MacPhail of Carbon Gold, the keynote sponsor of the conference. MacPhail kicked the day off with a presentation on the trial results of the use of enriched biochar in both conventional and organic crops. Over the last four seasons, Carbon Gold had 35 ha of trials in 9 European countries. The average yield increase in conventional crops is 7,2% while organic growers saw their yields increase with 11%.
Simon Manley and James MacPhail of Carbon Gold, the keynote sponsor of the conference. MacPhail kicked the day off with a presentation on the trial results of the use of enriched biochar in both conventional and organic crops. Over the last four seasons, Carbon Gold had 35 ha of trials in 9 European countries. The average yield increase in conventional crops is 7,2% while organic growers saw their yields increase with 11%.
Commercial and marketing stood central during the morning part of the conference. Ollie Loyd, an international marketing consultant and founder of The Great British Chefs gave some insight in how the giant reach of their online platform can be successfully used to inspire UK ‘foodies’ to buy British tomatoes. Loyd’s platform informs thousands of food enthusiasts why they should eat healthy and better quality products. As well as this it is an engaging network that reaches out to both chefs and consumers to make them more aware of British produce.
Commercial and marketing stood central during the morning part of the conference. Ollie Loyd, an international marketing consultant and founder of The Great British Chefs gave some insight in how the giant reach of their online platform can be successfully used to inspire UK ‘foodies’ to buy British tomatoes. Loyd’s platform informs thousands of food enthusiasts why they should eat healthy and better quality products. As well as this it is an engaging network that reaches out to both chefs and consumers to make them more aware of British produce.
Chris Cowan of Kantar’s Worldpanel’s Produce Team showed us what is going on and what to expect in UK fresh produce retail. Cowan provided many figures on the British consumer’s shopping behavior and paid special attention the rise of discounter Aldi.
Chris Cowan of Kantar’s Worldpanel’s Produce Team showed us what is going on and what to expect in UK fresh produce retail. Cowan provided many figures on the British consumer’s shopping behavior and paid special attention the rise of discounter Aldi.
According to Cowan, the fresh produce market is no longer driven by prices but by frequency and why tomatoes are such a high frequency market. “It might be difficult to make more people buy tomatoes but you can increase the frequency that they buy them.”
According to Cowan, the fresh produce market is no longer driven by prices but by frequency and why tomatoes are such a high frequency market. “It might be difficult to make more people buy tomatoes but you can increase the frequency that they buy them.”
Caroline Reid and Sylvia Domanska of Bioline AgroSciences.
Caroline Reid and Sylvia Domanska of Bioline AgroSciences.
ALl the way from Canada: Dave Wilding of Millenniumsoils Coir. Dave told us they currently have many European growers using their coir fibres.
ALl the way from Canada: Dave Wilding of Millenniumsoils Coir. Dave told us they currently have many European growers using their coir fibres.
Piers Maltby and Chris Hosea of International Water Solutions.
Piers Maltby and Chris Hosea of International Water Solutions.
Pascal van Oers (VEK International Greenhouse Projects), Peter Geerts (Syngenta), Ruud van Gils (Saint-Gobain Cultilene) and Stef van Driel (Klugt youngplants).
Pascal van Oers (VEK International Greenhouse Projects), Peter Geerts (Syngenta), Ruud van Gils (Saint-Gobain Cultilene) and Stef van Driel (Klugt youngplants).
Maarten van den Heuvel, Jill Kooijman and Andrew Beeston with Enza Zaden UK.
Maarten van den Heuvel, Jill Kooijman and Andrew Beeston with Enza Zaden UK.
Harel Dotan of Paskal Systems promoting the Weight Analysis Systems.
Harel Dotan of Paskal Systems promoting the Weight Analysis Systems.
Darren McDonald and Peter Wessel of LS Systems together with Nico van der Houwen of Agrolux.
Darren McDonald and Peter Wessel of LS Systems together with Nico van der Houwen of Agrolux.
Tim Haworth (Cambridge HOK), Robert Heikens (Energy4Growth) and Joek van der Zeeuw (Van Dijk Heating)
Tim Haworth (Cambridge HOK), Robert Heikens (Energy4Growth) and Joek van der Zeeuw (Van Dijk Heating)
Dave Samuel, Kate Smart and Jorge Aguilar of Sakata UK.
Dave Samuel, Kate Smart and Jorge Aguilar of Sakata UK.
Jade Taylor and Richard Binks of Koppert UK.
Jade Taylor and Richard Binks of Koppert UK.
Joe Sheperdson of Brinkman UK together with Rob de Jong of Agrobio. Since this year Brinkman started with Agrobio's bumblebees in the UK.
Joe Sheperdson of Brinkman UK together with Rob de Jong of Agrobio. Since this year Brinkman started with Agrobio's bumblebees in the UK.
Udo van Slooten, Piet Hein van Baar and Erik Jansen of Philips Horti.
Udo van Slooten, Piet Hein van Baar and Erik Jansen of Philips Horti.
Chris Placket from FEC gave his annual review to show what is happening in the UK energy sector price-wise. As well as this, Placket gave an update on the other chances and opportunities in regards to governmental changes, rebate schemes and subsidies.
Chris Placket from FEC gave his annual review to show what is happening in the UK energy sector price-wise. As well as this, Placket gave an update on the other chances and opportunities in regards to governmental changes, rebate schemes and subsidies.
Jim Monaghan of Harper Adams University discussed the role of education to contribute to the development of horticulture in the UK and the importance of universities working together with the British industry. Many people do not how technical and fast moving the horticulture sector is and this need to be brought under attention of new students.
Jim Monaghan of Harper Adams University discussed the role of education to contribute to the development of horticulture in the UK and the importance of universities working together with the British industry. Many people do not how technical and fast moving the horticulture sector is and this need to be brought under attention of new students.
During the breaks attendees had the opportunity to network and visit trade show booths.
During the breaks attendees had the opportunity to network and visit trade show booths.
Paul O'Connor of Restrain informing attendees about the residue free ripening with the help of an Ethylene generator.
Paul O'Connor of Restrain informing attendees about the residue free ripening with the help of an Ethylene generator.
Grace Emeny of AHDB Horticulture spoke about the importance and the role of the AHDB on generating new knowledge, training people and facilitating interaction with the industry and introducing students to the careers that are available. As well as this she introduced 4 students and their research projects.
Grace Emeny of AHDB Horticulture spoke about the importance and the role of the AHDB on generating new knowledge, training people and facilitating interaction with the industry and introducing students to the careers that are available. As well as this she introduced 4 students and their research projects.
Lancaster University student Estibaliz Leibar presented her findings of her project on more efficient root-zone CO2 enrichment.
Lancaster University student Estibaliz Leibar presented her findings of her project on more efficient root-zone CO2 enrichment.
Harper Adams University student Justin Roberts presented his study on reducing lettuce crop cycles with the help of genetically improved lettuce root traits.
Harper Adams University student Justin Roberts presented his study on reducing lettuce crop cycles with the help of genetically improved lettuce root traits.
Bethan Shaw of East Malling Research presented ways to optimize the combat against Drosophila suzukii.
Bethan Shaw of East Malling Research presented ways to optimize the combat against Drosophila suzukii.
Alex Fletcher of the University of Notthingham researches how to prevent and reduce disease on post-harvest crops with a method of UV photocatalytic ethylene removal.
Alex Fletcher of the University of Notthingham researches how to prevent and reduce disease on post-harvest crops with a method of UV photocatalytic ethylene removal.
Dave Pinxteren of Prayon together with Yvo Lens of Gautier.
Dave Pinxteren of Prayon together with Yvo Lens of Gautier.
Joshua Burnstone, Paul Tate and Terry Horsman of Fargo.
Joshua Burnstone, Paul Tate and Terry Horsman of Fargo.
Vittoria Memoli of Botanicoir. The coir supplier sponsored this year's conference lunch.
Vittoria Memoli of Botanicoir. The coir supplier sponsored this year's conference lunch.
Phil Walker, Mark Jones and Mark Wilde of Biobest UK.
Phil Walker, Mark Jones and Mark Wilde of Biobest UK.
Chris Baldwin, Operations Director at APS Salads, was speaking about how captivate children to cultivate. Baldwin discussed about the importance of educating kids about the science of growing and show them were their food comes from. He said what kind of role growers can play in this, by for example participate in programs like STEM or an event like the Science Jamboree, where APS showed to children the scientific side of food production how important it is to people.
Chris Baldwin, Operations Director at APS Salads, was speaking about how captivate children to cultivate. Baldwin discussed about the importance of educating kids about the science of growing and show them were their food comes from. He said what kind of role growers can play in this, by for example participate in programs like STEM or an event like the Science Jamboree, where APS showed to children the scientific side of food production how important it is to people.
Daniel de Vega of the James Hutton Institute discussed his research project on priming tomatoes with elicitors for more efficient disease management. He is searching for alternatives to reduce fungicide use, for example by triggering plant defense mechanisms with Resistance Elicitors that can mimic pathogen-induced defense mechanisms.
Daniel de Vega of the James Hutton Institute discussed his research project on priming tomatoes with elicitors for more efficient disease management. He is searching for alternatives to reduce fungicide use, for example by triggering plant defense mechanisms with Resistance Elicitors that can mimic pathogen-induced defense mechanisms.
David Chandler of the University of Warwick spoke about the increasing role of bio pesticides in present day agriculture. While many growers are still wary of bio-pesticides, Chandler's project is trying to indentify the knowledge gaps and improve the performance of bio pesticides and the uptake of them among commercial growers.
David Chandler of the University of Warwick spoke about the increasing role of bio pesticides in present day agriculture. While many growers are still wary of bio-pesticides, Chandler's project is trying to indentify the knowledge gaps and improve the performance of bio pesticides and the uptake of them among commercial growers.
Paul Hammett of the National Farmers Union is part of a team that us analyzing the impact on farming from the recent floods and droughts in the UK.
Paul Hammett of the National Farmers Union is part of a team that us analyzing the impact on farming from the recent floods and droughts in the UK.