Led by Applied Horticultural Research (AHR), with funding from Hort Innovation’s industry levies and the Australian Government, the project focusses on assisting growers and their advisors.

Whether it’s maintaining yield and quality, or reducing input costs, PotatoLink helps growers access information on current global best practice to improve the viability and resilience of the Australian potato industry.

So, what are we doing?

Nationally, the project is co-ordinated by Peter O’Brien, a grower and extension horticulturist with over 20 years’ experience with PepsiCo.

Regional representatives, located in key potato growing regions, assist Peter. In Western Australia, PotatoLink is ably represented by Rachel Lancaster and Mark Warmington from Bunbury based EATS (Environmental and Agricultural Testing Services).

Workshops, field days and webinars

Happily, in-person events are back, with our first WA meeting scheduled for Manjimup on 28 September. Cover cropping in rotation with potatoes is the focus of this interactive workshop and field walk, delivered by soils expert Dr Kelvin Montagu.

Upcoming events are likely to cover issues such as irrigation, nutrition and pest and disease management — but topics are driven by local needs, so please tell us what you would like to see!

The PotatoLink team also hold a monthly webinar, hosting both international and local speakers on topics such as bruise prevention, black dot disease and late blight. Over the next few months, webinars are scheduled on pink rot, irrigation and IPM, with a particular focus on tomato potato psyllid and zebra chip disease.

PotatoLink magazine and E-Bulletin

The PotatoLink magazine is published quarterly as a ‘mirror’ publication with Potatoes Australia (printed and distributed by AUSVEG). The magazine aims to communicate R&D outcomes from Australia and overseas in a clear and engaging manner, with a focus on how this information can be applied in a commercial environment.