3
J
ANUARY 2017
•
THECOMMERCIALGREENHOUSEGROWER • JANUARY 2017
CONTENTS
News 4-6
Unwantedproduce network launched 4
Growers press PrimeMinister on Labour 5
Newplant healthwebsite 5
Newplant propagation system 6
IPMpreview 7-10
Cyclamen review 11-13
Vertical farmingwith LEDs in Finland 14-16
VitacressHerbs visit 17-18
Thanet Earth 19-21
ResearchDiary 22
Classified 23
LIONHOUSE,CHURCH STREET,
MAIDSTONE,KENTME141EN
TEL: 01622 695656,FAX: 01622 663733
e-mail:
Comment
Tobe the best grower organisation or association you have
to have the ability to understand yourmembers or levy
payers extremelywell. Getting “inside” their heads and
workingout exactlywhat they need to help give them the
tools to constantly improve their businesses and to lay the
foundations for success in the future is quite a challenge but
also a necessity.
The story of AHDBHorticulture (andHDC) before it, has
been an interesting one. It has formany years, in its
previous form, lead the field in applied research for all
sectors of the industry and to the highest of standards. For
that alone it deservesmuch recognition. But it still strives for
more on behalf of its levy payers and thewider industry at
large.
LastmonthAHDBHorticulture announcedplans for its
2017-2020 strategy. Creating a ‘world class’ food and
farming industry and ‘inspiringgrowers, farmers and the
industry to succeed in a rapidly changingworld’ are
admirable statements and ambitions.
Extending the
available range of plant protection products, addingdepth
andbreadth to the industry’s expertise and knowledge, and
tackling the rising cost of human labour are also considered
as priorities for the organisation as is the need formore
applied science.
But perhaps the biggest challenge has tobe the arduous
task of leveraging fundingwhichwill be vital if AHDB
Horticulture is to stick to its pledge of improving the quality
and long-term impact of its research.With a very limited
amount of central government funding, organisations and
associationswill increasingly need to find newways to fund
their future. That iswhy AHDBHorticulture is looking
towards collaborationwith other research funders to forge a
way forward.
We are living in a global and competitivemarket and all
horticultural businesses are under extreme pressure. But
the only release from that pressure comes fromgood
research; andgood research does come at a price although
it is oftenworth a lotmore. It seems AHDBHorticulture has
its 2017-2020 strategy spot on.What we need tomake
sure is that while its voice as an organisation is heard, the
call formore fundingdoesn’t go completely unnoticed.
Wewish you a successful andprosperousNewYear.
Front cover
Thanet Earth is near completion of its fifth glasshouse
See page 19
Production · Breeding · SeedTechnology
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