Potato expert praises NZ research

Professor Gary Secor, of the Plant Pathology Department at North Dakota State University, will be a keynote speaker at the two-day event, which begins in Ashburton today.

“New Zealand has world recognised research, including on powdery scab and psyllids and zebra chip, and a good potato breeding programme that serves the industry well,” says Secor.

“I have read several research publications that have established New Zealand as a leader in potato research.”

Secor’s presentation to the conference will include an ‘all of industry’ session on disease management and a workshop with seed growers on seed development and handling. He is also keen to know more about the farming practices that New Zealand growers use to manage crop diseases.

“Farmers always have good and clever ways of managing disease, so that interests me. I am also interested in potato variety development and would like a better understanding of planting practices in New Zealand.”

Champak Mehta, chief executive of Potatoes NZ Inc., says the organisation is delighted to welcome Secor to the conference.

“Gary is world renowned for his work and we very much look forward to him sharing his knowledge with our delegates and to showing him some of the very good work being done in New Zealand.”

Fellow speakers include Ron Greentree, from New South Wales, Australia’s single biggest wheat farmer. 

For more details about the conference, see www.potatoesnz.co.nz.