The early crop catches the trade (From Western Telegraph)

The early crop catches the trade

A conference dedicated to the early crop of Pembrokeshire new potatoes will draw together growers, merchants and allied industries on Friday.

The Pembrokeshire NFU Early Potato Conference hosted by grower David John at Lammaston Farm, Pembroke, signals the start of the season. It will be addressed by Graham Nicholls, national chairman of the NFU Potato Committee of England and Wales. The British Potato Council will be at the event with its promotional double decker bus. Earlier in the day, this bus will be at Tesco, Haverfordwest.

The conference is one of the oldest of its kind and the only one dedicated to the early crop.

Everyone interested in the local early potato trade is welcome, said an NFU spokeswoman.

One of the highlights of the evening will be the presentation of prizes for the crops competition which has drawn a record entry. Competition judges will be former grower, Senny Hathway, of Angle, and former independent agronomist, Robert Bache. The event will begin at 5 pm.