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British Tomato Conference 2014

TGA Chairman Nigel Bartle from North Bank Growers welcomed the audience on Wednesday night for the annual conference dinner
TGA Chairman Nigel Bartle from North Bank Growers welcomed the audience on Wednesday night for the annual conference dinner
Between the first course (a North Bank tomato soup) and the main course, Guest speaker Caroline Drummond of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming. LEAF is the UK's leading organisation promoting sustainable agriculture, food and farming. They help farmers produce good food, with care and to high environmental standards, identified in-store by the LEAF Marque logo. Drummond discussed the challenges growers and retailers are facing to upgrade the profiles and reputation of farmers and their products.
Between the first course (a North Bank tomato soup) and the main course, Guest speaker Caroline Drummond of LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming. LEAF is the UK's leading organisation promoting sustainable agriculture, food and farming. They help farmers produce good food, with care and to high environmental standards, identified in-store by the LEAF Marque logo. Drummond discussed the challenges growers and retailers are facing to upgrade the profiles and reputation of farmers and their products.
The second day the exhibition booths could be visited in the morning and during the conference breaks. This year many new exhibitors could be found, like PhytoLux: a British manufacturer and developer of supplemental grow lights. From left to the right: Doug McLean, Laura McLean and Steve Edwards.
The second day the exhibition booths could be visited in the morning and during the conference breaks. This year many new exhibitors could be found, like PhytoLux: a British manufacturer and developer of supplemental grow lights. From left to the right: Doug McLean, Laura McLean and Steve Edwards.
Stuart Cox and Dave Samuels of Sakata UK.
Stuart Cox and Dave Samuels of Sakata UK.
Peter Wessel and Darren McDonald from LS Systems.
Peter Wessel and Darren McDonald from LS Systems.
André van Dam of Certhon together with Chris Addis of CMW Horticulture, Certhon's partner in the UK. At this moment the party is building the new greenhouse complex at Red Roofs Nursery.
André van Dam of Certhon together with Chris Addis of CMW Horticulture, Certhon's partner in the UK. At this moment the party is building the new greenhouse complex at Red Roofs Nursery.
Nick Field from Priva UK
Nick Field from Priva UK
Enza Zaden was promoting their loose varieties at the TGA Conference, extensive cultivation data was provided by the breeder.
Enza Zaden was promoting their loose varieties at the TGA Conference, extensive cultivation data was provided by the breeder.
Jill Kooijman and Andrew Beeston of Enza Zaden UK.
Jill Kooijman and Andrew Beeston of Enza Zaden UK.
Neil Procter is a specialist and consultant on NatuGro at Koppert Biological Systems
Neil Procter is a specialist and consultant on NatuGro at Koppert Biological Systems
This year the number of booths increased significant.
This year the number of booths increased significant.
Paul van Gils of Mardenkro together with Pascal van Oers of VEK: Experts for Greenhouse Projects.
Paul van Gils of Mardenkro together with Pascal van Oers of VEK: Experts for Greenhouse Projects.
Frank Juan and Yvo Lens of Gautier Seeds.
Frank Juan and Yvo Lens of Gautier Seeds.
The TGA ladies at the conference registration.
The TGA ladies at the conference registration.
Ross Hibbs and Kevin Robinsson of Cambridge HOK ; they were pleased to announce the construction of a new greenhouse for tomato growers Frank Rudd & Son’s.
Ross Hibbs and Kevin Robinsson of Cambridge HOK ; they were pleased to announce the construction of a new greenhouse for tomato growers Frank Rudd & Son’s.
Wonderful Union Jack with tomatoes provided by Cornerways Nursery
Wonderful Union Jack with tomatoes provided by Cornerways Nursery
Discussions during the conference break.
Discussions during the conference break.
Andy Gibson of AJA weighing solutions.
Andy Gibson of AJA weighing solutions.
Roger Beard of Agrovista
Roger Beard of Agrovista
TGA Chairman Nigel Bartle welcomed everybody for the conference programme on Thursday morning.
TGA Chairman Nigel Bartle welcomed everybody for the conference programme on Thursday morning.
The conference was fully packed.
The conference was fully packed.
Kurt Verhelst promoting Prayon's phosphate fertilizers.
Kurt Verhelst promoting Prayon's phosphate fertilizers.
The booths of industry bodies Food ATP and the HDC.
The booths of industry bodies Food ATP and the HDC.
Marco is based in the UK, but the company has done also great projects abroad; recently they installed another project for Windset Farms in the USA. On the picture are Jonathan Heard and Johnathan Foulkes.
Marco is based in the UK, but the company has done also great projects abroad; recently they installed another project for Windset Farms in the USA. On the picture are Jonathan Heard and Johnathan Foulkes.
Paul O'Neill of ClearPower Energy Solutions provides turnkey energy solutions, from CHP and Boilers to complete biomass installations.
Paul O'Neill of ClearPower Energy Solutions provides turnkey energy solutions, from CHP and Boilers to complete biomass installations.
Ian Wolfenden and Simon Taylor of Northern Polytunnels are representing Agam's Ventilated Latent Heat Converter (VLHC) in the UK.
Ian Wolfenden and Simon Taylor of Northern Polytunnels are representing Agam's Ventilated Latent Heat Converter (VLHC) in the UK.
Charles Coslett of Agrovista
Charles Coslett of Agrovista
FarmEnergy and Philips booths.
FarmEnergy and Philips booths.
The infamous De Ruiter Stress Balls
The infamous De Ruiter Stress Balls
Grower Rob Tooke of Glinwell together with Stef van Driel (former Holland Plant)
Grower Rob Tooke of Glinwell together with Stef van Driel (former Holland Plant)
Jerome Vinke of Rolls-Royce CHP's participated for the first time at the TGA Conference.
Jerome Vinke of Rolls-Royce CHP's participated for the first time at the TGA Conference.
It was busy at the booths.
It was busy at the booths.
Al Sayed and Terri-Ann Boyle of Ximax. Learn more about their effective water treatment solutions here; http://www.hortidaily.com/article/6303/Chlorine-dioxide;-a-safe-and-effective-solution-for-a-clean-irrigation-system
Al Sayed and Terri-Ann Boyle of Ximax. Learn more about their effective water treatment solutions here; http://www.hortidaily.com/article/6303/Chlorine-dioxide;-a-safe-and-effective-solution-for-a-clean-irrigation-system
De Ruiter's varieties that are popular in the UK market.
De Ruiter's varieties that are popular in the UK market.
Sharon MacGregor, Hugh Lisher and Jeremy Booth of De Ruiter
Sharon MacGregor, Hugh Lisher and Jeremy Booth of De Ruiter
Besides his work for Paskal, former Dutch tomato grower Michel de Winter is now also a consultant for Axia Seeds; a new and very young and inspiring seed breeder from Holland. Remember that name.
Besides his work for Paskal, former Dutch tomato grower Michel de Winter is now also a consultant for Axia Seeds; a new and very young and inspiring seed breeder from Holland. Remember that name.
Axia's Radius breed.
Axia's Radius breed.
Harel Dotan of Paskal was sharing the latest information about the advanced Growth Anaysis System. Learn more about it here; http://www.hortidaily.com/article/1056/This-could-bring-in-a-new-era-of-plant-growth-optimization,-like-the-climate-computer-did-back-in-the-days
Harel Dotan of Paskal was sharing the latest information about the advanced Growth Anaysis System. Learn more about it here; http://www.hortidaily.com/article/1056/This-could-bring-in-a-new-era-of-plant-growth-optimization,-like-the-climate-computer-did-back-in-the-days
Kevin Wendelken of ARaymond fastening systems and cropping solutions together with Glenn Notley of Royal Brinkman UK
Kevin Wendelken of ARaymond fastening systems and cropping solutions together with Glenn Notley of Royal Brinkman UK
Some new innovations by ARaymond.
Some new innovations by ARaymond.
Networking during the coffee break.
Networking during the coffee break.
Paul van Gils from Mardenkro together with Paul Tate from Fargro, Mardenkro's UK distributer. Growers in the UK are already familiar with and using Mardenkro's greenhouse coatings and the acreage with diffuse coating is still increasing.
Paul van Gils from Mardenkro together with Paul Tate from Fargro, Mardenkro's UK distributer. Growers in the UK are already familiar with and using Mardenkro's greenhouse coatings and the acreage with diffuse coating is still increasing.
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Alan Wilson is Waitrose' technical manager agronomy. He gave a spoke about Waitrose' vision in regards to fresh produce management, marketing and buying strategies. Waitrose emphasizes British produce which was underlined by Wilson's statement on 'doing everything to increase the amount of British tomatoes on the shelves'
Alan Wilson is Waitrose' technical manager agronomy. He gave a spoke about Waitrose' vision in regards to fresh produce management, marketing and buying strategies. Waitrose emphasizes British produce which was underlined by Wilson's statement on 'doing everything to increase the amount of British tomatoes on the shelves'
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Growers Janann and Chris Durnford of Red Roofs Nursery; baby plums in East-Yorkshire.
Growers Janann and Chris Durnford of Red Roofs Nursery; baby plums in East-Yorkshire.
Paul Challinor of Maybarn Consultancy.
Paul Challinor of Maybarn Consultancy.
Paul Hammett of the NFU gave a presentation about the water legislations and the abstraction reform and which position the NFU has in the reform. He also mentioned the EU Water Framework Directive.
Paul Hammett of the NFU gave a presentation about the water legislations and the abstraction reform and which position the NFU has in the reform. He also mentioned the EU Water Framework Directive.
The NFU's vice president Guy Smith gave an update on the ongoing and future work by the NFU on the Healthy Harvest Campaign.
The NFU's vice president Guy Smith gave an update on the ongoing and future work by the NFU on the Healthy Harvest Campaign.
Botanicoir's Kalum and Samantha Balasuriya are experiencing an increasing clientèle for their premium coir growing media, inside and outside the UK.
Botanicoir's Kalum and Samantha Balasuriya are experiencing an increasing clientèle for their premium coir growing media, inside and outside the UK.
Greenhouse builder Bob Hunsche of Van Der Hoeven Horticultural Projects together with Jerome Vinke of Rolls-Royce CHP Division.
Greenhouse builder Bob Hunsche of Van Der Hoeven Horticultural Projects together with Jerome Vinke of Rolls-Royce CHP Division.
Robert Wilson of Bridge Greenhouses and Pieter van Berchum of Gakon
Robert Wilson of Bridge Greenhouses and Pieter van Berchum of Gakon
Lunchtime
Lunchtime
Rijk Zwaan provided an excellent conference lunch.
Rijk Zwaan provided an excellent conference lunch.
Peter Geerts of Syngenta together with his colleagues from Syngenta UK - Bioline ; Caroline Reid, Richard Binks and Peter Squires.
Peter Geerts of Syngenta together with his colleagues from Syngenta UK - Bioline ; Caroline Reid, Richard Binks and Peter Squires.
Phil Howarth of Clarke Energy
Phil Howarth of Clarke Energy
Bob Strangward of Grodan
Bob Strangward of Grodan
Steve Williams of Aromany.
Steve Williams of Aromany.
That says enough....
That says enough....
Udo van Slooten, Esther van Echtelt and Erik Jansen of Philips.
Udo van Slooten, Esther van Echtelt and Erik Jansen of Philips.
Chris Placket of Farm Energy giving his update on the energy market in the UK. His forecast were quite positive. More about this later in an article on HortiDaily.com
Chris Placket of Farm Energy giving his update on the energy market in the UK. His forecast were quite positive. More about this later in an article on HortiDaily.com
Tim Pratt from Farm Energy showed new results from the trials with the refrigerant based dehumidification unit of the Drygair concept at Red Roofs Nursery. Again the yield has stayed behind; almost two kilos this year. Very frustrating if you save a huge amount of energy. Research for a solution will continue.
Tim Pratt from Farm Energy showed new results from the trials with the refrigerant based dehumidification unit of the Drygair concept at Red Roofs Nursery. Again the yield has stayed behind; almost two kilos this year. Very frustrating if you save a huge amount of energy. Research for a solution will continue.
Paul Howlett of Wight Salads (Vitacress) gave a presentation about the partnership between UK Growers and consultants in a private research project to find practical solutions to fight tuta absoluta.
Paul Howlett of Wight Salads (Vitacress) gave a presentation about the partnership between UK Growers and consultants in a private research project to find practical solutions to fight tuta absoluta.
And last but not least; TGA Chairman Nigel Bartle.
And last but not least; TGA Chairman Nigel Bartle.