Scotland’s potato growers, agronomists, and seed experts have marked their calendars. Potatoes in Practice, the UK’s largest outdoor potato event, is back on Thursday 13 August 2026 at the James Hutton Institute’s Balruddery Farm near Dundee, with a laser-sharp focus on future-proofing an industry facing its toughest challenges in decades.
Future Proofing Theme Hits Home as Pressure Mounts
This year’s theme could not be more urgent. Extreme weather, rising input costs, potato cyst nematode (PCN) pressure, and tightening environmental rules are squeezing margins across Britain.
“We are at a turning point,” says Jonathan Snape, head of the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC). “Growers need practical solutions they can take straight back to the field, not just PowerPoint slides.”
The 2026 programme will tackle the hottest issues head-on:
- Latest PCN resistance breakers and integrated control strategies
- Bruising reduction trials that saved some growers up to £40 per tonne last season
- Virus management updates, including new aphid monitoring tools
- Carbon auditing made simple for potato farms
- Scottish Government’s new Vision for Agriculture and what it really means for potato growers
Hands-On Field Plots Deliver Real-World Answers
Visitors walk away from Potatoes in Practice with notebook pages full of ideas they can use the same season. That is the magic of Balruddery Farm.
More than 100 variety plots will be on show, including hot new lines from breeding programmes at the Hutton and across Europe. Side-by-side trials let growers see exactly how candidates perform in Scottish conditions.
The moving machinery demos are always packed. In 2024, the new Grimme harvester with optical bruising detection drew crowds all day. Expect even more cutting-edge kit in 2026 as manufacturers race to meet net-zero targets.
Trade Stand Village Bigger Than Ever
Over 80 exhibitors have already confirmed, from seed houses to precision tech start-ups. Agrii, event co-organiser, promises its biggest ever presence with live sprayer demonstrations and soil health clinics running throughout the day.
First-time visitors are often surprised by the buzz. One Yorkshire grower told us last year: “I came for the plots, stayed for the chats, and left with three new contacts that changed how I farm.”
Book Early or Miss Out
Field plot spaces are filling fast. The deadline for plot entries and treatment forms is Friday 27 February 2026. Outdoor gazebo and static machinery bookings close on Friday 1 May 2026.
Send everything to events@hutton.ac.uk. The team warns that late entries will not be accepted this year due to ground preparation schedules.
Why Potatoes in Practice Still Matters After 20 Years
Scotland produces the highest quality seed potatoes in the world. Events like this are where that reputation is defended and strengthened.
While some industry days have gone online or shrunk, Potatoes in Practice keeps growing because it stays true to its roots, literally. Real fields, real mud, real conversations between people who actually grow the crop.
One Fife grower summed it up on X last summer: “Best day of the year. No sales fluff, just proper chat with people who know potatoes inside out.”
As climate and political pressures mount, the need for these gatherings has never been greater. The 2026 event looks set to be the most important yet.
Growers, agronomists, students, and anyone who cares about British potatoes should block the date now. Bring boots, questions, and an open mind. Balruddery Farm will deliver the rest.
What is the single biggest threat to your potato crop right now? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s get the conversation started before we all meet in the field next August.
