Long crop rotations are helping make British potato production more resilient while improving productivity and sustainability, according to a new report published by GB Potatoes.

The report argues that extended rotations have become a defining feature of UK potato production, with six-year rotations now common and many growers adopting even longer cycles. According to the industry body, these are among the longest potato rotations globally and play an important role in maintaining soil health, managing pests and diseases, and supporting farm profitability.

Mark Taplin, agronomist at Harvest Agronomy, said potatoes remain central to many arable businesses.

“Potatoes are key to many rotations with the growers I work with. Without them, and a reliance on cereal crops means that the economic performance of the farm can be very marginal at the moment.”

The report cites calculations by potato agronomist Mark Stalham showing that potato-based rotations produce almost 20% more food energy per hectare than cereal-based systems, with the highest-performing potato growers delivering around 40% more food energy than average cereal producers. It also highlights research suggesting potato rotations provide higher volumes of nutrients, including fibre and protein, while supplying greater quantities of minerals and vitamins such as iron, potassium and vitamin C.

Longer rotations are also presented as an important tool for reducing pest and disease pressure. According to Taplin, tighter rotations have contributed to increased problems with pests and diseases including potato cyst nematode (PCN) and rhizoctonia, while market requirements have become less tolerant of quality defects.

Stalham added that rotation length is a critical factor in disease management.

“Crops with longer rotations have reduced disease and pest risk. PCN and fungal disease decline rates are long – it takes about 10 years to reduce incidence to 5% of the original level.”

The report includes the experience of Yorkshire grower Andrew Wilson, whose business typically grows potatoes once every four to seven years, depending on the land. His rotation includes wheat, malting barley, vining peas and sugar beet, alongside the use of cover crops and organic manures to improve soil condition.

“With the volatile weather, prices and politics that we are seeing, having a system that spreads risks, workload and cashflow, while keeping the farming job interesting is a real benefit to the business and to me personally. It’s not without its challenges though!”

The report also points to growing interest from processors and packers. McCain Foods is investigating mixed livestock and cropping systems at its UK Farm of the Future, including research with the University of Leeds into the use of pig manure within crop rotations. According to the report, McCain’s work in New Zealand has contributed to a 25% increase in potato yields since the early 2000s while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 9%.

Branston has likewise been evaluating rotational systems through its low-carbon concept farm, which supported the commercial launch of its Georgina potato variety.

Farmer-led research organisation Vitagri is also leading a project with the British On-Farm Innovation Network and the Bionutrient Institute to investigate how production systems, including crop rotations, influence the nutritional profile of potatoes.

Rob Ward, chief executive of Vitagri, said the project would analyse potatoes produced under a wide range of UK growing systems while linking nutritional measurements with detailed information on crop management, soil practices, irrigation, fertility programmes, rotational strategy and storage.

Summarising the findings, GB Potatoes chief executive Scott Walker said British growers are demonstrating that productivity and sustainability can be achieved together.

“British potato growers are proving that productivity and sustainability can go hand in hand. We are leading the way in using long, robust rotations to deliver large volumes of nutritiously dense food from every hectare, while improving the sustainability of production. Meanwhile, research by GB Potatoes members and others, means that British growers are at the forefront of producing the most sustainable potatoes possible.”