2016 Seed Potato Grower of the year announced

From left to right: JP van den Berg and his wife Linné; Sanette Thiart, Managing Director, Potato Certification Service, and Hennie van der Westhuizen, Business Manager Central, Bayer

The other finalists for this year's award were Frans Engelbrecht (North West) and W & K Boerdery (Western Free State). Three years’ certification data (from registration to control results) were used to determine the winner.

Bayer and Potato Certification Service strive to build on quality as the cornerstone for the industry. Both organisations stand for sustainability for all stakeholders in the potato industry. After a difficult year during the 2015/16 drought, it has become very clear that consistency and reliability are two qualities that will support players in the potato industry.

Bayer strives to provide access to innovation, by investing in research to offer the potato industry products that address problems like managing virus vectors and soil-borne diseases. It is also important to protect the current potato protection products to support sustainable potato production. Therefore, Bayer launched its promise of "Committed to the Future" where they collectively want to responsibly manage the challenges of the future.

Along with the 18th Seed Grower of the Year Award, Potato Certification Service is also celebrating their 21st anniversary. The company has played a leading role over 21 years in the pursuit of a sustainable supply of high-quality plant material to the potato industry.

For the first time, special recognition was also given to a group because of their involvement with the winner and even more due to the fact that all three finalists were Wesgrow growers.