THREE major growers have set up a new potato farming company in Herefordshire.

Faced by three bad seasons and difficulty in maintaining high standards in the packing trade, they have decided to change direction in marketing.

The new company, Processing Potato Growers Ltd, is going down the processing route and has won a major contract from a crisp manufacturer.

KP Crisps and McCoys, owned by United Biscuits, have ordered 7,000 tons this year and lifting started on June 27.

Now the company is looking for other growers in Herefordshire to contract with them to meet a demand for 15,000 tons next year.

Gamber Produce, of Peterstow, has been contracted to manage the new business and managing director Patrick Lewis said exciting times were ahead.

The farmers behind the new venture are the Chinn family, from Cobrey Farms, Walford, B H Savidge and Sons, from Lea, and the Green family, of Ditton Farms, at St Owen’s Cross.

Mr Lewis said potato buyers nationally now wanted to deal with fewer individual potato growers, preferring to trade with groups, saving them time and money. Gamber Produce had all the systems in place to manage the new group, he said.

Under the KP and McCoys contract, potatoes will leave the farms in jumbo bags of a ton.

Any farmers interested in becoming involved should call Patrick Lewis on 01989 731000.