BlightSpy

What is it?

BlightSpy by James Hutton Limited is a web-based tool that allows potato growers and agronomists to monitor weather forecasts for the predicted occurrence of Hutton Criteria, indicating a high risk of potato blight.

Potato blight is a rapid and destructive disease, and timing preventative sprays is crucial. A Hutton Criteria occurs when two consecutive days experience a minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius and at least six hours of relative humidity at or above 90 percent. Predicting these specific conditions is essential for disease management. BlightSpy serves as an upgrade on the longstanding Blight Watch website, tracking temperature and humidity data to forecast the occurrence of a Hutton Criteria, displaying predictions as red dots (criteria met) or amber dots (near miss) on an interactive map.

Why use it?

Using a specific meteorological tool like BlightSpy allows potato growers to move from reactive spraying to proactive blight management. By providing a blight risk forecast for the next 48 hours, with up to 8 days available, managers can anticipate high-risk periods and schedule their fungicide applications before the disease takes hold. The platform offers both national and regional overviews, allowing agronomists to see the risk context for individual sites. This targeted approach helps protect the potato crop while optimising the use of chemical inputs.

Key Features

• Forecast Hutton Criteria
  Predicts the specific occurrence of a Hutton Criteria (temperature and humidity thresholds) that indicate a high risk of potato blight.

• Provide Advance Warnings
  Delivers a blight risk forecast for the next 48 hours, with capabilities to view predictions up to 8 days ahead.

• Analyse Weather Data
  Tracks and analyses crucial meteorological data, specifically focusing on consecutive days of minimum temperatures and high relative humidity.

• Visualise Risk on Maps
  Uses an interactive map to display a red dot for a predicted Hutton Criteria and an amber dot for a near miss.

• Offer Regional Context
  Provides both national and regional overviews, allowing users to assess the blight risk for individual sites within a broader context.

Who is it for?

This blight forecasting tool is designed for commercial potato growers, precision agronomists, and crop protection consultants operating in Europe (UK).

Have you used BlightSpy?

Your experience helps others make informed choices. Share how it performed in forecasting Hutton Criteria for your potato fields.