Scottish family farm improves seed potato sorting with Dutch tech

SCOTLAND – A fourth-generation family farm, Wellhill Farm based in Scotland’s Moray Coast, has adopted new technology to sort seed potatoes faster and with greater accuracy.

Run by brothers Owen and Duncan Taylor alongside their mother Ilene, Wellhill Farm has produced seed potatoes since 1926.

Today, they grow sixteen different varieties for both local and export markets. But as the climate, labour conditions, and buyer demands shift, the family knew they had to update how they handled post-harvest sorting.

Farming in northeast Scotland means working with heavy clay soil filled with stones. The rainy weather often delays harvesting and complicates sorting. “Sorting by hand in these conditions is slow and physically demanding,” said Owen Taylor. “Even with older machines, we still had to redo a lot of work.”

The sorting process is critical in seed potato farming. Defects like scab, bruising, or odd shapes must be removed before packaging.

Inaccurate sorting not only reduces product quality but also risks damaging the farm’s reputation in export markets. Labour shortages made it even harder to keep up.

After exploring options, the Taylors connected with Flikweert Vision, a Dutch company that designs sorting machines for potatoes and onions. The team travelled to the Netherlands to see the machines in action. “We were immediately impressed,” Owen said. “They were simple to use but very effective.”

Technology that fits

Wellhill Farm installed two machines: the Divider and the QualityGrader. The Divider removes unwanted materials early on, like clumps, stones, and other foreign matter. The QualityGrader then checks for visible defects and ensures only well-formed, healthy potatoes go forward.

The changes were clear from the start. Pre-sorting capacity tripled. The accuracy of final grading improved. At the same time, the farm needed fewer hands on deck.

“In a market where finding experienced workers is getting harder, this has made our lives much easier,” Owen said. “And the machines help us keep our standards high.”

Support from Flikweert Vision also stood out. Owen added, “They’re more than just a supplier. They understand farming, and they’ve been great to work with throughout the process.”

Beyond Scotland

Flikweert Vision’s success with Wellhill Farm is not the end of the story. The company has started working with growers in Wales and Northern Ireland facing similar problems.

These future installations will follow the same approach: hands-on testing, customised solutions, and close collaboration.

As Owen put it, “The number of seed potato growers is shrinking, and the demand for quality is only increasing. These sorting machines allow us to stay in the game. We can work faster, smarter, and more consistently, even under the tough conditions of Scottish.”

Wellhill Farm may be nearly a century old, but with the help of smart tools and trusted partners, it’s firmly focused on staying competitive in the years ahead.

Flikweert Vision’s ongoing research and development has now extended to Wales and Northern Ireland. With farms there facing similar problems, the company plans to support more growers through custom installations and field-tested sorting methods.

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