By a CORRESPONDENT

A SHORT lifespan for traditional farm co-operatives was predicted by a

leading potato grower at the opening of the British Growers' Look Ahead

two-day conference and exhibition at Birmingham yesterday.

There would have to be a complete change of philosophy, said Tony

Worth, whose family farming operation covers 2000 acres in Lincolnshire.

''They will have to be more outward-looking, responding to the market

place, instead of being production-driven,'' he warned. ''The

traditional co-operative structure will no longer be appropriate.

''We shall see the serious marketing co-operatives restructuring,

making it possible for those organisations to attract outside directors

and funding to develop their full potential as suppliers to the

retailers and niche markets.''

Mr Worth, who is also managing director of the Holbeach Marsh

Co-operative --which handles a total of 160,000 tonnes of potatoes --

indicated this group's three-tier operation could be regarded as a

model.

Not only did it provide a marketing organisation for its own members,

but it acted for another leading co-op in the area, and offered a wide

range of services for non-members.

The group had marketing links with three major retailers, a leading

frozen chip manufacturer, wholesalers, and other processors.

He predicted polarisation of potato production with the move to a free

market. The larger units would employ their own top-class management,

while smaller family units would also survive.

But medium to large units would have to rely on organisations like his

own co-op, completely change their operations, or sell up as competition

got fiercer -- and margins tighter.