Orchard & Vine Magazine Pre Spring 2015 by Before & After Media

The 2015 Tractor Guide Farmer Rockstars Build Your AgriBusiness Expert Advice on Bugs & Berries Pre Spring 2015 $6.95

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Under the Terms of the Bylaws of the Association Members are Directed to Take Notice of the One Hundred and Twenty Sixth Annual General Meeting of the

British Columbia Fruit Growers’ Association Friday & Saturday, February 20 & 21, 2015 At the Penticton Lakeside Resort, Penticton, BC

“RENEWAL - PROGRESS IN MOTION” Friday, Business Session (1:00 pm - 5:00 pm) Annual Report of the Executive: Financial statements, budget, and any Special Resolutions; Annual reports of subsidiaries: BC Research and Development Orchard Ltd. and Summerland Varieties Corporation; Guest speakers and reports of industry organizations and companies; Committee reports and resolutions for delegate consideration. Saturday, Policy Sessions (8:30 am - 2:00 pm) Guest speakers and reports of industry organizations and companies; Special reports; Committee reports and resolutions for delegate considerations; Election of the BCFGA Executive at 2:00 pm. Friday, Social (6:00 pm - 8:00 pm) A Social will be held Friday evening. All members and government and industry organization representatives are invited to attend the social from 6 - 8 pm on Friday, February 20,2015 at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, Penticton BC. All members, industry and government representatives are welcome. Lunch provided Saturday.

BRITISH COLUMBIA FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION office: 1473 Water Street, Kelowna BC V1Y 1J6 250-762-5226 www.bcfga.com

Photo by Kim Elsasser

Deer grazing in an Okanagan Vineyard.

Regulars 6 Publisher's View – Lisa Olson 8 Calendar 9 News & Events 37 MacIntosh on Money – Peter MacIntosh 39 People Talk – Barbara Ashton 41 World Wine Web – Mike Cooper

45 Word on Wine – Tracy Clark

Photo Contributed

43 Seeds of Growth – Fred Steele

The importance of tractor safety page 27. 4

Pre Spring 2015

Features 13 Experts Talk: Berries, Bugs & Cherries 19 How to Make your Wines Stand Out in a Crowd 23 The Tractor Survey 26 The O&V Annual Tractor Guide 31 Think Tractor Safety 29 The Business of Farming 35 Potlucks & Rockstars - The Young Agrarians 46 Forget your Skinny Jeans, Think Skinny Tractors

Photo by ÂŠ Galinasavina | Dreamstime.com

Cover photo of Harvey Mann in red with Margaret Felker, Jerome Abraham and Samantha Lemky from Mann Family Farm, pruning Ambrosia Apples. Photo by Kim Elsasser

Experts talk about bugs and berries page 13.

Pre Spring 2015

 PUBLISHER’S VIEW | LISA OLSON

Goals, Land and Community

Vol. 56, No 1 Pre Spring 2014

Welcome to our first issue of the year! By now, you’ve likely set in motion those new years’ resolutions or fallen off on a few. Sometimes timing is everything or it’s just not a top priority - you can always choose to reset them again.

I’m thinking, that’s kind of like family or community farming, I see the Young Agrarians (or “ALL’ Agrarians) wanting to farm, so much so, that they set up an organization to help find land from farmers who have land to share, whether it’s on small garden plot or many acres. They continue to gather as a community and show power of teamwork and commitment. Read more on page 35 about land linking or becoming a mentor on page 35. Talk about teamwork! I am delighted to share the results of our Tractor Survey

Publisher Lisa Olson Graphic Design Stephanie Symons Contributors Barbara Ashton, Michael Botner, Tracy Clark, Mike Cooper, Kim Elsasser,

Photo by Kim Elsasser

That’s exactly what happened to me. Last May, I decided to make the effort to get back into shape, I felt ready to tackle the gym head on. Well, that was good for a few weeks and then I stopped. Not sure why, maybe I didn’t form the habit well enough or other priorities or excuses got in the way. The good news is, this January 2, I got back on the horse, so to speak and I’m at it again. My priorities are in line, as not only am I doing it for me, but for my family as well! Another bonus is, that I’m exercising with my daughter, so we can spend some quality time together, as a team of encouragement.

Established in 1959

Peter MacIntosh, Darcy Nybo, Ronda Payne, Fred Steele Sales & Marketing

we sent out via email and posted on social media and our website this month, I am so grateful to everyone that took the time to answer the questions. Find out what is important when shopping for a tractor on page 23.

Holly Thompson Circulation info@orchardandvine.net Orchard & Vine Magazine Ltd.

What are your plans for this year? Consider your personal plans this year along with your work and business goals? We love hearing your stories, plans and your photos, so please drop us an email and we can share with other readers.

1576 West Kelowna Road West Kelowna, B.C., V1Z 3H5 E-mail: info@orchardandvine.net www.orchardandvine.net

I guess by now you’ve realized that connection, collaboration and sharing educational and interesting stories are what we aim to do. Good luck this year, with all your plans!

Orchard & Vine Magazine is published six

Enjoy the magazine! ■

times a year and distributed by addressed

Phone: 250-769-2123 Fax: 1-866-433-3349

direct mail to growers, suppliers and wineries in the Okanagan, Kootenays, Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Washington State and throughout Canada. Orchard & Vine is also available online. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40838008 Undeliverable copies should be sent to:

Providing Canadian Grapevine Solutions BRITISH COLUMBIA Frank Whitehead p. 250-762-9845 c. 250-878-3656 frank@vinetech.ca

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QUEBEC Alexandre Jacquel p. 905-984-4324 alexandre@vinetech.ca

ONTARIO Wes Wiens/Tina Tourigny p. 905-984-4324 wes@vinetech.ca tina@vinetech.ca

NOVA SCOTIA Ian Kaye p. 902-740-2493 ian@vinetech.ca

1576 West Kelowna Road West Kelowna, BC, V1Z 3H5

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Photo by David Stobbe from Gold Medal Plates Public (NGM Enterprise)

 PRE SPRING | CALENDAR

Canadian Gold Medal Plates will be in Kelowna February 6-7 .

BC Fruit Growers’ Association RENEWAL PROGRESS IN MOTION Conference & AGM February 20 - 21 Penticton, BC www.bcfga.com BC Association of Farmers’ Markets Conference & AGM February 20-22 Cowichan Bay, Vancouver Island, BC www.bcfarmersmarket.org 58th International Fruit Tree Ass. Conference & Intensive Workshop Halifax Marriot Harbourfront February 21-25 Halifax, Nova Scotia www.ifruittree.org COABC Conference Certified Organic Association of BC February 27- March 1 Chilliwack, BC www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca BC Tree Fruit Horticultural Symposium March 10 Kelowna Trinity Baptist Church Kelowna, BC www.bcfga.com BC Cherry Growers’ Association AGM March 11 Location: TBA Kelowna, BC www.bccherry.com 8

Pre Spring 2015

 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Steele, Dukhia in Running for BCFGA Presidency It’s that time of year again; time to elect (or re-elect) the Board of Directors for the BCFGA for 2015. Fred Steele is looking for a second term as president. “We are working hard and I don’t want to lose that momentum,” said Steele. “We’ve got the replant program for seven years and are exploring different avenues of revenue for the industry. I’m running again because the job’s not done yet. We finished the first part of the plan and I want to ensure the second half gets completed.”

File photos

“In the first year we got a long term sustainable replant program, so we can now plan ahead. The second part of the plan is building a new industry strategy to revitalize and work with others to reshape the industry going forward. Working in partnership with government agencies, seeking new avenues within the industry and having this industry be fully profitable. We want everyone to get out and participate and be positive. There are lots of things we can do, but we need their input and their support.”

The nominees for President of the BCFGA are Fred Steele and Jeet Dukhia

production. We could sell at least 10 million more pounds of cherries to Asia and East Asia. We have the climate and the market. Now is the time as cherries are at a premium price in Asia and East Asia. The same thing goes for apples. We have beautiful varieties and a great international market for them.”

Jeet Dukhia is also running for president. “I started quite a few things that I didn’t get a chance to finish from my last term,” said Dukhia. Then there is the unique situation in the Okanagan where there is lots of land that needs to be put back into

“The farmers I’ve talked to, from Keremeos to Vernon, want to Continued on page 10

You Deserve the Peace of Mind. Become an #EFPchampion.

Erika Davidson EFP Planning Advisor Enderby, B.C.

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 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Continued: Election Campaign is on at the BCFGA expand and they want to see new land come into production. In the Vernon area over the last two years there were 300 - 400 new acres put back into production. I also had a great relationship with the crop insurance people and would like to continue that and bring about some fundamental changes.”

HERE ARE THE NOMINEES AS OF JANUARY 30, 2015

Bhupinder Dhaliwal was running unopposed for vice-president at press time. “I worked with Jeet in 2013 and with Fred in 2014 and we got a lot done,” said Dhaliwal. “We are currently working on the North South deal (with New Zealand) and we are still working out the details. We hope to work something out nationally for an export program.” Dhaliwal also gave a nod to BCFGA’s Glen Lucas. “Glen is great to work with and he really helps get us prepared for working with the MLAs and MPs. ■

South Executive (3 to elect) Peter Simonsen Ravinder Bains Sukhdeep Brar Keith Carlson Harbhajan Sidhu Denise MacDonald

Vice-President Bhupinder Dhaliwal

President Fred Steele Jeet Dukhia

North Executive (3 to elect) Gurjinder Sandher Surjit Nagra Tony Nijjar Sukhdev Goraya Niel Dendy Raj Bagha

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Your local experts in farm, residential, and estate properties 10 Pre Spring 2015

 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Bumper Crop of Apples, Cherries… and Snow! For most of us, January’s record snowfall was the most snow we’d ever seen in the Okanagan. Not for Fred Steele. “We’ve had significant snow fall like this before, I can remember the winter of 1949/50. Now that was destructive snow. It destroyed trees and they cracked and fell to the ground. There was quite a bit of snow then too,” Steele laughs. “Then again, I was a lot shorter back then.” Most everyone agrees the snowfall was a blessing and a curse. The additional moisture is needed in the orchards and vineyards, but having this much snow on the ground for well over two weeks will make it more difficult for pruning purposes and clearing the suckers off the bottoms of trees. The bumper crop of 2014 has also created a good thing/bad thing scenario. “It’s a stressful time for everyone because you don’t want to see prices bottom out,”

said Steele. “The last I heard apple prices are doing okay. We haven’t had to resort to anti-dumping legislation, but the building blocks are in place.” Bhupinder Dhaliwal hopes the 2014 bumper crop leads to a 2015 short fall. “There was a 25 - 40% increase in apple production this year. That’s 150 to 160 M boxes in the US last year alone. The situation is the same in Canada, about 25 40% extra. Next year, technically, should be a much lower crop because the trees will not flower as successfully. It’s a good thing market wise, because if we get two years of bumper crops we could have apples into the summer and that would not be a good thing for pricing.” Although the prices are slightly lower it is reported that the packers are moving the apples nicely. As for cherries, South America’s crop was damaged by bad weather. “If they can’t

Barb and Reto Gebert pruning the Riesling vines during a blizzard at St. Hubertus Vineyard in Kelowna.

supply all the cherries the customers want,” explained Dhaliwal, “they’ll look forward to eating the California and BC cherries and keep prices strong too.” ■

You Could Be This Happy Too. Be an #EFPchampion

Lee Murphy Farmer, Vista D’oro Farms & Winery Langley, B.C.

Confidential—No Charge—No Obligation

1-877-574-3447 / www.bcefp.ca

Pre Spring 2015 11

 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Competition Quality Wines Help Chefs Win Culinary Gold The Canadian Culinary Championships are held every year in February in Kelowna, BC. With them comes the all-important wine pairing. Championships can be made or broken with an improper pairing. Photo by David Stobbe from Gold Medal Plates Public (NGM Enterprise)

It’s a good feeling when someone chooses you, or your creation. Harry McWatters had his McWatters Collection Meritage selected as a wine pairing by Chef Chris Hill of the Delta Bessborough (team Saskatoon) to go with his dish. McWatters recommends winemakers create the wine first and then decide what it goes best with, then market it accordingly. “Wines created for pairings are usually more intense and complex to go with intense and complex foods,” he said. “The wine should never scream out, “Here I am!” If it’s been paired well it can take both to a new level. It can be a complimentary or contrasting characteristic.” When it comes to sparkling wines, McWatters had this to say. “If your sparkling wine can’t be paired with food, don’t put it in your mouth; that’s how versatile sparkling is.” He recommends that for a wine-pairing event the creator of the dish and the creator of the wine should do what they do best. After all, it all comes down to an individual's taste. Mark Filatow of Waterfront Wines knows a thing or two about pairing wines. He’s one of the few chefs in Canada who is also a sommelier, and won the Gold Medal at Vancouver’s Gold Medal Plates in 2012.

Supplies, equipment and specialized items for the winemaker including: Cellar Chemicals - Lab Reagents Oak Barrel Products V/V Tanks - Hoses - Fittings and much more!

12 Pre Spring 2015

Chef Chris Hill of the Delta Bessborough (team Saskatoon) selected the McWatters Collection Meritage as a wine pairing to go with his dish.

“It is very important to pair properly,” Filatow says, “as it constitutes a good chunk of marks in the judging criteria. As well, the entire impression of the dish can really be swayed by the pairing. Especially on the flavours of the food, as wine can bring out good and bad flavours or bring others to the forefront which might otherwise be background flavours.” As a chef, Filatow enjoys pairing his food to the wine. “If you have a great food

idea, there is a huge choice in styles of wine out there. Then you can do comparative tastings with the major flavours of the dish. That is how we did it for the year we won.” Orchard and Vine sends their well wishes to everyone involved in Gold Medal Plates and the Canadian Culinary Championships. ■ For more information go to: www.goldmedalplates.com

Thanks for a Great Year!

Berries, Bugs & Cherries By Ronda Payne

Photo of Lygus by Emily Carmichael

Getting away from the farm or orchard can be a significant challenge – even when the payoff is big, as is the case with the lessons offered through the Horticultural Grower’s Short Course at the late-January Pacific Agriculture Show. O&V conducted exclusive interviews with the experts to deliver highlights directly to readers who couldn’t take in all the seminars, missed a few details when they were learning or didn’t make it to the three-day event. Sit back and read up on the salient points. Hot topics include: understanding how cherry exports to Asia may benefit blueberries, recognizing insects in day neutral strawberries, reviewing how the spotted wing drosophila made out this year, touring the raspberry market in 2014 and quickly glancing at berries coming down the research pipeline.

Pre Spring 2015 13

Getting a Grip on the Dreaded SWD A slight sigh of relief was heard this year when berry growers had a small reprieve from the problematic Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD). While the efforts of growers likely had an impact on the reduction of the pest, Mother Nature was also on their side in keeping the fly in check. Tracy Hueppelsheuser of BCAGRI noted that SWD trapping results showed last winter’s populations were lower than previous winters and spring populations weren’t as high as in previous years. “People didn’t tend to get blindsided by infestations,” Hueppelsheuser noted. “We don’t know what’s going to happen this spring, but we are trapping." This is the fifth winter for Hueppelsheuser’s SWD trapping program, but results to date have been anything but consistent. “It’s something different every year,” she said. “More years of experience of trapping [over the winter] will allow better predictability. We hope that winter trap-

ping and spring trapping will give a better idea of spring [and summer levels of SWD].” Trapping in early January 2015 saw surprisingly high numbers, but these volumes usually plummet at the end of January when there is a cold snap and SWD dies back. However, the amount of variables in studying SWD creates part of the mystery. “There’s no doubt, we think they [SWD] prefer raspberry cane fruit over everything else,” Hueppelsheuser noted. “Summer raspberries have an advantage, they are early enough that [growers] can get the crop off before SWD can take over. Fall raspberries don’t have that opportunity, they are a much higher risk.” However, Hueppelsheuser pointed to a benefit raspberries have over blueberries when it comes to SWD, that is they can be picked when pink and not at maximum ripeness to prevent added infestation pressures.

Other ways to keep SWD at bay aren’t new, but bear repeating: canopy management and pruning, 'pick early pick clean pick often', pest sprays and field sanitation and weed management. “Prune in the off season and make it easier to get the machines through,” Hueppelsheuser said of canopy management. “It creates a dryer environment to keep SWD down and keep disease down.” If picking is normally done every three days, Hueppelsheuser recommends picking every two days to tighten up the intervals in between picking. A solid spray program and good field management go hand in hand. Keeping weeds down, maintaining clean equipment and using the appropriate spray at the appropriate time will help minimize SWD. That being said, some years the pest is out of control and it’s hard to know why. Hueppelsheuser is working to understand this better. Different bait choices are being explored to determine what age fly is attracted to certain baits. “We want to use a bait that’s going to catch young flies because those are going to infest your fruit,” she noted. Trapping is the main tool to monitor SWD, but past trap and bait studies have focused on numbers of flies, regardless of the bait or age of flies. Hueppelsheuser described the flies in human terms. It’s about finding the young female fly equivalents to human females who go out clubbing, work at the mall and eat entirely different food than their grandmothers.

Photo contributed

“I would like other researchers and consultants to give that some thought,” she said of focusing on the types of bait used and age of flies being caught.

This is the fifth winter for the SWD trapping program, trapping in early January 2015 saw surprisingly high numbers. 14 Pre Spring 2015

In addition to the bait studies and trapping, this is the second year of a longterm study to assess how the actions taken against SWD may be impacting beneficial insects. ■

Blueberry Growers Can Follow the Cherry's Road to China Blueberries took notes from cherries when Andre Bailey, president of Creston’s Global Fruit Ltd. spoke to O&V about the ten plus years he’s been involved in exporting cherries. When he began with the company, it had just two Asian accounts, but now ships to every country in Southeast Asia. Bailey estimates most cherry growers are shipping about 90 per cent of their crops overseas. With blueberries a hot commodity in Asian countries for health benefits, Bailey wanted to share his experiences to make the exportation of the popular berry easier for BC growers.

One of the biggest lessons learned has been selecting and packaging cherries that can withstand the more than one month long ocean voyage. It starts with good growing practices that produce excellent fruit. With Bailey’s estimates of 99.5 per cent of the BC cherry crop being sold as fresh, whether domestic or exported, perfection is essential. “I think Canadian cherry growers are the best in the world,” Bailey noted. “Everything is handpicked. We’re trying to put the perfect cherry in the box every time. Especially for ocean [shipping] it’s so important for uniform cherries and absolutely no visible defect goes in the box.” Optical graders and sorters are used to check for size, colour and defects and packing the box correctly is essential. “You’re putting a cherry on a boat for up to 33 to 35 days,” commented Bailey.

Photo contributed

“For a market that’s growing, there’s no comparable to China right now,” Bailey said. “We’ve learned a lot of lessons and most of them the hard way.”

Andre Bailey, president of Creston’s Global Fruit Ltd. in China.

For a market that’s growing, there’s no comparable to China right now…we’ve learned a lot of lessons and most of them the hard way. Andre Bailey “The Chileans’, in my opinion, are the best in the world at post-harvest handling. It’s making that transition and that commitment during the packing process to put that perfect pack out that is going to satisfy that Asian consumer.” Bailey has seen the practices of Chilean growers and packers first hand and has taken all of the cherry growers with Global Fruit Ltd. to Chile to see operations first hand. It is because Chile has had to rely on ocean shipping to get their products to market that Chilean growers have had to learn the best possible packing methods. Other lessons Bailey shared were to take the time to understand the various Asian cultures as well as developing appropriate business relationships with partners.

Asian markets will pay a premium for high quality BC-grown fruit, but Bailey stresses that the relationship must always put the grower first. “The most important thing is how you protect the grower when stuff goes sideways,” he said. “The grower has to get paid first.” This can be accomplished through memorandums of understanding, getting paid up front and other tools to ensure that payment is made. “It’s easier to solve the problem when you hold the money,” Bailey noted. Bailey feels blueberries will have positive results in Asian markets, perhaps even better than cherries, and notes it comes down to selecting the right partners. ■

Pre Spring 2015 15

New Berry Varieties Coming to a Field Near You Breeding new varieties of berries is a lengthy process. The time from establishing a new cross to reaching farmers’ fields is usually about 15 years. Michael Dossett, research scientist and plant breeder with the BC Blueberry Council discussed the latest results of his time-intensive work in raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. “A breeding program moves slowly,” Dossett explained, and although trends have seen raspberries coming out of fields in favour of blueberries or other crops, there are about 600 advanced selections of raspberries trialing in the program due to the long process. “There’s so much already in the pipeline for raspberries,” Dossett noted. “Hopefully we’ll have some sort of impact towards that [raspberries returning to fields] in the future.”

the fall of 2016. Disease and splitting resistance is always a part of new trials and tests of “parent stock” are underway to determine possible future crosses. A trial in Quebec has revealed what Dossett describes as a really excellent day neutral strawberry. Known as BC10-2-1, the plants will be coming into their third season in Quebec and are the first day neutral to go through grower trials.

Pest Problem for Day Neutral Strawberries With the increased planting of day neutral strawberries, growers are facing pests that are familiar, but more persistent. Emily Carmichael, berry IPM consultant with E.S. Cropconsult spoke to O&V about the pests most frequently invading day neutral berry patches.

In raspberries, selection BC5-11-1 (mentioned in a talk by Dossett last year) has a couple hundred plants in trial. Test plots have shown it looks good for machine harvesting and will go to grower trials next season.

Powdery Mildew

“They all impact the plant or fruit in some way,” she said.

The selections coming out in the last couple of years have been very impressive for fruit quality according to Dossett, with good root rot resistance and fruit firmness. “They are a few of the firmest raspberries I’ve ever seen,” he added.

16 Pre Spring 2015

Thripe

Photos by Caroline Teasdale and Sarah Busch

Propagation for blueberries is slower than raspberries so there may be some grower trial plots of these varieties in

“These are pests that are all present in the June bearing fields, but they are more of an issue in the day neutral fields,” noted Carmichael. Specifically, she identified thrips, lygus, spider mites, SWD and powdery mildew as issues with thrips and lygus being two of the major concerns.

“Unless it looks really bad this summer, we’ll get trial plants out for 2016,” Dossett said.

“The fruit quality is just really excellent,” he noted. “After five weeks in cold storage they are still firmer than Draper. We are definitely making some headway on fruit quality.”

Education is a key component of the world of agriculture. Fortunately, experts are available at events like the Pacific Agriculture Show’s Horticultural Grower’s Short Course and to share information with Orchard & Vine to make that education as convenient as possible. ■

“We expect that if it goes well this season, grower trials may be in 2016,” Dossett noted.

There are about 100 blueberry advanced selections in the program at this point. Dossett explained he is in the process of gearing up more blueberry work.

Blueberries have a couple of selections with excellent fruit quality in propagation said Dossett.

Obviously berry growers have plenty to look forward to in terms of the quest for the perfect berry.

Thripe

There are multiple reasons for the increased dominance of these pests in day neutral strawberries, one of which being the structure of raised beds because they are not renovated or mowed at the end of each season. Also, because of the longer harvest season, any pests that have taken hold have the opportunity to increase in volume and wreak greater havoc. While all of the pests hit maximum levels in August and September, thrips, lygus and spider mites begin their obnoxious journey through the fields as early as May. SWD tends to become an issue in late July or early August while powdery mildew establishes itself in June.

Cont'd: Pests More Persistent When Plaguing Day Neutral Strawberries Thrips will dry out the berries, or cause a rusty looking exterior. At present, Delegate is the only chemical product registered for thrips on strawberries and the IPM solution is the minute pirate beetle. Avoid planting strawberries near grass or hay fields as thrips will move to the strawberries when these areas are mowed.

While not an insect, powdery mildew can distort or kill flowers, impact pollination and may prevent fruit ripening. If ripening berries are infected, they have a fuzzy, creamy appearance and will taste bitter.

Photo by Caroline Teasdale

Lygus pierce and suck the fruit causing a distortion sometimes known as “monkey facing” or “cat facing”. Spider mites impact plant vigor by feeding on leaves creating unwelcome pressure on yields. White speckling on the upper surfaces of leaves often indicates spider mite feeding. SWD contaminates fruit as it begins to ripen resulting in overly soft, mushy and/or dripping fruit.

Lygus nymph, lygus pierce and suck the fruit causing distortion.

While Carmichael pointed to thrips and lygus as major pests in day neutral strawberries, she did add that regular monitoring of fields throughout the season improves the ability to control pests and maintain fruit quality. ■

Raspberry Growers Have Mom to Thank Raspberry growers have seen positive results for the past two years, but much of the credit goes to Mother Nature according to Dianne Klatt, co-owner of Pacific Coast Fruit. Good weather made for good berries and the ability for growers to satisfy varying needs. Larva in albion.

“The demand was very strong, so it was a

great season,” Klatt said. “It was our second year in a row where it wasn’t raining during harvest, which is really nice.” Firm, full berries allowed growers to spread their harvest among fresh, processed and IQF sales which ensures demand, and pricing, stays high. Prices to the grower were up and growers were Pre Spring 2015 17

able to support everyone who wanted berries in all the ways demanded. “We want to see all sectors of the industry supported,” Klatt said, referring to growers, processors and others within the supply chain. With an abundance of high quality berries, growers pulled away from processing slightly to put more of their yield into the IQF market. Supply of IQF was still short, keeping the prices very high, according to Klatt. The processed market has continued to be strong as well and the movement of more berries into IQF and fresh may have taken some of the pressure off the processors who found themselves overwhelmed when one processing facility shut its doors. The supply of processed berries for juice and purees was “just right” in Klatt’s opinion, but straight pack was short in supply due to the finicky nature of the process. “It’s the reason the industry went into sieving years ago,” Klatt said of straight pack. “It’s hard to keep the insects from the field out of the raspberries.” As Klatt noted, only North American growers do a wet pack raspberry. All other countries focus primarily on IQF. “Fields [of raspberries] are still coming out [being replaced with other crops] and some growers are not renewing their [raspberry] fields,” she added. Klatt noted that approximately 14 million pounds were harvested, which was down about 4 million pounds from the previous year. “They have better weather,” she said of Chile and other raspberry growing regions. “Even with our changing climate. These past two years were fabulous, but the years before that, the weather was awful. If it’s not the weather, it’s the SWD [spotted wing drosophila], and sometimes both.” Klatt says processors and growers must continue to work together to meet regulations and make money. “Prices are going to be strong again next year,” commented Klatt. ■

18 Pre Spring 2015

Photo contributed

How To Make Your Wines Stand Out in a Crowd

By Michael Botner

Conventional wisdom holds that dry wine is preferable to sweeter types. Order sweet and light white wine with red meat at a restaurant and you risk snickers at the table and scorn from the sommelier. Is it any wonder that many simply avoid the wine thing altogether by ordering a brew or a sweet cocktail? That is one of the themes that Napa-based Master of Wine Tim Hanni addresses in his softcovered, text book style book, “Why You Like the Wines You Like: Changing the way the world thinks about wine.” In his colourful, let’s stir up the pot style, Hanni explains his ground-breaking vinotyping concept of putting personal wine preferences first and foremost, while challeng

ing snobbery in conventional wine think, as well as suggesting how producers, marketers, restaurateurs and retailers can better evaluate and serve customer needs. A professionally-trained chef, Hanni gained notoriety as one of two Americans to first earn the title Master of Wine. As ambassador for Beringer Winery, many in the wine industry have participated in his legendary workshops on wine and food pairing. He introduced umami as a unique taste and became known as the “swami of umami”. By focusing on flavour balancing – “adjusting the amount of acid and salt in the food ensures delicious, well-balanced food that is wonderful with virtually any wine the guest prefers” – he changed the conversation on wine and food pairing. Touted as the consummate “wine antisnob”, Hanni’s pioneering work on vinotyping is the logical progression of his 35-year career in wine education and re

search. On the lookout for information about the interplay of taste preferences and sensory sensitivities, Hanni came across a study by Dr. Virginia Utermohlen of Cornell University. It found that “peoPre Spring 2015 19

LIGHT AROMATIC WINES

Smooth Reds

Chardonnay

Fruit Wines

Zinfandel

Riesling

SWEET

Sauvignon Blanc

VINOTYPE AT A GLANCE

HYPER -SENSITIVE INTENSELY SENSITIVE

TO TASTE & SMELL

33%

COMPLEXITY

APPROACH WIDE SPECTRUM

DELICATE TO BOLD

Intense Reds

Syrah

ADVENTUROUS

TOLERANT

Cab. Sauvignon

Adventurous

MODERATE SENSITIVITY

20 Pre Spring 2015

other 25%

Bold Reds

Flowery Riesling

SENSITIVE

SMOOTH RICH WINES

BIGGER • BETTER • STRONGER BIG

INTENSE REDS

NO WIMPY WINES!

Drink the wine you love most. Respect the wine preferences of others. ple of different taste sensitivity tend to approach decision making in differing ways, even problems concerning issues that have nothing to do with flavour or food.” Clearly, sensory sensitivity provided only part of the explanation for taste preferences and buying decisions. To explore the matter further, Hanni and Utermohlen collaborated on an online survey study “correlating wine consumer preferences, behaviours and attitudes”. Conducted in conjunction with Consumer Wine Awards in Lodi, California, 1485 respondents answered questions “concerning wine preferences and consumption frequency, demographic characteristics and level of wine education.” The result is a simplistic-looking quiz or questionnaire to help you determine your vinotype, “the unique combination of sensitivities and values that complete your personal wine preferences.” It allows you to discover a portal to people who have similar proclivities, as well as the means for which hospitality professionals can get a clear sense for making smart, personalized wine recommendations for you, according to Hanni. While the self-assessment focuses primarily on your sensory sensitivity, he reminds readers that cognitive psychology plays an essential role in determining your true passions and preferences. In fact, a plethora of variables such as an individual’s wine tasting experience and training, enthusiasm for the grape, involvement in the wine industry, and, of course, the influence of culture are factors that influence tasting preferences. “This is only the first step,” he stresses. The Vinotype study identified four consumer sub-groups – Sweet, Hyper-sensitive, Sensitive and Tolerant - whose preferences span the wine style spectrum from light and sweet to intense and red. • Sweet types have the highest level of taste sensitivity and comprise three times more females than males. Many Sweet types are put off by the emphasis on big, dry red wines which they find unpleas

antly bitter and hot. To offset the heat of alcohol and the bitterness of tannin, they prefer light, aromatic wines with sweetness like Riesling, White Zinfandel and fruit wines. • Hyper-sensitive types represent more than a third of men and women. Also intensely sensitive to taste and smell, hyper-sensitives prefer dry, or just offdry, wines for everyday drinking. They tend to appreciate smooth, rich wines with complexity over strong flavours. Hanni explains why labeling them as “supertasters” is “an unfortunate term, misleading at best.” The notion of “supertasters” arose in the 1990s when experimental psychologist Linda Bartoshuk published research at the Yale School of Medicine which concluded that some people had elevated taste perceptions of a relatively narrow group of compounds. The implication is that they are superior and anyone who claims to be a wine expert must, by definition, be a supertaster. Not true, according to Hanni. “People with extreme taste sensitivity often have trouble enjoying wine …due to the intensity of burning and bitterness they experience,” he says. The data shows that hypersensitives are looking for traditionally dry wines like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio with a slight bit of residual sugar, and smooth reds. • Sensitive types are about a quarter of all respondents. They bring moderate taste sensitivity and an adventurous approach to their wine choices. These team players appreciate a wide spectrum of wine types and styles from delicate, flowery Riesling to bold reds. • Tolerants love all things “bigger, better, stronger” and are most likely to have a bumper sticker that says, “No Wimpy Wines.” Needless to say, they insist on big, intense reds like Cabernet Sauvignon with anything they eat. Twice as many men as women fall into this category.

Tim Hanni, Master of Wine.

In the Okanagan Valley, as well other B.C. wine growing regions, we are fortunate to have a great variety of homegrown wine varieties and styles to buy for every taste and occasion. But convention is slow to change. Big, dry red wines dominate wine lists and education of servers and sommeliers is still stuck in another generation. Here is a taste of what Tim Hanni says about “what the future holds” for vinotyping: • Wine competitions have to find a “way to ensure that wine consumers can get to wine recommendations that are relevant for their Vinotype.” • It is a win-win when restaurant make sure guests are not too intimidated to order wines instead of turning to beers or cocktails. • Retail wine consultants and employees need to be trained in vinotyping and how to make wine recommendations based on a customer’s vinotype. • Winery tasting rooms with staffs trained in vinotyping change the conversation with customers, resulting in a spike in sales. It is time for those in the B.C. wine industry to take heed of Tim Hanni’s call to action. ■ Take the quiz and find out what your Vinotype is: https://www.myvinotype.com

Pre Spring 2015 21

• ACCOUNTING • AGENCIES • MARKETING • DESIGN • WEBSITES • ANIMAL CONTROL • BIRD CONTROL • PEST CONTROL • APPRAISALS • ASSOCIATIONS • AUCTIONS • BOTTLES • CONCRETE RESURFACING • COOPERAGE

•

TANKS

•

CONTAINERS

•

CORKS

•

CAPSULES

• CLOSURES • CROP PROTECTION • PRODUCTS • CRUSH PADS • EDUCATION • SCHOOLS • PROGRAMS • COURSES • EMPLOYMENT • AGENCIES • FOREIGN WORKERS • JOBS • FABRICATING • FARM EQUIPMENT • FARM MANAGEMENT • FARM MARKET PRODUCTS • FILTERS • FENCING • FERTILIZER • FINANCIAL • FOOD PRODUCTS • FOOD PROCESSING SUPPLIES • FOOD SAFETY TRACEABILITY • FUEL & LUBRICANT • TANKS • FUEL ANNUAL DIRECTORY Coming out in April OFFICES • GREENHOUSES • COVERED BUILDINGS • HARVESTING EQUIPMENT Get Listed

INJECTION • FUNDING PROGRAMS • FROST PREVENTION • GOVERNMENT

Call Holly or Lisa • INSURANCE • IRRIGATION • LABELS • LABELING EQUIPMENT • LEGAL

250-769-2123

• MANAGEMENT • CONSULTANTS • NURSERY SUPPLIES • ROOTSTOCK holly@orchardandvine.net lisa@orchardandvine.net • GROWING TRAYS • OAK ALTERNATIVES • ORCHARD MANAGEMENT

• ORCHARD SUPPLIES • ORGANIC SUPPLIES • PACKAGING CONTAINERS • BOXES • PACKING HOUSE EQUIPMENT • AUTOMATION • PESTICIDES • PHOTOGRAPHY • POLLINATION • POST FRAME BUILDINGS • POST HARVEST • PRUNING EQUIPMENT • REAL ESTATE • REFRIGERATION • SAFETY • SUPPLIES • SCALES • PROCESSING • SEEDS • SERVICES • ELECTRICAL • HEATING • PLUMBING • SHIPPING • SOFTWARE • SOIL • SOIL TESTING • SPREADERS • STEEL BUILDINGS • TRACTORS • SPRAYERS • MACHINERY • TRAILERS • TRUCKS • VINEYARD EQUIPMENT • VINEYARD INSTALLATIONS • VITICULTURE • WATER WELLS • WIND MACHINES • WINE ACCESSORIES • GIFTWARE • WINE CLUBS • WINE TOURS • WINERIES • WINERY EQUIPMENT • BOTTLING • CAPPERS • FILLERS • TANKS • WINERY SERVICES • BOTTLING • LAB • MOBILE FILTRATION • WINERY SUPPLIES • CHEMICALS • FILTERS • WINEMAKING • 22 Pre Spring 2015

Orchard & Vine Tractor Survey

Readers Put Tractors on Trial Orchard and Vine Magazine readers have a lot of 'pull' with tractor dealers, so when we publish our poll results, dealers and manufacturers listen. Every year we ask the dealers, brands and reps what's new and different, we compile the stats on Orchard and Vineyard model tractors, but this year we decided to ask our readers what went into their personal decision to purchase a new tractor. The overwhelming answer when it came to comments was service, the ability of the local dealer to follow up with parts, and support over the lifetime of the tractor.

HOW MANY TRACTORS DO YOU OWN

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU BOUGHT A TRACTOR?

7-9 TRACTORS

16% 25%

20%

60%

6-11 MONTHS AGO

16%

4-6 TRACTORS

1-2 YEARS AGO

32% 1-2 TRACTORS

LAST FALL

3-5 YEARS AGO

25%

OVER 10 YEARS AGO

Pre Spring 2015 23

Orchard & Vine Survey – We Asked… HOW MUCH RESEARCH DO YOU DO BEFORE MAKING A PURCHASE STUDY REVIEWS OR WRITE-UPS 46% TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS OR NEIGHBOURS 48% CONSULT WITH THE SALES REP 51% SEARCH ONLINE 51% COMPARE VARIOUS MODELS, BRANDS AND PRICE 83% READ ADVERTISING OR MAGAZINE ARTICLES 25% VISIT TRADE-SHOWS 40%

DO YOU TEND TO BUY NEW OR USED? BOTH

14%

100

On Research - we also look at local support and talk to mechanics who fix them. Usually we have a specific purpose for a new tractor. We identify the products that are best suited to that purpose. Not every manufacturer has the best model for every application.

18% USED

68% NEW

The best product that makes working easier, safer and more comfortable to do combined with quality and reliability are what I look for.

PRICE THE MOST IMPORTANT LOOKING FOR SPECIALS, DEALS & FINANCING OFFERS

66%

34%

SUITABILITY AND APPLICATION ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PRICE

HOW IMPORTANT A FACTOR IS PRICE IN YOUR PURCHASE

24 Pre Spring 2015

Price is a big factor, but not the only factor. Service is critical. A bargain tractor is no bargain if it breaks down at a critical time and the dealer is not sensitive to the urgency of getting it fixed. Sprays can't wait a week. Picking fruit can't be postponed.

The decision is based on experience with the dealer in servicing, previous experience of the brand, and the price.

I am brand loyal to two brands not one. They both have different strengths in different applications. Quality of dealer is critical. FEATURES THAT MATTER TO YOU MOST IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE, WHEN SHOPPING FOR A NEW TRACTOR

DO YOU TEND TO BE "BRAND LOYAL" YES - YOU OWN ALL THE SAME BRAND OF TRACTOR

24%

NO - YOU BUY DIFFERENT BRANDS

31%

YOU SHOP FOR THE BEST DEAL

22%

HORSE POWER 4WD FUEL EFFICIENT

YOU DECIDE ON THE BEST SUITABLE FOR YOUR NEEDS

63%

YOU SHOP FROM THE CLOSEST DEALER

14%

YOU SHOP WHERE YOU'LL GET THE CLOSEST SERVICING

20%

SIZE

TURNING RADIUS CLEARANCE WEIGHT WHEELS COMFORT

Dealership is more important than the brand. If the local dealership is poor I will no longer purchase that brand.

CAB 2WD TRACKS NO CAB

Safe tractor use reduces the risk of serious injury

For resources and videos on safe equipment operation, visit worksafebc.com/agriculture.

Pre Spring 2015 25

TRACTOR

SPECS

2015 Manufacturer

Case IH Farmall V

Deutz Fahr

John Deere

Model

Farmall 105V

Engine Hp

Agroclimber F 400/410

Agroclimber V310

5100E

85/95

100

PTO Hp

77/86

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

19.3

Transmission

16 x 16 power or mech.shuttle

16 +16

12 + 8

12F/12R PowrReverser

Steering

Hydrostatic

Independent Steering Clutches

Hydrostatic

Brakes

Wet Disc

Independent Brakes for Steering

Independent Brakes for Steering Wet Disc

Wheelbase 85.3”

90.6”

Length

Minimum Width

42.5-49”

Ground Clearance

15.2"

Turn Radius

9.8'

14.3'

Weight

5307-6151 lbs

7055 lbs

Driving Wheels

380/70R24

Website

www.caseih.com

54”

9442 lbs

Mark Your Calendar,March 10th, 2014 Trinity Baptist Church 1905 Springfield Road, Kelowna

Booking Exhibitor Booths Now! • Trade Show • Door Prizes • PAC Points

$70 per person

Contact Charlotte at 250-490-5717 cleaming@bctree.com 26 Pre Spring 2015

8255 lbs

MFWD

www.dftractors.com www.dftractors.com www.deere.com

BC Tree Fruit Horticultural Symposium 2015

• Workshops • Presentations • Awards

46.5”

TRACTOR

SPECS

2015 Manufacturer

John Deere

Kioti

Model

5085E

CK2510/CK2510H RX7320PCCR

Engine Hp

85 24.5 73 91.2

PTO Hp

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

6.6

25 US Gal

31.7 US gal

Transmission

12/12 PowrReverser

Manual/Hydrostatic

Power Shuttle w/Creeper, 24F/24R Synchronized

Steering

Hydrostatic

Power

Hydrostatic Power

Power

Brakes

Wet Disc

PX9020C

Wet Disc

Wheelbase 90.6”

59.8”

83.9"

90.7”

Length

109.08”

146.3 “

162.2”

Minimum Width

49.2”

77.2”

109”

Ground Clearance

15.2”

13.4”

17.3”

19.5”

Turn Radius

11.6' 8.3' 11.2’

Weight

7055 lbs

2260 lbs

6162 lbs

8639 lbs

Driving Wheels MFWD 4WD 4WD 4WD Website

www.deere.com www.kioti.com www.kioti.com www.kioti.com

TIMBERSTAR TRACTOR Offers the full line of KIOTI Tractors

TIMBERSTAR TRACTOR 2 - 7861 HWY 97 N. Vernon, BC Phone 250.545.5441

www.timberstar.ca

Pre Spring 2015 27

TRACTOR

SPECS

2015 Manufacturer

Kubota

Model

M8540NHC10

M7040DTNHC / M8540DTNHC

M8540NPK

M6040DTNH1/M7040DTNH1

Engine

85.5 Hp @ 2600 RPM

71.0 / 85.5

85.5

63.0/71.0

PTO Hp

76.0 Hp

64.0 / 76.0

56.0/64.0

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

20.1 gal (76.0 Litres)

20.1 / 20.1

18.5

15.9

Transmission

Gear Shift, 10 for. x 10 rev.

8F/8R hydraulic shuttle

Steering

Hydrostatic Power Steering

Hydrostatic

Brakes

Mechanical Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Wet disc

Wheelbase

80.7” (2050 mm)

80.7”

84.8”

80.7”

Overall Length

with 3 pt hitch 138.0”

138.0

138.2”

136.4”

Minimum Width

48.0”

54.0”

48”

Ground Clearance

14.6”

15.4”

14.6”

Turn Radius

10.5’ in 4WD

10.5' w/brake, 13.8'

13.1' in 4WD w/Bi-speed,

10.5' w/brake, 13.8' w/o brake

4WD w/o brake

Weight

4,806 lbs (2180 kg)

4806 lbs

6504 lbs

4189

Driving Wheels

2WD/4WD

2wd/4wd selectable 2

2wd/4wd selectable

Website

www.kubota.ca

www.kubota .ca

www.kubota.ca

SHREDDERS-FLV

Business Advice That’s Rooted In Success

Rugged flail choppers to MOW, SHRED & EVENLY SPRED Chopping the heaviest materials, just leaving a Double twin flails for grass fine mulch behind. cutting and light scrub cleaning

Universal hammer flails for heavy duty pulverizing

5592 Hwy 97 Oliver BC 250-498-2524 250-498-6231 28 Pre Spring 2015

Whether you’re a grower, manufacturer, distributor, retailer or investor in the food and wine industry, MNP offers tailored business services that go beyond traditional accounting. From vine to table and everything in between, our strategies help you control costs, streamline operations and cultivate opportunities for growth and expansion. Contact Geoff McIntyre, CPA, CA, Business Advisor, B.C. Wine Industry at 250.979.2574 or geoff.mcintyre@mnp.ca

TRACTOR

SPECS

2015 Manufacturer

Mahindra

Model

XR3037

XR 4040-4046

3016

3616s Cab

Engine Hp

36.5

36.2

PTO Hp

33-37.6

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

10.5-12.4

12.4

Transmission

Synchro Shuttle/Hydrostatic

Synchronized Shuttle

Shuttle/Hydro

Steering

Hydrostatic Power Steering

Hydrostatic

Hydrostatic Power

Brakes

Wet, Multi-Disc

Wet Disc

Wheelbase

66"

73"

72"

Overall Length

121"

128"

121.3"

121.3”

Minimum Width

60"

63"

59.8"

50”

Ground Clearance

14"

Turn Radius

8.2'

8.2’

Weight

4300 lbs

2437 to 2459 lbs

3020 lbs

Driving Wheels

13.6-24 4WD

4x4 MFWD 4WD

2wd/4wd

Website

www.LSTractorsUSA.com

mahindracanada.ca

3220-3590 lbs

www.LSTractorsUSA.com

Introducing… • 12 different models in stock to choose from • 5 year Power train warranty • Local Sales and Service

Vineyard Series XR3000 XR4000

In stock now! Visit our store today!

Wal-Kat Equipment 2000 Barnes Street, Penticton, BC V2A 4C3 http://walkatequipment.ca Phone: 250-492-6716 Toll Free: 1-888-492-5528

J Series

Pre Spring 2015 29

TRACTOR

SPECS

2015 Manufacturer

Massey Ferguson

New Holland

Model

1739E

MF4610

TK4050 T80

Yanmar

Engine Hp

38.5

94 78

PTO Hp

32.7 or 30.9

83 66

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

29 38

Transmission

9.3 mechanical shift

12X12 pwr shuttle hydro

8 X 8

12 x 12 shuttle

Steering

Hydrostatic

Steering O Matic

Forced Differential

Brakes

Wet Disc

Wet multi-disc

Wet Disc

Wheelbase 65.9"

88.5"

69.7” 81.3

Overall Length

116"

152.6”

135"

Minimum Width

52.4"

78.7”

55.5” 52”

Ground Clearance

12"

145”

14”

Turn Radius

6”

Weight

2756 lbs

6503 lbs

7500 lbs

7407 lbs

Driving Wheels

Ag, turf or industrial

Heavy Duty Track

Rubberized track

Website

www.masseyferguson.us

www.newholland.com

www.yanmar.com

30 Pre Spring 2015

Some important safety points for all tractor operators are: • Conduct a pre shift inspection • Use a Roll Over Protective System and seat belt • Conduct a thorough risk assessment for the tractor, implement and tasks • Keep loads low when travelling • Always keep an eye out for pedestrians, do not move tractor without eye to eye contact with pedestrian. • No extra riders on tractor, bucket, or forks • Follow recommended hitching procedures and weight limits • Turn on level ground whenever possible • Stay away from soft shoulders • Ensure brakes are in good condition and properly locked for high speeds • Use a Slow Moving Vehicle sign for public roads • Ensure loads are properly secured. • Disengage PTO, turn off tractor and set brake before leaving tractor seat

Think Tractor Safety Agriculture is a dangerous business. It is consistently found to be one of the most hazardous workplaces in BC. In 2014, the Okanagan Region was the site of three serious tractor incidents. Incidents like these cause fatalities and serious injuries within all age groups including the children of farmers. Young inexperienced workers as well as those with vast amounts of experience are among the victims. One of the highest risk categories are experienced farmers over the age of 60. Understanding the risks associated with mobile equipment on farms, particularly tractors, demands that the safe use and operation of tractors is an important topic to be covered in your safety program. Working safely cannot be inherited; it must be taught, learned and practiced. In most cases tractor rollover fatalities or serious injuries would have been prevented if the operator had a Rollover Protective Structure (ROPS) and was wearing a seat belt. New orchard plantings often allow for ROPS on tractors. Vineyard rows are getting narrower and the tractors used in these rows are narrower than in years past. These narrower tractors can be less stable and lead to higher risk of rollovers. Leaving the tractor without properly parking and turning off the tractor is another leading cause of tractor injuries such as entanglements or operator run-overs. Some new tractors have a safety feature that will not allow the tractor to run unless the operator is in the seat. To ensure due diligence, an employer, manager or supervisor must require operators to be educated and trained in the safe operation of all mobile equipment, including tractors. This training must be documented and ongoing, adequate supervision

Pre Spring 2015 31

is required to ensure safe operating standards are constantly adhered to. A practical evaluation of operators displaying competency to a qualified supervisor forms part of this due diligence. Regular safety discussions with operators on tractor related issues and topics are also required. A crew talk at the start of each growing season is a good way to remind operators of their responsibilities.

34856 Harris Rd. Abbotsford

www.matsquiagrepair.com

604-826-3281

FARSHA offers a Safe Tractor Operators course and also works with employers and/or supervisors to establish on going evaluation tools to assist in the orientation of new or returning workers. Proper, sufficient, adequate training incorporated with ongoing supervision and an effective pre-shift inspection and maintenance program combine to reduce risks of injury when operating mobile equipment and specifically tractors. Correcting what may seem like a small action or repair item can help prevent an incident from becoming very serious. Make FARSHA’s Tractor Safety Training Program part of your farm’s safety program. For assistance to initiate or improve your safe tractor operations or other worker safety concerns, compliance issues or needs please contact your regional FARSHA safety consultant. ■ In the Okanagan contact: Carol Reid at 250-215-5293, carol.reid@farsha.bc.ca or the FARSHA office toll free 1-877-5331789 for a consultant in your area.

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equipment

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Annual Supplier Directory 3 great ways for buyers to contact you! Print Issue

Deutz-Fahr Agroplus V-F-S

Digital Magazine 89

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32 Pre Spring 2015

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Online Directory Contact us Today! 250-769-2123 info@orchardandvine.net

THE BUSINESS OF FARMING Decide Where You Want To Grow… And Then Do It! By Darcy Nybo Homestead Organics CEO Tom Manley had a vision in mind for his parents’ farm. He left the corporate world behind in 1997 and after a thorough analysis, he realized the right thing to do was to grow big and grow fast. Then he had to figure out how to do it. When Manly took over Homestead Organics it was a 400-acre farm with a small feed service. Today, Homestead Organics employs 14 people, serves hundreds of farmers, offers multiple products and services, handles over 7,500 tonnes of grains, and has $1 million in infrastructure. “When I first looked at the business, I realized we needed to achieve economies of scale and we needed to deal with the onslaught of conventional operators who wanted to get into organics,” he said. “We had to increase the volume of our merchandise and make it efficient.” When Manly first started, organics was a niche market, and the larger companies were watching to see what would happen. “The reality of the business world is that the larger players let the startups prove the market, develop the standards and all the other costly things. Then the large players buy or take a position in the new market and reap the rewards without putting in the development costs. We had to grow fast to withstand their eventual arrival.” Manly and Homestead Organics succeeded with their plan. Now he travels across the country advising people who want to grow their food business. Develop a Business Plan In order to grow you need a plan with a clearly defined objective. “Ask yourself questions,” advised Manly. “Do you want the best product in volume that would sustain your income needs, or do you want to sell your product around the world? It has to be ambitious. There has to be a clearly defined objective.” “With an objective in hand then it is time to find a mentor, someone who has been

Left to right, Tom Manley, Isabelle Masson (Tom’s wife and customer service manager), and Yannick Manley, (son and plant engineer)

Pre Spring 2015 33

In the small business world it all rests on the shoulders of the entrepreneur/farmer. Tom Manley there. That person will ask you the tough questions about business plans and finance and target markets. A mentor can get into your mind space. Most of your challenges are in your brain. Get your mind around specific issues so you can grasp them… understand them. Then take it one page at a time.” Manly has an easy formula to help with planning an expansion. “You have to intensify the revenue stream on a per acre basis. Intensifying typically means value added. By starting from farm size you have to do the math and add up the gross revenue and operating costs per acres. That gives you a net revenue per acre in your pocket. Multiply that by the number of acres you are operating. Allow for overhead and risks, crop loss, etc. Having calculated your net revenues, ask yourself if you can make a living off that.” “If you don’t have many acres and low effort per acre, then you have to create your own work out of the small acres which means value added products. And don’t forget your story. It could be a family story, or nostalgia, or geographic, or whatever. It must be attractive or compelling to attract consumers.” Low Cost Marketing Once you have your business plan in place, start to market it. “When we started our expansion, we made sure we were present at various trade shows and events. We met lots of

farmers and had a very real face-to-face presence. We did public speaking, which doesn’t cost a lot of money, just time. We held meetings with farmer marketing groups and put booths in trade shows that gather farmers together.” Manly advises that others who want to grow their farm business do the same, and then some. “One thing you have to do is get in the face of the media,” he said. “We became relatively well known by sending out lots of press releases. We got into the local papers and then into the monthlies. Every time we had something that was new or different, we made it into a news story. We also called the media, told them we could give them an interview and send them photos. We made their jobs easier.” By making people in the media aware of them, and by handing them well written and informative stories, Manley and Homestead Organics became a “go to” source for the media. Manly also applied for government grants that could help him grow his business. “We found one grant to cover half the cost of our website – $5,000. We couldn’t afford the $10,000, but $5,000 was doable and we created a great site from the start. Now we have a content editing tool to go with it so I can manage it myself. We loaded it up and refer to it all the time in advertising, media releases and at networking events. The site has useful content and links. We’ve made it a go-to place.”

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Volunteering was another way Homestead and Manly got more recognition in the market place. “Our mission is to serve and develop organic agriculture, so we volunteer a lot in the organic sector. I sit on committees and I attend conferences and create awareness. You meet someone who knows someone else and that comes back to you.” Learn to Delegate Farming is a business and business is complicated. “Trying to be everything to everyone is a recipe for disaster, but you have to be a master at multiple domains,” said Manly. “In the small business world it all rests on the shoulders of the entrepreneur/farmer. You have to be somewhat skilled or familiar with everything. The important thing is to exercise your skills where you are best, and to hire out in areas you’re not that good at. Take for example the farmer who puts out a sign that says “best fruit in the valley,” but if he’s never there, he’s not going to sell it. He’s probably great at growing the fruit, but he has to team up with someone good in sales and marketing.” “Even if you aren’t good at everything, you still need to be aware of the importance of all those things. Then you contract out, or hire someone to do them.” Financial Management Finances and financial management can make or break a business. “Growing a business with a little amount of money means you probably need to get other people’s money,” said Manly. “It’s out there, you just have to find it. The money could be from the government or from small investors, or from family. Again, it’s about marketing. You have to sell the investment opportunity. Most importantly you have to ask. Ask is a big word. There’s a lot to it. But, you can never find financing if you don’t ask. You have to ask the right people and ask often enough. You can ask for help designing an investor certificate and then get your story behind it. Remember, people love stories.” Tom Manley will be in Courtenay, BC speaking on growing a business and most specifically on financing at the Island Agricultural show (iashow.ca) February 13 and 14, 2015. ■

Potlucks & Rock Stars They may not seem related, but through potlucks and rock stars, knowledge and land is being shared across the country, thanks to the Young Agrarians. By: Darcy Nybo Sara Dent, the BC Coordinator for the Young Agrarians is pretty busy these days. She’s making sure young farmers and experienced farmers connect to ensure the continuation of profitable farming in communities across BC. Land Link Workshops and Potlucks It’s just like it sounds. People with land link up with people who want to farm the land and after all is said and done, everyone sits around and enjoys a potluck dinner. While it all sounds very light-hearted, land linking is very serious business. Most of the land linking workshops happen in the southern half of BC, from the Kootenays to Vancouver Island. “Southern BC has some of the most expensive land in Canada,” explained Dent. “For a new farmer, it’s hard to get started as the land base is very expensive. If you don’t have equity at start up you won’t be able to purchase the land base. In farming you need tenure to have a financially viable business. A lot of farmers don’t end up breaking even until much later.” It’s no secret that the large population of baby boomers is looking to retire, if they haven’t already done so. Many of them are delaying retirement because of a solid interest in food security for their community, their province and their country. “Food is such a big thing,” said Dent, “and we have a lot of landowners that contact us and want a farmer for their land. Their land may be viable, or not. We don’t know what arrangement they are looking for from a new farmer. They come to us and say they are open to anything; but the reality is they need to be very clear on what they want in order to create a proper business arrangement.”

Jim Dauster (left) and Douglas Bullock (right) take part in Young Agrarians where new farmers and experienced farmers can connect and share knowledge.

For a new farmer, it's hard to get started as the land base is very expensive. Sara Dent The Land Link workshops were created to join people with land and those who want to farm that land. As a non-profit society, the Young Agrarians are hoping to create a space for landowners to meet land seekers and for people to talk about the nuts and bolts and some of the legalities that would involve.

ed they start with the “So You Want to Farm” section of the workshop. This includes getting down to the legalities involved and talks about what full proprietorship, partnership, corporation, co-op etc., entail. Dent pointed out that new farmers don’t have to be young; they can be of any age.

Then there is the workshop itself. “We always start off with a networking session. We frame it as a game. Everyone sits in a circle and has one or two sentences to tell other people where they are at. The land owners tell the prospective farmers where they are, what they want done with their land base and what type of arrangement they are looking for at the end of the day. The new farmers tell who they are and what they are looking for.”

“We give farmers real examples of best practices for succession models as well,” said Dent. “Then we do a section on leases and licenses and farmland tax status. One of the incentives for an owner to have their land farmed is that they can apply for BC Farm Tax status after the first year of leasing out. We get into some of the nuances around land and zoning and leases and licenses. At the end of the day we do some small group activities where people talk about obstacles that could occur, like communication

After everyone is somewhat acquaint

Pre Spring 2015 35

breakdowns between owners and new farmers. The biggest challenge is learning how you are going to work with people and systems that are already in place on the farm.” At the end of the day, all participants get involved in the communications portion of the workshop. “This ensures all participants have a good shot of keeping their new relationships. It’s important that they know how to communicate and have skills around problem solving.” At the end of the day, new and seasoned, young and old, all get together for a potluck dinner and some unstructured networking. Land Linking Workshops and Potlucks were held in Kelowna and Victoria in January. February and March workshops will be held in Vallican, Invermere, Langley, and Kamloops. Rock Star Farm Tours When Sara Dent went to farm school in 2008, she and her fellow students joked about how farmers were the rock stars of the future. The Young Agrarians thought it would be great if farmers were rock stars now. Instead of waiting for that to happen, they made it happen and created the Rock Star Farmer Tour, which focuses on profitable models. “In 2014 we were able to get Jean-Martin Fortier who speaks on six-figure farming for small plots. We wanted to continue that this year and we are working with Frederic Theriault, another Quebec farmer, who co-authored the Canadian Organic Growers book Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers,” explained Dent.

Young Agrarians land link event in Armstrong brought in experienced farmers as mentors.

This workshop provides a structure for determining how to operate a profitable, diversified farm. It hones in on the core issues of farm success: which crops to grow, when to plant them, and in what quantities. Then it provides a logical, linear process for completing it all on time. The workshop material is based on the book Crop Planning for Organic Vegetable Growers. Participants will be supplied with all the charts and necessary information to apply skills learned during workshop on their farm. The workshop will include several hands-on exercises for attendees to familiarize themselves with the calculations and techniques. “Although he is focused on vegetable farming, other types of producers who are looking for financial planning tools that will help them map out their season will benefit,” said Dent. ■

ou Y k n a DIAMOND Th

THE PROCESS IS QUITE SIMPLE: 1) Decide how much money you need to make 2) Calculate your financial goals 3) Determine your ideal markets 4) Create field planting schedules to ensure you meet market demand 5) Generate a field operations calendar 6) Analyze profitability and refine your plans for the growing season.

For more information on land linking and profitable farm models go the Young Agrarians website at youngagrarians.org/events.

The BC Agriculture Council wishes to thank all sponsors & supporters who helped make our

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Your generous contributions are sincerely appreciated. 36 Pre Spring 2015

 MACINTOSH ON MONEY | PETER MACINTOSH

The Big Win – The Capital Gains Exemption

Agriculture can be challenging at the best of times. Thankfully, the Income Tax Act does provide some relief to farmers who wish to sell their farm property. The Capital Gains Exemption (CGE) can be utilized to exempt up to $813,600 of capital gains from tax on the sale of farm property or an interest in a family farm corporation or partnership. The exemption can be used by every individual, cumulatively, up to the $813,600

for at least five years during the period of ownership then it qualifies. However, one too many “gentleman farmers” tried to use the CGE rules and the government made the criteria much tougher on June 18, 1987.

amount in their lifetime and on their tax return at the time of their death. Commencing in 2015, the CGE will be indexed to inflation so this benefit will continue to grow in value. It would be nice if anyone who was involved in any farming activity could access this tax relief; however, nothing is easy when you are dealing with the Income Tax Act. There are various criteria that must be met in order to utilize the CGE. I will briefly review the criteria, in very general terms, as well as other issues to consider.

For property that was acquired after that date, to be considered “Qualified Farm Property”, it must have been owned for at least two years by an individual or a family member and used “principally” for farming by the individual or family member. The property can also be used by a family farm partnership, or a family farm corporation to meet the criteria. “Principally” used for farming means that the user of the property was “actively engaged on a regu-

The Qualified Farm Property rules for the CGE are not onerous if farm property was acquired prior to 1987. If the property was used for farming in the year it was sold or

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lar and continuous” basis in farming. To meet this definition the income from farming of the individual must exceed all other sources of income in at least two years. If the user of the property was a familyfarm corporation or partnership, the property must have been used principally in the farm business and the individual or a family member must have been “actively engaged on a regular and continuous basis” in the farm business for at least 24 months. The rules, although complicated, are meant to result in a favourable tax treatment for farmers. However, the income test and the usage test noted above are often stumbling blocks. It is very important to complete a detailed analy-

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sis to see if a farm property does in fact qualify for the CGE. Often it is important to understand how the property was used many decades ago. It is best if this analysis is done prior to a sale transaction, however, we do encounter people who assume the sale of their farm property is tax free when it has not met the CGE criteria. A very interesting point to note is that a property that was formerly farmed, but is currently being used for a non-farming purpose, may still be considered a Qualified Farm Property for CGE purposes. For example, an individual, who has never been a farmer, is earning rental income from a property that was inherited from a parent after 1987, who was a farmer. The individual will not meet the gross income test because they were not in the business of farming however they can use any two years of their parents to meet the gross income test. As a result, the individual may be able to utilize the CGE on the sale of the property. One CGE is worth up to $180,000 in tax savings so it is not a tax benefit you want to leave on the table. One final note; farming and operating a winery are generally considered separate types of businesses for tax purposes. A sale related to a winery cannot utilize the Qualified Farm Property rules to access the CGE. This type of transaction may involve a completely different and even more complicated set of CGE rules. As I mentioned above, nothing is easy when you are dealing with the Income Tax Act. The above information is a very general summary of complex tax provisions. It is extremely important to obtain professional advice when planning or completing a transaction involving property used in farming. The CGE is meant to be the big win at the end of the day for farmers and you want to make sure you take advantage of it whenever possible. ■ Peter MacIntosh, CPA, CA is a partner with White Kennedy LLP. White Kennedy has offices in West Kelowna, Penticton and Osoyoos. Peter can be reached at 250-492-9984 or pmacintosh@whitekennedy.com.

 PEOPLE TALK | BARBARA ASHTON

How Top Managers Hire the Best People Stick to the essential skills.

Finding and hiring great people can be an agonizing experience for even the most seasoned hiring manager. Business managers and owners consistently tell me their hiring process is far less than what they’d like it to be, and in the end, they never know if the candidate they hire will actually do what they say they can do. The reality is that over 40% of new hires fail within 18 months, and a whopping 60% of new hires feel they were misled during the interview process. These are sobering statistics, but they don’t have to be your reality. Here are some great tips that my clients have adopted to reduce their staggering bad hire costs:

Regardless of whether you’re hiring for rank and file or senior management vacancies, first identify the key competencies that keep your team performing at its best. Define and track the essentials – the core skills that are necessary for success on your team. The more senior the role the more these competencies need to be centered around leadership – coaching and mentoring through strategic planning, team building, goal setting and decision making, vs. other more tactical or physically oriented. Give performers a fighting chance.

Remember what we said earlier about new hires feeling they were misled during the interview process? Try walking candidates through an actual day or work week during your interview process, asking them about their recent experience with the hands-on behaviours and tasks that they’ll need to be doing in your organization.

Give top performers the tools they need.

Sales Directors won’t do cold calls any more than a CFO will do routine bookkeeping or data entry. If you’ve got someone who's overqualified chomping at the bit to join your team, it’s time to dig a little deeper into their motive and goals.

Motivate

Stop ticking boxes. Instead of ticking off boxes, look at your candidates’ potential to do the work you need to get done. By evaluating what someone has recently achieved (vs. what they’re ‘qualified for) - regardless of whether or not it’s what you had in mind - I promise you will uncover some very promising new hires.

If you’re looking for perfection to walk in the door, stop. Giving high potentials the time to develop and prove themselves builds a degree of loyalty and goodwill that nothing can replace. And without that, well, we all know how that story rolls out. Clarify expectations up front.

AGRICULTURAL NETTING & FABRICS

Get to know each team member and then assign them the work that they’re best at and will be challenged by. For your brightest, modify the job. Offer ‘special assignments’ or try them out in temporary leadership roles. You will keep them challenged and engaged. Talk about retention and loyalty!

Nothing builds loyalty like showing you care. Spend time understanding your team member’s needs, then support and develop them. In other words, demonstrate a genuine appreciation for each person’s differences and find ways to turn this into a synergistic working relationship. Be consistent in performance management. Provide regular feedback in a manner that is viewed by all as fair and demonstrates the values of your organization. Ask for a leadership evaluation from your team. This can

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be done easily and anonymously with tools like Survey Monkey, and goes a very long way to demonstrate accountability for yourself and confidence in your team. Amazon has three rules for hiring the best people 1. They work at hiring people that are better than themselves. Every time they hire the bar gets raised a little higher. Doing this is easy if you include the last person you hired in new hiring conversations and processes. 2. They build hiring funnels. Every position should have a short-list of five well-qualified people that you can keep building on for the next time you’re hiring. By the time someone makes it to an onsite interview with you, there should be a high probability that they’ll be a yes hire. Several levels of phone screening will achieve this. 3. They spend 50% of their onsite interview talking culture. Culture is everything. Although it’s the hardest thing to quantify in your hiring messages, not finding the right cultural fit accounts for over 50% of the people who quit or are terminated annually. ■

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Barbara Ashton and her team at Ashton & Associates provide executive search human resource consulting services to leading BC Interior Okanagan employers. For links to free hiring tools and how-to’s visit ashtonassociates.com Phone: 800-432-6893

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 WORLD WINE WEB | MIKE COOPER

Bringing in New Traffic for the New Year media, online ads and other great methods. Don’t get me wrong, these are good sources for traffic, but we're looking for other creative ways that will engage consumers. Attend physical events

Out with the old, and in with the new! 2014 is gone and here we are at the start of a new year. Some of you are “business as usual” and others are ready to make 2015 the best year yet by doing something amazing! I am not sure about you, but I always lean towards doing something amazing. If you’re the type to likes things the way they are and have no desire for change, STOP READING NOW. I care enough about you to not want to waste your time; this article is not for you. So now I have a challenge, how do I take a boring subject like bringing traffic to your website and make it “amazing”.

Imagine your business logo and website address on this coffee cup, how many people do you think would comment on it and Google your business?

Let’s get physical!

For starters I am going to avoid words like search engine results, blogs, articles, email lists, pay per click advertising, social media and terms you hear every day on how to bring traffic to your website. I am going to give you some other creative ways that will not only help you increase the traffic to your website, but also increase engagement with consumers, which is always an amazing thing.

There seems to be this invisible wall between the physical world and the online world where businesses are unable to connect the two together. The people in charge of marketing their businesses seem to separate online marketing and physical marketing. They are focused on driving their traffic to their website from search engine results, social

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People connect with people, not brands. You and your staff are the face of your brand. No amount of marketing can replace the feeling people get when they interact with you or your staff. Attending local events helps put a face to your brand connects people with it. While attending these events giving out the right merchandise can bring people to your website. If word gets around about some cool merchandise you're giving out, those who didn’t get one might search you out now. See if the event you’re attending is giving out door prizes and see if you can donate a prize. This will make sure the majority of the attendees at least hear about your business.

Pre Spring 2015 41

Quality and Service … it’s Our Pledge.

now people appreciate physical items, things they can feel and touch like merchandise or this magazine you're holding. The important thing is to make sure your merchandise is something people will want to use regularly and maybe even talk about, share and possibly go online to learn more about you. Branded pens are one affordable item that people will use. Branded pens also have one of the best exposure rates as they get passed around from person to person. Don’t forget to put your website address on the pen and do something to make sure you pen stands out. Depending on your business you could buy really elegant pens or fun pens that people laugh at.

For over four decades, Thunderbird Plastics Ltd. has provided the highest quality injection-molded handling solutions to the agricultural industry.

Imagine your business logo and website address on the coffee cup on page 41, how many people do you think would comment on it and possibly Google your business? Google “Inigo Montoya” if you don’t understand how funny this cup really is.

Berry flats, blueberry lugs, fruit/ vegetable boxes and agricultural containers made with the finest materials and available at very affordable pricing.

This same principle can be used for coffee cups, t-shirts, calendars and other items. The most important thing is to not take this lightly and just put your logo and contact information on them. Think about your consumer and make sure your merchandise is useful, memorable, funny and something people will talk about, share and make them want to learn more about you…leading them to your website.

At Thunderbird Plastics Ltd. we stand by our pledge of quality, service and on-time delivery.

Go retro-physical

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Have you heard of this old way of communicating called mail? You might also have heard it called “snail mail”. What possible reason would you use this service? Email is free right? Did you know there are no anti–spam laws for mail?

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Did you know there are no junk folders that filter mail before it gets to its intended recipient? It’s a little slow on the delivery, but the cool thing about physical mail is very few businesses are using it as a connection tool. To ensure success with this, make sure the mail looks personal and addressed to a specific person you are targeting. Make it light and lay off the sales pitch! Make sure the mail is perceived as you thinking about your prospect and not their money (sales promotion). Maybe you mail a thank you card for the business they have given you? It could also be an invite to an open house event you’re putting on. Whatever it is, make sure you have your website address on it, and a call to action that is light (not a hard call to action for a sale). Something like this: “visit www. mywebsite.com/rsvp to RSVP for our open house”. Conclusion

Chris Henderson BBA, CPA, CA

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In order to get ahead, you need to do something different. While you still need to focus on what works to bring traffic to your website, you need to also do things different than what your competition is doing. If you’re just following the norm, you will never become the leader in your industry and become “Awesome!”. ■ Mike Cooper is the owner of Black Mountain Media. See what Black Mountain does at: www.blackmountainmedia.ca or send Mike a note at: mike@blackmountainmedia.ca. You can also call: 778-214-0519

 SEEDS OF GROWTH | FRED STEELE

How Provinces Differ in Orchard Support ues, so the approach is more generic and not specific to a brand. Quebec has much more support from government and they promote Buy Local, plus they are engaged in such programs as school breakfast programs and the Quebec Apple Association focuses on eating experiences in cuisine magazines. In Montreal, you will see signage on municipal buses promoting Quebec Apples. Quebec is a gastronomic society. The Québécoise love their food.

with a number of specialized independent packers. Organic is a prime example and its importance (about 10% of production) is unique to BC.

After a year as President of the BCFGA, I have taken notice of how the various tree fruit associations across the country operate and the role they play in service to their members. It’s interesting and informative to compare the differences and similarities between the regions. Ontario is a marketplace of private packinghouses servicing their clients with a few cooperative packing operations in the mix. Quebec has a system quite different as well. The packers and the growers have negotiating committees that agree on processing apple pricing and volumes. Processing apples is a key component of the Quebec industry, where in BC, fresh sales are most important. Nova Scotia is made up primarily of private packers as well. British Columbia growers tend to favor the cooperative system for grading and sales

In addition to the different provincial approaches at the grading and packing level, marketing has a different focus as well. In BC, the marketplace to a large extent is handled through the cooperative and with other organizations such as the New Varieties Council. The focus is on enhancing the BC leaf brand or promoting Ambrosia, in this particular case. Promotions and marketing concepts are carried out by the packers. There’s some generic promotion carried out by the BCFGA to promote apple and cherry consumption. These consist of such venues as the Rotary Penticton Children’s Festival, the Interior Provincial Exhibition and the Kelowna Apple Triathlon, and newspaper ads when there is a large locally produced crop that needs some extra help in clearing the market.

There are some other visible differences between provinces, as well. Nova Scotia concentrates on research programs and their government relations focus appears to focus on single issues. For example they have had timelimited replant programs and sometimes they have been variety-specific, such as the replant for Honeycrisp only. Quebec has had a replant program recently though it has taken several years to have it function as it was intended. Ontario has made several attempts to obtain a replant program for Ontario Growers but to date the efforts have not come to a successful conclusion.

How does BC differ from say Ontario and Quebec in market promotion activity? In Ontario the association promotes buy local at several community events and ven-

All provinces worked together to get the federal government involved in replant. The outcome was not a replant program, but a removal program offered across Canada. This program ended several years ago. There continues to be an appetite from all the apple producing provinces to work together to get the federal government engaged in some form of national apple programming. BC meanwhile, has had replants for two decades now - with one interruption of the program in 2012. These were programs of variable lengths. The biggest success has been the recent program consisting of seven years. The seven-year length of the program allows growers time to plan their future varietal mix. Tree fruit farming is a long-term business. BC has a different relationship with the local governments as well. This does not mean we always agree on areas of mutual concern, however communication is ongoing. Some benefits of open dialogue at the regional government level are the Starling Program, SIR, and (when money is available) chipping programs. This local support for the tree

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fruit and horticulture sector is much appreciated and valuable in the Okanagan, but largely absent in the other Canadian provinces. While we may learn something from the other provinces in terms of the value of generic promotion of apple consumption, perhaps we can encourage the other provinces to partner with the regional governments for the mutual benefit of citizens and tree fruit farmers.

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In the past year we have opened dialogue with other federal ministries to explore opportunities that might provide partnerships to assist the industry. The ministries of industry, trade and western economic diversification are interested in developing the tree fruit sector and expanding export trade in tree fruits.

and spirits industry.

I think one of the most effective jobs the association has done is in the development of close relations with those in both government and the opposition parties. I have a sense that it is easier to focus solely on the party in power, but given that (except Alberta?) there is an ebb and flow in the electoral success of the different parties, it makes sense to engage with all parties. Also, there is an amazing amount of collaboration between parties, as all parties are interested in maintaining a viable, growing agriculture sector. Some of our favourite memories are when the Agriculture Minister and Agriculture Critic work together and collaborate on an agriculture initiative.

Throughout the year, fellow directors and I talk to farmers and other industry interests weekly discussing a wide variety of topics. These directions are the blueprints for future progress, and all provincial associations make every effort to communicate and serve their members. Here in BC, on February 20th and 21st we have be holding our annual convention in Penticton. We urge all members to come and make their voice heard. The Farmers Parliament is a place to discuss our future and the future of what we can be. â&#x2013; Fred Steele, Kelowna orchardist and President of the BCFGA

44 Pre Spring 2015

 THE WORD ON WINE | TRACY CLARK

Celebrate 25 Years of BC VQA Wine 97 per cent of BC’s wine grape acreage.

lumbia grown grapes. It also ensures that qualifying wines meet certain minimum quality requirements.

Although 2015 just began, the British Columbia Wine Institute is already in full celebration mode. This year marks the 25th anniversary of BC's Vintner's Quality Alliance and the BC Wine Institute. There are so many reasons to join us in marking this landmark occasion. The founding of BC VQA in 1990 by a group of maverick winemakers, winery owners and viticulturists had a significant impact on the development of the BC wine industry. For those who are not familiar with VQA, the Vintners Quality Alliance standard is an 'appellation of origin' program that guarantees you are purchasing wine that is made from 100 per cent British Co-

Over the next 25 years, rapid change took place in the industry, growing from just 17 wineries in 1990 to more than 240 grape wineries in 2015.

The development of this standard 25 years ago “put BC wines on the map,” said Adolf Kruger, proprietor of Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery and one of the founding members of BC VQA.

With the growth has come rapid maturation of the industry, which is attracting both talent and attention from experts around the world.

Fellow founder Harry McWatters, currently of TIME Estate Winery, said most importantly the standard was meaningful to consumers, providing “confidence in truth in labelling and a recognition of quality.”

Indicative of this is the mounting number of international accolades wineries are receiving and the development of world markets, like the UK and Hong Kong. The Wines of British Columbia are also continuing to gain popularity at home, where sales are continuing to grow. The BC Wine Institute’s CEO, Miles Prodan, says while the BC industry has made huge strides over the past quarter century we haven’t yet reached our capacity for what BC wine can do here and around the world.

The impetus for development of the standard was impending implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the removal of the majority of French hybrid and labrusca vines that represented most of the plantings in BC vineyards at the time. Many vineyards were quickly replanted with vinifera varieties, which today make up

raising a glass to 25 years of BC VQA this spring by opening up an old vintage you have been saving, or picking up your favourite festival bottle of BC VQA wine. ■ For more information on BC VQA, go to: winebc.com. Tracy Clark is the Communications Manager for the BC Wine Institute. The BCWI represents 119 winery members and 17 grape growing partners that represent 95% of the province’s total wine production and produce 88% of wine production made from 100% B.C. grapes. www.winebc.com

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Skinny Tractors When you’re looking for the perfect tractor for your use in berry fields, orchards and vineyards, the Kubota M8540 and M7040 are the ones consider. Jeff Cook of Earth Power Equipment says both have their pluses. “The M8540 has a 10 speed transmission and is very good on fuel. The 4-cylinder, turbo engine direct injection is very clean burning and can reach maximum travel speeds of up to 21.1 mph / 33.7 km/h.” What is of particular interest is the bevelled gear front axle with bi-speed turn for a tighter turning radius. “The bispeed rotates the front wheels at a rate of speed nearly twice of the rear wheels so you can go right back down the row,” explained Cook. Width is also variable with a minimum width of 48”, which can expand to 60” depending on the tires. “My customers love this tractor,” said Cook, “It’s quiet and smooth operating.” The M8540 has the option of a rear window defroster, a net horsepower of 85 and a PTO of 76. The M7040 is the little brother to the M8540. Both have direct inject engine. 46 Pre Spring 2015

“The difference is the horsepower ranges; it has an 8 x 8 transmission compared to a 10 x 10 on the 8540,” explained Cook. “Other than that it’s a four cylinder, with a net horsepower of 71 and a PTO of 64 and a maximum speed of 12.87 mph (20.7 km/h) VS Spreaders The Kubota VS-series spreaders are reliable, easy to operate and have an outstanding accuracy in all conditions. With an optimized frame shape, a glass fibre reinforced polyester hopper, stainless steel metering discs, and a unique Duracoat corrosion resistant paint, these VSspreaders last a lifetime. “The new VS series spreaders were previously branded as Vicon,” explained Scott Fraser of Island Tractor. “They are high quality, long lasting, dependable and made with high quality components. There are other spreaders out there, but this one has a gear box which lasts much longer than the less expensive knockoffs. These VS spreaders can be used for such a wide variety of applications: sand, salt, fertilizer, lime, anything granular that needs accuracy when being spread. To make life easier, you can get different accessories to make it work specifically ADVERTISEMENT

with that product. You can change it to spread to the left or right, and adjust the width and you can easily control the application rate.” You may think this product is too good to be true; however, those who own one and those in the know all say the same thing. No one has made anything better in the last 40 years, as this product does everything it needs to and lasts forever. Rob Zandee of Gerard Tractors loves the VS series spreaders. “These spreaders have been used for about 40 years and are incredibly accurate. We usually sell them with a banding spout, so when the guys in the vineyards are going out you can be more accurate and focused, for example 45% in the two outer rows and 10% in a middle row.” According to Zandee, “These things are bullet proof – they are fantastic. There are vineyards out there that bought them decades ago and they still use the same one. They are one of the most impressive things out there for usability and longevity.” So there you have it – forget about the skinny jeans. 2015 is all about the skinny tractor and the VS spreaders. ■

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