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Apples up to the sky at Ward's Cider in Kelowna.

CONTENTS 4 Publisher's View – Lisa Olson 5 News & Events 8 T hrough the Grapevine – Roslyne Buchanan

Photo by Roslyne Buchanan

10 Calendar

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Catch up on wine industry events in 'Through the Grapevine'.

11 V ines and Apples Grow Side by Side at Canada West Tree Fruits 14 O pportunities Grow Along with Wine Industry 17 Orchard & Vine 2020 Tractor Survey 19 2020 Tractor Specs 23 Safety Tips – WorkSafe BC 24 Marketing Mix – Leeann Froese 26 The Word on Wine – Carie Jones

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Blueberries are a top BC export.

27 Seeds Of Growth – Glen Lucas 30 Canadian Winemaker Series: Taylor Whelan Cover photo by Bill Christensen of Take 2 Digital. Canada West Tree Fruits president Jennifer Turton-Molgat and her father Chris Turton pictured in their family orchard.

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 PUBLISHER’S VIEW | LISA OLSON

The Start of Your New Decade

H

Vol. 61, No 1 Pre Spring 2020

ow is the start of the year going for you so far? Did you head into January with a handful of ideas and new goals, or are you still working on finishing up some of last year’s plans?

Heading into the year are you full of excitement, or worried and concerned?

In this issue we bring you an inspiring and innovative article about the generational, apple-growing Turton family, and how Jennifer Turton-Molgat and her father Chris Turton grew their original apple farm to include award-winning wines and a successful cider brand. With determination, perseverance and a heartfelt story Jennifer achieved the success of getting their products on the shelves of the Loblaw’s chain of grocery stores. She wanted to get her cider on those shelves and figured out how to go in for the ‘yes’!

Publisher Lisa Olson Editor Gary Symons Photo by Kimberly Brooke Photography

Our day-to-day lives are constantly marked by unexpected concerns or pleasant surprises. You just never know crisis is around the next corner or what opportunity might come along. But even when you run into an obstacle you think could turn out badly, it often turns out to be a blessing in disguise. For example, a piece of broken down equipment, could compel you to buy new equipment improves your business. And, just when you think something can’t be done, you somehow find a way. Sometimes in life we keep getting ‘no’ for an answer, but with persistence things finally turn around and it’s a ‘yes’! Think of a determined child constantly asking for what they want, (insert pestering here) and eventually they seem to get their ‘yes’.

Established in 1959

This issue we introduce upcoming journalist Erin Symons, who I have watched grow up alongside my children for 16 years and who is also the daughter of O&V Editor/writer Gary Symons and Graphic Designer Stephanie Symons. Erin has written an interesting article in this issue about the thoughts and perspectives of young female viticulturist Lisa Janzen from Spearhead Winery, who took her career into the management of a vineyard, explains what it’s like to be a female Vineyard Manager, and how she is been recognized as a key player in the making of wine by winemaker Grant Stanley.

It’s a new decade with more room for saying yes to new opportunities. Best wishes for an award-winning season!

Enjoy the magazine.

Graphic Design Stephanie Symons Contributors Roslyne Buchanan, Leeann Froese, Carie Jones, Kimberly Brooke Photography, Glen Lucas, Erin Symons, Gary Symons Advertise lisa@orchardandvine.net Phone: 778-754-7078 Orchard & Vine Magazine Ltd. 22-2475 Dobbin Road Suite #578 West Kelowna, BC V4T 2E9 www.orchardandvine.net Phone: 778-754-7078 Fax: 1-866-433-3349 Orchard & Vine Magazine is published six times a year and distributed by addressed mail to growers, suppliers and wineries in BC and across Canada.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40838008 Undeliverable copies should be sent to: 22-2475 Dobbin Road Suite #578

Providing Canadian Grapevine Solutions BRITISH COLUMBIA Nathan Phillips p. 250-809-6040 bcsales@vinetech.ca 4

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î Ž PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

BC Blueberries Lead in BC Food and Beverage Record Year The reports are in: BC food and beverage industries achieved a record year with $15 billion in revenue in 2018.

Annual revenue from BC farming, ranching, seafood, and processing industries contributed to an all-time high of $15 billion, according to BC government figures.

BC also marked a new record of $4.5 billion in exports, an increase of 10 percent over 2017. Local producers exported $3.1 billion worth of farm and food products and $1.4 billion worth of seafood to almost 150 international markets.

Photo contributed

Among the top exports that were farmed Atlantic salmon ($541 million), food preparations for processing and natural health products ($361 million), blueberries ($230 million), and baked goods ($230 million).

BC-grown blueberries see success in the export market thanks to the abundant year-round supply. Whether people are looking for BC blueberries for use in a commercial kitchen, berries in retail quantities, or blueberries ready for export, the group of BC blueberry packer/ processors can fulfill fresh or processed blueberry needs.

of grades and wholesale quantities, including: fresh, case frozen, bulk frozen, and individually quick frozen (size grading possible from small to large blueberries), jam stock, puree and concentrates (to be used as ingredients in other valueadded products).

Packer/Processors in BC adhere to stringent standards of food safety and quality ensuring premium products for customers. Hand-picked and machine harvested BC blueberries are available in a variety

Wholesale quantities of dried blueberries are available as either puffed whole blueberries, or sugar infused blueberries, with infusion levels tailored to meet specific buyers’ requirements.

Whatever the buyer's needs are, the BC blueberry packer/processors are dedicated to supplying the best that BC has to offer.

By choosing to use British Columbia blueberries, buyers are supporting Western Canadian farmers, as well as adding significant health benefits to their menu or product. They have also become the number one selling berry in the province in both domestic and foreign markets.

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 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

iCertify to Launch in Early 2020 The Certified Organic Associations of BC is launching iCertify, a new online organic certification system in early 2020.

This user-friendly, secure online system will streamline the organic certification process, making it easier to apply for a new certification or submit a renewal. iCertify will assist with much of the administrative workload involved with tracking and reviewing information for organic management verification. It will also introduce some key efficiencies through new features and premade records that will save time for everyone including operators, administrators, inspectors and certification committee members.

Stay tuned for more information, including training opportunities and resources in early 2020. Don’t miss any important updates! Bookmark the iCertify webpage and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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LAKE COUNTRY SW Panoramic Wood and Kalamalka lake views from this 9.3 acre orchard estate property. Productive high & medium density apple orchard, 24’2x50’ 3 bay. Enjoy low taxes with farm status. Lovely rural country setting just 10 mins to Lake Country’s many amenities. MLS® $1,395,000

LAKE COUNTRY SW Monte Carlo Farms, a quiet and serene 4.53 acre turn-key hobby farm with charming 3/4 bedroom 2790 sf family home, in-ground solar heated pool and triple detached garage. You won’t find another property like it!

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CAWSTON 25 acres freehold organic orchard & primarily class 1 vineyard land in Cawston. Spacious 3300 sf (approx) home, bunk house, original farm house, packing shed, greenhouse & fencing for horses. Two wells + gravity fed irrigation from 2 water licenses. MLS® $ 1,950,000

OLIVER 10 acres of peaches, prune plums and gala apples. Approx. 6 acres very well suited to vineyard. 380’ of highway frontage. 2 bay fruit stand w/3 piece bathroom and separate shop. Attached storage room w/ farm machinery storage below. 4 bdr home. High production well.

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KEREMEOS Superb value! 121.5 acre farm with stunning views of valley & mountains.

5 min north of Keremeos. Approx 50 to 60 acres arable, rated class 1, 2, & 3 in Grape Atlas. Water from multiple wells. Two homes on the property: 4 bdr/ 3 bath 2230 sq ft rancher plus 14 x 52 manufactured home. 30x60 shop and 36x48 barn with tack room. MLS® $1,899,000

LAKE COUNTRY SW Established fruit stand & almost 10 acres of irrigated orchard land strategically situated between Shanks Road & Highway 97 in Lake Country. Mixed mature & older orchard with cherries, peaches, nectarines, apples etc. Fourplex and farm house.

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LAKE COUNTRY Views of Wood & Kalamalka lakes!

9.25 acre modern apple orchard. Wellmaintained, freshly reno’d 2 suite home, affordable taxes, desirable location. Close to beaches, parks, rail trail, elementary school & corner store. 20 min from Airport & UBC-O. Oversize single garage/workshop.

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 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

BC Beverage Technology Access Centre British Columbia’s wine, beer, cider, and spirits industries have a new source of support, courtesy of an initiative by Okanagan College and funding from the federal government.

Canada’s Minister of Science and Sport, the Hon. Kirsty Duncan, announced federal funding for 12 technology access centres on Thursday at Georgian College in Barrie, Ontario. Okanagan College’s proposed BC Beverage Technology Access Centre (BCBTAC) is among them.

With $1.75 million in federal funding

over five years, it will be headquartered at the College’s Penticton campus and will be providing testing, business services and applied research assistance to the wine, beer, cider and spirits industries in the region and throughout the province.

college expertise and personnel to assist all these growing industries. The industry support for the proposal we developed has been phenomenal and the input that organizations, businesses and individuals provided was invaluable.”

“This is very exciting for the industries and for Okanagan College,” notes OC President Jim Hamilton. “We have developed a significant track record of training and support for the wine industry over the past quarter century and have been focused on how we could leverage

“From the perspective of a co-owner of a small winery, I know the BCBTAC will be a valuable asset in the development of the industries it is setting out to serve,” says Daniel Bibby, co-owner of Nighthawk Vineyards.

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 THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE | ROSLYNE BUCHANAN Canada’s Great Kitchen Party The Canadian Culinary Championships was renamed Canada’s Great Kitchen Party and the national competition has been relocated from Kelowna to Ottawa, February 2020. In its place, Kelowna hosted its inaugural qualifier event to send a talented local chef to the nationals.

For 50th Parallel Estate Winery it proved a triumphant evening as Block One’s Chef Kai Koroll won the Judges’ Gold and the People’s Choice Award in the culinary competition with a dish paired with 50th Parallel 2017 Chardonnay. As well, Winemaker Matt Fortuna’s Parallel 50th 2016 Pinot Noir was the Best of Show Wine Winner.

Competitors also included Chef Brock Bowes of CrAsian Food Concepts; Chef James Holmes, of Salt & Brick; Chef Jeff Van Geest with Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek; and Chef Rob Walker from Big White Ski Resort. Kelowna sets a high bar, noted National Head Judge James Chatto on jameschatto.com: “From a

Photos by Roslyne Buchanan

For her dish paired with Indigenous World’s 2018 La’p Cheet, Chef Andrea Callan of the Red Fox Club took the Silver Medal.

The Bronze was awarded to RauDZ Regional Table Chef Chris Braun, who paired his dish with Checkmate Winery’s 2014 Black Rock Merlot.

Kelowna hosted a qualifier for Canada's Great Kitchen Party, celebrating excellence in food, music and sport.

food perspective, it was the most challenging decision of the entire KP campaign, with a good hour of deliberation required to separate the gold and silver winners.”

Quails’ Gate Winery’s 30th Anniversary Celebrations The 30th Anniversary of Quails’ Gate Winery’s opening in West Kelowna in 1989 was marked with a Gala Celebration amid festive lighting. The evening featured small lot and library wines, multiple grazing stations prepared by Old Vines Restaurant and live music from chart topper Andrew Allen.

In addition to the many special and library vintages, Quails’ Gate provided guests an opportunity to taste some of its California winery selections. Proprietor Ben Stewart and other family members were on hand to mingle with guests and Winemaker Ross Baker addressed current approaches and the legacy of winemaking at Quails’ Gate.

Quail's Gate Winery celebrated 30 years.

The Westside property has been family farmed since 1956 and

Wineries, Distilleries and Cideries Ingredients, Supplies and Equipment Visit our fully stocked 10,000 sq.ft.warehouse or shop online

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Franc 2016. Alysha led us through each one pouring it in various glasses before demonstrating the Riedel glass designed specifically for the varietal. For some selections, she had us try the wine with and without a dark or white chocolate. Along with our heightened awareness, each participant got to take home a complimentary Riedel tasting set featuring glasses from the Performance collection.

family members have farmed in the Okanagan Valley since 1908. They continue to expand with new wineries in California’s Lake Sonoma and Valley of the Moon, and the original 81-hectare Stewart Brothers Nursery property has been purchased from other family members, and will now be planted in grape vineyards.

Riedel Tasting at Great Estates Okanagan

Watch for repeats of the Riedel Tasting on the Events tab of greatestatesokanagan.com

Unique tastings are being offered at the Great Estates Okanagan Wine Experience Centre in Penticton. Riedel Crystal Canadian manager Alysha Harker led us through a fascinating and fun tasting that highlighted the impact the glass plays in our experience of wine.

RIP Maria Ferreira Wine lovers in BC are mourning the sudden passing on December 19 of Maria Ferreira, co-founder Quinta Ferreira Estate Winery. She was a member of the Oliver Chamber of Commerce and was on the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association board. Truly entrenched in all aspects of the winery and community, she will be dearly missed.

We explored four examples of Great Estates Okanagan wines including Jackson-Triggs Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Inniskillin Dark Horse Vineyard Chardonnay 2016, Nk’Mip Cellars Qwam Qwmt Pinot Noir 2017 and Darkhorse Vineyard Cabernet

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 PRE SPRING | CALENDAR

International Fruit Tree Association February 9 -12, 2020 Grand Rapids, Michigan www.ifruittree.org BC Fruit Growers’ Association Annual Convention February 11-12, 2020 Coast Capri Hotel Kelowna, BC info@bcfga.com Oregon Wine Symposium February 11 -12, 2020 Portland, Oregon www.oregonwinesymposium.com

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Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention February 19 - 20, 2020 Niagara Falls, ON www.ofvc.ca BC Horticulture Symposium February 22, 2020 Trinity Baptist Church Kelowna, BC ponofrechuk@bctree.com Certified Organic Association of BC COABC Conference February 28 – March 1, 2020 Richmond, BC www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers AGM & Trade Show March 2- 5, 2020 Kennewick, WA, USA www.wawinegrowers.org BC Cherry Growers AGM Research and Markets Update March 3, 2020 Ramada Hotel, Kelowna, BC admin@bccherry.com

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Vines & Apples Grow Side by Side at Canada West Tree Fruits

By Gary Symons Many people in the Okanagan Valley know The View winery for its award-winning wines, its innovative wine in a can called Bling and its iconic red shoe branding. But did you know that the View also produces Wards Cider, one of the region’s top premier brands of cider?

President Jennifer Turton-Molgat and her father Chris Turton named Wards Cider after Turton’s grandfather George Ward, who settled their family orchard in the early 1900’s, and later built the vintage apple packing house that is now home to The View Winery and Wards Cider.

The tree itself is, indeed, a bit of a magic act. The trunk is completely hollowed out so you can see right through it, with only the exterior of the trunk on two sides holding it up, and yet the tree is bearing a massive load of apples. Despite being almost completely eroded, it thrives and prospers, as does the family that has tended this land for over a century.

Although the farm started as a tree fruit orchard, the family has had to innovate with the times in order to make their land viable. Fortunately, each generation of the family from George to his grandson Chris Turton and his great granddaughter Jennifer have had that spark of innovation.

In fact, the family farm, incorporated as Canada West Tree Fruits in the early 1970s, was among the early adopters in

Photo by Bill Christensen of Take 2 Digital.

The View and Wards Cider tasting room and cellar are located on Ward Road in South East Kelowna. The road itself is named for the Wards, who were among the largest landowners and apple producers in the area. We had the pleasure to tour the property with Jennifer just before harvest and she took us into their old growth orchard to show us her favourite, century-old apple tree. As we stroll through the orchard rows, she shares with us fond memories of growing up on the farm. “It was a great childhood growing up here. My siblings and cousins and I had good old-fashioned wholesome fun riding our horses and bikes all around the orchard roads. Right up here is my favourite tree; it’s probably one of the first trees planted, and it’s truly magical.”

Jennifer Turton-Molgat and her father Chris Turton.

BC’s revitalized wine industry. “Howard Soon (a renowned winemaker, lately of Sandhill Estate Winery and Vanessa Vineyard) worked with my dad on planting cool climate white varieties for Calona wines in the 1990’s,” TurtonMolgat recalls. “They planted Ehrenfelser, Gewurtztraminer and Optima. At the same time my dad planted Pinotage which was unique in our valley but has turned out to be really suitable for our terroir. We also grow Baco Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.”

Today the vines and apples grow side by

side and the wine and cider brands are closely aligned, with both being crafted and marketed by the same team. Towering over the vintage apple packinghouse are massive tanks that hold premium apple cider from the company’s bulk cider division which provides product to other breweries and cideries throughout BC and Alberta.

“I have so much gratitude for my father, Chris Turton, who was the visionary behind producing apple cider and growing grapes on our property,” says TurtonMolgat.

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In the wine industry we have worked together… Now we're seeing the same thing in the cider business; it’s really important for us to band together, to educate the consumer, and to create a sense of place and history.

Jennifer Turton-Molgat His foresight, and enterprising, entrepreneurial spirit paved the way for us to become a successful land-based winery and the largest cider producer in Western Canada.”

Jennifer recalls when they were starting The View, “One of the challenges was to find a winemaker who was passionate about both wine and cider,” she says. “Some of the winemakers were a bit snobby about it, to be honest. Cider wasn’t popular in the early 2000’s and there weren’t many quality cideries around.” Today, cider has grown in popularity and there are several quality ciders being produced.

The winery and cidery, driven by hard work, Jennifer’s reluctance to take ‘No’ for an answer, and some well-timed innovation, has been tremendously successful.

“We have done very well with distribution,” Turton-Molgat says. “We sell some

of our products through the BCLDB (BC Liquor Distribution Branch) stores, but most sells through private stores, restaurants, and grocery stores.”

“Getting onto grocery store shelves has been a huge help for us,” she adds. “We first developed a relationship with Overwaitea Food Group and they have been hugely supportive of our products. I was told by a few people in the industry that we were too small for Loblaw’s Inc. But I found out who the head buyer was and reached out to him directly with our product portfolio and our family’s story. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t hear back, but I actually heard from him right away. It turns out the head buyer is also from a multi-generational farming family and my story resonated with him. He was genuinely interested in what we had to offer and now we are on the shelves of all Loblaws stores throughout BC,” Jennifer says with a big smile.

The View that inspired the winery name can be seen from the

“Leaders of big companies are people too, and they like a good product and a good story just like anyone else.”

In a rapidly growing and fiercely competitive wine market, Turton-Molgat felt the need to innovate and offer something different from her competitors. After a great deal of trial and error, the team at the View was able to develop a new process for making and packaging wines in cans. which now sell widely in BC under the brand name ‘Bling’.

Photos by Gary Symons

“That was not easy!” Turton-Molgat says.

“As it turns out, packaging wines in cans is quite challenging. Issues related to shelf life were quite difficult and required us to develop our own unique process.” In the end, it has worked out very well and, between Wards Cider production runs, Pink Bling and White Bling continue to roll off their in-house canning line in stylish, 355ml leopard skin print cans.

The view of the vintage packinghouse turned tasting room on Ward Road.

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Three of their ciders are also marketed in

It is made from a blend of traditional cider apples and Citra Hops, for a cider that is fruity but quite hoppy as well, with a malted spice finish.

Turton-Molgat says she is very excited about the growth of BC’s cider industry over the past decade, which she likens to the growth of the wine industry.

“Just like the wine industry we are more like a community than competitors,” Turton-Molgat says. “In the wine industry we have worked together to create a world-renowned wine destination here in BC, and that has added to everyone’s success.

“Now we’re seeing the same thing in the cider business; it’s really important for us to band together, to educate the consumer, and to create a sense of place and history.”

Turton-Molgat points to the great events held every spring during BC Cider Week and their own Wards Ciders and Sliders event they host every August, this past year featuring nine local cideries pouring for hundreds of happy cider consumers.

“We all work hard to produce a great product, and yeah, you could say we’re competitors, Turton-Molgat says. “But, I like to think that in a bigger way we are collaborators, and we are all working together to build a great new industry." ■ vineyards.

The Mimosa Cider is even more unique and is made by co-fermenting cider apples with Gewurztraminer grapes. Similarly, the Sangria Cider is a blend of cider specific apples, Pinot Noir and Pinotage grapes. All of their ciders are made with premium champagne yeast which allows for a slow, cool ferment. Wine lovers will love these well balanced, unique hybrids.

For beer lovers, Dry Hopped Cider is a refreshing, gluten free alternative to beer.

Photo contributed

355ml cans while the rest of the portfolio are packaged in 650ml bomber bottles, perfect for sharing. All Wards ciders are produced from estate grown, handpicked, traditional cider apples such as Belle de Boskoop, Bulmers Norman and Bramley. Turton-Molgat’s love of shaking things up is seen in a few notable products. They include the World Cider Championship winner, Picker’s Hut Winter Spice, which tastes like apple pie and can be enjoyed crisp and cold, or warmed up for a cold winter’s night.

You can see right through the hollow tree but it still bears fruit.

Cidermaker Kristy French with her favourite fruit.

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Opportunities Grow Along with the BC The wine industry is hiring and there are new opportunities for talented professionals. What does it take to get a job in BC's wine industry? In this issue we talk to Lisa Janzen, the vineyard manager at the award-winning Spearhead Winery.

By Erin Symons Vineyard work is difficult and highly specialized, and plays an essential role in the wine production process. However, it is an aspect of the craft which often receives significantly less attention than the industry’s other branches.

Just ask Lisa Janzen, a young and talented professional working on the vineyard side of the Okanagan wine industry.

Janzen is the vineyard manager at Spearhead Winery in East Kelowna, where she oversees the growth and production of grapes used in the winemaking process.

Her work is physically demanding and highly varied, ranging from administrative tasks to hands-on work in the field and public relations at professional industry conferences. It is a highly specialized role which represents an essential element of quality wine production. On top of meeting the physical demands of the harvest, a vineyard manager must be well-versed in the science of viticulture, which means having an extensive knowledge of different grape varietals and the unique ways in which they respond to fluctuating weather conditions in the Okanagan. For Janzen, it is this scientific element of her work in the vineyard which most inspires her passion for the craft.

“I love working with the vines. I’ve always loved working with plants, shaping them and seeing what they’re doing and how different areas respond to different conditions,” she remarks. “I do love the

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Photos by Gary Symons

“We’re not seen as much as the rest of the industry, yet there’s a huge amount of science and a huge amount of physical work that goes into it, and the people in the industry doing it well are incredibly passionate and work really hard – it’s not an easy job,” she explains.

Lisa Janzen, Vineyard Manager started in the Viticulture Technology Program at Okanagan College.

science of viticulture – I also love making wine and I love the technicality that goes into a wine and learning about it.”

Janzen has been honing this passion for wine and food from an early age, which she attributes to her family’s history in the industry. Janzen began her career in food and wine in the service industry, working with her father David Janzen at The Harvest as a server and bartender.

Entering the restaurant industry brought her into close contact with chefs and wine producers, whose expertise she absorbed

and channeled into her passion for the craft of food and wine. She went on to work at Waterfront wines followed by a restaurant in Vancouver, all the time developing her knowledge of the industry.

But while working in service, Janzen suffered a major setback when she injured her knee, an event which almost ended her career in food and wine.

“I started working in an office and tried to accept that that was what I had to do from now on,” Janzen recalls.

Wine Industry Janzen soon became restless in the office environment, and her passion for food and wine ultimately overcame her hesitation at working a physical job with her injury. She applied for the Viticulture Technology Program at Okanagan College in Penticton, and after a year of training in the science of wine, she began her practicum working in the vineyard at Spearhead Winery in 2013. Janzen quickly proved to be driven and skilled in the vineyard, and over the following years she took on increasing responsibilities, ultimately becoming vineyard manager in 2018 just five years after beginning her career in viticulture.

Though still a small winery, Spearhead has grown substantially since Janzen began her work in the vineyard, and she has played an important role in shaping the development of the vineyard and its wine production.

“I feel that the business and I have had matching growth and ambitions, so every time I feel myself getting a bit bored, it grows with me,” Janzen says. “I started at Spearhead when it was quite a bit smaller, and since then we’ve planted the whole other half of the vineyard.”

Spearhead Winery is particularly known for its Pinot Noirs, a distinction which

Spearhead Winery tasting room.

may be traced back to the company’s winemaker, Grant Stanley, who has a passion for the varietal that stems from his training as a winemaker in New Zealand.

Pinot Noir is a notoriously challenging wine to produce, and Janzen notes that this is one element of her work at Spearhead that keeps her job interesting.

that you never really get bored of it. It can be temperamental, it molds easily and it challenges you,” she explains. “You have to be a good grower so every year there’s something I look to improve. It shows me my flaws, so I’m always able to grow more with it. You’re never complacent with Pinot.”

“There’s so much to the Pinot varietal

While the winery is famous for its Pinots, it was Spearhead’s 2018 Riesling which won the award for Wine of the Year in 2019.

Riesling is Janzen’s favorite varietal, and she is very proud of Spearhead’s awardwinning wine, which is a high-acidity Riesling that has slightly more residual sugar than what would typically come out of a cold-climate property such as Spearhead. With its acidity spike and residual sweetness, the 2018 Riesling is a balanced and complex wine that Janzen says the winery will continue to experiment with in the coming season.

This Wine of the Year award appears as only one of a number of markers of the significant success and growth Spearhead has enjoyed in the years since Janzen first began her work in the vineyard, success which she attributes to the calibre of the winery’s team.

Harvesting grapes at Spearhead Winery.

Pre Spring 2020

15

The industry as a whole could work towards recognizing that there are three parts to the wine industry and we all need each other.

Lisa Janzen “Everyone from top to bottom understands that the top thing is quality wine,” she says. “They appreciate how much work we do in the vineyard and that it’s not about pomp and circumstance, it’s about putting out a really good quality wine and having fun doing it.”

For Janzen, an important element of her team’s dynamic at Spearhead is the recognition she and her crew receive for the work they do in the vineyard, which is often overlooked by those in the industry. Stanley is known for recognizing his vineyard workers and growers whenever he has won awards for his wines.

The picnic area and vines at Spearhead Winery in Kelowna.

“We do a ton of work, we spend a lot of time with our fruit but no one is as interested in talking about the work we do; we’re kind of just seen as the dirty farmers on the side,” she observes.

“I think the industry as a whole could work towards recognizing that there are three parts to the wine industry and we all need each other. Grant and my company are great at recognizing that, which is another reason I love working there.”

“The Okanagan is an amazing region, Pinot grows well here, which is rare, Chardonnay does well here, big beautiful historic varietals do amazing here and there are a lot of passionate people who want to put our stamp on those varietals, so it’s cool to be part of an industry that is working to create a legacy.

It makes you feel like you are part of something much bigger.”

Photos by Gary Symons

Janzen plans to continue her work as vineyard manager at Spearhead in the coming season, and further develop on her knowledge as a grower in the Okanagan region. It seems certain that we can expect to see more great things coming out of the winery as they continue to develop their property and their craft in Okanagan winemaking. ■ The Spearhead team at work during the harvest.

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The Tractor Survey – Orchard & Vine Readers Talk Tractors Safety Tips

There’s only one thing on the farm that rivals your human assets in terms of importance, and that is the tractor.

 Conduct a pre shift inspection  Use a Roll Over Protective System (ROPS) and seat belt

From tilling the soil, to hauling your sprayer, to moving equipment, to harvesting your crops, the ubiquitous tractor is by far the most important investment most farmers will ever make into the equipment for their business.

 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

And these days, the decision on which tractor to buy becomes both more attractive and more difficult than ever, as advancements in technology now offer an almost bewildering array of options and priorities.

Safety improvements are another major area of improvement for manufacturers, and for good reason. Rollovers and other tractor-related accidents remain one of the major contributors to workplace accidents in agriculture, and for this reason safety improvements such as automatic obstacle detection or anti-rollover features are driving fundamental change in design.

Photo courtesy of TOTA

In recent years tractor manufacturers have developed environmentally sustainable engines, such as this year’s New Holland methane-powered model that won Sustainable Tractor of the Year at Agritechnica. Many companies are also diving into the area of automation, right up to fully automated ‘robotic’ tractors that can be programmed to work with no driver on board.

 No extra riders on tractor, bucket, or forks

According to our survey results a large percentage of farmers in our reading area are actively looking for new tractors this year, and more than half are shopping around for new implements to attach to their tractors.

And that’s why, every year, we dedicate one issue to the topic of tractors, providing information and specifications on a wide range of the best tractor brands designed for orchardists and vineyards. If you are looking for a tractor now or in the new future, we hope this issue will help clarify your decisions.

 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 and Roll Over Protective System on public roads  Ensure loads are properly secured  Disengage PTO, turn off tractor and set brake before leaving tractor seat  Read and observe the safety recommendations and precautions found in the owners manual

24% SAY YES

How many tractors do you operate now?

THEY NEED A NEW TRACTOR

1-2

When buying a tractor do you prefer to buy new or used?

3-4

BOTH 5-9

25%

NEW 46%

USED 29%

10+

Pre Spring 2020

17

The Tractor Survey – Orchard & Vine Readers Talk Tractors Continued

54% SAY YES

How many acres do you farm?

TO WANTING A NEW IMPLEMENT If you were to purchase new implement?

What's on your wish list?  Sprayer

 Vineyard Mower

 Spreader

M ulti Use Tool Bar Over The Row

 Leaf Remover  Deleafer Under Row Mower  Shredder  Mower  Hedgerow Trimmer For Summer Pruning  PTO Driven Snow Blower

 Bucket  Plough

10 ACRES + UNDER

24%

11-25 ACRES

31%

26-99 ACRES

27%

100 - 500 ACRES 13%

 Bin Trailer  Picking Machine  Pruning Sweeper  Grape Hoe

 Mulcher

Our respondents farm from 5 to 500 acres 500 ACRES

400 ACRES

What else are you planning for 2020?  Plan to pull out some whites and plant new reds in place. New drip irrigation, new hires, maybe buy a good used vineyard tractor with bucket, hedger, new wine tanks, building renos, the list goes on...  We are planning the expansion of our current winery.

Inter planting an old block. Planting a new vineyard.

300 ACRES

200 ACRES

 Planting strawberries. Adding more berries and trees and a processing plant.  Adding a processing area, new irrigation and new plantings.

100 ACRES

 Training new workers.  Shifting to organic production.

0 ACRES

RELIABLE MACHINES, FROM A RELIABLE TEAM. GIVE YOURSELF T H E

AVENUE

www.avenuemachinery.ca 18 Pre Spring 2020

TRACTOR

SPECS

2020

Manufacturer

Antonio Carraro

Antonio Carraro

Case IH Farmall N

Deutz Fahr

Model

SR 7600 Infinity

Mach 4

Farmall 80N

5080DS

Engine Hp

75 Hp

75 Hp

76 Hp

75 Hp

PTO Hp

PTO 540/540E rpm

540/540E rpm

62 Hp

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

60 litres

50 litres

72 litres

14 gallons

Transmission

16 x 16 Manual Shuttle

16+16 Synchronized Reverser

16 x 16 Power or Mech.Shuttle

30+15 or 45+45

Steering

Hydraulic Steering with 2 Pistons Hydraulic Power Hydrostatic

Hydrostatic

Brakes

Hydr Brakes in oil bath

Hydr Brakes in oil bath

Wet Disc

4 wheel Brake Disc

Wheelbase

1530 mm / 60.2"

59.2"

96"

80"

Minimum Width

1325 mm / 52.1"

51.5"

53.5"

49"

Weight

2135 Kgs. / 4706 lbs.

3200 Kgs/7054 lbs.

5886 lbs.

5926-6657 lbs.

Driving Wheels

4 x 4

Tracks

380/70R24

4WD

Website

www.antoniocarraro.it/en/ www.antoniocarraro.it/en/ www.caseih.com

Fuel – Lubes – Bulk DEF – On-Site Refueling

Wine making isn’t just an art.

It’s also a complex chemical process and in today’s modern wineries, compressed gases play an increasingly important role in many aspects of bottled wine.

• Southern BC Interior • Ask us about our environmentally friendly line of hydraulic oils ENVIRON! • Inherently biodegradable, free of heavy metals, non-toxic and recyclable, a great solution for any environmentally sensitive area.

To find out how Praxair can help make this year a good one contact us at 1-800-225-8247

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www.deutz-fahr.com

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Pre Spring 2020

19

TRACTOR

SPECS

2020

Manufacturer

John Deere

John Deere

Kioti

Model

5GN

5GV

CK2510 M5N-091

Engine Hp

75,90,100 Hp 75,90 Hp

24.5 Hp

95/108 Hp

PTO Hp

70-95 Hp

70-85 Hp

19 Hp

78/91 Hp

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

19.3-22.7 gal.

19.3-22.7 gal.

6.6 gal.

20.1 gal.

Transmission

24F/12R PowrReverser 24F/12R PowrReverser

Manual/Hydrostatic

Electro-Hydraulic Shuttle 12X12

Steering

Hydrostatic

Hydrostatic

Power Steering

Hydrostatic Power

Brakes

Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Hydraulic Wet Disc

Wheelbase

82.6"

82.6”

59.8"

Power Crawler tires

Minimum Width

49.5”"

39"

49.2"

48”

Weight

5567-6559 lbs.

5379-6052 lbs.

2260 lbs.

7275 lbs.

2WD or MFWD

4WD

4WD

Driving Wheels MFWD Website

www.deere.com www.deere.com www.kioti.com www.kubota.ca

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Kubota

TRACTOR

SPECS

2020

Manufacturer

Kubota

Kubota

Kubota

Mahindra

Model

M4N-071

MX5200

M5L-111

1626

Engine Hp

72.6 Hp

54.7 Hp

100 Hp

25.6 Hp

PTO Hp

61 Hp

45.7 Hp

89 Hp

19 Hp

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

20.1 gal.

13.5 gal.

24.3 gal.

7.1 gal.

Transmission

Electro-Hydraulic Shuttle 12X12 8F/8R Hydraulic Shuttle

Electro-Hydraulic Shuttle 12X12

Synchronized Shuttle

Steering

Hydrostatic Power

Hydrostatic Power

Hydrostatic Power

Hydrostatic Power

Brakes

Hydraulic Wet Disc

Mechanical Wet Disc

Hydraulic Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Wheelbase 83.9"

74.6”

83.9"

Minimum Width

48.0”

69.7”

66.3" (Rops Folded)

63"

Weight

5291 lbs.

3474/3716 lbs.

5909 lbs.

2437 to 2459 lbs.

Driving Wheels

4WD

2WD/4WD selectable

4WD

4x4 MFWD 4WD

Website

www.kubota ca

www.kubota.ca

www.kubota.ca

mahindracanada.ca

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TRACTOR

SPECS

2020

Manufacturer

Mahindra

Massey Ferguson

Massey Ferguson

New Holland

Model

2545 Shuttle Cab

1739E

MF1760M

T4F

Engine Hp

44 Hp

38.5 Hp

59.9 Hp

74/106 Hp

PTO Hp

28 Hp

32.7 Shuttle/30.8 HST

46.1 Shuttle/44.4 HST

65/93 Hp

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

9 gal.

8.326 gal.

11.6 gal.

25 gal.

Transmission

Sync, Shuttle W/Part Synchro.

9.3 mech. shift or 3 r. HST

12F X 12R pwr shut. or 3 r. HST

16 X 16

Steering

Hydrostatic/Tiltable

Hydrostatic

Hydrostatic

Supersteer FWD Axle

Brakes

Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Wheelbase

65.9"

77.2"

96”

Minimum Width

63.2"

52.4"

65.4”

61.7”

Weight

3506 lbs.

2756 lbs.

4,178/4608 lbs.

6243/6614 lbs.

Driving Wheels

2WD/4WD

4WD ag, turf or industrial

4WD ag, turf, industrial or snow

2WD/4WD Ag or Industrial

Website

mahindracanada.ca

www.masseyferguson.us

www.masseyferguson.us

www.newholland.com

Millcreek Row Mulchers

• Eight sizes from 2.1-10.8 cu.yds • Single or twin row side delivery • Tractor hydaulic or PTO driven models • Machine Widths down to 48”

68 years in business ~ 1952-2020 Rob Snyder Eastern Farm Machinery Ltd. RR3, 10 Nicholas Beaver Rd. Puslinch,ON., Canada, N0B 2J0 Phone 519.763.2400

www.easternfarmmachinery.com 22 Pre Spring 2020

 SAFETY TIPS | WORKSAFE BC

Safety Procedures For Working Around Tractors • When driving, make turns on level ground whenever possible and avoid soft shoulders

T

ractors are one of the most useful and dangerous pieces of farm equipment. When working with tractors, it is crucial for operators to follow safety procedures to minimize serious injuries or even fatalities.

• When getting off the machine, disengage the PTO, turn off the tractor, and ensure the parking brake is on and operating effectively before you dismount

• When operating a tractor with a front-end loader, keep the bucket low when travelling and turning – never get off the tractor seat with the bucket raised Find resources and safety videos at worksafebc.com/agriculture

Proper education, training, and supervision is essential Seasonal and new workers are particularly vulnerable and at higher risk of injury when operating tractors and other hazardous equipment. If you’re an employer, you’re responsible for making sure your workers understand the hazards of their job and have been trained on how to operate tractors and other equipment safely.

Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seat belts save lives

Follow these safety procedures when operating a tractor or other equipment • Assess the work and ensure you are using the right piece of equipment for the job • Read and make sure you understand the operator’s manual • Check to ensure the tractor is in good working condition before you operate it • Always make sure all PTO shields and guards are in place and are in good condition • Ensure the rollover protective structure (ROPS) is up, and always wear your seatbelt • Ensure the tractor brakes are in good condition, working well in both directions (forward and reverse), and are properly locked for higher speeds • Always drive at a safe speed and be familiar with the terrain slopes and conditions • Always review the conditions of your work area for irregularities such as holes or other obstacles

We’re working with you to make sure all farmers go home safe.

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

• Ensure all loads are properly secured, including large bales, and any objects being raised are at the level of the operator

Pre Spring 2020

23

 MARKETING MIX | LEEANN FROESE

Avoid These Common Marketing Mistakes point of sale (POS) materials, don’t make these 10 mistakes:

Y

our strategic marketing plan defines goals and determines which marketing tactics you will employ to reach your customers, including content marketing, SEO, email marketing, social media, advertising, and offline marketing including events and printed materials.

The implementation of your marketing plan should be rolling out as the snow melts, but if you are just getting started on your promotional and

1. Starting at the Beginning.

It sounds counterintuitive, but when it comes to your marketing materials, you need to begin at the end; as in you need to consider how the piece is going to be used and who is viewing it. Start with the end user and then work backwards from there to create a piece that’s the most effective in getting your message out.

2. Trying to Make One Piece Do All the Work. While all marketing materials basically try to share the same twofold goal, which is to create awareness and drive action at the same time, point-ofsale materials are not a onesize-fits-all item. You need to create different pieces for

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different occasions and those pieces may include rack cards, signage, tasting notes, brochures, and event posters.

3. Your Brand Is All Over the Place. Start with having a brand guide. Know your logo and the ways it is used to keep it strong no matter its application, as well as what the complementary fonts and colours are.

4. Your Photography Sucks.

A compelling photo will capture the imagination of the reader, draw them in, and inspire them. Cluttered photos in low resolution, with bad backgrounds or not in focus don’t do this. Photos need to be high resolution and properly lit. Also, in your photography of people you should make sure there is diversity

with more people of different ages, shapes, ethnicities, abilities, and gender.

Be responsible. We’re not a fan of having anyone captured enjoying alcohol when they are boating, doing risky behavior, or posing somewhere that is dangerous.

Don’t be cliché. This is not meant to put anyone down, but the images shared in the world of wine with barrels, vineyards, or bins of grapes have been done to death.

5. You Hide Your Message. If it is a brochure or a rack card that sits on a shelf in a holder, you will need to think about where the logo & headline are placed so that it is visible and not hidden by the shelf.

6. No Focus to Your Ads. A common mistake is trying to

cram in too much information for the space available. Consider your call to action. Do you want people to visit or is it a clickto-buy?

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For print it comes back to strong photography, and then accompany with a short, concise message. For online ads you need to be even more concise, with a great shot, a few words, and a link. For Instagram and Facebook ads you’re not putting text onto a photo, as it’s all about the compelling photo and the caption that inspires action.

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7. You Print Way Too Much. Only print what you need. With digital printing, smaller runs are possible and affordable. This also allows flexibility to change your imagery and text more often to keep things fresh.

Van Wamel Perfect UniGrader Sorter/Sizer Apple, Pear and Round Fruit Sorter Up to 5 Sorting Modules, Including External and Internal Defects

8. You Cram Too Much on Other Stuff Too. Shelf talkers and neck tags tend to have a short shelf life and should include ‘buy me’ info or brief information that adds value and pulls the customer in. Many brands fall into the trap of trying to include too much information. Remember that the users are two feet away and the information needs to be easily read.

Grading solutions B.C. fruit producers have grown to trust, with 10 grading systems operating in B.C. in 2020!

Call: (604)855-8062 or Visit: www.fruittek.com

9. Your Signs are too Complicated. For signage, simple is better. If signage is too fancy it makes it hard to read (so save your curly cue fonts for other use). Particularly keep in mind that directional signage is a tool, so it needs to function well. Every sign does not need to have your logo. What is important is that signs are done in the same font family and colour as your brand. Avoid handwritten signs as doing this completely cheapens the look of your brand.

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10. Your Roll Up Banners are Ineffective. As you get ready to do the circuit of festivals and shows you need a rollup banner that provides a snapshot of your brand. But again, think about the end-user and where this will wind up. Will the banner be placed behind a table? If so, the bottom 2/3 might not be visible so the logo/message needs to be on top.

APPLE/PEAR/PEACH LINE: 2 Lane LYNX Grader/ Sizer with colour sorting cameras w/ 12 drops, 13 accumulation tables, grading belts, dry dumper, and wet plunge dumper.

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Also, did you know that you can recycle roll up banners by just changing out the banner part and keeping the hardware? This can save a bit of money and be eco-friendly.

With these 10 mistakes to avoid, I hope that you can get clear on your message. 2020 is going to be a great year to get your name out there! ■ Leeann Froese owns Town Hall Brands – a marketing and design agency that specializes in sports, beverage alcohol, food, and hospitality. See more at townhallbrands.com or on social media @townhallbrands.

Do you want to Subscribe?

Call: 778-754-7078 email: info@orchardandvine.net

www.orchardandvine.net

Pre Spring 2020

25

 THE WORD ON WINE | CARIE JONES

Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence in BC liance (BC VQA) and the BC Wine Institute (BCWI).

T

he Wines of British Columbia are raising a glass this year to toast 30 years of the British Columbia Vintners Quality Alliance (BC VQA) – the standard of excellence for BC wines worldwide – with a look back on history.

Our industry has a lot to celebrate today with BC VQA Wine dominating wine sales and winning over critics and consumers internationally.

Still, excellence was not always synonymous with BC wine. In the late 1980s, aside from a few industry pioneers, many of the grapes grown in BC were hybrids, and the focus was on quantity rather than quality. That all changed when a small group of visionary winemakers, grapegrowers and industry leaders came together to create the British Columbia Vintners Quality Al-

“Back then, BC wines were not well-received," says George Heiss, a founding member of the BCWI and creator of Grey Monk Estate Winery. "If the wine wasn’t French, no one was looking at it. We had to create a standard. If a wine region doesn’t have a quality standard it just can’t compete with the rest of the world,” Adding to that challenge was the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the United States, which prompted the removal of two-thirds of the 3,400 grape acreage, leaving just 1,134 acres of grapes in 1990, only half of which were estimated to be vinifera grapes.

"Many growers lost their vineyards," says Lanny Martiniuk, a founding member of the BCWI and creator of Stoneboat Vineyards. "We realized we had to do something that would help us produce better grapes and convince the public that we were producing better wine.

We (the BCWI founders) con-

sulted with the wineries and proposed to the government that the only way to make this happen was to become a premium wine region.”

This launched the subsequent planting of quality vinifera varieties which saw the beginning of the modern BC wine industry and creation of the BC VQA standard. The designation guaranteed consumers they were drinking wine made from 100% BC grown grapes.

Wine enthusiasts could now purchase BC wine with confidence, knowing they were buying a quality product.

Despite the challenges the industry was facing in the late 1980s, Martiniuk recalls vividly the positive impact it had on the community and the industry as a whole. “Everyone came together and said, ‘we have to work together, or we're all going to cease to exist.’ It gave me a far greater appreciation for the entire industry. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you work together.”

Christa-Lee McWatters is President & CEO of Encore Vineyards and daughter of the

late Harry McWatters, who was the founding Chair of the BCWI and a driving force in the British Columbia wine industry. She credits BC wine industry employees for their dedication to making the industry what it is today.

"My entire life and career have been in the BC wine industry," she says.

"I am so proud of and grateful to everyone who makes it happen.”

The BC wine industry has expanded to 282 licensed grape wineries today from just 19 in 1990. The number of BC vineyards has increased from 115 in 1990 to more than 929, and there are now more than 2,100 wines boasting the VQA designation.

To honour this milestone year, the Wines of British Columbia are bringing together the pioneers and innovators of the future. Special events, commemorative videos and campaigns are scheduled throughout the year inviting industry, trade and consumers to celebrate 30 years of BC VQA Wine. ■ Visit WineBC.com

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E & OE: Information is deemed correct but not guaranteed

 SEEDS OF GROWTH | GLEN LUCAS

A Challenging Year for Local Farmers

T

he year 2019 was a challenging one for many farmers. The turbulence of trade wars hurt grain growers in Canada directly, but the impact of a doubling of tariffs on US exports of apples and cherries to China had indirect impact on Canadian apple and cherry markets. This was compounded by rainy weather throughout the season, a sign of the more erratic weather due to climate change.

Another complexity is the disconnect between consumer prices and what growers receive. A large part of this is due to the massive consolidation of retailers. For some reason, retailers (and meat packers in, for example, the hog industry) do not adequately compensate producers of high-quality, high-consumer demand products. The result is, in many cases, producers under financial stress who can no longer afford to invest in the production of quality products. We need retailers who support quality. Costco seems to follow this approach, and it has resulted in tremendous growth while the tradition ‘grinders’ continue to see market share erode. We hope all retailers will wake up and realize that a fair price is an investment in the future. Essentially, retailers need to change their mindset, using new models of valuing our farm products.

lack of progress towards any significant program reforms leaves farmers without much-needed relief at this critical time, nor any certainty that assistance is on the way," the Canadian Federation of Agriculture said in a statement after the FederalProvincial-Territorial meeting.

it is embarrassing that Canada lags behind all developed countries in agriculture support, and it is a further discredit to the province of BC that it lags behind all Canadian provinces in agriculture program support. Since governments have not risen to the occasion, what can growers do?

Associations will continue to push hard to get appropriate government change, but

1. Seek out your MLA and MP - ask them to have coffee so that you can discuss

Superior Peat for your Orchard & Vineyard

Planting this Spring?

Superior Peat™ when used at planting: • Reduces the effect of replant disease • Increases your soils moisture content • Contains mycorrhizae • Balances high alkaline soils

Mulching this season?

Choose a peat or compost based blend: • Stimulate microbial activity to improve overall soil health • Add valuable nutrition aiding long term nutrient release • Increase your soils organic matter content • Reduce your irrigation requirements

The federal and provincial governments have not stepped up to the table during these times of turbulence. All relevant farm associations support an increase in the AgriStability ‘program margin’ support level from 70% to 85%. However, the December meeting of Federal and Provincial Ministers of Agriculture failed to make progress on improving AgriStability to turn around the declining enrolment in the program. “The continued

250-493-5410

For more information visit our website at: www.superiorpeat.com Email at: info@superiorpeat.com 1700 Carmi Ave, Penticton, BC V2A 8V5

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priority agricultural programs that need improvement - now not later.

Supplier to the Commercial Beverage Industry

2. Support your association to continue pressing the government for change.

3. Take action on your farm to increase (or at least buffer the decrease) in profitability:

CIDER MAKING

WINE MAKING

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BREWING

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For more info: E: sales@cellartek.com Ph: 1.877.460.9463

Supplier to the Commercial Beverage Industry

WINEMAKING

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4. Seek markets that pay for premium products. Since BC is not a low cost, mass producer of farm products, farms here must specialize to survive. This industry strategy has been in place for years, but our progress as an entire industry has not been as responsive to the farm-level challenges as it needs to be. ‘Good’ is not ‘good enough’ - we need to be excellent to survive and profit. Do the math on premium product - is the extra cost of producing a larger, redder apple or a large firm cherry worth it?

5. Become more efficient. There are some ways that you can save costs and improve your productivity. For example, enrol in the “Certificate of Recognition” (COR) Program. This program is under utilized - it works for smaller farms as well as larger, consolidated farms. COR provides a reduced WorkSafeBC premium when certain records, standards and training practices are implemented. The reason is that better safety systems are shown to reduce accidents and therefore rates will be reduced for anyone putting in place these systems. Contact your AgSafeBC ‘Regional Consultant’ for free assistance: http://agsafebc.ca/about/ our-team/, You could also make sure your crop protection products are properly timed and that sprayers are calibrated. A product applied at the incorrect time may be useless and therefore a waste of money.

Your money is important and it is up to you to get value for that money. Similarly, calibrating your sprayer will maximize effectiveness (benefit) while optimizing cost (and possibly save money by not over-applying products). Contact your horticultural advisor.

Prepare an Environmental Farm Plan with the free assistance of an EFP Plan Advisor. Once the plan is complete, you may apply for funding of your priorities - such applications must be submitted before a Spring deadline, and such funding applications are not guaranteed as funding is limited. Sometimes funding comes through in later years, especially

as farm associations seek more funding to be provided to such programs. If you have an EFP in place, it is valid for a 5 year period. Contact ARDCORP at 1-866522-3447.

One way to add value is to focus on things that you can do or invest in that will improve returns. During times of financial stress, many of the best growers will re-double their horticultural efforts to achieve the best quality product and the best yields. Your horticultural advisor will play a key role in tuning up horticultural practices, while economizing on crop inputs. Do you or your Horticultural Advisory make use of two important on-line tools: the Tree Fruit Production Guide (www.bctfpg.ca) and the Decision Aid System by the Sterile Insect Release Program.

There are other ways to add value, with many of these opportunities very Some growers have added cideries, some have gone organic, others are into agri-tourism and direct marketing. Look around in your neighbourhood and ask a diversified grower for advice.

Improve labour efficiency. This is a complex mix of estimating the right number and timing of hiring employees for your farm, getting the right people on your farm to do the work (and for larger farms, getting the right supervisors), and finally the often-forgotten secret of motivating your employees to do their best for the operation. For small farms relying on a locally-available seasonal worker pool, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program is probably not an option Associations are urgently seeking other solutions for smaller farm operations to access workers. For larger farms, the SAWP and Ag Stream Programs are available and supported by governments.

In these challenging financial times, it is not all up to you! You will find support in your family, staff, neighbours, industry and government programs. Communicate, communicate, communicate: that is one way to find strength as a whole industry in withstanding the turbulent, challenging year ahead. â– Glen Lucas BCFGA www.bcfga.com

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 CANADIAN WINEMAKERS SERIES | TAYLOR WHELAN

CedarCreek Estate Winery Winemaker Taylor Whelan Taylor Whelan has been with CedarCreek since the harvest in 2011. He is from Campbell River and is one of the only Canadian-born winemakers in the Mark Anthony Group of wineries.

He grew up fishing and oystering on Vancouver Island, which set him up for a genuine appreciation for harvesting and preparing food. He moved on from there to food and wine pairings. While studying biology at UVic, he developed an interest in how wines are made, the science behind the botany/viticulture side and the microbiology/chemistry side. His background in ecology gives him a unique perspective on the transition to organic certification that is taking place at CedarCreek. He is always thinking about different living systems, either in the vineyard or in the wines, and how he can work with them to get the results he and his team want in the fruit and the wine.

O&V: How did you get started in the wine industry?

TW: I had always loved cooking, brewing, and the culture of food and drink, so when my desk job became more than I could bear, I began volunteering at Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery in Comox, and decided to study winemaking shortly after.

O&V: Where did you go to school or apprentice?

TW: I studied Biology at UVic with a focus on marine ecology and fisheries. After earning a BSc, I moved to Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute to study viticulture and oenology.

O&V: Have you worked in any other countries?

TW: Yes, I have worked harvest in Hawkes Bay, NZ, and in McLaren Vale and Tasmania in Australia.

O&V: What is your favourite varietal to work with?

TW: Pinot Noir – it is a fickle variety which seems to change its expression hourly, but it is also incredibly rewarding to grow and make, and when done right, is the most exciting and complex of wines.

O&V: What is the best thing about your job?

TW: The variety – it is a rare day where I am doing the same thing as yesterday (aside from bottling!). Additionally, the other people I work with tend to be happy – the wine industry is full of people fulfilling a ‘calling’ and most are glad to be here.

O&V: Is there a particular wine or vintage that you have made that you are most proud of?

TW: I’m particularly proud of and excited by the 2018 Pinot Noirs – our first will be released in spring of 2020. They have amazing purity of fruit, beautiful tannin structure, and are both site expressive and precise.

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Taylor Whelan, Winemaker at CedarCreek Estate Winery

O&V: Cedarcreek is working towards organic certification, how has this affected your work and planning?

TW: You have to be more thoughtful about the goals you want to accomplish, you have to plan further ahead, and you have to put more work in to get the result you want, but you end up making more solid products.

O&V: Cedarcreek was named Intervin winery of the year, what do you think set you apart from the competition?

TW: Aside from our top scoring wines, I think our attention to detail in our mid-tier wines is what got us this result. Silver medals in five of our $19-25 dollar wines show that we are spending time on producing all of our wines, and pursuing quality at all tiers and price points. Producing significant volumes of high quality wine is often just as challenging as producing tiny volumes of exceptional quality, and this result shows we have done both, so I am very happy with the result.

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KUBOTA’S VS SERIES PENDULUM SPREADERS

Introducing Kubota’s VS Series pendulum spreaders. They offer ease of operation with exact rate control, quick change spouts, low filling heights and easy maintenance. The standard working width range is 3’ to 46’.

They are available with manual control, hydraulic control or electronic control with the Varimeter PS-ED II. An ideal choice for vineyards, golf courses and general farm applications for tractors from 10 to 45 PTO Hp.

ABBOTSFORD

Avenue Machinery Corp.

1521 Sumas Way

604-864-2665

COURTENAY

North Island Tractor

3663 S. Island Hwy

250-334-0801

CRESTON

Kemlee Equipment Ltd.

N.W. Boulevard

250-428-2254

DUNCAN

Island Tractor & Supply

4650 Trans Canada Hwy

250-746-1755

KELOWNA

Avenue Machinery Corp.

1090 Stevens Road

250-769-8700

OLIVER

Gerard’s Equipment Ltd.

Hwy 97 South

250-498-2524

VERNON

Avenue Machinery Corp.

7155 Meadowlark Road

250-545-3355