AUGUST 2010
CELEBRATING 130 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION
VOLUME 60 NUMBER 08
Food and the city A national food strategy could bridge the urban-rural divide By Karen Davidson A national food strategy sounds as commonsense as apple pie. After all, doesn’t it speak to the very essence of a nation’s security, the ability to feed itself? It’s already attracted Michael Ignatieff and the federal Liberals who announced their policy in the Holland Marsh. The NDP’s Jack Layton was not far behind with a “Food for Thought” report in June, emphasizing food sovereignty for Canada. Since winter, the concept of a national food strategy has retreated to air-conditioned boardrooms, far away from the blaze of a harvest sun. Yet a handful of farm leaders are putting flesh on a plan whose timing may intersect upcoming federal and provincial elections. “A national food strategy is going to be the next biggest thing since Medicare,” says Neil Currie, Executive Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Co-Chair, National Food Strategy Working Group which met June 23. “It’s a social policy whose time has come due to the implications for health, energy and the environment.” One of the members of that working group is Peter Dorfman, Manager Food Strategy for Toronto Public Health. He says that urbanites are rethinking their relationships with food and realizing that food is about more than common table. It’s about community. The Toronto Food Policy Council is emulating other international cities -- London,
Inside Dwarf sour cherries pit hope against nature
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The sandwich generation at 60
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FOCUS: Storage
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www.thegrower.org P.M. 40012319
Amsterdam and Seoul, for example – in crafting a local plan. For a glimpse into their thinking, look to the Toronto Food Policy Council which released a
report in May called “Cultivating Food Connections: Toward a Healthy and Sustainable Food System for Toronto.” (www.toronto.ca/foodconnections)
The premise is that social policy has destroyed all the natural connectivity between food, environment, health and community. What our ancestors knew is coming true
again: local food production can drive an economy. “Food is cheap,” says Dorfman, stealing the farmer’s line. Continued on page 3
So much hangs in the balance as Greg Dries surveys his potato crop near Leamington, Ontario. Will weather cooperate? Is there enough water in the irrigation pond to combat hot conditions for proper set of tubers? And most importantly, will prices hold for his early-dug crop? A national food strategy could help diminish his worries as Dries ponders these perennial questions for the annual crop. Photo by Korinne Robertson.
$450 million helps bail out water-logged prairie farmers By Karen Davidson Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz dusted financial aid on prairie farmers in early July to ease the pain of eight million unseeded acres and another two million damaged due to excessive rain. About 15 per cent of prairie acres won’t produce this year. The rescue package will make $30 per acre available to farmers with cheques expected in the mail in early August. That payment will top up any crop insurance individual farmers might have. The announcement of emergency funds under AgriRecovery coincided with the federal-provincial agriculture ministers’ meeting in Saskatoon
and a personal tour of field damage by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. It’s not just grains and oilseed producers receiving the cash. Horticultural producers are also eligible to receive emergency funds for asparagus, strawberries and other crops under water. “It’s important to distinguish that this emergency ad hoc payment is not a safety net payment,” says Mark Wales, Chair Safety Nets, OFVGA. “Business risk management is an unrelated issue. It’s designed to deal with farmers who are having a difficult time getting their cost-of-production from the marketplace.”
Business risk management was on the agenda at the federalprovincial agriculture ministers’ meeting where, for the first time, federal leaders agreed that AgriStability is not working and needs to be fixed. “That’s a big leap forward,” says Wales. “We need to shift them further and get the changes we need retroactive to 2008.” Nationally, horticulture has suffered a slow drip of many negative impacts on sustainability. To name a few, they include rising wage rates, increased government legislation and more recently, hiked electricity rates. Ontario commodity groups are alarmed that Hydro One is installing smart
meters to bill for higher rates during daytime hours. The concept is to encourage consumers to conserve electricity by shifting their usage to non-peak hours of 9 pm to 7 am, but that means higher electricity bills for agricultural businesses that run around the clock. “Potato growers use lots of hydro to ventilate their crop in the first month or so after harvest,” says Don Brubacher, General Manager, Ontario Potato Producers Board. “Our growers can’t run ventilation at night only. It’s a huge impact.” These are the spiraling costs that continue to make business risk management so important.
PAGE 2 –– AUGUST 2010 THE GROWER
At press time… Grey County tree fruit growers receive assistance for damaged orchard Tree fruit growers in Grey County, Ontario whose trees were damaged by the August 20, 2009 tornado can receive assistance from the Governments of Canada and Ontario. Up to $985,000 will be made available to help re-establish their orchards. The Ontario Tornado Assistance Initiative, funded under AgriRecovery, provides eligible growers with assistance based on the number of trees that have died as a result of the tornado. Producers have until August 1, 2010 to report their loss to Agricorp. The Ontario Tornado Assistance Initiative will be delivered by Agricorp and will provide fruit growers with a $45 per tree payment for all trees killed by the effects of the tornado. Affected growers in Grey County can get more information by calling Agricorp at 1-888-247-4999.
Test market launched for nectarines The Canadian Food Inspection Agency launched a test market for domestically grown nectarines on July 7. Nectarines are included in the peach grade standard but with separate sizing requirements. Details are as follows: • test market only applies to domestically grown and interprovincially traded nectarines and does not impact imported nectarines during the test market period • test market keeps the size requirements for peach varieties but adopts the U.S. wording for the sizing of nectarine varieties which establishes uniformity between Canada and the U.S. • containers of nectarines marketed interprovincially will be required to be labeled with the Canada Grade (e.g. Canada No. 1)
from one basket and piling it onto another, leaving partially filled baskets and a poor presentation at retail. A lidded basket avoids the shrink factor while allowing consumers to see the fruit.
Farm employers must post policy on violence and harassment The Ontario Tender Fruit Board worked with a local manufacturer, Vortex Packaging Niagara, to design and produce the new baskets. “Loblaws have insisted that all their peaches, nectarines, pears and grapes be packed in the new basket,” says Adrian Huisman, Ontario Tender Fruit Board Manager. “This will certainly be a massive test and the results will not be measured until the end of the season. The jury is still out.”
Anti-trust lawsuit imminent against United Potato Growers of America United Potato Growers of America are facing legal action for their “price-fixing conspiracy” and for “controlling and reducing aggregate supply of potatoes” according to documents filed by a Los Angeles law firm. The classaction suit covers a time frame from June 18, 2006 to the present on behalf of U.S. direct purchasers of fresh and processing potatoes.
New government legislation requires all workplaces in Ontario to have a policy on violence and harassment in place. The policy must be clearly posted and explained to all employees. This legislation applies to farm employers as well. The Farm Safety Association has information on the legislation and how to implement it on-farm available on its website: www.farmsafety.ca /pages/work_voilence.html.
Farm corporations: don’t miss AgriInvest deadlines for 2008! Growers who run incorporated entities can be forgiven for missing some important notices from AgriInvest. Deposit forms were issued in mid-May when many growers were busy trying to farm. Mark Wales, Chair Safety Nets, OFVGA, alerts growers that farm corporations have 90 days from the issue of the letter to file for the 2008 year. “About 4,000 farmers in Ontario – not all in horticulture – operate as farm corporations,” says Wales. “There’s no need to pay an accountant to fill in these forms. It’s easy to fill out and fax in.”
4-H and Outstanding Young Farmers get YouTube profile
New plastic baskets debut for tender fruit this summer Don’t squeeze the peaches. That’s a common refrain from growers at farmers’ markets and now a major retailer Loblaws. The supermarket giant testmarketed these baskets during the 2009 season and received positive feedback from consumers. The objective was not only food safety but to reduce shrink at store level. Some consumers were taking fruit
“We view this complaint as an ill-conceived attack on our cooperative, its members and the potato industry in general,” she says. “United Potato Growers of America and our member cooperatives were organized under and live by the provisions, the spirit and the intent of the CapperVolstead Act, which provides immunity for cooperatives and their members from antitrust laws.”
“United Potato Growers of America is careful and diligent to ensure that we are in full compliance with the law,” says Barb Shelley, Chief Communications Officer, United Potato Growers of America. “We are confident that the case is not well-founded and that the defendants will prevail.” Many defendants are listed including Wada Farms, Dole Fresh Vegetables and Bayer CropScience.
Bayer CropScience timed the release of several commercials with the Calgary Stampede to raise awareness of 4-H Canada and the Outstanding Young Farmers program. “4-H what’s in it for you?” and “4-H Future CEO” are on www.YouTube.com Publicity was also brought to the Outstanding Young Farmers through the YouTube video “Outstanding Young Farmers Recognition.”
NEWSMAKERS Deb Stark, assistant deputy minister responsible for food safety and environment, has assumed duties as OMAFRA’s acting deputy minister, replacing George Zegarac who has moved to deputy minister, children and youth services. An appointment of a new deputy minister is expected shortly. At a recent annual general meeting, the Ontario Produce Marketing Association elected Joe Didiano, Sobeys Ontario, as President. Julian Sarraino, Fresh Taste Produce is VicePresident. Three new directors joined the board including: Keith Balthazaar, Metro Ontario Inc., Marcus Koornneef, Koornneef Produce Ltd. and Steve Dimen, Ippolito Fruit and Produce Ltd. The International Federation for Produce Standards has added new directors to bring its board to 10. They are: Anne Fowlie, Canadian Horticultural Council; Harrij Schmeitz, Frug I Com, Netherlands; Tom Stenzel, United Fresh Produce Association, U.S. and Ed Treacy, Produce Marketing Association, U.S. The group provides an international forum for harmonization or standardization for produce sectors. Dr. Bill Jansenberger has joined the Grape Growers of Ontario board of directors, representing southwestern Ontario.
COMING EVENTS 2010 August 4 – 6
Canadian Horticultural Council’s mid-summer apple meeting, Oshawa, ON
August 6
Horticulture Field Day and Bud-Grafting Workshop, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK
August 11
SP2 Peach Twilight Meeting, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Victoria Avenue Farm, Vic Barn, Vineland, ON 5:30 pm
August 13
Prince Edward County Wine Growers Association 11th Annual Gala Dinner, Isaiah Tubbs Resort
August 14
Prince Edward County Wine Growers Trade Show, Picton Arena, Picton, ON 9 am – 4 pm
August 15
Prince Edward County Annual General Meeting, Members Only, Town Hall, Bloomfield, ON
August 14
Garlic is Great Festival, Newmarket Farmers’ Market, 395 Mulock Drive, Newmarket, ON
August 19
Ontario Potato Field Day, HJV Farm Equipment, Alliston, ON 3 pm
August 19, 20
US Apple Outlook Conference, Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, Illinois
August 19 – 21
Quebec Produce Marketing Association “From the Earth to the Table” Annual Convention, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal, QC
August 20 – 22
Leamington Tomato Festival, Leamington, ON
August 27 – 29
Winona Peach Festival, www.winonapeach.com
September 4
Bittersweet Farm Big Brothers, Big Sisters Family Fund Day, Straffordville, ON 10 - 6 pm
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September 14 – 16 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, ON September 15
Ontario Produce Marketing Association 2010 Produce Industry Golf Tournament, Nobleton Lakes Golf Club, Nobleton, ON
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AUGUST 2010 –– PAGE 3 THE GROWER
Food and the city Continued from page 1 “But the cost doesn’t take into account the impact on health or the environment.” Some of the broad strokes of Toronto’s food policy can be seen in the accompanying chart which compares the existing food system with Toronto’s vision of an emerging food system. There’s no better example of the existing food system than Ontario’s Essex County. Tucked between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie, and nestled into the southernmost tip of Canada, it boasts production of 32 different commodities from apples to zucchini. It’s most famous for its
high-tech greenhouses which mass produce tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers and for its field tomatoes. This wedge of land produces the province’s first potatoes of the season. Yet, this cornucopia is not priced for its nutritional benefit. Has anyone calculated the value of vitamin C produced in Essex County? Unleashing this value is what interests growers such as Larry Verbeke. He doublecrops at least eight of his 50 acres every year in peas and zucchini. Whatever isn’t sold locally goes straight to the Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto, creating some of those urban jobs in food distribution.
Currently chair of the Essex County Federation of Agriculture, he totally supports a national food strategy by wearing the T-shirt Farmers Feed Cities. Verbeke has
been a leader in establishing the Essex County Buy Local Farm Fresh map as well as their groundbreaking bounty-of-the-county website. He’s so convinced of the
power of local food that this fall, he’s running for council in Leamington. His notion is that by influencing policy locally – like a stone skipping on the water -- the circles will widen and affect larger constituencies. Before long, he can count on meeting some urbanites with their own T-shirts: Folks Gotta Eat. A national food strategy sounds like a Herculean task. But by taking local initiatives such as Toronto and Essex County’s local food, there are works in progress that can serve as templates. Without consumers on board, there’s no hope that the stone can be transformed into a virtuous circle.
Gather round the nation’s table General’s husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, who wrote: “A table is not simply a place to tantalize the taste buds. Whether it is in
Dr. Rob McLaughlin receives the Governor-General’s Award in Celebration of the Nation’s Table. Photo by Sgt Serge Gouin, Rideau Hall While social policy architects like Peter Dorfman are advocating farmers’ markets in the inner city, no less than the Governor General is recognizing the nation’s table in a singular way. Michaëlle Jean presented the first Governor General’s Awards in Celebration of the Nation’s Table in June. According to background notes, the awards are based on values rather than sales figures, tasting notes, competition medals or critic’s reviews. They are intended to reach out to Canadians and inspire them to think differently about what they buy, eat and drink. The five award categories recognize achievement in creativity and innovation, education and awareness, leadership, mentorship and inspiration, and stewardship and sustainability. A sixth category, youth, recognizes a young person with potential to inspire peers to become contributors to the nation’s table. Dr. Rob McLaughlin, former dean of the Ontario Agricultural College and most recently president of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, was presented with the award for education and awareness. “This was history in the making,” says Brenda Lammens, past-chair of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association and a guest at the Rideau Hall event. “There is still so much groundwork to be done to give official recognition to food production.” The inspiration for the award originated with the Governor-
Charlottetown, Regina, Ucluelet, Rankin Inlet or Port Dalhousie, it is a place to meet and share conversation, a place where ideas
meld as easily as the flavours. It is where Canadians of all ages, cultural backgrounds and fields of experience gather around to share
their hopes, their fears and their dreams; a place where our collective stories are told and passed from one generation to the next.”
PAGE 4 –– AUGUST 2010 THE GROWER
Dwarf sour cherries pit hope against nature By Karen Davidson With only 200 acres of dwarf sour cherries trying to gain a foothold in the prairies, this past year’s random weather has challenged growers and breeders alike. There’s no romance in the loss of 50 per cent of the crop, even with hopeful varietal names such as Romeo and Juliet. For Marty and Claire Elder, Outlook, Saskatchewan, their 7,400 trees planted on the eastern bank of the South Saskatchewan River, succumbed to high winds during blossom season. While orchards at the University of Saskatchewan fared much better, pollination was certainly a widespread problem in the rain-soaked spring. Bruce Hill, President of the Canadian Cherry Producers Inc has a more sanguine view. “There’s no history to this crop,”
he says, noting there’s no cache of wisdom on right ways to prune. “Many of the trees died back but have grown back to two feet in height this summer. That’s different from winter kill. The big question is whether they will bloom next year.” The association was formed in 2006 to produce, process, market and research the crop. The 40 members acknowledge there is no infrastructure on the prairies to distribute fruit. But their formidable optimism leads them to believe they can avoid the mistakes of other commodities and find markets in the fruit-hungry prairies. As Hill calculates, there are 200 acres of 500 plants each with potential to produce 25 to 30 pounds of fruit per plant. In no small part, their future hopes are thanks to the breeding efforts of Dr. Bob Bors and Rick
Sawatzky, Research Technician, University of Saskatchewan. A fruit breeding program has been nurtured there for decades, but took a new commercial turn in 1999 when Bors honed in on attributes for machine harvest. Noting the bush growth habit of the sixto-eight foot tall trees of dwarf sour cherries, Bors figured there was a chance. While the minus 40 degree F winters test hardiness, the upside is literally no pests and thus no need to spray. “This past winter was particularly damaging,” says Bors. “We had a long warm fall with the warmest November on record followed by a normal, horribly cold Saskatchewan December. Many species were damaged, so it just wasn’t a cherry thing that happened. Most people hope this was once-a-century thing but many wonder if this is something we will
see more often because of global warming. We had considerably more damage than the year we had -47C!” If dwarf sour cherries can thrive in the prairies, then why not northern Ontario. That was the thinking of Jim Sovereign, a third-generation grower at Kakabeka Falls, just west of Thunder Bay. Since 1907, his forebears have been defying conventional wisdom with strawberries, raspberries, stone fruits and apples along with vegetables. “We’re marginal here,” explains Sovereign. “We have cultivars here that no one else has, because we’ve had to selectively breed for winter hardiness and create a resource for northern agriculture.” Back in 2005, he planted 3000 sour cherry trees from some numbered varieties from the University of Saskatchewan program. Last year, they bore their first
crop, an achievement that has just won Sovereign and his wife Cheryl a Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. Locals are excited about the opportunity to harvest their own cherries. In the future, there could be a processing plant that could either freeze or make the cherries into juice. The “chemical-free” cherries would be an added bonus to the end product. Like the Elder family in Saskatchewan, he is experimenting with honeyberries or “haskaps.” These cylindrical berries produce a colourful juice, also rich in antioxidants. With 400 trees under cultivation, Sovereign is looking to diversify his fruit business. This mindset of continuous innovation has earned the $5,000 award which was promptly plowed back into the farm for fertilizer and baskets. That investment is no surprise to the rest of his family: his son Jamie and two brothers Gord and Ron. Together, they are forging ahead with a strategic plan for diversified fruits in a region that welcomes local produce.
What are haskaps?
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The berries are usually described as having a kiwi-like texture with a flavour that’s a cross between blueberries and raspberries. The Haskap Canada Association held a field day on July 16 at the University of Saskatoon. With germplasm from all over the northern hemisphere, two registered varieties – Borealis and Tundra – are already doing well, aptly named for their original boreal habitat. “This crop has big-time potential,” says Rick Sawatzky, “because it’s as hardy as any of our native plants.” Potted plants have withstood Saskatoon winters with no mulching. These are pioneering days for the haskap. Research has shown the same phytonutrients as blueberries. When 50 growers and curious onlookers showed up for the field day, there were no answers for a query about how to market the crop. “We’re just getting the crop started with breeding work,” says Sawatzky. Based in Prince Edward Island, Phytocultures Ltd. is the licensed propagator which reported excellent demand this year.
AUGUST 2010 –– PAGE 5 THE GROWER
Succession planning tests values By Karen Davidson The sandwich generation is seeking a new way to butter its bread. That’s the case of Glen and Penny Squirrell, potato growers near Shelburne, Ontario. With Glen approaching his 60th birthday and Penny recently retiring from full-time teaching, it was the right juncture to take an in-depth look at their farming operation which is facing many external threats. Low prices and ever increasing production costs have made it difficult for many potato producers to make a profit. Escalating demands of grocers for consistently perfect potatoes year-round translate into high percentages of grade-out. In addition, they are facing encroaching development. Estate lots are to be built on one side of their farm while just a mile north, an American corporation has purchased more than 7000 acres of farmland, much of it prime potato cropland with plans to develop a gigantic below-the-water-table limestone quarry. “We’re in a sandwich position,” says Glen who is balancing the needs of his 87-year-old mother and his 22-year-old son Jon who is uncertain of his future and whether he wants to farm. “How long
Glen and Penny Squirrell pose in their field of Norland potatoes near Horning’s Mills, ON. Photo by Mary Beth Squirrell. we’ll be here and what the future holds is a big question.” These worrying factors propelled the couple to sign up for the Growing Your Farm Profits workshop. They joined a group of other farmers for a session last fall that revealed many commonalities. Whether they were goat, dairy or potato farmers, many agreed there’s not enough income to generate a living for a farm family. Most farms have off-farm income
or small businesses on the side. Workshop leaders ask open-ended questions that make participants explore how they might structure the business differently. No one is asked to share financial information. “The exercise makes farmers review why they have done things in a certain way, either historically or for family reasons,” says Penny. “Over time, those ways may no longer make financial sense and may be consuming vast amounts of resources.”
The second phase of the workshop is completion of a self-assessment workbook of current farming practices. For the Squirrells, this process is still a work-in-progress. After the workshop, farmers can access the Farm Financial Assessment (FFA) program. The farm business cost is $100. This program - separate from the workshop - is completed with a qualified private-sector farm financial advisor. John Molenhuis, OMAFRA’s business analysis and cost-ofproduction program lead, says that the FFA is a critical first step to understanding where you are today. Six key ratios are important for assessing viability and cash flow for the upcoming year. (See sidebar) For example, if a grower is planning to expand into a new ethnic crop or switching a crop mix, then a calculated approach would help make the best decision. In horticulture, not a lot of benchmarking numbers are available for the diverse range of crops so having individual farm numbers is critical. For many growers, Molenhuis observes that farmers face the biggest transition from developing their cash statement to an accrual
financial statement. “The cash statement does not match cash flow with expenses, so it’s very important for management purposes,” says Molenhuis. “Farm Financial Assessment lays the groundwork for succession planning,” says Molenhuis. “It’s a key piece.” For the Squirrells, the next phase will be an Advanced Business Plan for Succession planning. This is a delicate communications exercise, for which no one seems to be well prepared. For some families, the concept of splitting family assets equally among siblings may leave the farm as an unviable business entity. It’s a tough conversation to approach aging parents about how to organize their personal affairs in a way that keeps the farm intact while potentially leaving less of a financial estate to other siblings. These issues probe the very essence of family values, not to mention how agriculture is valued. “It opens up a can of worms,” says Penny Squirrell. “For some, there’s great understanding and for others bitterness and anger.” The Squirrells are still working their way through the planning process. It’s not an exercise that is completed in one session.
Six farm business ratios required The six mandatory ratios are: • asset turnover • current ratio • operating profit margin ratio • return on assets • debt to equity ratio • debt repayment capacity Financial Efficiency: how effective is the business in using
its assets to generate income *Asset Turnover = Gross farm sales divided by Total farm assets Liquidity: assesses the business’s ability to pay bills as they come due • Current ratio = current assets divided by current liabilities Profitability: measures how well
the business is able to generate a profit • Operating Profit Margin ratio = (Net farm income + interest expense – unpaid labour and return to management) divided by Gross farm sales • Return on Assets = (Net farm income + interest expense –
unpaid labour and return to management) divided by Total farm assets Solvency: determines how much the business is relying on debt to finance the business • Debt to Equity ratio = Total liabilities divided by Equity Repayment Capacity: measures
the ability of a borrower to repay term farm debt from farm and non-farm income * Debt Servicing Capacity ratio = amount available to service debt divided by debt payment requirements
Advice available Growing Your Farm Profits workshops – no charge • An interactive, two-day workshop that helps farmers: - Assess their farm business management strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats - Develop and prioritize goals and - Create next step Action Plans It uses a self-assessment workbook and interactive peer discussion • does not involve sharing of farm financial statements or other farm business records After the workshop the farm
businesses are then eligible to apply for Growing Forward Business Development for Farm Businesses cost share programs: • Farm Financial Assessment ($100) • Agricultural Skills Development (50% cost share up to $3000) • Advanced Business Planning (50% cost share up to $8000) • Business Plan Implementation (50% cost share up to $3000) For more information visit www.omafra.gov.on.ca
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PAGE 6 –– AUGUST 2010 THE GROWER
The value equation
Art Smith CEO, OFVGA By now, all greenhouse vegetable producers have received a letter from the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) explaining why they have asked the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for an exemption from or rebate of container fees used to fund the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA). At this point I am pleased that they have sent this letter to you as hopefully it gives us a chance to put this to rest once and for all so that we (OGVG/OFVGA) might get back to doing what we are empowered to do. We are at a loss however as we have never had an opportunity to view the original letter to the Minister. What all greenhouse vegetable producers need to understand is that the question put to the Minister is about much more than trying to save $450,000 a year; it is about value received and it is about risk, risk so great to all fruit and vegetable producers that it makes the container fee argument pale in comparison. I am not going to debate the letter line by line as I see no purpose in that but will make a few general comments before talking about the value of the OFVGA and the very real threat to greenhouse producers, as well as others, should the Minister grant OGVG’s request. First, what has been repeatedly asked for by OGVG with regards to a container fee reduction paid by greenhouse vegetable producers is a differential system of collecting fees; ie. different rates for different folks; not only is this contrary to The Farm Products Containers Act but also to the Farm Products Marketing Act under which the OGVG is created. Through both of these Acts, fees are to be determined on a unit basis with everyone being treated
identically. In the case of OGVG fees, every producer pays the same marketing board fee per square foot of production. Currently I believe this to be two cents a square foot and it is the board on its own that determines what that fee should be. In the case of the container fee, the 1.5 per cent is set out in the regulations of the Act and is changeable only by the Minister; like the OGVG square footage charge there is no cap; everyone who uses containers as defined by the Act, regardless of what they grow, pays the same 1.5 per cent. In both cases, there is no discount for size in both cases large producers pay more than smaller producers and in both cases they also receive greater benefit when measured in real dollar terms; there is no cap on the benefits. Where the difference lies is in the amount paid and in this case fees paid to the OFVGA by greenhouse vegetable producers amounts to less than a third of those paid to the OGVG by the same members. Even combined this represents fees of less than one half of one percent of the farm cash value of the sector. I know other marketing boards where their fees alone are approximately two percent. Secondly, mention has been made regarding representation on the OFVGA board and that it is not representative of the fees paid by greenhouse vegetable producers. This in itself is a true statement but what is missing is the fact that this is the same as their own board structure or for that matter any other marketing board. The Marketing Board Act does not allow for any differentiation of voting power based on size or fees paid, in short one producer one vote. What would happen on any board if larger producers had more voting power? The voice of the small producer would never be heard. We operate the same; our mandate is to represent all producers of Ontario-grown fresh fruit and vegetables. All producer sectors are treated as equals with one vote at the board table each, it is the only way to assure fair treatment to all and to insure that one or two sector groups cannot hijack board policy. On this issue and in an attempt to address the concerns we have recognized the size of the greenhouse vegetable sector and the contributions made by all producers of those crops. We have
offered the sector a second director position to sit on our board. Unfortunately this offer has been declined. In short what has been asked for by OGVG regarding fees and representation is something that is not doable under the Act and further even if the Farm Products Marketing Act allowed it, it is something they would never consider doing on their own board as growers would simply not stand for it. Before I talk about the value that the OFVGA has brought to our entire sector I want to make one further comment. What the OGVG is asking the Minister for is an exemption from the fees through the container toll payable to the OFVGA. Whether through an exemption or a rebate it amounts to the same thing, at least as it impacts the OFVGA. What is noticeably missing however is a similar request for an exemption from the benefits we provide. Before I get in to the benefits we have provided I want to point out that of the approximately $450,000 in fees collected last year from greenhouse vegetable producers, $65,000 went to pay Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) membership fees on behalf of OGVG and a further $108,000 was rebated back to OGVG. So what are those benefits that I am talking about? I have written about this on numerous occasions so I am not going to get into the full detail. Since 2003 our lobby efforts have returned $22 million to the greenhouse sector alone, most of it directly to the grower but with a little over three million dollars to the OGVG through a number of research and development programs. Cost in fees during that same time was under two million dollars. I think most people would agree that an 11 or 12 times rate of return is pretty good. Unfortunately when the 14 plus million dollars in ad hoc payments went out to greenhouse vegetable producers in 2006 and 2008 from the provincial government there was no mention of the OFVGA; so it is no surprise then that many folks would have no way of knowing that we had any involvement in achieving those program dollars for our members. I can assure you we played a most significant role. We are the only group that speaks on behalf of all fruit and vegetable producers in Ontario and these
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programs went to everyone in our sector providing they were enrolled in CAIS/Agri-Stability. Commodity specific marketing boards do not lobby on behalf of the entire sector, we do. I have been told by some that we are not responsible for these programs, that the OFVGA had little or nothing to do with them. Well if it was not us then who? I know that it wasn’t OGVG for in a letter from their Chair he wrote “It may well be that if the OGVG had been lobbying on its own behalf, we might have accomplished the same or better for our growers.” In other words it wasn’t them. So as I asked above if it wasn’t us who successfully lobbied for these programs; then who? Twenty two million in ad hoc funding to the sector; cost to the sector producers over that same period, two million! Some say that we provide no value??? The OFVGA does far more than lobby for financial assistance programs. It was the OFVGA along with CHC that created the offshore labour program. How important is this? Well I think you know. This labour-intensive industry simply could not have survived without it, it has not only meant the survival but it has allowed for the expansion of the greenhouse vegetable sector; in fact the use by the sector of the offshore program nearly doubled from 2000 to 2008 when just under 4000 workers were placed on greenhouse vegetable farms. FARMS was created in the 90s by the OFVGA to improve the delivery of this service to our members and they have done a stellar job. One needs to step back and ask where would our industry be without this program and where would you as a farmer who relies on this program be without it? For years the OFVGA has been involved along with others keeping our farms from becoming unionized and to date we have been successful. Has it been the OFVGA on its own that has kept the unions at bay? No, absolutely not! Although it was OFVGA that initiated the Labour Issues Coordinating Committee and housed it here in our offices it has been through a cooperative effort by all the players that has been the oreason for our success. But this cooperative spirit is fragile and is being drawn into question by the actions of the OGVG. It is a fact that the union poses a threat to any
ONTARIO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Vice-Chair Fruit Director Veg Director Director
Brian Gilroy, Meaford Mac James, Leamington Ray Duc, Niagara-on-the-Lake Jason Ryder, Delhi Len Troup, Jordon Station
Apples Fresh Vegetable - Other Tender Fruit ON Asparagus Grws’. Mkg. Brd. GGO/Fresh Grape Growers Fresh Vegetable - Muck ON. Potato Board Small Fruit/Berries ON. Ginseng Growers’ Greenhouse
Brian Gilroy, Meaford Jason Ryder, Delhi Len Troup, Jordan Station Lonnie Duwyn, Delhi Ray Duc, Niagara-on-the-Lake Jason Verkaik, Bradford Mac James, Leamington Norm Charbonneau, Port Elgin Doug Bradley, Tillsonburg Jim Veri, Exeter
farmer who hires workers, but it also must be remembered that it is greenhouse and mushroom production that are the real targets of the union. I have been told in fact that the union has offered to leave everyone else alone if we just give them greenhouse and mushrooms. Obviously we haven’t done that, we are in this for everyone. A strong united voice has been the reason for our success to date and we absolutely need to keep it that way. If you do not understand the magnitude of this threat then you need to know that Quebec was once the mushroom capital of Canada. Then unionization, albeit with certain restrictions was allowed. I understand that today there is only one mushroom producer left in the province; we can not allow that to happen here. The OFVGA has been very active and effective on crop protection issues not only in Ontario but across Canada, in fact our staff person Craig Hunter is the go-to person on the vast majority of crop protection issues for all fruit and vegetable crops grown in Canada including greenhouse. Statements that we work on greenhouse crop protection issues only if they also pertain to other commodities are absolutely false. If anyone has a problem and they want help we are here. Have we been successful? Absolutely we have but there is much more to do. The OFVGA does not register new products but we do work to help get them registered and in the past five years there have been 45 new actives and label expansions for the greenhouse vegetable sector. Today five per cent of all actives registered for use on Canadian crops are registered for greenhouse production. That number is huge and considering the zero tolerance policy of the United States it is absolutely critical that these products are available for use in the greenhouse vegetable sector. Through Craig and others the OFVGA has played a key role in achieving these numbers. Some might say that this is old stuff, what have you done for me lately? Many of you will be aware that the Ministry of the Environment had proposed a 41 cent levy per kg on every bag of fertilizer of 30 kgs or less sold in Ontario. This was to have come into effect on July 1st this year. Continued on next page
OFVGA SECTION CHAIRS Crop Protection Research Property Labour Safety Nets CHC AGCare/Nutrient Man.
Charles Stevens, Newcastle Harold Schooley, Simcoe David Lambert, Niagara-on-the-Lake Ken Forth, Lynden Mark Wales, Alymer Murray Porteous, Simcoe Charles Stevens, Newcastle
AUGUST 2010 –– PAGE 7 THE GROWER
Growers must retool for sustainability
Adrian Huisman Ontario Tender Fruit Producers I just reviewed a U.S. report which states that consumer spending on food has decreased from 21 per cent of disposable income in 1950 to 9.4 per cent in 2008. I don’t imagine that this is much different in Canada. The report goes on to say that growers are more efficient than ever at producing food. The problem is that as they produce more, the price often goes down. Supply vs Demand! No secrets there. Farmers feed the world, but it’s getting more difficult for them to feed themselves. Ontario ender fruit grower numbers have
declined from 550 to about 350 over the last five years and it’s getting more and more difficult to attract new entrants. The demands (and costs) on our producers for environmental, food safety, increasing minimum wages, Greenbelts, etc. are driving costs up daily while retailers demand lower prices and increasing quality standards. Retail competition is fierce and is entirely at the cost of suppliers. All of these are out of the control of producers. Now, they say “growers must retool for sustainability.” Everyone agrees that if you can’t get a return out of the marketplace, then you have to either reduce your cost of production or get out. So, where does the money come from? We all know that we have gone through a recession. What aided Canada out of the recession were massive stimulus investments, none of which went to agriculture. Fruit growers know that they need to reinvest “retool for sustainability. Our storage facilities, packing lines, orchard structure, etc. all need to be renewed. We saw some light at the end of the tunnel when the federal government announced the Agri-
Flexibility Program only to find out that the rules had changed and grants were not possible for “for profit” companies. Tender fruit and apple growers were prepared to invest $10 million provided that grants were available to match grower contributions.
The B.C. government in conjunction with the government of Canada just announced a $5 million investment in infrastructure for the B.C. apple industry. Again, we agree that growers must “retool for sustainability.” Those growers who want to stay in
the industry are prepared to reinvest “retool.” What we need is the Ontario and federal governments to do their part. Ontario is the largest tree fruit-producing province in Canada yet we can not seem to get the respect our producers deserve.
The value equation Continued from page 6 Every commodity group was shocked when they learned of this and all wrote letters to the Environment Minister whose response was certainly less than encouraging. We persevered and on behalf of the fruit and vegetable industry and over the course of four meetings were able to get an exemption for agriculture. We were the only ones there representing our sector and along with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Agri-Business Association, we were able to get the results that our growers needed. The savings to greenhouse producers alone was estimated to be between three and four million dollars annually. My comment about being the only representative from horticulture is not meant
to be critical as there is no need to have everyone at these meetings. It is extremely important however, to have good representation so as to get the job done . . . And that is what we did. There is so much more I could say but quite frankly if I have not made my point by now then there is not much sense in continuing. As growers you need to be aware of all of the facts, who is working on your behalf and who is leading the charge for the exemption and who stands to gain. I can assure you that it is not the farmer. If this exemption were to be granted the OGVG will have to raise board fees to cover the costs of their new role including paying their own $65,000 membership fee to CHC. But the real issue is what’s at risk and when we look at what the
OFVGA has delivered over the years and what that has allowed our industry to do and grow then why, why would anyone want to throw that all away? Even forgetting the hard dollars that our lobby has helped put in the hands of producers our work on any one of the issues of labour, the fight against unionization and pesticide registrations has saved growers far more than container fees would
cost in a lifetime. Even the proposed eco fee on fertilizer would have cost the industry tens of times more than the container fees. Make no mistake the OFVGA has provided great benefit to all of our members and it is a unified voice that has allowed us to do that. This has been our greatest single strength and splintering of that voice will destroy this organization and our ability to continue
to provide benefits to our members. But it’s for you to decide, it is your well being here that is at risk, not mine. Increased costs of production on your farm will affect you, not me. A splintered voice will cost every fruit and vegetable producer in Ontario dearly; it may even put some out of business. For what it s worth it is the way I see it!
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PAGE 8 –– AUGUST 2010 THE GROWER
G20 leaders invite private sector to help feed hungry
Owen Roberts University of Guelph I listened intently to hear the word “farmer” mentioned widely during the G20 summit in Toronto. Granted, my hearing’s not what it used to be. But even I can tell the difference between “farmer” and the term “deficit reduction.” And I sure heard the former a lot. Now, there’s a good reason for that. Few can argue with globally
agreed-upon efforts to reduce the crushing debt that leaves borrowers with a chronic black cloud over their heads, and makes lenders wonder if they’ll ever get their money back. But that said, there’s more to life than deficit reduction. It’s not what protesters or police put life and limb on the line for in downtown Toronto. I believe in their respective ways, they were stepping up for democracy and all it entails, although their definitions of it were appreciably different. In downtown Toronto, even on the most peaceful days, it’s easy to lose sight of the world beyond the city skyline. Ontario farmers live with that reality daily, and are constantly challenged to explain and justify their sector to the very people they feed. However, moving the public opinion meter on domestic versus imported food pales in comparison
to the effort needed to move the world towards real support for some of the most vulnerable members of our global society – those being the poverty-stricken souls in underdeveloped countries. You might be surprised to learn upwards of 80 per cent of them are farmers . . . not farmers as we know them in North America, but rather, subsistence farmers who grow food for their own family and a few others. These farmers are not a threat to our agricultural sector. They are not an enemy of Canada’s economy, or anyone else’s. Rather, they are people who would truly benefit from a global investment in agriculture. The G20’s commitment to maternal health directly supports farmers. Many farmers in underdeveloped countries are women. But I doubt if the leaders saw this commitment as support for agriculture.
They did, however, say the word “agriculture” in no uncertain terms in their concluding document. There, in Item 34, they said “Looking ahead, [G20 countries] commit to exploring innovative, results-based mechanisms to harness the private sector for agricultural innovation.” This is a breakthrough. G20 leaders are saying they recognize the way forward for global sustainability is through partnerships and that the private sector has a role that can’t be ignored. B e t t e r yet, the agri-food sector is already ahead of the game. There are scores of cooperation examples, such as the Guelph Partnership for Innovation, the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, and at the University of Guelph, where private sector investment goes hand in hand with studies supported by the multi-million-dollar agreement between the university and the Ontario Ministry of Agri-
culture, Food and Rural Affairs. And there are also many examples of the private sector taking the lead in underdeveloped countries, such as the work that goes on through the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture. When it comes to food, partnerships simply make sense. The private sector supplies the agrifood industry with most of the goods it needs to produce food. Food is essential, everywhere. Research is needed to address the many challenges that exist in producing food and feeding a hungry world, and universities are fertile ground for ideas that can turn into strategies and products. The key now is for G20 countries to actually commit resources to their declaration. When they do, they will find credible, proven and progressive institutions ready to help and already engaged . . . and hungry people praying those partnerships succeed.
Farmers take safe pesticide application seriously and the proof is in the water
Lilian Schaer AGCare Sometimes I wonder whether we’re actually hard-wired to be instantly attracted to bad news and shocking revelations. I see negativity often dominating our
24-hour news cycle, 140-character tweets-to-the-world kind of society, leaving less sensational but equally important good news to fall by the wayside. More people are now writing and reporting about food, farming, science and the environment. These are current, interesting topics that affect all of us on a daily basis, whether we consciously realize it or not. And yet fewer people than ever have much of an in-depth understanding of them, affecting both the way we cover and the way we interpret news. Shocking stories about pesticides and food are natural headline grabbers. Yet here’s an Ontario pesticide and water story that didn’t make the headlines –
but should have. To me, it shows great progress from an environmental protection point of view, highlights the health of our water and our land, and helps put the responsible use of crop protection in agriculture into perspective. The Ontario government recently released the results of a long-term study it conducted into the presence of pesticides in Ontario’s municipal drinking water. The results showed a massive decrease in their presence in treated surface water, from 86 per cent in 1986 to only three per cent in 2006. And all of the incidences actually discovered in this recent round of testing were below the thresholds that Health Canada – the federal government body responsible for our food and health – have deemed to be acceptable. Water sources sampled in this study represent about 90 per cent of Ontario’s municipal residential water systems, including many
from agriculturally intense regions, where the vast majority of pesticides are used in Ontario. This is a good news story for Ontarians and for the environment. First of all, it’s an excellent indication that farmers are using crop protection products responsibly and that pesticide training programs are working. Over the last two decades, Ontario farmers have voluntarily reduced their use of pesticides by more than 50 per cent. This is due in large part to a farmer-requested government program that requires all farmers to take courses on safe handling, use and storage if they want to buy and use crop protection materials – and certification has to be renewed every five years to make sure their knowledge keeps up with new advances. These survey results also show that on-farm conservation
practices such as grassed waterways and buffer zones around creeks and streams are making positive impacts on preventing pesticides from getting into water sources. The Environmental Farm Plans are a big factor in this success. Over the last four years alone, Ontario farmers have invested approximately $120 million of their own dollars in on-farm environmental improvements, supported by government cost-share contributions of approximately $80 million. Also important to note with this study are the incredible leaps we’ve made in our detection technology. It is due to the exactitude of our modern detection techniques that we can now find residues at parts per trillion, where once we were measuring parts per million. It’s hard for me to imagine the scope of that, except that it sounds like a miniscule amount. One industry expert I consulted explained it to me like this: if parts per million is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack, parts per trillion is finding a microscopic mildew spore on a piece of chaff in that haystack. All of this shows that it pays for us to continue to be vigilant and responsible in how we use pesticides and that farmers know what they are doing when it comes to safe, responsible use. They’re not just looking after their own land, air and water, but they’re also looking after the rest of us – managing our soils, helping to safeguard our water and most importantly, growing our food.
AUGUST 2010 –– PAGE 9 THE GROWER
FOCUS: Storage How to green sprout potatoes for an earlier crop
This is a green sprouted potato before planting. By Eugenia Banks, Potato Specialist, OMAFRA Green sprouting, also called “chitting” or “pre-sprouting,” is a common practice in Europe used to accelerate the emergence, tuber initiation, growth and maturity of potatoes. A quicker emergence reduces the risk of seed rot in the ground, especially in cool, wet seasons. Green sprouted potatoes are usually harvested 10 to 14 days before the conventional crop. In many European markets, the higher prices for early, local potatoes more than justify the added cost of
green sprouting. To green sprout potato seed, the tubers are warmed to 20°C in the dark for about a week to break dormancy and promote sprout development. When the white sprouts are 2 to 3 mm long, the seed is exposed to a “greening period” at cooler temperatures of 10°C with eight to 10 hours a day of fluorescent or natural light. This greening period lasts approximately three weeks. The resulting green sprouts are short, thick and sturdy. The sprouts tend to remain intact during planting, emerge
Industry drives standards for pesticide warehousing Warehousing is a key risk-management issue for the safe storage of insecticides, fungicides and herbicides used in horticulture. Since 1995, industry has driven stricter standards to avoid fires that occurred in Ontario’s Essex County and Nova Scotia in the 1980s says Cam Davreux, Executive Director, Agri-Chemical Warehousing Standards Association. “From 1995 to 2010, there have been no environmental or health issues in agrichemical warehousing, which has been largely a result of the development and implementation of these standards,” says Davreux. “As a result, rural communities are safer.” Retailers who manage the supplies of crop protection inputs must now undergo audits every two years against more than 100 risk-reduction standards such as impervious floors, staff training and emergency response planning. Agrichemical manufacturers will only ship to warehouses which have passed this rigorous audit and achieved certification. There are currently 1,424 warehouse facilities certified in Canada.
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quickly and set tubers earlier than potatoes grown conventionally. There are different ways of green sprouting potatoes. The traditional way is to put the seed one or two tubers deep in stackable wooden trays -the size of bread trays- with slatted bottoms that are then stacked about 10 trays high. The stacked trays are kept separate to allow light to enter through the gaps. Larger operations are more likely to use mesh bags hung on racks. These mesh bags are made especially for green sprouting. Seed tubers are poured directly from storage crates into the bags which are divided into sleeves which expose each tuber to light. The bags are hung on large racks that can be moved by forklift. When the tubers are ready to plant, the rack can be loaded onto a trailer and hauled to the field. The bottoms of the bags open so that seed tubers can be fed directly into the hoppers of the planter. A belt planter is recommended for green sprouted seed. This past spring, I tried green sprouting the early table variety Superior. B-size seed tubers were placed in plastic trays and kept for three weeks under indirect natural
Here are some samples of Superior tubers that show the differences between the green sprouted and conventional crop. These will be on display at the August 19 Ontario Potato Field Day in Alliston, Ontario. light at 15°C. The green sprouts were about two cm when I planted the seed in four rows 25 ft long in a field of Superiors near Alliston. The green-sprouted plants emerged about five days earlier, and their growth was ahead of the conventional crop. Tubers reached marketable size seven days earlier than the conventional crop. I was, in fact, very lucky. There was a hard frost just before
the shoots from the green-sprouted seed emerged. If frost had occurred a couple of days later, the green sprouted plants would have been killed and the crop set back at least 10 days. Solid-set irrigation could be used to protect plants from freezing, but this is an added cost. Green sprouting will result in an earlier crop if Mother Nature cooperates and no frost occurs . . . but that is unpredictable!
PAGE 10 –– AUGUST 2010 THE GROWER
FOCUS: Storage Thermo-fogging could replace drenches to reduce scald By Karen Davidson Superficial scald of apples is the scourge of growers holding apples for sale in controlledatmosphere environments. Aggravated by fruit immaturity, delayed cold storage and other environmental factors, apples develop a browning or bronzing of the skin when in storage for extended periods. Diphenylamine (DPA) is a preventative treatment with a proven track record but its application as a drench is cumbersome. Could DPA work better in a different application? Thermofogging or aerosol technology is undergoing tests under the watchful eye of Dr. Jennifer DeEll, OMAFRA’s Fresh Market Quality Program Lead at the Simcoe Research Station. “The apple industry is very
Photo by Jennifer DeEll, OMAFRA excited about the potential adoption of this new DPA formulation,” she says. “It’s actually an antioxidant, which is heated and
misted.” To date, two DPA formulations are registered in Canada from Decco and Pace International.
The two products are emulsifiable concentrates, applied as a postharvest drench treatment. That means each truckload of apples drives through a drench system upon arrival at the storage facility. This aqueous solution generates waste which is difficult to dispose. The reuse and recirculation of the emulsion poses a problem in that pathogens accumulate in the drencher, a threat that can cause decay in the stored apples. Applying DPA as a fog or aerosol provides an environmentally-friendly solution, requiring no water and producing no condensates during application. Subsequent product disposal is no longer needed. Pace International which represents thermo-fogging technology, says that packers will have the flexibility to retreat
stored fruit. In thermo-fogging trials in the U.S., Chile and Europe, results show successful scald control in apples as well as pears. Decco is testing aerosol technology whereby a typical 2,500-bin room can be treated in one hour. This new formulation does not interfere with 1-MCP (SmartFresh) application which can be applied second. According to DeEll, both companies are pursuing additional trials and product registration in Canada. Several commercial apple storage operations, including Norfolk Fruit Growers, are utilizing the technology in trials this year. Pace has already submitted for full product registration of DPA thermo-fogging which could be registered as early as 2011.
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Apples, move over. Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are all being tested in Ontario under modified atmosphere (MA) regimes to prolong shelf life. The Ontario Berry Growers Association did some trials a year ago with Jennifer DeEll, OMAFRA’s Fresh Market Quality Program Lead and Pam Fisher, OMAFRA’s Berry Specialist to see how the technology would work on local fruits, says Kevin Schooley, Executive Director. He first saw California fruit growers using it in 2007. For strawberries, the season is so short that it’s difficult to hold berries for wholesaler demand on Wednesdays through the weekend. When the crop needs to be picked on Mondays, it’s ideal to have modified atmosphere storage where the fruit can be enclosed within a sealed semi-permeable plastic film. Carbon dioxide is pumped in and oxygen levels lowered to delay ripening. The pallet is monitored several times a day, or even hourly, to maintain a specific atmosphere until it’s opened and shipped. Two Ontario growers are now using the technology commercially. For blueberry growers, it’s ideal to harvest the crop at its peak and then, if necessary, hold the fruit until after cheaper New Jersey or Michigan fruit has cleared the marketplace. Another advantage is flexibility in how many pallets a grower wants to treat. The biggest cost is the capital investment into monitoring and sensory equipment, says Schooley. A Michigan company, Storage Control Systems, supplies the equipment to a growing business around the world. DeEll and Fisher are continuing to test various Ontario berries this year. They have seen substantial reduction in decay development in raspberries using modified atmosphere.
AUGUST 2010 –– PAGE 11 THE GROWER
FOCUS: Storage Improving the storage of Honeycrisp apples Storage disorders of apples are legendary. Superficial scald, soft scald, lenticel breakdown, bitter pit, core browning and more afflict apples in controlled-atmosphere (CA) environments. To complicate matters, some apple varieties behave differently in these environments. Honeycrisp, prized for its texture and flavour, is extremely susceptible to soft scald and soggy breakdown. Dr. Jennifer DeEll, OMAFRA’s Fresh Market Quality Program Lead, is currently working with University of Guelph researchers on storage disorders of apples, specifically Honeycrisp and Empire. Dr. Barry Shelp (Plant Metabolism, Biochemistry, and Biotechnology) and Dr. Gale Bozzo (Postharvest Biochemistry and Secondary Metabolism) are looking at the molecular side of things, trying to better understand why and how these physiological disorders develop. In the meantime, DeEll has headed a multi-year trial to evaluate the effects of postharvest treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene or 1-MCP (SmartFresh) on the post-storage quality of Honeycrisp apples. Specifically, she looked at 1-MCP in relation to diphenylamine (DPA) treatment, delayed cooling and controlled atmosphere (CA) storage. Here are her results, most recently presented at the annual meeting of the International Fruit Tree Association. This study indicates that postharvest 1-MCP treatment can have beneficial effects on certain fruit quality attributes of Honey-
effects on the quality of Honeycrisp apples during storage, such as reduced internal ethylene concentration, higher soluble solids content and titrable acidity, and less peel greasiness. However, there appears to be little effect of 1-MCP on the incidence of external disorders and without delayed cooling, the incidence of internal disorders can be increased.
Soggy breakdown. Photos by Jennifer DeEll, OMAFRA. crisp apples during storage. 1MCP-treated fruit had reduced internal ethylene concentration and increased soluble solids content and titrable acidity after storage. Treatment with 1-MCP also reduced the development of peel greasiness, which can become a major problem in Honeycrisp apples after harvest and storage. Postharvest 1-MCP treatment had little effect on the incidence of external physiological disorders in Honeycrisp. Soft scald was not consistently reduced by 1-MCP in air-stored apples and there was no significant difference in soft scald of CA-stored fruit with and without 1-MCP in any year. DPA application also tended to have little effect on soft scald in Honeycrisp and there was no additive effect of DPA with 1-MCP. There was lower incidence of bitter pit in apples treated with 1-MCP in one year, but not in another year. The biggest concern of utilizing
postharvest 1-MCP treatment on Honeycrisp apples is the apparent exacerbation of internal storage disorders. The incidence of soggy breakdown, core flush, and internal disorders were consistently higher in 1-MCP-treated fruit, regardless of storage regime. However, when 1-MCP treatment occurred during delayed cooling at 10 degrees C, then this effect was not present. It is important to note that the use of cooling delays at temperatures above 15 degrees C can cause a decline in titrable acidity as well as a decline in associated sensory quality attributes, such as lower perceived astringency and bitterness after only one month of storage. The occurrence of physiological disorders in Honeycrisp varied year-to-year during the course of this study and no one disorder was observed in all years of study. In summary, postharvest 1-MCP treatment has some positive
•
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Right: Soft scald with secondary pathogen infection.
The sweet spot Sensory evaluations were added to DeEll's research on Honeycrisp this past storage season, through collaboration with Dr. Isabelle Lesschaeve at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. In summary, sensory panelists detected differences between air and CA-stored SmartFresh-treated fruit after four months, as apples from CA storage were perceived sweeter. After eight months of CA storage, flavour differences were detected between SmartFresh-treated and non-SmartFresh apples, DPA-treated and non-DPA apples, and fruit with 2% or <0.5% CO2.
PAGE 12 –– AUGUST 2010 THE GROWER
FOCUS: Storage Pre- and postharvest 1-MCP recommended on apples for best storage
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LOUTH & NIAGARA ORCHARDS P.O. Box 43 • Virgil, Ontario • L0S 1T0 • 905-468-3297
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New 1-MCP orchard spray (Harvista) is being applied to an apple orchard in Norfolk County. Photo by Jennifer DeEll, OMAFRA. The apple industry around the world has adopted postharvest application of 1-MCP or SmartFresh to delay fruit ripening and maintain apple quality. But what if that same technology could be used preharvest to reduce fruit drop and delay fruit maturity. That’s been the focus of Dr. Jennifer DeEll, OMAFRA’s Fresh Market Quality Program Lead, who looked at the effectiveness of preharvest 1-MCP on the postharvest quality of McIntosh apples. One trial applied the product using a commercial sprayer and fruit grading by a commercial packing operation, while a second trial evaluated the effects of preharvest 1-MCP spray in combination with postharvest SmartFresh treatment on fruit quality during storage. Overall, she found that preharvest 1-MCP treatment can be useful for high-quality McIntosh apples. With less fruit drop in trees treated preharvest with 1MCP, it becomes possible to delay harvest by a few days to allow McIntosh to develop more red colour and grow in size. Preharvest 1-MCP treatment by itself provided little benefit to McIntosh quality after mid- to long-term storage. Even when McIntosh trees are sprayed preharvest with 1-MCP, subsequent postharvest 1-MCP treatment is required for consistent and longlasting positive effects on fruit quality during storage. Trials using 1-MCP orchard sprays in Ontario will continue this year, although product registration in Canada remains further down the road.
Did you know? • AgroFresh Inc. is the manufacturer of both SmartFresh and Harvista. • Harvista is registered in the U.S. but its usage is still restricted by the company. • Aerial applications of Harvista using helicopters have been tested in Washington State. • Ontario research trials have also shown the orchard 1-MCP spray to work well on Ontario pears.
AUGUST 2010 –– PAGE 13 THE GROWER
Identifying and managing leek moth, a pest of allium crops By Hannah Fraser, Entomology Program Lead – Horticulture, OMAFRA Vineland, and Margaret Appleby, IPM Systems Specialist, OMAFRA Brighton The leek moth is an invasive alien species from Europe which has become established in eastern Ontario and parts of Quebec. It continues to expand its range, moving west toward the Great Lakes region and east toward the Maritimes. Recent finds include Prince Edward Island (2008) and New York State (2009). Although leek moth does not appear to have reached large allium production areas in Ontario, we anticipate this pest will eventually find its way. Early recognition of leek moth infestations is important in keeping populations at manageable levels. How does leek moth damage plants? The first sign of leek moth usually comes in the form of damaged crops. On alliums with flat leaves, including leeks and garlic, larvae
Leek moth garlic scape boring feed on top of and inside the leaf material. They bore through folded leaves towards the centre of the plant, causing a series of pinholes on the inner leaves. In the case of garlic, larvae feed on the scapes and the stalks. Larval mines in the central leaves become longitudinal grooves in the mature plant. Leek moth larvae enter hollow leaves, such as those of onions and chives, to feed internally, creating translucent "windows" on the plant sur-
face. Bulbs are occasionally affected. What does leek moth look like? Examination of affected plants may reveal a yellowish-green larva with a pale brown head capsule and eight small grey spots on each abdominal segment, or a reddish-brown pupa encased in a loosely netted cocoon. Most cocoons are found on host plants but can be located on decaying plant matter and neighbouring
vegetation. The adult leek moth is a small, reddish-brown moth with a white triangular mark on the middle of the folded wings. It has a 12-15 mm wingspan and is five to seven mm long with wings folded at rest. The hindwings of the moth are heavily fringed and are pale grey to light black in colour. What crops are affected? The leek moth is a known pest of alliums, including onion, garlic, leeks, chives, green onion, shallot, elephant garlic, wild garlic, etc. There are more than 500 species of allium worldwide with approximately 60 species (wild and cultivated) in North America. How can I manage leek moth? There are three flight periods of leek moth per season in Ontario. The insect overwinters as an adult moth in various sheltered areas such as buildings, hedges and plant debris. Adults become active and emerge in the spring when temperatures reach 9.5°C. Leek moth presence and activity can be monitored using commercially available pheromone trapping systems. These should be installed around the field edge in mid-tolate April. Insecticide applications made seven to 10 days following a peak flight of leek moth adults can reduce the population and amount of damage it causes. At present, only Warrior (lambda cyhalothrin) is registered (garlic, including elephant; leek; dry bulb onion; green onion; Welch onion; and shallot). Other candidate pest control products remain in the minor use system. Cultural controls may be effective in reducing populations below
damaging levels. These include: • crop rotation / positioning susceptible crops away from infested areas • delayed planting • removal of old and infested leaves • early harvesting (avoid damage by last generation larvae and population build-up) • destruction of plant debris following harvest Research in Europe and Ontario has consistently shown that lightweight floating row covers can protect developing plants from leek moth damage. The use pattern of row covers must be adapted to the crop for which it is being used. Row covers should be placed out early in the season with enough slack to allow the crop to push up the cover. The cover can be kept in place with a variety of methods including trench and dirt, fire hose filled with water, sandbags, washed stone bags, etc. This allows the cover to be removed during the day for weeding and harvesting (example: garlic scapes) and then reinstalled before the leek moth flight during the evening and early morning. While leek moth is not considered a quarantine pest in Canada, it is considered one by the United States (US), resulting in impacts to Canadian exporters. All Allium spp. with green parts such as leeks and green onions (scallions) destined for the U.S. must be certified free of any life stage of the pest. The impact of the positive finds in New York State in 2009 and 2010 to the quarantine status are unknown at this time.
New fertilizer options for your farm By Donna Speranzini, Nutrient Management Program Lead, Horticulture OMAFRA There are now several anaerobic digestion facilities operating in Ontario. These facilities produce an end product called anaerobic digestate that has great fertilizer potential for your farm operation. Anaerobic digestion is the process by which organic materials in an enclosed vessel are broken down by micro-organisms, in the absence of oxygen. Anaerobic digestion produces biogas (consisting primarily of methane and carbon dioxide). Anaerobic digestion systems are also often referred to as "biogas systems." The anaerobic digestion process also produces a liquid or solid digestate product that contains all the minerals, nutrients and approximately half of the carbon from the incoming materials. Anaerobic digestate is not your typical organic nutrient source. It is very different from compost and it is not manure. It has its own unique properties and therefore its own specific recommended usages. Dr. Anna Crolla from the University of Guelph has looked at the digestate product and the following describes some of her results. Generally the nutrients going into a digester are equal to the nutrients coming out of a digester. The only difference is that the
form of the nutrients has been changed. The digestion process utilizes carbon and therefore all of the organic nutrients (those bound to a carbon) are converted to more readily available inorganic nutrients. For example, the nitrogen in digestate is found almost entirely in the ammonium form. Ammonium is readily available to the plant and should be applied as close to crop uptake as possible. Ammonium is also readily converted into nitrate in the soil and as such is easily lost to leaching. Care should be taken when applying it on sandy soils and fall applications are not recommended without a cover crop. Dr. Crolla’s research showed that when raw manure, anaerobic digestate and commercial fertilizers were applied to a field, the digestate showed the most nitrogen contamination of both surface and sub-surface water drains. The levels of nitrates found in the drains from the digestate were even higher than the commercial fertilizer, for both spring and fall applications. This is very different than the nitrogen found in compost. Nitrogen in compost is almost entirely attached to a carbon molecule and therefore the release of nitrogen occurs more slowly over time. There is less likelihood for nitrogen to reach tiles or groundwater when utilizing compost. When looking to utilize a
digestate it is important to recognize that each system has different
feed stocks. A simple nutrient analysis will let you know how to
best utilize this new source of nutrients for your farm.
PAGE 14 –– AUGUST 2010 THE GROWER
Downy mildew – a new disease of basil By Melanie Filotas, Specialty Crops IPM Specialist, OMAFRA Sean Westerveld, Ginseng and Medicinal Herbs Specialist, OMAFRA Downy mildew is well known to growers of many different crops, but has not traditionally been a problem in herbs. Over the last several years, however, a new and aggressive downy mildew has
in basil, from Uganda in 1933. In 2001, basil downy mildew was reported in greenhouses in Switzerland, and over the next several years reports came from other European countries, as well as Israel, New Zealand, Argentina and Africa. It is not known what caused the change, but possibly a more aggressive strain of the pathogen evolved.
Yellowing on upper surface of basil affected by downy mildew. These symptoms may sometimes be mistaken for a nutritional deficiency. Photo credit: M. McGrath, Cornell University. been attacking field and greenhouse basil in North America and elsewhere. Basil downy mildew is caused by the fungus Peronospora belbahrii, which is a different species than the one affecting Ontario cucumber crops, or any other downy mildew known in the province, however its impacts on basil can be just as severe. History of basil downy mildew Prior to 2001, there had been only one report of downy mildew
In North America, basil downy mildew was first reported in Florida in the fall of 2007. It is thought that the disease was spread to North America on contaminated seed. Downy mildew has since been reported in field and greenhouse basil in at least 10 U.S. states. The disease was reported in Canada last year and in early June basil downy mildew was confirmed in a potted basil plant from a home garden in southwestern Ontario.
We have not seen any symptoms of the disease yet in basil plants that we are monitoring at the Simcoe Research station and have not had any reports from commercial fields in Ontario. However, in the U.S. there have been numerous reports of downy mildew in greenhouse, commercial field and home garden basil in New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware and other states since early June. Spread and symptoms While many downy mildew pathogens prefer cooler temperatures, reports from the U.S. indicate that, while the basil downy mildew fungus will tolerate cooler temperatures, it develops best under moderate to warm temperatures. Consequently, symptoms of basil downy mildew can persist throughout the summer. Basil downy mildew can be spread on contaminated seed, by marketing infected leaves and by wind. Once infected, leaves produce large numbers of spores which can be spread great distances on wind, so all Ontario basil growers should be on the lookout for symptoms of this disease. Basil downy mildew usually begins as a nondescript yellowing on the upper surface of leaves. In some cases, this yellowing may be mistaken for a nutritional problem. However, if infected with downy mildew, the corresponding lower surface of the leaf will be characterized by the production of purplish grey spores. This can appear as a fuzzy, granular growth with the naked eye. Eventually these
yellow areas become blackened and necrotic. This disease can be quite devastating to basil as affected leaves are unmarketable. Some greenhouse basil producers in the U.S. have reported complete crop failures. To date this disease appears to be restricted to basil. Although downy mildew has been reported from related plants such as Coleus
under basil crops as soon as possible after last harvest or when the crop is lost due to disease, to reduce sources of inoculum. Research from the northeastern U.S. has shown that sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) appears to be more susceptible than other basil species. In that trial, fewer symptoms were found on the sweet basil varieties “Amethyst Imp,’
Upper surface of basil leaf affected by downy mildew. yellowing between the leaf veins. or Salvia, the pathogens involved are genetically different from that causing basil downy mildew. However, there are many ornamental basils that could also be affected by this pathogen. Management There are no fungicides registered for use against this disease on basil in Canada. To help manage this disease, use un-infested seed, select less susceptible varieties and minimize leaf wetness and humidity. Destroy or disc
‘Mrs. Burn’s Lemon”, “Red Leaf”, “Red Rubin” and “Sweet Aden”. Spice basils also appear to be more resistant to basil downy mildew. We are currently conducting a trial at the Simcoe research station evaluating differences in susceptibility to pests, including downy mildew, among 14 varieties of basil commonly sold in Ontario. Scientists in the U.S. hope to secure funding to determine why spice basils are much less susceptible.
MARKETPLACE To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 GREENHOUSE SALES
DISMANTLING LARGE GREENHOUSE Structures for glasshouses. 300 hp boilers, steel pipes, valves, grow lightsand much more. Look at our web site www.eneractiontime.com go to Documents . . . click on: For sale used greenhouse structure and contents.
519-205-0650 ECO CLEANING
REAL ESTATE
Gerry Loeters for Royal LePage, RCR Realty. PH. 519-765-4217 Cell. 519-773-6460
ORCHARD FOR SALE. 42 acre orchard with very good mix of popular varieties of apples. Super location for home sales on busy highway 3 miles north of Aylmer, Ontario. Asking $660,000.00 including equipment.
Watch for the launch of the new GROWER website, September 1. www.thegrower.org
Note the
MULCH
AUGUST 2010 –– PAGE 15 THE GROWER
MARKETPLACE To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 NURSERY / SEED / ROOTSTOCK
Alpine Nurseries
(Niagara) Limited
SPECIALIZING IN FRUIT TREES & GRAPE VINES & PRIVET HEDGING. VARIETY AND PRICE LIST AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Howard A. Colcuc Nursery Manager R.R. #4 Creek Road Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. L0S 1J0 Tel: (905) 262-4971 Fax: (905) 262-4404 plants@sympatico.ca
MAPS
BIRD REPELLERS AUCTION
Large Retirement Auction Sale Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
GREAT EAGLE (44” wingspan) $99.95 BLACK EAGLE (26” wingspan) $59.95 BLACKHAWK (13” wingspan) $29.95
(Preview Friday from 12 – 4) Ron & Pat Butwick – 905-689-6728
Quality fruit trees for over 50 years. Peaches
Apricots Nectarines Plums Pears Cherries Apples
1695 Niagara Stone Road, RR 2 NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ontario L0S 1J0 Phone: 905-468-3217 Fax: 905-468-7271 E-Mail: fruittrees@morinurseries.com
Located 84 8th Concession East, Flamborough, ½ miles east of Hwy 6, From Clappisons Corners take Hwy 6 North 5 miles to 8th Concession, Approx 8 miles South of 401 via Hwy 6 to 8th Concession (Watch for signs.) After 40 years of Farm Marketing a U-Pick operation, farm has been rented out. Consisting of Tractors – Sprayers – Planters – Farm Equipment – Irrigation – Pipe and Pumps – Baking and Food Preparation Equipment – Large qty of Decorative hand painted signage – Antique & Decorative display items plus many more farm related items (2 Auctioneers) (Good clean offering. Most items shedded and in good condition). Tractors & Irrigation: J.D. 2150, 1120 (D) with creeper and 145 Loader & bucket, J.D. 2355, J.D 1040 Diesel, Clark 4000 lb electric pallet fork, Old Int. C tractor (display), – Iveco (Diesel) with Rovatti irrigation pump (610 hrs) on wheels (As New), Wright Rain 4” P.T.O. pump, Approx 200 pcs 30’ x 3”, 100 pcs 30’ x 4”, 50 pcs 30’ x 5”. All Wade Rain, Large qty of fittings & sprinklers, 2 irrigatin trailers, irrigation gun on wheels Sprayers – Planters: G.B. 1200 Litre Air Blast sprayer (good shape), 3 P.T.H. Hardi 400 Litre boom sprayer with tree extension, John Beam 200 gal trail boom sprayer, 3 row Stan Hay precision sprayer, 2 – 3 P.T.H 2 row Mecanical transplanter, with 2, 50 gal tanks, 2 row cole side dresser, 2 row cockshutt corn planter. Equipment & Misc.: 10’ perfect offset mower, Athens H62 10’ wheel disc full 22” blades (As new), M.F. 3 P.T.H. 8’ disc, 8’ Turnco sprocket packer, 3 P.T.H. Adjustable plastic Layer, Danuser 18” – 12” post hole Auger, 3 P.T.H. 5’ cultivators, brush rake, 3 P.T.H. 2 role rake, 3 – 5 bin – 1-4 bin apple bin trailers. Fork Lift unload, M.F. #41 belt 7’ sickle bar mower 3 P.T.H. John Deere 3 P.T.H. 4 x 16” plow, 3 - Horst wagons with 16’ x 7’ flat decks, 16’ Tandem trailer and sides used for people mover, McKee 6’ snow blower, Vicon 700 lb 3 P.T.H. Fertilizer spreader, 38’ Little giant P.T.O. grain elevator, 3 P.T.H. Fork’s, 300 steel fence posts, Approx 30 apple bins 4 x 4, Approx. 700 bushel wooden apple boxes, 1200 Litre + 200 Litre plastic tanks, 3 – 4 x 4 steel washing tanks, Wooden Picking Ladders, Foot & Hand Staplers, 2 – B.T.’s, 225 amp welder, Table saw, Chains, Loading docks, 3 ½ Honda Water Pump, Large anvil, Pruners, Forks, Shovels, 5 H.P Air Compressor, Black Plastic 200 seedling trays, misc. lumber Yamaha gas golf cart, wheel borrows, hampers, 1000 multiple waxed squash boxes (new) 2 – 25” 9” x 9” wooden beams Bake Shop & Retail Market: 2 Garland convection ovens (propane) Garland electric 3’ bakers pizza oven, 2-door Bakers Pride Electric ovens, universe sheeter (as new), Air – Automatic pie shell shaper (table top), 6’ x 30” SS work table on wheels, 20 qt Alfa mixer and accessories Approximately 10 good picnic tables, Flag Pole, Baking 25” trays and carts, 18” scran Automatic wrapper, cash registers, 5 H.D. 6 shelf steel racks on wheels, Hobart roll scale and others, Popcorn machine, Server hot dispenser, qty of display tables and racks Plastic and Pine, Cedar Rails and Pine stumps, 2 Large Toledo upright 1000 lb scales, shopping carts (Plastic), 4’ x 8’ electric portable sign, qty of antique and novelties items – Primative farm tools (etc). Large qty of hand painted decorative seasonal farm related signs for U-Pick and retail market business.
Auction Sale
Many more farm related items to choose from. Something for everyone.
Saturday, August 21 at 9:00 am
Carton Erector, Packing Equipment, Conveyors, Crane Forks, Lg. Air Compressors & numerous other items related to packing, greenhouse & farming. Selling the previous assets of Red Zoo Packing & Produce Company, Kingsville, Ont.
Proprietor: Jay Colasanti, 519-796-1010 or jay@redzoo.ca Auctioneer: Jack Morris, 519-687-2530 or 1-800-462-3561 Details & photos at www.jackmorrisauctions.com
Terms - cash - cheque, interac day of sale. Lunch booth on grounds.
Jim McCartney Auction Service Ltd. 905-689-8778 Waterdown For photos please see: www.auctionsfind.com/mccartney
OLOF’S TRAVELMAPS 7037 WYANDOTTE ST. E. WINDSOR, ON. N8S 1R1 TEL: 519-944-9196 FAX: 519-944-8331 Email: info@olofmaps.com Website: www.olofmaps.com
ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION
PICKLED VEGETABLES
PAGE 16 –– AUGUST 2010 THE GROWER
MARKETPLACE To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 EQUIPMENT CALL ABE FIRST FOR BETTER PRICES, MORE CHOICES, FAST, AND FRIENDLY SERVICE. BUY A DIESEL ENGINE FROM THE DIESEL MECHANIC.
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Turbo-Mist Stainless Steel Orchard/Vineyard Sprayers Low Drift Spray Tower Attachments With Anti-Drip Nozzles Perfect Rotary Mowers & Flail Mulchers For Heavy Prunings Seppi Flail Mulcher Mowers For Grass & Prunings Votex Rotary Orchard Mowers & Parts Apple Bin Dumpers To Fit Fork-Lift or Tractor Loader Apple Bin Carriers For 5-Bins or 6-Bins - Self Loading
AVAILABLE NOW
NOW IN STOCK: Used Bin Dumper With Forks, Hoses ........................................$950 Used Bin Carriers, Reconditioned, Starting at ............................$3,500 Used Seppi 200, 6 1/2 ft Flail Mower, Almost New ..................$5,900 New Pallet Cart Hand Jack, 5,000 lb, Heavy Duty ....................$450 New Hydraulic Mini-Cylinders For Sprayer Valves
1) New 4 cylinder Cummins, 80 HP with 2 stage Rovatti pump, murphy, on trailer, etc. $11,900 RR 3, PO Box 3613 Guelph, ON Phone: (519) 763-2400 Fax: (519) 763-3930
D O N A RT H U R O R C H A R D E Q U I P M E N T
(519) 599-3058
www.easternfarmmachinery.com
Clarksburg, ON.
GROWERS WANTED
WARWICK
Carrot Harvester
ORCHARDS & NURSERY LTD. 7056 Egremont Rd. R.R. 8 Watford, Ontario N0M 2S0 Tel: (519) 849-6730 Toll free: 877-550-7412 Fax: (519) 849-6731 Email: warwickorchards@brktel.on.ca
WE SELL PESTICIDE AND FUNGICIDE FREE PRODUCE! We are looking for other growers that are willing to sign for having produce free pesticides and fungicides. Peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers. Don’t need to apply. London area. Ph: 519-205-0650 Fax: 519-205-0680
• • • •
Univerco Carrot Harvester with Cleaning Table. Well Maintained. Located at Brookfield Gardens, PEI. Phone: 1-902-964-3200 Cell:1-902-393-4805
BIN TRAILERS BIN FILLERS Picking LADDERS Picking BUCKETS PLUG TRAYS
• Tree STAKES • TIE MATERIAL • TREE GUARDS
Drip Irrigation System for a 12 acre orchard, c/w pump, filter, fertilizer injector, valves and drip lines, $6,000. Tree branch spreaders 4"-16", $500. Branch weight clips, $100. Rodent bait stations, $5.00 each. Orchard Sprayer, c/w helmet, $2,000. Call 519-8425538 or 519-983-7255
3) Also 6 cylinder Cummin 5.9 L (165 HP) with 3 stage Rovatti Pump on trailer etc., murphy. $15,750 4) Iveco complete pump units, 80HP, 2 stage F33/K100. $11,900 5) Iveco 4 cylinder turbo 110/ 130 HP. $12,900 6) Perkins/ John Deere diesel engines. $12,900
CLASSIFIEDS 2007 Harnois Greenhouse, 40X102 ovaltech III, complete with benches and furnaces and automatic controls. Asking $27,000.00. Fantastic looking structure. 2001 Delhi Foundry Transplanter, 2 row. Can be easily converted to 4 row. Model 204. This planter is loaded with many extras. Will email photos. Asking $5000.00. Just like new. Used 2 seasons. Poinsettia Pot covers and sleeves form Highland Supply. Preformed for 4,6,8 and 10 inch pots. No longer growing poinsettias. Will email photos. Please call (519) 695-5342. Serious inquiries only please.
TUNNELS
2) Cummin 4 cylinder turbo 100 HP with 3 stage Rovatti Pump, murphy on trailer, etc. $13,850
Family cider and & tour business for sale. Has full-time potential. Since 1929. Includes established customer base, production equipment & recipes for cider, apple butters and syrups. Also educational tours with contacts, supplies and training. Business must be relocated. Contact Joe or Gerrie at jghergott@sympatico.ca or 519-886-6153 Bartlett dryer. Variable speed. Oil fired with waxing wand. Rolls like new. 15’ long x 2.5’ wide x 4’3” high. Asking $1,500. 519887-6883
A. KOOLMEES R.R. 1, Otterville, ON N0J 1R0 (519) 879-6878 Fax: (519) 879-6319
TRACEABILITY ScoringAg.com
www.scoringAg.com
Wanted: For Cash, Trade, or Consignment Clean Sprayers, Mowers, Bin Carriers, Narrow Orchard Tractors
for exporting to USA: Traceback and trace-up systems, COOL acceptable, PROVEN: SIMPLE, SECURE, INEXPENSIVE lenhardt@thot.net 705 324 2709
AUGUST 2010 –– PAGE 17 THE GROWER
MARKETPLACE
To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 CROP TUNNELS
FREIGHT SERVICE
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IRRIGATION
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PAGE 18 –– AUGUST 2010 THE GROWER
Minor Use Craig’s Comments
Craig Hunter OFVGA I read with interest the recent Toronto Star story about Stewardship Ontario and how the Environment Minister has threatened to remove their ‘right’ to assess ‘fees’ to pay for recycling programs. Oh how the fat sizzles when a different chef turns up the heat! It seems that the government did not like the publicity about these ‘eco-fees’ being overtly added to the bills of consumers. This led consumers to realize the hosing they were taking at the hands of Stewardship Ontario. July 1st was the day when many additional commodities were to begin paying for any hazardous or special waste diversion programs across Ontario. Rather than fund these from general revenue, or foist the cost on municipalities, the decision
What’s amiss at Stewardship Ontario? was to ‘tax’ the ‘stewards’ defined as the manufacturer or first importer of the commodity. That means that for instance, Canadian Tire who may import car batteries from Taiwan would pay the assessed fee for the recycling of those batteries somewhere down the road. If Mallory Battery makes their AAA-sized batteries in Oakville, they would be assessed the fee for those. Stewardship Ontario is supposed to be made up of these stewards for all the sectors, and the Stewardship Ontario employees are not considered to be ‘civil servants’ but in the employ of the stewards. Stewardship Ontario was created by Waste Diversion Ontario, which in turn was created by the Waste Management Branch of the Ministry of Environment (MOE). (Oh what tangled webs we [they] weave). How then does the minister get to blast the head of Stewardship Ontario, or threaten to revoke the right to set an industry imposed fee? Furthermore, why should the government want to hide the fee, if they didn’t set it in the first place? Is the real issue that behind closed doors Stewardship Ontario is manned by government anointed staff who are expected to jump to every whim of those really in charge? Is it also possible that the fees may have been set much higher than truly
needed to run a lean mean recycling program? Could any of the funds be getting used for more than mandated? Where does all the money go? The financial reports on their website are not ones that would pass scrutiny at Revenue Canada! Since they are (purportedly) a non-governmental and a not-for-profit body, should not these financials show more detail? The categories of expenditure would suggest padding for ‘projects’ but there is no detail on what, when or the costs and outcomes of those ‘projects.’ Interesting? I have reason to ask these questions. Earlier this year there was an attempt made to add such a fee to bagged fertilizer. This was originally to be everything bagged at 25kg or less, and would have included 30,000 tonnes (75 million pounds) used in agriculture! The first published “estimate” was to be $0.41 per kilogram!!! This would have cost a broccoli grower over $600 per hectare for fees alone. Working with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario fertilizer dealers, we were able to get agricultural fertilizers exempt from this fee. However, all the other items such as paint, batteries, fire extinguishers, bagged cement, domestic pesticides, etc., will still attract fees, even if we never use
Do you really know what you are paying for?!
their programs. At that same meeting we found out that they had ‘data’ to show how much ‘fertilizer’ had been collected in the prior year’s program. However, they refused to divulge that data, and suggested that the fee calculations ‘took other things into account, not just the volumes collected.’ They also admitted their staff had recently grown from two to 17 people. It must be heartening to know that a fee can be increased whenever they need more staff, or to pay themselves more. (How much and how much more we do not know as they do not appear on the government salary lists). Don’t get me wrong! The whole approach to recycling is good, and well intentioned. The fact that it needs to be funded is not at issue, as long as the fees are set only to pay for the running of the program and not more hidden things. The user should absolutely know what they are paying for and how much. This will create awareness of the program, and more use of the program at the end of the life of the product. If ‘research’ is needed, surely that is in the purview of the MOE Waste Management Branch? Surely they should be funding such research? Since the buyers of the products have no say in the fees, or how and where they are collected,
nor in how they are being spent, it begs the question- shouldn’t the users be asked to be a part of the management of the programs? This whole issue harkens back to the Cosmetic Pesticide Ban. It was orchestrated behind closed doors, and to this day there are things that have never been revealed to the public- the very people most affected by the ban. Why is it that a list of banned products (active ingredients) is available, but nowhere is the list of criteria available that was used to determine what goes on the list? Who is making the additions, changes and ‘conditions’ that lead to the list available today? Why is it that when farm groups suggested that requiring licensed applicators (exterminators) to be retrained and re-examined every five years, (like farmers) it was ‘impossible’? Why has this not been implemented now, after 18 months? Why are the Minister and some staff members under investigation for activities surrounding the ban? Where there is smoke, there is usually fire. Perhaps the issues of stewardship fees and pesticide regulations are un-related, but why is it that they both seem to emanate from the same source? It begs the questionare there other subterfuges that we are as yet unaware of that will arise from the murk? Let’s hope not!
PMRA farm tour
More than 30 staff from the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada recently toured horticultural operations for three days in Ontario’s Norfolk and Wentworth counties. Growers presented their perspective on pest control issues, and their need for pesticide registrations. Issues ranged from resistance developing to older products, to smart calculation of spray volumes and pesticide rates based on target size, shape and pest condition. Crops ranged from apples to zucchini, and included hops, sweet potato, cucurbits, strawberries, ginseng, shiitake mushrooms, herbs and tree nuts. Growers and staffers alike were impressed with the tour, and the OFVGA was pleased to be one of the many grower sponsors.
The Source...
for Fungicides, Miticides & Insecticides in Horticultural Crops
| www.valent.ca | 519-822-7043 Read and follow the label instructions before using. All products are trademarks or registered trademarks of Valent U.S.A. Corporation. © Valent U.S.A. Corporation, 2009. All rights reserved.
Call us at 1-866-613-3336 or visit www.engageagro.com
AUGUST 2010 –– PAGE 19 THE GROWER
Rimon 10EC insecticide receives multiple label expansions By Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Minor Use Coordinator, Guelph Strawberries: Rimon 10EC Insecticide, is now registered for control of tarnished plant bug nymphs (TPB) on strawberries in Canada. Rimon 10EC (novaluron) was already labeled for management of several insect pests on apples and potatoes in Canada. Rimon insecticide can be applied as a foliar spray at 835 mL per hectare for control of TPB nymphs. Apply in 450 - 1400 litres of water per ha and do not apply more than three applications per season. Application should be made when insect populations reach locally determined thresholds. Field monitoring for this pest is vital to achieve effective control. Do not apply within one day of harvest of strawberries. Reapplication on a 10 – 14 day interval may be required when monitoring indicates a need. For copies of the new supplemental label contact Pam Fisher, OMAFRA, Simcoe (519) 4262238, Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-3539 Rimon 10EC insecticide has also received a label expansion for control of European corn borer on field peppers and European corn borer, fall armyworm and true armyworm on snap beans in Canada. Snap beans: Rimon insecticide can be applied as a foliar spray at 410 – 820 mL per hectare for control of corn borer, fall armyworm and true armyworm. Apply in 280 520 litres of water per ha and do not apply more than three applications per season. Do not apply within two days of harvest. For corn borer the 1st application should be made just prior to egg hatch. For fall and true armyworm applications should be made when the larvae 1st start feeding. Field monitoring for these pest stages is vital to achieve effective control. Use higher rates and spray volumes for high pest pressures, when larvae are large or when foliage canopy is dense. Re-application on a 7 – 10 day interval may be required to protect new growth or when monitoring indicates a need. Field peppers: Rimon insecticide can be applied as a foliar spray at 410 – 820 mL per hectare for control of corn borer. Apply in 280 - 520 litres of water per ha and do not apply more than three applications per season. Do not apply within one day of harvest. For corn borer the 1st application should be made just prior to egg hatch. Field monitoring for these pest stages is vital to achieve effective control. Use higher rates and spray volumes for high pest pressures or when foliage canopy is dense. Re-application on a 7 – 10 day interval may be required to protect new growth or when monitoring indicates a need.
Stone fruits: Rimon insecticide is registered for control of Oriental fruit moth (OFM), peach twig borer (PTB) and oblique-banded leafroller (OBLR) on stone fruits, crop group 12 (which includes apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums and plumcots) in Canada. . Rimon insecticide can be applied as a foliar spray at 1.35 – 3.35 litres per hectare for control of OFM, PTB and OBLR. Apply in 1000 – 3000 litres of water per ha and do not apply more than three applications per season. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest. The application timing instructions for each pest are different and complex and require accuracy for effective results. Consult the detailed label instructions and your local extension personnel for details. For copies of the new supplemental label contact
Makhteshim Agan of North America Inc. and Chemtura AgroSolutions have supported these registrations.
BASF files for two actives
Hannah Fraser, OMAFRA, Vineland (905) 562-1674, Wendy
McFadden-Smith, OMAFRA, Vineland (905) 562-3833.
BASF has made multi-lateral, worldwide regulatory submissions for two new products — Xemium fungicide and Initium fungicide. They were submitted to the regulatory authorities in Canada, the U.S., New Zealand and Australia simultaneously. Xemium, a novel broad-spectrum compound, is being studied in a wide range of crops including fruits, vegetables and row crops. Initium fungicide, a new class of chemistry, is being researched on a number of specialty crops.
WHERE FARMERS MEET ™
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PAGE 20 –– AUGUST 2010 THE GROWER
Don’t miss the boat.
Are you planning, or designing, a new construction project? Then contact us right away. New commercial buildings, additions and major renovations planned for construction anywhere in Ontario outside the 416 area code may be eligible for major grants and incentives from the High Performance New Construction (HPNC) Program. Incentives are based on verified kW savings. If you incorporate energy efficiency measures into your new construction project, not only will it qualify for significant incentives and grants from HPNC, it will provide a lifetime of energy cost savings and have a higher market value.
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Application Deadline - October 31, 2010
Contact us today. The rewards could be green – in more ways than one. For more information call 1-888-OPA-HPNC or visit www.hpnc.ca. Applications available online.