CELEBRATING 131 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION
MAY 2011
VOLUME 61 NUMBER 05
Growers bring home vegetables from the global village KAREN DAVIDSON Eat your bok choy. It’s good for you! That unfamiliar vegetable may soon replace the proverbial spinach as tastes become cross-cultural. One in every five Canadians will originate from a visible minority group by 2017. In Toronto, the statistic will be closer to one in two. These changing faces of Canadian demographics translate into changing food preferences – a fact that’s both a threat and opportunity to vegetable growers. That’s why Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) convened a first-ever Vegetable Crop Diversification Workshop this spring. Drawing experts from the entire value chain, Ahmed Bilal organized a program that allowed growers to share their experiences in producing and marketing world crop varieties in Ontario. He’s VRIC’s research associate for crop production and diversification. Currently, the demand for global village crops is estimated at $61 million per month in the Greater Toronto Area according to Glen Filson, University of Guelph researcher. That breaks down to $21 million for the Chinese community, $7 million for the Caribbean-African community and $33 million for South Asians. It’s important to note that the South Asian community is mostly vegetarian, spending up to 40 per cent of the food budget on vegetables. Not to be forgotten is the Caucasian population which is gradually
INSIDE Metro’s CEO shares consumer insights
Page 5
Traceability inches towards milestones
Page 6
Focus: Irrigation
Page 13
These pepper seedlings are just the start of 2011 vegetable diversification trials directed by the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC). Okra, Asian eggplant and bitter melon will soon follow. Ahmed Bilal, (left) research associate, VRIC crop production and diversification, seeks input from Harpreet Cheema, farm manager, J. Collins and Sons Limited which hosts one of the test sites at Troy, Ontario. Photo by Denis Cahill. developing a taste for different fare through travel and exposure to Food Network TV and cross-cultural friends. “A lot of interdisciplinary work is necessary,” says Filson. “If the local market is to succeed, we need the sensory analysis. In other words, does it taste as good as back home?” Many of the global village vegetables are coming from the Dominican Republic with freight at 50 cents per pound says Sreedhar Mundluru, president, Sundine Produce, an importer and distributor. “There are lots of opportunities for Ontario growers from June through October,” he
says, “but growers must understand it’s not a homogeneous market. For example, Indian customers want small squash while Chinese customers want large squash.” These vegetables are not likely to be organically grown, but they are in high demand by various cultural communities. He says that the USDA is heavily monitoring produce from the Dominican to guarantee food safety. Nowhere are the choices more evident than at the Ontario Food Terminal according to Harjinder Singh, president, Golden Groceries Ltd. That’s where he
sources from India, Pakistan, Mexico and the Dominican Republic for his retail stores. “We have a good market for long chili that amounts to 200 to 250 cases per week,” says Singh. “People from the Punjab know their vegetables and they’re very particular about freshness. You must match the price of the import, educate consumers on the value of local and then move them up to premium prices. In-store promotions are a good way to start that process.” The best estimates are that 1975 acres to 2470 acres of Asian vegetables are grown in Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and perhaps
another 500 to 1,000 acres elsewhere according to Raymond Cerkauska, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Harrow. He doesn’t think much has changed since he surveyed the province in 1994. It was a difficult task gaining trust of Chinese-speaking growers who were wary of “government” asking questions. “Little is common among the various ethnic groups,” says Cerkauska, “There’s strong competition for market share among and within ethnic grower groups. They don’t reveal their field practices.” Continued on page 3
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AT PRESS TIME… Sustained lobbying wins budget in Ontario election year Ontario’s 2011 fiscal budget contained a nugget for horticulture: a new self-directed risk management program. The announcement was the result of many months of lobbying by the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition (OASC) which includes grains and oilseeds, cattle, hogs, sheep, veal and horticulture. A portion of the $150 million line item will be for edible horticulture whose growers would make contributions matched by the provincial government. Application forms could be ready as soon as September 1. “We appreciate the willingness of Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell to work with our OASC partners and with the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) to develop solutions that will work for each sector,” says Mark Wales, chair of the OFVGA safety nets committee. “Now it’s time for the federal government to also come to the table to support these programs so they’ll provide optimum results for farmers.” No comment is expected from the federal agriculture department while the election is underway for May 2.
Invite for on-line survey on market access by May 15 The OFVGA and Erie Innovation and Commercialization have engaged the George Morris Centre to examine food distribution and market access issues within the South Central Ontario region and to develop a food distribution model for the area. While many interviews have already been conducted, producers are encouraged to participate. Small groceries and restaurants want small quantities of product with specific attributes but don’t know how to connect with producers of small quantities. At the other extreme are grocery chains that need large quantities. All parties have a market access problem. Buyers need to find the right buyers and to combine small lots into larger quantities consistently and efficiently.
Take some time to fill out an on-line survey by May 15 so that the George Morris Centre can integrate your perceptions regarding market access and food distribution. Link to survey: www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WE B22BS72BBSU8/
New venue for Canadian Greenhouse Conference The venue for the annual Canadian Greenhouse Conference is shifting from Toronto to Niagara Falls in a move that is closer to stakeholders and supporters. The event, slated for October 5 and 6, will be held at the Scotiabank Convention Centre. The two-day conference for commercial greenhouse flower and vegetable growers will feature a pre-conference bus tour in the Niagara Region. For more information, go to www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com
Exeter Produce expands bell pepper line Exeter Produce and Storage Company Limited is planning to relocate its bell pepper processing line in order to install state-ofthe-art equipment at Exeter, Ontario. Field production of bell peppers is expected to increase from 3,742 tonnes to 5,000 tonnes annually, in a move that will reduce operating costs and improve product quality for end consumers, says Jim Veri, vice president. Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Program is investing $567,000 in the project, with completion expected by December 2012.
Correction The article on page 38 of the April issue, “Altacor and Coragen receive label extensions” was inadvertently attributed to Jim Chaput, minor use coordinator, OMAFRA. The information was sourced directly from a news release from DuPont Canada.
NEWSMAKERS Bunkhouse update In December of 2010, the Ontario government announced that eligible farm bunkhouses would be taxed at the farm property class rate beginning January 1, 2011. Since this amendment was filed the day before the return of the assessment roll to the local municipalities, there was not enough time to identify farms that have eligible bunkhouses and reflect that change in classification on the assessment roll for the 2011 taxation year. The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is currently working with farmrelated organizations to notify farmers of the regulation change and ensure that all eligible bunkhouses are captured and identified in the farm property class. This change in classification is due to an amendment that was made to Ontario Regulation 282/98. According to the amendment, a bunkhouse is determined eligible for classification in the farm property class based on the following criteria: 1. The housing is used on a temporary basis for on farm labourers. 2. The housing does not serve as a principle residence on the property. 3. The housing is not occupied on a year-round basis. 4. The housing must be on a property that is assessed as a farm under subsection 19(5) of the Assessment Act. 5. The farmer must be approved by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for the farm property class. To review the Regulation, visit the Service Ontario e-Laws site. If you have a bunkhouse that meets the above criteria or for more information, please contact MPAC at 1 866 296-MPAC (6722) Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. If your bunkhouse meets the above stated criteria and qualifies for inclusion in the farm property class, MPAC will send an Amended Notice for the 2011 tax year.
Congratulations to all winners of awards bestowed at the recent Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) annual convention and tradeshow which attracted 3,283 participants to Montreal. Jim DiMenna was named The Packer’s Produce Person of the Year 2011. He is president of JD Marketing, Golden Gem and JEM D International in Leamington, Ontario. Jim DiMenna He is currently serving on the Produce Traceability Initiative Leadership Council. The Mary FitzGerald Award went to Josée Houle, Metro Inc. Another Metro employee, Ghislain Perron won the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Produce News Fresh Health Award was received by Gambles Ontario Produce for their participation in Freggie Fridays adopt-a-school program. Best New Product Showcase winner was La Vita Imports for their Mini-Oliva vials of olive oil and vinegar products in single-serve vials. For complete coverage of the CPMA event, see pages 4 and 5. The Grape Growers of Ontario elected a new board of directors for 2011-12. Bill George Jr. remains chair while Matthias Oppenlaender is vice-chair. Directors include: Kevin Watson, Trevor Falk, Bill Schenck, Bill Jansenberger, Steve Fernick, Debra Marshall, Steve Pohorly and Jim Morrison. At its recent annual meeting, Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. added a new community director to its board: Ken McCormack. Acclamations for corporate directorships were Lisa Thompson, Ontario Dairy Goat Cooperative; Emily Miller, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Keith Currie, Curriedale Farms. The executive consists of chair Krista Henry, vice-chair Lorie Jocius and treasurer Tim Nelson, Poultry Industry Council. The B.C. Agriculture Council has honoured Hans Buchler, grape orchardist, with the 2011 Award for Excellence in Leadership. The Oliver-based grower was instrumental in the start of the B.C. Wine Grape Council and has been an inspirational force in the B.C. Enology and Viticulture Conference. BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association elected their board of directors. Peter Cummings (President/Chair), Ravi Cheema (Vice President), Ray Van Marrewyk (Treasurer), Dirk de Jong, Jos Moerman. Executive Director is Linda Delli Santi. Ralph Martin will assume the position of inaugural Loblaw Chair in Sustainable Food Production based at the Ontario Agricultural College’s Department of Plant Agriculture on August 1. He’s been a professor at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College since 1990 and is currently director of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada. Most notably, he recently launched Canada’s Organic Science Cluster through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The United Fresh Produce Association has hired Burleson Smith, former director of pest management policy at the United States Department of Agriculture, as vice-president, environmental affairs and sustainability. He will lead the United Fresh Foundation’s Center for Global Produce Sustainability which was established in 2009 through a founding grant from Bayer CropScience. Smith will develop programs linking the produce supply chain from farm to consumer to advance environmental responsibility, social acceptability and economic viability of the fresh produce industry.
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MAY 2011 –– PAGE 3 THE GROWER
Growers bring home vegetables from the global village Continued from page 1 So the demand side of the equation seems real enough, but how do growers convert that into a supply-side business? Before considering the agronomics, figure out how to sell the crop. It’s imperative to have a bridge to the ethnic community, the potential buyer of your crop. Have someone who can literally talk the language. Mandarin or Cantonese? That’s a big difference in the Chinese community alone. Loblaw has recognized the importance of these growing markets by hiring Shreenivas Shellikeri, senior category manager, ethnic produce. With 13 million Canadians shopping in a Loblaw store every week, Loblaw is increasing its quotient of “warm” vegetables: gai lan (Chinese broccoli), suey, choy, Chinese eggplant, bitter melon. “We are looking for new growers,” says Shelliker, “provided they can meet our standards for food safety, quantity and specifications, taste, cost and traceability. We have been selling 600 to 700 cases Canadian garlic every week.” Once you have linkages to the chain, consider the agronomics. Mary Ruth McDonald, University of Guelph researcher, says that the organic soils of the Holland Marsh are ideal for vegetables from the Brassica family. Chinese vegetables like bok choy have been grown in the marsh for 40 years with few if any herbicides used and intense labour to plant, weed and harvest. It’s too cold for such crops as okra and fuzzy melon. Other crops such as amaranth, edible chrysanthemums, water spinach and pea sprouts are successful, the latter two with the pampering warmth of hoop houses or floating covers. Many pests plague the crops such as flea beetles, aphids, pea leafminer and cabbage maggot. Be prepared to deal with downy mildew and clubroot. And don’t grow too much. Fifty acres of artichokes may be enough to supply the Ontario market. In other crops, two acres might flood the market. “Trial results are interesting,” says Holland Marsh grower John Gorzo who has spent years experimenting
with artichokes. “But I found that some disease complexes aren’t evident until you have eight acres. That’s when I discovered an aphid outbreak on artichokes and there was nothing legal to spray with.” This hard-earned advice is taken to heart at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre which is seeding its second year of trials in key vegetables: okra, yard long beans, Asian eggplant, amaranth and fuzzy melon. Ahmed Bilal shared results of farmers’ field trials in Simcoe, Binbrook and Copetown. In addition to cultivar trials, he
discussed how different soil textures and irrigation affected the crops. Supported financially in part by the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, these trials are the vanguard of proving the agronomic and market dynamics. “In the next three years,” says Michael Brownridge, VRIC’s research director, horticultural production systems, “our plans are to de-risk these crops and to find distribution pathways.”
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
FOOD SAFETY
SNACKS
PARTNERSHIPS
FARM SIZE
USDA funds late blight project
CFIA monitors nuclear crisis
Diamond Foods snags Pringles brand
Hort practice centre opens in China
Large U.S. farms dominate vegetables
Howard Judelson, a professor of plant pathology at the University of California, Riverside, has received a $9 million five-year grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture to research late blight. Flourishing in cool, moist weather, the disease costs the global potato and tomato industry about $7 billion annually. Leading a multidisciplinary team, Judelson says, “To manage this disease, we will develop an integrated plan of research, education and extension that includes developing diagnostic tools, resistant plants through breeding and biotechnology, and systems to provide improved management guidelines to growers.” -- University of California News
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency expanded import controls of all Japanese food, animal feed and ingredients on April 1, following radiation tests in the zone around the disabled Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant. A signed attestation form from the importer must accompany shipments and be submitted to Canada Border Services Agency prior to the shipment’s arrival. If products were produced, grown, processed, packaged or stored in any of the affected areas after March 11, they must be tested for residual activity by a laboratory acceptable to Government of Canada and found to have residual levels of background radioactivity below Canadian action levels. -- Ontario Produce Marketing Association
Procter & Gamble Company is selling the Pringles potato snack brand to Diamond Foods in a transaction worth $2.35 billion. Pringles is the world’s largest potato extruded snack brand with sales in more than 140 countries and manufacturing operations in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The transaction triples the size of California-based Diamond Foods snack business which also includes Emerald nuts, Pop Secret microwave popcorn and Kettle Brand potato chips. -- PotatoPro
China and the Netherlands are partnering to stimulate private enterprise among Chinese market gardeners. The most significant milestone is the April opening of the Sino Europe Agricultural Development Center in the province of Fujian. Based in Zhangzhou, the centre will focus on training and research in flowers, fruits and vegetables. Dutch-based Wageningen University, a leader in international greenhouse horticulture, is taking the knowledge partner lead and has appointed professor Evert Jacobsen as scientific director. Under his direction, the centre will focus on durable tea production, bio-nano technology, food safety, potato cultivation and waste and energy management. -- Freshplaza.com
U.S. vegetable production is increasingly in the hands of a number of large enterprises, the latest USDA survey shows. According to the report, larger, more efficient farms are garnering a greater share of the domestic market, with about eight per cent of all specialized vegetable and melon farms producing $1 million or more of agricultural commodities per year. These large operations accounted for 87 per cent of the total value of U.S. vegetable production. When it comes to potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and asparagus, most of the U.S. production is concentrated among farms with more than $1 million in sales per year, the report says.
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Canadian Produce Marketing Association trade show: Five trends spotted 1. ‘Green’ packaging is part of the product story
Wolter says that more detailed grower stories are a work-inprogress. To date, the company receives information on where the codes have been scanned, ie in what stores and specific cities. Nothing is known about the consumer.
The Ecotray is a perfect example of several trends evident at the CPMA show. Introduced by Clifford Produce in Ruthven, Ontario, this biodegradable tray is overwrapped with breathable film to provide a tamper-proof package for consumers. The green packaging also contains a quick-response code that leads consumers to the greenhouse grower’s website. Once there, a video tells the story of how small farms mean big business in the greenhouse category. Clifford Produce is improving its category management for retailers by communicating backroom receiving tips: Never chill the product! When tomatoes drop below 60 degrees, cucumbers drop below 52 degrees and peppers below 45 degrees, texture and flavour are negatively affected. The Ecotray is a finalist in the United Fresh “Best New Packaging” category to be judged in New Orleans, May 4.
2. Novelty grows the greenhouse category The greenhouse category continues to tantalize with new colours, shapes, sweetness and mini-sizes. Consider Mucci Farms’ Sun Drops tomatoes with a brix level of 10 or Mastronardi’s Zima Seriously Sweet Tomatoes. Both Canadian inventions are shortlisted for the “Best New Fruit Product” in the upcoming United Fresh trade show in New Orleans, May 4.
5. Convenience marries nutrition The show’s best new product is La Vita’s olive oil and vinegar products in singe-serve vials.
This sell sheet by Clifford Produce highlights the features of its green packaging.
3. Food safety is dictating packaging
4. Quickresponse technology takes off Rainier Fruit Company, based in Washington state, is an early adopter of QR technology, placing the quick-response codes
Meanwhile, Ippolito International also launched microwaveable Brussels sprouts. As North America’s largest grower and shipper, they also offer the vegetable in one pound clamshells, vexar bags, in bulk and on stalks.
the store. No more typing in a web address or waiting to get home. Now they have instant access right at their fingertips, including usage tips, recipe ideas, product descriptions and more.” With increased consumer requests for usage tips, recipe ideas and consumer desire to connect with where food is grown, the QR codes provide easy access and information can be refreshed for seasonality relevance. With an integrated communications strategy that includes brand image on packaging,
What is a QR code?
Photo by FreshPlaza.com
Driven by consumer demand, Ippolito International is introducing shrink-wrapped broccoli under its Queen Victoria label. The trend to more packaged produce offers enhanced food safety at store level, looks neat in uniform displays and results in less shrink.
on new packaging of 13 varieties of apples. “This is very new for us,” says Suzanne Wolter, director of marketing. “The idea is for consumers to use their smartphone to scan the code in
A QR code (short for Quick Response) is a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code), readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera phones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be text, URL or other data. Common in Japan, where it was created by Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave in 1994, the QR code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. QR is the abbreviation for Quick Response, as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. Source: Wikipedia.
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 5 THE GROWER
Boothmanship at its best CPMA’s Best Booth Award went to Peak of the Market, a grower-owned vegetable supplier in Manitoba. Led by Larry McIntosh, president and CEO, Peak of the Market has earned a reputation for the quality of stored vegetables from its 40 farm families. In this year’s booth space, a vegetable mannequin was propped on a park bench with just enough space for a guest. If you wished a memento of the booth, a staff member used his laptop to shoot your photo and then immediately emailed the shot to you. All staff members were wearing shirts emblazoned with the QR code. This interactive experience proved how to refresh a booth space and how new technology, quick-response codes, are reconnecting consumers to the brand.
Photo by FreshPlaza.com
Grocers are opening more discount stores KAREN DAVIDSON What major grocer is number one in Quebec, number two in Ontario and number three in Canada? With CPMA’s annual convention and trade show in Montreal, it was fitting to have Eric La Flèche speak about produce marketing under the title: Do you know your consumer? And if you haven’t thought of the answer yet to the opening question, he’s CEO of Metro Inc.
With 657 stores split between Ontario (271) and Quebec (386), and $11.3 billion in annual revenue, La Flèche’s strategic direction counts. Since 1947, a small group of independent stores has grown through acquisitions, first Epiceries Richelieu in 1976, Steinberg in 1992, Loeb in 1999 and A & P in 2005. With relentless competition from Loblaw, Walmart entering Quebec and even Dollarama and Giant Tiger selling produce, the goal to be the best performing food retailer in
Canada is daunting. Metro operates under two formats: its conventional stores with convenient, superior fresh produce and fair prices, and its discount banners Super C and Food Basics with very good produce and low prices. A new Food Basics store just opened in Brampton, Ontario in the fall of 2010. “All the growth is in discount stores and that’s a global trend,” says La Flèche. “The recession has accelerated this trend and I
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think it’s here to stay.” To operate in this competitive environment, La Flèche’s strategy is to make the consumer number one in all decisions. He revealed that Metro has not yet earned the perception of number one in produce in Quebec, so major efforts are underway to win loyalty. Last fall, the grocer launched a loyalty card - Metro et moi (Metro and me). Already, there are 950,000 members who are targeted with cash vouchers, personalized mailings and trial offers. “We are exceeding our expectations in basket size and building a stronger brand,” says La Flèche. The loyalty card is a favourite tactic of consumer insights firm, Dunnhumby. Since the fall of 2009, Metro has contracted the services of this well-known firm which first made its mark with Tesco in the United Kingdom and then Kroger in the United States. “With their intellectual brain
power and software analysis, we’ve gained key business insights,” says La Flèche. In the category of fruit juices, for example, the SKUS used to be presented by brand, but are now displayed by flavour. These seemingly simple changes are more attuned to customer needs. In the next six months, Metro plans to increase consumer satisfaction in its fruits and vegetables category with product quality as well as supply chain logistics, equipment and in-store presentation. Behind the scenes, that goal requires back-end training in the warehouses and with produce managers. La Flèche concluded by restating that consumers are under pressure and that grocers face fierce competition and rising costs. What wasn’t said, but understood, is that growers face the same reality.
PAGE 6 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
Traceability inches towards industry-mandated milestones KAREN DAVIDSON “If you are an evolving business and not in traceability, you are out of touch,” says Eric Biddiscombe, senior director planning for Loblaw’s produce business unit. That blunt assessment was shared with a packed room of cross-industry representatives as On-Trace Agri-Food Traceability hosted its annual seminar in early April. As the veteran of six produce recalls in four years, Biddiscombe emphasized how painful a recall can be. “We would like to identify by the pallet or even by case, rather than recalling 500 pallets,” he said. “Traceability is an administrative process that gives the perception of safety. It does not change how food is grown.” For growers, it’s been a waiting game on which produce traceability program will be mandated across all major grocers. For the 850 growers supplying Loblaw, they are required to have On Farm Food Safety Audits, for high risk crops Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification by June 30 2012 and by December 31, 2011 for any private label products. For any produce such as “slice and dice” ingredients going into processed foods, GFSI certification must be in place now. Loblaw has established three risk categories. High risk includes any commodity grown close to ground or which can be eaten raw or with a history of pathogens such as sprouts, melons and leafy greens. Medium risk includes anything eaten raw such as vegetables grown clear of the ground or have a protective skin removed, ie apples, broccoli. Low risk are crops that are always cooked such as potatoes and squash. Biddiscombe, a proponent of the CanadaGAP program, recognizes grower concerns from the perspective of the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI), the North American effort to mandate traceability throughout the entire value chain with ambitious milestones for fall 2011. Those milestones are to show humanreadable information on cases, to encode information in a barcode and to read and
store information on inbound cases. Fo oo od By-products; “Before we make bio-applications systems decisions, we need to check with industry to view e Restaurants; food services see how practical they are for producers,” says Biddiscombe. Retailers (grocery) “You can regulate but must consider the lowest common denominator. In produce, Wholesalers that’s as little as 20 to 30 acres. There isn’t a North American retailer I’m aware of that Distributors Consumers, can do traceability (incl. export customers) through its distribution Taxpayers, Citizens centres. It’s been a learning curve to instiProcesso s rs tute PTI and even now, we are only at the crawling stage.” To date, On-Trace Producers an industry-led, not-for-profit corporation based in Guelph, Input suppliers Source: Canada’s Agri-Food Destination – Ontario – has A New Strategic App proach validated nearly 14,000 premises in the On-Trace Agri-Food service on-line. No software purchase is Premises Registry (OAPR). About 4,700 required. For a preview, visit farmers have volunteered their information www.ontrace.ca and follow the link to while 17 processor and producer organizaOnTrace Verified Network sign-up page. tions have collaborated. Of the total, only “Currently, emergency recalls are the 1,400 premises can be characterized as driver, but there is a business case that fruit or vegetable farms – not a strong repneeds to drive adoption of traceability,” resentation given the size of the horticulsays Brian Sterling, CEO, OnTrace. tural sector. For most, the concept of traceability is On-Trace has announced their new linear – a chain that starts with input supOn-Trace Verified Network. In a nutshell, pliers and then moves to producers, procesthe voluntary program allows for premises sors, distributors, wholesalers and retailidentification, product or animal identifica- ers. David McInnes challenges that notion tion and event or movement tracking. As with a food systems view that puts conNick Albu, IT director, On-Trace sumers at the core of the relationship. As explained, this is a new inter-party president and CEO of the Canadian Agritraceability service that enables source Food Policy Institute (CAPI), McInnes verification of food from farm to point of says, “Our current approach is not broken, purchase. Producers, processors, distribubut it’s not optimizing how it can work.” tors, truckers, retailers and other partners His schematic shows how a value chain can become members and access the might become more of a circle, with health
Ecological systems: water, soil, carbon n
Academics, scientists, ressearchers
Entrepreneurs; financial services
Adjacent sectors: e.g. health, environment
Governmen m ts (3 levels)
Transportation; ports
Packaging, equipment n, info technology
and nutrition policy intersecting with agriculture. In the CAPI model, the food system is about providing safe, nutritious and high-quality food, in reliable supplies and with responsible production practices. An integrated system gets food to the consumer and delivers on all these attributes in a way that protects the consumer but also realizes value for everyone in the circle. “This systems view means that we need to recognize how policies and industry practices support or hinder all this and at each stage,” says McInnes. With this model in mind, he hopes that by 2025, agriculture can double exports to $75 billion, that farmers will produce and supply 75 per cent of our food (it’s 68 per cent now) and that more than 75 per cent of the agri-food industry uses biosolutions.
Ontario wine consumers need more access to Ontario wines With expectations that the 2010 vintage will be the best ever with a hot, dry summer and 13 per cent increase in tonnage, Ontario’s grape growers are seek-
ing better distribution through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. That’s clearly an ongoing initiative that won’t get solved before the province’s October 6 election
or the first sale of 2010 wines. “Ontario wine consumers need
more access to Ontario wines,” says Bill George Jr., chair, Grape
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Growers of Ontario (GGO). “We have put in place a varietal plan. We have made prices affordable. But there is only so much we can do if consumers can’t get access to the wines Ontario grape growers and wineries are producing.” Currently, Ontario wines make up 44 per cent share of the domestic market whereas other wine-producing jurisdictions enjoy higher penetration: Australia (90%); California (63% of the U.S. market); New Zealand (57% with no imported grapes, whereas Ontario includes blended wines as Ontario wines). The industry is anticipating a four-year, $12 million OMAFRAfunded transition program which includes the varietal plan to grow the best cool-climate grapes. A redesigned website reinforces industry statistics with more emphasis on public outreach. It contains tourist information about the various Ontario appellations and more reports for the public. Go to www.grapegrowersofontario.com.
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 7 THE GROWER
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Provincial budget offers a spring break
BRIAN GILROY CHAIR, OFVGA
I am one of those fruit and vegetable farmers whose schedule is dictated by Mother Nature. Spring is the time of year when farmers’ activities are extremely weather dependent and this year I am thankful that she has not been in such a hurry. I have also been amazed at how far off weather predictions have been, despite the amount of money and time spent. This spring we received some very good news in the form of a new income stabilization program that is being developed by the Province of Ontario working with fruit and vegetable farmers. Self
Directed Risk Management or SDRM is the name of the program and the details are being developed and finalized this month (May’11). It is not a production insurance alternative but is being developed to provide fruit and vegetable farmers with a risk management tool to help offset the challenges with market returns often being below our cost of production. This program is part of a Risk Management Program that is being developed to help meet the needs of nonsupply managed agriculture. We are thankful to the Government of
Ontario for its initiative and support but the program needs federal buy-in and financial support to make it meaningful. The province spoke about the importance of the agriculture sector and how the two sectors -food production and food processing combined -- are significantly larger than the auto sector. I encourage every fruit and vegetable farmer in Ontario/Canada to write their recently elected MP and impress upon them how the SDRM program is needed, now. Fruit and vegetable farming
in Ontario/Canada is a significant economic driver. If we are serious about maintaining a huge economic driver in our economy and providing our population with fruit and vegetables grown close to home, support for SDRM is an excellent first step. May Mother Nature work with us this year!
this time. We are working with tight time lines as the intent is to have this program up and running this fall. I have been told and believe that it is fair to say that the program will be very similar to what we asked for but again the details are yet to be determined and I am sure that there will be a number of changes from our "ask. Having said that, I believe it is fair to say that there will be a linkage to Agri-Stability just as there is with the grains and oilseeds program. It is for the above reasons that I am not going to print any other details of the program “ask” as it will, in the event of changes, simply lead to confusion. I know that many of you are looking for more details and have plenty of questions but understand that the details are yet to be worked out. What I can tell you is that we are working to make this program as simple and as beneficial to producers as possible. It is my hope that when the details are
announced you find it to be both beneficial and to your liking. It is also my hope that you will all participate in the program once it is up and running. This brings me to the second point, which is regarding the national safety net programs. Several times a year we are given updates on the various components of the programs. Items such as total program expenditures, distribution by farm size, participation levels etc. Each time I see these reports I am struck by the high number of farmers who do not participate in the national programs. I understand that they have significant deficiencies but I also believe that they have benefits. In the case of Agri-Invest it is matching dollar for dollar your contribution based on your ANS yet many farmers are not participating. It can be argued that the current Agri-Invest program is not as good as the old top tier of CAIS but is that any reason not to participate. From my perspective
when you don't participate you are simply saying to government that you do not need the support. Government then looks at us and says things can't be that tough as you are not utilizing the money that is there. Agri-Stability on the other hand is far more complicated and for those who have suffered declines in reference margin but have never qualified for AgriStability payments I can readily understand your frustration. Nonetheless, the program is relatively inexpensive and I would encourage everyone to participate. Protect yourself as much as you can, take part in these programs. While they are not perfect they are beneficial. Having affordable insurance that you don't claim is still better than not having any insurance at all. For what it's worth, it’s the way I see it.
SDRM and Agri-Stability
ART SMITH CEO, OFVGA By now, many of you will have heard that in the recently announced provincial budget the government included funding for ongoing risk management programs for most non-supply managed agriculture. Included in the announcement was a modified Self-Directed Risk Management (SDRM) program for edible horticulture. But what is it, what does this mean, what is the link to the old
SDRM program and who is eligible to participate? I will start with the last part of the question to which the answer is very simple; all fruit and vegetable producers will be eligible What is the link to the old SDRM program? There isn't any. The old program was an alternate program to crop insurance for fruit and vegetable producers who did not have access to a good crop insurance program. So in this case it should be possible to have both production insurance and the new modified SDRM. The purpose this time is to help offset the deficiencies of the national safety net program . . . deficiencies you all know too well. Now before I attempt to answer the first two questions above, I need to be clear that I am limited as to what I can say. We are currently working with OMAFRA in developing the details of the program. The federal government is not at the table -- this is provincial only at
Embracing change: standing still is not an option
ADRIAN HUISMAN ONTARIO TENDER FRUIT PRODUCERS I attended the recent Canadian
Produce Marketing Association Convention held in Montreal. The first thing I did was to check into the Westin Hotel and then proceed to take the elevator, which was located in the newly renovated St. Jacques Tower, to my floor. I stepped into the elevator and pushed the tenth floor. The doors shut and I was all alone in this shiny new elevator listening to the music and soon noticed how quiet the elevator was. I soon learned that it was quiet because it wasn’t moving. The question was how to get the damned thing off the ground. I pushed ten again and still nothing.
exhibitors and developed an appreciation for the need to differentiate yourself in today’s fast paced and ever evolving market environment. They felt there was a very real need to stand out from the crowd in order to be noticed. One exhibitor said if you’re not moving forward you’re likely losing ground – “Standing Still Was Not an Option.” Examples of new fruit varieties included pluots, whitefleshed peaches and donut (flat) peaches. One exhibitor had three different colours of grapes in one consumer package while another provided preconditioned fruit
So, like most men, the last thing I did was read the instructions. “Insert the room key into the slot and then select the floor.” That worked and off I went being grateful no one was watching the proceedings. I felt pretty stupid but I couldn’t help but think that “Standing Still Was Not an Option.” To get where I wanted to go I had to “Embrace Change” and adapt. This became even more relevant when I visited the tradeshow. I was amazed at all the new products, varieties, colours, tastes and packaging options being introduced. I talked with a number of the
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ONTARIO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2011 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Chair Vice-Chair Fruit Director Veg Director Director
Brian Gilroy, Meaford Mac James, Leamington Ray Duc, Niagara-on-the-Lake Jason Ryder, Delhi Norm Charbonneau, Port Elgin
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 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 Greenhouse
Brian Gilroy, Meaford Mary Shabatura, Windham Centre Fred Meyers, Niagara-on-the-Lake Jason Ryder, Delhi Ray Duc, Niagara-on-the-Lake Jason Verkaik, Bradford Mac James, Leamington Norm Charbonneau, Port Elgin Doug Bradley, Tillsonburg Jan Vander Hout, Waterdown Don Taylor, Durham
which he was selling at a premium. These new opportunities were echoed in the recent “Strategic Plan for the Tree Fruit Industry” where it was highlighted that growers must decide on whether to produce and market commodities or whether to offer something more unique and ultimately more profitable. This could mean new varieties, better fruit size, better colour or taste experience or a whole new commodity or presentation format. Remember: “Standing Still Is Not an Option.”
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
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 9 THE GROWER
PERSPECTIVE Robust plants will help growers and retailers gain irrigation efficiencies
OWEN ROBERTS UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Is there any doubt water use in agriculture will someday be as tightly regulated as land use and waste management? Once this seemed like a long shot, but not anymore. Regulatory activity is everywhere in farming, particularly Ontario. The province recognizes the value of farming, and offers a lot of support for it. But at the same time it sees the far-reaching impact of agricultural practices, and has taken an active interest in policies that influence
farming. Fortunately, Ontario is also committed to agricultural research, more so than any other province in Canada. Most of that research involves the University of Guelph and its affiliate campuses, as well as institutions such as the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, and major support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), and from industry. Good ideas are in abundance thanks to this connectivity. One water-related research project worth keeping an eye on involves the development of droughttolerant plants. It’s a natural addendum to any water-reduction or water-use strategy – if the plants are less thirsty, even under tough conditions, they simply don’t need as much water. That should make it easier for farmers to comply with water-use regulations, as well as help in the constant drive towards profitability. Irrigation is a secondary angle on this story, but important
LETTER TO EDITOR
Photo by K. Robertson nonetheless. “A plant that’s more drought resistant is more robust,” says Daryl Somers, a researcher with the Vineland enterprise. It can be healthy with less water, meaning growers can irrigate less. That’s a huge matter in greenhouses in particular, where labour is the biggest cost and irrigation is a major activity. Somers says water conservation and less irrigating should reduce labour costs, all through the value chain (including retail). And it will also keep government regulators happy. “A lot of our research work can be related to government policies on water conservation,” says Somers. First, though, he and his group, which receives OMAFRA funding through the University of Guelph- OMAFRA partnership
EvolveGreen.Ca
Compliments to hard work of hort sector I want to commend farmers and agriculture farm leaders for all their work to create a business risk management program for Ontario’s farmers. It has been a long process. Tim Hudak and the PC caucus have been pleased to work with the agriculture industry over the last few years and support their calls for a new program based on cost of production. We understand the challenges that Ontario’s farmers have been facing and that is why we committed to implementing this program two years ago and have been pushing the government to make the same commitment. Over the last few years Tim Hudak and I have talked to farmers at roundtables, large farmer’s meetings like the one in Stratford, plowing matches, numerous conventions and other events. At each of these we heard about the need for a program that would be predictable and bankable. At these events – and numerous times in the Legislature – we were pleased to reiterate our support for a business risk management program and call on the provincial government to implement one as soon as possible. We remain committed to ensuring that there is a permanent business risk management program for all non-supply managed commodities. I know that farmers and farm leaders spent many hours developing the program and raising awareness about the need for our provincial government to support Ontario’s producers. It is thanks to that dedication that Ontario will finally have a business risk management program. On behalf of the Progressive Conservative Caucus, I want to thank farmers and farm leaders for working with us and for their commitment to the future of agriculture in Ontario. We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure this program is implemented for 2011 and meets the needs of farmers. Ernie Hardeman, MPP Oxford PC Critic for Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
and Ball Horticultural Company, needs to find the genes that make plants drought tolerant. He’s working with petunias, the biggest ornamental variety in the province. But he’s confident the genes that make petunias less thirsty will also be found in greenhouse vegetables such as peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. This scientific field is broadly called genomics. It sounds formidable, but Somers notes it’s a form of classic, selective breeding – except in this case, the scientists are selecting plants on the basis of the genes they possess and their function, as indicated by the traits the plants display. In the field, it’s known as reverse genetics. “We know what gene we’re looking for, so we try to find the plant that possesses it,
rather than looking at a group of plants and trying to find the gene that’s responsible for a certain trait,” says Somers. Then, once they identify which genes have changed or “mutated” to give certain petunias drought tolerance, they can look to other varieties for the same genes, mutate them and develop the plants. “The petunia is just the beginning,” says Somers. “We’re using our knowledge of gene function to create new genetic variations that can be extended to many fruit and vegetable crops.” In fact, the newest member of the Vineland research team, University of Guelph plant agriculture graduate Dr. Valerio Primomo, specializes in vegetable breeding. And it won’t be long before this research endeavour yields results. Seedlings have been planted, and Somers says by May or June they’ll begin the search for mutated plants. By the end of the year he says they’ll have the first evidence of the genes responsible for drought tolerance. So stay tuned. A breakthrough could well be in sight that will have wide ranging implications for many crops, including fruit and vegetables.
FACTS ON SOLAR
QUESTION OF THE MONTH :
We have been asked what is the difference in solar panels? ANSWER:
In choosing the right solar panel for your job they are a few things to consider.
1- Do you need to meet content rules for the FIT or MicroFIT program? Ask for the content letter on your panels before you purchase and keep this handy as your installer may not be around later when the OPA is asking for the letter. 2- What is the track record of the panels and the company that produces them? Use google for this one and call around to see what is good and bad about the company producing them. 3- If they are a new company, do they have a third party insurance company holding the warranty, if they are new? This will cover if the company disappears before the end of the warranty. 4- What are the tolerances of the panel? This one is important in 2 ways A) so you can understand how much difference in production there can be b) So you can understand the warranty better. If the tolerance is +/- 0 on the minus/ 15 on the plus people think great I only get more but what this is if you read the warranty is you are a total of 15 tolerance so if you claim at 10 years your panel is not producing 80% the company will test it and the tolerance will be measured with 20% plus 15% so no warranty will be honored if you are in that tolerance. 5- Make sure your panels are sized right for the inverters system chosen and if you don't know, Contact the inverter manufacture or look up the spec sheet. In the case of Enphase a quick call to them and you will know if the panel is right for the application. For more information or for a installation Quote please call 1-866-538-6583 Website: www.EvolveGreen.Ca Website:www.BuyLedBulb.Com Email: support@evolvegreen.ca
PAGE 10 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
Board briefs Following are highlights from the OFVGA board meeting held March 24, 2011. The purpose of this brief is to keep you up to date on the issues that the OFVGA is working on, as well as projects and initiatives the organization is involved in. Canadian Horticultural Council Horticulture for health event: A networking reception focused on the potential for horticulture to improve the health of Canadians was the theme of a networking reception hosted on Parliament Hill On March 8 by members of the Horticulture Value Chain Round Table. This included farmers, retailers, food processors and input suppliers. The “Hort for Health” event drew approximately 150 attendees. Members of Parliament, including cabinet ministers, and government staff interacted with agriculture and food industry representatives to raise awareness of the impact healthy eating – particularly fruits and vegetables – can have on the health of Canadians and on our national healthcare system. OFVGA had several representatives present, as well as participating in the organization of the event, and was very pleased with its successful outcome. Governance Changes to the CHC’s governance structure were accepted at the organization’s annual meeting held in Ottawa earlier this month. This included amalgamation of the executive and finance committees into a single executive committee. Ontario will have two regional representatives on this committee. The goal is to improve lobbying and policy setting processes through increased grassroots input into national issues, which will help facilitate more OFVGA involvement. The nature of lobbying at the national level has become local – in order to advance issues, farmers must lobby their local and regional politicians. Delegates also agreed to change the CHC president’s term in office to a maximum of three one-year terms. Resolutions Delegates to the CHC annual meeting unanimously accepted a
resolution submitted by the OFVGA calling for the adoption of a modified Self Directed Risk Management model. Delegates also approved a motion put forward by OFVGA to investigate the feasibility of the implementation of a research and promotion check-off on imported produce and to proceed with setting up such an agency if the findings are positive. Advanced Payment Program Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has launched consultations in the legislative Castor oil plant review of the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act, which is the foundation for the Advanced Payments Program. Research section chair Harold The government is interested in Schooley was re-elected as Vice hearing from producers and Chair of Ontario Agri-Food Techindustry regarding their impresnologies (OAFT) at the organizasions and experiences with the tion’s annual meeting on March program. In 2006, the government 4. Schooley also attended the increased the cap on interest -free launch of the capital campaign for money from $50,000 to $100,000. Vineland Research and InnovaThe program is important to protion Centre. Well-known Canadiducers to help secure inputs and an gardening expert Mark Cullen operating capital for the growing is the chair of this fundraising season and has helped reduce drive, which is in support of the interest rates being offered to building of a new 25,000 sq ft agriculture by the banks. centre with research laboratories, a business convergence centre AGCare update and meeting and conference facilRay Duc, OFVGA’s representaities. tive to AGCare, presented an update on the organization’s proErie Innovation and Commercialposed amalgamation with the ization hosted three workshops in Ontario Farm Animal Council March looking at new crops and (OFAC). A new, merged Board opportunities for the south central of Directors would be supported Ontario region. This included a by two advisory councils focused workshop on the possibilities of on environmental and animal care establishing a castor oil industry, issues. A joint annual meeting of a seminar on genomics and a daythe two organizations will be held long session focused on hazelnut April 5 in Guelph. OFVGA is a production. Erie Innovation, founding member of AGCare. headed by Dr. John Kelly, is a regional effort to transform the Research future of agriculture in this area Proposals have been reviewed for and is supported by Agriculture the fourth round of project fundand Agri-Food Canada, Ontario ing under the Farm Innovation Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Program (FIP). A final round of Rural Affairs, University of funding remains in the program, Guelph, Vineland Research and which is designed to boost agriInnovation Centre, Ontario Agricultural research, competitiveness Food Technologies, Association and productivity in Ontario’s of Ontario Food Processors, agricultural sector. FIP is part of Ontario Apple Growers, Ontario the Innovation and Science Suite Tobacco Board, Ontario Asparaof programs for Growing Forward gus Marketing Board, Oxford and in Ontario. Norfolk counties, South Central
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Ontario Region and the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. More information can be found at www.erieinnovation.com. Property Property section chair Dave Lambert participated in an irrigation workshop hosted by OMAFRA. OFVGA’s water specialist, George Shearer, was also involved in the event. Shearer is available to assist growers with Permit To Take Water issues on a fee for service basis. Livestock and crop losses suffered as a result of wildlife damage are an increasingly serious issue facing Ontario’s farmers. The provincial government recently released a discussion paper on a new Agriculture-Wildlife Conflict Strategy through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Natural Resources. The province is seeking input on the Strategy through the Environmental Registry Program online now through April 11th. It was reported that Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is not supportive of the construction of buildings solely for the purposes of installing roof-mount solar panels. Concern was raised that farmers who construct new farm buildings, such as bunkhouses, would be prevented from installing solar panels on these buildings, which would help offset some of the construction costs. OFVGA is preparing a letter on this issue that will be forwarded to member associations when it’s complete. Growing Forward II consultations OFVGA participated in an information and consultation session focused on Growing Forward II hosted in London. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is reviewing the current federal-provincialterritorial framework to identify gaps and ask stakeholders what they would like to see in the successor program. Issues raised by the OFVGA included harmonization for crop protection products, offset programs for the downloading of costs onto farmers for items of societal benefit, the need for an on-farm innovation program and development of a PACA-like trust that would protect produce sellers when buyers fail to pay. Significant commodity issues U.S. food safety modernization process – As part of a modernization process of food safety regulations in the United States, foreign suppliers into the U.S. market are being audited. Some greenhouse growers are reporting that they have appointments in place with U.S. auditors, with audits due to
start in April. The question was raised whether equivalency exists between the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and its U.S. counterpart and if so, why additional audits by U.S. inspectors are needed. Use of Phoslock in Lake Simcoe and the Holland Marsh The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and the Ministry of the Environment are considering the use of Phoslock as a way to reduce phosphorus levels in Lake Simcoe. Growers from the Holland Marsh have raised concerns about the supporting science for this action and the long term effects of Phoslock. Apple replant program The Ontario Apple Growers are ramping up efforts to lobby the provincial government for an orchard replant program. A petition is being distributed to Ontario growers in support of the initiative, which is intended to help the industry revitalize itself by renewing the province’s apple orchards. Lobby strategy and priority setting The Board spent time considering priorities for the organization’s lobbying approach. OFVGA member groups had been asked to submit their key priorities for each of the OFVGA’s core areas: safety nets, research, crop protection, property and labour. Key issues discussed by the Board included safety nets, harmonization of regulations, promotion of Ontario product and farmers, creation of a PACA-style trust to ensure that those who sell produce receive payment for their products, off-set of on-farm costs for societal benefits, horticulture for health and school snack programs, taxation, water and research and technology transfer. Director roles and responsibilities – governance training A committee was created to review and make recommendations on board operations policy. Board members took part in a one day governance training session focused on director roles and responsibilities in mid-March. Brian Gilroy, Don Taylor and one other representative will participate on the new committee. Annual General Meeting 2012 The 2012 OFVGA annual meeting will be held January 9 – 11, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza in Niagara Falls. The first meeting of the 2012 Board of Directors will take place immediately after the annual meeting on January 11. It will be a short meeting to deal with any pressing issues and to elect the Management Committee and Vice Chair. A board meeting was held at the OFVGA office on April 21. The report will be printed in June.
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 11 THE GROWER
AGCare and Ontario Farm Animal Council move towards amalgamation LILIAN SCHAER The creation of a new organization that will focus on public outreach and building trust in the Canadian food system is one step closer to reality. Delegates at the recent joint annual meeting of AGCare and the Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) voted unanimously to proceed with an amalgamation of the two groups. AGCare, of which the OFVGA is a founding member, represents horticulture and crop farmers on environmental issues. OFAC is the voice of animal agriculture on public outreach and issues such as animal care. Public attitudes studies have shown repeatedly that consumers are interested in where their food comes from. Both AGCare and OFAC were formed over 20 years ago and have been struggling with balancing their limited resources and shrinking funding bases with an increasing need for communications, issues management and public outreach. The principle of the amalgamation is to provide a new structure that will better serve the entire industry for the next 20 years. A joint working group consist-
ing of the executive committees of both organizations worked together with consultants from Synthesis Agri-Food Network in Guelph on a proposed structure and funding model for the new organization, which was presented at the annual meeting. Proposed structure The new organization will have a single board of directors, supported by two issue-specific advisory councils focused on environment and animal care. The board will consist of 12 directors elected by the membership – four representatives each from the livestock and crop/horticulture sectors and four directors at large – along with up to three ex-officio members. It will oversee fiduciary and governance activities for the entire organization, while the two advisory councils will oversee programs and projects in their respective areas of responsibility. Additional issue advisory councils can be created based on need. Membership will be divided into five levels: platinum, gold, silver, affiliate and supporter. Each category will have a corresponding service level; platinum,
gold and silver members will have voting privileges. All platinum members can have representation on one or both advisory councils as they wish, and gold members will have a seat on either the animal care or the environment advisory council. The number of meetings and members for each council will be flexible and kept responsive to emerging issues. Funding, services and core functions The new organization will focus its efforts on consumer and media relations, issues management, industry relations and strategic partnerships, and member relations. Its base services – which include a newsletter, Enews updates, photo and video library, website links, display resources and the animal welfare research quarterly e-news – will be available to all members. Additional services, such as speaker services, workshops, training programs, weekly activist and issue-specific email updates, will be available to platinum and gold members as part of their membership fee and others on an a la carte basis.
Dispute Resolution Corporation offers tips on good arrival practices As an American shipper, I have a difficult time reading and understanding the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Inspection Certificates. Is there an easy way to know if a product meets good delivery guidelines on Canadian deliveries? First of all, most Canadians do not use PACA good delivery standards but rather a combination of PACA Good Delivery and the Canadian Destination tolerances for the commodities which have Canadian Grade Standards. That combination of U.S. and Canadian tolerances is reflected in the DRC Good Arrival Guidelines. As an American shipper, you’re likely accustomed to seeing the maximum five-day good delivery guidelines which look something like 15-8-3 (15% total defects, including 8% serious defects, and 3% decay). Unlike the USDA, however, the CFIA does not decipher between damage and serious damage. Rather, the Canadian Destination Tolerances look more like 15-10-5-10-3 (15% total defects, including 10% total permanent defects, including 5% of the same permanent defect and 10% of the same condition defect, including 3% decay). Usually, beside each defect listed on the Inspection Certificate will be a C, P, CK, or PK in parentheses. The ‘C’ indicates a condition defect, the ‘P’ a permanent defect, and the ‘K’ a cut sample. Commodity
U.S. Grade Standards
Good Delivery Guidelines
Broccoli
10-2
15-4
Canadian Destination Tolerances
So let’s assume you sold broccoli as “no grade good delivery” to a Canadian destination. First, total up the defects with a “C” in the left hand column. Next, you will notice there are no tolerances in the Canadian Destination Tolerances column, so the tolerances in the second column apply. If the condition defects are equal to or less than 15 total and the decay is equal to or less than four, then the product makes good arrival. Commodity U.S. Grade Standards Good Delivery Guidelines Canadian Destination Tolerances Cucumbers
10-1
15-3
15-10-5-10-3
Similarly, if you sold cucumbers to a Canadian buyer as “no grade good delivery” you would use the Canadian Destination Tolerances. Again, add up all of the condition defects. If they are equal to or less than 15 total including not more than 10% total permanent defects (with not more than 5% of the same permanent defect) and 10% of the same condition defect and the decay is not more than 3%, then the products makes good arrival. “Serious damage” does not apply to Canadian deliveries unless the parties agreed on a U.S. standard, and the buyer can demonstrate the inspection shows the defect meets the definition of serious in the U.S. standard. To get a complete list of the Good Arrival Guidelines visit our website at www.fvdrc.com, click on Rules & Regulations and open up the last link, “DRC Good Arrival Guidelines.” We would encourage everyone unfamiliar with the Good Arrival Guidelines to check out the chart and to read the first page which explains the above in even more detail. Of course, if you require additional help, just call our office and ask to speak to one of our trading assistance officers.
• Platinum members: $30,000 minimum annual membership fee; voting privileges; priority access to all services and publications of the organization; seats on both advisory councils if desired. • Gold members: $5,000 minimum annual membership fee; voting privileges; base services and a reasonable number of additional services; seat on one advisory council. • Silver members: $1,500 annual membership fee; voting privileges; base services and fee for service access to additional services. . • Affiliate members: $1,500 annual membership fee; no voting privileges; base services and fee for service access to additional services. • Supporter members: $250 annual membership fee; no voting privileges; base services and fee for service access to additional services. For individuals or farm businesses. OFVGA currently contributes $10,000 annually to AGCare, which would make the organization a gold member of the new entity. A three-year phase-in period is proposed for the new funding
model with goal of having members maintain their current funding levels during the transition. During the first two years, staff will work with members on strategic service reviews and the budget of the new organization will reflect the results of those reviews in year three. Next steps A new name has not yet been chosen, but AGCare/OFAC Executive Director Crystal Mackay announced that a “name the organization” contest will be held this spring. AGCare/OFAC members have until May 6 to provide written comments on the structure and funding model that has been brought forward. Founding members, which includes the OFVGA, will have until May 30. Comments can be sent to cmackay@ofac.org. A vote on a final amalgamation plan will be held no later than September 1, 2011, and if approved, the new organization will start operations in January 2012.
COMING EVENTS 2011 June 9, 10
2011 Riesling Experience, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON
July 7, 8
Federal/provincial/territorial agriculture ministers’ meeting, St Andrews, New Brunswick
July 14
50th Anniversary Simcoe Research Station Open House, Simcoe, ON 2 pm – 7 pm
August 24
Herb Demonstration Day, OMAFRA Simcoe Research Station, Simcoe, ON
September 1 – 3
Canada’s Fruit and Vegetable Technology X-Change, St. Williams, ON
Sept 13 – 15
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, ON
PAGE 12 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
ON-FARM MARKETING
Find your ‘purple cow’ to host better birthday parties KAREN DAVIDSON Who knew that hosting birthday parties would require a twoday university? Frank Price, an American agri-tourism consultant, has made a business out of coaching on-farm marketers how to entertain 21st century princes and princesses up to the age of 10. In his experience, success is found in a ‘purple cow.’ Identify what’s unique about your farm and the birthday party experience that will attract customers. To compete in a multi-media world, it’s important to understand how to design your farm so that there’s a human-nature connection. It’s not instinctual for everyone says Leslie Forsythe who swore she would never do birthday parties on her Markham, Ontario farm. She’s a veteran of school tours and harvest festivals but now she’s changed her mind about birthday parties after attending a recent Birthday University hosted by the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association. “The key is to set and manage expectations of the mothers,” says Forsythe, who plans to use her existing website and flyers to add birthday parties to the roster of services by end of May. “Charging anything less than $200 for 12 kids is not worth the effort.” According to Price, the birthday party is an emotional minefield that can trigger negative emotions of parents attached to their own past. “It’s critical to deliver your birthday offering
At Springridge Farms, birthday parties are a major attraction from April through December with 18 parties booked every weekend. Amy Williams, manager, says the ideal age is four through six, but some youngsters have started their farm forays as young as one. through an experience, meaningful to each individual’s needs,” says Price. “Rise above the noncreative, copy-cat quick-fix approaches and create a clear-cut image of your offering. It’s about your birthday party vision story.” Birthday parties are about more than who’s got the biggest or most play attractions. The draw is your facility’s hardware but the software is about the intangibles, how the guests interact with each other in a very personalized experience. Like most marketing, what’s your unique selling proposition? Then develop a systematic approach to booking, scheduling and up-selling party options along with the collateral materials. Crucial to experiential birthday parties are the team members who organize and lead the event. Hiring, training and working with a team of party heroes is key for repeated success. Once you have the team and tools in place, create
a system to evaluate and continually improve. Darlene Downey is a veteran of birthday parties at Downey’s Farm Market near Caledon, Ontario. From Easter to pumpkin time, her staff is busy with the bakery, festivals, corn maze and many other events. “I do all the bookings,” says Downey, “because it’s important to know the birthday child. It’s a huge day for the moms.” As a result of taking the Birthday University course, she is revamping her manual and adding another birthday hostess for day-of-event activities. Sometimes they host up to three birthday parties per weekend day. She is also adding more interactive games such as face painting and mural posters to the roster. Birthday parties are commonplace at Puddicombe’s in the Niagara region, but these days, the “wow” factor needs to be amplified. Carol Puddicombe
went to the Birthday University to find out what parents expect now. “The idea is to make the party more special for the birthday child,” says Puddicombe. “For parents, we’re offering a wine tasting, bakery and gift store experience while the party is in progress.” The Puddicombe’s are fortunate in having a mini-train that offers a 20-minute ride to the escarpment. She picked up tips on how to make that trip more memorable. Last but not least, she learned how to make parents more comfortable about a farm-oriented party. “We have to remove any weather-related worries.” Another 20-year veteran of birthday parties is Amy Williams,
manager, Springridge Farms near Milton, Ontario. The Birthday University taught her the value of transitioning games from one event to another. “For us, that means introducing an imagining game while the children walk from the chicken coop to the pedal tractors. It’s not down time, it’s another way to experience the farm.” Loot bags are another minefield. With food allergies so prevalent among children these days, Williams says that Springridge Farms packages non-food items such as stickers. So what’s the purple cow at Springridge? Williams says that their birthday children remember going into the chicken coop and collecting eggs.
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MAY 2011 –– PAGE 13 THE GROWER
IRRIGATION
Update your permits for irrigation season GEORGE SHEARER
you now require a permit to continue to do so. If you take water from a well, you will be required to complete a pumping test and subsequent hydrogeological assessment report to show that the taking of the water is sustainable and that you are not causing any impacts to both the sources and other potential users. These assessments are not cheap, however, and can run anywhere from $5000 to $20,000 depending on your consultant and your sources. Through the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’Association water program, we can complete these assessments at the low end of this cost scale. This leads us to the other aspect of compliance: the Certificate of Approval. For those who missed the article published pre-
Another growing season is upon us and with it comes the ever growing concern of the Ministry of the Environment’s presence on our landscape. This year is gearing up to be a particularly busy one for the Ministry in the greenhouse sector. The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers’ Association has been consulting the Ministry as they try to bring the sector into compliance. What this means is that the Ministry will be out this season looking for Permits To Take Water and Certificate of Approvals for discharge waters with particular attention being paid to the greenhouse sector. In Ontario, the Permit To Take Water is governed under the Ontario Water Resources Act and applies to anyone and everyone that takes more than 50,000 liters per day from any water source. This includes but is not limited to wells, ponds, rivers, streams, creeks and drains. There is no grandfathering of these sources so regardless if you have been using the source for time immemorial,
Ensure that permits to take water are in place. Photo by K. Robertson
viously in this regard we have reposted it to help you understand the requirements of the Certificate Of Approval process. As of January 2011, there is also the ability to manage your discharge of water through the Nutrient Management Act. If you don’t have a complete understanding of how this new legislation works, contact your closest Ministry of the Environment or OMAFRA office to see what your best options are. The Ministry has indicated that they are willing to work with farmers to bring them into compliance and your first step is to contact them to see how your specific system operation can be brought into compliance with the least impact to both yourself and your pocket book. If in doubt you can always contact me and I will try and point you in the right direction. Contact me at 519-763-6160 ext 219 to discuss further.
Do you discharge your wash water? You call it waste/wash water. The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) calls it sewage and the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA) and the Building Code requires that all sewage discharges must be approved by a Certificate of Approval (C of A) issued by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) or your municipality. It means any waste water as a result of washing your produce will require an approval to discharge the water to either the land or water. What happens if you don’t have an approval? If an environmental officer from the MOE shows up at your door and you are washing your produce without an approval they will issue a stop order and you will have to stop discharging your water until your receive the approval. This can have serious implications to your operations and meeting your commitments to supply your produce as the approvals process can take several months. What requires approval? Everything that discharges sewage/waste/wash water requires approval unless specifically exempted. Any system that discharges into something other than a surface water or groundwater receiver does not require an approval. However, the receiver of such a discharge, for example, a holding tank or a haulage system, does require an approval. If you discharge less than 10,000 l/day to a groundwater receiver then you need an approval through the Building Code. If you discharge greater than 10,000
l/day or to any surface water feature, regardless of the amount you need a Certificate of Approval of under section 53 of the OWRA. What should I do before I apply for an approval? Ensure that you know what kind of sewage disposal system you need or have and whether it requires approval under s. 53 of the OWRA or the Building Code. Pre-application consultation should be undertaken with staff at the local MOE office and any other government offices or agencies that may have an interest or responsibility associated with the facility for which you are seeking approval. For information about Approvals for small septic systems, please contact the municipality, Local Health Unit, Township Office, or body delegated with this authority. For information about approvals through section 53 of the Ontario Water Resources Act contact the MOE at the following: Ministry of the Environment Environmental Assessment and Approvals Branch Toronto, ON M4V 1L5 2 St. Clair Ave W, Floor 12A Toll Free: 1-800-461-6290 Phone: 416-314-8001 Fax: 416-314-8452 Email: EAABGen@ene.gov.on.ca Website: www.ene.gov.on.ca George Shearer is water specialist, OFVGA.
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PAGE 14 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
IRRIGATION
Fertigation with drip systems TED VAN DER GULIK The goal of a fertigation system is to apply the proper amount of chemical to the target area in a safe, efficient and uniform manner. The following precautions must be taken to achieve this goal: • assure personal protection • be aware of possible impacts to the environment • calibrate the injection equipment • apply the correct amount of fertilizer at the right time • apply the fertilizer at an appropriate concentration • use a well designed and maintained drip irrigation system Keep in mind that the fertilizer cannot be distributed more evenly than the water is applied by the irrigation equipment. IRRIGATION SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS Many irrigation system design factors must be considered for fertigation if good application uniformity is to be obtained. While there are many operation
Raised drip irrigation is demonstrated here in grapes at Summerland, British Columbia. characteristics that need to be understood as well, it is virtually impossible to achieve good uniformity if the irrigation system is not designed correctly in the first place. Crop Type The irrigation system must be compatible with the crop to get
good performance. Trickle irrigation systems are often used for tree fruits, grapes, strawberries and other horticultural crops because of water application efficiency and the ability to control fertilizer application directly to the plant's roots. High density orchard plantings require quick tree response after planting and
early fruit development to realize a return on capital investment. It is imperative that plantings use fertigation to apply plant nutrient requirements. Soil Type The maximum infiltration rate of water into the soil and available water storage capacity of the soil differ with soil type. Soil types can vary significantly over an entire field requiring a change in the operation of the irrigation system. Coarse textured soils can have high infiltration rates but can store very little water within the plant's root zone. Conversely, fine textured soils can store large amounts of water but have low infiltration rate capabilities. High application rates on fine textured soils increase runoff potential, while excessive amounts of irrigation on coarse textured soils increase the potential for leaching of fertilizers below the crop root zone and into groundwater. Fertigation systems must be operated within the limits of the soil types present to reduce the potential for runoff and for leaching. An understanding of soil water holding capacity is also important to ensure that the fertilizer added is moved into the soil to an appropriate depth with respect to the plant rooting volume. Topography Field topography can cause pressure differences along an irrigation lateral, which affect application uniformities. Trickle systems are most susceptible to pressure differences caused by elevation or friction loss. Pressure compensating emitters are recommended to maintain system uniformity for trickle systems. System Performance • The system should have a coefficient of uniformity exceeding 80 per cent. • Emitters should be spaced to effectively irrigate as much of the plant's root volume as possible. • An appropriate emitter should be selected for the terrain, crop
type and water quality being used. Emitter flow characteristics and product durability for the conditions should be considered. • An emitter with a manufacturer's variance coefficient of less than 0.05 should be selected. Emitter flow rates at the beginning and end of the zone should be tested to confirm that discharge rates are within acceptable limits. • Emitter operating pressure range should be kept within +/- 10 per cent of the emitter operating pressure. If the trickle system is operating on a slope pressure compensating, emitters should be used. • The injection system must be located before the filtration system so that any precipitates that may form will have an opportunity to be filtered out before entering the irrigation system. IRRIGATION SYSTEM OPERATION CONSIDERATIONS Physical characteristics of irrigation systems which affect the uniformity of fertigation include the following: • Solute dispersion occurs as the chemical travels along the irrigation pipeline. The friction affect of the pipe walls on the fluid motion causes this dispersion. A slug of chemical injected into an irrigation system becomes diffuse as the chemical travels along with the irrigation water. Proper flushing after injection is completed to ensure uniformity. • The irrigation mainline contains a significant amount of water. The travel time for the chemical to reach the discharge point and the time required to flush the system must be considered. • The operating flow rate for each zone will be different. Irrigation system layout and the travel time of chemicals through the system must be known to ensure good application uniformity and adequate flush times for the laterals on fertigation completion. The following procedures should be used as guidelines in the operation of fertigation systems. Prepare a worksheet showing zones, flow rate per zone, area covered or plants per zone, injection rate and injection time. This is useful for future reference. 1. The irrigation lines should be completely filled and pressurized before starting chemigation. 2. The system should be flushed after fertigation has been completed. The irrigation system must be operated long enough to clear all lines of the fertilizer being applied. Continued on next page
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 15 THE GROWER
IRRIGATION
Fertigation with drip systems Left: Table 1 can be used to determine the soil moisture content of the soil using the hand feel method. From: Chemigation in the Pacific Northwest, WSU
Table 1 - Hand Feel Moisture Test Degree of Moisture
Feel
Amount of Available Moisture
Dry
Powder dry.
None
Low
Crumbly, won't hold together.
25% or less
Fair
Somewhat crumbly but will hold together.
25 - 50%
Good
Forms ball; will stick slightly with pressure.
50 - 65%
Excellent
Forms a ball, is pliable; sticks readily; 75 - 100% a clear water sheen will come to the surface when the ball is squeezed in the hand.
Too Wet
Can squeeze free water.
Over field capacity
Table 2 - Depth of Water Penetration (inches) per Inch of Water Applied
Spray emitter system
Texture Soil Moisture Content
Sand
Sandy Loam
Loam
Clay
Available Water Storage Capacity 1.0 in/ft
1.5 in/ft
2.1 in/ft
2.4 in/ft
75%
48
32
23
20
50%
24
16
12
10
25%
16
11
8
7
If the irrigation system is shut down before all of the fertilizer has exited the lateral lines, extra fertilizer will be applied at low spots where water drains through emitters. A dye test should be conducted to determine the length of flush time required. 3. Mixing a solution separately for each zone reduces the likelihood of error during the application process and allows for proper flushing of the irrigation system to increase application uniformity. If a controller with the capability of programming injections during scheduled irrigations is used, a large batch tank of fertilizer can be mixed for all zones. The amount of fertilizer applied to each zone will then be controlled by adjusting injection times. 4. Post injection treatments may be required to prevent the accumulation of algaes, slimes or precipitates that may plug trickle irrigation systems. High carbonate and/or iron concentrations in some irrigation waters may react with fertilizers and cause insoluble calcium or iron compounds. Certain bacteria can also fix iron as a by-product of metabolism and produce slime or jelly like material inside the trickle irrigation lines. Algae growth may also be enhanced by the addition of nutrients in the water. Special maintenance procedures such as chlorination, adding
Left: Table 2 shows the depth of penetration into the soil for one inch of water application for different soils at various moisture contents. For example, if an irrigation system is applying one inch of water to a sandy loam soil that has a moisture content at 50 per cent of field capacity, the water applied will move to a depth of 16".
algaecides, bactericides and pre-treating water with chelating agents may be required when performing fertigation with a trickle irrigation system. 5. The acidity of the soil should be monitored, especially when applying ammonium fertilizers through a trickle irrigation system. Acidity will be dependent on the buffering capacity of the soil. Selection of an appropriate fertilizer source will reduce acidity problems.
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DETERMINING DEPTH OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION The amount of water applied by the irrigation system must be stored within the plant's root zone. Any moisture that is applied that exceeds the holding capacity of the soil will cause leaching beyond the plant’s rooting depth. The specific depth in the soil to which chemicals are applied can be determined from the application rate of the irrigation system, the duration of irrigation, soil texture and soil moisture content before fertigation is applied. Ted van der Gulik is Senior Engineer, Sustainable Agriculture Management Branch, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture. He delivered this presentation at the Ontario Irrigation Conference, March 2011.
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PAGE 16 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
IRRIGATION
Holland Marsh improves canal system Last summer, The Grower toured the Ontario’s Holland Marsh to see the construction underway for canal improvement. Frank Jonkman, drainage superintendant for Bradford-Gwillimbury Township provides an update. Q. Can you put into context the scale and complexity of the Holland Marsh canal reconstruction? Dollars invested, time required, how many miles of canal to be reconstructed? A. The Holland Marsh Drainage System Canal Improvement Project (the Project) is the largest drainage project in Ontario being done under the Drainage Act. The estimated cost of the project is $26.4 million and the Engineering Report estimated a seven year construction period. There are 28 kms of existing canal that will either be fully relocated or widened and deepened. There are also five municipal structures (bridges) and four provincial structures (Hwy 400) that are required to be replaced as part of the project. The projected municipal cost for this is $7.5 million and the provincial cost is estimated at $50+ million. The drainage system prior to construction was not able to withstand a 50 year storm event and was arguably marginal for a 25 year event. Generally, any of the canals that are located along roads are being relocated away from the road to address the issue of life safety as there have been a number of deaths attributable to the proximity of the road to the canals. Where roads do not exist, the canals are being widened and deepened. Q. What are the expected bene-
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fits? More water? Adherence to ministry environmental guidelines? A. Based on the fact that the dykes around the Holland Marsh would not withstand a 50 year event, the obvious benefit is flood protection to some of the most valuable/productive farm land in Ontario. The Project is also addressing many of the irrigation crossings that presently go through the dyke system and will be replacing the wide variety of crossing using various materials with a standard crossing which will be easier to manage during times of high water. Q. What are some of the unique features? A. The new canal system will have many environmental features incorporated into it including littoral shelves, varying gravel substrates, root masses and tree trunk placement all to improve fish habitat. We have also incorporated gravel nesting beds for turtles. Areas in which the canals have been moved also are being restored with assistance from various partners and include tree plantings and a variety of grasses. Some depression areas are also being implemented to create seasonal pools which also enhance the habitat. Once the project is complete there will be a measurable improvement to the habitat. Q. When is the project expected to be completed? A. As mentioned previously, the project has an estimated schedule of seven years. Currently we are tracking ahead of schedule and
Major reconstruction of the canal system in the Holland Marsh started in the summer of 2010 and is expected to last as many as seven years. may be able to have the work done in less than five years, this of course is dependent on a number of factors. Q. Any glitches so far?
A. The project was subject to a Canadian Environmental Assessment Act study. Since we have begun construction, we have been fortunate with the cooperation we have been receiving from the var-
ious agencies and stakeholders with respect to approvals, permitting and issues related to the Endangered Species Act. The project has received $10.2 million from the Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative. OMAFRA will be providing a grant of 33 per cent to all properties with the farm class tax rate. The project has considered all of the properties which benefit by the drainage that is provided by the Project. There is a total of 64,000 acres and approximately 9,000 landowners that have been assessed into this project under the Drainage Act. The total cost will be divided with 75 per cent going to the benefitting landowners within the Holland Marsh and the remaining 25 per cent being assessed to the watershed. Based on construction estimates, agricultural lands within the Marsh will be assessed $106/acre, lands outside will be assessed approximately $26/acre. These are net assessments, after various grants.
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 17 THE GROWER
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PAGE 18 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
Hort industry seeks to mitigate financial risks in Canada Canada’s fresh produce industry responded to challenges from U.S. industry colleagues during the North American Trade Task Committee meeting held in Montreal on April 14 in conjunction with CPMA’s annual meeting and convention. Representatives from the U.S. value chain were in attendance trying to understand delays in resolving the matter. “If Canada does not recognize the situation as a domestic hardship for the sector and cannot recognize the trade implications then Canadians should not enjoy the
privileges provided to them in the U.S. market and the U.S. should take a very serious look at revoking the privilege in the absence of reciprocity.” “Canadian producers are looking for assistance and a means to establish and implement a self-help tool which does not impose a premium or administrative costs to either government or industry,” noted CHC Trade Committee Chair, Ken Forth. The Trust Provision of the (US) Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) has been highly successful in ensuring
receivables are protected and provides for consideration. “According to what we heard today the PACA is estimated to have saved the fresh fruit and vegetable industry in excess of one billion dollars since 1984,” he added. Concerns were also voiced during the Hot Topics business session focused on financial risk mitigation. Panelists included Robin Tilsworth, Agriculture Minister Counselor, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Embassy (Ottawa), Karla Whalen, Chief,
PACA Branch, United States Department of Agriculture, Fred Webber, Dispute Resolution Corporation (Ottawa) and Savvas Tsoukalas, CH Robinson Worldwide. Information presented during the meeting highlighted the problem in the Canadian market where nearly 250 firms have caused in excess of $150 million in financial losses since 2000. The Canadian Horticultural Council will continue to pursue a resolution to this serious issue, says Anne Fowlie, executive vice-president.
Resistant-weed issues under study in Ontario and Quebec KRISTEN CALLOW The Holland Marsh Growers’ Association and La Fédération des producteurs maraîchers du Québec have hired graduate students and summer assistants to begin a massive project to solve multiple and cross-resistant weed problems in the carrot, onion and leafy vegetable producing regions in both provinces. Herbicide resistant weed populations have been found throughout greater than 50 per cent of the carrot, onion and leafy vegetable growing area in Ontario and Québec, encompassing more than 20,000 acres. In some cases, the weed species are showing resistance to two or more herbicide groups resulting in total crop failures from weed competition. Herbicide resistance has been documented from samples collected in 2010 to Group 7 (Lorox – linuron) and Group 5 (Gesagard / Sencor – prometryn / metribuzin) herbicides. In Ontario, an intensive survey in the Holland and Keswick marshes (North of Toronto) collecting pigweed plants from more than 60 growers with multiple field locations will occur. To eliminate the potential that the
pigweed will go to seed, the plants will be collected and grown out in a nursery at the University of Guelph’s Muck Crops Research Station. The seeds from each field will be tested to identify what types of resistance have been found. Growers will then be provided with recommendations on how to manage their resistance problems. Other carrot, onion and leafy vegetable growing areas in Ontario will also be sampled for pigweed resistance, such as: Dover Township / Paincourt (Chatham-Kent), Erieau Marsh (Chatham-Kent), Hilman Marsh (Essex),
Thedford / Grand Bend (Lambton), Simcoe and Norfolk counties. If growers are interested in having a field (s) surveyed please contact Kristen Callow at: kristen. callow@ontario.ca or 519-674-1335. Five demonstration trials showing alternate methods of weed control (over the row and inter-row herbicide banding, as well as, carrot trimming) and several herbicide trials (new and old herbicides and combinations) will be showcased in the Holland and Keswick marshes in the fall during the University of Guelph’s Muck Crops Research Tour in early September. This project will provide new cultural and chemical tools to manage and prevent the spread of resistant weed species. The successful completion of this project and adoption of the Integrated Weed Management (IWM) Best Management Practices (BMP) will ensure producers in both regions have crops to harvest and continue to remain competitive. Results will benefit producers across Canada, particularly in British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Québec. Kristen Callow is OMAFRA Weed Management Program Lead – Horticulture.
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MAY 2011 –– PAGE 19 THE GROWER
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PAGE 20 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
FOOD SAFETY
Canadian research debuts at United Fresh 2011 The top minds in specialty crop research will be on display this spring at United Fresh 2011, May 2-5 in New Orleans. The annual convention and expo of the United Fresh Produce Association will again feature posters on food safety, quality assurance, and fresh fruit and vegetable marketing as part of its Poster Sessions. Three groups of Canadian researchers will be in the spotlight along with Italy, Spain and U.S. scientists. Abstracts of their research are below.
Impact of modified atmosphere packaging and antimicrobial dips on the market life of diced red onion Charles F. Forney1, Richard Grant2, Lihua Fan1, Craig Doucette1 and Michael A. Jordan1 Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 32 Main Street, Kentville, Nova Scotia B4N 1J5 CANADA Charles.Forney@agr.gc.ca 2 Nova Agri Inc., Centreville, Nova Scotia B0P 1J0 CANADA
1
Fresh-cut red sweet onions (Allium cepa L.) have a short shelf life and are subject to loss of acceptable flavour, excessive microbial growth, and discoloration. Atmosphere modification and antimicrobial compounds have the potential to extend shelf-life. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and treatments with potassium sorbate and chlorine dioxide (ClO2) on the quality of diced red onions. Whole red onions were peeled, sanitized in 18 ppm peracetic acid, and diced. Following dicing, onions were dipped for 1 min in 15 ppm ClO2, 1.0 % potassium sorbate, or water and spun for 10 seconds at 3,000 rpm to remove excess
Charles Forney liquid. Diced red onions that received no dip treatment served as the control. Onions were then placed into sealed or vented, ridged polylactic acid (PLA) containers. Venting consisted of a single 0.07 mm hole. Packages were stored at 4.5°C and assessed after 0, 7, 12, 14, 18,
and 21 days. The O2 concentration in sealed PLA containers decreased to ~1% and CO2 concentration increased to ~25% after 18 days. Atmosphere composition in the vented containers changed slightly during storage reaching 15% O2 and 5% CO2 after 21 days. Electrolyte leakage increased during storage, but was least in onions treated with ClO2 and water, reaching 30% and 37%, respectively after 21 days, while rates in the potassium sorbate treated onions and controls reached 55% and 52%, respectively. Onion pH tended to decrease during storage, which was greatest in vented packages. Respiration rates increased during storage, but remained least in diced onions treated with 1% potassium sorbate. Aerobic and anaerobic microbial plate counts exceeded 106 CFU/g after 12 days in all treatments. Aerobic counts were less in sealed packages and least in those treated with ClO2, however onions treated with ClO2 appeared dry after three to four days. Potassium sorbate changed onion colour from a purple-red to a pink hue. After 14 days of storage, off-odours developed in association with anaerobic atmospheres and/or microbial growth. Marketable quality of diced red onions was maintained for 12 days in sealed PLA packages.
Cutting Romaine lettuce while submerged in sanitizer improves efficacy of sodium hypochlorite S.J. Bach, C. Lu, P. Delaquis and P.M.A. Toivonen. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, 4200 Highway 97, South, Summerland, BC V0H 1Z0
cial sodium hypochlorite solution (5.25%). The experiment was repeated three times using Romaine lettuce from three different sources, and three replicates were performed per treatment. Total aerobic microbial populations were measured before and after treatment. The results showed that cutting lettuce under sanitizer provided the greatest reductions in total aerobic populations in fresh-cut Romaine lettuce, approximately 1 log10 cfu/g greater than those achieved with application of the sanitizer after cutting. Application to entire leaves before cutting led to higher reductions than the current commercial process but the treatment was consistently less effective than cutting under the sanitizing solution. While these results are promising, more work is required to determine whether the benefits derived from the approach will lead to improved microbiological stability in stored packaged cut Romaine lettuce.
Previous studies on the disinfection of fresh-cut lettuce have focused on application of sanitizing agents after slicing. The potential merit of sanitizer application at other stages in the process has largely been ignored. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sanitizer applied at different stages. Three treatments were evaluated: 1) application of a sanitizing wash on whole lettuce before cutting, 2) cutting lettuce under sanitizing solution, and 3) application of a sanitizing wash after cutting (current commercial practice). The sanitizing solution used was 70 ppm total chlorine, prepared from a commer-
Antimicrobial effect of a commercial fermentation product and NatureSeal on fresh-cut squashes Lihua Fan1, En Yang2, Craig Doucette1, Yueming Jiang2, Sherry Fillmore1 and Brad Walker1 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre, 32 Main Street, Kentville, NS, B4N 1J5, Canada 2 South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China 1
In recent years consumer preferences towards minimally processed fresh fruits and vegetables have been continuously increasing. However, minimal processing such as sorting, peeling, coring, shredding and slicing may increase the chance of microbial spoilage and contamination of products. Therefore, developing new approaches to extend shelf-life and maintain product safety/quality represents a major task for the fresh- cut processing industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of commercial fermentation products as natural antimicrobials and/or edible coating for fresh-cut squashes in relation to storage temperature. The antimicrobial effects of commercial fermentation product- MicroGARD® 730 (MG) and edible coating-
Lihua Fan NatureSeal® (NS) added to fresh-cut squashes were assessed. 0.5% MG, 1% MG, 2.5% NS, 0.5% MG plus 2.5% NS and 1% MG plus 2.5% NS were used to treat fresh-cut squashes. Samples without treatment were served as controls. Following treatments, 240g samples were put
into each of polyethylene bags and stored at 4°C and 7°C. Changes in the microbial loads including total aerobics, yeasts and moulds, and coliforms were determined. Microorganisms were identified using API kits. Quality parameters including O2/CO2 concentration, pH, soluble solids, color and conductivity were evaluated following 0, 3, 7, 9, 12 and 15 days of storage. Results showed that samples treated with MG plus NS had significantly lower microbial loads (p<0.001) at 4°C and 7°C. After six days of storage at 7°C, aerobic plate counts were > 107 cfu/g in controls while total aerobics were reduced by 3-4 logs in MG plus NS treated samples. The addition of MG plus NS maintained the shelf-life of fresh-cut squashes for up to 15 days compared to nine days for 0.5% MG treated or the control samples at 4°C. It was determined that storage temperature played an important role in maintaining quality of fresh-cut squashes. Significant (p ≤0.05) differences in microbial loads and product quality were found between 4°C and 7°C in all treatments. Considering overall safety/quality and shelf life, MG combined with NS was recommended to treat fresh-cut squashes prior to storage at 4°C.
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 21 THE GROWER
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phytoxicity or burning issues, when used as directed. So use it early to avoid the need for toxic chemicals later. As many pesticides are being delisted, your choices are limited and becoming more so every day. So when you have a choice to make, be sure to choose the purest – Spray Oil 13E. It’s an effective choice with unlimited possibilities. For more product information visit www.purespraygreen.com/grapes.
PAGE 22 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
Technology gap in crop protection narrows with U.S. KAREN DAVIDSON The statistics confirm what growers already know. U.S. competitors have more access to disease, insect and weed controls in minor use crops, often at better prices. However compared to 2001, the technology gap for access to reduced risk products is significantly narrower. According to Marion Paibomesai, OMAFRA’s vegetable crops specialist, Canadian producers have access to two-thirds of the new reduced risk products that U.S. producers have. Product access however does mean harmonized labels with U.S. producers have twice as many labelled pests and crops as Canadian producers. She presented the data at the Muck Vegetable Growers’ Conference in Bradford, Ontario earlier this spring. In a recent report to the Canadian Horticultural Council, the chair of the crop, plant protection and environment committee expressed additional concerns. “We still lack harmonization on pesticide products with our biggest neighbor,” said Gary Brown, a blueberry producer from Nova Scotia. “It puts us at a big disadvantage. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has completed a great deal of work on re-evaluation of old actives. At last count I believe that there are 368 out of 401 reviewed. Out of that, 105 were discontinued, 15 were phased out. 230 will continue to have registration with modifications, 18 will have continued use with no modifications.” Brown added that emergency registrations are on ongoing problem with 52 on the record in 2010. “ We have to be able to react quickly but the ideal thing is to get the right products registered on both sides of the border in the first place,” he said. Setting minor use priorities in Canada is a complex, multi-stake-
holder process. Paibomesai explained that each province consults with growers, processors, researchers and extension personnel every fall to review and establish priorities. These are submitted to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Pest Management Centre (PMC) in January each year to be collated into a Canadian minor use priority list. The National Minor Use Priority-Setting Workshop is held in March each year so that all stakeholders determine the top priorities. (See page 33 for results of those meetings). In Ontario, the fresh and processing vegetable working group met in March to review their priorities. Ontario and Quebec compare their priorities and identify areas of common interest. Some national commodity groups -- greenhouse vegetables, berries, mushrooms and apples, for example -- organize Canadawide conference calls to determine common national priorities. AAFC-PMC and the provinces also compare those priorities with the U.S. IR-4 priorities prior to the U.S. Food-Use Workshops held in September each year. These lists are compared with priorities in the U.K., Australia and other countries. “Growers can contribute to the ongoing program by encouraging other colleagues, processors, crop consultants, researchers, registrants and seed companies to participate in the process,” said Paibomesai. Here are some action points: • Ensure your provincial organization is represented at the national minor use meetings. • Provide detailed and accurate responses to emergency use situations, data requests and pesticide use surveys when requested. • Emphasize the need for a more harmonized crop protection product regulatory system.
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MAY 2011 –– PAGE 23 THE GROWER
Consumers savour strawberry research at University of Florida JOHN KELLY Linking plant science to consumer behavioral science is key to the multi-discplinary team led by Kevin Folta, a strawberry researcher at the University of Florida. He made the point at the Moving Genomics in Specialty Agricultural program in Guelph, a winter event hosted by Erie Innovation and Commercialization and the University of Guelph and
sponsored by the Ontario Genomics Institute. The researchers at the University of Florida really take a market driven approach to their program. “Before research and development is started, we do a market assessment and find ways to leverage the strengths at the U of Florida with dynamic market partners,” said Folta. By integrating with consumer sciences (and considering such things as sight, smell, taste and touch), the researchers focus on strawberries with appealing attributes to shoppers. In one sense, this is like going back to the way strawberries were before mass production. With consumer science, it is all about the perception of the end product. How does it feel on the tongue and how does it taste? Does it smell really good and elicit a strong response? Visually, is the product attractive? Will it be more appealing to the consumer and will it influence consumer-purchasing behaviour? Using trained panels to evaluate new varieties of strawberries, these researchers can target those characteristics in the strawberry which consumers really desire. “Trained people who serve on consumer preference panels are very important in determining how new products will do on the market,” says Isabelle Lesschaeve, Research Director for Consumer Insights and Product Innovation at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. “This approach can assist growers
and developers in finding those products that consumers really want.” The University of Florida has participation of many in industry, growers, processors and retailers. The market chain includes market analysis, research and development, production, distribution, and sales and marketing.
In Dr. Folta’s program, a major deliverable was developing the strawberry genome. This collaboration involved 70 scientists from 30 different research institutes. And it was all internally funded! The entire genome can be found on the web now at www.strawberrygenome.org. This is a very strong
tool for researchers and industry to identify those traits that are desirable for the consumer and tofind ways to conventionally breed for these traits. This is also relevant to growers, as researchers can also target genetically linked components such as flowering time, disease resistance and defense mecha-
nisms, as well as consumer relevant items such as flavour and juiciness. These researchers see these developments as tools in reaching the characteristics producers and consumers want in strawberries. John Kelly is Vice President, Erie Innovation and Commercialization.
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What makes a better berry? A European consortium seeks to add value to strawberries, raspberries, currants and blueberries JOHN KELLY Flavour is complicated. It’s assessed by taste, texture, temperature and most importantly, smell. But flavour is not the starting point for most berry researchers. It’s usually agronomics. That’s why the March 2011 formation of EUBerry is so promising, a multinational consortium funded with $4 million euros over the next three years. Its focus is the sustainable improvement of European berry production, quality and nutritional value for health-conscious consumers. Efforts of the Euroberry research program were recently
shared by Pedro Bras de Oliveira at an event jointly led by Erie Innovation and Commercialization and the University of Guelph. He is a researcher at the National Institute of Biological Resources at Oeiras. Portugal. Oliveira says the program will focus on production systems and plant quality control, plant physiology and culture management and finally those factors which impact the health of the consumer. This last part includes nutritional and functional food ingredient evaluation, with the effort focused on returning a value-added berry to the market. “This strategic investment in berry research will no doubt bring
the Europeans new cultivars which can directly target the consumer,” says Adam Dale, developer of the ever-bearing strawberry and researcher of other berries with the University of Guelph at Simcoe. “It is very important for us as Canadians to be very aware of new developments in similar production regions, such as the European continent.” In developing any multinational research program, it is essential that little research is repeated in various countries. While this may seem obvious, it is sometimes more difficult to do in reality. To address this, the European researchers have met to prioritize berry research priorities within
the continent. This has led to international cooperation and The Journal of Berry Research, first published in July, 2010. In EUBerry, a section is dedicated to market development, dealing with competitiveness and marketing strategies. Within this section, they are to consider: the economic viability of new production methods, the current situation for berries in specific European markets and a post-market analysis of new products from the farm and small and medium-sized enterprises. Oliveira suggests that the EU
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Ontariofresh.ca is a free website and online community designed by Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation to expand the market for buyers and sellers of local Ontario food. The Greenbelt’s aim is to connect across the food service value chain, linking bulk buyers, chefs, restaurants, caterers and distributors as well as growers and producers. The free marketplace feature will allow users to make requests for items or product offerings that may be available at a moment’s notice. Participants will be invited to form groups around common interests or business opportunities. Growers, buyers, distributors and friends will be able to sign up and register for Ontariofresh.ca. The launch of the site is expected in late summer of 2011. To learn more about Ontariofresh.ca, please contact: Allison Decker at adecker@greenbelt.ca or Megan Hunter at mhunter@greenbelt.ca
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 25 THE GROWER
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PAGE 26 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER showed tolerance to wet soil and/or black root rot (Figure 1). L’Amour was an early season, high-quality variety with good flavour and quality (Figure 2). 2009 plantings: The selections from Minnesota were high yielding with small fruit size and average quality. Another year of data is required to evaluate these selections. Simcoe selections 108Y79 and
Summer Rose (Figure 3) are noteworthy for their late-season and large fruit size. 108Y79 was five days later than Jewel and eight days later than Annapolis in the 2010. Acknowledgements: Thanks to the Ontario Berry Growers Association which funded these trials through Ontario Research Development Fund and Farm Innovation Program.
Strawberry variety trials in Ontario PAM FISHER, OMAFRA Our objective is to test promising selections and new varieties in different berry-growing regions of Ontario and to develop recommendations for Ontario growers. Test plots with 25-50 plants of each variety were planted in unreplicated plots at different
sites each year, weighed, and counted. The average berry weight, total yield and days to 25 per cent harvest were calculated using data collected from a subset of trial locations. In 2010, we harvested trials which were planted in 2008 and others which were planted in 2009. Varieties in the 2008
which was recently re-named as Summer Rose. Highlights from these trials are summarized below. For a more detailed report, contact Pam Fisher, pam.fisher@ontario.ca. Observations from 2008 plantings: In cooler regions such as New Liskeard and eastern Ontario, Wendy had generally
Figure 2: L’Amour is an early-mid season cultivar from New York
Figure 1: Back root rot tolerance varies with cultivar grower sites across Ontario. Annapolis or Wendy and Jewel were used as standard comparisons. Growers were asked to record information about each planting and to make observations on winter injury, leaf disease and fruit yield and quality. Berries were harvested weekly at several
plantings included L’Amour, Wendy Annapolis, three numbered selections from New York and two numbered selections from Quebec. Varieties in the 2009 plantings included numbered selections from Minnesota, Ontario and New York, compared to Jewel, Annapolis, and R14,
higher yields than Annapolis, with good quality and fruit size. However, Annapolis has better quality in southern Ontario sites. One site had severe root rot in year two, which contributed to lower average yields. The numbered selections from New York, as well as the cultivar L’Amour
Figure 3: Summer Rose is a late variety formerly known as R14. Photo credit Becky Hughes
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Bulletin is Back The Berry Bulletin is a message for berry growers, scouts and consultants, from the OMAFRA berry team. It provides updates on crop conditions, pest alerts, new registrations, timely recommendations and answers to frequently asked questions about strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries. As a service to members, the Ontario Berry Growers Association will fax or email the Berry Bulletin to all OBGA members. If you would like to receive the Berry Bulletin by fax or email, contact the OBGA office (info@ontarioberries.com).
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 27 THE GROWER
Monitoring for spotted wing drosophila: getting started HANNAH FRASER, DENISE BEATON, AND PAM FISHER, OMAFRA Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is an invasive vinegar fly that has the potential to cause extensive damage to many fruit crops. The first detection of SWD in Ontario was in fall 2010 at a single residential site. We do not know how well this pest will survive the winter, or how quickly it will become established in Ontario. Based on experiences in western North America, we expect it will become a chronic pest to deal with in years to come. Early detection is the key to limiting economic damage. We are coordinating a SWD monitoring program so we can learn more about the build-up and distribution of this pest in Ontario. We are placing traps at 50 sites with susceptible crops,
representing the major fruit growing regions in the province. Results from the sample collections will be reported weekly in OMAFRA newsletters and bulletins. In addition, we hope that all growers with susceptible crops will be alert to possible SWD outbreaks on their farms. The most susceptible crops include blueberry, raspberries, sweet cherries, although strawberries, grapes, and other fruit with soft flesh, are also at risk. Growers and scouts can monitor for the presence of SWD adult flies by placing baited traps in susceptible crops and checking the contents once or twice a week. You can purchase premade traps or make your own. Traps can be purchased from Contech Enterprises Inc. (website: www.contech-inc.com or phone: 1-800-767-8658). These traps
have red markings on them that the SWD find more attractive. Traps can also be made with small plastic containers (250-750 mL) with tight fitting lids. Drill four small holes (0.5) cm in diameter, in the sides of the containers, which will exclude larger insects but allow vinegar flies to enter. There are several options for baiting the traps. Apple cider vinegar is very effective, easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Traps should be placed in the crop canopy, at least two weeks before the crop begins to ripen. Traps should be checked and the bait replaced at least once a week. For information on making and using traps for SWD, see www.al.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/swd_ monitoring.pdf The next step is to identify SWD flies in your traps! Although the male flies have distinct spots on their wings, the
females, which are more numerous and actually cause the damage, do not have spotted wings. Information on SWD identification will be provided at the
OMAFRA IPM scout training workshops in spring 2011. Samples can also be sent to the Pest Diagnostic Clinic in Guelph.
New registrations for blueberry growers PAM FISHER, OMAFRA • Ignite 15 SN herbicide (glufosinate ammonium), Reg. No. 23180, for the post-emergent burn down of annual and perennial weeds on highbush blueberry in
Eastern Canada and British Columbia. Can be tank-mixed with Princep Nine-T or Simadex. • Dual Magnum Reg. No. 25728 and Dual II Magnum Reg. No. 25729 herbicides (s-metolachlor). Apply to the soil as a banded
application directed to the base of the highbush blueberry plants, pre-emergent to weeds. Has activity on pigweed, nightshade, several grasses and nutsedge. Crop injury may occur if any part of the plants is contacted by drift.
The pre-harvest interval is 30 days. • Fulfill 50 WG insecticide (pymetrozine) for control of aphids on highbush blueberries. For more updates see the 2010-2011 update to OMAFRA
publication #360, Fruit Production Recommendations. You can find this information on line at www.ontario.ca/crops, then navigate to “publications.”
sold fresh or used in value-added products such as jam, wine and ice-cream. For more information on Haskap contact OMAFRA Berry Crop Specialist, Pam Fisher pam.fisher@ontario.ca or OMAFRA New Crop Develop-
ment Specialist, Evan Elford evan.elford@ontario.ca
Beginner ’s guide to haskaps EVAN ELFORD Haskap (Lonicera caerulea) is a type of edible blue honeysuckle released from the University of Saskatchewan Fruit Program. It is an early summer bearing shrub with a small elongated purple fruit containing inconspicuous seeds, and tends to be sweeter than other edible blue honeysuckle cultivars currently available. Germplasm from Russia, Japan, the Kuril Islands and Canada is being used to develop Haskap cultivars at the University of Saskatchewan and to date they have released two named cultivars (Borealis and Tundra) and three numbered cultivars (9-91, 992, and 9-15). Plants should be spaced approximately 1.0 m apart within rows and 2.5 m or more between rows and irrigation is recommended during establishment, however care should be taken to avoid over watering plants. Irrigation may also be beneficial for established plants during dry summer months. There are no Ontario fertility recommendations for Haskap but fertilizer should be applied only in the spring to prevent lush growth late in the season. A compatible pollinator is recommended to obtain higher berry yields and should be planted at a ratio of approximately one pollinator for every eight Haskap plants. Most propagators have a distinct pollinator available for purchase, and these pollinators will also bear fruit. Bushes
should be pruned in late winter or early spring. Pests reported on Haskap include powdery mildew and birds. Some varieties are less susceptible to powdery mildew than others. Areas with high bird populations may require the use
of 1/2 inch netting to prevent loss of fruit to birds. Haskaps tend to have uniform fruit ripening and yields of 4-7 kg/bush within four to five years can be expected. The berries are easily removed from the plants at harvest time and can either be
Evan Elford is the New Crop Development Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
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MAY 2011 –– PAGE 29 THE GROWER
MARKETPLACE
To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 NURSERY AND ROOTSTOCK
Alpine Nurseries
(Niagara) Limited
SPECIALIZING IN FRUIT TREES & GRAPE VINES & ELDERBERRIES. VARIETY AND PRICE LIST AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
The best producing orchards start with exceptional trees. Apples Apricots Cherries Nectarines Peaches Plums
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 howardcolcuc@rogers.com
Quality Fruit Trees for 60 years.
CLASSIFIED ADS Knight manure spreader, side distributor, $10,500. 2-FMC harvestors, model 6002, 1322 hrs$30,000 and 670hrs - $38,000. FMC orchard sprayers, 500 gallon, 32” fans, 90hp - $5,800 and 110hp turbo-diesel - $7,500. 4x6 J.D. Gator with air pruners, $6,800. All excellent condition. 905-892-6380 or email mlh@cogeco.ca
Mori Nurseries
1695 Niagara Stone Rd., RR#2 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S1J0 T: 905-468-3217 F: 905-468-7271 Email: fruittrees@morinurseries.com
www.morinurseries.com
Wanted: looking to buy or rent large orchard/hedge pruner capable of pruning hadges 20-30ft. tall. Please contact Mike Forward at Sheridan Nurseries. 416-5083266 or mforward@sheridannurseries.com Orchard sprayer for sale. FMC LV320. 300 U.S. gallon. Good condition. 905-765-2027
EQUIPMENT SPRAYERS FOR SALE
ORIENTAL VEGETABLE SEEDS
•
Oriental Vegetable Seeds
• • • •
• Hot PepperSuper Banana
Hot PepperLong Hot H
Hot PepperDalong D11
• •
Baby White Pak ChoyNabai Queen
Kabocha-Litian
AgroHaitai Ltd. Ph: 519-647-2280 • Fax: 519-647-3188 seed@agrohaitai.com• www.AgroHaitai.com
3 John Bean Modulars Coming Soon REFURB JB LV 321 Narrow, $5995.00 NEW Hardi 3pt. Air Cannon, $4500.00 NEW 100gal 3pt JB Air, $7500.00 Used 50 gal JB Air, $2500 New Durand Vineyard Sprayer Great Price. Over Stock. Used John Bean Smart d Spray sol Demo 10 Sensor Smart Spray sold Barely used Hardi Mercury call for $$
PAGE 30 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
MARKETPLACE
To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 EQUIPMENT
WANTED NOW: CLEAN USED TRADES
ALL STAINLESS STEEL Made in Canada
NEW TURBO-MIST SPRAYERS - VARIETY OF MODELS IN STOCK LOW DRIFT SPRAY TOWERS to fit any TURBO-MIST - IN STOCK NOW Turbo-Mist 600 gal. Narrow, New Centrifugal Pump . . . . . . . . . $13,500 Turbo-Mist 500 gal Narrow, Hydraulic Controls, Low, Low hours . $16,500 Turbo-Mist 500 gal, Narrow, Hydraulic Controls, Used 40 Hrs . . . $17,900 Turbo-Mist 400 gal, Big 30” Fan, Almost New . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,900 Aero-Fan 500 Gal, 37” Fan, John Deere 125 H.P. . . . . . . . . . . . $16,500 FMC CP4000, 85 H.P. Diesel, Ravens Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,500 John Deere H.D. 10 ft Rotary Mower, Centre Pull, Hydraulic Wide Offset, New Blades, Paint, Low Profile Tires . . . . . . . . .$5,500 Seppi 200 Flail Mower/mulcher, Almost New . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,900 Phil Brown Shielded Spray Boom Tree Row - Coming DEALER FOR PERFECT, VOTEX, SEPPI
• VEGETABLE SEEDERS
Orchard Equipment for sale:
Planet Jr.
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 donarthur@georgian.net Clarksburg, ON
Cole
• CASH CROP PLANTERS Conventional – Pneumatic (Air)
• FERTILIZER ATTACHMENTS (SideDressers)
** Instant photos to you by e-mail - all advertised items **
Trades, Consignment, Leasing, Delivery Anywhere
Gaspardo
• ROW CROP WEEDERS, ETC. • DISC HILLERS
• 1 FMC 250 series speed sprayer 500 gallons, $6000 • 1830 John Deere tractor with fork lift, 2377 hours, $4,500
• SPECIALIZED ROW CROP EQUIPMENT Cultivator Steels, Sweeps, Hoes, Furrowers, Hillers, Etc.
JOHN C. GRAHAM CO. LTD.
Contact Ibrahim Call after 7 pm 905-304-1406
DISTRIBUTORS 88 Erie Street North • P.O. Box 13 Leamington, Ontario • N8H 3W1
Ibrahim_elahmed@hotmail.com
Tel:(519) 326-5051 Fax: (519) 326-0480
FOR SALE Super A cultivator, Electric start, Live hydraulics, 1 row cultivator, Belt pulley, excellent condition, $3500.00 Delhi Hydraulic Asparagus Cutter 3 to 6 row, $2000.00
WARWICK ORCHARDS & NURSERY LTD. 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
Orchard Equipment & Supplies Munckhof Orchard Sprayers Votex Shredders Votex Mowers New & Used Tree Stakes & Tie Material
67 Ford Dexta diesel, Runs well, $1600.00 Call: George 613-385-2328
Advertise your used farm equipment here. 866-898-8488 ext. 221
REFRIGERATION
KOOL JET
®
Reliable Refrigeration Systems
1-866-748-7786
www.kooljet.com
Visit our website to view our complete line
One-Piece and Portable Skid-Mount Systems, HydroCoolers, Medical and Process Chillers, Blast Freezers, Vacuum Coolers, Refrigerated Dehumidifiers. Custom Built Designs • Domestic and International Markets
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 31 THE GROWER
MARKETPLACE
To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 IRRIGATION
CROP TUNNELS
Advertise your used farm equipment here. 866-898-8488 ext. 221
GREENHOUSE MANUFACTURING Greenhouse and Heating Systems
Complete Greenhouse Systems Since 1986
Canada’s Leading Greenhouse Manufacturer
Tel: 519-582-3081 Fax: 519-582-0851 Toll Free: 888-786-4769 RR 1, Simcoe Ontario, Canada info@decloetgreenhouse.com www.decloetgreenhouse.com
REAL ESTATE
www.thegrower.org
Change of address??? 866-898-8488 ext. 221
PAGE 32 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
MINOR USE CRAIG’S COMMENTS
Loss of a champion
CRAIG HUNTER OFVGA I want to tell you a story about a man named Jim, a poor country boy, worked hard to keep the family fed, came one day he was . . . But I am getting ahead of myself. There are many people who have contributed to our industry that in turn have made it prosper, and to make Canada a better place. Over the course of a career, one meets these people naturally, because they are so deeply involved in many aspects of the business, and because they are always interested in seeking you out and finding out what makes you tick. They will utilize your talents (if you have any!) to make the industry even better. They all seem to be naturally inquisitive, and they are walking encyclopedias of history and industry knowledge. Horticulture in Canada is a small world. It spans all the provinces, and within any commodity sector, everyone seems to know or know of everyone else. The supply chain business is also a small sphere. It doesn’t matter if someone is part of “the big six” companies, or from a much smaller manufacturer or distributoreveryone knows everyone. They also know and remember who contributed- money, time, talent or (usually) all of the above, to
resolving issues. I want to share what I know about one of those individuals: Jim Bartlett. Jim passed away in early April this year. It was his time. He was surrounded by his large family and they all loved him dearly. How many men would wish for anything more than that? Jim was in every way a family man, yet he gave of himself to his community through volunteerism at Kinsmen, Chamber of Commerce and church, and to his industry through his membership and presidency of the national CropLife
with packing equipment, and designed many custom packing lines still in use today. The company was never afraid to try new lines of products (hence the intro to this article- Jim took on a television franchise just at the time when the Beverly Hillbillies was in vogue), or to take on new business arrangements and new suppliers that ultimately made products available to growers who may otherwise never would have seen them and gained from their use. He could be passionate about equipment and argue on equal terms with PhD scientists or
Jim Bartlett
Above from left to right: Craig Bartlett, Don Peters and David Bartlett will continue the family business, N.M. Bartlett Inc.
Council and to being the organizer and first chair for the Ontario Provincial Council. He spent his entire career at the company which bore his father’s name, and in turn he passed it on to his family that now preside over that same family business. He had much more than just good business acumen. He was a shrewd negotiator, and a business man looking for any opportunity to grow his business. He was widely respected as a man of his word in any business dealing. He was also always willing to help a grower resolve a logistics issue
engineers who could not see his point. (He usually won his point simply from having the first hand practical experience in using or even constructing the equipment!) All the while, he managed all the rest of the business operation with a big hand from family members including his father, brother, and brother-in-law, and later as many as twelve family members from succeeding generations. They worked hard, and persevered through the tough times which many growers can empathize with. They progressed from having all deliveries based from
the plant in Beamsville (meaning very long truck rides on poorer roads than today) to a nationwide system of company representatives with products in stock and on hand for fast response to a grower’s need. It was a shrewd move in another way. They were often the first to hear FROM the growers about new pests, new needs, and what their actual concerns were, and thus able to start dealing with those needs faster. The company is now in the hands of the third generation, with the fourth generation already involved in the business.
Jim made sure that they have all been trained in the tried and true method -- from the bottom up. Perhaps that’s why they have been successful. I also think their secret is that they all regard family first -- in business and in their personal lives. It shows. But back to Jim. He learned early that life was more than just work. After a serious health scare at a relatively young age, he decided to wind back on his commitments (all the way back to a level that many still never achieve!) and to spend more time with family. They were
Technical Support Provided by
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able to purchase a cottage property where many friends and business associates have been fortunate to attend. When family wanted to have guests, it was never a question of if, it was only ‘how soon can they come.’ Everyone learned to water ski from Jim. He believed in the dry ground approach first. It was all about planning, and a reflection of why his skills as a millwright paid off so often. The barbeques were legendary and continue to this day. The games and sports Jim loved are ‘de rigueur’ as well. It is impossible to tell just what being honoured meant to Jim, when he was receiving his many awards. He would be the first to deflect credit to others. From being the first “small” business operator to head CropLife as President back in 1979-80, to being part of the Bartlett team that received the 2011 Business of The Year Award in Lincoln –only two days prior to his passing, Jim was recognized often for his efforts. It is champions like Jim Bartlett that make this business what it has become today. Not everyone is cut out to achieve to the same degree during their career. Everyone CAN contribute in their own way, if they chose to do so, as Jim did. It was an honour to have known and to have worked (debated) with Jim on issues, and to continue to do so with his family. We have all been fed by his passion for the industry. It is a pleasure to see such tight family bonds that will continue to serve our industry. This industry will miss Jim, but he can rest well knowing his business has been entrusted to capable hands. My condolences to Rheta and all the family on Jim’s passing.
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MAY 2011 –– PAGE 33 THE GROWER
MINOR USE
2011-2012 priorities for minor use research
PAGE 34 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
MINOR USE
Betamix B herbicide controls weeds on red beets The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion for Betamix B EC herbicide (desmedipham + phenmedipham) for control of weeds on red (garden) beets in Canada. Betamix B EC herbicide was already labeled for use on sugarbeets in Canada and has been a high priority product for red (garden) beet producers in Canada. This minor use project was sponsored by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFC-PMC) and was initiated in 2007 in response to minor use priorities identified by producers, processors and extension personnel in Canada. Weed management on red beets has been a high priority item for a number of years and the registration of Betamix B herbicide will provide red beet producers with an effective and useful weed management tool. The following is provided as a general outline only. Users should consult the complete label before using Betamix B
herbicide. Betamix B herbicide may be applied to
red (garden) beets at any stage of growth (as early as cotyledon) when necessary to
control weeds. Apply Betamix B at 1.15 to 1.75 L per ha as a broadcast spray in 100 – 200 L of water. Repeat applications at five – seven day intervals following the first application or when another flush of weeds germinates. Apply a maximum of three applications per season and do not apply within 30 days of harvest. Consult the full minor use label for precautions and detailed use directions. Betamix B herbicide should be used in an integrated weed management program and in rotation with other management strategies. Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Betamix B herbicide label. This minor use submission was sponsored by AAFC-PMC as a result of priorities established in consultation with producers and processors. For copies of the new minor use label contact Kristen Callow (519) 674-1335 or Janice LeBoeuf, (519) 674-1699 OMAFRA, Ridgetown, Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-3539 or visit www.bayercropscience.ca/
Weed control strengthened for blueberries The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion for Callisto 480 SC herbicide (mesotrione) for control of weeds on highbush and lowbush blueberries in Canada. Callisto 480 SC was already labeled for use on corn and cranberries in Canada and has a proven record of providing producers with effective weed management.
Weed management on blueberries has been a high priority item for a number of years and the registration of Callisto 480 SC herbicide will provide blueberry producers with an effective and useful weed management tool. For blueberries Callisto 480 SC can be applied pre-emergent or post-emergent to weeds at a rate of 0.3 L product per hectare in a spray volume of 100 200 L water per hectare. The pre-har-
vest interval is 60 days. Consult the full label for application details. A Syngenta news release says that in highbush and lowbush blueberries, Callisto 480SC can be applied up to the eight-leaf stage of weeds prior to crop bloom. The herbicide provides control of lamb’s quarters, redroot pigweed, velvetleaf, wild mustard, eastern black nightshade as well as suppression of common ragweed.
Callisto herbicide should be used in an integrated weed management program and in rotation with other management strategies. Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Callisto 480 SC herbicide label. For copies of the new minor use labels contact Pam Fisher, OMAFRA, Simcoe, (519) 426-2238, Kevin Schooley, OBGA, Kemptville (613) 2584587 or visitwww.syngenta.ca
New active ingredient adds early blight control to Revus Revus Top fungicide is now available for control of early and late blight in potatoes. Revus Top is a co-pack of Revus fungicide and difenoconazole, a new Group 3 triazole fungicide. The addition of difenoconazole will also protect plants against early blight, another pervasive potato plant disease. “Revus should play a part of potato growers’ spray program, applied at critical periods to control late
blight. For growers who also experience early blight pressure, Revus Top will be a valuable option, also providing protection from this disease,” explains Tara McCaughey, Technical Crop Manager for Syngenta Canada. “By controlling both key potato diseases, Revus Top optimizes the effectiveness and the efficiency of a grower’s fungicide applications.” Following application, the translaminar movement
of difenoconazole results in both contact and residual disease control. This movement also contributes to the fungicide’s effectiveness at low use rates. As part of the Revus Top co-pack, difenoconazole will be available in a liquid formulation (250 g/L emulsifiable concentrate). Revus Top is crop-safe and rainfast after drying.
Alternative mode of action controls apple scab Inspire fungicide has received registration from the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for use on pome fruit, grapes and a number of other horticultural crops. This registration is important news for apple growers, in particular, since Inspire controls apple scab – including strobilurin-resistant strains – and other damaging apple diseases. Inspire is a Group 3 (triazole) fungicide with the active ingredient difeno-
conazole. It delivers both preventative and curative effects, also displaying rapid uptake and excellent translaminar activity. In this way, Inspire protects top and bottom leaf surfaces. Once absorbed, Inspire stays localized and provides residual protection against disease. “Inspire will be an extremely valuable tool in an apple grower’s integrated pest management program, serving
as rotational partner to strobilurin fungicides and as a means of resistance management,” explains Tara McCaughey, Technical Crop Manager for Syngenta Canada. In addition to pome fruit and grapes, Inspire is also registered for the control of important diseases on Brassica leafy vegetables, bulb vegetables, cucurbit vegetables, fruiting vegetables, select tuberous and corm vegetables and
sugar beets. Across all these fruits and vegetables, Inspire is crop-safe and rainfast after drying. Inspire has a liquid formulation (250 g/L emulsifiable concentrate) and convenient package size, both specifically developed to ensure ease of tank-mixing and product application. For more information, go to www.syngenta.com.
MAY 2011 –– PAGE 35 THE GROWER
The best fruit comes from growers with a vision for better disease control.
Now registered!
Inspire™ fungicide is now registered for control of apple scab – even Strobilurin-resistant strains – plus powdery mildew and more. Choose Inspire as the foundation of your integrated disease management strategy in apples, grapes and other fruit and vegetable crops, too. For more information, please call 1-87-SYNGENTA (1-877-964-3682) or visit SyngentaFarm.ca Always read and follow label directions. Inspire™, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2011 Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, Inc.
PAGE 36 –– MAY 2011 THE GROWER
Put an end to hide-and-seek with Movento’s two-way systemic insect control Other insecticides move through the plant in a single direction often leaving portions unprotected and susceptible to insect pressures. With two-way systemic action, Movento® insecticide moves inside the plant simultaneously in two directions - thoroughly protecting the entire plant. Movento controls insect infestations you can see and can’t see in a broad range of horticultural crops. It’s a breakthrough in insect control for fruits and vegetables. With Movento – you’re home free.
BayerCropScience.ca or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative. Always read and follow label directions. Movento® is a registered trademark of Bayer. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.
01/11-15662