The Grower Newspaper August 2011

AUGUST 2011

CELEBRATING 131 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION

VOLUME 61 NUMBER 08

Value chain records platinum returns on peaches KAREN DAVIDSON Reach for an Ontario peach because it’s likely juicier and tastier than ever. That’s not a promotional pitch. It’s scientific fact proven by a value chain team consisting of two Niagara-area peach growers, the Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd. and retailer Loblaw Companies Ltd. Now in the second year of production and consumer trials, this trio of collaborators is taking square aim at California peaches which are bigger, redder and cheaper. How? With 2010 studies of a thousand shoppers at Loblaw under their belt, they now know that consumers will favour flavour – the top attribute of Ontario peaches. By measuring brix levels and adopting new orchard practices, growers Chris Andrewes and George Lepp are perfecting how to deliver consistently on the flavour promise. Their packer, Vineland Growers Co-operative, is tweaking the packaging so that a peach is coddled like an egg from tree to table.

“We’re building the specifications for a platinum peach,” says Mike Ecker, president of Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd., noting that all the cues are coming from consumers back through the chain to the grower. “We believe that we can leave a peach on the tree longer and still ship it to Sudbury in northern Ontario.”

As tricky as that sounds, grower Chris Andrewes, who has committed 4,000 trees to the

INSIDE Transition funding for grape$

Page 4

project, has reason to believe the industry can change. He’s modified his practices after a trip to California in June 2010 to observe the San Joaquin Valley peach harvest in full swing. That eye-opening trip was organized

by Martin Gooch, Value Chain Management Centre (VCMC), who also invited grower George Lepp, Mike Ecker and Frank Pagliaro, vice-president, national produce procurement, Loblaw Companies Ltd. As a result, the group was galvanized to experiment with specific production and packing practices back in Ontario.

Andrewes and Lepp put down reflective foil between the rows to help colour the peaches while summer pruning helped to thin the crop and allow larger fruit to develop. Leaf plucking was found to have some benefit on fruit quality, but proved too labour-intensive at 12 minutes per tree and too costly at $2.40 per tree. While all of these practices are common in California, VCMC analyzed whether there was a business case for the Ontario peach industry.

“Initial indications are that using reflective foil in conjunction with summer pruning

is financially feasible and can increase producers’ returns, even if they lead to the production of just one additional case of platinum peaches,” says Martin Gooch, director, VCMC. That conclusion is based on labour costing $12 per hour, every case of platinum peaches (35) earning a $3 premium, summer pruning costing $1.13 per tree and foil costing $0.50 per tree for a single row. “This appears to be an extraordinarily low estimate considering the first year’s limited trial.”

Those 2010 trials also tested pressure per square inch on

FIND ME! SHOW PROGRAM INSIDE

Sign up for Self-Directed Risk Management

Page 5

Focus: storage

Page 14

www.thegrower.org P.M. 40012319

In peach season, it’s hard for value chain players to find a moment to savour the sun-ripened goodness of the tender fruit. It’s all about hustling the product to market. However, Mike Ecker (L), president of Vineland Growers Cooperative Ltd, Jordan Station, Ontario and Chris Andrewes, grower at Beamsville, Ontario confer on new growing techniques that result in chin-wiping juiciness for consumers. After a year of production trials and consumer studies, they both have encouraging data that flavour pays everyone, including retail partner Loblaw Companies Ltd. Photo by Glenn Lowson. peaches. “Too soft and that peach is mushy in the mouth and too hard, then there’s no flavour,” says Ecker. “We are still testing for the optimum pressure to pick at. We believe there’s an opportunity to deliver better peaches in eastern Canada.”

Part of that confidence is stoked by consumer studies conducted in Loblaw stores.

VCMC found that the peach market is segmented into four groups according to income, education and household unit size.

Continued on page 3

anada’s Fruit & Veg Tech X-Change September 1, 2, 3 2011 Norfolk County, Ontario

FruitVegTechXchange.com Print your $5 OFF admin coupon online!

P: 226.381.0282

PAGE 2 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

AT PRESS TIME… Information sessions for Ontario’s SDRM

ACC gets facelift

Here are the dates and locations for information sessions for the new Self-Directed Risk Management Program. Experts from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Agricorp will provide an overview of how the program works. The meetings run from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011 Red Pine Inn & Conf. Center 497 Victoria St. E., Alliston Monday, September 6, 2011 Travelodge 555 Bloomfield Rd., Chatham Tuesday, September 7, 2011 Knights of Columbus Hall 307 Main St., Delhi Wednesday, September 8, 2011 Prudhommes Inn 3305 North Service Rd, Vineland Staff from OMAFRA will also be available at the following trade shows: • Hastings Plowing Match, August 17-18, Tweed • Canada’s Fruit & Veg Tech XChange, September 1-3, Norfolk • Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, September 13-15, Woodstock • International Plowing Match, September 20-24, Hawkesbury More information on SDRM: Edible Horticulture is also available by visiting www.ontario.ca/rmp or by calling 1-877-424-1300.

After 10 years of funding agri-ideas, it’s time for a facelift for the Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC). A new logo and tag line was recently unveiled at a summer annual meeting along with plans for a refreshed website.

In addition, board chair Jim Rickard announced the results of ACC’s economic impact in administering CanAdapt and CanAdvance funding from the federal government. Key findings of the 612 projects included: • $42.2 million in funding produced increased sales in various industries estimated at $334.8 million • these sales increased Canada’s GDP by $142.9 million

Hort-oriented displays at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show The Organic and Market Vegetable Expo will be a specific destination for horticultural growers at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show this year. The area has been revamped to include plots of alternative vegetables and equipment demonstrations, says Stephanie Nagelschmitz, communications coordinator.

The Canadian Energy Expo

NEWSMAKERS

continues to attract interest for its leading-edge biomass exhibits where field-scale miscanthus and switchgrass trials have been planted. The show runs from September 13 through 15 near Woodstock, Ontario.

Funds for traceability The Traceability Foundations Initiative was announced by Canadian and Ontario governments July 19, investing $21.5 million for the next three years and providing up to 75 per cent cost share funding. Approved projects might be eligible for up to a maximum of $5 million in funding per project.

The fund will support projects led by the agri-food industry to share information, enhance industry competitiveness and improve the speed in which Ontario responds in the event of a food product recall. A full traceability system requires the collection, storage and sharing of three key pieces of information: premises identification, product identification and movement recording.

For more information and application forms, visit www.ontario.ca/traceability.

BEDDINGPRO

JemD International Greenhouse Vegetables has hired Adrian Abbott as director of operations, based in Kingsville, Ontario. Formerly director of marketing and industry relations with BC Tree Fruits, Abbott will be responsible for occupational health and safety initiatives, food safety programs, audits and Produce Traceability Initiative milestones in addition to industry relations. The operation has six distribution centres across North America.

Adrian Abbott

Five horticultural producers have been selected to join a class of 30 emerging agri-food leaders in the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program that starts on September 25. They are: Will Heeman, Thorndale, Heeman Greenhouses and Strawberry Farm; Andrew Miller, Picton, Cherryvale Organic Farm; Remi Van De Slyke, Straffordville, ginseng and cash crop producer; Wes Wiens, Niagara-on-the-Lake, grape vine propagator, Michel Dignard, Embrun, blueberries and raspberries.

Congratulations to recently announced Ontario Agri-Food Innnovation winners. They are Greta Kryger, Greta’s Organic Gardens, Ottawa; Grant and Dorothy Dobson, Connaught Nursery, Cobben; and Kylah Dobson and Zach Loeks, Cobden.

The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers have hired Justine Taylor in the capacity of science programs and issues coordinator (acting). She will be working part-time with current coordinator Leanne Wilson who will be taking leave in September.

Justine will be responsible for research, pest management, energy and environment issues until April 2012.

Tony Morris is the new traceability coordinator for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) based in Guelph. He is well-known to agribusiness for his consulting services and a former role as president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Hon. Lyle Vanclief, former Canadian minister of agriculture and agri-food, has been named Honourary Chair of the 2011 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists Congress which will be held in Guelph and Niagara Falls, Ontario. Organizers expect 260 farm writers from around the world to attend the event September 14– 18. Several horticultural highlights will be showcased on the tour. This is the first time the event has been hosted by Canada since 1967.

The Dispute Resolution Corporation elected the following to serve another three-year term on the board of directors: Glenn Baty, president/COO, Star Produce Ltd, Calgary, AB; Norberto Galvan Gonzalez, general manager, Rodeva S.P.R. de R. L., Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico; and Matt McInerney, executive vice-president, Western Growers, Newport Beach, CA. Gonzalo Aguilar Guizar, export manager, Grupo Empaque Roguin SA de CV, San Juanico, Michoacan, Mexico was elected to the board to replace Miguel A. Garcia Paredes, director general, Consejo Nacional Agropecuario who resigned in the fall of 2010.

Condolences to the family of Jim Rainforth, former secretary manager of the Ontario Grape Growers Marketing Board, who passed away June 23. He retired in 1998 after 21 years of board service, and a former horticultural career with both Agriculture Canada and OMAFRA. He was predeceased by his wife Christine just three weeks prior.

SPRING IS COMING! PUT STRAW BETWEEN ROWS KEEPING MOISTURE IN AND MUD OUT. The only round bail shredder that offers controlled and consistant spreading and requires only a 40 hp tractor.

The best solution for all spreading requirments.

Double R Manufacturing 270 Branch Road, Crapaud PE, C0A 1J0 1-888-658-2088 • beddingpro@gmail.com • www.doublermanufacturing.com

Also in Ontario grape industry news, Grimsby-based grower Steve Fernick passed away June 3. He had served with distinction on the board of directors since 2004. Bill Lemko, Grape King 1990, a pioneer of vinifera plantings, also passed away this past month.

The World Food Prize has been awarded to two former presidents: John Agyekum Kufuor, Ghana and Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Brazil. They were honoured for their independent, personal commitment and visionary leadership in alleviating hunger and poverty in their respective countries.

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 3 THE GROWER

Value chain records platinum returns on peaches Continued from page 1 They consist of discriminators, discerners, affluent and engaged, and disengaged. Visual cues have the greatest influence on the purchase decision. But several findings surprised these value chain partners.

First, consumers ranked colour, size, sweetness, flavour and juiciness as their top attributes for quality. Price limped into the equation at 11 out of 15 factors.

Secondly, consumers didn’t rate “grown in Ontario” or “tree ripened” as very important in their purchase decision.

Finally, consumers have specific preferences for how fruit is packaged, with half of the respondents indicating that their ability to buy individual fruit rather than baskets or containers is important or extremely important.

These insights have triggered new packaging formats that will target specific consumer segments. To that point, Vineland Co-operative has ordered trays which will display peaches singly in an individual cell. A foam bottom will cradle each succulent peach, protecting it from bruising.

The question becomes whether this extra packaging

Single cell packaging will negate grower returns. In last year’s trials, Ecker says that growers received 20 cents per pound more and consumers paid the price willingly. In fact, Loblaw is asking for more of this premium peach.

“Locally-grown, tree-ripened, extra large fruit earned favourable response from our consumers,” says Pagliaro.

“This is about taking Ontario peaches with a short window and basket format to an even better product. I view this as an opportunity for the industry as a whole – growers, packers and retailers -- to benefit.”

“This entire exercise has been amazing for me,” says Andrewes. “Until now, I didn’t understand how the chain stores work. It was a mystery to me.”

Armed with new knowledge and more open dialogue about needs, Vineland Co-operative will be offering nectarines in this new packaging format this summer. Ecker is looking over his shoulder to the 2010 California statistics which showed that nectarine production outpaced peaches there for the first time. Although Ontario currently produces 90 per cent of the country’s fresh peaches and has a small acreage in nectarines, he says it’s not inconceivable that the mix could move to a ratio of 70 per cent peaches and 30 per cent nectarines.

“Right now, we don’t have early varieties of nectarines,” Ecker says. Given the new alignments between the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, growers, packers and retailers, he has every reason to believe that story could come true.

The two E’s of value chain thinking: effectiveness and efficiency It’s harder than ever to protect the family farm. Peach growers who could once make a living on 25 acres likely need 150 acres to survive today. That’s why value chains are emerging to gain competitive advantage.

“Working together delivers improvements that are hard to copy because they are business-to-business and based on relationships,” says Ray Collins, University of Queensland, Australia, who recently conducted an industry workshop along with Martin Gooch, Value Chain Management Centre. “Agribusiness chains start and end with the consumer. No sustainable value is created until the consumer pays. The consumer determines how much value is in a product. Chain members determine how that value is distributed.”

The members of Vineland Co-operative have discovered what attributes are valued by consumers. Now they’re finetuning where and how those attributes are created in the value chain. Taste? That’s genetics and production practices. Size? That’s growers and graders/processors. Freshness? That’s the responsibility of the whole value chain. Safety? That’s the whole chain too. Convenience? That’s the onus of the processor and retailer.

As Collins puts it, creating consumer value means being effective, that is, doing the right things. But that’s

only half of value chain thinking. The second half is being efficient or doing things right. Reducing costs such as shrinkage and eliminating waste in the value chain creates value.

Champions of the value chain system know that it’s about more than product flow. At the heart is information flow between the partners: who tells what to whom and when. The direction, quality, timing and usefulness of information can play huge roles in driving out inefficiencies. For independent business people, this is tough work because it’s about the quality of the relationships, solving problems, resolving conflicts and sharing power.

Niagara’s peach growers are on early legs of their journey. For inspiration, Collins suggests that they look to grower-owned Zespri kiwifruit from New Zealand, the world’s largest kiwifruit grower, processor and marketer with $1 billion in sales. Anyone would take a call for that order.

Ray Collins (L), University of Queensland, Australia and Martin Gooch, Value Chain Management Centre, Guelph, Ontario recently presented a number of case studies on value chain management. Ontario’s peach pilot was one of them.

INTERNATIONAL NUTRITION

TRADE

LEGAL

INFRASTRUCTURE

U.S. journal rouses debate on potatoes

Canada/EU recognize organic standards

Lebanon detains Canadian potato grower

Bridge proposal sags in Michigan

Canada and the European Union (EU) have agreed to recognize each other's organic standards and laws. This is a significant milestone after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture signed an organic equivalency arrangement in 2009.

The Canada Organic Trade Association calculates that the domestic organic market has grown from $2 billion in 2008 to more than $2.6 billion in 2010.

Canadian companies annually export more than $390 million worth of organic commodities, ingredients and products to the U.S., EU and elsewhere.

-- FreshPlaza.com

New Brunswick’s potato grower Henk Tepper, Tobique Farms, has been in a Beirut prison since March. He was detained on an Interpol warrant at the request of Algerian authorities who say a previous shipment of potatoes contained ringrot. While the disease is not harmful to human health, Algeria says the potatoes are unfit for human consumption. His lawyer has advanced the case to Canadian authorities in attempts to prevent Tepper’s transfer to Algeria.

- Potato Pro

The Canadian Potato Council (CPC) is challenging the conclusions of a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine on potato consumption, which wrongly depicts potatoes as a hindrance to weight loss and maintaining a healthy body weight.

Most scientific nutritionists state that potatoes are nutrientdense, meaning many nutrients are obtained for the amount of calories.

“The (New England Journal of Medicine) study is confusing, as it fails to quantify how an extra serving of any food or beverage will affect your weight.

Potatoes are Canada’s number one vegetable, and an extremely healthy, versatile part of our diet,” says CPC chair Keith Kuhl.

-- CDN Hort Council

Canada is willing to help fund a second bridge between Windsor and Detroit to ease congestion on the 80-year-old, privately owned Ambassador Bridge. But the $550 million offer is bogged down in Michigan State politics over the rationale for a government-backed second crossing.

Bills that were expected to pave the way for a bridge deal did not pass before the summer break.

Proprietors of the Ambassador Bridge argue that a rival crossing would steal customers. Opposing arguments stress that the current bridge is vulnerable not only to terrorists but also structural faults due to age. A second bridge would speed movement of thousands of trucks, which now carry about 25 per cent of all Canada’s trade with the U.S. Canadian Chamber of Commerce president Perrin Beatty calls the new crossing “the single most important thing we can do to improve functioning of the border.” He worries that due to a misinformation campaign fronted by bridge opponents, Michigan taxpayers aren’t valuing the extraordinary Canadian offer and the long-term, two-way benefits of a twinned bridge.

The nearby greenhouse industry in Essex County is particularly dependent on the bridge with a majority of its $500 million tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers sold to the U.S. -- Globe and Mail

PAGE 4 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

Ontario grape growers welcome transition funding KAREN DAVIDSON Ontario’s 500 grape growers are measuring not only brix levels in their vineyards, but the funding levels in a recently announced transition program that will accept applications as soon as August 2. The $12 million, fouryear Ontario Vineyard Improvement Program encompasses both producer and industry support with the bulk - $11 million – going to growers.

“We’re pleased that government is investing in the industry,” says Bill George, chair, Grape Growers of Ontario (GGO).

“We’re in mid-season now, but growers shouldn’t worry about the deadlines. Each grower is eligible for up to $1,000 per acre retroactive to April 2. For those growers in developing areas such as the South Coast or Prince Edward County, this will be a help in purchasing trellises or wind machines.”

Eligible grape growers will be compensated up to 35 per cent of their costs to transition to higherdemand grape varieties and to adopt production practices that will improve grape quality. The program, which benefited from industry input, is closely aligned with a varietal plan commissioned from the George Morris Centre a year ago.

What constitutes vineyard improvement? That includes: vine removal, vineyard preparation, vine trellis systems, consultation services from a viticulture expert, equipment to improve key quality-related viticulture practices, measures to prevent frost and cold damage, improved irrigation and bird-netting. To be eligible for funding, growers must hold: a farm business registration number; a Grape Growers of Ontario number; a validated Premises Identification number, and Debra Marshall, Robert Thomas Vineyard, Cherry Valley, Ontario, is part of the Grape Growers of Ontario Facebook have marketed pro- campaign to share stories of the challenges and successes of “living on the edge” in one of the country’s newest cessing grapes or viticultural regions. late harvest juice in the past two years. second year of funding.

County, says Marshall.

While growers are improving The cap for each grower of The association also has access “What is good about this proproduction practices, Marshall hybrid or vinifera wine grapes to $1 million to assist the sector gram is that every grape grower notes that equal effort must be will be calculated at $1000/acre as a whole to help improve grape has an entitlement,” says Marplaced on getting more shelf up to a limit of $100,000 each. production in the vineyard. shall. “In our region, there will be space for Ontario wines at the Those who invested in eligible Debra Marshall, a GGO direc36 or 37 growers eligible to Liquor Control Board of Ontario components after April 2, 2011 tor and a relative newcomer to the apply. It’s fair to everybody.”

(LCBO). She points out that govmay apply for cost-share funding. industry, expects to benefit from Unlike some government proernment agency Foodland Ontario A second application deadline the program. With 10 acres in grams that are first-come, firstis not allowed to use taxpayer will be held in December for the Prince Edward County, situated served, the vineyard improvement dollars to promote Georgia peachon Lake Ontario, she says there is program will have monies set es or Washington apples, yet the a need for mechanical equipment aside for each active grower. In LCBO, another government such as hedgers and leaf trimMarshall’s case, that’s $10,000. agency, is allowed to promote mers. With only one mechanical To capitalize on those funds, Chilean and Australian wines, for harvester in the county, most of she’ll need to invest about example. All the vineyard the crop is harvested by hand. $18,600 of her own money. For improvements are going in the Inclusion of mechanical harstart-up growers, the challenge right direction but won’t solve the vesters would be an asset to will be to find the matching funds ultimate challenge: owning the regions such as Prince Edward from meager cash flows. domestic market.

Ontario agriculture minister Carol Mitchell shares a moment with Bill George (L) Chair, Grape Growers of Ontario.

Make it a Point.

For Product Details & To Order: Call 1-800-461-8475

=PZP[ Hot-Potatoes.ca I` 5V]LTILY [V YLKLLT `V\Y YL^HYK WVPU[Z MVY JHZO VY [OL NYV\W [YPW [V 7VY[\NHS

www.Hot-Potatoes.ca Microbes that eat fuel, grease, soot & all hydrocarbons from soil, water, equipment, concrete, carpet, fabric & more.......Keep It Clean & Be Green!

(S^H`Z YLHK HUK MVSSV^ SHILS KPYLJ[PVUZ /V[ 7V[H[VLZ PZ H YLNPZ[LYLK [YHKLTHYR VM )H`LY

www.micro50.ca

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 5 THE GROWER

Self-Directed Risk Management Program: edible horticulture (Fruits, herbs, honey, maple syrup, mushrooms, spices and vegetables) The Self-Directed Risk Management Program (SDRM) helps Ontario farmers deal with risks that are beyond their control. With this program in place, farmers can focus on what they do best — growing good things in Ontario.

The SDRM program was designed in consultation with farmers. This program joins AgriStability as one more component of an effective risk management package.

Ontario will be funding SDRM its traditional 40 per cent share. Agricorp will administer the program on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

What crops are eligible?

More than 150 fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, as well as honey, mushrooms and maple syrup are eligible. See attached list.

What do farmers have to do?

In order to participate, farmers are required to: • Report SDRM-eligible crop sales on a T1163 tax form to the Canada Revenue Agency or a Schedule “A” to Agricorp.

• Meet the minimum Allowable Net Sales (ANS) of $5,000 to be eligible to receive the Ontario government’s matching deposit.

How does the program work?

For the 2011 transition year, farmers must sign and return the SDRM deposit notice mailed to them by Agricorp. For 2011, farmers are not required to forward a deposit to Agricorp.

The eligible matchable deposit is a percentage of the ANS. The ANS is determined by deducting the eligible crops purchased from the total eligible crops sold in the farmer’s income tax year.

Program accounts will be established by Agricorp in the name of the participant.

Farmers with a selfdeclared risk related to their crops that is covered by the SDRM program can withdraw funds to help mitigate that risk.

Although voluntary for the 2011 program year, current AgriStability participants will have their SDRM government matching deposits treated as an advance on any 2011 AgriStability payments.

The deposit cap is 2 per cent of ANS up to $2.5 million; and 0.5 per cent of ANS above $2.5 million.

Program accounts will not bear interest.

The matching deposit by government is taxed when it goes into a participant’s account, not when funds are withdrawn.

How do participants make withdrawals?

To withdraw funds from the SDRM account, participants: • Must complete and submit the SDRM Withdrawal Form to Agricorp.

• Need to identify the self-declared risk.

What is different between the 2011 and 2012 program years?

For the 2012 program year: • Participation in AgriStability and Premises ID is mandatory.

• Farmer’s will be required to make a matchable deposit to receive the Ontario government’s matching funds.

• The matchable deposit cap will be 2 per cent of ANS up to $2.5 million; 1.5 per cent of ANS between $2.5 million and $5 million; and one per cent of ANS above $5 million.

Sample Matchable Deposit Calculation Calculation of Allowable Net Sales ANS are calculated by subtracting the purchases of eligible crops from the gross sales of eligible crops.

Example 1 Example 2 Gross sales of eligible crops $120,000 $3,500,000 Purchases of eligible crops purchases – $20,000 – $500,000 Allowable Net Sales (ANS) $100,000 $3,000,000 For the 2011 transition year, the matchable deposit limit will be 2 per cent of Allowable Net Sales (ANS) up to $2.5 million and 0.5 per cent of ANS of $2.5 million and above.

Participants can withdraw funds up to the account balance by submitting a SDRM Withdrawal Form to Agricorp.

Example 1: Allowable Net Sales (ANS) = $100,000 2 per cent of $100,000 = $2,000 Maximum Matchable Deposit = $2,000 The participant can deposit up to $2,000 and have the government make a matching deposit. Note: Deposit requirements are waived for the 2011 program year.

Example 2: Allowable Net Sales (ANS) = $3,000,000 2 cent of first $2,500,000 = $50,000 0.5 per cent of remaining $500,000 = $2,500 Maximum Matchable Deposit = $52,500 The participant can deposit up to $52,500 and have the government make a matching deposit. Note: Deposit requirements are waived for the 2011 program year.

To see a complete list of eligible crops visit www.ontario.ca/rmp or for more information call 1-877-424-1300.

ProGuard Row Cover Premium Frost Protection

Plastic mulches, ground cover, twine and wood stakes

Gintec is a world renowned provider of innovative growing solutions from the ground up!

R.R.1 , Windham Centre, Ontario NOE 2A0 Phone: (877)443-4743 Fax: (519)443-8120

PAGE 6 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

Federal funding announced for honey bee breeding and management KAREN DAVIDSON To be a bee is not easy. Pests, disease and erratic weather are taking a toll on bee colonies, with the latest survey of Ontario commercial beekeepers reporting 43 per cent colony mortality last winter. These alarming statistics continue a recent trend, up from traditional losses of only five to 10 per cent earlier in the decade, says Paul Kozak, OMAFRA apiarist.

That’s why the recent news of $244,000 from the Agricultural Adaptation Council to the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association (OBA) is so critical for future sustainability. Two years of funding is intended to manage genetics, pests and nutrition in an industry that’s considered an essential service to horticulture.

“Any clue to improving our wintering results will be welcomed by the industry,” says John Van Alten, president, OBA. “Our queen bees used to last at least two to three years but it seems we have to replace them on a yearly basis. There’s no clear indication as to why.”

To raise stronger queen bees, the research will focus on resistance to viruses such as acute Israeli paralysis virus and deformed wing virus, says Les Eccles, OBA’s tech transfer program lead specialist. The University of Manitoba will provide laboratory analysis under Rob Currie.

The second phase is to look at sperm viability. “When queens mate, they do so only once and must store the sperm for a long time,” explains Eccles. “Fertility test-

The light-coloured developing honey bee has a parasitic varroa mite attached to it.

Varroa mites feed on developing bees and can severely weaken colonies. Photo by Debbie Roos, Agricultural Extension Agent, North Carolina Cooperative Extension. ing will determine which queens can last up to three or four years.” The University of Guelph will provide testing services under the guidance of Ernie Guzman.

These building blocks will form the basis of a formal breeding program with recommendations to the 20 or so members of the Ontario Bee Breeders’ Association.

All beekeepers depend on this elite group of breeders to provide the strongest stock possible for Canadian conditions.

Monies are also eamarked for the study of diseases and pests such as the varroa destructor mite so that beekeepers who provide pollination services can better support bee health.

Bees that pollinate rather than produce honey are subject to more stress as they are moved from crop to crop. Nutrition is a big part of keeping bees healthy, so research will investigate pollen nutrition and pollen substitutes such as soy and brewers’ yeast.

Other pests such as the small hive beetle are of particular concern with Ontario’s Essex county under quarantine. Bees and equipment can move into the county, known for its large acreages of fruits and vegetables, but none can move out. While this start-up research is not expected to resolve that ongoing situation, federal funding to the beekeeping industry is a positive commitment to an essential service to fruit and vegetable growers.

Results from Ontario’s tech transfer program, unique in Canada, will be shared with beekeepers across the country to strengthen the entire industry.

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 7 THE GROWER

Foodland Ontario is on the road again, in-season KAREN DAVIDSON If it’s August, it must be time for tender fruit, sweet corn, field tomatoes and zucchini. But not all consumers think that way anymore with year-round, global access to fruits and vegetables.

That’s why Foodland Ontario is hosting the Good Things Grow in Ontario Road Show, a travelling consumer engagement exhibit to promote Ontario foods. “We want to connect with consumers in meaningful moments at family-oriented events,� says Denise Zaborowski, manager, Foodland Ontario. “We just handed out 6,000 samples on Canada Day.�

The strategy makes sense since the definition of the target market has shifted in recent years from mothers 25 to 49 years to adults 25 to 64 years. That’s because recent research shows that food buying is a shared activity between males and females.

Many households have two principal grocery shoppers.

When families visit the road show, they will be exposed to three tents: an interactive kids’ area, food sampling and a ‘sing and win’ podium. There will be a variety of kid-friendly activities in partnership with Ontario AgriFood Education Inc, Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) and Agricultural Groups Concerned About Resources and the Environment (AGCare).

The sampling tent showcases recipes and produce that’s in season at the time of each event, including field and greenhouse tomatoes, cooking and green onions, celery, carrots, garlic, sweet red, green and yellow peppers, sweet corn, field and greenhouse cucumbers, herbs, greenhouse lettuce, jalapeùo and hot banana peppers, blueberries, raspberries and tender fruits.

New for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association is co-sponsorship of the ‘sing and win’ tent. The concept is a twist on the popular karaoke trend where families and individuals can sing their rendition of the popular “Good Things Grow in Ontario� jingle. All entries will be posted on Facebook where viewers can vote for their favourites.

The winner of each of 35 events will win a $100 grocery gift card and will advance to the grand prize round for a $1,000 grocery gift card.

Foodland Ontario currently communicates with 17,000 followers on Facebook.

The Road Show has an extensive summer schedule of both Ontario festivals and retailers such as Walmart, Longo’s, Metro, Loblaw and Sobey’s. While the Foodland Ontario brand already garners high consumer recognition, the next step is to educate consumers about when to look for what, and where. Here’s hoping the promotion goes viral.

Quebec promotes freshness The Quebec Strawberry and Raspberry Growers’ Association is proud of how their umbrella brand is promoting local produce to the province’s consumers. “Les Fraiches du Quebec,� literally translated as freshness of Quebec, with a berry-shaped logo is expected on eight million containers this year, says Caroline Thibault, association director. canadian conference

Niagara Nia Ni iag aga gar ara ra Fa Fal Falls, allllsls, Ont Ontario nttatar aririoio Scotiabank Conference Centre, October 5-6 Â&#x2122; LViZg 8a^bViZ BVcV\ZbZci ^c KZ\ZiVWaZh Â&#x2122; Cjig^Zci Hdaji^dc GZXnXa^c\ ^c KZ\ZiVWaZh Â&#x2122; :[[^X^Zci <gZZc]djhZ 9Zh^\c

â&#x20AC;&#x153;These collaborations promote enthusiasm among distributors and give tremendous visibility to our new brand,â&#x20AC;? says Thibault.

The association is also cross-promoting local berries with Quebec food manufacturers such as Yoplait yogurt, fresh cream and chocolate fondue made by Lassonde Specialties Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Canton brand.

Greenhouse and berry grower Jacques Demers of St. Nicolas, near Quebec City, says his 40-acre strawberry crop was seven to 10 days behind this year, but day-neutral varieties will allow him to pick until October. He expects enough volume to supply chain stores in August and September.

In addition, he grows seven acres of raspberries under high plastic tunnels. Packaged in clamshells to showcase their quality, these raspberries will bear fruit until mid-October. The fruit is so fragile that pickers must be trained to be efficient and careful. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Consumers are now looking for this kind of fruit and quality, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to produce as fast as we can to compete against open field raspberries,â&#x20AC;? says Demers.

Â&#x2122; ;adlZgh 8VcVYV EZhi BVcV\ZbZci Ldg`h]de Â&#x2122; <VgYZc 8ZcigZ Ldg`h]de Â&#x2122; CZl LZYcZhYVn :kZc^c\ 9^ccZg VcY ¸C^\]i d[ >aajh^dcš Â&#x2122; :meVcYZY IgVYZ H]dl

Now, Now No ow, w,mo more mor orere than ththa han ann ever... eveverer.r...

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Want to Be

Here!

Niagara Ni Nia iag aga gar ara ra Fal Fa Falls allllsls â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ca Cana anadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an nad ada daâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top toop family faami fam miily ly destination! deeststin des tinnatatio tina tioon! tion Visit V isit www www.CanadianGreenhouseConference.com .CanadiianGreenhouseConfference.com

PAGE 8 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

Looking ahead to Growing Forward 2

BRIAN GILROY CHAIR, OFVGA

The June 29th announcement

by Minister Carol Mitchell regarding a Self Directed Risk Management (SDRM) program for edible horticulture was indeed welcome news. The work done by all involved over the past two years has been impressive as all of the non-supply managed commodity groups, Ontario Federation of Agriculture and Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario worked together to improve the business risk management programs available to Ontario’s farmers. The details of the program are contained elsewhere in

this issue and I encourage you to learn more and participate. Special thanks to Minister Mitchell for being the political champion of these programs and making them a reality.

Without the federal government’s participation in the RMP/SDRM programs it means that farmers will only have access to 40 per cent of what the program was designed to do. The commodity groups and OASC have continued to encourage federal participation but are having very limited success. The message that we are getting back

from our efforts to garner federal support is that what we are proposing is countervailable.

Statements are also made that the farm leaders are out of touch with what the farmers are saying.

The recent Federal/Provincial/Territorial Agriculture Ministers Meeting saw our Ontario Minister carry the message from Ontario’s farmers to the meeting.

The federal government is proposing cuts to the safety net envelope in Growing Forward 2 and our Minister was adamant that business risk management programs need to be improved to

better meet farmers’ needs. In the end Minister Mitchell did not sign the meeting outcome statement with the support of OASC and the non-supply managed commodity groups.

The reality of the day is that governments are looking to reduce spending and the agriculture budget is one of the ministries where cuts will, likely, come. The need for farmers to look carefully at what government helps to fund and develop priority lists is imperative if we are to have meaningful input.

SDRM for Ontario fruit and vegetable farmers

ART SMITH CEO, OFVGA At last I can finally talk about it. A new modified Self-Directed Risk Management (SDRM) program is here and it is official. On June 29th Minister Mitchell formally announced Risk Management Programs (RMP) for meat, grain and the edible horticulture sectors. For fruit and vegetable farmers there will be a new

SDRM program and it is coming this fall. I would encourage all fruit and vegetable producers in the province to participate. I would also encourage you to write a letter of appreciation to the Minister for all of her work to bring this to fruition.

Over the past three years the OFVGA has worked diligently to design a RMP program that suits the needs of our farmers. It was not easy but we have succeeded.

Program details: Year one: in September the government of Ontario will contribute two per cent of a fruit and vegetable farmers Allowable Net Sales (ANS) into an account at Agricorp on behalf of the farmer.

Also in September a withdrawal notice will be sent out to the farmer who would then fill out the form and be eligible for the funds.

The government contributions in year one will be two per cent

of ANS up to $2.5 million ANS and 0.5 per cent on all ANS over $2.5 million. Also in year one the farmer will not need to participate in Agri-Stability, however if the farmer has an Agri-Stability account and he /she triggers an Agri-Stability payment the SDRM will be considered an advance on the provincial portion only of the Agri-Stability payment.

In year two and beyond, the farmer will need both an AgriStabiliy account and make a matchable deposit into his /her SDRM account held at Agricorp by specified deadlines. These matchable deposits will be limited to two per cent of ANS up to $2.5 million, 1.5 per cent on the next $2.5 million and one per cent on all ANS over that. Again should a farmer trigger an Agri-Stability payment then the matching government portion will be considered an advance on the provincial

portion of the Agri-Stability payment.

The program outline as well as frequently asked questions is reviewed in much greater detail on page 5 of The Grower.

Again I believe that this is a good program for our growers and urge every fruit and vegetable farmer in Ontario to take advantage of this and participate in the program.

One question that I have been asked is why should I bother if the matching government dollars are just going to be considered an advance payment toward AgriStability. The answer to that is simple: when we look at the payment distribution of Agri-Stability we find that on average only a third or less of the farmers with accounts trigger a payment in any given year. Therefore two thirds or more do not and in these years then the entire SDRM account will belong to the farmer. It is

believed that in year one there will be an additional $20 million going to our farmers and that in year two and beyond that figure will grow to about $25 million.

Another reason to participate is the speed at which the money will flow to you, the farmer, regardless of whether you trigger an Agri-Stability payment or not.

This is something your banker will be glad to see.

Additionally there will be numerous information sessions held across the province in early September. This will provide excellent opportunities for farmers to talk to the experts on the program.

As I said before, it was a long time coming but we’ve got it so please use it. I believe that you would be making a huge mistake if you do not participate.

For what it is worth, it is the way I see it.

Does the Ontario government believe the Ontario tree fruit industry is worth saving?

ADRIAN HUISMAN ONTARIO TENDER FRUIT PRODUCERS The tree fruit industry has gone through a Strategic Planning process funded by the Ontario

and federal government as part of the Orchard and Vineyard Transition Program. The plan which was released more than two years ago provided direction to the industry on a number of issues which included fruit quality, product mix, packaging and storage. All good stuff! The industry has now made the necessary adjustments, at least those within their control, which included packaging and quality standard improvements. The remaining recommendations included improvements in storage, packing lines and orchard adjustments all of which would require considerable investments.

The Tender Fruit and Apple Boards presented a proposal to

Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell in 2010 for an “Infrastructure Program,” designed to address the remaining recommendations, which would be costshared by producers. This proposal has been rejected.

A request for reconsideration was also rejected stating that the proposal was well received but that the Ontario government was not able to provide funding. This is very difficult to accept when the Ontario government just announced a similar program for the grape industry. Don’t get me wrong -- grape growers need the support but why not tree fruit growers.

In the OMAFRA response, they stated that the new Self-

STAFF Publisher: Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association Editor: Karen Davidson, 416-252-7337, kdavidson@ecomente.ca Production: Carlie Robertson, ext. 221, production@thegrower.org Advertising: Herb Sherwood, 519-380-0118, hsherwood@cogeco.ca

OFFICE 355 Elmira Road North, Unit 105 Guelph, Ontario N1K 1S5 CANADA Tel. 519-763-8728 • Fax 519-763-6604

The Grower reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

Any errors that are the direct result of The Grower will be compensated at our discretion with a correction notice in the next issue. No compensation will be given after the first running of the ad.

Client signature is required before insertion.

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association is the sole owner of The Grower. All editorials and opinions expressed in The Grower are those of the newspaper’s editorial staff and/or contributor, and do not necessarily reflect the view of the association.

All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either whole or in part without the prior written consent of the publisher.

P.M. 40012319

The Grower is printed 12 times a year and sent to all members of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association who have paid $30.00 (plus G.S.T.) per year for the paper through their commodity group or container fees.

Others may subscribe as follows by writing to the office:

$30.00 (+ G.S.T.) / year in Canada $40.00/year International Subscribers must submit a claim for missing issues within four months. If the issue is claimed within four months, but not available, The Grower will extend the subscription by one month. No refunds on subscriptions.

Directed Risk Management (SDRM) program could be used by producers for infrastructure improvements. This is true but that isn’t what that program is for.

To put the problem into perspective, the tender fruit industry, with annual sales of about $50 million, can expect to receive about $1 million per year from the SDRM program. The Ontario government legislated a 27 per cent increase in the minimum wage rates, which alone represent a cost increase of about $5 million annually with no hope of ever recovering this amount from the market place.

It makes one wonder why we went through the strategic planning process when all the partici-

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

pants (governments) were not willing to do their share to ensure a positive outcome.

Governments sat back and watched the CanGro Fruit Canning Plant and the Cadbury Grape Juice Plant close.

The question remains “Does the Ontario Government Believe the Ontario Tree Fruit Industry is Worth Saving?” If so, what are they prepared to do to provide meaningful support to ensure its survival? This is the question I believe our boards and their grower members need to ask each of the political parties during the upcoming provincial election.

OFVGA SECTION CHAIRS Crop Protection Research Property Labour Safety Nets CHC AGCare/Nutrient Man.

Charles Stevens, Newcastle Harold Schooley, Simcoe David Lambert, Niagara-on-the-Lake Ken Forth, Lynden Mark Wales, Alymer Murray Porteous, Simcoe Charles Stevens, Newcastle

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 9 THE GROWER

PERSPECTIVE Onsite produce processing enhances local food program spring. The university is finalizing plans to build a produce processing room on campus, which will allow it to prepare more vegetables procured from local farmers at the Elmira produce auction, as well as from direct connections with suppliers specializing in local and regional commodities, and from the agricultural research stations it manages in Bradford and Simcoe on behalf of the province.

red onions and 1,700 kg of carrots. Since 2009, Hospitality Services has doubled its purchases from the Elmira produce auction.

As a result of these many efforts, about 45 per cent of all in-season produce used at the university is local.

Kenny sees this pattern growing as more farmers realize there’s a market for competitively priced goods, and as the on-campus processing capacity increases.

Aug 2 – 4

Canadian Horticultural Council Mid-Summer Apple Meeting, Old Orchard Inn, Wolfville, NS

August 11

Peak of the Market’s Family Fun Day, Winnipeg, MB

August 11

Ridgetown College Vegetable Open House, Ridgetown, ON (afternoon and evening tours, no pre registration req’d)

Aug 13, 14 14th Annual Perth Lions Garlic Festival, Fairgrounds, Perth, ON August 18

Ontario Potato Field Day, HJV Equipment, Alliston, ON, 3 pm

Aug 18, 19 Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference, Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, IL

OWEN ROBERTS UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Energy costs put pressure on one of the original concepts of local food — that is, to bring consumers and farmers closer together through on-farm visits and sales. Too bad, because that approach is good for rural communities and tourism. It’s hard to understand why postal workers and airline employees are forced by the government to go back to work, but energy companies are allowed to skin us alive.

Food choice patterns are formed for many young people the first time they leave home and start buying food for themselves.

What’s readily available in their new local communities and campuses? Whatever it is, that, along with information about how good dietary choices provide energy to work, study and play hard, is pivotal for shaping new consumption habits.

And that’s part of what’s driving the University of Guelph’s beefed-up local food program, which started emerging this

COMING EVENTS 2011

Aug 18 – 20 QPMA Annual Convention, Fairmont Tremblant, Mont-Tremblant, QC Augt 19 – 21Leamington Tomato Festival, Leamington, ON

Mark Kenny, the university’s food purchasing co-ordinator, says most of what’s branded “local” food is sourced from up to 200 kilometres away. That distance reflects the university’s broad research station network, as well as the span of what’s grown regionally in Ontario. Some of the food he and the Hospitality Services crew procures — 125 cases of honey each year, for example — is available on the university’s doorstep, from its own apiaries. Other foods (coffee and spices, for example) are impossible to grow locally, in which case Kenny looks to area suppliers, giving him at least some local connectivity.

The numbers show how he’s doing. The university now buys 13,500 kilograms of local fresh chicken breast every year, about 2,200 kg of sausage, 4,500 kg of

U of G is not a new arrival on the food scene. It’s actually had a local food policy in place for the past decade, and it’s becoming a big part of the region’s Taste Real program, designed to highlight local food offerings. Taste Real signage can be seen on campus in the main food court, designating specific products such as carrots, apples, onions and potatoes.

Guelph’s founding colleges have been connected to advances in the province’s food and agriculture sector since the 1800s, and continue to do so today through the unique research agreement between the university and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

The commitment to increased local food is a natural progression in the drive to provide Ontarians with the best food possible.

August 20

Newmarket ‘Garlic is Great’ Festival, Newmarket, ON

August 24

Herbs for Ontario: a workshop on production and marketing for culinary and medicinal use, Simcoe Research Station, Simcoe, ON 10 am to 3 pm

August 25

Triggs International Premium Vinifera Lecture Series, Dr. Glen Creasy on “Vine balance: ways to accelerate fruit maturity,” Brock University, Academic South 216, St. Catharines, ON

Aug 26 – 28 Winona Peach Festival, Winona, ON August 28

FarmStart Second Annual Harvest Table, McVean Incubator Farm, Brampton, ON 3 – 8 pm For tickets: www.harvesttable.ca

Aug 29

Twilight Grower Sessions, ethnic vegetable production, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. Aug 30 - Simcoe Research Station. Sept 7 J. Collins & Sons, Copetown

August 31

Triggs International Premium Vinifera Lecture Series, Dr. Glen Creasy on “Vine balance: ways to accelerate fruit maturity,” Pacific Agrifood Research Centre, Summerland, BC

Sept 1 – 3

Canada’s Fruit and Vegetable Technology X-Change, St. Williams, ON

PAGE 10 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

New fungicide protects against scab and powdery mildew KAREN DAVIDSON This summer, apple growers across Canada are getting previews of DuPont’s new fungicide Fontelis which has been submitted for global registration. Commercialization will be welcomed because its active ingredient, penthiopyrad, protects against scab and powdery mildew, among other diseases. Blueberries, stone fruits and vegetables will also be on the label.

“Trials are showing excellent results for managing both apple scab and powdery mildew,” says Margaret Appleby, OMAFRA IPM systems specialist, who spoke to growers at a demonstration trial near Clarksburg, Ontario in late June. A group 7 fungicide, the new product has preventative, residual and curative properties. Its rainfastness was appreciated at Global Fruit’s high-density orchard where it was used according to label instructions

in two applications at seven-day intervals.

“Global Fruit will test any new technology that will give an advantage,” says Ken Wilson, independent consultant to the farm. “The product had a fair trial during a cool and rainy spring beside check, untreated rows and other conventional treatments.”

In recent cost of production studies for Ontario apples, OMAFRA specialists are reporting that 15 per cent of costs are for pest management and another nine per cent for plant growth regulators. Total costs to produce apples in a mature orchard are calculated to be 32 cents/pound, based on Ontario average yields of 27,745 lbs/acre (2007-2009). Growers are looking to increase production to be profitable.

DuPont is also conducting trials in Nova Scotia and British Columbia.

Ken Wilson

Be vigilant to protect your farm against activist threats LILIAN SCHAER Do you know who comes on and off your farm or in and out of your farm buildings? What do you really know about the people that work for you or ask you for a job?

On-farm security is something most farmers in Ontario give very little thought to outside of trying to keep operations pest and disease-free – activities known in farm lingo as “biosecurity.” However, not being aware of potential human threats could have some serious consequences for your farm business, according to a leading agriculture advocate.

Animal and environmental activism can come in many forms, says Leslie Ballentine. On

behalf of AGCare and the Ontario Farm Animal Council 9OFAC), she monitors groups, individuals and campaigns who are opposed to agriculture This includes organizations like the Humane Society of the United States or Greenpeace working to have legislative changes governing farming implemented all the way to extremist groups such as the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) or the Earth Liberation Front (ELF), who specialize in violent attacks designed to put their targets out of business and cost them money – “economic sabotage.”

Based on media reports, Ballentine estimates activist damage in Ontario in 2006 in the $2.5 million range. In the U.S., the FBI recorded 1,200 criminal acts with damages pegged at $110 million in the period 1996 – 2008.

This does not include additional

costs, such as lost business, reputation damage, and increasing insurance fees.

Not just an animal agriculture issue Most of the high-profile activist activity – such as undercover video footage for example – has traditionally been aimed at animal agriculture, but biotechnology and genetically modified organisms are also increasingly becoming key targets, says Ballentine. This could also spread to include pesticide use and other practices with the potential for environmental impact, as well as on-farm labour issues as media coverage of Canada’s temporary worker population increases.

Internationally, most leading activist groups are well co-ordinated with excellent intelligence

and surveillance, as well as being well funded and versed in law. A recent spate of undercover videos released by animal activist groups in North America has put the spotlight on how far these groups will go in order to infiltrate farmrelated operations.

“One of the more common mistakes that farmers make is thinking that because they’re in rural areas or small towns, that somehow no one knows they’re there,” says Ballentine. “A rural facility is every bit as vulnerable to spying as one located in a large city.”

Added to that, she says, is the fact that today’s miniaturized video equipment allows hidden footage to be taken without risk of getting caught.

What you can do to be vigilant

Business Development for Farm Businesses E COST-SHAR FUNDING * AVAILABLE A business plan revolutionizes a farming operation. Speaking from personal experience, this written living document impacts the future but even more so the day to day operations of the farm.

Dr. Peter Vander Zaag, Past Chair of the Agricultural Management Institute

Build a solid foundation for your business …..develop a business plan Your business plan • is a map - following it gives you confidence that you know where you’re going • will help you develop creative ways to implement and reach your farm business goals

workshop is the place to start!

Register for a workshop today!

Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association 1-800-265-9751 www.ontariosoilcrop.org

*Cost-share funding available until further notice

While realizing that it is impossible to totally guard against these undercover activities, Ballentine offers some recommendations for farmers and agri-business: a. Properly vet all help, including day labour. This means checking applications, ID, work history, etc. Be particularly careful when hiring for positions where the job would allow free access to the full operation. Be especially wary of unannounced visitors or “walkins” looking for seasonal or short time work. Double check IDs, including any college/business references provided. Be conscious of touring or hiring anyone who may not otherwise be qualified or who is “overly positive” claiming to have heard good reports about your farm or business. b. Watch for people who are not where they’re supposed to be, e.g. service people at loading/unloading areas or clerical staff near the production facilities. Make sure unauthorized personnel are prevented access or told to leave the area for safety reasons. c. Watch for new employees who are overly curious about operations that are well beyond their job descriptions. Encourage longterm employees who are overly questioned about specific farm practices to talk with you about these encounters. d. Report any suspicious or illegal encounters to your local police, the Ontario Farm Animal Council/AGCare and your commodity group.

Protecting your farm business, your employees, your family and the safety and integrity of your product is a valuable investment.

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 11 THE GROWER

PRIDE IN GROWING

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE FEW STILL WILLING TO GET THEIR HANDS DIRTY!

anada’s F anada’s Fruit ruit & Veg Veg Tech T ech X-Change X-Change NORFOLK NORF FOLK COUNTY COUNTY, Y, ONTARIO ONTA ARIO

SEPTEMBER S SEPTEMB BER 1, 2, 3 2011 O Outdoor Horticulture Hor ticultur t e T Trade rade a Show Show 250 Exhibitor T Trade rad de Show Show

Sun Su un Har Harvest vest X-PO

Pride In Gr owing Farmers Far mers Market Market e Growing

T riial Plots & Live Livve Demos Trial

Presented By R&D Energy Solutions Solutions & Foodland Ontario

h Education Education Program W o orking Lunc Program Working Lunch

Liv ve Equipment Auction Auction Live

Presented By OFVGA, Farms.com, Farms.ccom, FCC, Staples & EIC

Presented Pres sented By Sunrise Equipment

4-H Ontario P asspor t Challenge Passport

Y o Driv ou e - Ride & Drives Drives You Drive

PLEASE PLA PLAN AN T TO O ATTEND ATTEND T AND A SUPPORT SUPPORT ORTICUL LTURE T SH HOWCASE! THIS HO HORTICULTURE SHOWCASE!

anada’s F anada’s Fruit ruit & V Veg eg Tech T ech X X-Change -Change SEPTEMBER 1, 2, 3 2011

$5.00 OFF AD ADMISSION DMISSION COUPON COUPO ON 1195 Front Front Rd., St. Williams W illiams ON P: 226.381.0282 226.381..0282 info@fruitvegtechxchange.com inffo o@fr uitv vegtechx xchange.com One time use only, only y, valid v through September 1, 2, 3 2011.

2011. Adult prrogramming only. only y. admission & day time programming

FruitVegTechXchange.com F ruitVegTechXchange.com h GR

226 226.381.0282 6.381.02 282 FruitVegTechXchange.com F r uitV u Ve gTec e hXcha ange.co om

PAGE 12 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

CANADA’S FRUIT & VEG TECH XCHANGE

A month to go before new hort show “If you build it, they will come.” This is the philosophy behind North America’s first ever Fruit and Veg Tech X-Change.

Canada’s Fruit & Veg Tech XChange expects thousands of farmers from across the continent to be arriving in St. Williams on September 1, 2 and 3rd to learn the latest in fruit and veg innovation and technology.

The trade show hopes to kick off with a welcome from the Federal Minister of Agriculture, on Thursday September 1st 2011.

The non-profit trade show will host educational seminars, approximately 250 exhibitors from across Canada, the United States and Europe; interactive demonstrations, ride and drives, head-to-head competitions, a live auction and a massive farmers market. open to the public. The X-Change provides the opportunity for members of the industry to come together and explore what the future of agriculture has in store to make them efficient and

sustainable.

The outdoor site will be full of energy. There will be ongoing live demonstrations focused on various precision farming applications, robotic and automation demos, and helicopter spraying demos - all offering innovative approaches to farm operations.

There is also a classic component to the show as wellbig iron! The trade show has ride and drive sites from six major tractor brands. Attending producers will have the opportunity to test first hand, and see live in operation, state-of-the-art farming machinery at the north and south ends of the site. The demo rings will feature the Utility Vehicle Challenge. Utility vehicles will demonstrate their abilities as they apply to on-farm applications.

Manufacturers and after market attachments will be showcased along with the UTVs. A unique component to the three day X-Change is the field plot located at the far north end of

the site. The X-Change has titled the plot “Ontario’s Garden Field Plot”, in recognition and support of both Norfolk County’s new branding and horticulture diversity in Ontario. The two-acre plot will focus on water conservation, new crops and live planting and tillage demos. A show within a show!

The final day of the event will wrap up with a live auction, beginning at 10 am. The auction will feature 60-80 pieces of highend, used agricultural equipment, and some recreational equipment.

The X-Change has organized a fundraising, educational component with 4-H Ontario, titled ‘The Passport Challenge’, which will also be taking place at the site on Saturday. The X-Change anticipates approximately 50 kids to participate. Sunrise Equipment Auctions will be making a donation to 4-H Ontario.

With less than a month until the show, the buzz of enthusiasm can be felt among exhibitors and

Horticulture farm show embraces social media tool “I have the best dad in the world! He’s going to take me to Canada’s Fruit and Veg Tech X-Change, I can’t wait!” The preceding statement was Tweeted by “Timmy,” a young boy whose image has become the face of Canada’s Fruit and Veg Tech X-Change, and represents the future of agriculture. CFVTX’s Twitter and Facebook pages are home to “Timmy’s” profile, where anyone on the planet with an internet connection can have instant access to live updates about the X-Change.

ROI Event Management is spearheading the XChange, taking a non-traditional marketing approach to a typically conservative industry.

“We recognize that social media is the way of the future in terms of mass awareness building and networking,” says Donna Powell - Media Relations Manager. “Due to the fact that this trade show is geared toward progressive producers and is emphasizing the future of farming, we wanted to take a

forward approach to promote the event.”

ROI Event Management, based out of Simcoe, Ontario, is welcoming 250 exhibitors from across Canada, the United States and Europe. The company has chosen social networking giants, Twitter and Facebook, to keep exhibitors and attendees informed about the inaugural trade show. They regularly post live “tweets” and “status updates” online that can be read instantly from a computer, laptop, iPad or even a cell phone. The company frequently uploads videos, important messages and coupons to their social networking websites.

“The evolution of farming from this point forward will follow other industries and become largely technology based. As it has in the past, we believe the agriculture industry will adapt, evolve and drive forward,” says Powell.

Continued on next page

attendees alike. To be part of the excitement, visit the CFVTX website at www.fruitvegtechxchange.com or call 226-381-0282.

You don’t want to miss out on this thrilling inaugural event that that will go down in agricultural history. See you there!

ATTENTION VEGETABLE GROWERS SCOVA DIESEL PUMPS & OCMIS REELS IN-STOCK PLANTING EQUIPMENT FROM STANHAY, CHECCHI & MAGLI AND SFOGGIA

New units of ALL sizes ready to go.

Great selection of quality used units available.

PUMPS, REELS PIPE AND FITTINGS NEW AND USED - CALL NOW FOR BEST SELECTION

PHONE (705) 458-4003 rwequipment@bellnet.ca www.rwequipment.ca

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 13 THE GROWER

CANADA’S FRUIT & VEG TECH XCHANGE

Show embraces social media Canada’s Fruit & Veg Tech X-Change is not the first event to use social media to market, but they are the first event on the planet to build a face and personality, “Timmy”, around their trade show, and directly link it to their social media tools.

What’s next? Organizers suggest online virtual X-Change tours and 3D augmented reality applications. As the final countdown to the show gets underway to North America’s first ever Fruit and Veg Tech X-Change, get live updates anytime and anywhere at twitter.com/@fruitvegxchange “Twitter Timmy”, visit www.fruitvegtechxchange.com or log into facebook.com “Canada’s Fruit & Veg Tech XChange”.

OFVGA supports lunchtime speaker series Erie Innovation and Commercialization was initiated to support new ideas and concepts, opportunities and programs that would have significant impact on the health and well being of the regional economy. Its role has been to support and lead the organization in many developments that impact many growers and industries. From the creation of an Individual Quick Freeze (IQF) food processing centre in Delhi which will use horticultural products, developing a new hazelnut sector in Ontario, the use of biomass for heat and power generation, and organizing growers and the industry to take advantage of the power of many (like the Ontario South Coast Wineries and Growers Association and the Ontario Lavender Association), Erie Innovation and Commercialization has been supporting many commercial opportunities across southern Ontario. Supporting Canada’s Fruit & Veg Tech X-Change is very consistent with our goals of diversifying agriculture and agri-food opportunities for Ontario.

At Canada’s Fruit & Veg Technology X-Change, Erie Innovation and Commercialization is proud to be leading the Lunchtime Speakers Series, which will provide attendees a rapid opportunity to hear leading innovators with a variety of topics. These represent but just a glimpse of the opportunities that are coming to the sector!

PAGE 14 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

STORAGE

Storing a Spy offers lessons on all apple storage KAREN DAVIDSON Murray Porteous of Lingwood Farms Ltd has just taken a longterm position on Northern Spy apples by planting 35 acres in a medium-density orchard on his Simcoe-area farm. His commitment of 400 trees per acre is based on a contractual relationship between Chudleigh’s, a major Ontario processor of apple baked goods which uses only Northern Spy apples, and the Norfolk Fruit Growers’ Association.

Why coddle a Northern Spy apple, when it’s not destined for fresh eating? It’s the only variety

Growers and Chudleigh’s, with the help of AgroFresh Inc., have funded storage research with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). Lessons learned from Northern Spy’s are just as valuable for other higher-value apple varieties. The most recent project looked at the following: 1) the effects of cooling rate and cooling delays on Northern Spy apple quality 2) the use of SmartFresh for maintaining apple quality during long-term storage and 3) the relationship between apple maturity at harvest and fruit quality after storage.

Murray Porteous’ medium-density planting of Spy apples is destined for processing by Chudleigh’s when the first crop matures in 2014.

The Norfolk Fruit Growers’ Association plans to take advantage of new storage research to assure a year-round supply. Photo by Denis Cahill. that Chudleigh’s will use for their trademarked Blossoms product, an individual-size serving of apple pie and other assorted goods. To be a preferred supplier to Chudleigh’s, one must perfect not only the agronomics of highyield orchards but maintain a year-round supply through the Norfolk Fruit Growers’ Association.

Fortunately, the Ontario Apple

Determining optimum apple maturity for harvest is essential for maximum storage life and quality, while minimizing postharvest losses. Numerous methods have been suggested for determining harvest date, but no single test is completely satisfactory, and some are too unpredictable, complicated or expensive. Days after full bloom is generally fairly constant, but can vary

•

Agricultural * Commercial * Industrial

50 Years of Excellent Service Refrigeration (All Types) Heating, Air Conditioning Controlled Atmosphere

905-685-4255 www.pennrefrigeration.com info@pennrefrigeration.com 18 Seapark Drive, St Catharines ON, L2M 6S6

Fruit cooled rapidly, treated with SmartFresh and held in proper controlled atmosphere conditions result in Spy apples as shown in the top photo. Those without adequate postharvest handling display discolouration.

Photos by Jennifer DeEll. in any one year. The 2010 season in Ontario, for example, was three weeks earlier than in 2011.

“Days after full bloom should be used as a general reference to indicate the approximate date when apples might reach harvest maturity,” says Jennifer DeEll, OMAFRA Fresh Market Quality Program Lead. “Harvest date is then confirmed using tests such as internal ethylene concentration (IEC), starch-iodine staining, flesh firmness, and soluble solids content (sugars).”

In general, she says that an IEC of 1 ppm is considered to be the ultimate threshold above which fruit ripening and flesh softening are initiated and progress rapidly. Harvest for long-term storage should be completed before 20 per cent of the apples have an IEC higher than 0.2 ppm. Using the starch-iodine test, apples destined for long-term storage should have 80-100 per cent of the core tissue starch degraded, (very little stain) with greater than 60 per cent of the flesh tissue still having starch present (stain). However, not all apples mature and ripen in the same manner each year, and often compromise is needed between correct maturity and the required firmness and sugar levels for market.

As Chudleigh’s will attest, firmness retention is a key attribute in order to process apples for processing. For longterm storage of Northern Spy’s, a starch index of 2.5 – 3.5 and min-

imum firmness of 18 pounds at harvest time is optimal. As noted, ethylene levels are very important.

“A lot of times, Northern Spy apples are neglected by the grower because they are going to processing while other cultivars earmarked for the fresh market receive preferential order in the harvest,” says DeEll. “Then the Northern Spy’s get harvested too late.”

Results from recent studies showed that faster cooling and reduced delays in cooling could improve firmness retention during storage by approximately one pound.

“After harvest, cool the apples as rapidly as possible,” says DeEll. “Fruit off the tree mature much faster and begin to ripen sooner the warmer the temperature. Try to get the harvest from each day into the cooler by nightfall. However, do not strain the capacity of your cooling system to the detriment of apples already pre-cooled and in storage, or the entire lot.”

Under controlled atmosphere conditions, the quicker apples are cooled and reach the desired atmosphere, the longer the apples will store and be of good quality upon removal. (For Northern Spy, standard controlled atmosphere storage consists of 2.5 per cent 02 plus 2.5 per cent C02 at zero degrees Centigrade.) The longer it takes to adjust the oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, the less effective the length of

storage. The objective should be to cool the apples and achieve the desired atmosphere within five to seven days from initial harvest.

SmartFresh can greatly improve quality retention of apples during storage. Apply SmartFresh when apples are cooled, as soon after harvest as possible. Increased time between harvest and SmartFresh application reduces its efficacy. The lower the ethylene levels in the fruit, the more effective the SmartFresh treatment will be, especially for long-term storage.

Research results showed that apples treated with SmartFresh retained greater firmness throughout storage, with treated apples exhibiting up to seven pounds more firmness.

More is learned every year, even after five years of controlled-atmosphere storage research funded by the Ontario Apple Growers. For example, direct relationships between apple maturity at harvest and the development of physiological disorders during storage have been found.

Higher internal ethylene in the apples at harvest resulted in more senescent breakdown after storage. DeEll adds that treatment with the antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA) after harvest can also help reduce the development of certain storage disorders, especially superficial scald and associated senescent breakdown in Northern Spy.

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 15 THE GROWER

PAGE 16 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

STORAGE

A mix of capital investment, best practices needed decreased and overall quality of fruit improved. By using a hyperbaric respirometer, Goyette discovered that lycopene content of the tomatoes was improved by hyperbaric pressure followed by 12 days of maturation. This novel approach could be used to test other commodities.

existing infrastructure, the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre has recently hired Bernard Goyette, a former Agriculture Canada researcher to continue his work on postharvest technologies such as advanced pre-cooling systems, storage regimes and packaging.

New techniques such as hyperbaric treatment on tomatoes, for example, have shown that lycopene can be synthesized, ripening delayed, water loss

Produce Pr odu uce P Packaging ackaging This picture represents the ripening delay as hyperbaric pressure treatment increased (1 atm being the control at atmospheric pressure).

Manufacturer & Distributor After picking, quality can’t be improved, only maintained.

That’s why extending shelf life of perishable produce is still the Holy Grail of the industry.

“Our growers produce superb product but proper handling and storage management practices continue to be a challenge,” says Len Troup, chair, Ontario Tender

Producers’ Marketing Board. “To hold a premium place in the market we need product to reach the consumer in its best possible condition which also includes consumer-tested and technologyproven packaging. " From Troup’s perspective, the industry needs cost-sharing programs so that growers can imple-

KOOL JET

®

Reliable Refrigeration Systems

1-866-748-7786 www.kooljet.com

ment the storage knowledge that already exists. “So much of our profit has eroded - due to government regulations - that we don’t have enough to reinvest in storage,” says Troup. “We need capital investment for facilities.

The longer we delay, the more difficult it will be to implement.”

While industry copes with

1-800-265-2397 • www.wwp.on.ca Mount Forest 519-323-1060 • Leamington Area 519-326-2394

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

Visit our website to view our complete line

Recycle your empty pesticide containers IT’S FREE AND EASY!

+ RINSE +

Triple or pressure RINSE

LOUTH & NIAGARA ORCHARDS

+

P.O. Box 43 • Virgil, Ontario • L0S 1T0 • 905-468-3297 4000 Jordan Road • Jordan Station, ON • 905-562-8825

Supplying Fruit and Vegetable Growers with:

RETURN

REMOVE

To your local collection site

Caps and booklet, leave the label on

Join the thousands of farmers across the country who are recycling their empty pesticide containers. Protecting our farms, families and the environment is our shared responsibility.

™ Visit www.cleanfarms.ca to find the collection site nearest you.

• Baskets • Masters • Fertilizer • Vineyard Trellis Supplies

• Berry Boxes • Waxed Cartons • Crop Protection Material

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 17 THE GROWER

STORAGE

Modified atmosphere storage extends shelf life for small berries The practice of holding berries on pallets in semi-permeable plastic film, pumping in carbon dioxide and lowering oxygen levels may be more widespread in the U.S. than growers realize.

“It’s not talked about a lot,”

says Jim Schaefer, president, Storage Control Systems, Sparta, Michigan. “Perhaps growers aren’t sure what the public reaction would be.”

As safe as the practice is, the reality is that’s how California

These Ontario blueberries look freshly picked under modified atmosphere storage.

LLOYD BAG CO. (www.lloydbag.com)

Established in 1939

BURLAP (JUTE) TREE WRAP / LINERS / SHEETS WOVEN POLYPROPYLENE PAPER LENO MESH

COTTON AND CANVAS FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

MARK ALLOTT General Manager

BEV ADDEMAN

JASON LONG

Sales

Sales

1-800-549-2247 114 St. Clair Street • P.O. Box 208, Chatham, Ontario N7M 5K3

Telephone (519) 352-9300 • Fax (519) 352-3413 E-Mail: info@lloydbag.com

growers are able to ship perishable produce to Canada. Schaefer says that one of California’s blueberry growers is installing a system right now.

“For a small grower, modified atmosphere systems are an ace in the back pocket,” says Schaefer.

For those with on-farm retail

stores or farmers’ market stalls, it’s a natural way to hold fruits in inventory. Strawberries and raspberries can be held only about four days, but blueberries do much better at four weeks. Red currants can be held up to six months. The benefit is to keep molds at bay.

Modified atmosphere storage represents a modest investment.

The gas analyzer costs about $3850 and depending on the quality of plastic used, costs can range from $100 to $550 per pallet.

PAGE 18 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

STORAGE

New cooling facility extends shelf life of asparagus, sweet corn

KAREN DAVIDSON The brand new doors of Welsh Bros.’ 14,000 square-foot cooling and storage facility at Scotland, Ontario have already been christened. Just days after becoming operational in May, a truck accidently backed up too far and creased the aluminum. That aside, the Welsh’s objectives have not been dented for improving the quality of their asparagus or sweet corn.

“We outgrew our old facility so instead of cobbling together solutions, we built a hydro-cooling facility with six cooling rooms,” says Charles Welsh.

“It’s tripled our capacity.”

Sourcing local contractors, the Welsh’s built a system that can be computer controlled to track

the flow of recirculated water in hydro-cooling bays and inventory in four storage units. None of their produce is stored for much more than a day or two before being sold to higher-end independent retailers and the Ontario Food Terminal.

They expect shelf life to be considerably improved from their 500 acres of sweet corn, dropping core temperatures from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to under 40 degrees Fahrenheit in about 100 minutes. That’s a 50-degree drop from the field, a tough thing to do because the cob retains field heat.

The 2011 investment responds to several needs: improving food safety, extending shelf life, streamlining handling and reducing manual labour.

Eighty acres of asparagus were treated to new hydro-cooling facilities at the farm of Charles Welsh, Scotland, Ontario this summer. A computer-controlled panel allows tracking of four storage rooms simultaneously.

Photos by Denis Cahill.

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 19 THE GROWER

STORAGE

Preventing potato bruise damage at harvest EUGENIA BANKS POTATO SPECIALIST OMAFRA Mechanical damage and bruising at harvest increase the incidence of storage rots, reduce quality, increase grade-out and reduce the value of the potato crop. There are two types of potato bruising that occur at harvest: blackspot bruising and shatter bruising. Both types are caused when the potato strikes an object (machinery, soil clods, stones, other potatoes, etc.), however, each type of bruise occurs under contrasting environmental conditions.

Blackspot bruising occurs under warm dry soil conditions.

Susceptibility increases with increasing tuber temperature and reduced water content in the tuber. The impact ruptures individual cells below the skin of the tuber without breaking the skin.

These bruises are not immediately visible. After two days, the damaged tissue will turn dark grey or black and can be seen only after the tuber is peeled. Varieties vary greatly in their susceptibility.

Shatter bruises are thin cracks or splits in the tuber flesh.. Susceptibility increases at temperatures below 45°F (7°C) and increasing soil moisture and water content in the tuber. Thumbnail cracks are a form of shatter bruise, which can occur when cold tubers are roughly handled out of storage or on packing lines.

The following are management practices that help to reduce bruising damage: Pre-Harvest Preparation • Install padding on the harvester at points where potatoes may be bruised.

• Adjust the depth of the digger blade on harvesters and windrowers so that potatoes are not cut and do not bump into the front of the primary chain.

Harvest Management • Harvest potatoes only when tuber pulp temperatures are 10°C to 16°C. • Keep drops to a minimum, 15 cm or less.

• Adjust the speeds of all conveyors on the harvester in relation to the ground speed to maintain a full, uniform flow of potatoes on the conveyors.

• Avoid using chain shakers on harvesting equipment to separate soil and clods.

• Keep the boom from the digger close to the pile on the truck.

• Do not walk on potatoes when tarping a truck. The best way to avoid walking on tubers is to have an automatic tarping device.

Storage Management • Pile potatoes in a stair-step manner to reduce the number of tubers rolling down the face of the pile.

• Keep drops to a minimum.

Shatter bruise. The stem end of the tubers is very susceptible to shatter bruise.

• Maintain high humidity in storage unless drying is required to

control rots.

The latest technology to

WHERE FARMERS MEET ™

CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW 2011 ORGANIC & MARKET VEGETABLE EXPO HORTICULTURE EQUIPMENT DEMOS NEW SPRAYER DEMO LOCATION • Spray Coverage vs Travel Speed BIOGAS EXHIBITS & DEMOS BIOMASS DEMONSTRATION PLOTS • Miscanthus & Switchgrass FORAGE HARVESTING DEMO NEW AG-BIZ PAVILION NEW PASTURE/GRAZING DEMOS LOCATION WOODLOT EXPO CANADIAN ENERGY EXPO • Presented by Ag Energy Co-operative

reduce bruising is the SmartSpud device, a potatosized sphere that encloses an impact-recording device.

The device records the number and force of impacts as the sphere passes along with the potatoes through the harvesting equipment. Once the SmartSpud sphere has identified points of impact, growers can modify their equipment to reduce bruising. This may require cushioning hard surfaces, mini- Blackspot bruising, which is detected when tubers are peeled. mizing drop heights, using vinyl sling chutes, installing retarding curtains to slow down movement through stones with the tubers. drops and removing solid supTrials conducted in Ontario ports from under conveyor belts. proved that the SmartSpud device Bruising was common when the is a valuable tool to reduce bruisdiggers picked up clods and ing, an important yield robber.

“It’s huge, it’s friendly, it’s extremely well organized and we should have allowed more than one day to see it!”

Harold & Shelley McPhail

Harshell Family Farm Enterprises, Almonte ON

39,200 ATTENDEES

715 EXHIBITORS 2010 SHOW STATS

PAGE 20 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

First detection of brown marmorated stink bug confirmed in Ontario HANNAH FRASER, HORTICULTURE CROPS ENTOMOLOGIST, OMAFRA DENISE BEATON, CROP PROTECTION PROGRAM LEAD, OMAFRA The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive alien insect native to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China. It was first identified in Pennsylvania in 2001, but records indicate it arrived several years earlier. Since that time, it has spread and has now been reported in 33 states (and counting) including those bordering Ontario. Large populations are now established in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. The BMSB is an excellent hitchhiker and is readily moved over great distances in cargo and vehicles.

BMSB has a wide host range that includes tree fruit (e.g. peach, pear, apple, plum), grapes, berry crops (e.g. raspberry, blueberry), soybeans, edible beans, corn, tomatoes, peppers and ornamental trees and shrubs. Heavy losses in sweet corn, tomato, pepper (Figure 1) and squash, have been reported in areas where the pest is well-established, particularly those crops under organic production. This insect overwinters as an adult in protected areas, such as outbuildings and homes, and it can be a significant nuisance pest to homeowners.

So far, BMSB has not been found in Ontario crops. However, this pest has been intercepted in some shipments of imported goods coming into several provinces including Ontario, and a sample submitted by a homeowner in early June has been confirmed as the BMSB. The insect was discovered in an urban home, not outdoors. The origin of the insect is unknown. It may be a recent hitchhiker, or it may have overwintered here, indicating a small and as yet undetected population has established itself in

Ontario. Either way, growers and consultants should be on the lookout for BMSB in the field.

OMAFRA specialists and program leads are working with consultants, growers, the University of Guelph and other agencies to conduct a monitoring program in representative host crops through trapping and field surveying in 2011/12. Funding to purchase trapping equipment has been generously provided by the Niagara Peninsula Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association, Hort Crop Ontario, and the Northeastern IPM Centre (Great Lakes Vegetable Working Group).

BMSB was identified by numerous commodity groups as a pest of significance during the 2011 Canadian Minor Use Pesticide Priority Setting Conference.

OMAFRA and other provincial agricultural ministries, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre and United States counterparts (U.S. IR-4 minor use program) are working together to find pest management solutions for BMSB, in anticipation that this pest could become an agricultural nuisance following its establishment.

Features of the BMSB Stink bugs are shield-shaped insects with piercing-sucking mouthparts. The BMSB has several distinct features that can help you distinguish it from other common stink bugs: • two white bands on dark antennae (Figure 2) • smooth edge along pronotum or “shoulders” (behind the head) (Figure 3) • white triangles alternating with dark areas at the edge of the abdomen Older nymphs (immatures) have the same banding patterns on the antennae and on the abdomen as the adults (Figure 4).

More information about BMSB can be found on the OMAFRA website at www.ontario.ca/stinkbug.

If you find suspect stink bugs, collect a sample and call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 for details on where to send it. Place the insect in a leak-proof container, and kill it by freezing or adding it to rubbing alcohol or vinegar.

Figure 2: Adult BMSB. Note the two white bands on the antennae and the white triangles on the margin of the abdomen. Photo credit: Purdue Extension Entomology

Figure 3: Adult BMSB. The margins of the pronotum (shoulders) are smooth, not serrated.

How can you help?

Early detection of field populations of BMSB will be an important part of limiting potential damage by this pest. There is a network of people monitoring for BMSB; however, the chances of finding small pockets of BMSB populations are better with more eyes on the look-out.

Knowing where populations exist is crucial for learning more about this pest under Ontario’s conditions. Based on the American experience, it typically takes several years from the point of detection in the field before BMSB populations build to a level where it is considered a crop pest or a nuisance to homeowners.

Figure 1: Feeding damage on tomatoes and peppers appears as cloudy spots on the surface that are spongy / pithy under the skin (Photo credit: David Wright, Virginia Tech). Damage to corn may not be evident until the husk is removed to reveal deflated kernels (Photo credit: Thomas Kunar, Virginia Tech).

Figure 4: BMSB nymphs also have obvious white bands on antennae. There is white banding on their legs. The white triangles on the abdomen are not as pronounced at this life stage. Photo credit: Gary Bernon, APHIS-USDA

Did You Make Your Local Sprayer Assessment Clinic???

phillipsfs.ca

Yes???? No????

We Can Help!!!!!!

CALL 1-800-811-6238

info@phillipsfs.ca price parts service

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 21 THE GROWER

Variegated cutworm JANICE LEBOEUF, VEGETABLE CROP SPECIALIST, OMAFRA, RIDGETOWN The variegated cutworm is often found feeding on tomato foliage and fruit (Figure 1). In some years, the pest can cause extensive fruit losses in fields where the population is high.

This climbing cutworm is darkcoloured with orange spots and lines along its back and sides and can reach one and a half inches to two inches in length. It curls into a C shape when disturbed. In Ontario, there can be two to three peaks in adult activity from July to September.

Scouting for variegated cutworm is difficult as the larvae are usually hidden in the lower canopy of the crop. Pheromone

traps are sometimes used to determine moth activity and help to determine when intensive scouting should begin.

In Ontario research in 20062007, variegated cutworm from larvae collected from Norfolk to Essex counties were used to test several insecticides for direct contact toxicity in the lab. This population was most susceptible to lambda-cyhalothrin, followed by permethrin, then methomyl.

Other registered insecticides were not tested in this efficacy trial.

As variegated cutworm adults migrate into Ontario from the southern U.S., populations from year to year might vary in susceptibility to insecticides, based on exposure to various insecticides in southern crops.

Interestingly, the researchers

were able to compare the effectiveness of permethrin to a test conducted 30 years prior, using the same method. It showed that the population tested in 20062007 was just as susceptible to permethrin as the population tested in the 1970s.

Although there may be some differences in efficacy between insecticides, the keys to success when trying to control variegated cutworm in the tomato crop are getting the insecticide to the larvae and treating them while they are small and most susceptible.

In order to apply insecticide before the larvae get too large, you need to scout very carefully.

Unfortunately, they are much harder to find when they are small.

To get adequate spray penetra-

Figure 1. VCW feeding damage on tomato fruit and leaves. Note the frass. the canopy feeding. That’s the tion into the canopy, you may best time to scout for them too. need to increase your water volRemember that pyrethroid insectiumes. Label recommendations cides lose effectiveness at high for water volumes vary considerably. If you are not happy with temperatures. If daytime temperthe control you’ve been getting, atures are high, spray in the try adjusting water volumes evening (when temperatures are upwards. Water-sensitive paper below 22°C) or consider another placed at several points in the product. crop canopy can show whether Once the re-entry period has passed, scout the fields again to the spray solution is reaching its determine the effectiveness of the target. treatment. And always rotate Try to apply the insecticide in insecticide families to avoid the early morning or evening while development of resistance. it’s cool and the larvae are up in

MARKETPLACE

To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 GREENHOUSE MANUFACTURING

TUNNELS

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

BIOFUEL

3 season protection electric roller venting (roof, doors, sides) steel gutters

$0.50 - $1.50 sq ft

Plant your way into a new year with,

Visit us @ www.biogreens.ca Call us @ 1-604-796-0930 BLUEBERRIES

8866-HAYGROVE 66-HAY YG GROVE hhaygrove.com aygrove.com tunn tunnelbuzz.com nelbuzz.com

PAGE 22 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

MARKETPLACE

To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 EQUIPMENT CALL ABE FIRST FOR BETTER PRICES, MORE CHOICES, FAST, AND FRIENDLY SERVICE. BUY A DIESEL ENGINE FROM THE DIESEL MECHANIC.

BIN CARRIERS NEW AND USED Several Models: 5-Bin or 6-Bin, Tandem Axles or Single Axle With Soft-Ride Flotation Tires, Narrow, Low Profile Model With Adjustable Width Axles For Plastic or Wood Bins Apple Bin Dumpers (Rotator) - Fit Forklift or Tractor Loader NEW TURBO-MIST SPRAYERS - VARIETY OF MODELS IN STOCK LOW DRIFT SPRAY TOWERS to fit any TURBO-MIST - IN STOCK NOW Perfect KG220,, H.D. Flail Shredder, New Hammers . . . . . . . . $6,500 Seppi 200 Flail Mower, Cut Grass or Mulch Prunings. . . . . . . . .$5,500 Bush Hog 3210 HD Rotary Mower, New Blades, Nice Cond . . . $5,900 Perfect ZA380, Adjustable Offset, Swing Cutter, New Blades . . $5,500 ** Instant photos to you by e-mail - all advertised items **

Trades, Consignment, Leasing, Delivery Anywhere 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

Pipe & Fittings

SPRAYERS FOR SALE

for Water Systems • PVC, ABS, Poly, Copper • Stainless, Brass, Steel Product Lines • Drip & Micro Irrigation • Septic & Sewer • Drainage & Culverts • Berkeley Water Pumps

Winona Concrete & Pipe Products Ltd.

3 referb JB Modulars Sprayers • REFURB JB LV 321 Narrow, $5995.00 • NEW Hardi 3pt. Air Cannon, $4500.00 • NEW 100gal 3pt JB Air, $7500.00 • New Durand Vineyard Sprayer Great Price.

Over Stock.

• Barely used Hardi Mercury call for $$

AVAILABLE NOW NEW IRRIGATION PUMP UNITS ON TRAILER • Cummin 4 cyl, 80 HP, $11,900 • Cummin 4 cyl turbo, 105 HP $13,850 • John Deere, 4 cly, 80 HP, $13,175 • Cummin 6 cyl, 165 HP-5.9L, $15,750 • Iveco/Cummins 130 HP (134-H), $12,950 All with Rovatti Pumps, etc.

And many more new or used up to 550 HP. We build them all big or small.

Also couplers, hoses, clamps, for suction, camlock, ringlock, etc.

A. KOOLMEES R.R. 1, Otterville, ON N0J 1R0 (519) 879-6878 Fax: (519) 879-6319

FOR KLIFT M.F. 4500, 21 ft.

Mast, 48” forks.

2WD Diesel PH: 519-599-5535 evenings

489 Main St. W., Grimsby, ON. L3M 1T4

Phone (905) 945-8515 Fax: (905) 945-1149 or call toll-free

1-800-361-8515 We offer two great catalogs for your business. ~ 28 pg. Halloween/Fall catalog includes supplies, equipment, resale items, children’s books, ribbon, decoratives, bows, scary stuff, and more!

Shown here: Model 75RM

The Millcreek Row Mulcher is a simple way to maneuver, and adjusts to handle most row spreading jobs with ease.

Email: mcmurchyfarms @georgian.net

RR 3, PO Box 3613 Guelph, ON Phone: (519) 763-2400 Fax: (519) 763-3930

BIRD REPELLERS Turn a $4 straw bale into 25 - five dollar bales!

$199

Bale Blaster

~ 48 pg. Christmas catalog can help you start or grow a fresh decoratives business, featuring our Wreath Master, GM-10 garland machine, ribbons, picks, and much more!

BIRD REPELLERS

www.easternfarmmachinery.com

GREAT EAGLE (44” wingspan) $99.95 BLACK EAGLE (26” wingspan) $59.95 BLACKHAWK (13” wingspan) $29.95

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

Wreath Master - Unique double action for better quality wreaths - Offset foot pedal easier to use than other machines.

$5.00 postage refundable on first order.

Maplee Ridgee Supplyy info@mapleridgesupply.com

~ 800-968-9627

OLOF’S TRAVELMAPS 7037 WYANDOTTE ST. E. WINDSOR, ON. N8S 1R1 TEL: 519-944-9196 FAX: 519-944-8331 Email: info@olofmaps.com Website: www.olofmaps.com

ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION

• • • •

BIN TRAILERS BIN TIPPERS Picking LADDERS Picking BUCKETS

• Tree STAKES • TIE MATERIAL • TREE GUARDS

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 23 THE GROWER

MARKETPLACE

To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 NURSERY AND ROOTSTOCK

POSTS

Alpine Nurseries

(Niagara) Limited

The best producing orchards start with exceptional trees.

SPECIALIZING IN FRUIT TREES & GRAPE VINES & ELDERBERRIES. VARIETY AND PRICE LIST AVAILABLE ON REQUEST

Howard A. Colcuc Nursery Manager R.R. #4 Creek Road Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. L0S 1J0 Tel: (905) 262-4971 Fax: (905) 262-4404 howardcolcuc@rogers.com

Apples Apricots Cherries Nectarines Peaches Plums

Quality Fruit Trees for 60 years.

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

EQUIPMENT

www.morinurseries.com

• VEGETABLE SEEDERS Planet Jr.

Gaspardo

QUALITY FRUIT TREES • APPLE on M9, B9 and M26 • Peach on Bailey • PEAR on Quince

ORDER NOW FOR BEST SELECTION

]

WARWICK

Cole

ORCHARDS & NURSERY LTD

• CASH CROP PLANTERS Conventional – Pneumatic (Air)

• FERTILIZER ATTACHMENTS (SideDressers)

• ROW CROP WEEDERS, ETC.

RR 8, 7056 Egremont Rd. Watford, ON N0M 2S0 warwickorchards@brktel.on.ca Tel: (519) 849-6730 Toll free: 877-550-7412 Fax: (519) 849-6731

• DISC HILLERS • SPECIALIZED ROW CROP EQUIPMENT Cultivator Steels, Sweeps, Hoes, Furrowers, Hillers, Etc.

JOHN C. GRAHAM CO. LTD. DISTRIBUTORS 88 Erie Street North • P.O. Box 13 Leamington, Ontario • N8H 3W1

Tel:(519) 326-5051 Fax: (519) 326-0480

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

Change of address???

866-898-8488 ext. 221 or online at www.thegrower.org

PAGE 24 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

MARKETPLACE

To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 CROP TUNNELS

REAL ESTATE Gerry Loeters for Royal LePage, RCR Realty.

Solo 3 season tunnel (28’ x 200’) vents 7 ft high roller doors

PH. 519-765-4217 Cell. 519-773-6460

ORCHARD FOR SALE. Outstanding orchard Farm in full production with very good varieties including strawberries and younger trees. List of varieties available with age and quantity of trees, crops not included in asking price, but available. Also list of equipment available but not included. The orchard is recognized as the best or one of the best orchards in Ontario.

Very good home and storage buildings on property.

Great opportunity to get into the business with increased production in the coming years. Asking $1,300,000.00.

Address: 5893 Sawmill Road and 5894 Sawmill Road, RR2 Aylmer, Malahide TWP, Elgin County

Sale price $6,000 (2 ffor o $11,000) or

IRRIGATION

866-HAYGROVE 8 66-HAYG Y ROVE haygrove.com h aygrove .com tunnel tunnelbuzz.com buzz.com

IRRIGATION

PLUG TRAYS

CLASSIFIEDS Veg washer. Absorbing rollers and inspection conveyor, $4,500.

Call 519-683-2643 or 519-6823731 Dogelman Rock Picker, PTO drive. New Float tires, 4’ PU. PU & dumps, excellent condition, $5,000. Hydraulic post pounder. All fittings and mount bracket for 135 MF. Excellent Condition, $1,000. Phone 905685-0129

Advertise your business in Canada’s most popular agriculture newspaper!

w w w. t h e g r o w e r. o r g

Call Herb Sherwood 519-380-0118

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 25 THE GROWER

MINOR USE

Allegro 500F fungicide label expanded JIM CHAPUT, OMAFRA, MINOR USE COORDINATOR, GUELPH The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of URMULE registrations for ALLEGRO 500F Agricultural Fungicide for control of apple scab, fly speck and sooty blotch on apples, for suppression of

mites on apples, for control of Alternaria leaf blight and white mold on carrots, for control of Alternaria and Botrytis blight and Rhizoctonia rot on ginseng in Canada. Allegro was already labeled for white mold on dry and succulent beans, late blight on potatoes, clubroot on Brassicas and several diseases on bushberries in Canada.

The minor use project for carrots

was initiated in 2005 by AAFCPMC and the U.S. IR-4 program as a result of minor use priorities established by growers and extension personnel in Canada and the U.S. The minor use projects for ginseng and apples were initiated in 2007 and 2010 respectively by AAFC-PMC as a result of minor use priorities established by growers in Canada and the need to address the pest management

technology gap. These minor use label expansions for Allegro 500 F Fungicide are a significant step towards developing a more robust and sustainable pest management toolkit for diseases on these crops in Canada.

For copies of the new minor use label contact Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 8263539, Kathryn Carter, OMAFRA Apple IPM Specialist at Simcoe

(519) 426-4322 (apples); Sean Westerveld, OMAFRA Ginseng Specialist at Simcoe (519) 4264323 (ginseng); Marion Paibomesai, OMAFRA Vegetable Specialist at Guelph (519) 826-4963 (carrots) or visit the Syngenta Canada website at www.syngenta.ca/en/

Insect control products granted label expansions The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of URMULE registrations for Success 480 SC and Entrust 80 W Naturalyte Insect Control Products for control and suppression of several new pests in Canada on caneberries (crop subgroup 13-07A), bushberries (crop subgroup 13-07B), low-growing berries (crop subgroup 13-07G), bulb vegetables (crop subgroup 3-07B), Brassica vegetables (crop subgroup 5) and several greenhouse vegetables. Success (spinosad) and Entrust (organic formulation of spinosad) were already labeled on a wide range of fruit, vegetable, ornamental and turf crops for a variety of insect pests.

These minor use registrations target several key pests of important specialty crops in Canada and will help to provide a more robust pest and resistance management strategy. Furthermore, organic producers of the approved crops now have wider access to the Entrust formulation which provides them with a very useful management tool.

The following table is provided as a brief, general outline only. Users should consult the complete Success and Entrust labels for timing, water volumes and other guidance before using these products.

Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Success and Entrust labels carefully.

Success and Entrust should be used in an integrated pest management program and in rotation with other management strategies to adequately manage resistance.

For copies of the new minor use label contact Pam Fisher (berries), OMAFRA, Simcoe (519) 426-2238, Marion Paibomesai (bulb, Brassica vegetables), OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 8264963, Gillian Ferguson (greenhouse vegetables), OMAFRA, Harrow, (519) 738-1258 or visit the Dow Agro Canada website at www.dowagro.com/ca/index.htm

Crop(s)

Pest(s)

Bushberries (blueberry, currant, elderberry, gooseberry, Saskatoon, sea buckthorn; cultivars, varieties and/or hybrids of these) Caneberries (blackberry, raspberry, loganberry; cultivars, varieties and/or hybrids of these)

OBLR, Spanworm, Winter moth

Low growing berries, subgroup 13-07G (strawberries, lowbush blueberry, bearberry, bilberry, cranberry, lingonberry, partridgeberry; cultivars, varieties and/or hybrids of these) Subgroup 3-07B (green onion, leeks, chives [fresh leaves], shallots [fresh leaves], leeks, bunching onion, tree onion [tops], welsh onion [tops])

Success (rate Entrust (rate product) product)

Comments

145 – 182 mL per ha

80 – 109 g per ha

OBLR, Cabbage 145 – 182 looper, Spanworm, mL per ha Winter moth

80 – 109 g per ha

OBLR, Cabbage looper, Winter moth

145 – 182 mL per ha

80 – 109 g per ha

Leek moth (suppression)

218 mL per ha

132 g per ha Maximum 3 applications per year at 7 to 10 day intervals; PHI 3 days

Brassica vegetables (broccoli, Chinese Swede midge, 146 mL per broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, Chi- thrips (suppression) ha nese cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard greens, rapini)

87.5 g per ha Maximum 3 applications per year at 7 to 10 day intervals; PHI 3 days

Greenhouse cucumber, lettuce, pepper

72 g per 1000 L water (cabbage looper); 30 g per 1000 L water (corn borer, thrips)

Only at Sheehan’s Truck Centre we offer our customer’s everything from great trucks, fast delivery of parts to extraordinary customer service. We are located in a 52,000-sq/ft facility with 65 highly trained staff to take care of your transportation needs.

We have over 200 new and used vehicles on display in our newly paved lot.

Call us today for a test drive, quote on a new truck or any other questions that you may have.

Cabbage looper, corn borer, suppression of exposed western flower thrips

120 mL per 1000 L water (cabbage looper); 50 mL per 1000 L water (corn borer, thrips)

Maximum 3 applications per year at 7 to 10 day intervals; pre-harvest interval (PHI) 3 days Maximum 3 applications per year at 7 to 10 day intervals; PHI 3 days Maximum 3 applications per year at 7 to 10 day intervals; PHI 3 days

Maximum 3 applications per crop cycle with a minimum of 7 days between applications; PHI 2 days

Selling the farm?

Get the results you expect.

Guaranteed.

Discover how Discover how a ccash ash guarantee guarantee ccan an ttake ake the the sstress tress out out of of sselling elling tthe he farm. farm.

FFrom rom advertising advertising to to sset-up, et-up, equipment equipment tto o wee take off it rreal eal estate estate – w take care care o it aall. ll.

Call proposal.

C all ttoday oday ffor or a ffree ree no-hassle no-hassle p roposal. ro

Harm H arm S Spangenberg pangenberg

RRitchie itchie BBros. ros. TTerritory erritory Manager Manager | Ontario Ontario Agriculture Agriculture 226.688.8800 800.357.0659 226.688.8800 or or 8 00.357.0659 hspangenberg@rbauction.com hspangenberg@rbauction.com

PAGE 26 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

MINOR USE CRAIG’S COMMENTS

Hope for the best: prepare for the worst

CRAIG HUNTER OFVGA A successful person in any field must have a passion for what they do, to do it well. A successful person in life must also have compassion- for those of us who are not as successful (or lucky) and those who are burdened with misfortune from no fault of their own, and that is beyond their ability to reverse.

Last week I met several successful people down in the U.S. while I attended a tour set up

by IR-4 (US Minor Use Program) and the US EPA (Pesticide Registration group). The main purpose of this tour was to acquaint the group with the harsh reality of the new pest Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) in the field.

We met a part of the team that has been assembled in the United States to deal with this pest. They come from USDA, state agriculture representatives, university researchers, minor use folks, chemical company staff, and last but never least, grower reps. (A team concept we will need to emulate here.)

We met firstly with research personnel from the Appalachian Research Centre at Kearnysville W.V. to see their work. Their

research has concentrated on methods to attract the pest for monitoring, and screening possible control agents. The pest has only been there a short time (since 2003) and has already caused tens of millions of dollars in damage. Another part of the team from the USDA has visited China and collected some egg parasitoid wasps that attack BMSB eggs. These wasps are now under quarantine screen for two to three years to ensure they will not affect any native species, nor become a pest in their own right, before rearing them by the millions and releasing them to the wild to do their work.

The scientists have been working closely with growers who are facing an unprecedented attack from this pest that arrived as a hitch-hiker in an imported shipment from Asia. Just like the Dutch elm disease, the emerald ash borer, chestnut blight, and the pine beetle, none of these should have got here but managed to elude detection and established where there were no natural enemies- the other bugs, bacteria and fungi that keep it under control ‘back home’ where it is not considered a big pest threat.

Now that the BMSB is here in North America and has multiplied into Billions (yes that is a ‘B’ but may be a ‘T’) it is causing total crop loss in the original areas of infestation. It is also spreading throughout the eastern states and an unconfirmed report has it found here in Ontario this year.

It invades homes like cluster flies seeking shelter in the fall, and in numbers that are as scary as anything from Alfred Hitchcock: 40,000 in one garage for instance! They lay about 400 eggs

on plant leaves and they all hatch without any natural enemies to control them. There are two generations per year down therewe don’t yet know how that will develop here but that is almost a moot point. In addition, it is not a picky eater. It has been found to enjoy apples, peaches, grapes, and other fruits, many vegetables, plus corn, small grains, and soybeans- up to 300 plants are on its menu!

Growers whom we visited told us of heart-chilling losses from this pest last year, and outlined their efforts to date this year. As one grower stated: ‘There is no more IPM on my farm. I can save all the predators, and lose my crop from this pest in a day!’

Growers were spraying every seven days, or less if rainy weather occurred. They feel they need to maintain a dislodgeable coating of insecticide on the crop that can kill incoming bugs on contact. They have tried many products, spent huge amounts of money, and have still seen plenty of damage.

Here is where compassion comes in. In walking through one part of the peach orchard, it seemed that virtually every peach was damaged. This was after thinning had been done, much of it aimed at removing visibly affected fruit from earlier attacks.

The grower spoke to the group and sadly stated that he had already ‘written off’ the apples from the damage, but had high expectations for the peaches due to his heavy spraying. I took aside the research entomologist and told her of what I had seen, and with tears in her eyes, she said she had seen that too, but couldn’t bear to tell him that day. It would

be done later, in private. Every person on that tour felt compassion as the grower outlined his losses of last year. Few maybe understood what he will lose this year. (The good news was that while loss was high on the ridge where I looked, the damage was much less elsewhere, so maybe a 75 per cent peach crop is possible- at least as of today).

This degree of damage is totally unacceptable. Next year he could lose the whole farm. His family would need to move from their home- the home of multiple generations of his family, unless something can be done. Several neighbours and friends were there that day to help out. Their farms are at risk too.

This is as bad as it could be, and why I am adamant that we act decisively NOW to deal with the threat it poses.

We need to build our ‘ark’ right now. We have to learn from their terrible experiences. We must demand extreme vigilance and attack this pest as soon as it appears- and it will appear here.

Growers should NOT be left to spray weekly here with little expectation of success.

At the very least, our federal scientists need to work hand in glove with USDA to get a suitable predator/parasite introduced to North America. There needs to be an action plan in place so when needed, it can be rolled out.

The Team assembled in the U.S. should be duplicated here, and they should be tapped for their knowledge and expertise. Any new registrations should be done jointly to keep the arsenal up –todate in both jurisdictions.

We must think outside the box when it comes to dealing with

such an omnivorous pest. Growers may have crop insurance that will cover out-of-pocket expenses, but ‘normal practices’ must continue to save the harvestable portion. I would posit that if the BMSB sets up camp here at the levels I saw in the U.S., we should think about paying growers to NOT spray. It doesn’t seem to be working anyway, it loads the environment beyond what a thinking man would accept, and is hugely expensive for seemingly nil gain. Let the parasite do its job for about two to three years, and then introduce a well-defined management plan and start the growing process over.

This may not be needed in lesser-value crops, or those destined for feed as opposed to food.

It may not be needed in early infestation periods. However, it is likely the best option for the farms I visited on the tour.

Those folks all have passion for their farms, their families and their friends. I left feeling compassion for them as they went back to their sprayers for another two to three months with little hope of success, at least for this season, of keeping the BMSB in check.

On the other hand, I hold out great hope that with the combined efforts of the research teams, the tenacity of growers, and especially the passion of the lead entomologist whose determination and ‘we’ll-beat-this-thing’ attitude, we will win the day in the long run!

Farming can be an ugly reality at times like this, but hope springs eternal for those who are up for the battle.

Pesticide pricing for horticulture The origins of the old OUI (Own Use Import) program, and the more recent GROU (Grower Own Use) import program were created with a premise that they could exert a ‘price discipline’ in the Canadian pesticide market. I guess naivety reigned for those involved! However, a few recent developments have shown a glimmer of hope. Last month The Grower had a story about a producer who saved $30,000 on one product. I recently heard of another grower who saved even more on the same product. In the

words of a western producer, ‘I like getting a new pick-up truck AND the pesticide at the same price I would have paid for just the product back home!’

Just last week I heard that the registrant of Retain had dropped the Canadian price to almost the US price. THAT is what the program is about! I have also been made aware that some dealers, who have a relatively small margin to negotiate within, have pressured manufacturers when they faced losing sales to the U.S. Good for them!

Technical Support Provided by

For more information on the BASF family of products, contact AgSolutions® by BASF at 1-877-371-BASF (2273) or visit www.agsolutions.ca

®

®

TM

Always read and follow label directions. ® - Registered trade-mark of the BASF group of companies.

TM - Trade-mark of the BASF group of companies. © 2011 BASF.

TM

®

®

®

What is still of concern is that several products are still priced out of line. In addition, there are still companies who are unwilling to participate in GROU even though CropLife signed on their behalf. When the program is enshrined in the Act next year, opting out will not be an option. We will remember who they are!

Thanks to the growers who braved excessive paper work and bureaucracy to make this work to date!

®

® ®

®

AUGUST 2011 –– PAGE 27 THE GROWER

MINOR USE

PMRA learns about British Columbia’s unique challenges This year, British Columbia hosted the annual Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) minor use summer tour with a broad menu of learning experiences for those who review submissions or work closely on minor use files. Away from their Ottawa desks, 11 PMRA staff met with growers of greenhouse vegetables, organic field vegetables, berries, hazelnut, wasabi, ornamental plants and Christmas trees.

They were joined by staff from the regional PMRA office, Pest Management Centre of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and B.C. Ministry of the Environment.

“One of the objectives is to learn about minor use crops and agricultural practices that are unique to the province and current concerns regarding plant pests,” says Caroline Bédard, B.C.’s minor use coordinator.

One of the key pests afflicting B.C. berry and soft fruit growers is the spotted wing drosophila, with the adult female laying eggs in sound fruit. This is the second year for emergency use registration of four insecticide products in B.C. Through work of minor use coordinators across Canada and PMRA, this is the first year that multiple provinces (AB, ON, QC and NS) requested emergency use registrations for this pest. . .

If any issue was common to all growers it would be the continuous need for more crop protection products registered on minor use crops, for both conventional and organic production. Greenhouse vegetable operations are always looking for registration of new products that are safe for their biocontrol agents. Organic growers need access to more products, allowed for use in organic production by their respective certifying body, in order to ensure the long term

viability of organic farms in the province.

Harmonization, a perennial national issue, gains new meaning when viewing raspberry rows at Zero Avenue right along the B.C. and U.S. border. There’s no better way to visualize the challenges in the global berry markets: pests have no borders yet land prices are significantly higher on the B.C. side and some crop protection products can be used in one jurisdiction and not the other – just metres apart.

Right: Alf Krause, a strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and blackberry grower, shares his pest management challenges and solutions with PMRA and provincial government staff.

Harvest the Fruits of Your Labour…Efficiently www.orsigroup.it

KAREN DAVIDSON

Prune, thin, train, and harvest your fruit trees.

ORSIgroup has proven themselves as a top producer of platforms in Europe. Orsi and Bartletts can help to maximize the efficiency and safety of your tree-fruit operation. Some options include; 4WD, 4WS, automatic levelling, auto-steer (using ultra-sonic sensors), up to 4m platform width, diesel or electric.

(Delivery time on new orders ~4 months)

Picking Bucket

Deluxe Picking Bucket

Picking Bag

Ladders

Basil update The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of emergency use registrations for Confine fungicide (potassium salts of phosphorous acid) and Revus fungicide (mandipropamid) for control of an outbreak of basil downy mildew on greenhouse and field grown basil in Ontario and Alberta. Both Confine and Revus fungicides are already labeled in Canada for control of diseases on several crops. Furthermore a complete minor use submission is underway with the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFC–PMC) minor use program and U.S. IR-4 program to seek eventual, full registration of Revus for control of basil downy mildew in Canada and the U.S.

Picking Basket

Grading Rings

Contact your Bartlett Sales Representative for more details Brian Sutton 519-870-3731 (South West) Dave Reeves 519-586-3713 (South Central) Matt Peters 905-328-6276 (Niagara) Jaymes Bartlett 416-460-9665 (Central) Sean Bartlett 905-376-2362 (East)

N. M. Bartlett Inc. 4509 Bartlett Road Beamsville, On L0R 1B1

1-800-263-1287

info@bartlett.ca www.bartlett.ca

PAGE 28 –– AUGUST 2011 THE GROWER

Grapes worth celebrating PURE PROTECTION LEADS TO PURE PERFECTION

Spray Oil 13E. Protection at its purest – CAS# 8042-47-5 Introducing Spray Oil 13E, from the largest producer of white oils.

It’s proof that not all oils are created equal, and not all grapes achieve perfection. It is an innovative isoparaffin oil that offers the highest purity levels on the market with CAS# 8042-47-5.

Spray Oil 13E effectively protects your high value grape crops by quickly eradicating pests and disease and then continuing to provide extended protection. All without any phytoxicity or burning issues. So use it early

to avoid problems from developing, as it won’t damage your crop and it reduces the need for resorting to traditional toxic chemicals later.

As many pesticides have been 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 call 1-866-335-3369.