CELEBRATING 131 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION
JULY 2011
VOLUME 61 NUMBER 07
In.no.va.tion
Simcoe Research Station: past perfect or future tense? KAREN DAVIDSON Home wasn’t built in a day. Neither was Ontario’s Simcoe Research Station, home for research testing of more than100 fruit and vegetable crops. Situated not far from the moderating effects of Lake Erie and inheriting the province’s most fertile sandy and sandy-loam soils, it’s a hub of research for the University of Guelph and of extension for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The provincial government bought the original farm to study alternatives to tobacco. Today, it’s a 200-acre station, still researching options, that will host an open house for its 50th anniversary on July 14. Predictably, municipal, provincial and federal leaders will trumpet its successes under stately maples that were planted decades ago. As with all anniversaries, there’s a tendency to look at the past as perfect. But who will be talking in the future tense about what’s possible? “The Simcoe Research Station has done well to address the challenges of today’s rapidly changing horticulture industry from both a research and an extension perspective,” says Harold Schooley, chair, research for the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association. “Updating nutrient recommendations to meet legislation, addressing water conservation and quality issues, reducing
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There’s a lot of buzz at Ontario’s Simcoe Research Station this month with the celebration of its 50th anniversary. Bees got a headstart on the party by pollinating asparagus cultivars. Here, asparagus grower Murray Porteous (L) and University of Guelph researcher Dave Wolyn inspect the crossbreeding trials where plastic bags prevent pollen from other asparagus plants contaminating controlled crosses. In the background are apple orchards, more evidence of the diversity of the station’s research. Photos by Denis Cahill. pesticide usage with integrated pest management, developing production practices and storage regimes for new fruit cultivars and testing new cultivars of many crops are just a few of the many accomplishments emanating from Simcoe,” says Schooley. Production systems research is carried out for a wide variety of tree fruits, vegetables, berries and specialty crops. Supporting these crops are extension staff with expertise in pathology, integrated pest management, food safety, postharvest physiology, sprayer technology, water management and new crop development.
Among the commodities tested, Schooley lists the following: cucumbers, asparagus, cole crops, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet corn, peppers, carrots, onions, beets, sweet potatoes, Asian vegetables, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, black currants, apples, apple rootstocks, peaches, hazelnuts and heart nuts. Some of the more recent ventures include crops outside the traditional ratio of 70 per cent vegetables, 30 per cent fruits. Lavender, for instance, promises to attract agri-tourism while providing essential oils for medicinal and culinary uses.
Biomass trials of both perennial and annual grasses are underway to determine if these new energy crops are viable. Hazelnut trees are planted to test hardiness and disease resistance to potentially replace imports for a locally based confectionary factory. These ‘outside-the-sandbox’ crops are part of the purview of Erie Innovation and Commercialization, an initiative led by John Kelly who has been headquartered at the station for two years. While deeply involved in agriculture throughout his career, Kelly has gained new appreciation for Simcoe by
working out of the station. “What surprised me most is that crops grown here in Norfolk County are not grown anywhere else in the province,” says Kelly. “It’s a classic insular community where everyone knows each other here, but they don’t necessarily know the opportunities outside the county borders.” Asian vegetables are an example of a need in the Greater Toronto Area that could be met by growers around Simcoe. Continued on page 3
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PAGE 2 –– JULY 2011 THE GROWER
AT PRESS TIME… Niagara Falls is new hub for two conventions The Canadian Greenhouse Conference (CGC) slated for October 5 and 6, 2011 is moving to Niagara Falls, Ontario at the
newly-designed Scotiabank Convention Centre. Started in Guelph in 1979 as a way for commercial greenhouse flower and vegetable stakeholders to network, share knowledge and conduct business, the CGC has hosted annual conferences in Toronto for the last ten years. “We’re excited about the move to Niagara Falls,” says Sandy Carlton, chair of the CGC Trade Fair Committee. “We’ve revitalized the conference and will be showcasing greater opportunities for networking, education and entertainment. The Niagara Region is home to a large percentage of our stakeholders and supporters. We anticipate this move to be a positive one, and look forward to future expansion.”
Since its inception, the CGC has grown to more than 150 exhibitors and regularly attracts about 1800 attendees. The speakers program will be international in scope, attracting industry leaders and academics from North America and Europe. Industry is already demonstrating strong support for the
revamped CGC. Plant Products Co. Ltd., a leader in specialty horticultural markets and related fields has seized the opportunity to be the Signature Sponsor for 2011. The CGC features a pre-conference bus tour that will highlight visits to both greenhouse vegetable and flower operations in Niagara Region. Also moving to the new convention centre is the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention (OFVC). Mark your 2012 calendar for February 22 and 23. “We had really outgrown Brock University, so we’re looking forward to our best trade show ever with larger space,” says Glenna Cairnie, OFVC.
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NEWSMAKERS Government of Manitoba aids flooded farmers Manitoba agriculture minister Stan Struthers has announced a compensation package of $44 million for farmers affected by flood damage. Specifically, farmers south of the Hoop and Holler Bend near Portage la Prairie and those surrounding Lake Manitoba will be compensated. Officials expected that monies in the special compensation programs would be available by first of July.
Stephen Whitney will be retiring as President and CEO of the Dispute Resolution Corporation effective December 31, 2011. Prior to accepting the position in 1999, he worked for both the Canadian Produce Marketing Association and the Canadian Horticultural Council. Whitney is well-respected for his efforts in promoting fair and ethical trade of produce. Erie Innovation and Commercialization, an initiative of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association welcomes Shelley Imbeault as project coordinator. Based at the Simcoe Research Station, she will be aiding John Kelly in new project development, marketing and visibility support thanks to monies through the Sand Plains Development Fund. The Ontario Produce Marketing Association congratulates Julian Sarraino, Fresh Taste Produce Limited, for assuming the chairmanship of the board. He is joined by re-elected directors Derrick Rayner, EarthFresh Foods Corp, Frank Spagnuolo, Loblaw Companies Ltd, Chris Streef, Streef Produce Ltd and new director Jacquie Sullivan, Faye Clack Communications.
U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act announces two new rules
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC) welcomes three new members to the board of directors. They are: Anthony Longo, president and CEO of Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc., Bruce McTavish, Canadian industry chair for the North American Plant Protection Organization and Marilyn Knox, president of Nestlé Nutrition Canada.
On July 3, 2011, two new rules under the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) affecting exporters will come into effect. Prior Notice of Imported Food Shipments: This rule requires anyone importing food into the U.S. to inform the FDA if any country has refused entry to the same product, including food for animals. Administrative Detention of Food: The FDA will have the power to detain food that it has reason to believe was produced under unsanitary or unsafe conditions, or has been adulterated or misbranded, for up to 30 days (previously, this could only be done with credible evidence). The FSMA was signed by President Obama last January. It extends the regulatory powers of the Food and Drug Administration substantially. To read more about how the FSMA affects Canadian exporters, visit www.canadagap.ca/en/publications/member-notes/membernote-january-18-2011.aspx.
Two new scientists join the VRIC employee roster. Valerio Primomo, research scientist, will be developing vegetable varieties that perform well under environmental stresses, as well as varieties with improved disease resistance and nutritional value using current molecular technology. Bernard Goyette brings his expertise to the consumer insights and product innovation team. He will be conducting post-harvest technology research which includes precooling, storage and handling, and physical postharvest treatments.
Late blight survey The wet, cool spring has been ideal for development of late blight. Some new strains are very aggressive on tomatoes while others can do severe damage on potatoes. OMAFRA is participating in a pan-Canadian late blight survey organized by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the University of Manitoba. If late blight is detected or suspected in a tomato or potato crop, please contact Michael Celetti, OMAFRA plant pathologist at (519) 824-4120 extension 58910 or michael.celetti@ontario.ca or Janice LeBoeuf OMAFRA vegetable specialist at janice.leboeuf@ontario.ca as soon as possible so that samples can be collected for strain type identification.
The Ontario government has appointed Victor DeBono, Waterford, chairman of the Ontario Food Terminal Board, for a three-year term. He has most recently served as vice-chair and contributed as chair of the Farmers’ Market Committee.
Ontario Food Bank Bill denied A private member’s bill that would have provided a significant tax credit to local farmers who donate unsold or excess produce to food banks has died on the Ontario order paper. The “Bill to Fight Hunger with Local Food” was sponsored by Bob Bailey, a Sarnia-Lambton MPP. The bill had passed both first and second reading in the Ontario legislature with all-party support, but was not passed before the session was prorogued by the Liberal government.
Seed of the Year finalists announced Six seed varieties have been named 2011 finalists in the seventh annual Seed of the Year competition for eastern Canada, sponsored by the University of Guelph and SeCan. AC Gehl Hulless Oats, AC Rigoden Oats, Divident VL Orchard Grass, Ex Rico 23 Navy Beans, OAC Bayfield, and Yukon Gold are the 2011 finalists. These varieties along with their breeders will be honoured at the eastern Canada Seed of the Year recognition event at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto in November. The
winner will be announced at that time. The event will be open to industry professionals, plant breeders, media and farming community members.
Yukon Gold potatoes Through the Seed of the Year application process, breeders are encouraged to highlight their research accomplishments in developing a new field crop, forage, fruit, vegetable or herb variety. Any publicly developed Canadian variety is eligible to compete. Entries were evaluated based on innovation, presence throughout the value chain, sustainability, marketability and overall impact on the Canadian agri-food industry. The Seed of the Year competition has been designed by the University of Guelph and SeCan with additional support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
JULY 2011 –– PAGE 3 THE GROWER
Simcoe Research Station: past perfect or future tense? Continued from page 1 Kelly points out that the Simcoe Research Station plays a critical role in identifying what will be profitable opportunities for growers. In the future, success stories might not be fruits or vegetables but rather biomass for green energy or Russian dandelion for industrial rubber production. While growers must evaluate return on investment, so does the Agricultural Research Institute of Ontario which is currently reviewing activities at its 14 research facilities and three agricultural colleges. From the perspective of Wally Andres, station manager, his barometer is the number of summer students aiding research. “Everyone is doing quite well this summer,” he says. Those technical activities are funded by OMAFRA. The longer-term concern is funding of University of Guelph researchers. In recent years, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has cut budgets, forcing a reduction in faculty positions to more accurately reflect student enrollment. The Ontario Agriculture College, specifically, has been dealing with a 42 per cent cut. Attrition has taken a toll on agricultural scientists. What is uncertain is staffing for Simcoe with two researchers close to retirement in the next two years. It is likely that future faculty will be based at the University of Guelph to fulfill their teaching mandates. That’s the case for Dave Wolyn, an asparagus researcher who already juggles a heavy schedule. He’s the survivor of a shutdown of an earlier research facility at Cambridge which cost the asparagus industry a decade of results due to the long time frame to establish asparagus beds. He’s just one of many
researchers counting on Simcoe for longevity. As Peter Pauls, chair of the University of Guelph’s Plant Agriculture department explains, “Our coping mechanism is not to replace retiring staff, but that doesn’t mean we can’t engage producers in a different funding model. The new Loblaws chair in sustainable food production creates opportunities that connect directly with Simcoe and its vegetable research.” How the research is funded will look different and no doubt will include more partnerships with growers. Pauls sees this model as more responsive and accountable to growers. Rob Gordon, dean, Ontario Agricultural College, agrees. “There’s not going to be a business plan that’s maintained by one organization,” he says. “Rather a new strategy will identify key partnerships that are prepared to be accountable for the long term. The idea is to leverage industry support and combine that with public resources.” As Gordon suggests, the 50th anniversary of Simcoe Research Station is not only a catalyst to embrace the traditions of the past but an opportunity to enhance partnerships for the future. The Ontario asparagus and ginseng associations already have offices at the station. Look for more of these commercial relationships in the future. The Simcoe Research Station is responding to local needs as investigation continues on the agronomics and economics of biomass crops for energy. Station manager Wally Andres poses with a miscanthus plot which has potential as pelleted fuel for greenhouses.
INTERNATIONAL ANTIOXIDANTS
RESEARCH
NUTRITION
FOOD SAFETY
Blueberry demand up in the U.S.
GM potatoes finding favour
Hot vegetable bars in Washington State
Germany tracks down E. coli
The demand for blueberries in the U.S. continued to rise on both fresh and frozen categories in 2010, continuing the trend of the last three decades. Thanks to the campaigns of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, consumers are more aware of the health benefits of blueberries.
Genetically modified (GM) potatoes are on a one-way street to consumer acceptance, says Joe Guenthner, professor of agricultural economics at the University of Idaho. While researchers are working on late blight resistance, a trait attractive to growers, they are also working on consumer traits such as low acrylamides. Here in Canada, plant molecular biologist Gefu Wang-Pruski, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, feels consumer concern about GM potatoes is waning because they realize that many other food products are genetically modified. She is currently leading the Maritime Potato Consortium which is comprised of: tuber quality, tuber nutrition and health benefits, developing new disease control systems, and the potato consumer initiative. -- PotatoPro
Adding sizzle to a cold salad bar may be as simple as a hot vegetable bar. That’s the idea behind Washington State Potato Commission’s pilot project to launch hot vegetable bars into 10 school cafeterias. Grower-shippers and associated groups have pledged $100,000 to the project which they hope will also attract government grants. A baked potato represents a nutrientdense preparation that’s costeffective.
Contrary to early reports, Spanish cucumbers were not the source of the E. coli O104 breakout in Germany. Authorities dismissed raw lettuce and tomatoes as well, laying blame on vegetable sprouts from a farm located south of Hamburg, Germany which was the epicenter of sickness. In total, 39 deaths have been attributed to the rare strain of E. coli 0104 with more than 600 consumers in intensive care, suffering acute kidney failure. In response to the conclusive investigation in Germany, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has cancelled the temporary import requirements for shipments of cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes from European Union (EU) member states. Analysis of the supply and distribution chains is continuing to see whether contaminated seed for sprout production is the source of the pathogen. To date, there is no indication that either the source of the outbreak or vehicle of infection has been distributed outside of Germany. The E.U. farm commissioner has promised $304 million (US)
From the ‘90s until 2001, U.S. consumers ate more frozen blueberries than fresh blueberries. Since 2002, this trend has reversed. The per capita consumption of fresh blueberries now exceeds the per capita consumption of frozen. -- betterhealthresearch.com
At a national level, the USDA has released a dietary guideline icon called MyPlate which shows consumers how to visualize what they should eat. Half the plate should be fruits and vegetables. -- The Packer
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Murphy’s law: build it and they will come KAREN DAVIDSON No career counselor could have predicted that five siblings would return to the farm to fulfill their dreams in a joint business. That’s exactly what Calder, Secord, Jacey and Hollis Murphy have done in the Alliston, Ontario area after university graduation. Connor, the youngest, is graduating from high school. While their parents are wellknown fruit and vegetable growers, with a 500-acre stake in potatoes, it’s the vision to restore an on-farm market that has gelled the team. “There is no farm market within 20 minutes of us,” explains Hollis Murphy, who left her landscape architect degree behind to turn her creativity to a retail store. “The goodwill of the community has encouraged us to renovate an
existing structure in 2010 and open a market that attracts daily traffic.”
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The goodwill of the community has encouraged us to renovate an existing structure in 2010 and open a market that attracts daily traffic. - Hollis Murphy
A bakery that makes pies, cookies and cakes from scratch has shown positive cash flow from the start. Locally grown wheat is used for fresh baked breads while the farm’s strawberries find their way into the homemade pies. They have also created a following with locally roasted coffee by Hockley Valley Coffee and pre-ground fair-trade organic coffee from Creemore Coffee. Within the next two years, their hope
is to start a pick-your-own operation which will funnel more traffic to the retail store. The story of the Murphy siblings is so compelling that they made the front cover of Harvest Ontario 2011. The guide to farmers’ markets, fruit wineries, fairs and on-farm retailers is a boon to the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association and Farmers’ Markets Ontario. “We distribute about 70,000 copies through Home Hardware stores,” says publisher Steve Watts. “It’s the most comprehensive yet at 138 pages.” Thanks to this recent publicity, the Murphy’s look forward to executing their three-year plan. After that, they’ll decide if there’s a longer-term future. Farms can get a free listing in the 2012 guide at harvestontario.com.
Prairie-tough fruits take root What do thirteen million tree seedlings have to do with prairie fruit? If you are the Bonnyville Forest Nursery at Bonnyville, Alberta, your love of greenhouses and tissue culture means there’s a corner for hardy fruit. Under a side business called Prairietech Propagation, they have developed a clientele for haskaps, sour cherries, black currants and sea buckthorn. “We became a licenced propagator for the University of Saskatchewan dwarf sour cherries and haskaps a few years ago as a means of diversifying our reforestation seedling business,” says Judy Butt, horticulturist. “We propagate the dwarf
sour cherries -- Carmine Jewel and the Romance series cvs (Romeo, Juliet, Crimson Passion, Cupid, Valentine). We also propagate the Evans cherry, a sour cherry that is very popular on the prairies, and rose cherry, which is a shrub sour cherry.” In addition, haskaps are a big part of the business with University of Saskatchewan Borealis, Tundra, Indigo Gem(formerly 915), Indigo Treat (was 9-91) and Indigo Yum (was 9-92). Pollinators are also supplied. The team works closely with Bob Bors and his team at the university to keep up-to-date with new releases. Hardiness is the key criteria on the
prairies. If these plants can make it in western Canada, then they’re good to go for more temperate climes. That’s why customers have been attracted across Canada and the U.S. who can’t find these plants elsewhere. In recent years, the antioxidant qualities of haskaps and sour cherries have heightened their popularity. The company also propagates lesser known fruit species such as gooseberries, red, pink and white currants and black currants. Black currants are now gaining status as nutritional powerhouses. “We propagate the very fruitful Ben series of black currants from Scotland,”
says Butt. “I believe that there isn't much commercial propagation of currants and gooseberries in Canada so we can be a source for these unique plants.” More recently, they have started to propagate sea buckthorn, using hardy selections from the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Association in Saskatchewan. They carry two cultivars which are nearly thornless with high levels of vitamins, C and E and nutraceutical oils. In times of extreme weather patterns, these niche fruits are ideal for those growers looking for reliable agronomics and something new to retail.
JULY 2011 –– PAGE 5 THE GROWER
Kudos to the regional award winners for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence bon dioxide condensers and blow the cold air to the area in need. His team brainstormed a system of plastic pipes and air-trapping curtains that could inexpensively direct the air. The result has been a five-degree decrease in the packing shed and 10-degree decrease in the irrigation room. The dollar benefits are hard to tally when one considers the impact of properly cooled irrigation water on 16 acres of greenhouse produce.
KAREN DAVIDSON It’s that time of year when the Ontario premier and the ministry of agriculture, food and rural affairs, recognizes 55 farmers, agri-food businesses and organizations for their innovation. Regional award winners receive $5,000 not just for great ideas, but for those that have been brought to life. A generous number of winners hail from horticulture. Here are those who have been honoured to date.
Clay-lined reservoir conserves water for high-tunnel strawberries
New vegetable adds value to grain farm When Jacob MacKellar was looking for a value-added product to supplement his 3,000 acre cash crop operation he chose edamame which is a type of soybean harvested in
owners developed and delivered the first bottle of Decadence which is so much in demand that production has increased to 500 imperial gallons, or about 2,200 litres.
Seven acres of high-tunnel strawberries wouldn’t be so luscious without judicious use of irrigation water. Ellen and Peter Jennen have perfected their system with a threemillion gallon, clay-lined water reservoir that takes rainwater in times of plenty and stores for dry spells. Working with OMAFRA specialists and irrigation expert Vanden Bussche, they have developed a saturation chart that indicates exactly how much and when to fertigate their strawberry beds. Coupled with readings from a handheld moisture probe, this “irrigation intelligence” is used to conserve water. In 2011, they automated the irrigation timer with a 24-volt transformer.
Soup and salad ingredients get makeover with social events, social media the pod right before it reaches the "hardening" stage. It is a popular food in Asia and increasingly, in North America it is consumed as a snack or as a vegetable dish used in soups or processed into sweets. This non-traditional crop replaces imports and provides excellent returns. Industry representatives project a 500,000 pound market in the next few years, and McKellar will be ahead of the pack with a planned harvest of 100,000 pounds in 2011.
Real-time meter prevents fertilizer damage to transplants Borrowing metering concepts from the greenhouse industry, Dave Van Segbrook has put together an electrical conductivity meter that monitors salt levels in fertilizer for transplants. As a major supplier of Brussels sprouts, tomatoes and peppers to the vegetable processing industry, this Tupperville farmer routinely plants 300 acres with a six-row planter. When blending fertilizer, a precision injector puts an amount of fertilizer in transplanter water that isn’t too much to burn the roots or to stunt growth. To monitor planting progress, a hand meter has worked in the past to monitor salt levels but staff have asked for an “on-the-go” meter that verifies levels for each unique crop. Fertilizer levels are a little lower for cole crops, for example, than tomatoes. By consulting with greenhouse suppliers, Segbrook has sourced off-the-shelf components to build his electrical conductivity meter. As a result, plant yields are higher and fewer plants are lost to fertilizer damage. “The main benefit is that it saves worry,” says Segbrook. “I can push fertilizer levels to the max without fear of injury.”
The Holland Marsh Growers’ Association receives full marks for its savvy outreach to consumers in the Greater Toronto Area. The salad bowl on the muck soils north of Toronto are traditionally known for carrots, onions and celery. They taste just as good together in a soup. That’s why the association has hosted an autumn soupfest, drawing thousands of consumers who also witness harvesting first-hand. Driving attendance through conventional and social media, the association never misses a chance to educate consumers about the unique issues of the marsh: water and soil management, urban encroachment and diversification into specialty crops such as Chinese broccoli, Asian radish and water spinach.
Irrigation water is cooled more efficiently The cooling systems were tested to the maximum last summer at Robert Mastronardi’s Cedar Beach Acres greenhouse at Kingsville, Ontario. With 35 degree Celsius temperatures outside, his packing and irrigation rooms
Hydroponic greenhouse provides raw ingredients for wheatgrass and broccol sprout juice Anna Small-Adams and Carl Adams of Garden Gate Farms are growing an unusual business at Barrie, Ontario. They grow, harvest, extract, package and sell pure wheatgrass and broccoli sprout juice to the organic market. They have doubled sales to $250,000 in the last year, promoting their high-pressure, cold pasteurization process that extends shelf life and kills pathogens while preserving enzymes, vitamins, minerals, taste and colour. Just last January, they appeared on CBC’s Dragon Den for the second time, clinching a partnership with three of the business entrepreneurs to take the company national.
Fruit wine combines with chocolate Decadence is not just a best-selling wine at Rush Creek Wine. It is a product innovation that has spun into wine jelly, body cream, body sugar scrub and body spritzer. The combination of chocolate and strawberries has created jobs, increased tourism dollars and given business to local honey, fruit and chocolate producers. The winery which is located just south of Aylmer, produces 21 varieties of fruit wine, growing 65 per cent of its fruit supply and sourcing the rest locally. Sales have risen 15 per cent since the
Finetuning inputs such as water gives the Jennen’s confidence to plan expanding with another five acres of high tunnels in the next two years at their Thamesville farm.
were too hot. “It’s vital to cool irrigation water for the crop,” says Mastronardi, referring to his peppers, minicucumbers and eggplants. The solution was to build an enclosure around the car-
PAGE 6 –– JULY 2011 THE GROWER
Talk to those seeking your support!
ART SMITH CEO, OFVGA Over the past few months there has been a lot of talk about Self-Directed Risk Management (SDRM) and the new programs that were outlined in the provincial spring budget. As the Minister has not formally announced the new RMP/SDRM programs, I am still not at liberty to talk about them in detail. What I can say however is that these programs for the meat, grain and edible hort sectors are going to happen. In fact they will most likely have been formally announced by the time you read this column. The purpose of this column however is not to dwell on SDRM but rather to look at some of the other issues that we will be working on for the upcoming election and beyond. Let’s get the first point out of the way as it is about SDRM and the other RMP programs, specifically getting the federal government to participate in the funding of these programs. When you are talking to your federal MP tell them we need their support, Ontario farmers need these programs. We must continue this fight and it will
likely take a long time but remember the quest for an RMP program for edible horticulture took two and one half years. It is not a quick easy fix but well worth the struggle. Down loading of costs on to the backs of farmers will probably never stop but when it happens governments must step up and offer an offset to the sector if it expects us to compete in the world of global trading. You need to remind them of this, as many of the government representatives are not familiar with the concept of having to be competitive; it is not a reality of their world. Many simply do not understand that you have no way to recapture these additional expenses. We continue to work on property taxation issues. Many of our farmers are involved in value-added activities just as they have been encouraged by government to do. They enhance their standard of living and as well create a multitude of jobs for others but then have government officials alter their property classification to something other than farming with a resultant increase in taxation . . . talk about counter productive. You and we need to keep telling our MPPs that this needs to change. It’s not a free ride -- we are looking for just a fair one. This too impacts our competitiveness. Governments both federal and provincial need to support and promote healthy eating of more fruit and vegetables. The rate of obesity throughout our society is both unacceptable and unsustainable. Government must take a leadership role in this battle, a battle we cannot afford to lose for if we do we can kiss our health
Events such as Horticulture for Health provide a venue for lobbying the federal agriculture minister. From left to right: Federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz; Larry Miller, MP Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound; Andy Vermeulen, past-president, Canadian Horticultural Council and Brian Gilroy, chair, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association. Photo by Patrick Doyle. care system good-bye. Governments also need to support locally grown produce in their own institutions and those they fund. I’ve often heard it said that local produce is more expensive and often it is, but who created all those regulations that add so much cost to our production. It wasn’t the farmer! We live in a high cost of production society, we have the highest minimum wage rate across Canada and indeed of our trading partners so yes maybe our produce prices have to be higher so our farmers can remain viable. Foodland Ontario has been and remains a great advocate for
Ontario-grown produce but each year it seems its budget is threatened if not reduced. This goes to the points above about ongoing support through both actions and dollars. Foodland is highly recognized and it represents all the good things grown in Ontario. We need to keep it strong. Other programs are also necessary and they require adequate long-term financial support. These include programs such as On Farm Food Safety and Traceability, as well as dollars for environmental farm plans. In addition to on-farm programs others such as Ontario Market
Investment Fund and Agricultural Management Institute also require long-term commitments. While I recognize that all of these come with a cost they are essential if we are to compete in a world of global trade. In the area of research and innovation we need ongoing long-term commitments. Programs need to be put in place to assist our farmers to become even more innovative. We have had co-funded programs in the past. It is time to bring them back. We need to be smarter and better prepared than our competitors; we need to be stronger in the market place. It is a relatively new world of global competition without protection of tariffs or low valued currency. What we once could afford to absorb we no longer can. If we are expected to remain sustainable to keep on providing the tens of thousands of jobs that exist in our sector then our governments need to be more supportive than ever. As an Ontario citizen you will have the right to vote this fall, you will have the right to express yourself but remember that farmers make up a small percentage of our society. Your needs are not widely known and furthermore what you and your sector bring to the table that benefits all Ontarians is even less known and understood by the majority of politicians and in fact our society. Over the next few months I encourage all of you to get active, talk to the folks seeking your support. Remember politicians can’t make it without the support of voters. For what it’s worth, it’s the way I see it.
Many hands (minds) make light work
ADRIAN HUISMAN ONTARIO TENDER FRUIT PRODUCERS
Agriculture has achieved several important outcomes by working together towards a common goal(s). The recent Supreme Court ruling on the “Fraser Case” is a great example of this. Producers can now rest assured (at least for a while) that labour unions will not be able to organize farm workers and threaten to disrupt future harvests. This certainly doesn’t mean that those workers don’t have rights, they do; but they do not have the right to strike. This was not an easy battle but by having an organized response through the Labour
Issues Coordinating Committee and financing from all of agriculture, the challenge was met. Another great example is the recent announcements of Risk Management Programs which includes the Self-Directed Risk Management Program (SDRM) for edible horticulture crop producers. By working together and not giving up, the industry was able to convince at least the provincial government that the “Growing Forward” suite of business risk management programs, were not working.
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
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The next challenge will be to convince the federal government to participate as well in order to make these programs more meaningful. The SDRM program is an especially good model as it is clean, simple, understandable, predictable and bankable for both the government and producers. SDRM recognizes and provides support for producers affected by forces beyond their control such as exchange rate fluctuations, border disruption, the effects of disease outbreaks and cost increases which growers are
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
unable to recover from the market place. It also provides a pool of funds which producers can access for on-farm improvements. These are great examples of what can be achieved by working together for the common good. Congratulations to all who participated and contributed.
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
JULY 2011 –– PAGE 7 THE GROWER
PERSPECTIVE Here’s reason to rejoice over Good Samaritan biocontrols
OWEN ROBERTS UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Apple scab is one tough customer. But in at least one case, even it is no match for a Good Samaritan. So-called Good Samaritan organisms are raising eyebrows in the horticultural sector. They’re natural, highly targeted biological control agents that can be safely introduced into existing production systems. They derive the Good Samaritan moniker from the fact that they pursue only the offending disease agent, and leave the rest of the bioactive environment alone. Microbial biocontrol agents are generally target-specific, non-hazardous to humans and environmentally friendly. Very good of them, indeed. If you know where to look, Good Samaritan organisms can be found in the darnedest places. Vineland Research and Innovation Centre’s new plant pathologist, Anissa Poleatewich, found them not in a lab or some other tightly controlled environment . . . but rather, in a cross section of abandoned apple orchards in Pennsylvania. Poleatewich, who was completing her doctoral research at Penn State, figured something natural was keeping disease such as apple scab and bitter rot at bay in these orchards. Even though commercial production had ceased and pesticide applications discontinued, some of the trees were still able to produce a measure of fruit. Something was on their side, and she had a hunch biocontrol – defined as the suppression of the damaging activities of one organism by the activity of one or more other organisms -- was at work. So with support from the United States Agency for International Development, she collected samples of what she believed were the beneficial bacteria there, and took them back to her laboratory for closer analysis. She isolated them, and later, combined with applications of lime sulfur and copper, introduced those she considered the most effective to cultivars susceptible to apple scab and
bitter rot, in a research orchard at Penn State University. The results were significant. With just two applications of the bacteria, scab severity was reduced by 48 per cent on Golden Delicious apples, and up to 45 per cent on Rome Beauty apple leaves, compared to untreated apple leaves. Later, Poleatewich would find 95 per cent suppression in bitter rot lesion size on Rome Beauty fruit inoculated with the bio-organisms. It was a promising result for bacteriabased biocontrols, and Poleatewich was beaming. “Bacteria aren’t all bad,” she says. “With food-borne illness in the news, people may become confused about bacteria’s role. But there are many organisms doing very good things in the environment.” Finding the good ones is certainly a timely pursuit. Pathogen resistance is surfacing, meaning fewer fungicides are available for disease control. As well, consumer concerns are rising about pesticide residues, particularly on fresh produce where the sprayed surface is directly consumed (an apple for example). Given that reality, Poleatewich believes it’s prudent to develop biological control agents for foliar and fruit diseases that can be implemented into existing pro-
“Bacteria aren’t all bad,” says plant pathologist Anissa Poleatewich. duction systems, conventional and organic. She says research into pre- and post-harvest biological management approaches, as well as finding the best combinations of biocontrols, cultural practices and chemicals, are imperative for unleashing the potential of these disease reducing organisms and generation of new products that will ultimately give growers effective pest management approaches. And what specifically will work in Ontario? Poleatewich is
now dedicating herself to discovering horticulture’s regional needs and priorities, meeting growers and developing strategies for the sector. “A challenge to biological control is that it must not only be safe, but a viable alternative to current synthetic fungicides,” says Poleatewich. “But the potential is there . . . the search for new and innovative ways to reduce pesticide use has emerged as an important shift towards environmentally conscious ornamental and food production.” Still more potential may exist with crops that are in their infancy in Ontario, such as those comprising ethnocultural vegetables – bitter melon and okra, among them. University of Guelph researchers have determined there’s a $60-million untapped market in the Greater Toronto Area alone for ethnocultural vegetables. Internationally, Poleatewich has worked on biocontrols on crops such as potatoes, tomatoes and faba bean (in
Bolivia). Now, her interests include understanding more about pathogens that might plague new ethnocultural crops being developed for Ontario consumers. Ethnocultural vegetable production requires a great deal of education, and with support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the University of Guelph, efforts are underway to raise awareness of this opportunity. Poleatewich says the same kind of imperative applies to biocontrols. “In many cases consumers will never come in contact with biocontrol organisms, but education is required because of concerns about using bacteria for control,” she says. “It’s easy to forget about beneficial bacteria, such as those found in yogurt. It’s important for growers to meet consumers’ demands for sustainable technology, and show the bacteria we’re working with are really Good Samaritans.”
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PAGE 8 –– JULY 2011 THE GROWER
Garlic growers view new technology
MARK WALES GARLIC GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO More than 50 Ontario garlic growers gathered at the farm of Warren Ham for our annual summer Field Day, June 12. Although the day was overcast the sun did
try to peek out. We first had a relaxed walking tour of Warren's crop where we looked at his various trials of one and two-year production from bulbuils. Warren is certified organic and grows the bulbuils all on raised beds. He had a number of different varieties, row spacings and variations on planting methods. The results are very promising and with a shortage of seed, we think this will prove a necessary method for increasing crop size. After touring the fields, we then looked at Warren's equipment, much of it modified from ideas that he has gathered from being in the garlic business for more than 20 years, and travelling and seeing garlic production in many parts of the world. We then viewed new equipment by Wiltsie
Farm Equipment who are a member and manufacturer of specialty vegetable production machinery. Also on display was a garlic planter from Italy by ChechiMagli. Growers are always on the look-out for a better way to do planting, harvesting, cleaning and grading. At our association meeting, growers were encouraged to bring in 10 bulb samples for our Bulb and Stem Nematode project which has just been funded for three years by the Agricultural Adaptation Council. Becky Hughes from New Liskeard and Mike Celleti from OMAFRA were on hand to receive grower samples and surveys and explain what to look for in terms of damage. Our project is to find out just how prevalent the nematodes are and
what race (type) a grower might have. Treatments can range from longer crop rotation to different methods of seed treatment. Needless to say there were plenty of excellent questions as not a lot is well known about this very serious pest in garlic. Growers were updated on the new Self-Directed Risk Management program that will be coming out later this summer, as well as the farmers’ market at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto in November, the VegTech expo in Norfolk county September 1-3 and the new Toronto Garlic Festival at the Brickworks on September 25 which will be another great opportunity to put our product directly into the hands of our customers. Everyone left with lots of new
ideas such as possibly growing garlic for the "green garlic" market. Our annual Field Day is always a great opportunity for growers to see other member's farms and get together and share ideas. I wish everyone a good season and we will be scaping soon and harvesting by mid-July getting ready for the Garlic Festivals starting in August. Please go to our website (www.garlicgrowers.on.ca) and follow links to the different festival websites. I look forward to seeing many of you at upcoming events, and once again carry on producing the best garlic in the world!
Don’t miss out on 2010 AgriInvest benefits AgriInvest helps you manage small income declines, and provides support for investments to mitigate risks or improve market income. Your AgriInvest account, held at a participating financial institution of your choice, builds as you make annual deposits based on a percentage of your Allowable Net Sales and receive matching contributions from governments. Because your AgriInvest account is self managed, you have the flexibility to withdraw your AgriInvest funds at any time by simply visiting your financial institution. AgriInvest is delivered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) in all provinces except Quebec.
Participating in 2010 AgriInvest is easy: Step 1: Complete and submit your 2010 AgriInvest form by the deadline In Ontario, individuals participating in 2010 AgriInvest must submit form T1163: Statement A - AgriStability and AgriInvest Programs Information and Statement of Farming Activities for Individuals to the Canada Revenue Agency. Corporations must submit a Statement A (which is available through Agricorp) directly to Agricorp. For more information about the Statement A, please contact Agricorp at 1877-838-5144. If you have already submitted
form T1163 to the Canada Revenue Agency earlier this year when applying for 2010 AgriStability, there’s no need to complete another form. Agricorp will forward the information needed to calculate your 2010 AgriInvest benefits to AAFC. The deadline to submit a 2010 AgriInvest form is September 30, 2011. Farmers can submit their 2010 AgriInvest form until December 31, 2011, but their matchable deposit will be reduced by 5 percent for each month or part of the month that the application is received after the September 30, 2011 deadline. Step 2: Receive your 2010 AgriInvest Deposit Notice
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your account with matching government contributions.
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You have the flexibility to withdraw your funds through your financial institution at any time. For more information about AgriInvest, visit the website at www.agr.gc.ca/agriinvest or contact AAFC toll free at 1-866-3678506.
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Step 4: Withdraw your AgriInvest funds when you need it most
COMING EVENTS 2011 July 5 – 7
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council Annual Forum on Employment and Skills Development, Rodd Charlottetown, PEI
July 7, 8
Federal/provincial/territorial agriculture ministers’ meeting, St Andrews, New Brunswick
July 13
Northumberland Durham Apple Growers’ Summer Tour, 1:30 – 7 pm, for information, contact: robbiemontgomery@rogers.ca
July 14
50th Anniversary Simcoe Research Station Open House, Simcoe, ON 2 pm – 7 pm
July 24 – 30 International Tree Fruit 2011 Study Tour: England, Netherlands and Belgium July 29 – 31 PMA Food Service Trade Show, Monterey Conference Center, Monterey, CA August 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
Aug. 13, 14 14th Annual Perth Lions Garlic Festival, Fairgrounds, Perth, ON Aug. 18, 19 Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference, Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, IL Aug. 18 – 20 QPMA Annual Convention, Fairmont Tremblant, Mont-Tremblant, QC Aug. 19 – 21 Leamington Tomato Festival, Leamington, ON August 20
Newmarket ‘Garlic is Great’ Festival, Newmarket, ON
JULY 2011 –– PAGE 9 THE GROWER
Board briefs Following are highlights from the OFVGA board meeting held June 9, 2011. The purpose of this brief is to keep you up-to-date on the issues that the OFVGA is working on, as well as projects and initiatives the organization is involved in. Board Briefs is also available on the OFVGA website, www.ofvga.org. Governance Mary Lynn McPherson from Strive led the Board through a workshop that served as a followup to a governance review workshop the Board took part in this past March. Discussion focused on the role of committees, succession planning, board and section chair workloads and governance. Open for business consultation The OFVGA has been participating in the “Open for Business” consultations being lead by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture on behalf of the Ontario government. One of the OFVGA’s key points has been the need for farm groups to be consulted in advance when the government is considering new legislation or looking at making changes to existing legislation. By the time a piece of legislation is posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR) for public comment, it is often too late to make significant changes. Canadian Horticultural Council report Food safety programs: OFVGA’s representative to the CHC, Murray Porteous, reported that uptake in food safety programs has been higher so far than anticipated. The programs are adapted and modi-
fied on an ongoing basis to make them more effective and user friendly. PACA-like trust: Work continues to encourage the Canadian government to establish a PACA-like trust in Canada. In the U.S., the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) licenses buyers of produce to ensure that those who sell produce receive payment for their products and at the same time has established legislation that protects produce sellers when buyers fail to pay. The OFVGA and the CHC are lobbying for the establishment of a made-in-Canada PACA-like trust program that extends the same benefits to the Canadian produce industry as in the U.S. Labour Section chair Ken Forth reported that the decision rendered by the Supreme Court of Canada this spring with respect to the unionization of agricultural workers was the most important labour decision – and one of the most significant constitutional rulings – the Court has ever made. The eight to one decision was a very definitive ruling and underscores the strength of Ontario’s Agricultural Employment Protection Act. Crop protection Telone: Section chair Charles Stevens reported that a new company had indicated its interest in picking up the registration for Telone, a soil fumigant that has been withdrawn from the market by its manufacturer due to a request by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for
extra data. No timeline has been released. Farmers who grow root crops, muck crops and ginseng depend on Telone to keep their crops free of pathogens and nematodes. Grower Requested Own Use (GROU): Arrow 240EC herbicide is now on the GROU list and is available for farmers to make an application to bring it into Canada. Currently, participation in GROU is voluntary, which means crop protection companies may keep products out of the program if they wish. GROU will become a regulated program by PMRA within the next six to 12 months. This means if a product meets all the guidelines for approval, the product will be placed on the GROU program with or without manufacturer approval. Invasive species: The department of agriculture at Penn State University is working on the problem of invasive species, such as marmorated stink bug and spotted wing drosophila, which have recently been detected in Canada. The spotted wing drosophila attacks fruits and berries, including raspberries, blackberries, blueberries strawberries, cherries, plums, peaches and nectarines. The brown marmorated stink bug affects fruit trees, vegetables and legumes, as well as ornamental crops. Monitoring programs are being put in place here to try to determine the extent of the pests, which are native to Asia and can cause severe crop damage. No controls are currently registered in Canada. Safety nets Section chair Mark Wales reported that an announcement with details regarding the Self Directed Risk Management (SDRM) program by Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Carol Mitchell is expected in the second half of June. The Ontario Agricultural Commodity Council is working to establish farmer participation in the Agri-Invest program. Current-
ly, it would appear that less than 80 per cent of farmers are using the program, so this information would help OACC possibly target regions or commodities that are not participating as fully as they could. Research Simcoe Research Station: The Simcoe Research Station is marking its 50th anniversary next month. Section chair Harold Schooley contributed an essay on what is happening with research in Ontario and the future of the Simcoe station to the commemorative booklet. Of the over 100 horticultural crops grown in Ontario, most have been researched in some capacity at Simcoe. Erie Innovation and Commercialization: The goal of this project, headed by Dr. John Kelly, is to find new opportunities for agriculture. Currently, 26 projects are underway. OFVGA is the lead on this project, which is a partnership between different governments, municipalities and organizations. More information is available at www.erieinnovation.com . Royal Agricultural Winter Fair OFVGA Chair Brian Gilroy reported that the Royal is looking to run the farmers’ market again this year. This will be the second year for the farmers’ market at the show and will be in a new location this year with improved exposure. Opportunities also exist to develop new agricultural competitions and displays to showcase Canadian horticulture products to consumers. OFVGA will be booking a booth at the Journey to your Good Health display again this year and renting the space out by the day to its member organizations. This allows member groups a chance to have a presence at the Royal but without having to incur the expense of staffing a booth for the entire 10-day show.
update The OFVGA summer barbecue will take place August 24 in Norfolk County. Tour stops will include the Simcoe Research Station, a lavender and grape operation, a sweet potato farm, and the Naturally Norfolk processing plant. The day will end with a tour and barbecue at Burning Kiln Winery. For more information, contact Deanna Hutton at Deanna@ofvga.org or 519-763-6160, ext. 116. Future of tech transfer Extension plays a key role in agricultural innovation and adaptation and the OFVGA feels it is critical that a certain level of tech transfer expertise is retained within provincial and/or federal governments in Canada. Although private companies undertake a lot of the research and development work in some sectors, horticulture’s diversity means its farmers depend heavily on public sector extension work. As government budgets tighten in order to get deficits under control, there is concern that governments may not replace staff in important tech transfer positions as those positions become vacant. Faces of Farming calendar The OFVGA board agreed to participate in the 2012 Faces of Farming calendar, published annually by AGCare and the Ontario Farm Animal Council. Approximately 7500 copies are printed and distributed to media, politicians, restaurants, and butcher shops, as well as being available for sale at www.ofac.org,TSC stores across Ontario and at select local food shops. The 2010 calendar received extensive media coverage, including television, radio, major urban dailies and many weekly publications. The next board meeting will be held July 21 at the OFVGA office in Guelph starting at 10 a.m.
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PAGE 10 –– JULY 2011 THE GROWER
Long-time grower shares first-time lessons in importing miticide Savings go straight to the bottom line KAREN DAVIDSON Importing crop protection products from the United States under the Grower Requested Own Use (GROU) program could be compared to a race over hurdles. But if you’re in shape like Charles Stevens, the finish line is worth it. The apple and blueberry grower near Newcastle, Ontario and a partner grower saved $30,000 this past spring on a miticide for 500 acres of apple orchards. “The GROU program is really about easing the inequalities in price between Canada and the U.S.,” says Stevens, chair of the OFVGA crop protection section. “The miticide I imported – Agrimek -- was four times more expensive in Canada than across the border. As recently as last December, it was nine times more expensive but the price was lowered likely due to the GROU program. If the product in question is about 20 per cent more expensive, it’s probably not worth the time and effort unless you’re including it in a truckload of other products.” The GROU program has been in effect for about two years now, an outgrowth of the Own-UseImport program which was used primarily by row croppers. Once horticultural growers realized the potential savings, the GROU
program listed eligible products for import. To date, crop protection companies participate voluntarily with products that are at the end of their life cycle. In other words, patents have run out and the companies have already recouped their research and development investments. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), which administers the program, listed 25 products in 2011. A GROU committee nominates and prioritizes products for the program. That committee is comprised of the Grain Growers of Canada, Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canadian Horticultural Council, Pulse Canada, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and AGCare. As a first-timer navigating the application process through the PMRA, Stevens shares some of
“
This process is not something you do on an ASAP basis. I advise spending a day familiarizing yourself with all the rules on the website. -Charles Stevens
his learnings. First, the PMRA opens on-line applications in midJanuary and is supported by staffer Robert Martin. Growers must apply for specific amounts of product for the current year only. The application form requires the number of acres to be sprayed and the rate at which you plan to apply the product.
“This process is not something you do on an ASAP basis,” says Stevens. “I advise spending a day familiarizing yourself with all the rules on the website.” Once Stevens had approval to import, he researched a retailer in New York State who had product to sell. A New York State spray license was required from the state department of environmental conservation in order for the retailer to release the product. This process took some negotiating with the Bureau of Pesticides. For the future, OFVGA’s Craig Hunter is working to have Ontario’s grower pesticide course certificates recognized stateside. Stevens used the GananoqueThousand Island crossing to enter the U.S. with a half-ton truck. A small fee of $10.90 was required for the commercial vehicle to enter. Canadian labels were print-
ed in advance to affix to all the containers for transport back to Canada. The container boxes were covered to prevent any exposure. There is no duty on pesticides crossing the border. The truck must deliver the product directly to the farm. Stevens considers the GROU program a bandaid that eventually won’t be needed in the years to come as joint registrations or even global registrations will lower the cost of crop protection registrations in Canada. “The U.S. is our biggest competitor,” says Stevens. “We need to find ways to have equal input costs.” One wise warning. Don’t consider cost as the only determinant of importing products at the expense of integrated pest management. Rotation in crop chemistry is crucial in stewardship.
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JULY 2011 –– PAGE 11 THE GROWER
‘More air is not better ’: spray expert In mid-season, time is not on your side. But a few last-minute tips from Bernard Panneton may save some costly mistakes on the next orchard trip. He’s a Quebec-based Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada researcher who spoke at last winter’s Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention. Panneton reminds growers that to spray properly, you must move and shake the vegetation to help the spray penetrate the canopy. You must transport spray to the canopy and promote droplet impaction on the plant. Through photos and graphs, Panneton showed how air speed can affect success. “If you go too fast, the less vegetation is exposed to spray,” says Panneton. “Air is useful but too much is counter-productive. Be sure to confine air flow and spray to the target. This requires less air and generates less drift. Reducing air flow is better than low-drift nozzles alone.”
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PAGE 12 –– JULY 2011 THE GROWER
Herbicide drift close to home
DR. JASON S.T. DEVEAU, APPLICATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST Agricultural herbicide drift has the potential to damage neighbouring crops and contaminate sensitive environmental areas
such as open water, but it can also damage gardens and ornamental crops around neighbouring homes. I visited a home where the owner suspected herbicide drift from a nearby farming operation. In this case, the product applied was most likely clomazome, and it was applied less than five days before the homeowner began to notice suspicious discolourations in the gardens. I’m familiar with the principles behind drift, including how far
Improved IPM in nursery production – sprayer workshop Nursery producers interested in optimizing their efforts to control pests and diseases are invited to attend a free hands-on sprayer workshop on how to effectively assess spray equipment, coverage and make applications more efficient. Attendees will receive a workbook package including articles and OMAFRA factsheets describing the techniques demonstrated. Please bring sprayer pressure
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droplets are capable of travelling in the right conditions (see Figure 1), but it was still surprising to see damage behind large obstacles like the home owner’s shed and the house itself. (Figures 1 and 2) What could the spray applicator do to avoid situations like this in the future? They could: • plant a windbreak, • use drift-reducing nozzles, • install drift shields on the boom, • keep the boom height at the lowest, practical distance from the target, • do not spray when wind is unreasonably high or changeable, and • do not spray when prevailing wind is blowing towards sensitive areas, such as residential homes. The importance of good relations between rural and urban neighbours cannot be overstated – they often prevent situations like this from escalating. Think of your neighbours before you spray.
To find out more about pesticide drift, and what to do if you suspect drift damage, consult OMAFRA factsheet 11-001 “Pesticide Drift from Ground Applications” www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cr ops/facts/11-001.htm Left: Figure 1: Potential drift distance of droplets Top: Figure 2: Visual damage to various ornamentals and weeds Drift-reducing air curtain on a field sprayer.
JULY 2011 –– PAGE 13 THE GROWER
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NEW TURBO-MIST SPRAYERS - VARIETY OF MODELS IN STOCK LOW DRIFT SPRAY TOWERS to fit any TURBO-MIST - IN STOCK NOW Turbo-Mist 600 gal. Narrow, New Centrifugal Pump . . . . . . . . . $12,950 Turbo-Mist 500 gal, Narrow, Hydraulic Controls, Used 40 Hrs . . . $16,900 Turbo-Mist 400 gal, Big 30” Fan, Almost New . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,500 Wilspray 200 Gal Stainless, Adjustable Outlets Bush Hog 3210 HD Rotary Mower, New Blades, Nice Cond . . . $5,900 Perfect ZA380, Kick Wheel, All New Blades (2005) ... . . . . . . . $5,700 Seppi 200 Flail Mower, Cut Grass or Mulch Prunings. . . . . . . . $5,500 Apple Bin Carriers Tandem Axle, Narrow, Low Profile - Used (Different Models and Prices) New Perfect H.D. Flail Mulchers in Stock New Myers Centrifugal Sprayer Pumps in Stock ** Turbo-Mist Parts & Service Available 7 Days/Week (in Season) - Call Ahead ** ** 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
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.
NURSERY AND ROOTSTOCK
Pipe & Fittings 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. 489 Main St. W., Grimsby, ON. L3M 1T4
Phone (905) 945-8515 Fax: (905) 945-1149
The best producing orchards start with exceptional trees. Apples Apricots Cherries Nectarines Peaches Plums
or call toll-free
Quality Fruit Trees for 60 years. Mori Nurseries
1-800-361-8515
1695 Niagara Stone Rd., RR#2 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S1J0 T: 905-468-3217 F: 905-468-7271 Email: fruittrees@morinurseries.com
SPRAYERS FOR SALE 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 $$
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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
GARDNER ORCHARDS RR 1, 205786 Hwy 266 W, Meaford, ON N4L 1W5 519-538-3701 email: rogard2002@yahoo.ca
ORCHARD EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 3,000 PLYWOOD PEELER OR JUICE BINS 2003 NEW HOLLAND TN95, CAB, 5,000 HOURS 2003 NEW HOLLAND TN95, CAB, 5,000 HOURS FRONT PTO WITH LELY 9 FT DISC MOWER & LUCKNOW SNOW BLOWER 2007 NEW HOLLAND TN75 DA, CAB, WET CLUTCH 2007 NEW HOLLAND TN75 DA, CAB, WET CLUTCH ALO 820 TL SELF LEVEL LOADER, FORKS AND DUMPER 2006 AIR-O-FAN DIESEL SPRAYER, RAVEN CONTROLS, 125 HP JOHN DEERE 1986 FMC CP 4000 DIESEL SPRAYER, RAVEN CONTROLS 1980 FMC TWO ROW GARLIC HARVESTOR FELCO BATTERY PACK PRUNER 2001 FORD 10 PASSENGER VAN 4 ARTHUR 6 BIN, TANDEM AXLE BIN CARRIERS 1 5 BIN SINGLE AXLE BIN CARRIER-TAKES PLASTIC BINS BAUER TRAVELER IRRIGATION WITH NELSON BIG GUN AND PUMP 1987 BEZZERINI FERT. SPREADER, FIBERGLASS, WILL SPREAD, BAND 1 OR 2 ROWS 1987 BEZZEWRINI FERT. SPREADER, FIBERGLASS, WILL BAND 1 - 2 ROWS 50 HP PTO GENERATOR / 2 BIN ROTATORS GEHL FORAGE WAGON, NEW HOLLAND CROP CHOPPER
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PAGE 14 –– JULY 2011 THE GROWER
MARKETPLACE
To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 BIRD REPELLERS
CONTAINERS
Produce Pr odu uce P Packaging ackaging
LLOYD BAG CO. (www.lloydbag.com)
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BIRD REPELLERS GREAT EAGLE (44” wingspan) $99.95 BLACK EAGLE (26” wingspan) $59.95 BLACKHAWK (13” wingspan) $29.95
TREE WRAP / LINERS / SHEETS WOVEN POLYPROPYLENE PAPER 1-800-265-2397 • www.wwp.on.ca Mount Forest 519-323-1060 • Leamington Area 519-326-2394
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MARK ALLOTT General Manager
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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
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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
EQUIPMENT CALL ABE FIRST FOR BETTER PRICES, MORE CHOICES, FAST, AND FRIENDLY SERVICE. BUY A DIESEL ENGINE FROM THE DIESEL MECHANIC.
AVAILABLE NOW NEW IRRIGATION PUMP UNITS ON TRAILER
LOUTH & NIAGARA ORCHARDS
• 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
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: • Baskets • Masters • Fertilizer • Vineyard Trellis Supplies
• Berry Boxes • Waxed Cartons • Crop Protection Material
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
EQUIPMENT
JULY 2011 –– PAGE 15 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 for fo or $11,000)
866-HAYGROVE 8 66-HAYG YGROVE haygrove.com h aygrove.com tun tunnelbuzz.com nnelbuzz.com
OFA OF FA # 1741 and Far W West est e # 3058
IRRIGATION
PLUG TRAYS CLASSIFIEDS BIN DUMPER FOR SALE: Capable of handling bins from 24”‘ - 48” high. Self contained hydraulics. Good condition, $3,500. Call 905-628-5455. Tunnel forced air cooling system. Quick cool sweet corn or palleted produce. Asking $3,500. Call 519-443-8254
Advertise your business in Canada’s most popular agriculture newspaper! Call Herb Sherwood 519-380-0118
PAGE 16 –– JULY 2011 THE GROWER
Symptoms of Phytophthora in berry crops PAM FISHER, BERRY CROP SPECIALIST AND MICHAEL CELETTI, PLANT PATHOLOGIST, HORTICULTURE CROPS PROGRAM LEAD Heavy rains, standing water, surface water flowing across the fields: these are conditions which favour the soil-borne water-mold pathogen Phytophthora. This pathogen can infect crowns and fruit on strawberries. Watch for these symptoms after the wild and wet conditions experienced in May 2011. Red stele of strawberries: When Phytophthora fragariae attacks roots, the root hairs rot away leaving rat-tail symptoms. Roots sliced lengthwise will have a red core but the outer core of the root is white. Plants are stunted and sometimes turn a bluish green before turning reddish and eventually wilting. Often severely infected plants collapse during fruit development when the demand for nutrients and water from the compromised roots is greatest. Watch for this problem to also show up in fall and spring, from infections this year. Phytophthora crown rot in strawberries: Brunswick, Jewel and Cavendish appear to be especially susceptible to Phytophthora crown rot. The problem is often worse in plasticulture, or where surface water flows through a field. Plants are stunted and eventually collapse. Sometimes smaller branch crowns develop at the base of the infected crown; these are weaker and rarely productive.
Red stele in the root of strawberry
Leather rot in strawberries: When Phytophthora spore sacks or zoospores (swimming spores) are splashed onto flower clusters or fruit, leather rot can set in. Blossom clusters turn brown and die back. Green fruit develop patches of brown discolouration. Infections on ripening fruit appear as dull discoloured areas on the fruit, with a foul odour and taste. Straw mulch really helps prevent this disease. Expect problems where the straw has floated away, because exposed soil can be splashed onto the blossom clusters and fruit.
When the crown is sliced open, reddish discolouration marbled through the white crown tissue is a typical symptom. Anthracnose crown rot has symptoms similar to those caused by Phytophthora, and both diseases should be confirmed by laboratory tests.
Typical leaf symptom from Phytophthora infection
back, and leaves turn reddish and dry. Root growth is poor, and root tips become necrotic and brown. Products registered for control of Phytophthora in berry crops include Aliette and Ridomil. Use these products for diseases listed on the label. Aliette WDG: This product is systemic, moving up and down in the plant. It is taken up by plant foliage, and helps to protect the roots and crown from Phytophthora, but it does not kill the pathogen. Apply twice in spring, to foliage, when there is enough growth for uptake. Apply twice in fall, when soils are wet and cool (usually SeptemberOctober). Apply at intervals of approx 14-30 days as specified on the label. Use of Aliette WDG on berry crops Crop
Labelled for:
Days to harvest Max # (phi) sprays/yr
Strawberries
Red stele
30 days phi
Max 4 sprays
Raspberries
Phytophthora 60 days phi root rot Pythium root rot Phytophthora 1 day phi root rot
Max 4 sprays
Blackberries Blueberries
Leather rot on strawberry fruit. Photo courtesy Mike Ellis, Ohio State University
Phytophthora crown rot in strawberries
Phytophthora causes reddish discolouration on raspberry crowns, and is visible when bark is scraped away
Phytophthora crown rot in raspberries: Primocanes suddenly wilt. On fruiting canes, leaves turn yellowish between the veins then brown and dry. Entire canes collapse. Crowns show reddish
Max 4 sprays
Ridomil Gold, 480 SL: This product is also systemic, but moves primarily up in the plant. It is important to apply it as a drench to the soil and roots. It is toxic to Phytophthora and works because it kills this pathogen, unless resistance has developed from over use. Do not apply in spring before harvest to established raspberries or strawberries. Make fall applications in September and October, when soils are wet and cool. Use of Ridomil Gold 480 SL on berry crops Crop
Labelled for:
Strawberries Red stele
Days to harvest (phi)
Max # sprays/yr
Do not apply before Max 2 sprays harvest Do not apply before Max 2 sprays harvest
Raspberries Phytophthora root rot Blackberries Pythium root rot Blueberries Phytophthora 80 days root rot
Max 1 sprays
For resistance management it is best to apply Aliette in the spring and Ridomil in the fall.
brown discolouration when bark is scraped away at soil level. Phytophthora root rot causes sudden die back of fruiting canes Phytophthora crown rot in blueberries: Foliage on canes may turn yellowish, and growth is poor. Eventually entire canes die
OBGA season wrap-up and farm tour: Sept 14 The Ontario Berry Growers’ Association will hold their annual twilight meeting and get-together at Jennen Market, near Thamesville, September 14, 2011. This meeting is traditionally a time to get together with other growers and share stories from the season. The farm tour will feature high tunnel production of strawberries and raspberries. For more information, please contact the Ontario Berry Growers Association: 613-258-4587 or info@ontarioberries.com
JULY 2011 –– PAGE 17 THE GROWER
Tank mixes: labelled versus unlabelled DENISE BEATON, CROP PROTECTION PROGRAM LEAD, OMAFRA There can be benefits to tank mixing pest control products. You can save time and fuel with fewer trips over the crop with the sprayer. You may be able to control more pests. Also, it may be a good resistance management or integrated pest management strategy. Many pest control product labels have directions for tank mixing two or more products together. These labelled tank mixes were reviewed by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and determined to be acceptable and to have value. But what about unlabelled tank mixes? Some growers want to apply tank mixes
that do not appear on the product labels. It wasn’t clear whether growers were allowed to apply these unlabelled tank mixes. In October 2009, the PMRA clarified their position regarding the use of unlabelled tank mixes of commercial class pest control products used for crop production and vegetation management. According to the PMRA, growers can apply unlabelled tank mixes, subject to the following conditions: 1. Each tank mix partner is registered for use in Canada on the crop being sprayed, including genetically modified crops. 2. Use an adjuvant only when required by one of the tank mix partner labels. 3. The application timings of all tank mix partners are compatible with regards to crop and pest staging. 4. You follow the directions on the label
(for example, Directions for Use, Precautions, Buffer Zones, etc.). In cases where information on the tank mix partner labels differs between them, the most restrictive directions must be followed. 5. Do not mix products if one of the tank mix partners' labels says you should not mix these products together. 6. The use of the tank mix provides additional value to the user (for example, increased scope of pests controlled, contributes to resistance management or integrated pest management, cost- or time-savings). Be aware that any person who recommends or applies an unlabelled tank mix is responsible for what happens. They are doing this at their own risk and are liable, since this tank mix has not been reviewed
by the PMRA. Some negative results that could result from using unlabelled tank mixes are: • reduced control of the targeted pest(s) • crop injury Ensure that tank mix partners are compatible (mix well together). Do not use products together if you see separation, coagulation, gelling or curdling when they are mixed. You can direct any questions on unlabelled tank mixes of commercial class pest control products used in agriculture to the PMRA’s Pest Management Information Service: • By phone: 1-800-267-6315 (within Canada) or 613-736-3799 (outside of Canada) • By email: pmra_infoserv@hc-sc.gc.ca
Management of spotted wing drosophila (SWD) in Ontario The spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is a new invasive vinegar fly that attacks soft-skinned fruits. Monitoring for adult SWD is underway at more than 50 sites in major production areas in Ontario where susceptible crops are grown. So far, in Ontario, only one fly was detected in November 2010, and none have been reported in 2011. Watch OMAFRA resources such as the Berry Bulletin and the Hort Matters newsletter for updates on activity of this pest across Ontario. If SWD does show up in your area, it is important to keep populations low with good management practices. Cultural controls can help reduce breeding sites that contribute to season-long populations. By preventing large populations of SWD from building up in and around your fields, you may reduce the risk of
Cull piles are a good place for fruit flies to build up quickly. Unmarketable fruit should be buried to a depth of 30 cm. extensive damage to your crops. Consider the following practices as part of an integrated pest
management strategy. 1. Management of alternative host plants in surrounding habitat:
Conference call. Have you considered how the hygiene practices of your workers can directly impact the safety of the food you produce? Do you wonder what’s involved or even where to begin with a food safety program? Get the answers to these and any other questions you may have about on-farm food safety programs, during a lunch hour food safety conference call for the Berry Growers, held on Tuesday, July 19th, 2011 @ 12 noon – 1pm. On-farm food safety specialists will be joining the conference call to provide answers and support to you for your questions about farm food safety. For more information regarding the Conference Call, please contact Colleen Haskins at 519-826-3289, colleen.haskins@ontario.ca
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remove fruiting alternative hosts such as blackberry, raspberry, blueberry and wild cherry from areas near crops to reduce feeding and breeding sites for SWD. Alternative hosts could be controlled by cutting plants down enough to prevent fruiting. 2. Sanitation: Where practical, remove or bury cull fruit to eliminate additional SWD feeding and breeding sites. Bury fruit to a depth of more than 30 cm, or solarize cull piles by covering with plastic and sealing the edges. Crushing any fallen fruit will help promote their dessication and may reduce their attractiveness as breeding sites. Keep equipment and processing areas free of old fruit. 3. Timely harvest: shorten picking interval where possible. Pick
early, clean and often. If SWD adult flies are present in your area when soft fruit is ripening, additional control measures may be required. Several insecticides have been registered through the emergency use registration program for 2011. For more information on SWD management, contact the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs: Hannah Fraser, Entomology Horticulture Program Lead (905) 562-1674, Hannah.fraser@ontario.ca Margaret Appleby, IPM Systems Specialist, (613) 475-5850, Margaret.appleby@ontario.ca Pam Fisher, Berry Crop Specialist, (519) 426-2238, pam.fisher@ontario.ca
Heat stress guidelines The Ministry of Labour has revised heat guidelines as of May 2011. This guideline is intended to assist employers, workers and other workplace parties in understanding heat stress, and in developing and implementing policies to prevent heat stress-related illness in the workplace. Heat stress can happen when hot, humid conditions and physical activity overcomes your body’s natural cooling system. You might suffer cramps and fainting, or even serious heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat stroke can kill quickly. www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/gl_heat.php www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/topics/heatstress.php
PAGE 18 –– JULY 2011 THE GROWER
MINOR USE CRAIG’S COMMENTS
Did we really need to lose them?
CRAIG HUNTER OFVGA I had a very sad document pass across my desk this week. It outlined the loss of a great many ‘old friends’ that I had come to rely on in the past. Starting back in the 1960s, and up to the present day, these friends have helped me (and you) deal with crises, calamities, outbreaks of disease, insects and weeds, and other horrible fates worse than death. In my career I have sold them, used them, recommended their use to others, developed educational programs to instill good practice in their use, dealt with various pieces of legislation that sought to eliminate or minimize their use and have encouraged and even conducted research to further the benefits they could provide. All for nought! It is hard to reconcile the loss of almost 100 pesticide active ingredients, on the basis of a need for much more new data to meet
a new standard, when the actual evidence of real-life use patterns of decades in some cases, would show a dearth of reasons to do so. In my mind’s eye, there is nothing wrong with asking for data when we know nothing about a new active. It takes years of actual use to learn some things about an active whereas lab work can expedite the knowledge curve. However, when we have had that knowledge curve already based on real-life situations, why do we need to spend millions of dollars to develop new data to prove a self-evident truth? Why do we need to employ thousands of scientist hours to further review this data? Is there not a better way? Any ‘model’ used to predict a real-life condition is only as good as the data used to develop it and the data plugged in to get the prediction. However, a thorough review of real-life situational data can do it better, and be less likely to be manipulated to get the results that someone wants to portray! I have a huge problem when the conservatism inherent in these models gets multiplied by another conservative estimate, times another… you get the picture! The estimate becomes so deeply mired in unreal numbers that nothing resembles the reality! Most of the products being lost are because the company that owns them cannot make a business case to spend the money for
the new data when the product is already generic, and there is no reasonable way to get a payback from the current marketplace. There is often no actual proof of harm when using the product as it has been used for many years. New staff with a different perspective (world-wide) with new standards and new ideas have created what would appear at first blush to be a ‘better’ and ‘safer’ set of regulations that may in fact have made things worse, if a full cost accounting were to be done! The new standards may not and likely can not show a ‘safer’ regime of pesticide use will result in betterment of the health of humans and the environment. What can be shown is that successful reductions in overall pesticide use in many crops that we have achieved will go out the window! Furthermore, pest resistance has and will continue to accelerate as we are forced to use more focused actives with a much narrower mode of action. This in turn will necessitate the use of more products more often than the older broad spectrum ones that are being lost. Furthermore, the residual activity of products that was sought for the very reason that it did provide longer lasting effect has now become almost verboten in development labs for fear they cannot pass the new data requirements. Long lasting effective treatments mean less exposure to applicators, they
mean less total applications (saving at least $30 per acre in costs per application alone) plus the assurance that bad weather later on will not mean the loss of control if the spray window for a subsequent spray is delayed. There are already too many myths that have become endemic in the system. One seems to be that granular insecticides are all ‘bad.’ This is patently NOT true, but virtually all of them are now gone. Another seems to be that soil fumigants must be bad for the water system, yet in routine testing (not of known spill sites) they just do not show up. (Maybe because gases rise through the soil, not migrate downward as a large volume of liquid might if a spill does occur.) The other opposite thesis is that all ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ products must be inherently safe, and should need little or no oversight before they are used. The fact is that some of these are of a much greater toxicity that so-called synthetics! Another consideration that does not seem to get much shrift is the effect of pesticide education and training. Our growers are professionals, and prove it by taking these courses. The ‘bad old days’ when there was virtually no education available, and labels had little or no information on personal protective gear are long gone. Products can be used safely today that may have been a problem in the past simply because knowl-
edge was lacking. It seems that while growers have moved onward and upward in their sophistication and responsibility when using pesticides, “Big Brother” continues to assume that they cannot be allowed to continue to use (safely) those products that they have been using for many years. None of this will bring back these old friends. Companies have been forced to drop them and are unlikely to reprise them even if the regulators had a change of heart. When we see a pest issue in the future that could have been solved easily and cheaply in the past, we will remember these old friends and mourn their passing. I can recall how Prof. Harold Goble at the Ontario Agricultural College used to teach us about the value of the organo-chlorine insecticides and other products dating back to the 1920s. They were already on the way out thenmostly because of resistance. Now their replacements are also almost all gone too. The pests on the other hand are here to stay, and we are getting new ones free across international borders, that threaten our livelihoods. Where will the next generation of growers find help to control these pests when they too lose what they have come to rely upon, if the data requirements eliminate all the good controls before we ever see them? Good-bye old friends!
Tracking grape pests This summer, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting two grape pest surveys in British Columbia and Ontario. According to Charles Lemmon, CFIA horticulture specialist, the first survey is to determine the possible presence in Canada of grapevine virus A, a regulated virus for Canada. CFIA first detected the virus in a sample of grapevines imported in 2009 from Pépiniére Guillaume Nursery in France. The objective is to obtain representative leaf samples from plants that were imported from this nursery, specifically those grafted on rootstock 3309 cl 144. This is the rootstock that was carrying the plant found to be infected with this virus and originated from one of a small number of source nursery blocks in France. The CFIA’s inspection staff will be working with grapevine importers and growers to specifically locate blocks of these
imported plants. The second survey is a more general trapping survey of some commercial vineyards and other grape growing sites for early detection of the European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana. To date, this pest has been found in California. However, CFIA is keeping vigilance for any signs of introduction to Canada. The survey will be limited to areas that have a climate considered warm enough to support the insect through its life cycle. Grapevine moth
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JULY 2011 –– PAGE 19 THE GROWER
MINOR USE
Insecticide label expanded to control swede midge JIM CHAPUT, OMAFRA, MINOR USE COORDINATOR, GUELPH The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of an URMULE registration for Movento 240SC Insecticide for control of swede midge on Brassica vegetables, crop group 5 in Canada. The active ingredient spirotetramat was already labeled on a wide range of vegetables,
fruits and field crops. The minor use project for swede midge on Brassica vegetables was sponsored by the Minor Use office of OMAFRA in 2010 as a result of minor use priorities established by growers and extension personnel. Swede midge has been a devastating new pest of Brassica crops in Canada in recent years. This minor use label expansion for Movento 240SC insecticide is a significant step towards developing an improved
pest management toolkit for this pest in Canada. The following is provided as a general outline only. Users should consult the complete label before using Movento 240SC insecticide. For swede midge on Brassica vegetables (including broccoli, broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, cavalo broccolo, Chinese broccoli (gai lon), Chinese mustard cabbage (gai choy), collards, kale, kohlrabi, mizuna, mustard greens,
rape greens) Movento 240SC insecticide can be used for control of swede midge at a rate of 220 – 365 mL per ha applied in a minimum of 500 L water per ha. The label also recommends the addition of a spray adjuvant such as a non-ionic adjuvant, methylated seed oil or horticultural oil. Begin applications when swede midge are first noticed. Reapply when monitoring indicates it is necessary but do not apply more than once every seven days.
Do not apply more than 730 mL per ha per year and do not apply within one day of harvest for Brassica vegetables. Movento 240SC insecticide should be used in an integrated pest management program and in rotation with other management strategies to adequately manage resistance. Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Movento 240SC insecticide label carefully.
Dry bulb onion growers receive emergency use for thrips The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of an emergency use registration for Delegate WG Insecticide (spinetoram) for control of onion thrips on dry bulb onions in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta. Delegate WG Insecticide was already labeled in Canada for control of several insect pests on a range of crops. Furthermore a complete minor use submission is under review to seek eventual, full registration of Delegate for thrips control on dry bulb onions in Canada. Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci (Lindeman) are a pest of onions around the world. In Canada, it is considered a key pest wherever onions are grown and the number one pest of onions in most provinces. Various life stages of onion thrips actively feed on onion leaves, reducing photosynthesis, reducing plant vigour and yield, and vector and transmit Iris Yellow Spot Virus (IYSV). In the U.S onion thrips were ranked as the number one pest requiring urgent attention due to lack of effective solutions at the 2005 U.S. IR-4 Food Use workshop. Rapid resistance development to all available, registered materials has become widespread in North America and around the world. Delegate WG Insecticide was identified as a viable solution to help manage onion thrips. There have been no new products registered in Canada for onion thrips management in several years and control failures continue to increase. The emergency use registration of Delegate WG will help in the interim to manage resistant thrips populations; however management of onion thrips will require a comprehensive IPM and resistance management program with access to all available tools and strategies. The following is provided as general information only. Users should consult the complete label before using Delegate WG. Delegate WG Insecticide can be used for control of onion thrips in dry bulb onions in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Alberta until October 31st, 2011 only. Delegate WG can be applied at a rate of 200 – 336 grams product per hectare in 300
– 500 litres of water per hectare. A maximum of three applications per year is permitted at a seven – 10 day interval. A three-day preharvest interval is permitted. Follow all other directions for
use on the Delegate WG insecticide label carefully. DelegateWG Insecticide should be used in an IPM program and in rotation with other management strategies to ade-
WHERE FARMERS MEET ™
CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW 2011 TILLAGE FOR CORN STALKS DEMOS FORAGE HARVESTING DEMO LELY & DELAVAL ROBOTIC MILKING DEMOS NEW LOCATION FOR SPRAYER DEMOS BIOMASS DEMONSTRATION PLOTS BIOGAS EXHIBITS AND DEMOS GROBER YOUNG ANIMAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE • Featuring Daily Calf Technology Demos NEW PASTURE/GRAZING DEMOS LOCATION WOODLOT EXPO CANADIAN ENERGY EXPO • Presented by Ag Energy Co-operative
quately manage resistance. For copies of the emergency use label contact Marion Paibomesai, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-4963, Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-
3539 or visit Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. website at www.dowagro.com/ca
“ Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show offers a wide variety of agricultural products and that diversity makes it worthwhile to revisit time and time again!” Ken and Jim Hanes
Hanes Farms, Copetown ON
39,200 ATTENDEES
715 EXHIBITORS 2010 SHOW STATS
PAGE 20 –– JULY 2011 THE GROWER
MINOR USE
Emulsifiable mineral oil controls vector for PVY virus in potatoes JIM CHAPUT, OMAFRA, MINOR USE COORDINATOR, GUELPH The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion for Bartlett Superior 70 OIL and UAP Superior 70 Oil (mineral oil) as a foliar spray for potatoes to reduce the spread of PVY (potato virus Y) which is vectored to potatoes by aphids. Superior 70 Oil was already labeled in Canada as a dormant season treatment on
fruit trees and blueberries and as a summer season treatment for selected ornamentals and rutabagas. The minor use projects for potatoes were jointly sponsored by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFC-PMC) and the minor use office of OMAFRA in 2010 in response to minor use priorities identified by producers and extension personnel in Canada. Research work to support this registration was carried out by several organizations and
researchers in different provinces including PEI, New Brunswick, Quebec and Manitoba over the past several years. Management of aphid vectors of PVY on potatoes has been a high priority item for a number of years and the registration of Superior 70 Oil will provide producers with an effective and useful pest management tool. The following is provided as general information only. Users should first consult their crop extension specialists for precise timing and application informa-
tion and then review the complete label before using Superior 70 Oil. : since not all potato varieties have been tested for tolerance to Superior 70 Oil, first use of Superior 70 Oil should be limited to a small area of each variety to confirm tolerance prior to adoption as a general field practice. Superior 70 Oil can be used on potatoes as a foliar spray at a rate of 10 L product per ha. Apply in sufficient water volume to ensure thorough coverage. Apply at a concentration of 1% (10 L of
product per 1000 L water) in an application volume of 1000 L water per ha. Spray at one week intervals as soon as aphid vectors are present. A maximum of 10 applications is permitted with a 14 days to harvest interval. Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Superior 70 Oil label carefully. Superior 70 Oil should be used in an IPM program and in rotation with other management strategies to adequately manage resistance.
Proline fungicide now registered for lowbush blueberries Lowbush (wild) blueberry growers in Canada finally have a
new fungicide for control of costly leaf diseases, with the registra-
tion of Proline fungicide. Proline was recently registered through
the User Requested Minor Use Label Expansion program, result-
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Early Blight · Late Blight For multiple disease problems, you need a multi-action tool. Potato growers need a fungicide that controls more than one tough disease. Gavel® 75 DF is the perfect Multi-Action tool for the job. Gavel controls early blight and late blight with multiple modes of action that work together to protect your crop and reduce chance of disease resistance.
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Gavel® is a registered trademark trademark of Gowan Company, Company, L.L.C. PCPA PCP PA Reg No. 26842. 2 Always read read and follow label directions..
ing from collaborative efforts between growers, researchers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Pest Management Centre, Pest Management Regulatory Agency and Bayer CropScience. “Lowbush blueberry growers now have an effective option to help protect against economically important diseases in the vegetative (sprout) year,” says David Kikkert, Portfolio Manager, Horticulture with Bayer CropScience. Proline, a Group 3 fungicide, is registered to help Canadian growers protect their lowbush blueberry crop against blueberry rust and Septoria leaf spot. These leaf diseases typically occur mid season during the vegetative year, causing early leaf drop and depleting the plant’s reserves for developing floral buds for the next season’s crops. “In the last 10 years, we’ve seen an increase in these two leaf diseases that cause the bulk of damage to wild blueberry crops,” says Dr. David Percival, Wild Blueberry Research Chair at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Percival has been conducting trial work with Proline in the Maritime provinces since 2008 and says: “The registration of Proline has really improved the growth and development of wild blueberry crops, and growers are seeing more consistent and increased yields. This is an excellent new tool for the wild blueberry industry.” As with many specialty crop products, the registration of Proline is the result of collaboration and coordination through the User Requested Minor Use Label Expansion program. Percival specifically credits Nova Scotia blueberry technical advisor Gary Brown and Bayer CropScience’s Andrew Dornan for helping jumpstart the minor use registration process. Proline is also registered on many other crops. Consult the Proline product label for complete application rates and recommendations at BayerCropScience.ca. Source: Bayer news release