CELEBRATING 133 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION
JULY 2013
VOLUME 63 NUMBER 07
URBAN SHADOW
Ditch the miles – it’s minutes to market that count KAREN DAVIDSON A 100-mile diet doesn’t easily translate into a 60-minute highway to market within the Greater Toronto Area. Increasingly, this is the challenge as growers navigate stop-and-go traffic to compete with air cargo delivering imported produce onto the tarmac, minutes from cold storage near Toronto’s international airport. The last mile is the longest mile for perishables. Ironically though, consumers right outside the front door are a conundrum. Just ask strawberry growers John and Laura Hughes who can see Toronto’s CN tower on a clear day from their farm on the Niagara escarpment. One million customers live within 30 minutes of their gate at Springridge Farm west of Milton, Ontario, but they say that such a mind-boggling number is both opportunity and threat. Population density has changed how the farm operates. In the last five years, the Hughes’ noticed decreasing strawberry volumes picked from the field in favour of more robust ready-pick sales. The decision? Last year, they closed their 12 pick-yourown acres for the first time in 30 years and just maintained 6.5 acres for fresh sales through their retail outlet. The change was communicated through social media and their website, and
INSIDE N.S. strawberry fields under virus alert Page 4 Global competition challenges greenhouse industry Page 6
Beware potato psyllids
Page 13
www.thegrower.org P.M. 40012319 $3.00 CDN
Increasing urban pressures on horticultural land will be unrelenting in the years to come, raising questions about how to square local-food policies with transit plans that reward commuters in the suburbs. In this photo of Springridge Farm, it’s clear to see the encroachment of the town of Milton at the base of the Niagara escarpment. The burgeoning population of 100,000 is only a fraction of what can be seen on a clear day looking toward the skyline of Toronto. Owners John and Laura Hughes estimate that one million people are within a 30-minute drive of their strawberry farm. Photos by Glenn Lowson. although customer volume plunged by 40 per cent, with their bakery, gift and play areas taking a huge hit, they had read the market correctly. By the end of last July, Springridge Farms’s bottom line had gone up. “Right sizing the farm was the right move,” says John Hughes. “It took a huge number of staff to manage the pick-your-own operation from tractor drivers to field monitors. We may have less revenue, but we also have fewer expenses.” Preserving strawberries is a lot easier than preserving the farm under an urban shadow. In Ontario, horticulture is particularly at risk with tender fruit, grapes, apples and market vegetables all within miles of the metropolis. As Springridge Farm shows, local food can be a stone’s throw away, but that doesn’t mean it’s available in a way that engages today’s convenience-driven consumer. The province’s proposed Local
“
We need long-term
planning with regional councils and
municipalities, with infill first, growing up and not out. The Greenbelt is doing what it’s supposed to – protecting against sprawl. We need infrastructure to get in and out of the Greater Toronto Area.” ~ Keith Currie
Food Act promises added moral support for local produce in institutions, yet the concrete task of transporting produce to either the Ontario Food Terminal or Toronto-area grocery warehouses becomes onerous with increasingly clogged highway arteries. While high-occupancy transit lanes reward commuters, the concept of high-value commerce lanes might prove a better stimulus for Ontario’s economy. There’s a disconnect between provincial plans for more population growth – up to two million more people in the Greater Toronto Area by 2030 – and the loss of 100,000 farm acres producing local foods. How will premier Kathleen Wynne reconcile her ambitious transit plans for commuters – reinforcing urban sprawl – with the need to grow and transport local food to market? In a media scrum at a recent agriculture event, she told The Grower that the province needs to encourage growth while
balancing competing needs. With the premier personally taking responsibility for the agriculture and food portfolio as well, there’s a sense that urban and rural issues may not be treated as silos, but rather interconnected to the overall economy. These thorny issues will soon be debated as part of the Greenbelt Review slated for 2015. Stakeholders are already gearing up according to Keith Currie, Ontario Federation of Agriculture. “We need long-term planning with regional councils and municipalities,” says Currie, “with infill first - growing up and not out. The Greenbelt is doing what it’s supposed to – protecting against sprawl. We need infrastructure to get in and out of the Greater Toronto Area. Agriculture has remained a strong economic driver throughout the recession. It’s the connector to jobs and that’s what perks up the ears of politicians.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
PAGE 2 –– JULY 2013 THE GROWER
AT PRESS TIME‌ Hail, breached dikes hit Holland Marsh A two-minute hail storm took out thousands of acres of mixed crops in the marsh polder areas north of the Holland Marsh, including more than 100 acres of tender Asian greens just days
NEWSMAKERS
but drainage superintendant Frank Jonkman Jr. doesn’t rule out other contributing factors. He was able to mobilize heavy equipment from the Holland Marsh Drainage Improvement project for emergency repairs in the hopes of preventing the collapse of other area dikes. The disaster signals greater need to move quickly on a longer-term solution for the Holland Marsh Drainage project.
Wells assessed for permit-to-take-water group study
before harvest. No crop insurance is available for growers who are highly encouraged to produce these sought-after vegetables. To add insult to injury, the privately-constructed Horlings dike broke for the second time in three weeks on June 16 flooding 190 acres of carrots, onions and beets. With these crops under an average of six feet of water, preliminary estimates range up to $2 million in damages, according to Jamie Reaume, executive director, Holland Marsh Growers’ Association. The town of Bradford West Gwillimbury declared a state of emergency so that farmers may be eligible for provincial disaster assistance. Water levels have been higher than normal in the Lake Simcoe and Holland River. Abnormal rainfall combined with high winds put pressure on the dike,
Hydrogeological assessments for groundwater takings are currently underway in the Leamington, Ontario area for members of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers. This study is supported by OMAFRA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance and Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA). Under the provincial Water Resources Act, any taking of water in excess of 50,000 liters per day requires a Permit to Take Water issued by the ministry of the environment. This group study is eliminating duplication of data and reducing the economic burden to individual growers by anywhere from $8,000 and $20,000 for each permit. “In total, we are currently working with 25 greenhouses and are happy to accommodate as many as we can,� reports George Shearer, water specialist,
OFVGA. Since the current generic permit for testing expires on July 31, he is encouraging others to join. “If you need a permit to take water, we can help.� Contact George Shearer at water@ofvga.org
Agricultural Risk Management Initiatives announced The federal government has announced up to $15 million for the launch of a new Growing Forward 2 program to encourage the development and adoption of new private sector or producerfunded agricultural risk management tools. The AgriRisk Initiatives program will facilitate industryled research and development, as well as implementation and administration of new insurancebased tools for use in the agriculture, agri-food and agri-products sector. AgriRisk Initiatives (ARI) projects are intended to foster greater collaboration and partnership between agricultural stakeholder groups and the private sector, and to increase participation of the private sector financial services industry in providing risk management tools to the agricultural sector. Applications for ARI research and development (R&D) project funding are now being accepted. CONTINUED BELOW
experts Top -notch seeds
A team of
Congratulations to Phil Tregunno, chair, board of directors and staff of Vineland Growers’ Cooperative Limited for the staging of their 100th anniversary event at the farm of Howard Staff and Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery, Jordan, Ontario. Almost one thousand growers and industry stakeholders attended the June 15 barbeque, including premier and agriculture and food minister Kathleen Wynne. Other dignitaries included Tim Hudak, leader of the provincial Conservatives, (Niagara WestGlanbrook), environment minister Tom Bradley (St. Catharines) and MPP Kim Craitor (Niagara Falls). Right: Premier and agriculture and food minister Kathleen Wynne (L) offers a congratulatory plaque to chair Phil Tregunno and president Mike Ecker.
Photo by Brian McNair
Waterdown greenhouse grower Jan VanderHout is the new chair of The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance (TOGA) which represents both vegetable and floral greenhouse producers on critical issues. He takes over the role from RÊjean Picard, who just completed a fiveyear term. VanderHout is currently vice-chair of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers as well as a director of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association. In British Columbia, Premier Christy Clark will seek to win a seat in Westside-Kelowna in a byelection July 10. The announcement was made at Quail’s Gate Winery, owned by B.C. MLA Ben Stewart who stepped aside for the premier. Pat Pimm is the new agriculture minister. The Fort St. John native was first elected as a Liberal MLA for Peace River North in 2009. The premier has tasked him with giving a high profile to local B.C. agri-food products, leveraging export opportunities to Asia and encouraging sales of B.C. wine to other Canadian provinces. Lianne Wand, manager of marketing and communications, has left the Canadian Produce Marketing Association to pursue opportunities as an independent consultant in Ottawa. Bayer Inc has recognized Martin Gooch, CEO of VCM International and director of the Value Chain Management Centre with an award for his contribution to Food Chain Partnership. He was one of 21 Canadians recognized in science and innovation. In receiving the award, Gooch also acknowledged his colleagues Nicole Marenick, Dan Laplain and Abdel Felfel and the support received from the George Morris Centre.
REPRESENTATIVES
------------------------North & South shores of Montreal Michel Gratton Tel.: 450.781.6045 Fax : 450.682.4959 Gilliane Bisson Tel. : 450.781.6049 Fax : 450.682.4959 ------------------------Central, Eastern Quebec & Atlantic Provinces Yves Thibault, agr. Tel. : 418.660.1498 Fax : 418.666.8947 ------------------------Ontario Warren Peacock Tel. : 519.426.1131 Fax : 519.426.6156
Agricultural Risk Management Cont’d Through ARI, the federal government will allocate up to $3 million per year over five years to fund R&D projects on potential new, industry-led risk management products and services. Approved R&D projects can be eligible for up to $500,000 in support per year. Typical activities eligible for funding include: research and development costs, data collection and analysis, legal and actuarial costs, and consultations. For more information on AgriRisk Initiatives and to apply online, visit www.agr.gc.ca/agririsk. Additional ARI support to help build private sector administrative capacity to deliver new agricultural risk management tools will be announced in the summer.
CORRECTION NOTICE
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The Grower would like to apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs, and their clients for the program notice that ran on Page 27 of the June issue of The Grower. This notice was run in error, for a cost-share program that had already expired.
JUNE 2013 –– PAGE 3 THE GROWER
URBAN SHADOW
Ditch the miles – it’s minutes to market that count CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 The Alliance of Ontario Food Processors (AOFP) made their case directly to the premier at their annual general meeting June 20, citing the food and beverage sector with more than 120,000 direct jobs and close to $7 billion in exports. “The food and beverage processing industry is the best customer for Ontario farmers with more than 65 per cent of everything grown or produced in Ontario having value added,” says Steve Peters, executive director, AOFP. “Together, we should set the goal of making that figure even higher and drive local food production.” Ontario’s Liberal minority government must also acknowledge the Food and Water First group that effortlessly morphed from the Stop-the-Megaquarry campaign. The urban-and-rural, citizen-led coalition successfully stopped The Highland Companies from gaining a licence to mine
Ontario's highway 400 bisects the rich muck soils of the Holland Marsh, just 30 minutes north of Toronto limestone on prime potato land in Dufferin County, northwest of Toronto. Avia Eek, a carrot and onion grower along with her husband, Bill, shares the views of Food and Water First. As a municipal
councillor in the Holland Marsh area half an hour north of Toronto, she witnesses the demands of development first-hand. The majority of local area farmland is zoned rural intensive permitting agricultural
produce storage facilities, nurseries or commercial greenhouses, market garden farms and dwellings for farm workers. But the zoning attracts unscrupulous operators who ostensibly put up farm buildings to disguise other
businesses. “I can see the difficulty in managing population growth in the future,” says Eek. “At the moment, I don’t see how we have the resources for food and water to support the millions to come.”
CALIFORNIA
ISRAEL
CHINA
MEXICO
More tomatoes in the pipeline
Breeders develop healthier varieties
Garlic prices depressed
Tomato exports to U.S. fall
Thanks to two expansionminded Canadian growers, California’s greenhouse industry continues to grow at an unprecedented pace. While home base is Delta, British Columbia, Houweling’s operates 125 acres in Camarillo, California while Windset Farms is expanding to 128 acres in Santa Maria, California. Their hydroponic tomatoes are making inroads in big-box stores as well as conventional supermarkets according to Nielsen Perishables Group. The race is to sew up major accounts with quality and variety ahead of the shade-house tomato industry in Baja California, Mexico. The high-tech greenhouses operate year-round providing consistency as well as a range of round, roma, cherry and grape tomatoes, making the category one of the most innovative in the produce industry.
More than $2 billion of produce is exported annually from Israel, a hotbed of innovation for some of the world’s most popular new fruits and vegetables. Plant breeders have been successful in introducing at least a dozen new products from brightly coloured squash to seedless peppers. Orangetti spaghetti squash, now the only variety sold in Israel, made its name by its
intense orange colour compared to its pale yellow cousin. Better tasting, it’s also richer in betacarotene and other antioxidants. In early 2012, the Black Galaxy tomato excited chefs and consumers alike. Not your garden-variety tomato, this darkcoloured salad tomato was developed by Technological Seeds DM using a pigment derived from blueberries. Fruit Logistica’s Innovation Award in 2012 recognized Angello, the first seedless bell pepper in the world. The mini seedless red pepper was developed six years ago at Israeli seed company Zeraim Gedera. Currently grown only in Israel and Spain, look for this new product to debut in world markets soon.
A large carryover of Chinese garlic – 130,000 tons – as well as higher yields from this year’s new crop are depressing prices. With harvest starting in May, analysts are reporting that garlic bulbs are larger, with about half of the harvest measuring 5.0 to 5.5 cm. Export volumes are expected to increase by 30 per cent in 2013 due to the low prices and good quality. Hengfeng Fresh Produce reports that garlic used for dehydration will be in demand because there is less than 20,000 tons in all of China. The company anticipates that one million tons of small-size garlic will be used for dehydration.
Adverse weather conditions combined with antidumping laws introduced by the U.S. are curtailing Mexico’s tomato exports, according to the president of Sistema Producto Tomate. Manuel Antonio Cazares Castro predicts that only 1.6 million tonnes will be exported this year, compared to 2.0 million tonnes a year ago. Those figures include both open-ground and greenhouse-grown tomatoes. Other vegetables such as chilies, asparagus and pumpkins have taken up the slack. Cázares Castro added that 85 per cent of the estimated target is being exported over an extended period as a result of this year's low temperatures, a period which is being good in terms of production volumes, quality and prices.
INTERNATIONAL
Source: Hortidaily.com
Source: Hortidaily.com
Source: FreshPlaza.com
Source: FreshPlaza.com
PAGE 4 –– JULY 2013 THE GROWER
DISEASE THREAT
Two viruses devastate Nova Scotia strawberry farms KAREN DAVIDSON Plowing down 14 acres of strawberries is not a usual rite of spring. However, that’s the heart-breaking scenario for the Webster Farm in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley as brothers Chris, Brian and Greg took the severe measures to protect the remainder of their strawberries from two culprits: mild yellow edge virus and strawberry mottle virus. “No one has experienced these viruses in the valley for 60 years,” says Chris Webster. They first noticed irregularities – stunted foliage -- in a first year fruiting field in 2011 and again in isolated patches in 2012. No one from propagators to extension workers realized the commercial impact that would soon spread to their entire commercial strawberry acreage.
By late May, this spring, an uneven growth pattern was observed in all adjacent strawberry blocks, and on June 1, Webster destroyed the plants with a loss of an anticipated 140,000 quarts of berries. “We’re still not sure what was the source of the viruses,” says Webster. The plow-down decision was based on positive identification through lab testing of both strong and weak plants in the second-year plantings. Firstyear plantings were spared because testing showed no strong positive readings for both viruses. Plant pathologists and advisors from private consulting firm Perennia had some inkling of the viruses which are vectored through the strawberry aphid. This spring, three strawberry farms in the Great Village area of Nova Scotia destroyed more than 150 acres of strawberry producing acres due to a strawberry virus
outbreak, with losses approaching the $4 million mark. A few strawberry producers in Florida and North Carolina suffered the consequences when they purchased infected plants from two of those Great Village nurseries last fall. Natalia Peres, a University of Florida plant pathologist, says some changes may be made to nursery protocols. Visual inspections may not be enough. Lab testing may be required in future to guarantee virus-free stock. The focus this season is to control aphids and to eliminate confirmed sources of both viruses in the same plants, says Webster, citing research that the mottle virus can be hosted in lamb’s quarters or wild strawberries while the yellow-edge virus is specific to only strawberries. “We’re on a very sharp learning curve as to the timing of sprays and what products are most
The Webster farm in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley plowed down 14 acres of strawberries this spring due to mild yellow edge virus and strawberry mottle virus. effective.” “A second farm in the valley has tested positive for both viruses and are removing 10 of 18
acres,” says Webster. “Also a farm on Prince Edward Island has also confirmed positive. The story is not over.”
FUNDRAISING
Kids become cheerleaders for fruits and veggies KAREN DAVIDSON Move over, chocolate, and make way for fresh vegetables and apples for school fundraising. As of September 1, Ontario’s ministries of agriculture and food, and education will be supporting Fresh from the Farm: Healthy Fundraising for Ontario schools. The pilot for 10 school boards includes 375 schools in areas which already have champions and distribution systems in place, explains Jeff O’Donnell, team lead, Healthy Living, for Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs. The northern districts of Algoma and Cochrane, for example, are natural choices because they have been participating in the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Program supported by the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA). Southwestern Ontario counties of Elgin, Oxford and Middlesex, including the city of London will be invited to participate. The initiative is a natural because it aligns with new standards of the Ontario school food and beverage policy which no longer allows sales of cookie dough, chocolate-covered almonds, chocolate bars, lollipops or freezies. It also follows on the heels of the highly successful fundraising program led by Peak of the Market in Manitoba which distributed 900,000 pounds of produce last year and raised $245,000 for schools and growers. “What’s cool about the program is our business model,” says O’Donnell. “Fifty per cent of the proceeds go back to growers with
40 per cent to the schools and 10 per cent for Fresh from the Farm to keep the program sustainable.” Schools can choose one of two bundles. The first consists of three pounds of carrots, three pounds of onions, five pounds of potatoes and one pound parsnips for $10. The second consists of an eight-pound case of apples for $20. Fundraising efforts will commence September 3 and end October 18 so that all produce can be sourced by OFVGA and delivered November 4 – 29. “We estimate uptake of anywhere from 37,000 to 72,000 bundles,” says Alison Robertson, OFVGA program manager and special projects coordinator. “We’ll know better by next Christmas how to improve the program whether through logistics or adding a greenhouse vegetable box.” With the additional involvement of Dietitians of Canada, the pilot will promote healthy eating and local foods, all within a healthier learning environment. The Fresh from the Farm pilot will be evaluated for its potential to expand to other school boards in Ontario. No less than Ontario premier and agriculture minister Kathleen Wynne is championing the program. “We’re so pleased to support this initiative as part of our local food strategy, which is aimed at helping more people discover and enjoy all the good things that grow in Ontario,” says Wynne. “In addition to providing schools and students with a healthy fundraising alternative, this program will support our hard-working farmers and our local economies.”
JULY 2013 –– PAGE 5 THE GROWER
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Networking opportunity for Canadian agri-business women A group of women involved in Canadian agriculture is organizing a Canadian tour day for members of the American Agri-Women who are meeting in Niagara Falls, New York. A Canadian
speaker program and tour is planned for November 7 at Holiday Inn, Parkway Conference Centre, St. Catharines. “This Canadian day program is an excellent opportunity for Canadian women
involved in agribusinesses to network with our American counterparts,” says Susan Fitzgerald, one of the tour organizers. “It is extremely beneficial to hear about the issues facing agribusiness, from farm
through to retail, in the U.S. and to share experiences.” The speakers include several highprofile women including:
Cherilyn Nagel, past president, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association speaking about “Communicating Agriculture’s Story”
Leslie Stanier, human resources leader, Cargill Limited, speaking about “Challenges and Benefits of Recruiting Women in Agriculture”
Senator JoAnne Buth, past president of Canola Council of Canada, speaking about “Advocating for Agriculture”
Anita Stewart, University of Guelph food laureate, speaking about “Canada is Food”
Registration is $55 per person prior to September 1, or $75 thereafter. For more details, go to www.takeanewapproach.ca/events/
Food Day Canada celebrates fresh ingredients Food Day Canada will be celebrated on August 3 this year, the 11th year of a food tradition started by acclaimed cookbook author Anita Stewart. “Food Day Canada is a chance for all Canadians to join hands in
one massive celebration in praise of our farmers and fishers; our chefs and researchers . . . and, above all, our home cooks,” says Stewart on her website. Get involved! You can head to a Food Day Canada restaurant
to enjoy an unequalled repast or you can plan your own party! Absolutely anywhere! Paddle to a distant shore to light a campfire . . . barbecue some fish . . . sweep off the deck for a neighbourhood supper . . . dig a roasting pit . . .
build an oven . . . fire up the grill . . . and use only Canadian ingredients to create a feast or a simple dinner that honours our extraordinary culinary history and points the way to the future, together.
And never, ever be afraid to haul out your soapbox to tell retailers to provide more Canadian ingredients, with hopefully less packaging, so you can eat this way all year round!
PAGE 6 –– JULY 2013 THE GROWER
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
Global competition spurs local innovation KAREN DAVIDSON Leamington’s small-town population of 28,000 belies its status as the North American epicenter of greenhouse vegetable production. Although the town is nicknamed the sun parlour of Canada, no one is basking at the southernmost tip of Canada. “The biggest issue is competing within Leamington on a global level,” says Jordan Kniaziew, Orangeline Farms. “We’re facing competitors from Mexico, the United States, Israel and Belgium.” At 31, Kniaziew (pronounced NA-JEV), represents a new generation of growers who has deep experience traveling the world. Just a few months ago, he left an account position with a large greenhouse marketing company. Armed with a personal understanding of how retailers are serving customers across North America, he has fresh ideas about how to streamline Orangeline Farms’ 32 acres of peppers. “Retailers want great taste, great value and unique items that no one else has,” he says. Since
“
The biggest issue is competing within
Leamington on a global level. We’re facing competitors from Mexico, the United States, Israel and Belgium.” ~ Jordan Kniaziew
returning to the farm, he and his brother Duffy are talking about their unique value proposition and how they want to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. To start, they are growing both the hottest and
sweetest peppers with unique packaging, aiming for a healthconscious consumer. As the first greenhouse to have peppers in the Ontario marketplace last February, they linked with Foodland Ontario to announce availability through Twitter and Facebook. Within hours, there were 20,000 views recorded. “We definitely see the social media value,” says Kniaziew. These communications developments could not have been envisioned when the farm was started at the turn of the millennium. Still in high school, Kniaziew participated in every aspect of the operation from the packing line to the warehouse. Then he left Canada for an education and hockey scholarship in Chicago, Illinois. The culinary landscape was much different, dominated by high-fat, fast foods. A brief, pro-hockey career took him to Germany, where yet again, he experienced a different food culture. “It was really refreshing to see how people biked, walked and consumed food as an occasion,” he recalls. “The Germans don’t
Jordan Kniaziew see food as something to be consumed in the shortest amount of time.” Upon returning to Canada, Kniaziew rejoined the family firm as general manager of the facility with his brother Duffy acting on the operational side. In this role,
Kniaziew honed his skills in labour management, using computer technology to analyze every input. This quantifiable data has been important in making production more efficient, once again comparing stats to global standards.
State-of-the-art greenhouse research facility opens in Ontario
Dr. Siddika Mithani, Assistant Deputy Minister of the Science and Technology Branch (AAFC), and Dr. Gary Whitfield, Director of Research and Development (AAFC), in the new greenhouse facility A $10 million state-of-the-art greenhouse facility at the Southern Crop Protection and Food Research Centre (SCPFRC) was officially opened in London on June 13. The SCPFRC, part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) national network of research centres, conducts research on integrated pest management, bio-based products and processes, genomics and biotechnology, and soil and water quality. The new facility will triple the Centre's greenhouse capacity. Researchers will be tasked with identifying fruit tree germplasm resistant to the plum pox virus, reducing reliance of cereal grain crops on commercial nitrogen fertilizer, using protein-trafficking technologies to develop plant-based animal vaccines as an alternative to antibiotics, improving the nutritional quality of dry beans, and developing higher-yielding, higher-quality alfalfa cultivars for the dairy and cattle industry. Collaborating in these efforts are the University of Guelph, Western University, the Ontario Bean Producers' Marketing Board, and the Grain Farmers of Ontario, among others.
JUNE 2013 –– PAGE 7 THE GROWER
CANADIAN HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL
China opens up to B.C. cherries and blueberries A recent trade mission to Beijing and Hong Kong by Minister Ritz and government officials has resulted in market expansion for Canadian agriculture, including horticulture. China, which is already a $5 billion market for Canadian food exports, agreed in principle to new phytosanitary rules that could translate into more “stable and predictable market access for Canadian wheat, barley and soybeans into China,” according to the Minister during a news conference from China. While the Chinese agreed in principle to approve imports of more genetically modified
crops and to work toward international standards for accepting low-level presence of unintended GM presence in imports and other items, the most immediate benefit is greater access for British Columbia cherries. An agreement for 2014 is also underway for fresh blueberries from British Columbia, which were also granted greater access. Right: Minister Ritz with his counterpart from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, Han Changfu during the recent mission to China (photo courtesy AAFC)
BRITISH COLUMBIA
High expectations for B.C. blueberries There are high hopes for this year’s British Columbian blueberry crop. The B.C. Blueberry Council says the harvest could be up about five to 10 per cent, a significant rise on recent years. The council’s Michael Makara explains that it’s all thanks to the weather, which
has been cooperating of late. Makara says he expects prices to be lower this season, as may be expected when there is plenty of produce available, though this is only an estimate at the moment. “It doesn’t mean that the price will be lower or higher because we are a bigger
player in the North American market, so it depends on what the other areas do.” He says picking season is imminently going to begin. “I would say this season will probably start between July 5th to the 10th and continue right into the middle of September at least.”
More than 800 blueberry growers in B.C. control 11,000 hectares of farmland. This is added good news to B.C.’s berry expectations, as it has already been announced that good strawberry and raspberry crops are anticipated this year in the region.
Rain worries growers of Okanagan cherries Heavy rain in the Okanagan has the potential to destroy cherry crops. Farmers are hoping it will stop soon, before the damage is done. Keith Carlson with Carcajou Fruit Company in Summerland says the damage will depend on what type of cherry the
farmer is growing. “The early cherries in the Osoyoos and Oliver area are getting towards picking. Anything that’s close to picking would be damaged in this type of a rainstorm. Most of the crop in the Okanagan is the later varieties and most of those crops would not
be damaged at this point.” Carlson says he expects that the early varieties will certainly bear some damage, but is hoping the later crops will be okay. “Generally what happens is the rain will do one of two things. It will either sit in the bowl of the fruit, that’s around the stem,
and it will get absorbed by the fruit. Because the cherry absorbs too fast, it cracks. Or the rain will sit and drip off the very end of the fruit, or the nose of the fruit, and the cherry does the same thing.” Source: FreshPlaza.com
PAGE 8 –– JULY 2013 THE GROWER
OFVGA
Board briefs Following are highlights from the OFVGA board meeting held June 13, 2013. 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 andinitiatives the organization is involved in. Canadian Horticultural Council Ontario’s representative to the Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC), Adrian Huisman, reported that the potato industry has received funding for a Feasibility Study for a National Research and Promotion Agency and Check-Offs. If successful, this will serve as a useful pilot and model for other sectors. Activities related to the Regulatory Co-operation Council (RCC) to harmonize regulatory processes between Canada and the U.S. are ongoing. Several pilot projects are planned by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to streamline border crossings, and discussions continue regarding financial protection for growers selling produce. In theUnited States, growers are protected under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) which
ensures they are paid for the produce they sell. Canadian growers have been lobbying to have similar legislation in place on this side of the border as well. Crop protection Section chair Charles Stevens reported that PMRA will be re-evaluating mancozeb. Once the final re-evaluation document is released by PMRA, affected commodities should be prepared to make submissions if they need the active ingredient to continue to be available. The document is expected to be out this summer. Apple and potato research projects have been approved for funding under Growing Forward 2. The small fruit and greenhouse proposals were not successful. The small fruit proposal was to deal with Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD), a new invasive pest affecting numerous crops, so AAFC will be approached for some funding for this work. The blueberry industry has already committed some funding in an effort to get the work under way. OFVGA issued a news release in May concerning high crop protection prices in Ontario.
Ontario farmers are paying $22 million dollars more for crop protection than farmers in the U.S. Although growers can apply for import permits to bring product from the U.S. into Canada under the Grower Requested Own Use (GROU) program, the program is limited to only a few products. The Canada-U.S. border was originally closed to crop protection traffic in 1977 by then-agriculture Minister Eugene Whelan in an attempt to create extra jobs and increase research and development in the crop protection industry. A new insecticide from DuPont, Exirel, is expected to be registered by the end of June. It will be registered on highbush blueberries and other small fruits for Spotted Wing Drosophila, as well as a range of other pests.
damage mitigation techniques. Work continues on the Local Food Act. The Presidents’ Council has been working with Prof. David Sparling of the Ivey School and an Ontario Food Strategy document has been forwarded to Minister Wynne on behalf of agriculture. Reusable Plastic Containers and organizational funding
Healthy fundraising initiative
A growing number of retailers are mandating the use of Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) in place of corrugated cardboard packaging. Food safety and transportation are major
OFVGA is working with Dietitians of Canada, the Ministry of Education and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food on a new pilot fundraising program for schools to be launched this fall. Fresh from the Farm will help schools raise funds through sales of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nine school boards in southwestern and northern Ontario have been selected for the pilot. The goal is to expand the program to additional school boards in 2014. The next OFVGA board meeting will be held July 18 at the OFVGA office, starting at 10 am.
http://onvegetables.com/2011/06/ 27/herbicide-drift-now-what-2/ • New Information on Pesticide Drift and Reducing Buffer Zones http://onvegetables.com/2011/01/ 31/pesticide-buffer-zones/
• Ontario Pesticide Education Program, Chapter 19 – Drift of Pesticides www.opep.ca/index.cfm/learningresources/videos/chapter-19-driftof-pesticides/
Property Section chair Brian Gilroy reported that the Wildlife Loss Study has been completed. Fact sheets are available on the three major types of wildlife damage as reported in the farmer survey. The Wildlife Conflict Working Group has some funding available to conduct demonstration plots on
concerns for growers across the country, but for the OFVGA, their increased use also means a decrease in container fee income to the organization. The Board has established a committee to review the organization’s funding mechanisms. The goal is to establish a set of principles and needs with respect to fairness, collectability and authority, followed by identifying options that fit those established principles. The committee will meet next in early July.
Don’t drift and drive you have a chance, please share the message to spray responsibly and avoid spray drift.” Here are some resources that could be shared through social media, email, company websites, or even by printing off and handing out (at the coffee shop, the counter, or in the neighbour’s mailbox).
Michael Watson, Front Step Farms, reported spray drift damage to five acres of high-density raspberries near Maple, Ontario. A lot of reports are coming in about herbicide damage due to spray drift — in vegetables and other crops, says Janice LeBoeuf, vegetable crop specialist, OMAF and MRA, Ridgetown. While most sprayer operators are doing
a good job, there are still too many out there who are spraying irresponsibly and causing off-target damage. “We all have a part to play in raising awareness about avoiding spray drift,” says LeBoeuf. “ If
• Pesticide Drift from Ground Applications www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cr ops/facts/11-001.htm • How Weather Conditions Affect Spray Applications www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cr ops/facts/09-037w.htm • The Winds of Spring 2013 http://onvegetables.com/2013/05/ 28/the-winds-of-spring-2013/ • Preventing Spray Drift http://onvegetables.com/2012/05/ 15/preventing-spray-drift/ • New Spray Drift Awareness Videos Educate http://onvegetables.com/2012/01/17/new-spraydrift-videos/ • You Suspect Herbicide Drift – Now What?
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JULY 2013 –– PAGE 9 THE GROWER
INFRASTRUCTURE
Public-private partnerships considered for the Delhi Research Station KAREN DAVIDSON When Ontario’s Delhi Research Station was closed on March 31 by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, a steering committee of industry, academia and government was established to study options for this historic site of 114 acres of flat, sandysoil field plots. The field and related facilities are among its strongest assets. The farm is currently divided into approximately 130 plots, and an on-site Environment Canada weather station provides specific temperature and rainfall data for the farm. “We have looked at a number of options for this site,” says John Kelly, vice president of Erie Innovation and Commercialization. “The site has many advantages, but has to be positioned correctly to potential users.” Released in early June, the committee’s report screened 10 proposals for the facility, whittling the options down to three: a combined-use agricultural centre, a multi-purpose use facility or complete privatization.
Within these could be included a proposed Canadian Agricultural Water Research Institute, an Agri-Food Innovation Centre and/or a Superfood Development and Commercialization Centre. Through focus group input and analysis, the combined agricultural use centre received the most support. While different business models were considered for this facility, Kelly says that a key challenge was the cost to operate the facility. As a standalone facility, it was difficult to create a sustainable business model for the repurposing of the Delhi Research Station since revenue generation estimates were deemed insufficient to cover the cash flow requirements. Two options that did come to the fore were the creation of a public-private partnership or privatization of the facility as part of a larger company, where the requirement for substantial revenue generation from the property would not be a necessity (ie as a research and development site for a major company.) Despite local interest in a multi-user agricultural centre, the report does not recommend
formation of an independent nonprofit Delhi Agricultural Centre. However, the viability of such a site would increase if a publicprivate partnership was formed, perhaps with the municipality. A feasibility analysis of such a partnership is recommended. If the results of this analysis come forward without support, then privatization is recommended. Privatization could involve a commercial company or an agricultural producer looking to acquire more land and unique facilities. These facilities could be modified to light industrial or office space. If the station is
purchased by a research-based, commercial company, then the potential deficit with operating this facility could be offset by the value of the station to that company. “The Delhi Research Station has been a long term asset to our farmers,” says Norfolk County
Mayor Dennis Travale. “Because of the importance of agriculture to our county and to the south central Ontario region, it is very important that we find a way to repurpose this facility to the advantage of the region.” The full report can be found at www.erieinnovation.com
History provides context The Delhi site, through its long and successful research history, has amassed a variety of outbuildings designed for various farm and research purposes, including laboratory, administration, equipment storage and repair, and plant growth facilities. Founded in 1933 as a substation of the Harrow Research Centre, it was involved exclusively in tobacco research and became an independent tobacco research station in the 1960s. New crops were added to its mandate in the early 1980s. The station has been at the centre of advances in the Ontario tobacco industry and as such, has enjoyed an important and unique relationship with tobacco growers. With the decline of federal tobacco research, the station has been used for research into alternative crops, such as ginseng, asparagus, peanuts, and sweet potatoes. The station has also provided space to other users, including Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs, the AAFC Pesticide Minor Use Program, as well as CTRF (Canadian Tobacco Research Foundation) and AERC (Agriculture Environmental Renewal Canada Inc. - sorghum, millet).
Ontario Ont ario Gr G Grown own W World orrld Cr Crops ops
T H E
I NN OVATI ON
R EP OR T
T H E I N N O VAT I O N R E P O R T
Planning Plannin ng for for Beyond Beyond the Field F Since 2010, Vineland and Resear Research ch and en investigating the Innovation Centre has bee been et co ompetitiveness of world production and market competitiveness ld cr ccrops ops ar crops in Ontario. World aree vegetables that n gr own in the Pr ovince, have not traditionally been grown Province, mand as a rresult esult of yet are increasingly in dem demand emoographics. V ineland’ i s changing consumer demographics. Vineland’ th Asian cr ops as well work has focused on Sout South crops as some that hail from thee Caribbean and Africa, eanss, okra, bottle gour d, including yard long beans, gourd, ggp plant. amaranth, and Asian eggplant. Over the past threee ye years, ears, V Vineland ineland has oducction data thr ough its gathered extensive production through merous o field trials run in research farm and numerous merrcial gr owers. A series partnership with commercial growers. w available and rreflect eflect of Grower Guides are now en culturally diverse the best practices for seve seven n, V ineland continues to vegetables. In addition, Vineland merss inter ested in trialing work closely with farmers interested ng world w cr ops thr ough and/or commercializing crops through ng ssessions. essions. This July and workshops and training rkshops will be held to August, three grower wor workshops armers in gr owing world introduce interested farmers growing wilight w Gr ower crops. Information on thee T Twilight Grower oorld Cr op Gr ower Sessions as well as the W World Crop Grower ineland’’s website. Guides can be found on V Vineland’ ing Ontario-gr own world Successfully bringing Ontario-grown ves a lot mor crops to market involves moree than simply n pr ractices; it is equally researching cultivation practices; pects of the value chain. about investigating all asp aspects dC Cr ops team is scaling up At Vineland, the World Crops
its pr oduction rresearch esearch str e eams to pree and post-pr post-production streams ensur own cr ops ar fffecctively ensuree that locally gr grown crops aree ef effectively rreaching eachin ng tar get markets. Based on 2012 data, target thr ee cr ccrops ops in particular show gr eat rrevenue eveenue three great potent tial; these ar ggplant, potential; aree okra, Asian (long) eg eggplant, and In ndian (r ound) eggplant. Indian (round) In addition to its on-going pr oductioon production rresearch, esearch, c the following rresearch esearch str eams will streams charac cterize V ineland’’s work in the year ahead: characterize Vineland’
Postharvest P osth harvest Handling: V Vineland’ iineland’’s po postharvest ostharvest speciallists will be conducting further tria als with specialists trials velop many okra and eggplant varieties to dev develop pr ractices for avoidingg chillingg injur j y as well best p practices injury dentify the best storage envir onmeent to as to id identify environment maxim mize cr op freshness freshness and shelf-life. maximize crop Consumer Consu umer Research: Research: The appearanc appearance ce and o Ontario-gr own okra, long eggpla ant, and taste of Ontario-grown eggplant, round eggplant must be equal to or bett er than round better importted versions if local pr oduct is to succeed s imported product ineland’s co onsumer in the market. This season, V Vineland’ consumer research c team will be building on the pa ast two research past o consumer trials by working with h culinar years of culinaryy experts and consumers of South Asian descent d experts to iden ntify flavour or textur ferences between identify texturee dif differences local and a imported varieties in blind tast te tests. taste The rresults e esults fr om these studies will help build b a from tar geteed marketing strategy to meet cons sumer targeted consumer deman nd, cr eating a competitive advanta ge for demand, creating advantage Ontari io gr owers who choose to plant wo orld cr op Ontario growers world crop varietie es. varieties.
Market Mark et Assessment: Assessme ent: Assessing potential routes to market for locally l gr own okra and routes grown cus for V ineland in 2013-14. eggplant is a new foc focus Vineland w existing and potential By working closely with op pr oducerrs in Ontario, V ineland will world cr crop producers Vineland identify barriers and challenges gr owers face in growers bles to market. In addition, bringing new vegetab vegetables staf ff will work closelyy with rretailers, etailers, distributors staff and pr oducers to dev velop scale-appr opriate producers develop scale-appropriate es to help gr owers transition supply chain strategi strategies growers fr om field trials thr ugh to commer cial ou from through commercial pr oduction. production. Economic Ec onomic Assessment: Assessment: T Too move fr from om ccommercialization, cialization, experimentation to commer eflects the cost farmers need sound data that rreflects oduction for a new n cr op. In rresponse esponse of pr production crop. inelan nd is coor dinating its to this need, V Vineland coordinating w a thor ough economic market assessment with thorough p oducing okra and assessment of farms pr producing ne pr oduction costs eggplants to determin determine production ying scales. Once and market viability at var varying w be critical for farmers complete, this data will hich will help them invest seeking financing wh which in new cr ops. crops.
To learn more about Vineland’s world crop research visit www.vinelandresearch.com
Vineland V iineland Research Research and Innovation Centre Cen ntre is funded in part by Growing Growing Forward Forward 2, 2 a federal-provincial-territorial federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
PAGE 10 –– JULY 2013 THE GROWER
Vineland Growers’ Cooperative turns 100
RAY DUC CHAIR, OFVGA On June 15, 2013 Vineland Growers’ Co-operative (VGC) held an event worthy of the milestone it had reached. The event was to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the co-operative. In 1913, four farmers laid out a plan to improve the marketing and delivery of their fruit to consumers in near and far away markets. Their plan was to join forces to form a cooperative --
Vineland Growers was born. This idea would prove to be the first of many innovative concepts that would keep its members on the forefront of an evolving industry. The four fruit growers were Alonzo Culp, Melvin Honsberger, Norman Moyer and Ezra Honsberger. Each deserve to be recognized for their vision and having the dedication to keep it operating during the difficult early years. These family names are still very prevalent in the communities of Jordan and Vineland. Having grown up in Jordan the names Culp, Honsberger and Moyer were names that I knew and respected. The first delivery to Vineland Growers was five crates of strawberries from the farm of Melvin Honsberger in June of 1914. In 2011 Vineland Growers marketed 1.2 million masters and is expected to top that in 2013. From humble beginnings the coop has flourished in an industry that has
had many challenges. The “Vineland Brand, ” promoted and supported by quality fruit, is now recognized across Canada as a symbol of freshness and quality. A thousand people gathered to celebrate this historic anniversary. It was a celebration that will not soon be forgotten. The event which included live entertainment, dinner and a world-class fireworks display, was fittingly held on a century-old family farm. Howard and Wendy Staff graciously hosted this wonderful event that went off without a hitch. VGC was congratulated at the event by many politicians including the premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne. On behalf of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, I would like to add my congratulations. To all current and past members, for 100 years you have been innovative while maintaining the values of your founders. Congratulations. Did I say good party!!!
L- R — The 100th anniversary of Vineland Growers' Cooperative Limited was celebrated at the farm of Howard Staff (L), Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Environment Tom Bradley (MPP St. Catharines), Sue-Ann Staff, Kim Craitor, MPP Niagara Falls, Mike Ecker, president Vineland Growers' Cooperative Ltd. Photo by Brian McNair.
WEATHER VANE
Fruits and vegetables make the world go round. The Ontario Food Terminal is a photographer’s paradise for spotting repeating shapes. Photos by Glenn Lowson.
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 Grower is printed 12 times a year and sent to all members of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association who have paid $30.00 (plus G.S.T.) per year for the paper through their commodity group or container fees. Others may subscribe as follows by writing to the office:
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ONTARIO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Chair Vice-Chair Fruit Director Veg Director Director
Ray Duc, Niagara-on-the-Lake Jason Verkaik, Bradford Norm Charbonneau, Port Elgin Jan Vander Hout, Waterdown Brian Gilroy, Meaford
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 Ken Van Torre, Burford Jan Vander Hout, Waterdown Don Taylor, Durham
OFVGA SECTION CHAIRS Crop Protection Research Property Labour Safety Nets CHC
Charles Stevens, Newcastle Harold Schooley, Simcoe Brian Gilroy, Meaford Ken Forth, Lynden Mark Wales, Alymer Murray Porteous, Simcoe
JULY 2013 –– PAGE 11 THE GROWER
PERSPECTIVE Don’t tell these consumers the definition of local food
OWEN ROBERTS UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH If British Columbia is Canada’s answer to California, then Ontario is its answer to Florida, at least when it comes to local food. In the southeastern U.S., Florida is considered the state with the greatest diversity of what most people would typically call local food – particularly fruit and vegetables. The same goes for Ontario, which tops this country in agrifood production diversity and processing. So when new research reveals consumers’ thinking about local food in the Sunshine State, I hoped it might reveal something that might also apply here. And it did . . . but not what I was expecting. University of Florida researchers Tracy Irani and Joy Goodwin’s research findings on local food, presented last month at the annual meeting of the Association for Communications Excellence, in Indianapolis, showed Florida consumers are just as committed to, confused over and contradictory about local
food as Canadians. For example, they found half the Floridians surveyed generally accept “local” food to be from within 100 miles of their home or from a neighbouring state. Compare that to the much more conservative definition here issued recently by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, of 50 kilometres (about 35 miles). It’s a significant difference. Or is it? To Floridians, the definition of local is also influenced by the commodity. When it comes to tomatoes, they say “local” means “from Florida.” Tomatoes are grown in Florida, so it’s obvious. But for other commodities which are not grown in the state – apples, for example -- Floridians are much more liberal in their interpretation of what’s local. They consider anything grown in the U.S. to be local. That includes apples grown as far away as Washington, even though in reality, when you measure miles, apples from Ontario are far more “local” than those from the west coast of the U.S. Says Irani: “Consumers told us they don’t want someone else to tell them what’s local. They want to define it themselves.” Florida consumers also said that while all this local food talk is very nice, it may not line up with their main priorities of price, quality and convenience. That’s fascinating. One big issue for consumers is trust – local food grew in popularity in part because consumers wanted food that was not mass produced by corporate America. Yet, in their research, Irani and Goodwin found consumers actually like the checks and balances
The farmers' market at the Ontario Food Terminal offers the bounty of Ontario farm-fresh produce. Photo by Glenn Lowson. that exist for large-scale agriculture, including processing. “Consumers want to trust small producers, but quality control is a question for them,” says Irani. However, consumers don’t really trust big producers, either. So what are farmers to do? Well, the first thing is to make sure local food is as available as possible. That may require a change in marketing, getting in front of consumers as much as possible, maintaining an urban presence, perhaps at a farmers’ market. It’s not always convenient for consumers to jump in a car, if indeed they even have one, and run out to a farm to buy local food. Having a consumer presence also addresses the matter of trust. People tend to trust local food
New Horticulture Pavilion for COFS 20th anniversary Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show (COFS) is expanding from the inside out this summer to make way for a new lane of exhibits in the middle of the show site at Woodstock, Ontario. With the cooperation and support of many exhibitors, the team at COFS has been able to take advantage of a rare opportunity to add a full new lane where 2nd and 3rd anes have been traditionally located. This renovation of the Woodstock site allows many new exhibitors to participate in the show as well as offer existing exhibitors the chance to expand their exhibits for more equipment or change things up with new locations. The new lane offers more than a dozen new premium corner spaces. The new site expansion stretches across the entire length of the show site (North to South) and will provide an excellent fresh experience for new as well as seasoned exhibitors. Among the moving exhibitors, will be many horticultural companies who will be enjoying a new central location on 2nd and 3rd Lane around the renamed Horticulture Pavilion. The Horticulture
Pavilion will house horticultural exhibitors and be flanked by outdoor exhibits by companies such as AgriVeg and Willsie Equipment Sales. To allow for this kind of major site expansion, the team at COFS has moved landscaping, taken down a building and moved more than 20 sets of underground hydro as well as water lines. “It is not a quick or simple undertaking but the benefits to our show’s exhibitors and the farmers who attend are undeniable,” says Stefanie Nagelschmitz Farm Show team lead and communications for COFS. “This new lane offers attendees so much selection and we can not wait to unveil the new site layout this September.” Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show celebrates its 20th anniversary on September 10, 11 and 12, 2013 in Woodstock, ON. More information is available on www.outdoorfarmshow.com, @outdoorfarmshow on Twitter or info@outdoorfarmshow.com.
because they know where it comes from, because they can see the people behind it. Of course, that doesn’t make it safe, but that’s the way many people see it. And as for price, well, it’s like any other agricultural pursuit: farmers need to make a profit to survive. Typically, local food grown in smaller batches costs more than large-scale production because it’s more labour inten-
sive. So, says Irani, explain that to consumers. Despite being driven by price, consumers might be more willing to shell out if they understand the process. That’s where local food advocacy groups come in. This is all too much to put on a label. In a changing food culture such as ours, education is the key.
PAGE 12 –– JULY 2013 THE GROWER
Taking foodies to the farm LILIAN SCHAER Armed with cameras, smart phones and Twitter accounts, 43 Toronto-area food writers, chefs and recipe developers recently spent a day learning about local food and farming. They were part of the ninth annual media tour hosted by Farm & Food Care – and now number among the more than 350 Ontario food media who have taken part in this popular program since its inception in 2004. This year’s tour included a stop at Beverly Greenhouses near Flamborough, where participants were hosted by grower Jan VanderHout and representatives from the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG). VanderHout and his brother Dale grow 22 acres of seedless English cucumbers on their fourth-generation family farm, and they
appreciated the opportunity to throw open the doors of their operation to the media. “We have nothing to hide and it was a pleasure to tell them what we’re doing in our operation. Every group that we have in here is invariably impressed with the technology, the biological control and the food safety,” says VanderHout. “We have a commitment for the farm to do this kind of thing so that we can raise awareness of what greenhouses are about. Taking misconceptions out of the picture is a big advantage for all of us.” VanderHout fielded in-depth questions on everything from pest control, plant genetics and water use to the farm’s work force and how and where the cucumber crop is marketed. Participants were particularly impressed by his operation’s innovative approaches to pest control – such as using ornamental pepper
plants as a food source for the minute pirate bugs (Orius) that help control thrips in the greenhouse. “This was a very astute group with really good questions,” he adds. “This was not a superficial tour. They wanted details and they had really good questions.” Many of the tour’s participants are regulars, says organizer Kelly Daynard of Farm & Food Care, with about half a dozen having been on every GTA-area tour since the beginning. The tours, usually held in Toronto and Ottawa, focus on different issues and commodities every year. Also on this year’s agenda was a presentation by popular speaker Joe Schwarcz from McGill University’s Office of Science and Society (OSS) about understanding and demystifying science. He also spoke at the OFVGA annual meeting in January. The day included a gourmet Taste of Ontario lunch and ended with a stop at a dairy goat farm in the Caledon area. Farm & Food Care appreciates the support it gets for the tour from different commodity groups and other agricultural organizations every year. This year, CropLife Canada and Foodland Ontario were event partners, with support from OGVG, Pick Ontario and Ontario Goat. Last year FFC worked with Dairy Farmers of Canada and Ontario Apple Growers.
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Jan VanderHout (R) answers questions from food media about greenhouse cucumbers. The first tour attracted only about 15 participants, but as local food has grown in popularity and word has spread about the quality of the tours, a spot on the bus has become a hot commodity. This year’s tour sold out in three days. Social media has also helped, with Twitter providing instant event coverage and access to bloggers and online media too. Although the tours have generated positive media stories, Daynard says the real value comes from building relationships with the people who are writing and broadcasting about food and food production. Past participants have contacted Farm & Food Care for help finding farmers or fact checking stories they’re working on, for example. “The people on the bus really seem to enjoy that we provide a lot of information but in a
non-preachy, factual kind of way and that we let them make up their own minds,” she explains. Food blogger and cook book author Charmian Christie has participated in the tour several times and is a fan of the tour’s approach. “What I liked best was the well-balanced tour. Some tech, some politics, some live animals,” she tweeted of this year’s tour. “I always learn something and leave inspired.” Farm & Food Care is always looking for new and interesting tour spots. Daynard says tours typically include at least one crop and one livestock stop and should be within an hour of Toronto or Ottawa. Suggestions can be emailed to Kelly@farmfoodcare.org or tweeted to @farmfoodcare.
COMING EVENTS 2013 July17-19
Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, Halifax, NS
July 25, 26 Canadian Horticultural Council Board of Directors’ Semi-Annual Meeting, Charlottetown, PEI July 28 – 31 Potato Association of America Annual Meeting, Quebec City, QC July 31
Twilight Growers Session on Ethnic Vegetable Production, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, Vineland, ON, 6 - 8 p.m.
August 6
Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association Annual Orchard Tour, Berwick Firehall, NS
August 7
Twilight Growers Session on Ethnic Vegetable Production, Simcoe Research Station, Simcoe ON, 6 - 8 p.m.
Aug 13, 14 North American Strawberry Growers Association Summer Tour, Vermont, U.S., info@nasga.org
Strawberries, V in or V out or Standard Coverage Broadcast for Blueberries Double Side Spread for Fruit Trees and Vineyards The only round bail shredder that offers controlled and consistant spreading and requires only a 40 hp tractor. The best solution for all spreading requirments.
Double R Manufacturing 270 Branch Road, Crapaud PE, C0A 1J0 1-888-658-2088 • beddingpro@gmail.com • www.doublermanufacturing.com B E D D I N G P R O will be at the Canadian International Farms Show in Toronto, woodmaster booth 2410, hall 2. We will also be at The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention in Niagara, Red Trac booth 907.
August 7
Twilight Growers Session on Ethnic Vegetable Production, J. Collins Farm, Copetown ON, 6 - 8 p.m.
August 15
‘Intelligent’ Sprayer Demonstration Day, J.C. Bakker & Sons Ltd., St. Catharines, ON 9 am – 4 pm
August 18
Celebrate Food and Water First, Honeywood Arena, Honeywood, ON (www.foodandwaterfirst.com)
August 22
Ontario Potato Field Day, HJV Equipment, Alliston, ON
Sept 10
Ontario Berry Growers’ Association Farm Tour and Supper, near Mt Albert, ON, info@ontarioberries.com
Sept 10 – 12 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, ON October 5
Holland Marsh Soupfest, Ansnorveldt Park, King Township, ON (www.soupfest.ca)
JULY 2013 –– PAGE 13 THE GROWER
RETAIL NAVIGATOR
Sobeys acquires Safeway Canada, becomes #2 food retailer
PETER CHAPMAN
Sobeys has announced the acquisition of Safeway Canada, solidifying their position as the #2 food retailer in Canada. This move captures some very valuable real estate in the urban centres of Western Canada. Sobeys has acquired the following: • 213 retail stores • 199 pharmacies • 26 fuel locations • 10 liquor stores • 4 distribution centres • 12 manufacturing facilities The annual sales of Safeway were $6.7 billion, which includes fuel and liquor stores. It is likely that food sales will be +/- $5 billion, which adds approximately five per cent to Sobeys national market share. It will be interesting to see what Sobeys does with the
manufacturing facilities. Safeway was the only retailer to own the manufacturing where private label products were produced.
Corporate social responsibility-sustainability Being a good corporate citizen is not new. Many companies have been doing it for many years, really because it was just the right thing to do. In the nineties, people started to explore this in detail. With the explosion of information on the Internet and so much transparency, it became a component of most companies' business priorities. If it was not there, it was a glaring gap. Companies learned consumers were interested in what they were doing and the consumer was willing to hold them accountable.
The focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was derailed slightly with the recession but it never went away. Emphasis was reduced as companies focused on survival. Now that there appears to be some stability or perhaps a new normal we are all used to, the focus on CSR is back. CSR takes on different definitions with different businesses. In the retail world, the focus for CSR is on sustainability, sourcing and being a good corporate citizen.
There is a lot of detailed information on the retailers' websites devoted to sustainability. Below is a summary of each company’s position. My expectation is that retailers will begin implementing sustainability audits, similar to food safety audits. Is your organization ready? Perhaps you should initiate your own sustainability audit to be proactive and engage your employees.
Loblaw
Sobeys
Respect the environment 1. Waste reduction 1. 82% waste diversion at distribution centres 2. 80% waste diversion from store support centres 3. Reduce waste from corporate stores by an additional 5% from 2013 levels 4. 20 additional corporate stores to divert organics 5. Initiate pilot programs in 1 distribution centre and 1 corporate store to achieve 100% diversion from landfill 2. Reduce food waste 1. Partner with food banks to launch a retail food program in 100 corporate stores. 3. Packaging reduction 1. Implement paper sourcing commitment as it pertains to packaging 2. 50% reduction in non-recyclable packaging from control label products by December 2013 3. 5% packaging reduction on control brand products by year end 2015 4. Energy reduction 1. Reduce total energy consumption by 3% per square foot in existing corporate stores 2. Complete solar panel projects in 40 corporate stores in Ontario 3. Install a trans-critical refrigeration system that uses carbon dioxide as the sole refrigerant in 1 corporate store 4. Complete lighting retrofits in 70 corporate stores 5. Fuel reduction and fleet efficiency 1. Replace 75% of transport fleet with new trucks that comply with U.S. EPA emission standards by year end 2015 2. 20% increase in rail use 3. 5% increase in back haul trips 4. 5% reduction in driver idle time 5. Add 10 non-diesel burning reefer trailers to our fleet 6. Introduce 4 60-foot trailers to our fleet 7. Install 10 additional lift-a dock- systems in our trailers 6. Water footprint 1. Conduct a water footprint assessment of our operations
1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% by December 31, 2013 1. Reduce carbon footprint in stores, distribution centres and fleet 2. Reduce electricity consumption in stores and distribution centres 3. Reduce refrigerant leaks in stores 2. Reduce waste to landfill by 30% by December 31, 2013 1. 48% of all waste was diverted from landfills in 2012 2. Recycling and composting reduced waste by 55,000 metric tonnes 3. A 5% reduction in private label packaging by 2013 1. Focus on reducing environmental footprint of packaging with more recycled materials, materials that are commonly recycled, and packaging weight reduction
Safeway 1. Divert 70% waste from landfills and up to 90% by 2014 1. Include composting in 160 Canadian stores 2. Recycle plastic bags at store level 3. Improve cardboard diversion program 4. Conduct trash audits in stores 2. Reduce the use of plastic shopping bags by 50% in the next 5 years 1. Educate customers 2. Encourage use of totes 3. More efficient packaging at checkouts 3. Safeway participation in the Global Packaging Project 4. Sustainability consortium
Walmart 1. Be supplied by 100% renewable energy 2. Create zero waste 3. Sell products that sustain people and the environment
NEW INSECT THREAT
Potato psyllid a tiny insect but . . . a formidable potato foe EUGENIA BANKS, POTATO SPECIALIST, OMAF-MRA Zebra chip is a new, devastating bacterial disease of potatoes that is a real threat not only to Ontario growers but to all Canadian potato growers. The Zebra Chip bacterium is vectored only by the potato psyllid, a tiny insect that was not thought to survive cold winters. This past year, however, potato psyllids were found overwintering in
Idaho, a region with temperatures as low as our winter temperatures. This demonstrates that insects can adapt to unfavourable conditions and expand into areas considered beyond their range. The potato psyllid is native to North America and is distributed in western United States and Mexico. Psyllids tend to migrate with the wind and high temperatures in late spring to northern regions. Zebra chip was first recorded in Mexico in 1994 and first observed in Texas in 2000. After 2000, Zebra Chip has spread to several other potato production areas in the U.S. In 2012, a
single potato psyllid was trapped in a yellow sticky trap in a Manitoba field, but the psyllid was not carrying the Zebra Chip bacterium. Joe Munyaneza, a USDA entomologist and a potato psyllid expert, indicated to me that potato psyllids carrying the Zebra Chip bacterium can be transported thousands of miles by high winds, and that he would not be surprised if potato psyllids arrive in Ontario during the 2013 growing season. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
PAGE 14 –– JULY 2013 THE GROWER
NEW INSECT THREAT
Potato psyllid a tiny insect but….a formidable potato foe CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 Thus, OMAF-MRA has developed a strategy for Ontario to minimize the risk of Zebra Chip in the province. The strategy includes training potato scouts and growers on potato psyllid biology and identification, Zebra Chip symptoms, monitoring potato psyllids with yellow sticky trap and visual inspections of fields. If potato psyllids are found in Ontario, they will be sent to Dr. Dan Johnson from the University of Lethbridge. Dr. Johnson’s laboratory team will be able to determine if the psyllids were carrying the Zebra Chip bacterium or not. It takes about a week to get test results.
always carries the bacterium. At least 30 per cent of eggs laid by infected females can carry the zebra chip bacterium. It takes about three weeks from crop infection to the appearance of symptoms in foliage and tubers.
Life Stages
Eggs
Eggs
The eggs are football-shaped, yellow to orange and borne singly on short stalks. They are usually laid in the upper canopy on the underside and along the edges of leaves. A 10X hand lens is required to see them.
Nymphs (5 stages)
Nymphs are flat with a fringe of short spines. They go through 5 stages in as little as 13 days. Younger nymphs are pale brown, and then turn yellowish and finally green as they get older. Nymphs move readily when disturbed. They secrete a white substance resembling sugar that collects on leaves beneath the feeding insects.
IDENTIFICATION Adult potato psyllids are identified by two white markings. The first abdominal segment has a broad white band; the last segment has an inverted white V mark. No other psyllid species has these two white markings in the abdomen. The nymphs secrete a white substance that resembles granulated sugar.
POTATO PSYLLID BIOLOGY
MONITORING POTATO PSYLLIDS
The potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) feeds on many plants, but reproduces only on Solanaceous crops: potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. The nightshades are Solanaceous weeds, and they too are hosts of the potato psyllid. The potato psyllid nymphs can damage potato plants by injecting a toxin with their saliva much like leafhoppers. The toxins cause a condition called psyllid yellows. The symptoms of psyllid yellows are: leaf curling, yellowing or purpling, clusters of small, new leaves in the axillary buds, shortened internodes, and small, aerial and misshaped tubers. Removing the nymphs stops the development of psyllid yellows. The foliar symptoms of psyllid yellows are similar to those caused by the Zebra chip disease. The tuber symptoms are different, only the Zebra Chip affected tubers show dark stripes which become markedly more visible after frying (hence the disease name “Zebra chip”). Adult potato psyllids or nymphs acquire the Zebra Chip bacterium (Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum) when feeding on infected plants. Once infected, the insect
Yellow Sticky Cards are used to monitor adults. The cards must be placed within the field but towards the field edge. Sticky cards need to be checked and replaced at least weekly, if not more frequently, since many insects are attracted to the cards. Attach the cards to a wooden lath stake with a binder clip. Cards need to be moved upwards on the lath as the canopy grows to ensure that the card is just above the top of the canopy. A binocular microscope or magnifying lens is necessary to see the potato psyllids on the cards. Yellow sticky cards are very useful to monitor the arrival of psyllids in the fields. Potato psyllids first infest the borders then move towards the center of fields as the season progresses • Leaf sampling to monitor eggs and nymphs. The recommendation from areas where Zebra Chip has been a problem is to collect 10 leaves from 10 locations within 30 feet of the edge of the field. Fully expanded leaves are collected from the middle section of the plant. A hand lens is needed to see the eggs. Adults tend to fly quickly when disturbed. Thus, the chances of collecting adults with this technique are very slim.
Adults
Nymphs
Adults
Adults are about 2 mm long and resemble small cicadas. Their clear wings rest roof-like over the body. Their color goes through gradual changes from light yellow to pale green when they first emerge, brown or green 2 or 3 days later, until they become grey or black with white markings when they are 5 days old. Their antennae are relatively long Adults jump very quickly when disturbed.
Sweep Nets to monitor adults only: Take 100 sweeps from around the edge of the field. Shake all insects from the sweep net into a plastic bag, jar, or vial, and freeze overnight. Freezing the sample immediately keeps the sample from degrading. Action Threshold: No action threshold exists for psyllids on potatoes. Detection of psyllids at any level, in any life stage, is the threshold for action until more information is obtained on the impact of small populations of infected psyllids on the potato crop.
Psyllid adult
Psyllid eggs
INSECTICIDES FOR POTATO PSYLLID CONTROL The first line of defense against potato psyllids is to apply neonicotinoids at planting, e.g. Actara, Admire, Titan. Most of commercial Ontario potato growers do that already to control the Colorado potato beetle, aphids, flea beetles and leafhoppers. Thus, fields will be protected until the end of June or early July depending on when the crop was planted and the rate of insecticide used. Movento is the only insecticide labeled in Ontario against potato psyllids. There are other
insecticides registered in Ontario for other insects that are also effective against potato psyllids, but psyllids are not on the label. For example, Fulfill applied to control aphids will also control potato psyllids. Experience from the U.S. suggests that pyrethroid insecticides should not be used to
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control potato psyllids. Pyrethroids may increase potato psyllid numbers by enhancing egg laying or by killing beneficial insects. It is important that growers and scouts be vigilant and monitor potato psyllids as frequently as possible using any of the methods described previously. Zebra Chip has caused serious economic losses of up to 50 per cent in the U.S. Fortunately, Zebra Chip has not been found in Canadian potato fields yet. If you suspect that potato psyllids may be infesting one of your fields, please do not hesitate to contact me to make arrangements to send samples to Dr. Dan Johnson’s laboratory to determine whether the psyllids are infectious or not. Dr. Dan Johnson’s e-mail address is: dan.johnson@uleth.ca I am hoping not to see this tiny insect ever in Ontario potato fields! ** June 17: Latest Oregon State University research findings: Volunteer potato plants growing from seed infected with zebra chip do not live long enough to contribute to the spread of Zebra chip disease.
JULY 2013 –– PAGE 15 THE GROWER
GARLIC
Leek moth update MARION PALBOMESAI, OMAF AND MRA The leek moth, Acrolepiopsis assectella, is an invasive species of European origin that attacks Allium spp., including garlic, onions and leeks. Since its detection in 1993 in the Ottawa Region, the leek moth has been a problem for commercial Allium growers and particularly to organic market garden producers in the region. Research by Peter Mason’s group from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada suggests that this pest will likely spread further south and west from regions where it is currently found. In 2011 and 2012, leek moth
pheromone traps were installed in Allium-growing areas across southwestern and central Ontario (some of the monitoring sites changed in 2012). In 2011, this pest was found in York Region, Simcoe County and Waterloo Region. In 2012, leek moth were captured in Waterloo Region and Brant County. At a Waterloo Region site in 2012, from mid-April to the beginning of May, four leek moth from the first flight were caught and during the first week of July, two leek moth were caught (same site as 2011). One leek moth was captured in Brant County during the second week of July in 2012. Although these numbers are ‘low’ relative to other areas, it is -important to learn more about
this pest as it spreads. In 2013, pheromone traps were installed in early April in Brant, Oxford, Perth and Wellington Counties and Waterloo Region. Leek moth were captured at a Waterloo Region site beginning in late April (April 22nd - 29th), with trap captures continuing until mid-May (May 15th – 21st), for a total of 14 leek moth so far this season. Leek moth have not been captured at any other site in southwestern Ontario so far this year. At a site in the National Capital Region (Ottawa), leek moth were caught in pheromone traps beginning the week of April 9th - 16th, with a flight peak (i.e. highest number of leek moth captured in pheromone traps in a given week) the week of April
Leek moth larva feeding on leek leaf 16th – 23rd. For a detailed report on 2012 Leek Moth Survey in Ontario, see LeekMothFinalReport2012_Gene ral(http://onvegetables.com/2013/ 06/04/leek-moth-update-4-june2013/leekmothfinalreport2012_ge neral/). Management strategies are also included in this report.
For other resources, refer to Ontario CropIPM online at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/IPM /english/onions/insects/leekmoth.html and OMAFRA factsheet—Leek Moth—A Pest of Allium Crops http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/ english/crops/facts/08-009.htm
Garlic growers review research At a field day on June 8, Ontario garlic growers met at the farm of Bob Romaniuk near Scotland to see test plots and compare notes. “Growers who have tried clean seed of Music garlic have found that it produces a marketable sized bulb in fewer generations than we originally thought,” says Becky Hughes, head, Northern Horticultural Research/SPUD Unit. “The clean seed viewed at Bob Romaniuk’s farm was only in its second year. It was showing a lot of vigour and had a good sized bulb on it already.” These small, clean seed bulbs will form a scape and bulbils the first year in the field. It’s recommended that growers keep and replant these bulbils the first year to increase the multiplication rate as they are from clean seed. However, it’s not known if bulbils formed in the scape from a bulb infested with bulb and stem nematode can carry the nematode. Hughes as well as researchers Michael Celetti and Marion Paibomesai are conducting a study this summer to see if the nematode is found in bulbils from infested bulbs. Sponsored by the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program and the Garlic Growers Association of Ontario, this is part of a project that’s also looking at techniques for applying abamectin to garlic to manage stem and bulb nematodes. The garlic research team plus John Zandstra have also applied for funding to look at the effects of various cover crops, the nonchemical nematicide MustGrow and the new soil applied nematicide on bulb and stem nematode.
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Crop specific strategies for control of SWD in berry crops PAM FISHER, BERRY CROP SPECIALIST, AND HANNAH FRASER, ENTOMOLOGY PROGRAM LEAD Successful control of SWD in berry crops requires a combination of management practices and insecticide application. Here are some specific things for berry growers to consider when developing a management program for SWD on your farm. All berry crops: Calibrate your sprayer. There is no room for error, especially when spraying close to harvest.
Strip bloom and fruit buds from new plantings which won’t be harvested. Keep weeds and vegetation mowed or otherwise controlled in and around the field. Cool fruit as soon as possible after harvest and keep it cool. Develop a system for managing waste fruit. Whenever possible, fruit should be removed from the field. At the very least, unmarketable fruit should be picked off the plant and dropped in alleys and crushed. Fruit which is discarded from coolers or pack sheds should be sealed up in plastic bins or bags, or buried daily at
least two feet deep. Get set up to monitor for SWD damage by floating fruit in salt water to look for larvae (Figure 1). For information on the “salt test” see www.ontario.ca/ spottedwing under monitoring. Pay attention to nighttime temperatures. Warm nights lead to more SWD activity and more rapid SWD development. Adjust harvest and spray schedules accordingly. June-bearing strawberries: Strawberry harvest could be over before spotted wing drosophila populations build up enough to
cause damage. Pay attention to SWD trap catches in the area. If SWD adults are being trapped while ripe fruit is being harvested, an insecticide might be needed. Late season varieties could be at risk, depending on how early SWD populations develop. Encourage clean picking, and send your workers in to clean up fields after pick-your-own harvesting. Renovate as soon as harvest is complete. A postharvest insecticide can be applied if other susceptible crops (i.e. raspberries) are close to your strawberry fields. Summer red raspberries: Trellis the crop to facilitate clean picking. Begin weekly insecticide applications when SWD are found in traps in your region and fruit is turning colour. If preharvest intervals permit, adjust your harvest schedule to pick every second day instead of every three or four days. The most important management strategy for raspberries is clean and frequent harvest. Remove fruiting canes as soon as possible after harvest. Day-neutral strawberries: Begin insecticide applications when
Summary Emergency Use Registrations fo or Spotted Wing Drosophila Valid to November e 30, 2013
Product
Crops
Rate
Delegate WG
Bushberries*
315-420 g/ha
Caneberries*
315-420 g/ha
1 day
Grapes
350 g/ha ha
4 da d ys
Strawberries
280 g/ha a
1 day
Stone fruit*
420 g/ha a
Bushberries*
333-444 mL/ha
3 days except 5 days for f cherries 3 days
Caneberries*
333-444 mL/ha
3 days
Stone fruit*
364 mL//ha
3 days except 5 days for f cherries
Strawberries Grapes
333-444 mL/ha 364 mL//ha
1 day 4 days mechanical harvesting 9 days hand harvesting
spinetoram 25% Group 5 Reg. #28778
Entrust SC spinosad 240g/L Group 5 Reg. #30382
Malathion 25W
Preharvest Interva al
Re-entry period
Max # applications /yea ar
Retreatment interval
3 days
12 hours except 3 days for hand labour on grapes
3
7 days
12 hours except 3-5 days for hand harvest on bushberries and caneberries (check the label) 9 days for hand labour
3
5 days
Sweet cherries
2.5-3.75 kg/ha
3 days
1 day except for 3 days for hand thinning
1
7-14 days
Malathion 85E
Bushberries*
1L/ha
2 days
12 hours
3
7-14 days
malathion 85% Group 1B
Caneberries*
1L/ha
1 day
12 hours
2
Stone fruit*
610-855 mL/ha
3 days
Strawberries
1 L/ha
3 days
Grapes
880 mL//ha
3 days
12 hours except 3 days for hand labour
1
n/a
Bushberries * Caneberries* Stone Fruit* Strawberries
150-175 mL/ha
2 days
2
7 days
Grapes
150 mL//ha
7 days
12 hours except for 2 days for hand thinning on stone fruit; 10 days for hand labour on grapes
Blueberries Currants Gooseberries Grapes Raspberries, blackberries Strawberries Stone fruit*
4.65 L/ha h
0 days
12 hours
8
5 days
malathion 25% Group 1B Reg. #14656
Reg. #8372
Ripcord cypermethrin 407 g/L Group 3 For suppression only Reg. #30316 Pyganic EC 1.4 pyrethrins 1.4% Group 3 Reg. #30164
Please note: this is a reference sheet and does not replace the labels. Continue to check the product labels for more specifi c instructions and uses. *Crop groups: 13-07A Caneberries includes raspberries and blackberries and other brambles. 13-07B Bushberries includes blueberries, currants, gooseberries, saskatoon berries, sea buckthorrn, elderberries, etc. 12 Stone Fruit includes apricot, sweet and sour cherry, nectari r ne, e peach, h plum
Photo by Glenn Lowson. SWD are found in traps in your region and fruit is turning colour. Continue on a 7-10 day schedule. Harvest day-neutral strawberries on a regular basis, even when the picking is light. Overwintered day-neutral fields are more at risk compared to new plantings, because extra foliage and plant debris in older fields make clean harvest more difficult. As you drop fields at the end of the season, mow them (unless you are going to harvest them next year) or do something to destroy fruit. Blueberries: Begin weekly insecticide applications when SWD are found in traps in your region and fruit is turning blue. On pick-your own farms you will need a way to keep the public out of fields that have been recently sprayed. Some growers close their farm for 1-2 days a week for pest control. Encourage clean picking. Fall-bearing raspberries: Trellis the crop to facilitate clean picking. Begin weekly insecticide applications when SWD are found in traps in your region and fruit is turning colour. Laterals from buds at the base of primocanes often produce berries ahead of the main crop. These fruit should be harvested or stripped from the plants. The most important management strategy for raspberries is clean and frequent harvest. Don’t grow more fallbearing raspberries than you can harvest on a regular schedule. Organic berry crops: Two of the insecticides (Entrust SC and Pyganic) registered in 2013 are accepted by most organic certifiers. However, residual efficacy of Pyganic is very short, and repeated use of Pyganic has already resulted in resistance in California. Alternate these two products to reduce the chance of resistance developing. In organic situations, sanitation is even more important. Remove all unmarketable fruit from the field. Research to identify native natural enemies of SWD is underway in Ontario and other production areas in Canada and the US. Other management strategies including exclusion netting or floating row covers, mass trapping, and the efficacy of different pest control products, are currently being evaluated. With just a year of experience with this new pest, management practices are evolving. The latest information on identification, monitoring and management of this invasive new pest can be found at www.ontario.ca
JULY 2013 –– PAGE 17 THE GROWER
BERRY FOCUS
Training workers on worker practices WAYNE DU, ON-FARM FOOD SAFETY SPECIALIST Food safety programs are becoming a requirement of doing business in Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and the Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA) can help, ensuring that you meet your buyer requirements, expand your market access and continue to keep Ontario’s food safe. Workers can contaminate food, food contact surfaces, water supplies and packaging materials if they do not follow good worker practices. Worker practices focus on food safety risks associated with eating, drinking, smoking and chewing tobacco or gum, wearing jewelry and storage of food and other personal belongs at the workplace. Good worker practices are especially important on farms that have workers coming in direct contact with the product such as fruits or vegetables. Training workers on worker practices is essential to safe food production and is a requirement of all food safety programs. If
workers don’t know it, they won’t do it. So make a commitment to food safety and train your workers today. Worker practices require employers to: • Develop written procedures for worker practices. These include who, what, how, where and when associated with carrying out the practice correctly. • Provide designated areas for eating, drinking, smoking and storage of food, drink and other personal belongings. The designated areas must be separate from production, handling, packaging and storage areas. Clearly identify and label these areas to ensure workers use them correctly. • Train workers, especially those newly hired, on worker practices. Ensure that workers clearly understand the expected practices and their food safety responsibility. Keep signed (by both the trainer and trainees) and dated training records. • Designate someone to monitor your workers and ensure that they are following the worker practices all the time. • Retrain your workers at the start of each season and if an incident
Photo by Denis Cahill has occurred. Worker practices require workers to: • Store personal food, drink, medication and other personal belongs such as jewelry, watches, badges, and others items in the designated areas. • Eat, drink or administer medication in a designated area such as in a lunchroom. • Avoid the use of glass bottles or brittle plastics. • Refrain from smoking, chewing tobacco or gum and spitting in or
around food production, handling and storage areas. • Avoid wearing jewelry, nail polish, badges, pins, or similar type items at work. Food safety is everyone’s responsibility. Make food safety training your priority! To attend one of our free online workshops
on Work Practices and other food safety topics, visit us at www.ontario.ca/foodsafety or call us at 1-877-424-1300. Food safety practices keep agri-food businesses competitive, productive and sustainable.
Online workshops available On July 10, OMAF and MRA are offering an online workshop on GAP: Worker Practices. This interactive session focuses on the significant role people play in producing safe food on-farm. Participants will learn how to identify the food safety risks associated with worker practices such as hand washing, toilet facilities, clothing, footwear and personal effects, illness and injury. The workshop will also explain the good agricultural practices associated with worker practices and how to reduce the risks. Who Should Attend: farm owners, managers and workers. When: July 10 from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Where: Your home or business - all you need is an internet and phone connection! Cost: No charge Other Upcoming Online Workshops: • Cleaning and Sanitizing – July 24 from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm • Pest Control, Building Maintenance and Visitors – August 14 from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm • Recall – August 29 from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm These workshops are supported by Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. To register for any of our informative workshops, please call: 1-877-424-1300 or visit http://ontario.ca/bf5i
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JULY 2013 –– PAGE 19 THE GROWER
MARKETPLACE
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The AWS has been approved for use by the Ontario Ministry of Environment through over 40 Environmental Compliance Approvals. Recently the Region of Niagara began approving the AWS for treatment of 'small flow' winery washwater I.e. < 10,000 liters per day. Other agencies who have issued approvals include Health Canada, USEPA and OMAFRA. Recent projects include: 1) treatment of cider mill washwater at Bennett's Apple and Cider in Ancaster 2) treatment of winery washwater at DiProfio Wines and Lincoln Farm Winery in Niagara 3) treatment of pond water at Hihojo Farms for supply of hog drinking water
For additional information please Contact Lloyd Rozema at: cell. 905-327-4571 email. lrozema@aqua-tt.com
www.thegrower.org
PAGE 20 –– JULY 2013 THE GROWER
MARKETPLACE
To advertise phone: 519-380-0118 • 866-898-8488 x 218 • Fax: 519-380-0011 NURSERY AND ROOTSTOCK
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JULY 2013 –– PAGE 21 THE GROWER
MINOR USE
Label expansion granted for Influence WP biological fungicide J. CHAPUT, OMAFRA, MINOR USE COORDINATOR, GUELPH The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion for Influence WP biological fungicide (garlic powder) for suppression of powdery mildew on crop subgroup 9B (cucumbers, pumpkins, squash) in Canada.
Influence biological fungicide was already labeled for management of several diseases on greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers in Canada. This minor use submission was sponsored in 2009 by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFCPMC) in response to minor use priorities identified by producers and extension personnel in Canada. Powdery mildew diseases are
one of the most common disease problems faced by cucumber, squash and pumpkin producers, especially organic producers and have been identified annually as a key minor use priority. The following is provided as a general, abbreviated outline only. Users should consult the complete label before using Influence WP biological fungicide. For suppression of powdery mildew on cucumbers, pumpkins and squash, apply 6.9 – 8.0 kg per
hectare of Influence WP in a minimum dilution rate of 700 L per ha. Subsequent applications may be made every seven – 14 days if symptoms persist. Do not use more than four applications per season. Influence WP biological fungicide should be used in an integrated pest management program and in rotation with other management strategies. Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Influence
WP biological fungicide label. Influence biological fungicide may also be permitted for use in organic production systems, however check with your organic certifying body first. For copies of the new supplemental label contact Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 8263539 or visit the AEF Global website at www.aefglobal.com/en/ or the Plant Products website at www.plantprod.com
Another resistance management tool for apples The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion for Delegate WG insecticide (spinetoram) for control of dogwood borer and reduction in numbers of apple clearwing moth on apples in Canada. Delegate WG insecticide was already labeled in Canada for management of a number of insects on a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. This minor use project sponsored by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFCPMC) was submitted in 2011 in response to minor use priorities identified by producers and extension personnel in Canada. This registration will provide apple producers with another pest management and resistance management tool to help manage this pest problem of apples in Canada. The following is provided as a general, abbreviated outline only. Users should consult the complete label before using Delegate WG insecticide. For the control of dogwood borer and to reduce the numbers of apple clearwing moth, apply 420 grams of Delegate WG per hectare. Use spray volume at 1500 - 2000 L/ha. Using a handgun or backpack sprayer, direct the spray to cover the lower trunk of the tree, particularly the graft union and any pruning cuts. Thorough coverage is essential. Apply one to two applications at a 14 day interval targeting the 1st instar larvae stage (in-season/ summer). Apply a maximum of two applications per year. Do not apply within seven days of harvest. Delegate WG insecticide should be used in an integrated pest management program and in rotation with other management strategies. Delegate is toxic to bees exposed to direct treatment, drift or residues on flowering crops or weeds. DO NOT apply this product to flowering crops or weeds if bees are visiting the treatment area. Minimize spray drift to reduce harmful effects on bees in habitats close to the application site. Delegate is toxic to small wild
mammals. Delegate may be toxic to certain beneficial insects. Minimize spray drift to reduce harmful effects on beneficial insects in habitats next to the
application site such as hedgerows and woodland. Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Delegate WG insecticide label.
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PAGE 22 –– JULY 2013 THE GROWER
MINOR USE CRAIG’S COMMENTS
Insert nostalgia for better results
CRAIG HUNTER OFVGA My sister sent me a couple of old photographs last week, one with my Dad and aunt at the old family ‘cottage’, and the other showing his favourite old car at the cottage in winter. It set off a train of reminiscing, as these were taken more than 75 years ago. For so many families in Canada, the connection to old family homes and even to far-flung family members has slowly faded away. We are so lucky to still own a little piece of the past- the ‘cottage’ is some of the old log buildings on an adjoining farm purchased as an addition to the ‘family farm’ back in 1853. Given the size of some of the old logs, they could have been 200 years old when the cabin was built, meaning they were seedlings in the mid-1630s! If only they could talk, they would have a lot to say! I have recently been reading about the logging and timber activities in that region of Ontario, and a little further north nearer Parry Sound. The enormity
of the slaughter of the huge forests boggles the mind. I know that there are still the remains of old pine stumps on our land that may go back to the 1820s, the time when that land was first logged over for the pine. The hardwood was taken off much later, and an old journal of my great-great grandfather shows prices paid for some of those logs. I do remember being told that the pine boards used to clad the last barn built on the farm (circa 1907) came from the piles of #2 wood at the local lumber mill, (long gone now). These boards are all a foot across, and at least sixteen feet long. They cost a dollar per load, on a flat rack wagon pulled by two horses. You could pile as many boards on a load as you dared, but the horses needed to be able to draw the load up a muddy slope to qualify for that price! Today, if those boards were to be removed (heaven forbid!) they would be worth more than that per foot per board! I can hardly imagine what the forests that were cut down then would be worth today, if they still existed. The clearing of the land for farming following the cutting of the trees had much less glamour, and has had much less written about it. The pulling of stumps, the drawing off of rocks and then stones was pure drudgery, but had to be done. I know that my great grandfather employed one man who did nothing but dig ditches and ‘tile’ drains on the farm. (Tiles were made from split cedar rails set over rocks in a trench
later filled in with rock before the limited soil was replaced- some of these still run today!) This man and his family all lived in the (at that time) one-room cabin that seems impossible to imagine today. The rocks and stones they pulled out make up the fences around the fields on the farm even today. There is actually only one field in 300 acres that doesn’t have at least one stone pile in the field too! I have been told there is a monster rock under every one of those piles that was too big to move, so a new pile got started there too! On another farm on the back concession that was bought a little later, the original pioneer family had five daughters and no sons. The girls were put to work picking stones, but because they were heavy, the girls had to work in a circle and toss them into small piles in the center that were to be later gathered up and moved to a fence-row. When their parents died suddenly and the farm was sold (to us) the small piles remained. Some of them are still there, as once the land was cleared it became apparent that it would not be useful to put it to the plough. All of this is to show that at least for us, the history of the land and the family has not been forgotten. I compare this to some of the people I meet and talk to when I travel. It is amazing, and a little disturbing that people don’t even know where their parents lived! They don’t know the names of grandparents or further back. They don’t have access to old photos to show their past.
Perhaps this explains why it is so easy for some folks to make bad decisions. They can have no conscience, and no sense of ‘shame’ when there is no known ‘family’ to ‘look over their shoulders’ from a couple of hundred collective years. Furthermore, there is no sense of the familial progressively hard-won gains against Mother Nature to protect. There is no accumulation of experience, and no ledger of hard work, sweat toil and tears that led to accomplishment. In fact, it is the lack of ‘personal’ capital investment in themselves and this country that allows some folks to just drift along, expecting no recriminations for any of their (bad) activities, giving nothing, but expecting full support and giant returns from all of us for whatever (if anything) that they do. That is where the farming community has it all over the city. It comes as no wonder to me that some ‘leaders’ find it so difficult to make good decisions. They usually work under the bright lights and scrutiny of the media. They are almost always based in a city -- pavement, stone and bricks. Few trees, fewer fields,
even fewer burbling streams and no giant trees exist where they are entrusted to make good decisions for all of us, including the rural constituencies! Maybe they need to re-convene at least once a year far away from the smoke to get a sense of what the rest of the country is all about. Even better, they should be required to bring a few old family photos (at least 75 years old) and then give an explanation of who, where, when, and what for each of them. Imagine the commonalities they might find. Imagine the overt relaxing of the tensions, and the possibilities of reaching good outcomes that follow. Those of us still connected to the countryside understand that instinctively- something the city needs to find anew. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Too bad that it only seems to work for a few of us: too bad that it won’t happen for those that need it most. I guess I will just have to get up and go for another walk down the trail through the bush to the old maple sugar shanty. At least I can still get my batteries charged and my perspective rejuvenated -the old fashioned way!
Clinic to be held for ‘intelligent’ sprayer If a new sprayer design could reduce crop protection inputs by 70 per cent, would you be interested? That’s the hook for an ‘intelligent’ sprayer demonstration day to be held in St. Catharines, Ontario on August 15. Heping Zhu, well known for his extension work at Ohio State University and associate Randy Zondag will be sharing their latest research with real-life clients. “While initially targeted to nursery crops, the agenda will be of interest to tender fruit and grape growers as well,” says Jason Deveau, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food application technology specialist. “This sprayer uses sensor technology to spray only where there is a target.”
The researchers will be demonstrating best practices in nursery spray application, including how to diagnose coverage and how to optimize label rates so each plant receives the same dose. Deveau as well as Jennifer Llewellyn will provide updates on research trials and best management practices for controlling diseases and insects. The event, including lunch, will be hosted at J.C. Bakker and Sons Ltd, 1360 Third Street, St Catharines from 9 am to 4 pm. August 16 is the rain date. If interested, register by August 1 with kpugliese@landscapeontario.com. Attendance is by RSVP only.
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JULY 2013 –– PAGE 23 THE GROWER
MINOR USE
Label expansions granted for Botanigard WP and Botanigard ES mycoinsecticides J. CHAPUT, OMAFRA, MINOR USE COORDINATOR, GUELPH The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of minor use label expansions for Botanigard WP and Botanigard ES Mycoinsecticides (Beauvaria bassiana) for control of aphids, thrips and whiteflies on greenhouse grown herbs in Canada. This includes crops such as basil, catnip, chervil, coriander leaf/cilantro, dill weed, hyssop, lavender, lemon balm, lemongrass, marigold, marjoram, nasturtium, dried parsley, rosemary,
Expansion for Quadris fungicide The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion for QUADRIS flowable fungicide (azoxystrobin) for control of leaf blights (Cercospora and Septoria) on celery in Canada. Quadris fungicide was already labeled for management of a variety of diseases on a range of crops in Canada. This minor use submission was sponsored in 2012 by the Quebec Horticultural Council (CQH) in response to minor use priorities identified by producers and extension personnel in Canada. Leaf blights of celery are the most common disease problem faced by celery producers and have been identified annually as a key minor use priority. The following is provided as a general, abbreviated outline only. Users should consult the complete label before using Quadris flowable fungicide. For control of Cercospora and Septoria leaf blight on celery, apply 0.672 - 1.12 L per hectare of Quadris in sufficient water to provide thorough coverage. Begin applications prior to disease development and apply at seven – 12 day intervals. Do not use more than three applications per season and do not apply less than one day before harvest of celery. Quadris fungicide should be used in an integrated pest management program and in rotation with other management strategies. Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Quadris fungicide label. For copies of the new supplemental label contact Marion Paibomesai, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-4963, Jim Chaput.
sage, sweet bay, tarragon, thyme, wintergreen and wormwood. Botanigard WP and Botanigard ES were already labeled for control of these pests on greenhouse vegetables and ornamentals in Canada. This minor use submission was sponsored in 2012 by the minor use office of OMAF & MRA in response to minor use priorities identified by producers and extension personnel in Canada. These are common pests faced by greenhouse herb producers and have been identified annually as key minor use priorities. For control of aphids, thrips and whiteflies on greenhouse herbs, apply Botanigard products
at five – 10 day intervals. High insect populations, especially whiteflies and aphids may require application at two to five day intervals. Repeat applications for as long as pest pressure persists. Botanigard products can be applied up to the day of harvest. For Botanigard WP: whiteflies and aphids apply 250 – 500 grams per 400 litres spray volume; thrips apply 500 – 1,000 grams per 400 litres spray volume. For Botanigard ES: whiteflies and aphids apply 0.5 – 1 litre per 400 litres spray volume; thrips apply 2 litres per 400 litres spray volume. Because Botanigard WP and/or
Botanigard ES have not been tested on all varieties of herbs, it is recommended that users test the product on a small area or a few plants to ensure crop safety before using the product on a larger scale. Botanigard WP and Botanigard ES Mycoinsecticides should be used in an integrated pest management program and in rotation with other management strategies. Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Botanigard WP and Botanigard ES labels. For copies of the new supplemental label contact Melanie
Filotas, OMAFRA, Simcoe (519) 426-4434, Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 8263539 or visit the Bioworks website at http://www.bioworksinc.com/prod ucts/canadian.php or the Plant Products website at www.plantprod.com .
PAGE 24 –– JULY 2013 THE GROWER
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