The Grower October 2013

CELEBRATING 133 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION

OCTOBER 2013

VOLUME 63 NUMBER 10

MINIMUM WAGE DEBATE

Raised rate? Less labour KAREN DAVIDSON It’s a cold morning, but warm camaraderie rises to meet the sun on Thanksgiving weekend. This is what ginseng digging looks like in Norfolk County.

On the face of it, these workers have a dreary job, picking up gnarled roots and tossing them into bushel baskets. The fact is that most are return workers from the Vietnamese-Canadian community in nearby Hamilton.

“They are extended family to us,” says Dave Smith, Harley, Ontario ginseng grower. “We work side by side.”

With five St. Vincent/ Caribbean workers hired from the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program (SAWP) to work April through November, Smith manages several ginseng gardens, selling his crop to China. Prices are firm to strong this year.

What may erode that success are the ultimate recommendations of Ontario’s Minimum Wage Advisory Panel struck July 17.

Note that the panel’s mandate is narrow. It’s not to recommend a number – a minimum wage per se – but to suggest a process for determining changes to the minimum wage in the future. The “Consultation Paper on Ontario’s Minimum Wage” (www.labour.gov.on.ca) asks respondents to answer specific questions about the impact of

INSIDE Highlights from Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Page 4 Focus: Greenhouse innovation

Page 12

Nuts come out of their shell

Page 18

www.thegrower.org P.M. 40012319 $3.00 CDN

How many people does it take to harvest ginseng? Turns out, quite a lot on this brisk October morning at the farm of Dave Smith, Harley, Ontario. These Caribbean and Vietnamese workers have just resumed work after a 9 am coffee break.

For years, Smith has hired a local crew of Vietnamese-Canadian citizens for the harvest. But with the aging of those repeat workers, he can foresee a dwindling work force in the future. For this season, he’s invested in a semi-automatic harvester to reduce the need for labour.

Photos by Glenn Lowson. tying the wage to economic indicators, i.e. the consumer price index (CPI), average weekly earnings, low-income cut-off or living wage.

The deadline for written responses is October 18. Chair Anil Verma is to report back to the labour minister by early 2014.

That the discussion is happening at all is “terrifying” says Ken Forth, chair of the OFVGA labour committee, who says horticulture has no representative on the six-person advisory panel.

The rate has already risen to $10.25 per hour, a 28 per cent increase from 2008 to 2010, well above inflation levels for that period. Any further boost affects growers who hire 16,000 temporary foreign workers every year.

As ginseng so aptly demonstrates, it’s one of many horticultural commodities sold on global markets. However, international competitors don’t have to meet Ontario/Canadian standards of food, worker or environmental safety.

“In real money, the SAWP workers are making $13 to $14 per hour now because growers also pay housing and transport,” says Forth. “If we raise the rate anymore, we’re in big trouble competing against Mexico which pays workers five to eight dollars per day. My accountant says that if there is a significant raise in the minimum wage rate, I shouldn’t plant next year.”

No jurisdiction functions in isolation of others argues Ken Linington, Labour Issues Coordinating Committee (LICC), in an industry response paper.

Minimum wage levels need to be competitive with other provinces, the United States, Mexico and other countries. Tying the wage to economic indicators such as the rate of inflation or average weekly earnings has pros and cons. Following inflation is better than political whim and is more predictable. But, the make-up of the CPI and the lag period could extend a recessionary period affecting ability to pay a higher

wage.

Minimum wage is a societal program funded by a small percentage of employers. Rather than minimum wage, Linington proposes a multi-wage level similar to that used with students and liquor servers based on age, experience and industry sector. A tiered minimum wage for agriculture could be implemented based on the average of minimum wages of key competing jurisdictions (i.e. Quebec, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, California, New York, Michigan and Ohio).

Under this model, the employer would pay a competitive base level topped up with a wage that society feels is appropriate from general tax revenues.

Ostensibly, the impetus for raising the minimum wage rate is to alleviate poverty. However, in a recent opinion editorial, Philip Cross, the former chief economic analyst for Statistics Canada, writes that the poverty rate in 2011 reached an all-time low, a fact with no precedent during a

recession. (Google Financial Post, The Social Safety Net Worked, September 17, 2013).

If the poverty rate is indeed decreasing, questions remain. If the minimum wage rate were to be tied to CPI, would this be attempting to fix a problem that doesn’t exist? Would a rate increase, in and of itself, be inflationary?

Economists can bring the academic weight of their studies to the table, but farmers can attest to the real-life burden of wage increases. As small business employers, they will say that any increase to part-time workers puts pressure on permanent staff salaries. And if pricing of inputs are rising at the same time, there’s a huge pinch that will leave an ugly bruise.

Ginseng grower Dave Smith isn’t waiting for the panel results.

His loyal workers are aging, so he’s semi-automated his harvesting equipment this season. He can see an end to hiring so many staff.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

PAGE 2 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

AT PRESS TIME… OPMA Gala hosts comedian Reserve Friday, November 8th – and your tickets – for the Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) gala dinner and awards ceremony. It’s the industry’s premier networking event bringing together growers, buyers, marketers and grocers.

This year’s gala features entertainment by improv king extraordinaire, Colin Mochrie from the hit TV show “Who’s Line is It Anway?” He’ll be joined by his equally talented wife Debra McGrath in an exclusive presentation to the produce industry.

“With this year’s revamped agenda featuring a Canadian comedy act, we think we have the momentum to sell well over 500 tickets this year,” says Chris Streef, OPMA chair. “With all the key influencers in attendance, we think this is an attractive package that the entire industry will recognize as an excellent opportunity to make business introductions and have some fun at the same time.”

Tickets are $200 each plus HST or $1800 plus HST for a table of 10. The event is hosted at the Liberty Grand, Exhibition Place in Toronto. To order tickets, go to: www.theopma.ca and

click on the events tab.

Tigchelaar case updated The story continues of three Mexican seasonal workers claiming a Vineland, Ontario strawberry farmer terminated them without complying with the Canadian Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms worker protections. Also named in the claim were the federal government and the non-profit agency Foreign Agricultural Resources Management Services (FARMS). This was the first claim of this nature.

The federal government, FARMS and the farmer, Dan Tigchelaar, were successful in a “Motion to Strike” (or to be removed) from the case for lack of evidence. The March 2013 ruling also included an opportunity for an amended claim to be filed.

In an effort to avoid a new amended claim, an out-of-court settlement continues to be negotiated.

Time to participate in SDRM: Edible Horticulture In September, Agricorp mailed participant packages for SDRM: Edible Horticulture to eligible producers. To participate, complete your deposit request and submit with your SDRM deposit cheque to Agricorp.

Last year’s Ontario budget announced $100 million in annual funding for all sectors participat-

NEWSMAKERS ing in the Risk Management Program, including edible horticulture. Starting this year, SDRM government contributions will be made in instalments and will not equal 100 per cent of your deposit. This ensures producers who make deposits later in the program year will have equal access to the available government funding.

Send your deposit to Agricorp

by February 1, 2014. To withdraw funds this year, both deposit and withdrawal requests should be received by October 31, 2013.

The self-directed risk management plan for edible horticulture is part of Ontario’s Risk Management Program to help producers manage risks beyond their control. To be eligible, producers must have a minimum of $5,000 in allowable net sales, grow an eligible commodity, participate in AgriStability, and provide a valid premises ID. Visit agricorp.com for more information.

OPMA survey The Ontario Produce Marketing Association invites growers to take a survey on its new website: Produce Made Simple. Go to: www.surveymonkey.com/s/producemadesimple

Condolences to the family and friends of Joe Sardinha, 52, past president of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association, who passed away unexpectedly on August 31. An articulate and passionate crusader, Sardinha led the provincial industry organization from 2005 to 2011.

Nationally, he was Joe Sardinha in his Summerland, B.C. very active, at one time orchard. an apple committee chair of the Canadian Horticultural Council. He also served as a member of the science advisory committee. He was a proud descendant of Portuguese immigrants and the second generation to farm in the Okanagan.

Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. has honoured Patrick Mifsud, a grade four/five teacher at Blessed John XXIII Catholic School in Mississauga, Ontario for his dedication and efforts in integrating agricultural concepts into classroom curriculum. The award was presented during the opening ceremonies of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show on September 10.

The federal Liberal caucus has shuffled some key players to face the new Parliament. Veteran Nova Scotia MP Mark Eyking is taking over as agriculture critic. He and his wife Pam operated a successful vegetable farm for 20 years, winning the Cape Breton Business Excellence Award and Outstanding Young Farmers of Nova Scotia Award. He takes over from Frank Valeriote who now acts as deputy whip in the shadow cabinet. Wayne Easter, familiar to many as agriculture critic and most recently trade critic, is now the new public safety critic.

New product Bloo juice, a 100 per cent natural blueberry juice, was launched in Sobeys Atlantic stores in midSeptember. There are three SKUs: blueberry, blueberry strawberry and blueberry citrus. It’s produced by Nova Agri, based in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley.

Wes Wiens

Congratulations to Wes Wiens, named 2013 Grape King by the Grape Growers of Ontario, Farm Credit Canada and the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival. The Niagara-on-the-Lake grower is recognized as a young, dynamic figure who has quickly established himself as a leader in viticulture innovation. With his wife, Briar and four children, Wiens manages grapevine nursery stock and grows 19 varieties on 400 acres which are sold to four local wineries.

Timothy Sargent is the new associate deputy minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. He brings extensive experience with the Privy Council Office (PCO) where he was acting deputy secretary to the Cabinet (Operations) after serving as Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Economic and Regional Development Policy). Prior to his roles with the PCO, Sargent held a number of positions with Finance Canada, most recently as director of the Financial Institutions Division. Of special interest to the fruit and vegetable sector, Sargent will be leading the departmental efforts to advance agricultural interests within the Canada-United States Regulatory Cooperation Council agenda.

Mana Canada welcomes Barbara Yates in the position of regulatory manager, responsible for product registration, handling government-related affairs and contributing to new product development and innovation program.

Metro, Canada’s third-largest grocer is reorganizing its Ontario network. Most significant is that Manoj Biswas has the new role of director, ethnic merchandising. Biswas brings with him an extensive background in ethnic retailing, most recently as the VP corporate affairs, Oriental Food Mart.

Condolences to the family of Lannie Phillips, 73, owner of Phillips Farm Supplies, based in Brighton, Ontario. He was well-known as a spray specialist, serving the orchard, grape and field vegetable industries. He passed due to a heart attack on September 21.

For more information or to pre-register products with CleanFARMS for disposal call 877-622-4460 or visit www.cleanfarms.ca

OCTOBER 2013 –– PAGE 3 THE GROWER

MINIMUM WAGE DEBATE

Who’s sitting on the Minimum Wage Advisory Panel?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Chair Anil Verma is Professor of Human Resource Management at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, and Director of the University of Toronto’s Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources. He serves as a member of Statistics Canada’s Advisory Committee on Labour and Income Statistics, and on the Board of Directors of COSTI Immigration Services Panel Members Antoni Shelton is Director and a Liaison to the President for the Ontario Federation of Labour. He has worked as a Community Development Officer and Campaign Manager for the United Way and as Executive Director of the Urban Alliance on Race Relations. He has also held positions with both the City of Toronto and the Ontario government in areas dealing with social policy.

Adam Vasey is Director of Pathway to

Potential, Windsor Essex County’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. He has been an instructor at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law and School of Social Work. He holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Windsor and a Master of Laws degree from Osgoode Hall Law School.

Gary Rygus is Director of Government Relations, Retail Council of Canada (RCC). The RCC is a not-for-profit, industry-funded association representing more than 45,000 business establishments across Canada. Mr. Rygus was also a Board Member of the Ontario Electronic Stewardship, and a Review Panel Member of the Electrical Safety Authority.

Beth Potter is President & CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). TIAO collectively represents 147,000 businesses and 608,000 employees that are dedicated to promoting and operating the Province’s tourism infrastructure. She was appointed as a member of the Sector Advisory Committee of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC). She was also appointed to the Recreational Water Safety

“

They are extended family to us.

We work side by side.” ~ Dave Smith

task force, led by the Public Health Policy and Programs Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

Laura D’Amico has served as a Student Trustee for the Ottawa Catholic School

Board and graduated this past June from St. Mark High School. She was a member of the Ottawa Youth Commission. She will be attending Wilfrid Laurier University this fall.

INTERNATIONAL NETHERLANDS

UNITED STATES

MEXICO

UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

Hoopla over arugula

Monsanto expands seed HQ

Greenhouse industry showcased

Walmart focuses on produce

BASF expands research capacity

Walmart’s decision to train 70,000 associates on quality characteristics of produce and to hire experts to work with growers is paying off. President and CEO Bill Simon reports that their produce business is gaining momentum with sales gains over the same period a year ago.

Food grocers are feeling pressure from ‘buy local’ trends and farmers’ markets to improve quality throughout their distribution systems. As Walmart gets closer to its farmer suppliers, the retailer says it’s dedicated to doubling its sales of locally grown produce by December 2015. A key goal is to decrease days between the field and the store by a day.

BASF has opened a $33 million expansion in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park (RTP) including 80,000 feet of office, laboratory and greenhouse facilities. The climate-controlled greenhouse and laboratories are dedicated to plant biotechnology research and a new environmentally-controlled insect production facility.

"A significant share of BASF's insecticide research is conducted in RTP,” said Nevin McDougall, senior vice president, BASF Crop Protection North America. “These larger facilities will enable us to evaluate our promising insecticide candidates faster.”

Due to an unfavourable regulatory environment, BASF moved its corporate headquarters from Germany to the U.S. in January 2012. The company also stopped commercialization of the Amflora potato for industrial uses.

Source: Hortidaily.com

The popularity of arugula continues to spike as Green Specialties Holland now grows 20 hectares of arugula.

Sometimes known as salad rocket, this herb thrives under open ground cultivation according to owner Adrie van den Einden.

“The plant grows a little more even than inside the greenhouse, giving it a thicker leaf and a special bite,” says van den Einden.

“We started with experiments on a small scale. Since then, arugula sales have gone through the roof.”

Spring and summer are the peak growing season in Holland, then the company imports from open fields in Spain and from tunnels in Italy.

Source: FreshPlaza.com

The globe’s largest seed company, Monsanto, has opened the doors to its $31 million expansion at its vegetable seed research headquarters in Woodland, California.

The 90,000-square-foot laboratory and office building is the company's primary site for the molecular breeding of vegetable seeds.

This expansion allows Monsanto to "maintain a close working relationship with our customers in an area which has become a hub for seed science and which produces more than half of all vegetables grown in the U.S.,” says Mark Oppenhuizen, Woodland’s strategy and operations lead.

The Woodland site employs 250 full-time workers and 150 contract seasonal employees.

The 18th edition of Expo Agroalimentario will be held in Irapuato in the central state of Guanajuato, with the slogan: Field to Plate. From November 12 – 15, more than 100,000 visitors are expected, including foreign contingents from Spain, France, Columbia and Canada.

With 500 exhibitors and 2.3 hectares of demonstration greenhouses, the event showcases new products and the continuing growth of the Mexican greenhouse industry.

Source: FreshPlaza.com

Source: Hortidaily.com

Source: FreshPlaza.com

PAGE 4 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW

Large crowds trek to machinery mecca KAREN DAVIDSON Twenty years. It’s a milestone that thousands of farmers marked at the Woodstock, Ontario site of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. Besides machinery, attendees could find representatives of many services that can save money on the farm.

Recycling plastics

Customizing your farm map

Choosing an agri-career in horticulture

Don Nott has been growing Cave-in-Rock switchgrass for eight years now near Clinton, Ontario. Originally, his intent was to grow for biomass fuel but the market has evolved into bioproducts as replacements for plastic. To supplement switchgrass, his SwitchEnergy Corporation now collects materials all over Ontario to be transformed into renewable products. That’s a boon for horticulture which needs to recycle greenhouse films and mulch covers. “We prefer greenhouse film because it’s usually clear plastic,� says Nott who explains that he often buys from intermediaries who aggregate and bale the plastic. The pick-up service is free.

For more information, go to www.switchenergycorp.com

Land maps have come a long way in their precision and utility says Jennifer Birchmore, OMAF geographic information specialist. By typing in your geographic coordinates to AGMAPS, you can unearth a wealth of information.

As Birchmore explains, farmers can explore locations based on a place name, lot, parcel number, latitude and longitude. The website contains mapping data such as assessment parcels, farm property tax parcels, Canada Land inventory soils, drainage data, agricultural operations inventory and aerial imagery. Better yet, print out a copy to contractors or employees to pinpoint precise locations on the farm.

To get started, visit: www.ontario.ca/agmaps

Any visitor to Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show is struck by all the iron. For students, the site must be overwhelming. How does all that machinery work?

Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. (OAFE) has partnered with the show to walk more than 300 students through the iron maze. This year, students from schools in Woodstock, Ridgetown, Petrolia, Caledonia and Guelph were aided by teacher ambassadors. They could choose from three new secondary school resources developed specifically for the event: 20 Years of Innovation in Agriculture, Local Food and Horticulture, and Smart Water Use. Each of these resources support the Technological Education and Science curriculum for Grades 11-12, with a special focus on Specialist High School Major (SHSM) programs in Environment, Horticulture and Agriculture.

The document developed for horticulture is timely and relevant, inviting students to consider the implications of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency changing its definition of local food from 50 kilometres of where it’s sold to food processed in the same province. Students are asked to produce a plan for a business affected by these changes. They can choose to be a marketer of fruits and vegetables, a coop grocery store or medium-sized food processor. How does this interim food policy affect your business?

At the end of the exercise, students are asked to identify what skills are needed to carry out the position and what educational experience is required.

For a copy of the document, go to www.oafe.org

experts Top -notch seeds

A team of

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Retrofitting lighting and pumps Union Gas is the go-to company for delivering Hydro One’s electricity financial incentive program. For a limited time, Hydro One is offering electricity retrofit incentives for energy-efficient upgrades for farm buildings. The offer includes all parts, labour and clean-up.

Start first with an energy audit, and then zero in on your target area: lighting and controls, refrigeration, motors, pumps or fans.

Union Gas commercial conservation account manager Gregory Gawne helps bring the program to the agricultural community. “I’m currently working on a greenhouse project retrofitting the lighting and pumps that run irrigation,� says Gawne.

The offer is also appealing for those who want to also replace old fans with high efficiency ones.

Remember that energy rates shift as of Nov. 1 through April 30. On winter weekdays, on-peak hours are billed from 7-11 a.m. and then 5-7 p.m.

Mid-peak hours are calculated from noon to 5 p.m.

For further information, email ggawne@uniongas.com or call Hydro One at -1-866-650-4709.

OCTOBER 2013 –– PAGE 5 THE GROWER

BITS AND BITES

Local Food Fund launched

With Foodshare Toronto as a backdrop, Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne announced that applications are now open for a new Local Food Fund. It’s part of a $30 million dollar investment from the province to create jobs and support

innovative local food projects over the next three years. This fund is also part of the government's broader local food strategy to increase awareness and demand for foods grown and made in Ontario. It will support projects that:

• Market and promote local food • Strengthen regional and local food networks by increasing partnerships along the supply chain • Use new and innovative equipment and processes to boost the supply, quality,

availability and distribution of local food Above: Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne greets Holland Marsh carrot and onion grower Jason Verkaik, vice-chair OFVGA.

Save energy by retrofitting Farming Power, a new incentive program for farmers in the Greenbelt is gaining momentum since being introduced this past summer. Delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA), Farming Power offers significant cost-share for adopting energy-saving technologies in farm buildings.

The program emphasizes three best management practices or BMPs: Lighting projects, refrigeration and cooling projects (cooling compressors and free cooling) and heating upgrades. Farmers can apply for cost share provided they have an Environmental Farm Plan (EFP),

live in the Greenbelt and have a Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN).

The application process requires participants to work with an energy expert to get an accurate estimate of just how much energy can potentially be saved by retrofitting old technology with new. Applications received to date verify the savings can be significant. One project proving popular with a few horticulture operations is the replacement of cooling compressors. One grower in Niagara measured a 26 per cent savings in energy use.

The program design sets cost-share levels at 30, 40 or

50 per cent, depending on the level of energy saved. Up to $5,000 is available within each BMP, with a maximum of up to $10,000 per farm business. Opportunities exist in multiple agriculture sectors including greenhouses, fruit and vegetable storage and more.

Farm businesses interested in applying for Farming Power should act quickly; the program is available for 2013 only. For more information and to access the application and all of the supplementary project forms, please visit www.ontariosoilcrop.org.

OFVGA welcomes guest speaker

Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association

NEW REVISED TWO DAY FORMAT

DEREK EDWARDS

155th Annual General Meeting

with meetings Monday and Tuesday, banquet Monday night.

Stand-up comedian Derek Edwards is proof positive: you can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy. His award-winning “rural” humour has made him the hottest thing in Canada.

Award-Winning Comedian

January 13 & 14, 2014 Crowne Plaza Niagara Falls, ON

AWARD OF MERIT NOMINATIONS The award is our way of recognizing the outstanding contribution made by an individual or organization to our fruit and vegetable industry.

REGISTRATION FORM, AGENDA AND AWARD OF MERIT NOMINATION FORM AVAILABLE AT

www.ofvga.org

Is there someone you would like to nominate?

Deadline: Nov. 30, 2013

PAGE 6 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

CANADIAN HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL

U.S., Canada aim to limit cargo inspections at border The United States and Canada are working on a common approach to screening cargo from other countries so fewer shipments have to be re-inspected if they later cross the U.S.-Canada border. Canadian customs officials would inspect cargo at Canadian ports according to the harmonized standards so Customs and Border Protection (CBP) doesn't have to inspect again when it arrives in the United States via rail or highway. The U.S. and Canadian governments released a cargo security strategy on September 4 that outlines what they aim to harmonize. It says they expect to recognize each

other's security technology, develop similar inspection facilities, and use common standards to seal and track cargo traveling between the two countries. They also intend to make it standard practice to acquire advance data about shipments before they leave their place of departure abroad.

"Addressing risks at the earliest opportunity" is one of the core objectives of the strategy, part of an effort called Beyond the Border that the countries jointly undertook in 2011. Collaborative efforts to implement nucleardetection equipment and tamperevident technologies, which show if anyone has had unauthorized

access to a shipment, are planned as well. A few pilot programs are already underway.

For nearly a year, Canadian customs officials have been examining maritime shipments to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, that the U.S. government has identified as high risk. When those shipments arrive in the United States, CBP officers know they don't need to conduct duplicate inspections. A similar pilot began in Montreal in January. In another pilot, Canada is assessing tamper-evident seals that aim to show whether cargo is secure after its arrival in Canada during its transit to the United States.

COMING EVENTS 2013 October 5

Holland Marsh Soupfest, Ansnorveldt Park, King Township, ON (www.soupfest.ca)

October 5

Asparagus Farmers of Ontario 75th Anniversary Dinner, Hungarian Hall, Delhi, ON (info@asparagus.on.ca)

Oct 9, 10

Canadian Greenhouse Conference, Scotiabank Convention Centre, Niagara Falls, ON

Oct 9 – 11

Canadian Agricultural Safety Association Annual General Meeting, Hotel Chateau Laurier, Quebec City, QC

Oct 18-20

PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Expo, New Orleans, Louisiana

October 24 6th Annual Ontario Harvest Gala, Teatro Conference and Event Centre, Milton, ON

Change of address for CanadaGAP

October 26 Canadian Chestnut Council Annual General Meeting, The Loft, Tim Horton’s Children’s Foundation, Onondaga Farms, St. George, ON

The CanadaGAP Program relocated offices on September 9, 2013. The new address for CanadaGAP is:

Oct 28 – Nov 1 North American Plant Protection Organization Annual Meeting, Guelph, ON

Phone: 613-829-4711 Fax: 613-829-9379 The email addresses for CanadaGAP staff remain the same.

245 Stafford Road West, Suite 312 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2H 9E8

Nov 1 – 10 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, ON November 7 American Agri-Women Conference Canadian Tour, Holiday Inn & Suites, Parkway Conference Centre, St. Catharines, ON

UNRESERVED PUBLIC AUCTION

November 7 11th Annual Ontario Pest Management Conference, Victoria East Golf Club, Guelph, ON

OTTAWA, ON

November 8 OPMA Annual Gala, Liberty Grand, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON

October 17, 2013 (Thursday) | 9 am

Nov 11 – 15 Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association Annual Tour, California Nov 12 – 17 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer Awards, Regina, SK Nov 13, 14 NAFTA Technical Working Group on Pesticides, Stakeholder Government Meeting, Ottawa, ON Nov 18

UNUSED 2011 FOTON TE354

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CanAgPlus Annual General Meeting (owner and operator of CanadaGAP program), Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, Ottawa, ON 1:30 – 4 pm

Nov 14 – 24 European Farm Show & Tour, for info email admin@agriveg.ca Nov 19, 20 63rd Annual Essex County Associated Growers’ Bounty of the County Trade Show, Kinsmen Recreation Complex, Leamington, ON Nov 21 Fresh Vegetable Growers of Ontario Annual General Meeting, OMAF office, Woodstock, ON

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Nov 19 – 21 Potato Growers of Alberta Conference and Trade Show, Calgary, AB Nov 21, 22 Ontario Beekeepers’ Association Annual General Meeting, Marriott-Gateway on the Falls, Niagara Falls, ON Nov 22

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Asparagus Farmers of Ontario Annual General Meeting, Simcoe Research Station, Simcoe, ON 9 am to noon

Nov 25, 26 Annual Ontario Federation of Agriculture Convention, Doubletree by Hilton, Toronto, ON Dec 3 – 5

CropLife Canada Grow Canada Conference 2013, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Calgary, AB

Dec 10 - 12 Great Lakes Expo, Devos Place Convention Centre, Grand Rapids, Michigan

OCTOBER 2013 –– PAGE 7 THE GROWER

OFVGA

Board briefs Following are highlights from the OFVGA board meeting held August 22, 2013. The purpose of this brief is to keep you up-todate on the issues that the OFVGA is working on, as well as projects and initiatives the organization is involved in.

Provincial minimum wage advisory committee Ken Linington with the Labour Issues Co-ordinating Committee (LICC) is working with OFVGA to develop a submission to the advisory committee established

by Premier Kathleen Wynne to make recommendations on future increases to the provincial minimum wage.

The advisory committee consists of six people: two employer/ retailer/tourism sector representatives, one student, one representative from labour and one representative from a Windsor-based poverty reduction strategy, as well as a professor from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management who is serving as the group’s chair. A comment period to make submissions to the committee is now open.

Labour is one of the largest costs borne by edible horticulture farmers due to the labour-intensive production of many fruit and vegetable crops. The prices for many of these crops are set by the global marketplace, so farmers can’t simply pass those costs along to consumers like many other sectors of the economy are able to.

response through CHC, but affected commodity groups should also submit their own comments on why they need this for their crops. Craig can assist with those submissions if necessary.

Spotted Wing Drosophila Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) has now been found in 43 of 60 sites being monitored in Ontario.

Most of the horticulture crops it affects have a very short window of harvest. However, the products available to use against SWD have a pre-harvest interval of two to three days, making harvest very difficult. This is a significant issue that will have to be addressed with PMRA; work is already underway on this.

Canadian Horticultural Council Adrian Huisman reported that the 2014 CHC annual general meeting will be shortened to three days. This will result in cost savings to the organization. Huisman also reported that CHC is proposing to reduce the number of its committees from six to five, a change that would become effective following the next AGM. The

organization is also reviewing options for its office facilities as an effort to seek additional cost savings.

Waste Reduction Act OFVGA is part of the recently formed Ontario Agriculture Waste Management Partnership.

The group also includes Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers, Flowers Canada (Ontario), Farm & Food Care, Canadian Animal Health Initiative, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Agri-Business Association, Clean Farms and the Canadian Fertilizer Institute, and is working on responding to the Ministry of the Environment’s proposed Waste Reduction Act. The OFA is leading the coalition, which has hired a consultant to do a study on the potential impact of the proposed Act on the sector.

The government’s intent with this Act is to enable more companies to recycle their waste instead of sending it to landfill.

Fresh from the Farm program The Fresh from the Farm pilot

Photo by Denis Cahill program is being launched this fall in select school boards that will let students fundraise for their schools by selling Ontario fruits and vegetables. Modeled after a similar program in Manitoba, the Ontario initiative is a partnership between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF), Ministry of Education, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA) and Dietitians of Canada. It’s

being rolled out to 379 elementary and secondary schools at 10 different school boards in Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford Counties, the city of London, and districts of Cochrane (Timmins) and Algoma (Sault St. Marie).

Starting in September, students in the pilot schools will be selling eight-pound boxes of apples for $20 and a 10-pound root v\egetable bag for $10 that will include carrots, onions, potatoes and parsnips. More information about Fresh from the Farm is available at www.eatrightontario.ca/en/FreshFromTheFarm.

The next OFVGA board meeting will be held October 17 at the OFVGA office in Guelph starting at 10 am.

TRAVEL? CANADA CUBA FARMER TOURS!

Property section Property section chair Brian Gilroy reported that Farm & Food Care, as part of the Water Resource Adaptation and Management Initiative (WRAMI), is partnering with Strategic Research Associates in Guelph to conduct a survey of farmers this fall about their water source and how they store, use and manage water on the farm. The WRAMIfunded study will seek to find out how farmers are managing their water use decisions and what information or tools they might need to make the best decisions possible for their operation. More information is available from Bruce Kelly at Farm & Food Care: bruce@farmfoodcare.org Crop protection section Mancozeb re-evaluation PMRA has officially released its proposed re-evaluation of the active mancozeb, with a 60-day response period. Uses that are proposed for phase-out include seed treatments on barley, oats, corn, flax and wheat and potatoes, as well as use on horticulture crops including apples, pears, grapes and greenhouse tomatoes.

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PAGE 8 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

Time to fix an old problem

RAY DUC CHAIR, OFVGA The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association’s (OFVGA) mandate is to lobby on

behalf of edible horticulture in Ontario. The association’s lobby efforts lessen the workload of its commodity members by dealing with issues that are common to its entire membership. Funding of the OFVGA comes courtesy of the Ontario Farm Products Container Act of 1947. This revenue source has enabled the OFVGA to have a strong unified voice when lobbying on behalf of edible horticulture in Ontario.

So what’s the problem? It’s a problem that has been plaguing the boardroom for at least 20 years; it has used up time and resources and has caused dissension among our membership. The problem is the container toll, the

committee will bring complete fairness, so all growers who benefit from the work of the OFVGA will share in the cost. As a grower of a processed crop, I have been among the growers who have received the benefits at a low cost. My commodity organization -- the Grape Growers of Ontario(GGO) -- has made voluntary payments to the OFVGA but at a level that is less than if we were captured under the Act. A good example of the inequity is to compare tender fruit and my commodity board the GGO. Both have a farmgate value of approximately $70 million, however the OFVGA receives $30,000 from the GGO

method currently used to fund the OFVGA. The toll paid by growers when baskets and containers are purchased does not fairly distribute the cost of the benefits generated by the work of the OFVGA. Simply put, some growers are paying more than their fair share, while others are paying very little.

At the 2013 annual meeting of the OFVGA, a resolution was brought to the floor asking the board of directors to find a solution. A funding committee was formed to deal with the resolution and recommendations and proposals have now been presented to the board. The recommendations of the funding

and $145,000 from tender fruit growers.

We can no longer ask a portion of the growers to pay for the work that is done for all. We must, including myself, start paying our fair share or the dissension will continue. Fixing this problem will not be easy. It will take time and there will be opposition. I am, however, confident that we can meet this challenge, put this problem behind us and begin to focus all of our time and resources to the issues that face edible horticulture in Ontario.

In the end, I, for one, will feel better paying my fair share.

Does the government have a dilemma brewing?

ART SMITH CEO, OFVGA As usual there are many things going on at the government level; sometimes their policies seem to

be in unison, sometimes they seem to be at odds. Such is the situation I believe the Ontario government finds itself in as it relates to our sector.

Premier Wynne, in midSeptember, announced the Local Food Fund, a three-year, $30 million fund to help promote local food consumption and distribution. (go to the OMAF website for more detailed information) This is a great initiative that the government has put in place and it will certainly heighten awareness of the vast diversity of crops we grow in this province.

More importantly, it is also intended to help make available

well known for its view on minimum wages and that the wage rate should be in the range of $14 to $15. Next point, the number one goal of any political party is to get elected and then re-elected.

So here’s the dilemma, a sustainable local food system or wages so high as to force farmers of labour-intensive crops out of business.

Our farmers still have not recovered from the last rate increases (28 per cent from 2008 to 2010) and any additional increase at this time will wreak havoc with many of our farmers.

Not is all lost however!

Should the government exempt

more fresh produce through community groups such as Food Share across the province. It is indeed unfortunate that there are so many people who rely on the services of these organizations to help feed their families; so congratulations to the Premier for recognizing their needs and taking action to help.

Now this is the dilemma. It is well known that the Premier is committed to fighting poverty, she has made those comments on numerous occasions. She also is the leader of a minority government and will have to secure the support of the NDP if she hopes to hold power after the release of the spring budget. The NDP is

agriculture and perhaps other sectors similar to ours that must compete in a global market against low-cost products, we could use the federal rate which also has a built in CPI factor that would incrementally increase the rate on a regular basis. This is how the seasonal agriculture worker program has been handled in the past. It would create a level playing field with farmers in other provinces and would not put our farmers out of business and we could still produce fruit and vegetables right here in Ontario.

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

WEATHER VANE

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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

OCTOBER 2013 –– PAGE 9 THE GROWER

PERSPECTIVE Tough conditions reveal strengths of new varieties

OWEN ROBERTS UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH It’s been a tough year for some producers in Ontario’s tomato belt. Tomatoes like it hot and relatively dry. When conditions are opposite, they simply don’t respond as well. And with buckets of rain flooding certain tomato fields, and fairly cool temperatures, some of those 44-tonne-peracre yields recorded last year have fallen off appreciably.

From a research perspective, even a tough year offers more information than they had before, particularly about how certain lines react under stress. And this year, they’ll get loads of new data.

That information is of particular interest to University of

Guelph researcher Steve Loewen, at the Ridgetown campus. For the past 25 years, he’s been dedicated to breeding and improving Ontario processing tomatoes – making them higher yielding, more resistant to plant disease, better suited for canning and even improving the flavour.

Most of his efforts are dedicated to domesticated tomato plants like those we see in our fields. At other times, his focus is directed toward the wild tomato species that originate in South America, and the seed collection of these species held at the Tomato Genetics Resource Center at the University of California, Davis.

This collection is available for tomato researchers to draw upon the genetic diversity represented by these wild tomatoes.

With support from the partnership between the University and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs, and an industry agency called the Ontario Tomato Research Institute, he develops new, improved and unique lines of tomatoes. He then turns them over to private sector breeders to develop further into something commercial.

He’s working on a number of new tomato lines, seven of which

By using genes from native tomatoes from the wilds of Peru and Ecuador, Loewen’s showing lycopene levels can be boosted by up to 200 per cent, compared to the amount found in traditional, domesticated lines. he showcased to a group gathered for an information session called News@Noon at the One Stone Road government building in Guelph last month.

Besides offering up a taste test, Loewen also revealed some big news – that is, progress towards what he considers one of his biggest developments ever, a tomato line with double the levels of lycopene. It’s an anti-oxidant often associated with helping stave off the likes of prostate cancer, and given consumers’ interest in food for health, it could well be destined to be a hit.

Tomatoes already have beneficial levels of lycopene naturally present. But by using genes from

native tomatoes from the wilds of Peru and Ecuador, Loewen’s showing lycopene levels can be boosted by up to 200 per cent, compared to the amount found in traditional, domesticated lines.

Over the past 10 years, Loewen’s developed cross after cross to get the enhanced lycopene line to the point where it also had other traits for fruit size, yield, and maturity. Commercial plant breeders need to adapt these traits for our growing region.

And he thinks the processing industry will be excited about this progress. It turns out lycopene can be more easily taken up by

the human body (a trait called being more bioavailable) through processing. Specifically, it’s the cooking process that changes lycopene into a form that is more easily absorbed.

Other lines that Loewen is pursuing produce a variety of coloured tomatoes – yellow and orange in particular – which he thinks could form the basis of new products for consumers if properly marketed.

If they’re firm enough, these varieties could be diced and mixed to develop a multicoloured diced product. And when used in a pasta salad, or as the basis for salsa, he says they’d look great together, similar to the way red, orange and yellow peppers have come to appear on store shelves.

And still more lines in Loewen’s lab and field work are dedicated to resistance to bacterial spot and vine decline, diseases that prevent tomato plants from reaching their potential.

Tomatoes are an important crop for southwestern Ontario and any production gain can have a positive effect in the farm economy, not to mention consumers’ health. Ontario tomatoes are a winner and Loewen’s research is helping them stay at the head of the pack.

PAGE 10 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

Healthy discussion about bee health CRYSTAL MACKAY Questions around bees and why they are dying or not dying are being asked around the world.

In recent years, an unusually high number of bee deaths have occurred in some areas of Europe, Canada and the United States, while other areas have seen bee population growth. All types of farmers rely on pollinators and are concerned about bee health and the environment. It’s a complex issue with no easy answers.

Researchers around the world are currently working to determine the cause of the increase in bee deaths in certain regions and why populations are increasing in others. While the EU has announced a moratorium on the specific type of pesticide called neonicotinoids or “neonics” because of a believed connection, the British government has announced that it rejects the science behind the moratorium. In Canada, Health Canada is investigating bee deaths to determine what role, if any, pesticide may have played in the incidents.

Recently there’s been an increasing level of concern and discussion around the topic of bees here in Ontario and in the media. In July, the Ontario government formed a “Bee Health Working Group” with representation from many sectors of Ontario agriculture. The issue was discussed by delegates at the

Grain Farmers of Ontario annual meeting and was a topic discussed by visitors to the Farm & Food Care exhibits at September farm shows. Wellfunded environmental special interest groups like the Sierra Club have also jumped into the discussion, pointing fingers at agriculture's use of genetically modified organisms, pesticides in general and neonicotinoids specifically.

What is Farm & Food Care’s role?

As a coalition with a mandate to provide credible information on food and farming, it’s important to note that Farm & Food Care doesn’t lobby or take positions on issues. We’re designed to represent all types of agriculture and all types of farming methods.

We’re here to provide facts on food and farming to the public to allow them to make informed decisions at the grocery store.

For a working example, look at the www.virtualfarmtours.ca website. Over 150,000 people visited that site last year to see different kinds of farms. The latest updates on that site were made to the egg farm tours to include virtual farm tours and fact sheets on all types of egg production – from conventional to organic and free range. Consumers frequently access that site to look at the differences in the birds’ housing and feeding systems and can then make their choices according to the system they prefer and price they want to pay.

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Photo by Glenn Lowson student tours visit both organic and conventional farms as well as farms of all sizes to provide a balanced and accurate view of agriculture in this province directly. For example, an apple grower was invited on the bus of the sold out farm tour for Toronto reporters two years ago to explain his family’s international investigation into growing organic apples and why they chose not to. The bus tour then stopped at an organic produce grower who was very passionate about why he chose organic production methods.

This spring, a farm tour for chefs and culinary students from London’s Fanshawe College visited a large cash crop farm in the Chatham area that was conducting on-site bee health research. They had a great overview on bee health while they were standing in the field beside the hives. A well-known Eastern Ontario bee keeper was

also a feature tour stop on Farm & Food Care’s 2012 Ottawa media farm tour. A guest blog by Craig Hunter of OFVGA, aptly named “A rarely heard view from the field” was posted on Farm & Food Care’s www.caringfortheland.ca in August, with many good tweets on Twitter to expand awareness and readership.

On the technical side, Farm & Food now has three staff working on environment related topics.

This environment team has been working behind the scenes monitoring the issues and available technical information as it unfolds since last year. In April, Farm & Food Care’s Environment Council held a discussion on bee health with a variety of speakers for participants to hear from. A second forum in September, repeated that process with speakers from the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association, the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Sciences and both

OMAF’s provincial apiarist and crop protection program leads.

These forums are important for our members to hear the latest technical information that may not be making the news, and allow for some healthy discussion about concerns and future directions on this important topic.

Farm & Food Care advocates for decisions based on sound science-based research and practical knowledge. Unfortunately there are many accusations and conclusions on these bee related issues which jeopardizes more than just the health of bees – but also the public reputation of the entire agricultural industry.

In Ontario, the bee health working group committee needs time to study the body of scientific evidence that is available and the extensive work that is being conducted around the world. We support that working group’s mandate and await its findings.

Are farmers concerned? Of course they are. Farmers of all types are concerned about bee health. Farmers live, work and play on the land - their livelihoods depend on a healthy environment and healthy pollinators. Ontario farmers continue to invest in environmental improvements and research, including research with bees, both on farms and in universities.

Farmers will continue to make changes to their practices based on sound science-based research and practical knowledge. And Farm & Food Care will continue to work hard to help provide credible information and messages exactly like that to help our customers, the people who eat, make informed decisions.

Crystal Mackay, Executive Director, Farm & Food Care

OCTOBER 2013 –– PAGE 11 THE GROWER

RETAIL NAVIGATOR

Technology runs the business

PETER CHAPMAN There is no way the retailers could operate without technology.

Managing hundreds of stores, thousands of items, retail pricing, labour, finance and many other daily occurrences would be impossible without the aid of technology. It is very important for suppliers to understand the technology and the role they play.

From the moment you have the first conversation with a retailer, technology has an impact. If your item is listed, the retailer needs to know many different distinguishing factors of your item such as: 1. UPC 2. Case weight 3. Case size 4. Case UPC 5. Shelf life 6. Pallet configurations 7. Delivery dates 8. Order lead time 9. Etc. Retailers need to integrate this information into their computer systems. Without this data, there is no way your item will be received into the warehouse, let alone make it to the store shelf for sale.

Suppliers need to make sure all of this information is accurate and up-to-date. And you need to figure it out on your own - the retailers are not there to help with this process. You are perceived in a positive light if you manage it as opposed to calling them for help. Some terms can be a challenge and you might need someone to help who has been through the process. It should not be intimidating, but, I admit, it is time-consuming.

Once your item is in the system, make sure to follow it through the front end of the store correctly. There is nothing more frustrating than an item that does not scan correctly. You should make it a habit to buy your own items regularly to see how the product performs through the cash register. You can always ask the cashier or people in the department where you are listed as well. Sometimes they might know your item better than you do!

Your retail customers use systems for replenishing or ordering. Each retailer has their own process but there are some common electronic data interchange platforms that are necessary for

communication with retailers.

These can be costly but this is how they choose to communicate orders. Some suppliers work together if they have smaller volumes to share some of the costs.

Retailers also have sophisticated systems for ordering at the store level. Some retailers will create store orders based on product movement through the front end, while others will give this function to store employees.

Both have merits but in the end, there can be a serious impact on the longevity of a listing. If your item is not ordered properly and in stock, it will go away. Talk to employees at store level to see what is happening with your

items. After enquiring at a few Loblaw stores about some items, I was told it was a SAP software issue. Items were not there to order. This was not true but it did require some digging and persistence. Remember they manage thousands of items - don’t ever think yours is always top of mind.

The three most important things for suppliers regarding technology and the retailers are: 1. Make sure the data you provide is accurate and up-to-date.

2. Follow your items right through to the store and the cash register four times per year.

3. Stay up-to-date with the systems your customers are using.

You do not have to know how to use them but you should be aware

of what they are doing as it will impact you.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DESK To be a control label supplier or not to be One of the questions I get asked most often is “should I produce control label (or private label) product.” There is no doubt this is a difficult question to answer.

There is no right or wrong answer but you do need to be ready for the question. Review your own strategic plan to see if it is a fit or not. Some companies are focused on branding and

marketing while others are focused on volume and efficiency. In a future edition of the newsletter I will devote more space to the pros and cons of control label for suppliers.

The most important thing is to have an answer!

Peter Chapman, a retail food consultant and professional speaker, is principal of GPS Business Solutions, based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Peter works with producers and processors to help them navigate through the retail environment with the ultimate goal of getting more items into the shopping cart. pchapman@gpsbusiness.ca.

PAGE 12 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

FOCUS: GREENHOUSE INNOVATION

New procurement practices pioneered for foodservice

KAREN DAVIDSON Hero Certified Burgers has finalized its supplier for Ontario greenhouse tomatoes. Supplying a chain with 46 outlets across Ontario is big news not only for one successful bidder but for the entire greenhouse vegetable industry.

“Foodservice is a very undeveloped marketplace for Ontario greenhouse growers,” says Nancy Hewitt, foodservice market specialist, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG). “Our best estimate is that only two per cent of our production is destined for this sector, so there’s room for incremental business.”

For almost two years, OGVG has pursued the lucrative foodservice market through outreach programs to chefs and institutional buyers. By hiring Hewitt with 15 years’ experience with Campbell’s Soup and other food companies, OGVG is leveraging her long-time connections with the industry. Hewitt’s early conversations with these influencers revealed how much ground needs to be tilled. While the trends of local and fresh are top of mind, Hewitt says the surprise was how little awareness these influencers had of the burgeoning Ontario greenhouse industry, literally a few hours from their unloading docks.

Buyers had no idea of the key strengths of food safety and year-round availability. Nor were

they aware that they could negotiate stable pricing, a critical element for this sector.

Armed with this market intelligence, Hewitt has been busy developing relationships with everyone from small to broadline distributors to directors of hospitals, universities and colleges.

The Ontario Society of Nutrition Management and chef associations have also been on her target list.

“We think that chefs are critical to our future strategy,” says Hewitt. Their celebrity status within society and the media make them ideal spokespeople.

They also typically drive what goes on the menu so they’re pivotal to success in the foodservice market. OGVG programs are now in development to align with culinary schools in both Ontario and the U.S. A pilot with four Ontario culinary schools will launch this fall with the objective of reaching more than 120 students as these new chefs enter the industry.

Part of that plan also includes a sponsorship with the Taste Canada Food Writing Awards scheduled for November 4. That’s when young chefs and cookbook writers alike gather in Toronto to tip a toque to the best.

Feedback from this group of influencers is helping to craft a foodservice toolkit on how to store greenhouse produce, utilize each of the many varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers and how to eliminate waste.

Recipe development is an art for this sector which requires various volume yields and exact nutritional data, plus consideration for possible dietary and cost restrictions. At the same time, recipes must align with industry trends and ideally, have multiple applications on a menu.

“It’s going to take some time to penetrate the foodservice sector,” says Hewitt, after spearheading the initiative for 16 months. “We’re competing against the world on price and

Nancy Hewitt, foodservice market specialist, is an enthusiastic ambassador for the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers in building new relationships and business in the foodservice sector. She identified Hero Certified Burgers, an Ontario burger chain, as a potential customer for Ontario beefsteak tomatoes.

The deal – and the burger – are well done. Photo by Glenn Lowson. quality.”

However, her role in qualifying the burger chain as a potential customer is evidence of the gains to be made. As a representative of OGVG, Hewitt initiated contact with the prospective buyer, discussed the possibilities, detailed what was important to the buyer and developed a new process, Request for Interest. Working with the buyer, she described beefsteak tomato specifications, volumes, packaging and a host of deliverables including food safety guidelines. This was posted to the

entire grower community which then responded to the buyer directly by a deadline.

“With this case history, we’ve planted the seed on how foodservice operators, both commercial and non-commercial, can procure produce,” says Hewitt. The size of Ontario’s greenhouse vegetable industry is an advantage in that direct procurement from the grower is possible. Whether healthcare or educational institutions contract caterers – fast-food restaurants for example -- this process could be profitable in managing budgets

while sourcing fresher products and supporting local agriculture.

How to crack the franchise model whereby franchisees procure independent of each other, is the next hurdle. Head offices of these chains may be challenged to look beyond their historical procurement practices.

Yet the franchisees could benefit from volume sourcing and pricing. With Hewitt’s drive at the helm of this initiative, watch for more examples of foodservice procurement to be forged in the months to come.

OCTOBER 2013 –– PAGE 13 THE GROWER

FOCUS: GREENHOUSE INNOVATION

There’s more to light than meets the eye Light-emitting diode (LED) interlighting boosts tomato yields KAREN DAVIDSON There’s solace for growing tomatoes during the winter solstice. Now commercialized in Finland, the Ukraine and the Netherlands, the system of LED interlighting between the plant canopy is now boosting yields in one of North America’s state-ofthe-art greenhouses.

Mastronardi Produce has been testing the European technology in its high-wire tomato facility in Coldwater, Michigan since last winter. The objective? Overcome yield drag in the darkest months.

If the installation and spectrum are correct, then the benefits will follow: consistent year round growth, quality product and reduced energy costs.

“The trial is still ongoing, but the current results and energy savings look positive,” says Kevin Safrance, COO, Mastronardi Produce.

Until recently, uniform light was assumed to be needed for only horizontal surfaces. Global lighting company Philips has launched an interlighting system that adds a vertical dimension without unwanted heat generation that comes with high-pressure sodium lamps. With this further element of control over growing conditions, company literature says that light can be converted more efficiently into sugars.

What’s already known is that plants consume red and blue light most efficiently. But besides spectrum, so many other variables come into play during the crop’s production cycle. The light recipe must be finetuned to include installation, at what distance from the crop, how many LEDs are used on certain surface areas and how often and when they are switched on.

“We can expect to observe an increase from five to 25 per cent in production,” says Abhay Thosar, Philips Horticultural Lighting, Plant Specialist.

“However, this increase varies with the variety, environmental conditions and cultural practices implemented during the trial.”

Research at Wageningen UR, Netherlands shows that the hybrid system of high-pressure sodium lamps and LEDs has its benefits.

An addition of one micromole of LED light is 1.46 times more effective than adding one micromole of high-pressure sodium light.

Dutch growers like the fact they can switch the top lighting and interlighting separately.

When the days are darker, they switch on interlighting. They also observe higher water demand which translates into more transfer of nutrients, and hence faster growth of tomatoes. This production success is balanced by energy savings of about 10 per cent

with LEDs. “Greenhouse growers are looking for ways to become more competitive and efficient, looking towards technology such as lighting and co-generation,” notes Amit Varma, a senior relationship manager with Farm Credit Canada (FCC). Based in Surrey, British Columbia, he says that growers are willing to invest in technology that can take them to year-round production.

“The greenhouse owners, managers and operators are quite

innovative and entrepreneurial,” says Dave Orosz, also a senior relationship manager with FCC, based in southwestern Ontario.

When it comes to financing capital-intensive projects, Orosz says it comes down to basic principles. Are the right people in charge with the right history and equity to try something new?

How much is the grower relying on that experimental technology to work? Risking a small percentage helps light the way.

PAGE 14 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

FOCUS: GREENHOUSE INNOVATION

Canadian Greenhouse Conference, October 9, 10 Keeping our Great Lakes safe: keynote speaker The Canadian Greenhouse Conference has invited Saad Jasim as keynote speaker October 10. Slated to speak at 12:30 pm, Jasim will be relying on his recent threeyear term as director of the International Joint Commission’s Great Lakes Regional Office in Windsor, Ontario.

During his tenure, Jasim strengthened scientific capacity, organized numerous conferences, expert workshops and symposia. Jasim is also an adjunct research professor at the University of Western

Ontario and the University of Windsor; and past president of the International Ozone Association-Pan American Group (IOAPAG) and the Ontario Water Works Association.

The water theme continues with additional speakers addressing “Nutrient Management Land Application,” “Innovative Water Treatment Options You Can’t Afford to Ignore” and “Constructed Wetlands: Treatment and Reuse of Greenhouse Irrigation Leachate Water.”

OMAF greenhouse specialist Shalin Khosla will be chairing a water session featuring: • Minimal Discharge and Zero Discharge in Greenhouse Vegetable Production • R2 Technology for Nutrient Treatment of Greenhouse Waters • Radial Deionization and High Recovery of Greenhouse Leachate • Treatment of Recycled Leach Water for Limiter Removal Using Capacitive Deionization

Keynote speaker Saad Jasim

Certified Greenhouse Farmers continues membership growth in Canada (Bellevue, WA) - Certified Greenhouse Farmers (CGF) announces the approval of six new members from British Columbia, Canada. The new CGF members include BJ Farms of Abbotsford, Canadian Valley Growers of Aldergrove, Delta View Farms of Delta, Peppertree Farms of Abbotsford, Sunnybay Greenhouse of Delta and Millennium Pacific of Delta.

With these new members and those companies currently pending membership certification, CGF will grow to more than 50 greenhouse operations in Canada, Mexico and the United States this year.

“Our growth continues as we work to distinguish vegetable greenhouse production from other systems by clearly defining growing standards and practices for this innovative industry,” says Ed Beckman, CGF president.

To become a CGF member, producers must meet the strict definition for controlled-environment greenhouses as well as undergo a rigorous, third-party audit against the association’s standards. These standards include structural and environmental controls, food safety, water resource management, integrated pest management procedures, ecosystem management and integrated waste management. After passing the certification audit, members can place a CGF seal on their products and packaging.

“The investment that these greenhouse growers must make requires them to differentiate their production systems and that means coming together, speaking with a unified voice and joining with other producers who share

their vision,” Beckman explains.

CGF addresses international trade, pest management, phytosanitary, and regulatory issues for its members. “With interests in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the organization seeks harmonization of those issues which impact farmers who grow or market greenhouse vegetables in these countries,” Beckman says.

“An example is our coordinated effort with regional grower organizations in Canada to ensure that we have a uniform definition for greenhouse-grown vegetables.”

Interest in the organization has been strong across Canada.

“We’ll continue to see growth in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. in 2013 as growers seek certification now in advance of the 2014 mar-

keting season,” Beckman says.

“For example, Sun Select, a major greenhouse pepper grower in British Columbia that is expanding into California, has applied for membership and will undergo certification audits this fall.” Beckman reminds retailers

to monitor the CGF website for member additions and certification status of pending members.

Total CGF membership acreage is now up to 1400 acres in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

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OCTOBER 2013 –– PAGE 15 THE GROWER

IT’S WHAT’S

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PAGE 16 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

Aster yellows in garlic MICHAEL CELETTI, PLANT PATHOLOGIST, HORTICULTURE CROPS PROGRAM LEAD MARION PAIBOMESAI, VEGETABLE CROP SPECIALIST, ONTARIO MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD AND MINISTRY OF RURAL AFFAIRS, GUELPH, ONTARIO With garlic harvest complete in most regions of the province and planting commencing shortly, poor yields in some fields in some regions are starting to be reported. In many instances, the fields had been showing symptoms of what we now know as aster yellows. The first report of aster yellows causing damage to garlic was in Argentina during 1997. Subsequently the disease was detected in 1999 around the Edmonton, Alberta region. In 2012, it caused significant damage to garlic crops in several midwest states such as Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Aster yellows has a wide host range and can infect more than 350 species of plants including many crops such as carrots, celery, lettuce, onions, garlic, canola to name a few and many weeds as well. There is extensive information about this disease and its insect vector in several crops, however, very little is known about this disease in garlic.

In general, aster yellows is a disease caused by a bacteria-like organism called a ‘phytoplasma.’

These organisms are microscopic and do not have cell walls.

Without a cell wall, these organisms are very vulnerable and therefore must live and survive inside another organism such as a plant host or insect vector. Once the organisms are introduced into a susceptible plant host and become established, they live and multiply in the phloem. They are also distributed to every part of the plant including roots, cloves, stems and flower parts such as

Quality Seed

Figure 1. A garlic plant with symptoms of aster yellows. Note that the mid and top leaves turn bright yellow whereas the bottom leaves remain green. scapes and bulbils. Previously, phytoplasmas were very difficult to detect using routine diagnostic tools, however, relatively new DNA tests have been developed that can be used to detect this pathogen in plant tissue.

Aster yellows is transmitted plant-to plant-by insect vectors.

The aster leafhopper (Macrosteles quadrilineatus Forbes) is considered to be the primary vector of aster yellows in Canada, although there are other leafhopper species that may transmit aster yellows.

Leafhoppers acquire aster yellows by feeding on aster yellows infected plants for a “substantial” period of time (8 hours for 50 per cent success of infection; source: www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Defaul t.aspx?DN=138085f7-6d21-41d78a92-f43d7f901570). Before the pathogen can be transmitted to another plant, it must first incubate and multiply within the aster leafhopper for about 2- 3 weeks.

After the incubation period, the leafhopper can then transmit the aster yellows pathogen to other host plants for the rest of its life.

There are two sources of aster

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leafhoppers in Ontario: 1) migratory and 2) local, both of which may vary in levels of aster yellows infectivity, depending on the year. “Migratory” aster leafhoppers overwinter in warmer regions of the southern United States such as the Gulf Coast states. These leafhoppers, which may already be infected with the aster yellows phytoplasma, can be picked up in large numbers by winds from weather fronts originating in the southern US and can be carried several hundred kilometers. With migratory leafhoppers, it is the potential combination of arrival in high numbers with high levels of aster yellows infectivity that may cause a serious aster yellows outbreak.

In terms of local leafhoppers, it was generally thought that the adult aster leafhopper does not overwinter; however, there is some speculation that adults may overwinter given the right environmental conditions in some parts of Canada (source: www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Defaul t.aspx?DN=138085f7-6d21-41d78a92-f43d7f901570). Aster leafhopper eggs will overwinter in wild grasses, winter wheat or rye. In spring, the eggs hatch and develop into nymphs and adults that feed on overwintering grain crops. As the grain crops mature, the leafhoppers disperse to feed on other plants such as weeds, grasses, vegetables and spring grains. If a leafhopper feeds on an aster yellows infected overwintering weed, biennial or perennial crop, it may acquire the phytoplasma.

Overall, the incidence of aster yellows in any year depends upon the population of the aster leafhopper vector and the percentage of the insect vector population that carries the phytoplasma.

Not all aster leaf hoppers carry the aster yellows phytoplasma. In most years, the incidence of aster yellows in Ontario vegetable crops is low and sporadic.

However, the warm winter and spring during 2012 may have

Figure 2. Garlic infected with aster yellows produce small spongy bulbs that appear to look like green onions with red discolouration and streaks along the lower stem. resulted in adult aster leafhopper that overwinter in the southern US moving northward earlier than usual with storms. Unfortunately many of the adult leafhoppers that moved northward during the spring of 2012 were likely carrying the aster yellows phytoplasma. As a result the incidence of aster yellows was very high in several vegetable crops during the 2012 growing season. The leafhoppers most likely arrived in Ontario in late June or early July of 2012.

Those that landed in garlic fields probably transmitted the aster yellows phytoplasma to plants that were almost mature and close to harvest and did not produce symptoms in the field.

However, red or brown bulbs with yellow streaks and blotches were noticed on the wrapper skins around cloves of some bulbs in the fall of 2012 during bulb cracking. Growers who planted garlic seed cloves that carried the aster yellows noticed very poor emergence this past spring. It appeared that the aster yellows compromised the overwintering infected cloves which became susceptible to winter injury this past winter.

The most obvious symptoms of aster yellows in garlic are the bright yellow top and mid canopy leaves of infected plants (Figure 1). If the infection is early in the season, infected plants will die back from the top down compared to normal senescence garlic plants from the bottom up. Bulbs from garlic plants infected early in the spring will be small almost like a green onion and often do not produce marketable bulbs (Figure 2). These small bulbs feel soft and spongy-like when squeezed. Severely infected bulbs may become translucent and begin to break down prematurely

Figure 3. Bulbs of garlic infected with aster yellows may become translucent (clear-like) and begin to break down prematurely.

(Figure 3). Plants that become infected late in the growing season may not produce obvious symptoms at first; however, the wrapper leaves around some harvested bulbs and cloves of late infected plants may produce a red or dark brown discolouration sometimes with yellow streaks at harvest depending upon the cultivar. In some instances, healthy looking cloves used as seed from crops infected with aster yellows in 2012 had poor emergence in 2013. Many plants that did emerge developed aster yellow symptoms resulting in poor yields.

Managing aster yellows is very difficult. Plants that become infected with the aster yellows phytoplasma cannot be treated and therefore cloves from infected garlic plants should not be used for seed. Since the aster yellows phytoplasma can overwinter in susceptible perennial weeds, weed control in and around fields is important in the management of this disease. Studies have shown that light coloured or reflective mulches disorientate leafhoppers and may reduce feeding and therefore transmission of aster yellows; however, this has not been tested under Ontario conditions. Floating row covers used to keep leek moth from attacking allium crops may also protect the crop season long from aster leafhopper feeding and thus the transmission of the aster yellows phytoplasma; however, there is little to no information on the level of efficacy using this method.

Fortunately, the incidence of aster yellows in most crops and the aster leafhopper vector populations were very low in most regions of Ontario during the 2013 growing season.

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VEG FOCUS

Navigating pest control products for specialty vegetables MELANIE FILOTAS SPECIALTY CROPS IPM SPECIALIST/OMAF AND MRA Interpreting pesticide labels can be a challenge for any grower, however determining what products are registered on a given crop can be particularly challenging for specialty vegetable producers. With increased interest in the production of world crops and other specialty vegetables, OMAF and MRA has seen more and more inquiries from growers on what products are registered on these crops. Unfortunately, doing that is not always straightforward.

A product is registered on a given crop if the label lists either: (1) the specific crop, (2) the entire crop group to which the crop belongs or (3) the subgroup to which it belongs. What is a crop group? Crops are placed into crop groups by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for the purpose of establishing maximum residue limits (the maximum amount of product residue legally permitted to remain on food or feed). Crops are placed into groups based on botany, taxonomy and cultivation practices. A subset of crops within this list are designated as representative of the whole group, and residue data gathered for these “rep crops” can then be extended to all crops within the group, such that products can sometimes be registered on all crops within a group without having to generate

residue data on every single crop.

Crop groups can be further subdivided into smaller, more closely related subgroups. Pest control products may be registered on a subgroup rather than the entire crop group.

For example, if acceptable data is gathered on cucumber, muskmelon and summer squash (the representative crops for Crop Group 9, the Cucurbit Vegetables Group) then it may be possible to use that data to obtain a Crop Group 9 registration. A product with a full Crop Group 9 registration could then be applied to all commodities in the group, such as bitter melon and casaba. Crop Group 9 is subdivided into subgroups 9A (the Melon Subgroup), which includes casaba, and 9B (the Squash/Cucumber Subgroup), which includes bitter melon. Products registered only on subgroup 9A can be applied to casaba but not bitter melon, and products registered only on subgroup 9B can be applied to bitter melon, but not casaba.

It is important to note that products registered on only a few crops within a group do not necessarily apply to all members of the crop group. For example, some products labelled for control of cucurbit downy mildew have labels that list “cantaloupe, cucumbers, pumpkin, squash, melons and watermelons” rather than specifying a crop group.

These products are labelled only on the listed crops and not on other members of the crop group.

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Tomatillo Going back to the earlier example, only products with labels that specify all of Crop Group 9 or subgroup 9B could be used on bitter melon. This means that the list of cucumber downy mildew products included in OMAF and MRA or other publications is not necessarily fully applicable to specialty cucurbits, as some of the products may be restricted to only select, larger acreage cucurbit crops.

How does one determine what crop group a specialty vegetable falls into? Sometimes, a pesticide label will include a list of crops included in the crop grouping.

Growers can also go to Health Canada’s website and do a search for “residue chemistry crop groups.” This will take them to a page (www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cpsspc/pest/part/protectproteger/food-nourriture/rccggcpcr-eng.php) with a handy file that lists each crop group and the crops included in them.

When looking at these lists, keep in mind that specialty vegetables have numerous names, depending on the ethnic group that is consuming them. For example, bitter melon is also called foo gwa, balsam pear, bitter gourd or fwa-kwa. Not all of these names will be listed on a pesticide label, or in crop group tables. However, the Latin or

species name of the crop, and the most frequently used common names are usually listed.

The list of crops included in a crop group is also not necessarily comprehensive. For example, mouse melon, a specialty cucurbit used in some Latin American markets, is not included in the Cucurbit Crop Group. The herb crop group (Crop Group 19), includes many common culinary herbs, but not mint, which is currently not in any crop group.

Parsley intended for fresh market sale is also not included in the herb crop group, but is instead placed in Crop Group 4, Leafy Vegetables.

Additionally, the same plant species may be put into different crop groups depending on the intended use and other factors.

For example, while fresh market parsley is in Crop Group 4, dried parsley is included in the Herb crop group. While Belgian endive is the same species as root chicory (Cichorium intybus), only root chicory is included in Crop Group 1, the Root and Tuber Vegetables Group. Belgian endive is an orphan crop that is not included in a crop group. For many specialty root vegetables, such as sweet potato and daikon radish, both the roots and the aboveground foliage are consumed by some cultures, however

the roots fall in Crop Group 1 (Root and Tuber Vegetables) and the foliage falls in Crop Group 2 (Leaves of Root and Tuber Vegetables). If a pest control product registered only on Crop Group 1 is applied to daikon radish, than the foliage of that crop cannot be consumed. The take-home message is that it is important to confirm what crop group your specialty vegetable belongs to by referring to official lists, rather than assuming a crop is included based on production commonalities or family relationships.

Further complicating things is the fact that the PMRA, together with several other countries has been updating and expanding existing crop groups to incorporate additional crops. This process is still on-going, however several new Crop Groups have already been approved. For example, Crop Group 8, the Fruiting Vegetables (except Cucurbits) Group, originally included only six crops – eggplant, groundcherry, pepino, pepper, tomatillo and tomato. In 2008, a new Fruiting Vegetables crop group was created, called Crop Group 8-09, which includes 21 different crops, including okra, goji berry and garden huckleberry. It is important to be aware that products labelled on the old crop group are not automatically registered on the new one. To use a product on one of the new crops in the expanded crop group, a label must indicate the new crop group number. If it has only the old crop group number, it can only be applied to the original crop group list.

Accurately determining which pesticides are registered on a particular specialty crop can be a time consuming and confusing task, but one that is worth doing.

Remember that the grower or applicator is ultimately responsible for ensuring that they are adhering properly to the label.

For assistance in interpreting labels, consult an OMAFRA specialist or the PMRA.

NOTICE of MEETING is hereby given that the 154th Annual Members and Directors’ Meeting of the

Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association 3211 - 8th Line Bradford, ON L3Z 2A5 Ph: 905-960-0033 sales@agriveg.ca www.agriveg.ca

will be held in

Niagara Falls, Ontario at The Crowne Plaza Hotel January 13 & 14, 2014 Election of Directors of the Association will take place as well as dealing with resolutions and any other business that may arise.

PAGE 18 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

HAZELNUTS

Micropropagation: An efficient technology for large-scale production of hazelnuts

JYOTI LATAWA, MUKUND SHUKLA, ADAM DALE, PRAVEEN K. SAXENA. GOSLING RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR PLANT PRESERVATION (GRIPP) DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AGRICULTURE, UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Hazelnuts, commonly known as filberts, represent an interesting opportunity for Ontario growers as there is significant market pull for these nutritious and uniquely flavoured nuts.

One of the industry’s key challenges is to rapidly propagate trees for planting. At the University of Guelph, we have developed methods that have resolved this problem.

European hazelnut species which produce commercially preferred large nut is susceptible to Eastern filbert blight disease and is not winter hardy. Many native American species are cold hardy and resistant to Eastern

filbert blight but produce smaller nuts of less commercial importance.

Currently, a few cultivars suitable for plantation in Ontario have been identified and there is an immediate need of a large number of plants for field planting.

The conventional methods of hazelnut propagation such as through seed is very uncommon due to genetic variability of seed derived population. Vegetative propagation by grafting, layering and cuttings is possible, but these methods are very time consuming, cumbersome and labour intensive. An efficient method of plant propagation is urgently needed to produce a large population of healthy, genetically identical plantlets for cultivar trials and mass plantation in Ontario.

Micropropagation techniques offer an alternative solution by propagating true-to-type plants via culture of plant organs, tissues, and cells in a controlled growth environment. Essentially, explants are cultured on a defined nutrient medium enriched with sugar, minerals, vitamins, and plant growth regulators under controlled environmental

conditions of light and temperature which stimulate multiple shoots. These shoots can be separated and then grown into complete plants following the induction of root formation.

Micropropagation is season independent and can facilitate rapid plant multiplication to fulfill the demand of a desired genotype in short time. Stocks of elite cultivars can be maintained for decades in a limited space and with much less input as the process eliminates maintenance in the field and greenhouses.

Large-scale multiplication requires establishment of an efficient, multiple-step protocol: collection of buds and their establishment under in vitro conditions, shoot multiplication, rooting of the shoots, and acclimatization of the plantlets in the greenhouse. Using a semisolid nutrient medium has been proven in several earlier studies.

These results contrast with conventional micropropagation where the number of resulting plantlets remains limited as a semi-solid medium does not provide an optimum environment to utilize full multiplication potential of growing buds. Several rounds of sub-culturing and tissue handling

adds to the cost and increases the chance of contamination.

Our recent research at the Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory of the University of Guelph has led to a highly efficient technique for micropropagating hazelnut.

This approach optimizes growth media components, supplements, and culture conditions in a bioreactor based culture system. The bioreactor is a self-contained culture vessel, which supports the growth and development of cultured tissues in a liquid nutrient medium. Our technology for propagating hazelnut is based on a temporary immersion bioreactor system (TIS), which employs controlled back and forth rocking of the culture vessels (Liquid Lab) thereby submerging the explants and plantlets in the growth medium at one interval while aerating in the other. The TIS bioreactor aids in air circulation, diffusion of nutrients and also reduces the oxidative stress of the plantlets while supporting optimum growth and a much higher multiplication rate compared to the semi-solid system.

The integrated approach combining TIS together with the optimization of growth medium

for various stages further improved multiplication rates and root development. These healthy rooted plantlets showed high survival rates of more than 80 per cent when transplanted to the greenhouse. Under optimized growth conditions, we estimate approximately 300,000 plantlets of a desired hazelnut cultivar can be produced per year using 700 bioreactor vessels starting with 100 in vitro established buds. In conclusion, our research demonstrates the potential of micropropagation techniques for rapid production of disease-free, true-to-the-type plants, which can fulfill the demand of the genetically elite planting material of a desired genotype in a short time.

As such, the development of suitable hazelnut cultivars and their mass plantation in Ontario will eventually lead to selfsustainability in meeting the market demand for hazelnut products locally and internationally.

Investment in this project is provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP). In Ontario, CAAP is delivered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council.

OCTOBER 2013 –– PAGE 19 THE GROWER

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PAGE 22 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

MINOR USE CRAIG’S COMMENTS

So do you want a good decision?

CRAIG HUNTER OFVGA I was taught at a very early point in my career that even the most experienced observer looking in an orchard for ‘what was going on’ might see only 10 per cent of what was there. A rookie like me was only going to see maybe one per cent. It was incentive to look harder and longer. I was also taught to never actually look for any one thing, but rather, just to look. Once immersed in the orchard environment, things would start to jump out at you.

Part of the premise was that you must know what was ‘normal’ and what the ‘bad’ things would look like, or how their damage would be manifested. The only way to get better was to keep doing it.

All of this sage advice could be put to play in later roles where I was asked to determine ‘what is wrong with my crop’, or, “I ‘know’ what is wrong with my crop and will you (I) confirm it?”

Going in with an open mind was often the key to finding the ‘truth’ rather than to go in with a preconceived notion and trying to

confirm it.

It always helps to have more eyes (and brain-power) because what you might have missed may be spotted by someone else.

Likewise, in perusing the observations and prior to reaching conclusions, a lot of ‘connecting the dots’ and gap analysis has to be done. Sometimes there is just not enough evidence or not enough surety in the knowledge to reach a solid conclusion. One then adds as much relevant outside knowledge as one can find, and consults with experts on their experience.

(Remembering that their experience adds to your own store of lore to benefit you in later years.)

Sometimes the answer is self-evident, and that makes one look pretty smart! Sometimes the answer is reached when all the data is in and it conclusively explains everything. Sometimes a leap of faith is needed to reach a conclusion or at least set a path forward for next steps. Sometimes no answer is forthcoming.

If one accepts the scientific model, one does not pontificate, draw conclusions from thin air, or espouse theories that have no basis in fact. The worst situation arises when ‘data’ is fabricated or manipulated to reach a preordained result. If one lets bias slip into the process, the result is predictably lousy, at least for someone.

If a committee is struck to do a job of investigating a situation, it should be of a manageable size.

Every member must have the proven ability to access, assess, and reach conclusions from factual information. None should have

a pre-determined bias. All players with a stake in the outcome should be on the sidelines unless they can add to the information database, and remain impartial during the evaluation. They may be made non-voting members to ensure that any possible bias does not impinge on a fair outcome This does not always happen.

On hotly contested issues, sufficient time is needed to gather the facts. Further time is needed to fairly assess those facts, and be free from outside interference while doing so. The old mantra that ‘there is never enough time to do it right, but there is always time to do it again’ should never be an option! Getting it right the first time is so much better for all concerned, that any attempt to circumvent fair process should be stopped in its tracks.

Two recent issues come to mind. The first is the recent striking of a committee to investigate the minimum wage rates here in Ontario. The Horticulture Industry was denied a seat at that table to investigate all the relevant impacts that any consideration that a change in the minimum wage rate could create. This is in spite of the fact that we have valuable data to explain the impact on our sector. When one looks at the sectors/individuals that are represented, all of them are in a position to recoup any wage increase by way of their market. Our sector cannot. We also employ a very large number of people at minimum wage, and the impact of any change will be felt the hardest in our sector. The impact of the last raise was a 28

per cent increase in our labour costs, which can be as much as 60 per cent of the cost of production of a commodity!

If that committee had the integrity it needs to consider all the impacts on all the sectors, it would have sought out all those who could contribute. We even asked to be there, but were denied. Any outcomes will at least have the taint that they did not get all the possible impacts on the table for consideration.

The second committee that was struck this summer was to deal with the bee kill situation.

Once again, we asked to be included but were specifically denied standing. I was told that it was because our industry was not involved and the issue only had to do with seed treatments used by the grain and oilseed producers!

(This in spite of the fact that we used the same insecticides as seed treatments, and as foliar sprays, and we are the largest contractors for bee pollination services in the province!) Interestingly, when it came to a committee vote on action, the motion did indeed have a potentially enormous impact on our members.

Fortunately it was voted down!

Nonetheless, all the implications of such a vote on our sector were never discussed with us! No one representing our sector was even asked to ‘testify’ to the group.

The sole ‘outside’ group allowed to make such representation has no direct stake in the actual situation. They have no prima facie data that could help. What they do have is a public stance of antipesticide and anti-GMO crops!

They used their influence somewhere to get up on a soapbox in front of the committee, yet had no credible scientific knowledge to share on the issue! The committee allowed itself to be ‘lobbied’ (or bullied?) instead of sticking to the facts!

The facts for both committees will take time to gather if the gathering is done correctly.

Furthermore, there is on-going research that will spill more light on the complex issues. Some of that research (on bee kills) came to light in early September at the American Chemistry Society meetings that I attended. Clearly, a lot of brainpower has been at work! There is enough evidence to know that more is needed.

I trust that both committees will take the time needed. I further hope that there is not another ‘rush to decision’ for either group. Let us get it right the first time!

Lastly, I hope that when future issues like these or ones even more serious arise, that we too get a chance to add our facts to the discussion. Likewise, I hope that we can be there to ‘correct’ misinformation that may be made available during discussions. The more eyes and brainpower that are intent on seeking the truth regardless of its impact will always trump that of those who only have their own agenda at heart and will do anything to pervert a fair outcome.

Let these two ‘oversights’ be the last of their kind. Even the poorest observer can see a lack of fair play is at hand.

Nominations open for GROU program The GROU (Grower Requested Own Use) program is a government program that allows growers to import the U.S. version of Canadian-registered crop protection products for their own use.

The nomination process • Members of the nomination committee solicit their members and others in the agriculture sector for potential GROU products, • The nomination committee does an initial assessment of which of these products are

eligible, • The nomination committee will then decide which products will be sent to PMRA for official assessment and if eligible, nomination.

A total of 15 products can be placed on the GROU list per year, including renewals of products expiring from the list (each product remains on the list for two years unless renewed) What makes a Product ineligible for GROU?

• The data exclusive use period has not ended – new products have an exclusive use period for 10-12 years • Restricted use products are not eligible for GROU • No matching product in the U.S. – The company that sells the product in Canada must be same as the company in the U.S. • Not materially identical to U.S. version – The product must have the same active ingredient per cent as the U.S. version • The product cannot be under patent protection.

Calls for Nominations The nomination committee puts out a call for nominations every September. If there is a product you would like to see on the GROU list please contact your organization or CFA at envsci@cfafca.ca.

To help you identify potential products, please look at the list of nominated products from previous years and their status and/or reasons they were not eligible for GROU. For more information visit www.cfa-fca.ca/programs-projects/ grou-program

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OCTOBER 2013 –– PAGE 23 THE GROWER

MINOR USE

Phytophthora blight of peppers and cucurbits JANICE LEBOEUF, VEGETABLE CROP SPECIALIST, OMAF & MRA RIDGETOWN Many of Ontario’s vegetable production areas have experienced excessive rainfall this past summer. One of the issues for some pepper and cucurbit growers is Phytophthora blight. This is an aggressive disease that can cause damping-off early in the season, or later may attack foliage, fruit, stems, and roots. In some cases, the foliage remains healthy and fruit may look fine when picked, but then quickly develop a whitish mold and rot after harvest. In other cases,

extensive plant death may occur.

Phytopthora blight is caused by a pathogen called Phytophthora capsici – not a true fungi, but an oomycete, like the downy mildew, pythium, and late blight pathogens. Phytophthora blight thrives in wet conditions.

Heavy rainfall, excessive irrigation, and poor drainage – with warm conditions – are very favourable for the development of the disease. It is often seen first in low spots in the field.

Phytophthora blight seems to be most common in peppers and cucurbits – they can be quite susceptible – but several other vegetable crops, weeds, and common rotation crops are hosts.

Tomato, eggplant, snap beans,

and lima beans, tobacco, purslane, and nightshade can also be affected. In lab conditions, alfalfa, beet, carrot, okra, onion, snow pea, soybean, spinach, swiss chard, radish, turnip, and velvetleaf have also been shown to be hosts.

It is very difficult to manage Phytophthora blight once the pathogen is established in the field. To prevent its introduction: • avoid introducing contaminated soil, plant material, or water to your fields • avoid irrigating with water sources that receive runoff from potentially contaminated fields • ensure runoff from infested sites does not enter clean fields If you have had Phytophthora

blight previously in a field, additional steps are needed to minimize its development and spread: • rotate at least three years out of host crops • plant only well-drained sites • avoid planting host crops in low areas of fields • avoid excessive irrigation and fix leaks promptly • plant on dome-shaped raised beds to improve water drainage away from crop plants • scout regularly and destroy plants that begin to show symptoms (till them and a border of surrounding healthy plants into soil) • choose resistant or tolerant varieties when available

• avoid working in wet fields There are some fungicides registered for Phytophthora blight in peppers and cucurbits, however they generally must be used preventatively and many offer suppression only. Management of the disease with fungicides is difficult as this is a soil- and water-borne pathogen and foliar treatments may not provide the coverage needed (consider the underside of cucurbit fruit, infections at the crown). Consult OMAF & MRA’s Vegetable Crop Protection Guide (Pub. 838) for registered products.

Control of post-harvest white mold on carrots Greenhouse and Field Soil Fumigation Custom made equipment for bedding, fumigation, mulch laying, planting, solid tarp applicators and equipment rentals Black mulch plastic....Embossed and U.V. treated Perforated Tunnels . . . Clear & white Wire hoops, row cover, mesh cloth field cover & drip irrigation.

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JIM CHAPUT, OMAF/MRA, MINOR USE COORDINATOR, GUELPH The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion for Scholar 230SC fungicide (fludioxonil) for control of postharvest white mold (Sclerotinia) on carrots during storage. Scholar fungicide was already labeled for management of several diseases on a range of crops in Canada.

This minor use submission was sponsored by the Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest

ERME Mechanization of garlic growing

Management Centre (AAFCPMC) in 2008 in response to minor use priorities identified by carrot producers in Canada. This was also the subject of several repeat emergency use submissions and registrations in several provinces over the past few years.

Access to post-harvest white mold management tools is a priority for carrot producers and the label expansion of Scholar fungicide will provide producers with a helpful disease management tool. The following is provided as a general, abbreviated outline only. Users should consult the complete label before using Scholar fungicide.

Scholar fungicide can be applied as a post-harvest dip or drench immediately before storage at a rate of 496 mL product per 378 L water. This can treat up to 90,000 kgs of carrots.

Dip for 30 seconds and allow carrots to drain. One application

per year is permitted. Do not allow rinsate to enter public water systems or aquatic habitats.

Scholar fungicide should be used in an integrated pest management program and in rotation with other management strategies. Do not contaminate aquatic habitats when cleaning and rinsing spray equipment or containers. Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Scholar fungicide label.

For copies of the new minor use label contact Marion Paibomesai, OMAF/MRA, Guelph (519) 826-4963 or visit www.syngenta.com/country/ca/en /Pages/home.aspx

GARLIC & ONION PLANTERS HARVESTERS

NOTICE OF MEETING Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the FRESH VEGETABLE GROWERS OF ONTARIO will be held in the Town of Woodstock, Ontario at the

GARLIC SPLITTER GARLIC GRADER GARLIC CLEANER

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food Ministry of Rural Affairs 401 Lakeview Dr., Woodstock, ON Thursday November 21, 2013

GARLIC BRUSH TABLE

8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m

GARLIC LEAF AND ROOT CUTTER

AGRI-DISTRIBUTION INC

Election of directors of the Association will take place plus discussion of financial reports and any other business that may arise.

370 route 205 Hemmingford, QC J0L 1H0

T: 1-514-817-9731 E: jp@adjm.ca.

Official Canadian importer of Erme garlic and onion equipment

Pre-registration is required, to register please call the FVGO office, 519-674-1500 ext 63592 or email mmcdonal@uoguelph.ca Additional meeting details can be located on FVGO website www.freshvegetablesontario.com

PAGE 24 –– OCTOBER 2013 THE GROWER

BITS AND BITES

Restoring the American chestnut Patience is the operative word as growers and researchers breed a blight-resistant American chestnut tree. The challenge is that as the tree matures, blight attacks and limits production. If the chestnut tree can be restored to its original habitat in southern Canada, it may also become a keystone species of woodlots and forests “We are selecting for blightresistant trees that are suitable for both nut production and timber attributes,” says Doug Fagan, a director of the Canadian Chestnut Council. “We are at approximately mid-point to introducing blight-resistant trees to fields or forests by 2020.” Thanks to a grant from the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Council, researchers are developing various methods of propagation and evaluating the range of nut size in American chestnut.”

There appears to be a range in variability of tolerance, says plant breeder Adam Dale, who has worked on the project since 2001

Strawberry nursery industry on edge Recent tests for aphidvectored viruses have kept the Nova Scotia strawberry nursery business on edge. For Charles Keddy, owner of one of the largest nurseries in the province, the news was thumbs-up in mid-September. He tested more than 600 samples on the nursery crop of about 10 million young plants destined for Florida and Georgia.

“We were cleared by our inspection body to harvest and ship plants from all our acreage,” says Keddy based in Lakeville, King County. “Orders for plants in the south are on par with last year and maybe a little stronger.

All customers are aware that we virus-tested this summer as we stated in our catalogue.”

For plants going to Canada and northern U.S. states, the nursery will be tested variety by variety, field by field in early to mid-October. Keddy explains that’s in case there is a late infection period by aphids flying in the fall.

“Having already tested two-thirds of the acreage, we have every reason to be optimistic for future testing, and that the pesticide program that we followed this year, as in years past, is giving the results we need,” said Keddy.

Two strawberry viruses, carried by aphids, have been named the culprits in spreading a disease which weakens plants, causing stunting and no berries.

at the Simcoe Research Station.

“Some of these trees have cankers but they are tall and erect, while others have died,” he explains.

“We’re now crossing the best ones from the second generation and will be inoculating them in 2014.”

Now is an ideal time for growers of an entrepreneurial bent to establish small hedgerows of American chestnuts. Most chestnuts are of European or Chinese origin, Fagan explains, but the fruit of the American chestnut is sweeter. Chestnuts can

be made into a gluten-free flour and of course, are desired by confectioners in making baked goods.

Dennis Fullbright, a Michigan State University plant pathologist has helped establish an edible chestnut industry in the northeastern U.S. His current research uses the technique of hypovirulence, in which the tree is intentionally infected with a less virulent strain of the virus. The result is a lumpy, cruddy bark with knotty calluses and sores, however the tree survives.

Fullbright’s research and practical management strategies will be featured by the Canadian Chestnut Council at its 25th annual general meeting October 26 in St. George, Ontario. He will discuss the opportunity to start chestnut farms by looking at the full impact of the genus Casanea and currently available cultivars.

For a full agenda, further updates and contacts, go to www.canadianchestnutcouncil.ca.

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