The Grower Newspaper

SEPTEMBER 2012

CELEBRATING 132 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION

VOLUME 62 NUMBER 09

ONTARIO FOOD TERMINAL

A bumper crop of fresh ideas regenerates Canada’s biggest wholesale market KAREN DAVIDSON Sweeping floors. Shaking hands. Writing orders. That’s how the infection started for several teenagers while their fathers looked on.

Unlike a disease, it’s an infectious love for the produce business that’s being passed down through generations at the Ontario Food Terminal. As the venerable wholesale hub opens its doors to the public for the first time this month, three vendors are in the throes of generational change: Koornneef Produce, Streef Produce and Fresh Taste Produce.

The business ethics of these twenty-somethings is good news for the growers who supply produce. But more than that, they are bringing fresh ideas to protect the integrity of the product and the industry at large.

Marcus Koornneef, 27, is following in the footsteps of his father Fred and grandfather Arie who started selling fruit in handloaded baskets from the Grimsbyarea farm in the early 1950s.

Trading on the loyalty of customers in the outdoor farmers’ market, Fred bought two stalls in the undercover vendors’ market in 2008. Soon after, Marcus left a real estate career in the U.S., where he was a front-row witness to the financial meltdown.

Volatile as the Ontario Food

INSIDE Tunnel vision for tomatoes

Page 4

OFVGA summer tour profiles innovation and research Page 12

Focus: New equipment & technology Page 14

www.thegrower.org P.M. 40012319

The Ontario Food Terminal, one of the three largest in North America, wholesales about 975,000 tons of produce annually. Its first-ever public open house will be held September 22 in a Fresh Fest fundraiser for Foodshare.

How to survive in this hurly-burly market? Be razor-sharp and street-smart. Whether those talents are acquired or bred in the bone is hard to say, but it’s worthwhile following several vendors whose senior generations are handing more responsibility to their 20-something sons.

From left to right, meet Fred Koornneef and his son Marcus, Koornneef Produce, with buyer Frank Berardi, Michelangelos.

Photos by Glenn Lowson.

Terminal can be, returning to the family business in Toronto seemed a lot more stable.

With business degree in hand and international experience in Holland, he made his first mark by introducing a computerized invoicing and inventory system.

The first-in, first-out system keeps up-to-date data for food safety and traceability, if lot numbers are ever required.

“There’s much less frustration on a busy day when you’re selling 22 different types of tomatoes and four colours and sizes of peppers,” he says, referring to their specialty in hydroponic produce. They carry many niche items such as hot pencil peppers that appeal to the gourmet tastes of upper-end clients.

“Koornneef Produce has grown quite a bit with 30 fulltime employees,” says Marcus, “but it’s not due to any newfound business,” he explains. “It’s

“

Koornneef Produce has grown quite a bit with 30 full-time employees, but it’s not due to any new-found business. It’s not like there are new retail stores being built every day. Rather, it’s growing volumes with a current loyal clientele.” ~ Marcus Koornneef

not like there are new retail stores being built every day. Rather, it’s growing volumes with a current loyal clientele.”

Understanding the changing demographics in the Greater Toronto Area is key. With growth in the Asian population, the Chinese buyers operate their retail outlets much differently than large retailers, working on razor-thin margins.

For example, the Chinese buyers will take a 40 cent item and retail for 49 cents, whereas a major chain will take the same item and retail for 99 cents. Those buyer needs also differ in terms of how much packaging they want on produce. For some, selling by the pound is the preferred route, whereas other retailers are willing to sell produce in a clamshell that costs another 25 cents.

Managing customer expectations in the hurly-burly of the

marketplace can be trying, however Marcus credits his father with a philosophy of “spread the love.” If there’s not enough product around, try to make sure everyone gets some. That tenet of fairness extends to their own 45 Ontario growers who regularly supply produce on consignment.

“We take a commission and return the remainder to our growers,” explains Marcus. “It requires a high level of trust because it’s all based on a handshake. But I can say we’ve never had a grower leave us because they were unhappy.”

At Streef Produce, the story has similar echoes. Chris Streef, 30, is general manager and third generation of the business started by his father Martin and his brothers Peter, Albert, John and Jack and his grandfather before that.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

PAGE 2 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

AT PRESS TIME… SDRM stats The policy scene is not clear for self-directed risk management (SDRM) programs as federal and provincial governments seek to reduce budgets. More will be known about funding levels after agriculture ministers meet in midSeptember.

However, the George Morris Centre released a report in midAugust that sheds some light on 2011 spending. Executive director Bob Seguin reports that for Ontario edible horticulture, there were 2,243 enrollees covering about 50 to 60 per cent of provincial production. The participation rate was 58 per cent for those in the $100,000 income range or below. For those producers with an income over $1 million, the participation rate rose to 83.6 per cent. This means that 18 per cent of the SDRM participants received about 70 per cent of the SDRM payments. It should be noted that caps were used in all the programs to reduce the impact of larger producers taking much larger shares of the total funding pool. All of these differences are not surprising, says Seguin, given the farm structure now present in Ontario agriculture, and in these commodity areas.

As a final point, the estimated administration cost for the 2011 risk management program was over $10 million, a significant sum which reduced overall payments.

Greenhouse growers celebrate new headquarters The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG) attracted local, provincial and federal politicians as well as industry leaders to the official opening of their new headquarters in Leamington, Ontario. After many years of renting facilities, the new 5,500-square foot building is

The official opening of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers' new headquarters in Leamington was officiated by: (L-R) Don Taylor, OGVG Chair, John Paterson, Leamington Mayor, Dave Van Kesteren, MP Chatham-Kent-Essex, Rick Nicholls, MPP Chatham-KentEssex, Jamie Cornies, OGVG Vice-Chair, Jan VanderHout, OGVG Vice-Chair, Taras Natyshak, MPP Essex, George Gilvesy, OGVG General Manager geared for extended member services for many years to come.

The building allows OGVG to host on-site meetings and educational opportunities with its membership. This is made possible

NEWSMAKERS with a larger and technologically advanced conference room, which seats approximately 80 people.

“We’re very pleased to see the completion of this building come to fruition,” said OGVG chair Don Taylor at the June 22 event.

“The OGVG building committee and board of directors have worked very hard to make this happen.”

“This new building helps to facilitate the overall growth we’ve seen in this sector and properly reflects our membership’s advancing needs,” said OGVG general manager George Gilvesy. “This office also assists to unify sector communications as it provides an important central meeting location for OGVG’s members.”

The new address is 32 Seneca Road and can be easily located through the website’s map at www.ontariogreenhouse.com.

Bursaries available The Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers (OPVG) and the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Processors Association (OF&VPA) are continuing with a bursary fund.

The Bursary Application Form is available at www.opvg.org or on request from either the OPVG (519-681-1875) or OF&VPA (519-658-3270) offices.

Applications must be submitted no later than September 30th.

Boy actor Cam McKay, Windsor, Ontario plays the star role in a new YouTube video about greenhouse production. The sevenminute tale portrays a young boy taking a helicopter to track down the origins of his red pepper to NatureFresh Farms in Leamington, Ontario where he questions various people on food safety and traceability.

He eventually meets owner Peter Quiring for the ultimate scoop. Combining education with entertainment values, this video is worthy of an Agricultural Academy Award.

The horticultural industry has lost a leader in Gary Ireland, 67, who passed away August 16. A long-time Simcoe area apple grower, he served as a former director and chair of the Ontario Apple Marketing Commission, the Ontario Apple Growers’ predecessor organization. In 1994 he was chair of the board of directors of the Ontario Food Terminal. He also contributed nationally as chair of the Canadian Horticultural Council’s Apple Working Group.

The Ontario Premier’s Awards for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence were recently announced for 14 of 50 regional winners, many of whom hail from horticulture. Recipients include: • Andrews Scenic Acres Inc., Halton Hills/Milton • Burning Kiln Winery Inc., St. Williams • Moyer's Candy Apples Ltd., Vineland • P R Short and Son, Vineland Station • Pillitteri Estates Winery Inc., Niagara-on-the-Lake • Prins Grow Inc., Jordan Station • Puddicombe Cider Company, Stoney Creek • Southbrook Vineyards, Niagara-on-the-Lake • Victory Organic Inc., St. Catharines • Vineland Research and Innovation Centre & The Stop Community Food Centre, Toronto • Wine Council of Ontario, Vineland From these, five recipients will be chosen and awarded with a Premier's Award, a Minister's Award and three Leaders in Innovation Awards at the Premier's Summit on Agri-Food in October.

Congratulations to Owen Roberts, University of Guelph professor, journalist and columnist for The Grower. His leadership abilities are recognized globally with his recent election to the vice-presidency of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists. He’s been a keen driver of a boot camp for young ag journalists from developing countries around the world.

Condolences to the family of Ron and Margaret Moyer who died tragically of smoke inhalation in a house fire on August 10. Ronald (94) and Margaret (98) were well-known in Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula after devoting their lives to the grape and tender fruit industries at their Grimsby-area farm. Instrumental in forming the Grape Growers’ Marketing Board, Ron went on to be its chair for 15 years. He is remembered as a former president of the Canadian Horticultural Council and long-time member of the Ontario Tender Fruit Producers’ Board.

Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. presents its 2012 Teacher Recognition Award to Elsa Natvik, a secondary school teacher with the Lambton-Kent District School Board. She teaches the agriculture specialist high skills major program at Ridgetown High School.

The award will be presented opening day of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, September 11-13.

Reward yourself on a job well done with the 2012/13 Hot Potatoes® Rewards Program.

Every eligible purchase you make earns you Hot Potatoes reward points that can be redeemed for cash or a group trip to Hawaii! Redeem your interim point balance by November 30, 2012 to receive a cash rebate this year, or save them for an even better reward in 2013.

Visit Hot-Potatoes.ca to sign up or call 1 877-661-6665.

Always read and follow label directions.

Hot Potatoes® is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group.

H-12-09/12-TCS12017-E

Edzo Kok, Taber, Alberta has retired as secretary of the United Potato Growers of Canada after a 30-year career in the potato industry. He is retiring to Vancouver Island.

Henry Denotter has been acclaimed as president-elect for 2013 for the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association. Representing the counties of Essex, Kent and Lambton, Denotter markets corn, soybeans and wheat from his Kingsville farm.

SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 3 THE GROWER

Bumper crop of fresh ideas CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Streef Produce is one of the few houses whereby they are both a wholesaler and a grower with potatoes, peas and beans grown on a Princeton Ontario farm.

With these credentials as growers, they have been the first to feel the brunt of this summer’s drought. “Bean yields are dramatically down, sweet corn has smaller cobs and melons are smaller,” says Chris. “Prices have been up due to lack of supply.”

It’s a weekly trip to the farm that helps set the price quotes for the coming week. Chris and his uncles review the crops and markets, the basis for price quotes emailed to clients.

With Chris’ cousins in shipping and receiving (Peter’s son Jaidin) and on the farm (Jack’s sons Nathan and Dylan), the next generation is digging in for a turnover. Family conversations are underway for the roles to be played in the next five years.

Those transitional discussions have already played out at Fresh Taste Produce in the Sarraino family whose produce lineage can be traced back to their greatgrandfather in Sicily. Julian, 27,

Chris Streef, general manager for Streef Produce Ltd., is proud to sell beans from his family’s Princeton, Ontario farm.

is vice president of sales and marketing while brother Christian, 25, is vice president of sourcing and procurement. Their father Salvatore and a partner bought the business in 2001 and expanded with a Philadelphia office opposite the docks in 2004.

Their head office at the Ontario Food Terminal is supported by a 70,000 square foot packaging and distribution centre, about 25 miles away in Milton. They also main-

tain a 27,000-square foot, stateof-the-art packaging facility in Brooklyn, Michigan where they offer packaging options for bulk, packed, generic or private labeled produce.

Although personal relationships are vital in the produce business, Fresh Taste has showcased the company in a video posted on their website. (www.freshtaste.ca) This move speaks to the global nature of the

DISEASE

TRADE

FINANCIALS

Zebra chip found in Oregon

China stymies cherry shipments

Bonduelle reports growth of 3.2%

American researchers are finding more cases of zebra chip disease in the northwest, most recently near Hermiston, Oregon.

The disease mars spuds with dark streaks, making them unfit for market.

Other states ranging from Texas to Idaho have reported the disease since 2000, but since last year, Oregon is also recording damage. Oregon State University’s Silvia Rondon explains that the potato psyllid, the size of aphids, is the insect responsible for carrying the bacteria Liberibacter. Aboveground symptoms include necrosis and purplish, upward-curling leaves.

Multi-pronged approaches are underway to control the disease, ranging from natural predators to better timing of insecticides.

British Columbia cherry growers did not export product to China after all, unwilling to meet excessive demands.

Christine Dendy, president of the Okanagan Kootenay Cherry Growers’ Association, says a mandatory, 15-day period of cold treatment upon arrival, defeated the intent of fresh, high-quality product. She stated that this was an unreasonable requirement as it was not mandated for U.S produce.

China also requires that all orchards be monitored from bud break through to shipping. This extra paperwork demanded throughout the growing season was considered untenable by orchardists.

The Bonduelle Group, a leading processor of canned, frozen and chilled vegetables, is reporting global growth of 3.2 per cent in its most recent fiscal year ending June 2012. In Europe, overall sales declined by 1.4 per cent in a tough economic environment. Bright spots included the canned steam “Vapeur” category, as well as excellent performance in frozen retail products, bagged salads and prepared salads.

Historically more dynamic, the company’s non-Europe zone reported sustained growth

Brothers Julian (left), vice president of sales and marketing and Christian Sarraino, vice president sourcing and procurement, thrive on the adrenalin of Fresh Taste Produce, a company started by their father Salvatore. business and the importance of communicating their imported fruit capabilities to an international audience.

“We experiment with new items on a regular basis but certain commodities have their strengths in appearance, taste and cost,” says Julian. “Essentially, we strive to give consumers the products they want.” Some of these niche items include rambu-

tans, champagne grapes and yellow seedless watermelons.

“The beat goes on,” says Ian MacKenzie, president, Ontario Produce Marketing Association whose offices reside at the Ontario Food Terminal. The vibrancy of the market continues with a new generation in charge.

INTERNATIONAL

Source: FreshPlaza.com

of 13.9 per cent. This performance reflects the Bonduelle Group's geographical diversification and international expansion strategy such as the purchase of Allens frozen vegetable business in the U.S. The company just strengthened its financing with a line of revolving credit over five years in the order of $300 million euros.

Source: FreshPlaza.com

ESTIMATES

U.S. apple crop down 10% The Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference in midAugust estimated a 2012-13 crop of about 202 million bushels, 10 per cent less than the previous year.

Michigan’s crop is off by 85 per cent and New York’s crop is down 52 per cent due to the same early frosts that affected Ontario. However Washington state is set to ship higher volumes, about 145 million bushels, up 13 per cent from the previous season. Pennsylvania is also expected to exceed last year’s record with 11 million bushels, up one per cent.

Overall, the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts the nationwide yield will be the smallest crop since 1986.

Source: The Packer

Source: PotatoPro newsletter

Leah Erickson BC/AB 604-957-2359

PAGE 4 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

From apples to tomatoes, this farm’s strategy is to diversify KAREN DAVIDSON Clarksburg, ON – After farming apples for almost 30 years, Brad Oakley is staking his future on another love apple: tomatoes.

Botanically, the two commodities make total sense to Brad’s son Kyle.

The father-and-son team is branching from apples to vegetables, a godsend with the unprecedented frost damage to Ontario’s apple crop this year. While only about two to three per cent of their normal apple crop will be in the bin, income from their third season of growing vegetables is helping to pay the bills, thanks in part to their investment in tunnel technology and drip irrigation.

“We had already vertically integrated the farm,” explains Brad. With about 200 acres of owned and rented orchards, they had expanded with apple storage, acquired a crop protection business and bought shares in packinghouse Bay Growers Inc. But Kyle had caught the marketing bug for direct-toconsumer sales from a small freezer pork business while growing up and wanted to expand from apples into vegetables.

“The idea of producing 70 to 75 per cent of what we sell to the local community appeals to me,” says Kyle. Situated in the Georgian Bay area, the farm is close to an increasingly urbanized market. His instincts are to tap into a marketplace that’s increasingly feeling like Niagara-on-the-Lake North.

Experts in orchards since 1984, the Oakley’s have had a steep learning curve in the market garden business. Few in the area have any experience in growing vegetables on a commercial scale in the clay-loam soil.

Just picking seed varieties has been trial and error. Besides learning to identify new pests – hello cucumber beetles! – they are managing drip irrigation in high-tunnels built for peppers, tomatoes, raspberries and cukes.

“We got a little enthusiastic with watering during the drought and ended up with blossom end rot,” says Brad. “We’ve worked through that and now understand how to be better managers of our watering schedule.”

With intensive production from twothirds of an acre under cover for vegetables and an acre for raspberries, 10 acres of sweet corn and another 10 acres in field vegetables and flowers, the Oakley’s support a seven-day-a-week tent market in nearby Thornbury. This ambitious schedule runs from end of June to the end of October, with Kyle as the ever-present marketing manager.

“Our customers really do want to connect to the farm operation,” says Kyle. “In fact, I would say that we’ve seen the discussion evolve regarding our pest management and growing strategies. We’re conventional growers, but those people who said they would only buy organic now trust us. They don’t talk about the dirty dozen anymore.

They are some of our best customers.”

Fortunately, the CanadaGAP certification protocols applied in their apple orchards have served as a model for the vegetable business. These standards aren’t required in direct-to-consumer vegetable sales, but certainly form a core part of their story.

With intensive production – planted and harvested with help from seven offshore workers -- the Oakley’s have carefully considered their pricing. “We try to be fair to ourselves, and also to the consumer,” says Brad. “We’re very aware of what the local market is doing, including the grocery stores which are pricing local farmers’ produce too cheaply.”

“The big grocery chains are doing a disservice to Ontario farmers by discounting our product in season,” adds Kyle. “We are charging $6.95 per dozen for sweet corn, while the local grocer is charging $2.00 per dozen as a loss leader. We have to explain to customers why that is and that they can depend on our quality every time.”

At the end of this growing season, Kyle says that the vegetable venture will cover all costs. For a third-year business, that’s a reasonable return after capital investment in tunnels and drip irrigation. The direct-toconsumer business continues to expand its base with advertising in the region’s monthly magazines and social media.

When the 40’ x 20’ tent collapses for the

Georgian Bay apple growers Brad (left) and Kyle Oakley, B & T Oakley Orchards Ltd., lost most of their apple crop to a spring frost in late April.

“

The big grocery chains are doing a disservice to Ontario farmers by discounting our product in season. We are charging $6.95 per dozen for sweet corn, while the local grocer is charging $2.00 per dozen as a loss leader.” ~ Kyle Oakley last time this fall, the Oakley family still has some heavy lifting to do: succession planning. Brad and his wife Teresa, also active in the business, will be discussing a transition plan with Kyle and his partner Debby. Part of their deliberations will include a non-farming daughter in terms of transfer of assets.

“There’s a lot of money to change hands in the next 20 years,” says Brad. “I’m optimistic about the huge potential in horticulture but it takes a very aggressive approach these days.”

Kyle’s enthusiastic for a permanent structure to replace the marketing tent, in the near future. He also poses some tough questions for the future of agriculture.

“It takes a lot of work, but I enjoy the opportunities,” he says. “Consumers still think of the red barn as what a farm looks like but that’s not modern agriculture. We need to further the discussion on what a farm looks like today. Just because a farm looks different with new technology doesn’t mean it’s not a family farm.”

Their diversification strategy was already underway using drip irrigation under high tunnels for peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers. These new structures were constructed in the spring of 2012 in time for their third planting season.

A steep learning curve notwithstanding, Brad has learned pest management under the intensive system while Kyle is the face of Oakley’s Field Fresh in a market tent near Thornbury, Ontario. Here, they survey new tomato plantings. Photos by Glenn Lowson.

SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 5 THE GROWER

CANADIAN HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL

Mid-summer meeting highlights The CHC executive met for its summer tour and meeting in the Montreal area on July 30-31. The group toured the Hotte et Van Winden farming operations in Napierville and the Sherringtonbased field production and processing facilities of VegPro International.

The Van Winden farms produce just over 700 acres of lettuces, carrots, onions, Chinese

cabbage and leeks while Veg Pro, which also produces significant acreage, operates a state of the art processing facility to package an array of locally grown lettuces for distribution in Canada and the United States.

At the conclusion of the tour and hosted luncheon the executive met with members of the Québec regional caucus.

Issues of prime importance

include reduction in resources available for research and innovation, timely access to new and competitive crop protection technologies, availability of farm labour and proposed changes to employment insurance and immigration policies, risk management programs and the outcome of the Growing Forward 2 negotiations.

Apple working group The 2012 CHC Mid-Summer Apple Industry Meeting was recently held in Brossard, Québec, July 24 - 25. The Apple Industry Meeting on July 25 was well attended, with 24 apple industry representatives present.

Several important items were discussed, including: • 2012 Crop Reports and Market Situation • Review of Canadian Apple Situation and Trends (Farid Makki, AAFC) • Apple Benchmarking Project Update (Kate Stiefelmeyer, George Morris Centre, Value Chain Management Centre) • CFIA Repeal of Standard Containers • Royal Agricultural Winter Fair – Apple competition

Farid Makki’s “Review of Canadian Apple Situation & Trends” provided an overview of current production, export and import statistics, as well as presenting a review of challenges and opportunities for the sector: The CHC AWG, AAFC and the George Morris Centre’s Value Chain Management Centre have been working together on a benchmarking study this year and Kate Stiefelmeyer made a presentation of the project’s progress to date, including the following Canadian opportunities and preliminary implications: Opportunities: • Investment in new planting systems • New trees/varieties

• Ramp up new varieties and rationalize old • Goes hand in hand with mechanization • New orchard management style likely required • Develop or adapt new varieties • More emphasis on breeding • Proprietary varieties • Varieties that grow well in specific locations • Market opportunities in niche varieties – could get back in to export market this way • Consolidation • More Collaboration • Preliminary Implications: • Canadian industry must focus on domestic market first, exports second.

• Exports will increasingly become niche opportunities

L to R: Keith Kuhl (Manitoba) Jean-Bernard Van Winden, Claude Laniel (Québec), Sara Boivin-Chabot (Québec).

Photo by Anne Fowlie

• Canadian apple industry needs a national marketing and industry development body • Must have a wholly objective and commercial focus.

• Canadian industry can learn from other jurisdictions.

• UK: industry rejuvenation, domestic market success.

• US: professionalism, marketing, production.

• NZ: innovation • Governments must assist to make changes happen • Industry needs to take the lead and show vision Special thanks to host Fédération

des producteurs de pommes du Québec for organizing the meeting and the boat cruise on July 24, and to the following sponsors: • Association des emballeurs de pommes du Québec • Caron • Lassonde • Leahy • Les Vergers de la Colline • Metro • National Pneumatic

PAGE 6 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

CANADIAN GREENHOUSE CONFERENCE OCTOBER 3-4

Key issues: lighting, labour and water KAREN DAVIDSON The annual Canadian Greenhouse Conference promises a full slate of speakers. Under the topic of lighting, look for the latest thinking from Egon Janssen, TNO on “light and energy in Europe.” TNO is a consultancy organized by the Dutch government to innovate on the latest horticultural technology such as robotics, automation and sensoring, energy use and CO2 techniques and of course, artificial vs. natural light.

Janssen will be participating in a panel discussion on supplemental lights and light transmission on October 4. He’ll be joined by Xiuming Hao, Agriculture

Canada’s expert from Harrow and Udo Van Slooten from Philips Lighting.

The topic of “Water and the environment” will be kicked off

by Justine Taylor, Ontario

Greenhouse Vegetable Growers and Shalin Khosla, OMAFRA who will give an update on Ontario water research. K. Victor Lo, University of British Columbia is scheduled to speak on phosphorous recovery from waste streams. Kim Harding, Saint-Gobain Cutilene, will speak about substrate system design and water management.

With a growing greenhouse industry comes the need for labour. Ken Linington, Flowers Canada-Ontario will address the topic of increasing public scrutiny of farm workplaces. He’ll be followed by Tom Baker, Bayview Flowers, speaking about new research in the area of agricultural human resources. How to access workers through the temporary foreign worker program will be the purview of Anthony Cervini, Lakeside Produce, Leamington.

This year’s keynote speaker is Anna Ball, CEO of Ball Horticultural, a floriculture company based in West Chicago, Illinois. If recent presentations are any hint, she’ll likely talk about the trends of sustainability and consolidation.

The robust speakers’ program will be supplemented by an active trade show. Hours are 8:30 am to 6 pm on October 3 and 8:30 am to 4 pm on October 4.

For the first time, a contingent of Dutch input suppliers will be visiting the Canadian Greenhouse Conference. About 14 companies will be represented by the Netherlands Export Commission according to Geoffrey Green, an organizer of the trade mission.

They include suppliers of substrate and coir, window washing machines, heating systems, solar systems, shade systems and inhouse conveyor systems.

The delegation will be visiting floral growers in the Niagara region and vegetable producers in the Leamington, Ontario area to understand the Canadian market better. They will be seeking local partnerships for installation and maintenance of equipment.

Business can work both ways. “If Canadian innovations fit into the Dutch area of expertise, then partnerships could be set up in Europe,” says Green.

For last-minute registration, go to www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com

SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 7 THE GROWER

OFVGA

Board briefs Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) July 2012

The fungicide Elevate has been added to the approved product list under GROU.

Following are highlights from the OFVGA board meeting held July 19, 2012. The purpose of this brief is to keep you up-to-date on the issues that the OFVGA is working on, as well as projects and initiatives the organization is involved in.

Property

Labour CEO Art Smith reported that OFVGA Labour committee chair Ken Forth has met twice with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) Minister Diane Finley regarding the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) and access to Employment Insurance for locally available seasonal workers. The federal government remains committed to the program, and Minister Finley emphasized that HRSDC is simply clarifying existing rules regarding Employment Insurance and seeking to ensure the integrity of the program.

Research Research section chair Harold Schooley reported that June was meeting month for Ontario Research Advisory Network theme advisory groups. Schooley serves on two of the advisory groups and is involved in the review of research proposals. The key research priorities in the plant production theme advisory group are product quality improvement, plant protection, production efficiency, environmental ecosystem impact, product diversification and genetic technologies.

One of the weaknesses of the current research funding system is the short term nature of funding agreements. Many horticulture breeding programs need to be long-term but most programs are funded only for three years. There are 135 or so different crops being grown in Ontario with very little overlap which makes horticultural research very challenging.

Crop Protection The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has released two different proposals for new regulations for comment.

They are working to codify and include the Grower Requested Own Use (GROU) program into the regulations. They are also formalizing the registration for generic products, including processes for approach, compensation for data package, time frames, negotiations and execution. OFVGA will be submitting comments to both in conjunction with the Canadian Horticultural Council.

these activities on-farm, which is a costly and time-consuming process that no other agricultural sectors are being faced with.

Wildlife loss project

OFVGA has sent a letter to provincial Environment Minister Jim Bradley reiterating its ask for inclusion of horticulture under the Nutrient Management Act to govern activities like waste water from washing produce or storm water runoff. The Ministry of the Environment is requiring many growers to apply for Environmental Compliance Approvals in order to regulate

Work has begun on a study funded by the wildlife loss working group to identify the amount and type of damage to the fruit and vegetable sector by wildlife and to develop a best practices document.

Support for tender fruit and apple growers affected by frost damage Ontario Apple Growers (OAG) chair Brian Gilroy advised that an assessment for possible support under AgriRecovery is underway for apple and tender fruit growers affected by frost damage this spring. Agricorp has done an extensive assessment of orchards and 80 per cent of growers have 90 per cent crop loss. Of the crop that remains, 30 - 50 per cent is not suitable for fresh market due to frost scaring and misshapen fruit.

Closure of Delhi research station The Ontario Ginseng Growers are still in the process of seeking alternate solutions for their breeding and ginseng research program that will be affected by the closure of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's research farm in Delhi. A committee has been formed to look at alternate uses for the property once the closure is complete.

The last board meeting was held August 23, 2012. Report in next issue.

Is your farm business a Commercial Greenhouse, Landscape Nursery or Vegetable Farm?

New environmental cost share opportunities are available for the 2012 cropping year through a special project associated with the Canada-Ontario Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) • Eligible farms have an opportunity to access cost-share at either 30 per cent or 50 per cent, depending on the Best Management Practices (BMP) Category, and up to established caps • The Growing Forward maximum contribution per farm business is $30,000 • Invoices dated September 15, 2011 or later will be accepted.

The project claim submission deadline is December 15, 2012 • Funds will be allocated on a first come, first served basis • Speak to your local OSCIA Program Representative

Funding support for BMPs including: • runoff control projects • buffer strip establishment in riparian areas • tile water treatment systems • improved pesticide management with support for equipment modifications to increase accuracy of applications • nutrient use efficiency projects including recycling and treatment systems • water efficiency projects including reduced wash water volumes and low volume irrigation systems For more information contact: Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association Telephone: 1-800-265-9751

www.ontariosoilcrop.org

PAGE 8 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

Water is on everyone’s radar

MAC JAMES CHAIR, OFVGA

The Ontario government is moving forward through the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) with the final passing of the Great Lakes Protection Act this fall. OFVGA, as well as other farm organizations, has been lobbying intensely on the two issues of wash water management and surface water management.

The main focus of lobbying is to have these issues moved from rulings under the MOE to regulations under the Nutrient Management Act, where this water can be recycled back to the

land as irrigation water.

Currently, samples have been taken and testing is being done to evaluate the nutrient value of this water. The results of these tests are due to be published in early September, and based on these results, a scientific approach to regulation can be achieved.

To promote this act, the provincial government has, under the MOE, come up with $1.5 million dollars to help restore and protect the Great Lakes.

Agriculture is eligible to apply.

If anyone is interested, go to www.ontario.ca/GreatLakesFund.

A Local Food Act for Ontario

ART SMITH CEO, OFVGA Last fall the Premier of Ontario announced in his election platform that the Liberals would introduce a “Local Food Act for Ontario.” There was not a whole lot of information given at the time as to what this “Act” would look like or what it would encompass . . . there still isn’t. Now I do know that it is being worked on at

the OMAFRA level. I am assuming that there is a lot of checking and double checking as to what is doable and what is not.

So with such limited information available to us we are left guessing about what will be included in the Act and even what the purpose of the Act really is.

The Act could focus on health issues and getting more people to eat better and more nutritiously.

Now this might not fall under a “Local Food Act” but it is something that the governments are going have to address in the not too distant future if they want to solve the diabetes and obesity crisis.

It might also include trying to resolve some of the food deserts (no food store in a community) that we have in this country.

When this happens, it is typically in poorer areas and then the local community is forced to rely on variety stores and fast food out-

lets for their meals….not the healthiest, but if they have no choices then what?

The Act may also look at a school nutrition program where local produce is sent to schools for children to snack on or even expanded to school meal programs and as much as I would like to see this, I doubt that the Act would incorporate this just due to cost.

The Act might also look at creating community gardens for folks in the city. This would certainly win the favour of some but it would do little for Ontario’s farming community; although it might raise the awareness of how difficult farming really is.

Some cities have been toying with the idea of allowing certain livestock to be raised in backyards. I struggle with this for a number of reasons including health, both human and animal and as well the desire of city folk

wanting to awaken to the call of roosters in the wee hours of the morning or even the hee haw of donkeys at sun up. Sounds crazy I know but where does it stop?

These animals belong on a farm not in a city.

There are so many things it could involve, too many to list here.

I believe that a good “Local Food Act for Ontario” needs to do one or two things only.

It needs to recognize that food production and processing in Ontario are not only important but essential and as such, all legislation passed in this province would need to be tested against it.

What would be the impact of legislation and policies of government on agri-food businesses?

Would the proposed legislation/ policies justifiably add cost or not, does it add benefit or is it detrimental to the food sector, will it allow for growth or will it

deter it. Placing a “Local Food Act for Ontario” at the top of the importance pyramid, recognizing food production as essential would allow the food sector to grow and would stop the nonsensical legislation and regulations that threaten the agri-food sector.

It could act as the litmus test of legislation . . . oh to dream!

In view of global population growth, governments across the world have a responsibility to enhance or expand food production not to deter it through regulation and policy.

A well written “Local Food Act for Ontario,” in fact for Canada, could go a long way in resolving the problems facing Ontario agriculture it is not just about price, it’s just as much about costs.

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

Positive approach needed to fair trade – not more roadblocks

ADRIAN HUISMAN ONTARIO TENDER FRUIT PRODUCERS Prime Minister Harper and President Obama recently signed the “Beyond the Borders” Agreement to remove

impediments to cross border trade. This included harmonizing rules and regulations, wherever possible, in order to facilitate the movement of shipments back and forth between our two countries.

Good stuff!

The problem is that our government voluntarily gave away some border protective measures without receiving anything or even asking for anything in return.

Examples include: 1. The Canadian government allows produce to enter Canada which has been treated with chemicals not registered in Canada by providing Minimum Residue Levels (MRLs) for these pesticides. In turn, the U.S. established a ZERO tolerance for

produce shipments to the U.S. which have been treated with chemicals not registered in the U.S. 2. The Canadian government has decided to eliminate the “Standard Container” legislation included in the Canadian Agricultural Products Act. This will now allow shipments of produce in bulk bins to enter Canada for either processing or repacking and sale in Canada. In the past, buyers were prohibited from doing so, without first obtaining a Ministerial Exemption, as long as Canadian producers had like products/produce available for sale. The U.S. has not nor were they asked to give up any of their border protection rules under their Marketing Orders.

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

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Others may subscribe as follows by writing to the office:

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The Canadian Horticultural Council requested that Heath Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) harmonize all current and future U.S. minor use pesticide registrations and MRLs. This would have provided not only a level playing field for our producers and for the manufacturers, it would also provide massive savings for the Canadian government.

Unfortunately, the response they received from Health Canada was that “differences in regulatory requirements, as well as differences in legislation, require that regulatory decisions be made independently by each country.”

This is especially hard to accept when the newer chemistries are safer, more effective and in most

ONTARIO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Chair Vice-Chair Fruit Director Veg Director Director

Mac James, Leamington Ray Duc, Niagara-on-the-Lake Norm Charbonneau, Port Elgin Jason Ryder, Delhi Jason Verkaik, Bradford

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

cases cheaper than the products our Canadian producers have access to.

A more positive response would have been that they are working on changing the regulatory requirements in order to facilitate the harmonization of pesticides. It’s too easy to say “we can do this because.” Our growers need a level playing field and deserve to have their government looking for solutions to problems rather than setting up more roadblocks. Isn’t that what was offered when the Canada/U.S. Free Trade Agreement was signed in 1988?

I’m not too sure whether this is a Canadian Sovereignty issue or simply a bureaucracy trying to keep their jobs.

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

SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 9 THE GROWER

PERSPECTIVE Local food fans spark interest in local wine and beer too

OWEN ROBERTS UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH It seems our growing interest in local, quality food has, so to speak, spilled over to local,

quality wine and beer, too. And in a very big way.

The Liquor Control Board of Ontario,(LCBO), the world’s biggest liquor monopoly, released its 2011-12 financial results in August, showing net sales of $4.7 billion. That’s nearly a five per cent spike over 2010-11.

And that’s good for the provincial coffers. The LCBO says it transferred an all-time high dividend of more than $1.6 billion, not including taxes, to the Ontario government in 20112012. That’s $80 million more than the previous fiscal year.

According to the province, this money supports the public institutions we hold dear – hospitals, schools and

COMING EVENTS 2012 Sept 6 – 9

Shores of Erie Wine Festival, Fort Malden, Amherstberg, ON

Sept 8, 9

Stratford Garlic Festival, Stratford, ON

Sept 11 – 13 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, ON Sept 12 – 14 Federal, provincial, territorial agriculture ministers’ meeting, Whitehorse, Yukon Sept 21 – 30 Niagara Grape & Wine Festival, St. Catharines, ON Sept 18 – 22 International Plowing Match, Waterloo Region, ON Sept 19

61st Annual Niagara Grape & Wine Festival Celebrity Luncheon, Club Roma, St. Catharines, ON

Sept 22

Fresh Fest for Foodshare, Ontario Food Terminal, Toronto, ON 11 am – 3 pm

October 1, 2 Grocery Innovations Canada, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON Oct 2 – 8

universities, among them.

But for those who grow vinifera grapes, the big story here is the skyrocketing sales of VQA wines, ones most likely to be

Ontario hops will get more hype in next year’s Craft Beer Competition scheduled for February 21 at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention.

associated with quality by local food types looking for the best of the best.

In a sector that usually counts gains in small increments, VQA wine sales rose nine per cent this year. That’s a banner sales year.

They even outpaced wine sales in general, which were up six per

cent. Not bad at all.

But still, those performances pale in comparison to the spike in craft beer sales, the kind produced in small batches by small breweries and renowned for quality and attention to detail.

Consider this: sales in the craft beer category grew by a whopping 45 per cent (compared to about a four per cent rise in overall beer sales). That’s an amazing figure. Occasionally, certain products come on strong as a result of an effective ad campaign or some other reason. But rarely does an entire segment skyrocket like this.

So what’s going on?

Well, according to LCBO president Bob Peter, look no further than the “local� movement. And, of course (according to him), his organization’s vision.

Says he: “We continue to see very positive results from the steps we have taken to promote VQA wines and Ontario craft beers, including through our goLOCAL marketing.�

Whoa Mr. President! Doesn’t the “O� in LCBO stand for “Ontario�?

And that being the case, shouldn’t the LCBO be promoting Ontario products above all else and as a matter of course,

rather than as a special program for which it congratulates itself?

And maybe, given how much money the LCBO makes off the backs of Ontario farmers, could its leader perhaps say something nice – even a word or two -about Ontario products?

Geez.

If Ontario craft beers and VQA wines were subpar, no one would buy them twice, no matter how much the LCBO promoted them.

The agency owes a lot to the people who make beer and wine, who toil in and on Ontario farms, vineyards and cellars, and make a fine product. The board should promote Ontario products continually, not just stick them on shelves with a sign that says “Ontario,� not unlike the one that says “Spain,� “Australia� or any of Ontario’s other competitors.

But maybe more local-oriented promotions are on rack now that the LCBO believes consumers are serious about “local� beer and wine. Last year was the LCBO’s 17th straight year of record sales, and 18th consecutive record dividend. It will be hard pressed to beat this year’s record.

Given its concerns about the bottom line, though, why would it not intensify its good local products campaign, the same campaign that helped it smash records?

President Peter, over to you.

experts Top -notch seeds

A team of

Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show, Simcoe, ON REPRESENTATIVES

October 3, 4 Canadian Greenhouse Conference, Scotiabank Conference Centre, Niagara Falls, ON October 13 Holland Marsh Soupfest, Ansnorveldt Park, Dufferin Street, Holland Marsh, ON Nov 2 – 11 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, ON Nov 4 – 8

Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association Annual Bus Tour, Chicago Area. For details: www.ontariofarmfresh.com

November 9 Ontario Produce Marketing Association Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony, Liberty Grand, Toronto, ON Nov 20, 21 Essex County Associated Growers 62nd Annual Bounty of the County Trade Show, Kinsmen Recreation Complex, Leamington, ON Nov 22

Dec 4-6

Eastern Ontario Local Food Conference, “Collaborating for Success,� University of Guelph Kemptville Campus, Kemptville, ON Great Lakes Expo, Devos Place Convention Center, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids, Michigan

---------------------North & south shores of Montreal Michel Gratton Tel.: 450.781.6045 Fax : 450.682.4959 Gilliane Bisson Tel. : 450.781.6044 Fax : 450.682.4959 ---------------------Central, Eastern Quebec & Atlantic Provinces Yves Thibault, agr.

Tel. : 418.660.1498 Fax : 418.666.8947 ---------------------Ontario Warren Peacock Tel. : 519.426.1131 Fax : 519.426.6156

www.norseco.com order@norseco.com 5FM Ďš 5PMM GSFF 'BY Ďš 5PMM GSFF

PAGE 10 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

FARM INNOVATION PROGRAM

New sprouting technology can help expand markets for Ontario potatoes LILIAN SCHAER A new green sprouting technology being trialed in Ontario has been shown to accelerate potato growth by at least 12 days.

Earlier harvest of processing potatoes will help Ontario farmers expand their domestic potato markets.

“Chip manufacturers would prefer a 100 per cent domestic potato supply to support their sustainability initiatives and locally grown marketing campaigns,” says potato specialist Eugenia Banks of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “These have been rolled

out over the last two years and the Ontario potato industry needs to catch up to these programs as soon as possible in order to be part of them.”

Funded by a Farm Innovation Program (FIP) grant, the Ontario Potato Board investigated new production technologies, including green sprouting, which keeps seed tubers in plastic trays under indirect light at 16 degrees C for about three weeks prior to planting. This stimulates the growth of short, thick sprouts that result in a potato crop emerging from the soil in eight or nine days after planting. Seeds planted without sprouts take approximately 21 days to emerge.

Photo by Lilian Schaer

“

Harvesting potatoes 12 days earlier should result in a price increase of about 15 per cent for farmers. ~ Eugenia Banks

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Field trials conducted in 2010 and 2011 in partnership with several potato growers showed Dakota Pearl processing potatoes planted using green sprouting ready for harvest 12 days ahead of the conventionally planted crop. Similar results were obtained with Superior and Yukon Gold potatoes, both fresh market varieties.

“Harvesting potatoes 12 days earlier should result in a price increase of about 15 per cent for farmers and, as a consequence, increase the competitiveness of both processing and fresh market growers,” estimates Banks.

Information from the trials has been shared at annual meetings of the Ontario Potato Board and Potato Field Day in Alliston and in articles published in The Grower, Ontario Farmer and the Potato Update newsletter. Banks also uses farm visits across the province as opportunities to share results of her work with potato producers.

Other research from this project is still ongoing with results expected later this year. This includes environmentally friendly ways to control scab, the main potato disease, and enhancing the skin colour in red potatoes to make them more appealing to buyers and consumers.

“For potato growers, this kind of research is invaluable because it addresses their production problems and the work is conducted on their farms. This gives them the opportunity to see the results for themselves and allows for early adoption of new technologies,” says Banks. “Farm-based projects also help us detect potential problems related to factors such as weather and provide solutions with grower input.”

SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 11 THE GROWER

RETAIL NAVIGATOR

Ready, aim, fire... are you ready for Target?

PETER CHAPMAN Target is one of the most successful retailers operating in the U.S. in the face of the huge growth of Walmart. In many key U.S. markets they go toe to toe in general merchandise and food.

Target’s annual sales were $69.8 billion in 2011 and they have delivered sales increases each year since 2008. Canada is the first international market for them to expand into and many consumers in Canada are excited to see one of their favourite crossborder destinations opening closer to home.

On Target’s website they describe their business model as an “upscale discounter that provides high-quality, on-trend merchandise at attractive prices in clean, spacious and guest-friendly stores.” Target operates 1,763 stores in the U.S. and they employ approximately 355,000 people.

The Target website www.target.ca is a tremendous source of

information. They are very clear about the stores they will open and when. You can find a complete list by province at http://corporate.target.ca/m/company/en/ou r-stores. They also define their intentions in Canada and they state the sales goal of $6 billion across 200 stores when they are finished the launch into Canada.

They will have 125-135 stores complete by the end of the first year. This is ambitious - it will have a significant impact on the consumer and on you.

The website does not talk much about the assortment of products they intend to carry, however it does say they will not start with Super Target, which is the food/gm combo store. My opinion is that we will see a lot more food in Target than they are saying. Walmart was no different when they started. General merchandise is easier to open with, as the source of supply for Canada will not be significantly different than it is in the U.S. They will offer an assortment of food to start and the addition of categories over time will help drive sales growth and traffic, as they become more of a full shop.

For vendors who want to be a supplier to Target, they are well underway selecting the vendors who will be a part of their offering. The entire process is outlined for those interested at http://corporate.target.ca/m/company/en/vendor-faq. Every 'frequently asked question' has a drop down box with the answer. If you want to sell to Target and

Earnings rollercoaster Recently Metro and Loblaws announced their third quarter results.

These two companies appear to be going in opposite directions. The third quarter results show consistent sales and earnings growth at Metro and disappointing sales and earnings at Loblaws. Metro is benefiting from improved stores in Ontario. Loblaws continues to focus on many things, such as systems, and struggles to get any sales momentum.

Metro’s recent financial results are: • Adjusted net earnings of $147.4 million, up 16.0% • Adjusted fully diluted net earnings per share of $1.46, up 18.7% • Sales of $3,703.5 million, up 3.8% • Same store sales up 1.0 % • Declared dividend of $0.215 per share, up 11.7% Loblaws website listed the following summary of the Q2 results: • Basic net earnings per common share of $0.57, down 18.6% compared to the second quarter of 2011.

• EBITDA margin of 6.4% compared to 6.9% in the second quarter of 2011.

• Revenue of $7,375 million, an increase of 1.3% over the second quarter of 2011.

• Retail sales and same-store sales growth of 1.1% and 0.2%, respectively, compared to the second quarter of 2011.

There is no doubt there will be increased pressure on Loblaws to get some sales momentum. The top line is critical! With more changes coming in the market, the window for Loblaws to get the back end fixed is getting very limited. SAP roll out to stores and warehouses starts this fall. This will be critical to their success and everyone will be watching very carefully to see how it goes.

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.

have not started the process, you need to do some fast research and get in motion. Many decisions are being made now.

A number of people have asked me about the distribution agreement with Sobeys and Target. They define the arrangement on the Target website as “Target Canada Co. and Sobeys have entered into a long-term wholesale distribution agreement. Target Canada Co. will buy and distribute all tempcontrolled, non-direct store delivery merchandise (primarily dairy, frozen, perishables and chocolate) through Sobeys.” My first reaction was one of surprise but, when you think about it, the deal is a good one for both parties.

1. Target can get up and running much faster on food which is a challenge across the regions of

Canada.

2. Target will save some capital costs initially to develop the distribution network for food.

3. Target will learn from Sobey’s regional listing base.

4. Sobeys will learn from Target.

5. Sobeys will make money on every case they distribute for Target.

6. Sobeys will improve efficiency

of their distribution network.

7. Sobey’s vendors benefit (which could be leverage for Sobeys), because Target says no new items will be listed by Sobeys for Target. In other words, only items currently listed by Sobeys will be available to Target stores.

Suppliers, retailers and consumers in every region of Canada will be impacted by the launch of Target in 2013. Are you ready?

If you will be selling to them, you have lots to do to get ready for a new customer. If you don’t sell to them but they sell in your category, you will likely lose some sales. Your existing customers will lose volume to the 125 stores across Canada. If you don’t sell to them and they don’t sell in your category then you will see less of an impact but you will be impacted. Your existing customers will be under more pressure, the consumer will have a new place to spend money and an item at Target might be more desirable than what you are selling. One thing is for sure - you need to learn about Target and anticipate what is right for your business!

PAGE 12 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

OFVGA SUMMER TOUR AND BARBEQUE

Innovation percolates in Niagara peninsula

N

KAREN DAVIDSON As the cradle of the tender fruit and grape industry, the Niagara peninsula reflects many issues current in horticulture: land use, water use, research directives, marketing programs. That’s why it’s an obvious choice for this summer’s tour hosted by the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association. For insight into the latest practices and newsmakers, here’s a mini-tour. Photos by Herb Sherwood.

Peach packing ends two weeks early at Andrewes farm As reported in The Grower, August 2011, Phil and Chris Andrewes are participating in a Platinum Peach program for Loblaw stores, using a number of techniques to achieve size and colour. About 20 per cent of production is now funneled into that program.

“It’s been very hard to keep water to the trees,” says Chris Andrewes. “In mid-July, the peaches weren’t sizing so between irrigation and supplemental rains, we’ve been able to keep the quality and flavour.”

While the packing season will be over about two weeks early, retail prices picked up this year, due to drought conditions and smaller supplies. “It’s very encouraging that consumers are willing to pay more for local product,” he says.

A new venture has been five-pound, 12-count peaches in a small box for Costco.

It’s not a new package, but it’s been very successful for that retailer.

Ontario ag minister Ted McMeekin (L) Pears are looking less promising for this and OFVGA chair Mac James welcome tour participants at the farm of Phil and season. Taking the brunt of April frosts, son Chris Andrewes, Beamsville, Ontario. quantity and quality may not reach normal standards. That’s where a new product of Puddicombe’s might take a bigger role on stage, using second-grade pears to make Sir Isaac pear cider. www.vinelandgrowers.com

Lake Ontario

Poetry in a bottle flows at Tawse Winery A relative newcomer to the grape-growing industry, Tawse Winery harvested its first crop from the Twenty Mile Bench as recently as 2001. What a splash Moray Tawse has made with a suite of practices not common to the Niagara Peninsula.

“Our fruit is hand-harvested from old-growth, low-yield vines and gently handled using gravity flow and geothermic energy,” says winemaker Paul Pender. Certified Tawse Winery’s vista overlooks Lake Ontario and organic and biodynamic, the vinea scene more reminiscent of medieval times. yards use no pesticides, fungicides or chemical fertilizers in producing Indeed, the 35 acres are farmed by horse and the grapes. Tawse was named win- plow. Sheep may safely graze the leaves of the ery of the year at the 2010 and 2011 lower vines to allow more sunlight to the crop, before the grapes ripen. Harvest is early this year, Canadian Wine Awards. That’s with the crush pad ready for picking on August 23. high honours for a winery that just opened its doors in 2005. Its ultrapremium VQA wines have premium prices to match the annual production of 30,000 cases (360,000 bottles).

“The first sip is the first paragraph in a short story, by no means the whole story,” writes Beppi Crosariol, in an August 11 Globe and Mail review of Tawse Pinot Noir Cherry Avenue Vineyard 2009. “It starts light, with a nuance of dried cherry – perhaps too lean for palates accustomed to fat shirazes. But stick with it and pay attention.

Mushrooms and dried earth begin to fill out the rich plot. Twelve months in French oak add a toasty subplot as fine-grained, sticky tannins and balanced acidity bring it to a satisfying climax. This is refined, complex fare for serious pinot hounds, a wine that gets better with each sip.” Crosariol’s score? 92. Price? $57.95. www.tawsewinery.ca

SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 13 THE GROWER

OFVGA SUMMER TOUR AND BARBEQUE

Value-added products are sampled at Cherry Lane Orchards

Global crops showcased at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Canada imports more than $10 million worth of okra.

The vegetable used in soups and stews is but one of many crops that are now being tested for viability on Ontario farms for sale to new Canadians. Indian eggplant, long Chinese eggplant, yard long beans and Chinese green onions are all in trial plots according to Valerio Primomo, vegetable breeder at Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (VRIC).

Daryl Somers, applied genomics, explains the large commitment to an apple breeding program using input from a consumer taste panel. The objective is to develop varieties that will be popular with consumers before 10 years of research are invested. In the question-andanswer session, Murray Porteous, chair of the Canadian Horticultural Council, played devil’s advocate in proposing that the softer McIntosh apple might become more popular again with an aging population that doesn’t want such a crisp bite.

Jennifer Smith demonstrates distinctive products of Cherry Lane Orchards: concentrated cherry juice and dried cherries.

Okra

The Smith operation is based on approximately 500 acres of tree fruit production and value-added processing and other related product sales. Along with the cherry processing plant started by Jennifer Smith’s grandfather in the late 1950s, she also runs the only peach-processing plant east of the Rockies. The plant processes only clingstone peaches which are sliced, diced or pureed for the institutional trade.

The farm was started in 1907 by Jennifer’s great-grandfather. Jennifer is the fourth generation of Smith’s to farm this property at Vineland Station. www.cherrylane.net Yard long beans

Chinese green onions www.vinelandresearch.com

PAGE 14 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Syngenta bundles disease- and insect-protection in a seed KAREN DAVIDSON Raleigh, North Carolina – The molecular breeding technology that has revolutionized grains and oilseeds in the last 15 years is now coming to fruition in vegetable seeds. That doesn’t mean genetically modified seeds, per se, but it does translate into a more robust genetic package designed to withstand disease and insects.

“We are now integrating biological solutions with chemical solutions,” says David Morgan, president, Syngenta Seeds, briefing Canadian and U.S. farm reporters in an exclusive tour last April at its Greensboro field day and Raleigh research headquarters. “Innovation happens at the intersection of these disciplines.”

The spring tour showcased Syngenta’s newly integrated crop protection and seed business across several global commodities that ranged from corn and soybeans to sugarcane and sunflowers. The company’s research underlines how discoveries in some species may be applied in others. The effectiveness of abamectin in controlling nematodes in cotton, for instance, is now in preliminary research with carrots.

Unlike row crops, Syngenta views vegetables as a truly global crop with worldwide production value of $500 billion. Fifty per cent of that consumption, by volume, is in China with another nine per cent in India. Those emerging markets are enticing Syngenta to plow major investments into vegetables. Not surprisingly, it operates a research centre in Beijing.

With a global perch, the one common issue is the impact of climate change on agriculture.

Vern Hawkins, president, Syngenta Crop Protection, told The Grower how the company is working on solutions to mitigate plant stress, optimize water and

steward soil. In some cases, turnaround between discovery and commercialization is now at seven years rather than 10. In turn, these advances put pressure on the regulators to keep up with the pace of science.

“We must ensure we have a science-based regulatory environment to continue bringing new technologies to market,” says Hawkins of the U.S. system.

“

We are now integrating biological solutions with chemical solutions.

Innovation happens at the intersection of these disciplines.”

potatoes from Mexico to the northwestern U.S. “We must think like a grower to address these challenges,” he says, “while balancing sustainable solutions on the farm with the supply and quality needs of processors.”

Here’s the proof. On August 14, Syngenta announced their supply of cucurbit seeds with onseed fungicide applications that will protect against diseases such as Pythium, Fusarium and Rhizoctonia.

All of Syngenta’s squash, melon and open field cucumber seed sold in North America is now treated with proprietary seed protection called FarMore Technology. One of the benefits is to reduce the chance of viruses being transmitted by certain pests.

Another is to protect the yield potential of small-seeded vegetable crops.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

~ David Morgan Syngenta Seeds

However he explains, the molecular breeding technology is identifying traits that are valuable and transferable into new products.

Potatoes are a good example of that strategy. Syngenta is investing heavily in potato research with the knowledge that China is looking at potatoes for their capability to produce twice more calories per litre of water than rice.

Syngenta’s chemistry is already available for liquid seed piece treatment, fungicides for late blight and in-furrow applications.

But the next hurdle is to develop zero-tolerance to psyllids, the insect vector of zebra chip disease in potatoes.

David Elser, head, Syngenta specialty crops, noted the movement of zebra chip disease in

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SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 15 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Disease- and insect-protection in a seed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 Syngenta’s cucumber seed varieties, Diomede and Constable, are treated with three different but complementary fungicides -mefenoxam, fludioxonil and azoxystrobin.

An insecticide for pest control, under the trade name Cruiser, is anticipated to be registered in Canada for package inclusion in 2013, according to Mark Jirak, portfolio manager for melons, squash and cucumbers. “These are broad-spectrum treatments with multiple modes of action and as such, provide good resistant management,” Jirak says.

“The FarMore package is certainly a welcome addition to the market,” says OMAFRA’s vegetable specialist Elaine Roddy.

“The fungicide components were already registered here, individually under the trade names Maxim, Apron and Dynasty.

When combined, they have much broader spectrum of early-season root rot and dieback control.”

This announcement is the tip of the iceberg in terms of Syngenta’s push to improve vegetables at all segments of the value chain. “Whether it’s yield, shelf life or visual attractiveness to the end consumer, we’re working on all of these traits,” says Scott Langkamp, head of Syngenta’s vegetable division.

“Think of value, not acres,” says Langkamp. “Growers are willing to pay for innovation,” citing top-end potential of $1 million in produce per hectare.

Some of the research currently in the pipeline includes: • clubroot resistance in cauliflower • fungal and insect control in germinated watermelon seedlings that translates into less transplant shock • stacked traits of insect and disease resistance in sweet corn • extended shelf life in Brussels sprouts • evergreen peppers for extended life on vines • stress tolerance in tomatoes “There are so many opportunities in vegetables,” says Langkamp, “we have to decide which ones to pursue.”

Some of the complexity of Syngenta’s research is best understood through the example of tomatoes. Breeding teams are working on improving flavour, which requires increasing brix without sacrificing yields. Their sensory analysts say that 25 per cent of flavour is taste, 25 per cent is texture and 50 per cent is in the aroma profile. With this number of traits, it’s not easy to identify the right genes while keeping other commercial traits intact.

“One of the findings is that the same sugar content may be measured by weight, but the sample tastes sweeter due to aroma,” says

Langkamp.

Don’t expect to wait too long for Syngenta to crack the case.

They already have a winner in the sweet and seedless mini-pepper.

Angello seedless mini pepper

Their Angello snacking pepper won an innovation award earlier this year at the 2012 Fruit Logistica in Berlin.

Scott Langkamp and Teresa Mitzel.

PAGE 16 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Droughty summer tests high-tech irrigation of potatoes This summer’s drought conditions have tested Ontario’s potato farmers, of which more than half irrigate.

From April through July, nearly all of southern Ontario was at least 20 per cent below normal rain amounts, says Rory Sweeting of Chatham-based Weather Innovations Incorporated (WIN).

“It’s not just that the overall totals are dreadful,” Sweeting says, “but that the times between rains have been very long, and most were short, heavy downpours that were very geographically isolated.

Having gone weeks without rain, working as hard as they can to draw every last bit of moisture from the soil, some crops are on the verge of giving up.”

How much water is enough?

To assist growers in becoming more efficient, economical and sustainable in their water usage, Weather Innovations Network (WIN) and the Ontario Potato Board (OPB) have launched a research project to evaluate the innovative integration of remote environmental sensing, mathematical modelling, crop production science and interactive online technologies through a new website, www.ONpotatoes.ca. The site provides near-real-time decision support tools that can tell farmers when they need to turn the taps on.

“In the past, timing irrigation events perfectly to get the maximum effect, using the least amount of water, was very challenging, says Sweeting. “Today, however, new technologies are available to take the guesswork out of decision-making.”

Using automated monitoring equipment installed at a test farm in Simcoe County, WIN is keeping a constant eye on both weather conditions (rainfall, temperature, wind) and the soil moisture at five depths in the potato field.

Wireless cellular units transmit the recorded data back to WIN’s computers, where it’s analyzed and transformed into user-friendly online advisories in the form of easy-to-read maps and graphs.

“We like to say we make the data dance,” Sweeting explains.

“By turning the numbers into pictures, we can very quickly show growers how much rain has fallen, the amount of moisture the plants are using, how much is evaporating due to the weather

“The grower can see how far into the soil an irrigation or rainfall event penetrates, and if it’s made a useful difference in the available moisture,” Sweeting says.

Eugenia Banks, a potato specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), has been talking to growers about the new website.

“Growers can find very useful information such as evapotranspiration values for different production areas of the province,” Banks says. “Scheduling irrigation is a

best management practice that should enhance the sustainable crop production practices followed by provincial growers.”

“The goal of this particular project is to maximize the use of water in irrigation,” says Ontario Potato Board general manager Don Brubacher. “We want to make producers aware of the results of this project through grower meetings and other venues and encourage growers to adopt this technology.”

A field-level rain gauge (measuring both precipitation and irrigation events) and a 5-level soil moisture probe send their observations in near-real-time through the solar-powered transmitter.

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The WIN weather station provides near-real-time readings of rainfall, temperature, wind speed and direction, leaf wetness and other parameters, which drive site-specific calculations such as evapotranspiration. When analyzed together, all this information assists in making more efficient irrigation decisions. and how much is left in the soil on a site-specific basis.”

Having all these pieces of information available quickly allows farmers to take proactive irrigation measures rather than reactive ones. By quickly consulting the website, the grower can immediately decide if a pivot in a particular field needs to be activated, as well as how long to run

the water. The tools at www.ONpotatoes.ca also offer other useful information. The five-level soil moisture readings, for instance, are reported on a stacked graph that mirrors the sensor depths in the field. The fluctuations in the graph’s lines show where the water is and at what depth the plants are working to use it.

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PAGE 18 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Gauge your coverage How to assemble your own pressure gauge tester CARLY DECKER, OMAFRA Many farmers have never changed or tested their sprayer pressure gauge(s). This makes assessing sprayer performance and output difficult. Sprayer performance has a direct impact on coverage, efficacy and may affect subsequent yield.

The direct impact of a faulty gauge is that you may be spraying more or less product than you intended. More product means wasted money and less product may mean compromised spray coverage.

A few clear indications that your pressure gauge is near retirement: • Opaque or unreadable face, • Mineral oil leaking, • Needle does not rest on zero pin when sprayer is not under pressure, • Needle bounces during operation (this may also indicate the surge suppression chamber on the sprayer is low on air).

Sometimes a gauge is not obviously in need of replacement.

Suspecting an issue, some growers will simply go out and buy a new gauge. However, even brand new gauges can be inaccurate right off the shelf. In order to test any gauge you need to apply a known pressure to see if it is reading accurately.

One method is to put two gauges in series on the same sprayer to see if they are in agreement. This is not always possible depending on your make of sprayer.

At a recent sprayer workshop, one grower had a great suggestion for testing gauges. His pressure gauge tester concept is designed

to hook up to your farm air compressor (see Figure 1). It allows you to test your suspect gauge against a known working gauge.

How do you know if your known gauge is accurate? Buy a few, test them against each other using this tester, keep one that you know to be accurate and return the rest.

Figure 1: The Pressure Gauge Tester The following is a list of parts that you will need to build the pressure gauge tester.

Parts list (see Figure 2): Part 2 x ¼” by 3” Galvanized nipples ¼” Galvanized 90º elbow ¼” Galvanized Tee ¼” Ball valve (threaded) *Plug Air Connector (A over ¼”) Teflon pipe tape

gauges are at the same angle, facing the same way.

• Ensure there is enough room between the two gauges so they clear each other when you thread them into the tester.

• Use a crescent wrench to tighten the gauges – DON’T twist the gauge itself by hand. This is a great way to break them.

• Don’t over-tighten the gauges.

To use the tester, thread the questionable gauge into the elbow, and leave the known gauge in the tee.

Close the valve and connect the unit to the compressor line. Bring the compressor up to ½ the scale on the gauge. For example, a 200 psi gauge should come under 100 psi pressure for testing. If your compressor cannot get that high, set it as high as it can safely go.

Price $2.69 ea $3.19 $3.19 $8.19 $2.99 $0.89

Figure 2: Parts Required for the Tester Slowly open the valve and see if the gauges are in agreement. If the suspect gauge is ten per cent more or less than the known gauge, get rid of it. A new gauge costs about $20.00 and is well worth the investment.

Source TSC TSC TSC TSC TSC TSC

†300 psi liquid-filled gauge $17.80 Hal-nor Tractor Supplies *Depending on the air connector on your compressor †Test gauge range should match your existing gauge. Sprayer gauges should be twice as much as your typical operating pressure.

Tools required (see Figure 3): • ¼” crescent wrench • wire snip pliers • locking pliers • plumber’s adjustable wrench

vineyards, for the great idea.

Further thanks to Mr. Paul Splinter, University of Guelph, Simcoe Campus, for technical assistance.

For more information contact jason.deveau@ontario.ca

Figure 3: Tools Used to Assemble the Tester Special thanks to Mr. Kip Voege, retired owner of Voege

BEDDINGPRO

Here are some tips for assembly: • Ensure that the tee and elbow line up properly so that the

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SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 19 THE GROWER

Introducing a product that’s as exciting as dirt.

Yes, you read that right. Alion™, the new Group 29 pre-emergent herbicide is anything but exciting to watch. Why? Because you’ll never actually see it do anything – and that’s the point. Spray it in your orchard for season-long control of annual grassy and broadleaf weeds. Not to mention glyphosate, triazine and ALS-resistant weeds, too. It’s literally as exciting as dirt. Until you see the results.

Learn more at BayerCropScience.ca/Alion

BayerCropScience.ca/Alion or 1 888-283-6847 or contact your Bayer CropScience representative.

Always read and follow label directions. Alion™ is a trademark of the Bayer Group. Bayer CropScience is a member of CropLife Canada.

PAGE 20 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Stretch tape contains pallet, reduces bruising of berries KAREN DAVIDSON Stretchable tape seems so simple, that you hit your head and say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” The Driscoll berry folks in California have been using 3M stretchable tape for several years now and attest to how it reduces stack resonance on trucks in transit. The issue is that as trucks stop and start, the stack moves in time with the truck’s vibration. The motion at the top is greater than the bottom, so strawberries, for example, move more and become bruised. The upper layers are most at risk.

As a 3M news release explains, freshly picked berries are packed gently into plastic clamshell containers. Eight clamshells are then placed into a corrugated tray. The trays are stacked up to six feet high on a 40-inch by 48-inch pallet with a slip sheet between every five or six layers.

The pallet is then lifted onto the rotating platform of the wrapping equipment.

The tape is manually fed from the dispensing head and pressed to a tray in the lower corner of the load. In the un-stretched state, the stretchable tape sticks on contact with just enough strength to hold itself in place. When stretched during application, the tape loses adhesive tack and will not stick to the corrugated material. As the pallet rotates, tape is

“

The tape stretches 600 per cent. The adhesive detactifies which will prevent delamination of colour graphics and barcodes.” ~ Al Irwin.

automatically stretched and wrapped around the load from bottom to top in multiple X patterns.

In the Driscoll example, the load is chilled after taping, and a clear pallet bag is applied that holds the load to the pallet.

Oxygen can then be removed to slow fruit respiration and decay, keeping the berries fresh longer. The advantage is that the tape allows the cold, modified atmosphere to circulate freely around the berries.

Here’s the Canadian connection. Best Packaging Systems, a Milton, Ontario, company has developed the semi-automatic stretch tape machine that can contain a breathable load.

“The tape stretches 600 per cent,” explains Al Irwin. “The adhesive detactifies which will prevent delamination of colour graphics and barcodes. The stretch tape has the load containment strength equal to an 80-gauge stretch wrap.

The load contained by stretch tape is 100 per cent breathable and offers a 95 per cent source reduction compared to stretch wrap.”

This particular system (machine and tape) just won the “gold” award from the Packaging Association of Canada for its unique properties and sustainability. For more information, go to www.bestpackagingsystems.com and look for the Equipment/Sustainability section.

SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 21 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

New system reduces costs to establish perennial energy grasses New Energy Farms (NEF), Leamington, Ontario has developed a new method of propagating energy grasses, reducing establishment costs by 50 per cent or more. Cost effective scaling of perennial energy grasses such as Miscanthus, Arundo donax and energy cane has previously inhibited expansion.

The Crop Expansion Encapsulation and Drilling System (CEEDS) consists of small capsules that are established using automatic minimum-till or no-till planters, like seed.

Applicable for a number of energy grasses, the system is currently under trial by companies in the U.S. and Canada. The existing range of NEF energy crops will be available in the CEEDS format commencing from 2013 to 2014 depending on the cultivar and region.

CEEDS represents a step forward

in energy crop establishment says Dean Tiessen, president, New Energy Farms. He lists the following advantages: • New cultivars can be bulked up to market volumes three times faster.

• Establishment costs for crops such as Miscanthus can be reduced by more than 50 per cent.

• Min / no till, fully automatic precision planting means no planting staff are required.

• Substantially lower cost of planting, less ground cultivation.

• Reduces by up to 80 per cent the transport logistics for planting material.

• Greater vigour after planting means more shoots produced.

• This system delivers the maximum yield from a cultivar.

• Makes planting energy grasses as simple as drilling conventional arable crops.

For further details on this project or the products produced please contact either our North America Office on 519 326 7293, EU office on 44 1672 513425 or email us at sales@newenergyfarms.com.

On the left, miscanthus planted in Tifton, Georgia in the spring of 2012 is emerging much more quickly under the Crop Expansion Encapsulation and Drilling System (CEEDS) than miscanthus rhizomes planted on the right.

Building on current and past experience of others. not to t make the same me m mistakes.

Trying not

your business. Refresh your thinking

Images show from left to right, CEEDS, plug plant and rhizome after 60 days (Miscanthus). Yellow boxes highlight original propagule size.

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PAGE 22 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Wind machines earn new respect in protecting apple crops KAREN DAVIDSON A war against Mother Nature never looks pretty. Just ask Kirk Kemp at Algoma Orchards as his team fought to save 250 acres of apples from frost on April 27 through 29. The dramatic rescue was accomplished by installing wind machines, burning straw bales and hiring helicopters to keep the smoke smudge close to the ground. None of those astute moves would have paid off without an early assessment and preemptive action last February.

With an unusually easy winter in southern Ontario, Kemp was uneasy about the prospects for bud damage from an early spring frost. He was keenly watching Environment Canada two-week

forecasts as early as February. By March, he committed to buying seven wind machines at $35,000 each to be installed by April 1. “It was a gamble,� says Kemp, “because installation requires a concrete pad, burying copper tubing and so on. It takes some real orchestration to get it done.� He hedged his gamble by insisting that payment would be guaranteed only if the machines could be installed by April 1.

Otherwise, they might be of no use.

Those seven wind machines in combination with other tactics ensured coverage for 250 acres and though it seems small, about a rise of two to three degrees Celsius in air temperatures within the tree canopy. As it turned out,

Match the science to specific farms About 500 wind machines are currently in use in Ontario, says Hugh Fraser, OMAFRA’s agricultural engineer in Vineland.

But 95 per cent of those are used in grapes. While a five-year study has grounded grape growers in their proper use, wind machines became the stars this last spring with a historic frost event in apples. (Results of study and how wind machines work: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/eng lish/engineer/facts/10-045.pdf) “There are some differences between apples and grapes,� says Leslie Huffman, OMAFRA’s apple specialist. “Apples are most at risk in the spring, whereas grapes may need help through the winter, spring and sometimes in the fall. Also, the grape fruiting zone tends to be concentrated in one area of the plant whereas the apple crop is spread throughout the tree, and orchard trees are generally taller than grapes.

Success with this technology totally depends on whether warm air is stratified above cold air.�

Fraser explains that wind machines pull warm air down during temperature inversions, conditions that are prevalent on dark, clear nights with no wind.

The idea is to pull warm air from about 20 metres above ground and mix it with the colder air at ground level. Growers must monitor temperatures carefully and understand what’s happening to put wind machines in motion at economic thresholds.

For apples in bloom, the critical point is minus two degrees Celsius. If the air temperature was approaching minus two degrees Celsius, and warmer air at three degrees Celsius was drawn downwards from above the orchard, then it’s reasonable to expect the air temperature to rise about two Celsius degrees to 0 degrees Celsius. This is 40 per

cent of the difference between minus two and plus three Celsius, a difference of five degrees.

Tractor-operated cold air drains operate on the principle of pulling cold air from lower areas of a field, then blowing it upwards to mix with warmer air.

Some growers have had success with these too.

Apple growers are investing in many new technologies such as trellises, intensive plantings, trickle irrigation, hail netting and platforms. The degree of risk management will vary. “These are very complicated decisions based on each grower’s circumstances,� concludes Huffman.

that’s exactly what they needed when they activated the machines during the last weekend of April.

In combination with the wind machines, they stationed round straw bales in a north-south pattern with the prevailing winds and lit them on fire all night. For safety reasons, night watchmen were stationed with each bale. Water tanks were also staged strategically in case of sparks going astray.

The plan was capped with the hiring of three helicopters which buzzed the crop seven times over that crucial weekend.

Thermometer readings were frequently taken and texted by Blackberry to the helicopter crew in the sky. When the crisis was in full flight, the area looked like a war zone. But the troops are still standing to tell the story to their loyal customers.

Tractor-operated cold air drains operate on the principle of pulling cold air from lower areas of a field, then blowing it upwards to mix with warmer air. “We’ve got an amazing crop,� concludes Kemp. “It goes to show that the advice I give to my

kids has worked for me. Be happy, believe in yourself, do your best . . . and never quit.�

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Grapes worth celebrating PURE PROTECTION LEADS TO PURE PERFECTION

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PureSpray GREEN Spray Oil 13E effectively protects your high value grape crop by quickly controlling pests and disease, and providing

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As many pesticides are being delisted, your choices are limited and becoming more so every day. So when you have a choice to make, be sure to choose the purest – PureSpray GREEN Spray Oil 13E. It’s an effective choice with unlimited possibilities. For more produc information visit www.purespraygreen.com/grapes.

PAGE 24 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

Diagnosing nematode problems in berry crops MICHAEL CELETTI, PLANT PATHOLOGIST PROGRAM LEAD (HORTICULTURE CROPS)/OMAFRA Author’s note: Many of the problems in strawberry fields this year were associated with high nematode numbers in fields. Late summer and early fall is a good time to sample fields for nematodes.

You can sample existing fields to learn if nematode populations are part of an existing problem, but it is even more important to sample before new plantings are established next spring.

Nematodes are microscopic eel-like worms that live in soil and water. Most soil-dwelling nematodes are beneficial organ-

isms that play a role in the breakdown and release of nutrients from organic matter.

Several species of nematodes live and feed on plant roots.

These plant parasitic nematodes possess a hollow stylet, which is forced into plant cells. Enzymes are injected to decompose the cell content. The nematode withdraws the partially digested cell contents through the stylet.

Root lesion nematode is the most common nematode pest on strawberry and raspberry. During the growing season, root-lesion nematodes live and feed inside plant roots. When the plants and roots die in the autumn, they move out of the root into the soil.

On raspberries, dagger nematode is another important nematode pest, because it is a

virus vector.

Signs of nematode injury: In raspberries, nematode feeding causes plants to decline over time.

Canes get shorter and weaker.

Plants are poorly rooted and can be easily pulled from the soil.

Primocane growth becomes sparse.

Nematode-infested strawberry fields show uneven growth across the field. Plants are stunted or weak in patches, next to apparently healthy vigorous plants. Some varieties are more susceptible than others to nematode damage.

New plantings decline more quickly than normal.

Roots of infected plants may show brown flecking, larger brown lesions, or black root rot.

(Figure 1) Nematode feeding can

Figure 1: Strawberry roots showing flecking and brown lesions caused by root lesion nematode Area

Number of soil cores/sample

< 500m2

8 - 10

500 m2 - 0.5 ha

25 - 35

0.5 ha - 2.5 ha

50 - 60

cause young white roots to be stubby and swollen, or excessively branched.

Nematodes are often associated with soil-borne diseases, such as verticillium, or black root rot.

Damage caused by root lesion nematodes provides infection sites for disease-causing fungi.

Sampling for nematodes Nematode populations can be estimated by sampling soil, and plant roots. The samples can be processed at the Pest Diagnostic Clinic in Guelph. For submission forms and a fee schedule, visit their website.

Late summer and fall are good times to sample soil for nematodes. Populations are generally highest in May-June and September-October. However, nematode samples can be collected any time as long as the soil is not frozen. Collect samples in time to arrange fall fumigation if necessary.

Soil should be sampled approximately 20 cm (eight inches) deep using a one-inch-soil diameter soil core probe, or narrow-bladed shovel. Discard the top few cm (one to two inches) of soil. Include the feeder roots of the crop in the soil sample, since this is where many nematodes live. Do not sample the roots of dead plants since the nematodes will have already died or moved away from dead roots into the soil.

Mix soil cores thoroughly but gently in a bucket. Place a subsample (1/2- 1 litre) in a plastic bag. Keep cool and out of direct sunlight during transportation to the diagnostic lab.

To diagnose a problem during the growing season, take eight to ten soil cores from areas where plants are unhealthy, or along the margin of a severely affected area. Another eight to ten soil cores from areas of healthy growing plants should be sampled separately for comparison.

To estimate nematode populations in a field, soil cores should be taken within the row of actively growing plants to obtain samples that contain feeder roots.

Walk in a Z, W or M pattern across the field. The soil sample should represent no more than 2.5

ha.

The chart above is a guide of how many cores are needed for a representative sample. Take separate samples from different soil types.

Interpreting sample results Economic thresholds for nematodes are based on pre-plant soil populations that can build up to damaging levels during the growing season.

Strawberry: Control nematodes if populations exceed the economic threshold of 500 nematodes per kg/soil.

Raspberry: The threshold for root lesion nematode is 1000 nematodes per kg of soil. The threshold for dagger nematode is 100 nematodes per kg of soil.

Nematode control: A nematode control strategy could include • crop rotation with non-hosts for several years • planting a root lesion nematode suppressive cover crop such as Canadian forage pearl millet and oilseed radish varieties • cultivation • fumigating soil with a nematicide.

When planting a nematode suppressing cover crop be sure to obtain a variety that suppress nematodes since some varieties can actually increase or maintain root lesion nematode populations.

Root lesion nematode suppressing cover crops do not eliminate nematodes completely but can reduce population levels when cropped for two or more years.

Fumigation with a nematicide is usually performed in mid fall or early spring. Fields should be cultivated several weeks before fumigation to allow organic matter to decompose that would otherwise tie up the chemical fumigant. The fall is a good time to fumigate provided the soil temperature is warmer than 4oC at a depth of 15 cm and the moisture content at a level that would permit seed germination. Dry soil will not seal in the fumigant and should be irrigated prior to fumigation.

For information on cover crops see OMAFRA publication 811, Agronomy Guide, or the Cover Crops Index page on the OMAFRA website.

SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 25 THE GROWER

BERRY FOCUS

Biofumigation MARGARET APPLEBY, IPM SPECIALIST, OMAFRA, BRIGHTON Biofumigation is defined as suppression of soil-borne pests and pathogens by the use of plants that contain inhibitory chemicals. The plants can be harvested as rotation crops or ploughed back into the soil as green manure. The fumigate properties of these crops have been known for a long time. Recently, researchers have had a closer look due to the phase-out of the methyl bromide and other fumigants under the international Montreal Protocol.

Advances in biopesticides with fumigant properties and application technology make this an economical possibility for commercial agriculture.

Plants in the mustard family, such as mustards, oil seed radish and rapeseed and Sorghum species such as sudangrass and related species, Pearl Millett have shown the potential to serve as biofumigants.

How do they work?

Plants from the mustard family produce chemicals called glucosinates in the plant tissue. The glucosinates contained in the roots and foliage are released when it is cut or chopped, then are further broken down by the enzyme myrosinase to form isothiocyanates that behave like fumigants.

These are the same chemicals that are released from metam-sodium( Vapam) commonly used as a chemical fumigant.

Sorghums produce a cyanogenic glucoside compound called Dhurrin that breaks down

to release toxic cyanide when the plant tissue is damaged.

Mustard, oil seed radish crops and sorghums have been shown in Ontario to have good activity against soil borne nematodes that damage horticultural crops.

Work to assess the effect these crops have on disease complexes associated with tomato vine decline and apple replant disease is ongoing.

When using biofumigation, a plan is key to get the best return on your investment.

You need to implement the 3 R plan: the right seed, right time and the right way.

The Right Seed Some mustards and sorghums are better than others for their biofumigant activity.

Work is being done globally to screen species/varieties for their biofumigant potential.

In Ontario has found that the following work best: • Mustards- Cutlass Mustard • Sudans/Sorghums - Sordan 79, Trudan 8 • Pearl Millet – CFPM 101 • Marigold – Crackerjack, Creole • Oilseed radish – Adagio, Colonel The Right Time For mustards it is possible to have two crops per season. You can plant in late April to early May and then again in midlate August using in a firm seedbed using a seed drill and pack after planting. For Pearl millet it is critical to get a good stand with no weeds.

the fumigant. Basically, if you can smell rotting cabbage, you are losing some of the effective materials.

For pearl millet be prepared to mow 2 to 3 times. Mow millet when it reaches 1 to 1.5 metres, leaving at least 15 cm of millet stubble to ensure regrowth. Mowing will help to encourage deeper rooting and will also keep the millet actively growing. Pearl millet will grow to over 2 metres if allowed. The residue can become quite resistant to breakdown if allowed to grow to that height. Frost in the fall will kill the millet if you have not already worked the cover crop under.

Don’t forget to soil sample for nematodes and soil pathogens before using biofumigation and repeat several weeks after incorporation–you need to measure to manage!

The Right Way Since most mustard and oilseed radish varieties are alternate hosts for some nematodes, the key to using them is mowing to release the fumigant-like compounds. Be prepared to mow before the plants go to seed. Chopping and mangling is really what is needed to release the fumigant-like chemicals held within the plant tissues.

Good chopping is critical for incorporation.

Incorporate the chopped plant material as soon as possible after mowing, i.e. within an hour or two at most. Two tractors in the field work best.

After cover crop chopping and incorporation, the soil may need rolling or a light packing to seal the surface and help to hold the biofumigation action. If soil conditions are dry, you may need to irrigate to seal in

Ontario Berry Growers Association Twilight Meeting Wednesday September 12, 2012 , Simcoe, Ontario, 3 pm – 8 pm.

This annual event is open to both members and non members and is a nice wrap up to the berry season. The program includes a tour of the new facilities Vanden Bussche Irrigation, followed by a tour of Kent Kreek Berries, from hosts Paula and Jeff Zelem.

OMAFRA specialists will be on hand to provide information on monitoring and control of spotted wing drosophila on berry crops.

3:00 - 3:45 Meet at Head Office at 2515 Pinegrove Road (at Hwy 3), Delhi, ON N4B 2E5 3:45 Travel to Kent Kreek Berries 3173 Hwy #3 West, Simcoe, N3Y 4J9 Tour of Kent Kreek Berries 6:30 Cross the road for Supper at the Vanden Bussche Farm Please pre-register for this event by contacting the Ontario Berry Growers Association 613-475-4850 at info@ontarioberries.com

With locally locally grown grown ethno-cultural eth hno-cultural vegetables, vegetables,

T HE

I NN OVATION

R EPOR T

T H E I N N O VAT I O N R E P O R T

customized cus tomized marke marketing ting campa campaigns aigns w work ork bes bestt New research h from f mV Vineland in neland Research Research and ndu ucted in partnership Innovation Centre, conducted dV egetable e Growers’ with the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ od duce and Golden Association, Sundine Pr Produce hat to take full advantage of Groceries Ltd. shows that ograaphic – and consumers’ Ontario’s shifting demographic rld ccr ops – marketers surging interest in world crops would be wise to play up the distinct sensor sensoryy hnic populations, preferences for variouss eth ethnic at on ne common marketing rather than assume that one campaign fits all. bou ut world cr ops’ There’s no doubt about crops’ ccorrding to rrecent ecent sur veys economic potential. According surveys d’’s Consumer ds C Insights and conducted by Vineland’ oup p (under Dr Product Innovation group Dr.. Isabelle etween 14 and Lesschaeve’s direction),, be between 25 million pounds of okraa ar aree sold in-season e $50 million. across Canada, worth an estimated ent comes fr om Ontario Of that, roughly 46 perr ce cent from ng jjust ust over 21 million consumers, representing so estimates that okra dollars. Dr. Lesschaevee als also ork o k and Pennsylvania – consumption in New Y York erviced by Niagara gr owers key markets that are serviced growers llion pounds in in-season season, – averages roughly 20 mil million in-season, ds of o $42 million. with a value of upwards nd Asian A long purple Yard long beans and om mise. The value of the eggplant hold similar pr promise. oughly $59 million, yard long bean markett is rroughly ly 24 2 million pounds, with based on approximately counting for mor Ontario consumers accounting moree than nad dian consumption.

65 per cent of total Canadian A long purple Forty-four per cent of all Asian

eggpla ant is sold to Ontario consumers, eggplant rrepresenting epreseenting a total value of just over $3 3 million $33 (21.4 million m pounds at $1.55 per poun d). pound).

Dr sschaeve’s rresearch esearch also shows thatt Dr.. Les Lesschaeve’ consum mers in New Y ork o and Pennsylvan nia eat consumers York Pennsylvania mor A long purple eggplant than in n Canada moree Asian as a wh hole. whole.

W the numbers don’ What w, howe ever, don’tt show show, however, and wh hat marketers should bear in mind d, what mind, is that what appeals to Canadians of Afri icanAfricanCaribb bean descent, for example, may no ot appeal Caribbean not to Can nadians of South Asian descent, an d that Canadians and taste, firmness fi and per ceptions of fr eshn ness all perceptions freshness factor dif ferently entl into dif ferent ethnic con nsumers’ nsumers differently different consumers’ decisio on-making. decision-making.

“D Different cultural gr oups base their “Different groups pur chaase decisions on dif ffer f ent exter nal cues,” purchase different external said D r. Lesschaeve. “Appearance is impo ortant, Dr. important, howev ver firmness matters most for consu umers of however consumers African n-Caribbean descent, and fr eshnesss is top African-Caribbean freshness of min nd for consumers of Chinese descen nt. Ther mind descent.

Theree is gr eaat fragmentation amongst consume ers based great consumers on the eir heritage, and it’’s important to ke eep this their keep in min nd when developing marketing stra ategies ” ategies. mind strategies.”

Dr r. Lesschaeve’s rresearch esearch also discove ered Dr. discovered someth hing that many locavor es might co onsider something locavores consider unusu al. A ‘made in Ontario’ label does not n unusual. necess sarily guarantee that ethnic consum mers necessarily consumers will pu urchase locally-gr own pr oducts. In n fact, purchase locally-grown products. makin ng pur chase decisions based on thee rregion egion making purchase or cou untry of pr oduction is not as important imporrtant for country production ethnic consumers, and if it does factor in n, the in,

study indicated a biass for pr oduce fr om produce from their ‘home countr y’. Understanding these country’. types of biases and de eveloping rresponsive esponsive developing marketing strategies ar aaree important points for gr owers to know w. growers know.

For a summar o the rreport eport – Consumer summaryy of Pr eferrences e Market Demand for Ethno-Cultural Preferences and Market V eegetables in Canada and Export Markets – go to Vegetables www w.vinelandr . esearrch.com www.vinelandresearch.com

World Crops Facts and Figures Q

Canadians of South Asian descent consume the largest quantity of okra per household.

Q

Approximately 25 per cent of Canadians of African-Caribbean, Chinese and South Asian descent from non-metro Toronto are dissatisfied with yard long bean quality, compared to about 15 per cent of metro Toronto consumers.

Q

Canadians of South Asian descent, account for the largest quantity per household in season of Asian long purple eggplant (7.5 pounds), followed

by Canadians of Chinese descent (5.1 pounds). In metro Toronto, consumption per household is also higher than in non-metro areas.

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is funded in part by Growing Forward, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

PAGE 26 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

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PAGE 30 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER

MINOR USE CRAIG’S COMMENTS

Loss of a friend

CRAIG HUNTER OFVGA It seems to me that we keep losing the chosen ones from our industry. Yesterday I learned that Gary Ireland had passed away, as a result of Alzheimer’s with which he struggled with these past 6 years.

Gary was someone I was proud to call a friend. But he was so much more than that. I first met Gary back in 1972, not long after he had begun the transition of farm management from his father. I still have an orchard map from those days where we took soil samples leading to pH adjustments that he was certain were needed- even before the sample results proved the point. Gary was always willing to try something new. Whether it was equipment, soil treatments, fertility regimes, and especially Pest Management, Gary was volunteering to do it.

Sometimes it cost him such as the time when a certain micro-nutrient burned up one variety of apples on the farm. He never got fair compensation, something I attribute to this day to a couple of people more interested in covering themselves and their company. Gary was never satisfied, but he let it go-that was his way.

He was involved in many things in the local, provincial and national levels. As a past President of our Rotary Club, he gave selflessly of his time and his home as well. We had many club activities right there on the farm.

He was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship, the highest award in Rotary International, for all his efforts. One of the great Rotary events that he took part in was the Canada to Scotland Rotary Curling Exchange. He was on the 1994 team, and the Scots still talk about him! It was always to our benefit to have him play for our club when the Scots came back every 4 years to play in Canada.

Gary is one of the reasons that Simcoe is the only Canadian site where Scotland has never won the local match.

Gary had an abiding interest in his Church- St. James United. He was instrumental in getting services for off-shore workers at the church, and that expanded greatly to outreach in our community. He was recognized for his local efforts and his church volunteerism.

Gary took time from his own business for the benefit of other growers. He was a life-long member of the Norfolk Fruit Growers.

He was also a director and Chairman of the former Ontario Apple Commission. He was a member and past chair of the Apple Committee at the Canadian Horticultural Council. He was also very active at the national level on the safety nets portfolio, at the time when ‘Free Trade’ was being touted. He was appointed as Chair of the Ontario Food Terminal Board when it was having some serious problems.

He was able to balance the inter-

ests of growers, wholesalers and the public at large- never an easy task! Gary was the President of The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association in 1990-91.

He was responsible that year for the decision to move the offices to Guelph- a forward thinking move eventually followed by many other agricultural groups.

Gary was always supportive of efforts to expand the use and availability of safe and effective pesticides. He was asked and attended international meetings in Europe along with PMRA staff to present the Canadian Growers’ perspective. He always said how important those meetings were to

Gary Ireland 1945-2012 him, and they were also important for all fellow growers.

Gary was awarded the Golden Apple Award of which he was very proud. It is an election made by past winners, and recognition of a grower’s ability and industry contribution.

Gary also had amazing skills as a sportsman. Not only did he curl (Member of many club

championship teams) and at hundreds of bonspiels around the country, but he became very well known in many small towns as a result. He was a consummate raconteur, and his way of delivering some stories is without parallel!

Gary was a member in the early years of our curling ‘team’ that has attended a bonspiel in Quebec City for many years. In addition to his great play on the ice, his ability to meet many people and have a fun time off the ice held no bounds! Even years after his last trip with the team, many curlers asked about him. Again, this was a sign of the respect that Gary attained no matter where he went, or what talent was being utilized at the time.

Gary loved to golf as well. We enjoyed many games across the country, as after meetings were over he found relaxation on the course. Gary was always competitive, and I still recall one time while golfing in Kelowna, when I ‘lucked out’ with a terrible teeshot that skipped in water, hit some rocks, and still beat his closest to the pin. Gary liked to win, and I still remember his comments that day!

We played one time down in Nova Scotia, where we set off from the hotel knowing it was raining, hard, and had done so for a week straight. Gary the optimist said it would end. They let us on the course, even though it was so wet we couldn’t really putt without a rooster tail. The rain stopped by the third hole, and was dry enough by the ninth hole that we ended up having had a good round. He just took it all in stridehe ‘knew’ it would get better, and it did!

Gary was always a family man too. He often talked about the accomplishments of his daughter and his grandson was ‘the apple of his eye’. In our travels together, I learned a lot about them, and about how proud he was of them.

Those who were fortunate enough to travel with Gary will remember his amazing capacity for food. As one grower statedGary liked his groceries! He liked things hot! After Rotary Bingo nights, he would tuck into chicken wings that were just this side of molten! That little smile was always there while he ate them, too. At Rotary luncheons, it was common for three or four extra desserts to just end up within his reach. There were never any leftovers if Gary came to dine!

Gary couldn’t win his battle with Alzheimer’s. It was painfully evident to see the decline, and the negative effects that ravaged him these past years. He was so fortunate to have friends like Tom Greensides to help him during these struggles. We have likely all seen others we know and love who face such a serious affliction.

Often we feel lost in trying to deal with it. Perhaps the best way is to remember folks as they were in their prime, and try in each of our personal lives to espouse the ideals we cherished in them, and to make the world a little better as a result.

I may not have known Gary for as long a time as many others.

I certainly didn’t know him as well as many people have. I was extremely lucky to have had all the opportunities to work, play, and serve with Gary over the years. He was a fine man, and I will miss him.

Spotted Wing Drosophila pest alert Surveys coordinated by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) in 2011 and 2012 have detected this pest across southern Ontario.

Environmental conditions including a mild winter have favoured the survival and seasonal population build-up of SWD in 2012.

Crops at risk include tender fruit (cherry, peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, other), berry crops (raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, sea buckthorn, other) and some grape varieties (primarily table grapes). While early crops may escape injury due to lower population pressure,

SWD numbers build as the season progresses, making late harvested crops such as fall raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and day-neutral strawberries at high risk. Growers in Ontario should assume SWD is present in their area and should be using several management techniques to reduce economic injury.

There are several insecticides registered as Emergency Uses for 2012; make sure to rotate between chemical classes and watch for label restrictions and PHIs. OMAFRA has developed web-based resources where growers can obtain more information on SWD including a

real-time map of pest activity. For more information visit www.ontario.ca/spottedwing.

Interested in learning more about SWD? OMAFRA staff will be making presentations at the following events: 1. Canada's Outdoor Farm Show (September 11, 12 and 13th, 2012, Woodstock) 2. Ontario Berry Growers Association Twilight (September 12th, 2012 Simcoe) 3. Tender Fruit Twilight meeting (September 26th Niagara)

SEPTEMBER 2012 –– PAGE 31 THE GROWER

MINOR USE

Matador/Warrior insecticide labels expanded JIM CHAPUT, OMAFRA, MINOR USE COORDINATOR, GUELPH The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of Urmule registrations for Matador/Warrior insecticide for suppression of black vine weevil on strawberries, control of armyworm on cereal grains, tarnished plant bug on celery, bud moth on Saskatoon berries and cucumber beetles on crop group 9, cucurbits in Canada. The active ingredient cyhalothrinlambda was already labeled on a wide range of crops including grains, oilseeds, vegetables and fruits. Note that

Warrior will eventually replace Matador in the marketplace.

The minor use projects for strawberry, cucurbits and cereal grains were sponsored in 2010 by the minor use office of OMAFRA and the projects for celery and Saskatoon berries were sponsored by Agriculture & AgriFood Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFC-PMC) in 2004 and 2005 as a result of minor use priorities established by growers and extension personnel. The minor use label expansions for Matador/Warrior insecticide are a significant step towards developing an improved pest management toolkit for these pests in Canada.

Matador/Warrior insecticide should be used in an inte-

grated pest management program and in rotation with other management strategies to adequately manage resistance.

Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Matador/Warrior insecticide labels carefully.

For a copy of the new minor use label for berry crops contact Pam Fisher, OMAFRA, Simcoe (519) 426-2238; for celery contact Marion Paibomesai, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-4963; for cucurbits contact Elaine Roddy, OMAFRA, Ridgetown (519) 674-1616; for cereals, Tom Cowan, OMAFRA, Ridgetown (519) 674-1696 or Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-3539 or visit www.syngenta.com/country/ca/en/Pages/home.aspx

Minor Use Label expansion granted for Rimon 10EC insecticide The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion for Rimon 10EC insecticide for control of apple clearwing moth and dogwood borer on apple and reduction in damage from pea leafminer on celery in Canada.

Rimon 10EC (novaluron) was already labeled for management of several insect pests on strawberries, bushberries, apples, stone fruit, Brassica vegetables, peppers, beans, sweet corn and potatoes in Canada.

This minor use project for

celery sponsored by Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFCPMC) was submitted in 2004 and the project for apples was submitted in early 2011 in response to minor use priorities identified by producers and extension personnel in Canada.

These new registrations will provide celery and apple growers with an important pest management tool for these pests.

The following is provided as an abbreviated, general outline only. Users should consult the complete label before using

Rimon 10EC insecticide.

Apples: Rimon insecticide can be applied as a direct application to the tree trunk at 1.4 L of product per 1000 L of water for control of apple clearwing moth and dogwood borer. –Do not exceed 2000 litres of water per ha and do not apply more than two applications per season. One application can be made in the spring targeting larvae preparing to pupate or one application can be made post-harvest as a curative spray or one to two applications in the summer at a 14 day interval targeting 25 –

75 per cent egg laying can be made. Do not apply within 14 days of harvest of apples.

Celery: Rimon insecticide can be applied as a foliar spray at 464 – 603 mL product per hectare when pea leafminer or leafminer damage first appear. Apply in 200 – 400 L water per ha at a 7 – 14 day interval. Do not apply more than three applications per year and do not apply within two days of harvest of celery.

Rimon insecticide should be used in an integrated pest management program and in rotation

with other management strategies.

Follow all other precautions and directions for use on the Rimon insecticide label.

For copies of the new supplemental label for apples, contact Kristy Grigg-McGuffin, OMAFRA, Simcoe (519) 4264322; for celery contact Marion Paibomesai, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-4963 or Jim Chaput, OMAFRA, Guelph (519) 826-3539 or visit the Chemtura Agrosolutions website www.chemturaagrosolutions.com

PAGE 32 –– SEPTEMBER 2012 THE GROWER