The Grower September 2013

CELEBRATING 133 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION

SEPTEMBER 2013

VOLUME 63 NUMBER 09

LABOUR-SAVING TECHNOLOGIES

Behind innovation, robots are ahead of the pack KAREN DAVIDSON $14 dollars per hour? In the counties, that dog won’t hunt.

But urban rallies staged in the dog days of Ontario’s summer raised the spectre of that minimum wage rate, no doubt a starting point for negotiating upwards from $10.25. It’s a jarring reminder that horticulture needs to automate as quickly as possible.

In a timely release, the Horticulture Value Chain Roundtable (HVCRT) reported this summer that 79 per cent of surveyed respondents – 241 from British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec – rated their operation to be “somewhat” or “not” automated. Labour costs comprise more than 41 per cent of total operational expenses for a third of the respondents. The primary reason for not adopting automation technologies was that capital investment was too high.

Others said that appropriate technology simply isn’t available.

“When you read the entire report, I think it breaks down the myths that labour-saving technology is too expensive,” says Brian Gilroy, chair of the HVCRT subcommittee on innovation. “If you look at the list of technology currently available, some of it has return on investment in under four years.”

INSIDE Sun shines on OFVGA tour

Page 6

Potatoes: Stabilizing a staple Page 11 Focus: New equipment and technology Page 13

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

With the Ontario government ruminating about raising the minimum wage, horticulture is facing unprecedented pressure from within domestic borders and abroad. That’s why a report on labour-saving technologies for horticulture is so timely. One grower who is slashing labour costs is Chris Hedges. He is well advanced in establishing a tall spindle system in his Vanessa, Ontario apple orchard. For his in-depth story on reducing pruning, thinning and harvesting costs, go to the New Equipment and Technology section on page 14.

Photos by Glenn Lowson.

Chris Hedges, a banker turned farmer, agrees with the survey’s consensus that three to five years is a reasonable payback period for innovative technology. He calculates that his investment in 120 acres of tall spindle apple orchard near Vanessa, Ontario pays back in three years. He also testifies that apple quality improves at the same time.

His findings echo a case study of a mid-sized apple orchard in the state-of-the-industry HVCRT report, “A Review of Labour-Saving Technologies for Horticulture.” It was commissioned and funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and authored by the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

(A copy of the report is posted at www.vinelandresearch.com) The report says some of the industry’s challenges are due to small size compared to competitors. Ontario’s largest peach grower, for example, farms

“

When you read the

entire report, I think it

breaks down the myths that labour-saving technology is too expensive.” ~ Brian Gilroy

500 acres while in California, a single peach grower may control 4,000 acres. Big or small, it’s still surprising how many technological challenges remain. Robotic arms are standard in automobile plants, yet this technology has yet to migrate to labour-dependent and time-sensitive horticulture.

Robotics are a pivotal area confirms Jim Brandle, Vineland’s CEO. Where Vineland is most active is in controlled environments such as planting, packing and packaging. One of Vineland’s interests is to develop systems that get produce into packages without too many people touching the product.

For robots to succeed in harvesting and packaging, the report points out that technical improvements are needed in vision systems and gripping.

Priority should be placed on these areas because they apply to a wide range of fruits and vegetables. Vineland’s caveat,

however, is that the image system and processing software must match the performance of a human harvester, both in speed and effectiveness.

The orderly rows in greenhouses would seem to offer a perfect home for robots. But consider the cucumber sector.

The highest labour cost is not in harvesting, but rather in winding, pruning and thinning the vines.

And then the sector subdivides into full-size as well as mini-cucumbers, challenging researchers yet again on dimensions. For any research team to succeed, a grower must be embedded to explain the commodity-specific production cycle.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

PAGE 2 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

AT PRESS TIME… Horticulture situated at heart of COFS This year’s September 10 to 12 edition of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show features a Horticulture Pavilion dead centre in the revamped layout on the Woodstock, Ontario site. Willsie Equipment will be demonstrating a hydraulic weeder. In addition, the Thedford, Ontario company will be talking about a sideshift unit for cultivators. A camera is embedded in the unit that can be programmed to look down the row and automatically cultivate within a half-inch deviation.

“This machine does a faster and more accurate job of cultivating,” says Tim Willsie. Imported from England in 2013, the unit is now in use in Quebec.

The Canadian Energy Expo area features pick-up trucks, including RAM Canada, says Stefanie Nagelschmitz, farm show team lead and communications.

The ‘new fuels’ theme ties together the exhibit with all vehicles running on alternative fuels.

Don’t miss the natural gas conversion stations that can be installed as on-farm fueling stations.

“Last year, we only had one natural gas fueling station that farmers could purchase, but this year, it looks like we are up to six,” says Nagelschmitz.

Earlier this summer, the Ontario Power Authority announced support for 952 midsize FIT projects for solar, biogas or thermal builds. Many on-farm projects will benefit.

If your interest is in biomass, look to the Vermeer biomass equipment demos in the Southwest Demo Field. Experts from head office in Pella, Iowa will showcase rakes, mowers and balers harvesting miscanthus and switchgrass. This extends the story of the three-year-old plots established by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association.

The Grower invites all attendees to stop by our booth in the Horticulture Pavilion on 2nd and 3rd Lanes. We will be sharing space with exhibits of world crops grown by the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre.

Hail hits Kelowna

NEWSMAKERS owners are disheartened after a hail storm pelted East Kelowna orchards on August 12, resulting in $6 million in lost production.

That’s about 15 per cent of the crop says Glen Lucas, general manager of the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association.

Crop insurance will soften the blow, however association president Jeet Dukhia predicts longerterm damage to the apple trees.

Digging into consumer’s minds The Ontario Potato Board and research affiliates are quizzing consumers on what attributes of potatoes would whet their appetites.

Compared to other jurisdictions in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa, Ontario is lacking in information on consumer purchasing behavior.

The researchers hope to capture greater value from the market.

While the project kicked off last spring, early findings with 210 Ontario consumers have tagged some potential market opportunities. The majority of respondents (64%) stated that, while they know that certain varieties of potato are more suited to specific uses such as mashing, boiling or baking, they are not sufficiently familiar with the varieties on offer to make informed purchasing decisions.

Thanks to funding from the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program, the research is moving forward with Loblaw Companies Limited and Downey Farms.

Congratulations to owner-winemaker Judy Kingston of Naramata’s Serendipity Winery which was named British Columbia Winery of the Year at the prestigious 3rd Annual New York International Wine Competition.

The federal government will convene a new session of parliament sometime in October.

Earlier in the summer, several cabinet appointments were announced which are particularly relevant to the Canadian Horticultural Council, its members and priority issues.

Judy Kingston

• Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development (formerly HRSDC) replacing Diane Finley who moves to Public Works and Government Services • Chris Alexander, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, replacing Jason Kenney • James Moore, Minister of Industry Canada, replacing Christian Paradis • Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Environment • Rona Ambrose: Minister of Health • Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources • Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Status of Women • Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism) and Minister of State (Agriculture) On the move are several public servants in the senior ranks of the federal government. George Da Pont, formerly president of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), is the new deputy minister of health. Bruce Archibald, formerly president of the Federal Economic Development Agency for southern Ontario, moves into the chair vacated by George Da Pont at CFIA. Karen Ellis, formerly associate deputy minister of natural resources, takes over Bruce Archibald’s position in southern Ontario.

The Prime Minister of Jamaica has announced the appointment of Hector Delanghe and Ken Forth to the Orders of the Societies of Honour and recipients of the Badge of Honour. Congratulations are extended for their service to agriculture and the FARMS program.

Diane Allie, information and communications officer, has recently retired from the Federation des producteurs de pommes (apple growers) du Quebec after 24 years of dedicated service.

Apple growers and vineyard The Ontario Institute of Agrologists has announced Drew Orosz as the new president. He is strategic sales manager for CNH Capital Canada Ltd. Orosz, a member for more than 25 years, is active in the Niagara/Hamilton area. The board thanks outgoing president Frank Reddick for more than two years of service.

The U.S.-based Produce Marketing Association has named Cathy Green Burns as president, effective December 1. In this new role which further strengthens the staff’s blend of association management and industry expertise, Green Burns will focus initially on leading board and staff team development as well as lending her insight to business development activities. She will report to PMA Chief Executive Officer Bryan Silbermann, who previously held both president and CEO positions.

THINKING OF SEED, THINKING OF SEMINOVA OUR TEAM IS PASSIONATE ABOUT AGRICULTURE AND DEDICATED TO WORK WITH VEGETABLE GROWERS

With 40 years of experience in the North American and global potato industry, David Thompson has recently been appointed president and CEO of World Potato Congress Inc, an organization headquartered in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The 9th International World Potato Congress will be held July 28-30, 2015 in Yanquing County, Beijing, China.

Belinda Kemp has been named the new senior scientist in oenology at Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI). She was recruited from Plumpton College in the United Kingdom to apply her extensive research and outreach experience to the Canadian grape and wine industry.

Ippolito Fruit and Produce, headquartered in Burlington, Ontario, has promoted Steve Dimen to vice-president, sales and corporate development.

www.seminova.ca 3%-)./6! s 20 rue de l’Industrie, C.P. 3640, Saint-Rémi, QC, J0L 2L0

1-877-337-8423

Nora Olsen has been named the Potato Association of America president for 2013-14. Olsen is a professor and extension potato specialist at the University of Idaho’s Kimberly Research and Extension Center. For her guest feature in this month’s Grower, go to page 19.

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 3 THE GROWER

LABOUR-SAVING TECHNOLOGIES

Behind innovation, robots are ahead of the pack

Jamaican workers are walking to the beat of reggae music as they prepare to hand thin apples under hail netting at Sugar Apple Orchards, Kingsville, Ontario. Within sight of a wind machine and a state-of–the-art weather station, manual labour is still required in the most sophisticated high–density orchards.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

using its robotic arm with a specially designed end-effector, grasp and pick the item from the plant?

Future success will depend, in part, on a stronger alliance between Canadian equipment manufacturers, researchers and the horticultural industry. At the moment, a lot of equipment is sourced in Europe, but growers need to have confidence in accessing local parts and service.

“Canada has the technical capability in-country to support growers’ needs,” the report concluded.

What’s emerging in technology is perhaps the most interesting chapter of the HVCRT report.

• Field vegetables. How about a system that detects extremely small volatile organic compounds, the early sirens of disease? A mobile gas chromatograph / differential mobility spectrometer is being developed that can test for pathogen presence in the field in near-real time. This technology would replace current polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing that must be conducted in a lab.

• Greenhouse. Can a robot identify a ripe fruit and by

• Tree fruits. Would you put money on an optical sensing system that is driven through the orchard rows to provide estimates of crop size – an early reporting system that would help marketing? CasCrop, the research organization for comprehensive automation of specialty crops, is also working on an optical system that evaluates how blossoms are distributed on a fruit tree, then selects which blossom to remove to optimize crop yield. A mechanical blossom thinner is then directed to remove specific blossoms.

As exciting as these emerging technologies are, there’s no sense in duplicating expertise in the hotspots of horticultural innovation – the Netherlands, Israel, California.

The HVCRT report goes some distance in its environmental scan. The next step is analyzing what can be adopted and adapted to Canada’s smaller land base and a harsher climate. No grower will go out on a limb without some economic analysis that de-risks new technology.

Funding – that’s the rub. Growers themselves can’t underwrite the costs of research and development nor can their commodity associations. The need for Vineland remains as relevant today as when it was seeded in 2007.

The six-year-old, private, not-for-profit research organization was founded specifically to advance and bring to market technology that can drive the Canadian horticulture sector forward.

Brandle is enthusiastic about the next five years.

“There is so much low-hanging fruit in horticulture versus row crops like the corn business,” he says.

“We work back from real consumer demand. It’s not just a feeling from The Food Network that some new crops are ‘in.’ It’s a validated consumer opportunity along with partners. We’re not a seed company and we’re not a grocery chain. So we work with all the partners in the value chain. That’s the value we bring with a high probability of success.”

INTERNATIONAL CHINA

UNITED KINGDOM

GERMANY

EUROPE

UNITED STATES

Beijing to host potato congress

Frozen blueberries are hot

Label clips to eggplant

Convenience lures consumers

Syngenta expands research facility

The 9th International World Potato Congress will be held July 28 – 30, 2015 in Yanquing County, Beijing. The first time to be held in China, the congress is expected to attract 900 delegates including growers, researchers, producers, traders, processors and manufacturers.

“Yanqing County, with its focus on green development and urban modern eco-agriculture, environmental protection industries and tourism, will be an ideal venue for delegates to our triannual congress,” said congress president, David Thompson of Prince Edward Island, Canada.

More than 50 per cent of the world's potatoes are produced in developing countries, with the volume increasing, as new technology and practices are adopted in those countries.

Wild Canadian blueberries have arrived as a frozen retail pack in the United Kingdom.

Packaged in a see-through container, these berries are easy to use straight from the freezer as a topping for cereal and yogurt, in smoothies or for home baking.

Consumers like the story of how the wild fruit are grown and harvested, as well as the health benefits of antioxidants, says Mike Nicholas, UK marketing representative of the Wild Blueberry Association of North America. The frozen berries are packed in 300 gram resealable pots. The small size of the berries means they defrost quickly.

Dutch growers of aubergine (eggplant) have launched a unique “Grill and Gewinn” promotion in Germany. The marketing company Solvent devised a clip label with a fastening that attaches to the tapering handle of the aubergine. While it’s a tight fit, the label won’t fall off or damage the produce.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables in western Europe and the U.S. is declining despite government efforts to promote healthy diets. According to Rabobank, lower incomes and perceived price increases, along with the lure of processed and convenience foods, are driving the trend.

"The challenge for the fruits and vegetables industry is to close the gap between what consumers say they want and what they actually do,” says Rabobank analyst Cindy van Rijswick.

“Surveys have shown that, in principle, consumers are positive-minded about healthy eating, but in practice they are easily swayed by creative marketing of processed food and beverages and exhibit a strong bias for convenience products."

Source: Hortidaily.com

Source: FreshPlaza.com

Swiss-based Syngenta is investing $94 million to expand in Research Triangle Park (RTP), Raleigh, North Carolina. When completed in 2016, the project will house another 150 researchers in its crop protection and seed development operations.

Research will focus on environmental stresses and how a plant uses nutrients more efficiently, as well as looking at innovations in row crops and vegetables.

This announcement follows the completion of a 136,000square-foot, $72 million greenhouse on its RTP campus that simulates the growing conditions of any climate in the world.

Syngenta is the world’s number three purveyor of seeds, behind Monsanto and DuPont.

Source: FreshPlaza.com

Source: FreshPlaza.com

Source: FreshPlaza.com

PAGE 4 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Seven video releases spotlight the Holland Marsh

COMING EVENTS 2013 Sept 5 – 8

Shores of Erie International Wine Festival, Fort Malden National Historic Site, ON

Sept 7, 8

7th Annual Stratford Garlic Festival, Stratford Fairgrounds, Stratford, ON

Sept 10

Ontario Berry Growers’ Association Farm Tour and Supper, near Mt Albert, ON info@ontarioberries.com

KAREN DAVIDSON With seven video releases planned from early August to mid-September, the Holland Marsh Growers’ Association (HMGA) is building its case with key influencers and politicians of every stripe. Ontario’s soup and salad bowl is under the microscope of 23 provincial ministries and even more legislation – 120 rules and regulations by last count. And with Ontario’s premier and agriculture minister preparing ground for a 2014 election, there’s even more reason for communicating how important these muck soils are to feeding urbanites less than an hour away.

“If you don’t have land, you don’t feed,” says Jamie Reaume, executive director, HMGA, who is releasing a video every Wednesday as part of a strategy leading to an announcement in mid-September.

“Feeding the Golden Horseshoe and Beyond” is the opening chapter. As footage of onion harvest rolls behind him, Reaume talks about Canada as the second largest country in the world with only four per cent arable land base. The importance of protecting that land base is crucial.

The Smith family – Ian, Gary and Paul – says that if the border was to close for any reason, grocery chains have only about two days’ inventory of food. No one really thinks about that sober real-

Sept 10 – 12 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, ON Sept 14 – 15 Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival, B.C. Sept 17 – 21 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo, Mitchell, ON

Carrot and onion grower Jason Verkaik is one of the spokespeople for the video release series, talking about sustainable farming practices.

Photo by Glenn Lowson. ity on a regular basis. A neighbouring grower Avia Eek hammers home the point: “Consumers should be saying thank goodness for those farmers in the Holland Marsh and thank goodness they are producing food that’s on my plate within hours of harvest.”

The second video -- “Safe Food, Sound Practices” – follows the same formula with growers telling their stories from the field.

Jason Verkaik, Doug Van Luyk, Avia Eek and Ian Smith all talk about environmental farm plans, the efficiencies and benefits of

finetuning crop protection sprays and nutrients.

What’s next? Watch for: • Moving Farming Forward • Adapting for the Future • The Land: Our Precious Resource • Confronting Climate Change • Economic Challenges and Opportunities The series builds the back story to the Soup Fest which will be held October 5.

Sept 18

Grape Growers of Ontario 30th Annual Celebrity Luncheon, Club Roma, St. Catharines, ON

Sept 22

Third Annual Toronto Garlic Festival, Evergreen Brick Works, Toronto, ON

October 5

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

October 5

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

Oct 9, 10

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

Oct 18-20

PMA Fresh Summit Convention & Expo, New Orleans, Louisiana

Oct 24

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

October 26 Canadian Chestnut Council Annual General Meeting, The Loft, Tim Horton’s Children’s Foundation, Onondaga Farms, St. George, ON Oct 28 – Nov 1 North American Plant Protection Organization Annual Meeting, Guelph, ON Nov 1 – 10 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, ON November 7 American Agri-Women Conference Canadian Tour, Holiday Inn & Suites, Parkway Conference Centre, St. Catharines, ON November 7 11th Annual Ontario Pest Management Conference, Victoria East Golf Club, Guelph, ON Nov 11 – 15 Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association Annual Tour, California Nov 12 – 17 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer Awards, Regina, SK Nov 18

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

Nov 14 – 24 European Farm Show & Tour, for info email admin@agriveg.ca Nov 25, 26 Annual Ontario Federation of Agriculture Convention, Doubletree by Hilton, Toronto, ON Nov 19, 20 63rd Annual Essex County Associated Growers’ Bounty of the County Trade Show, Kinsmen Recreation Complex, Leamington, ON Nov 19 – 21 Potato Growers of Alberta Conference and Trade Show, Calgary, AB Dec 10 – 12 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo, Grand Rapids, Michigan

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 5 THE GROWER

CANADIAN GREENHOUSE CONFERENCE – OCTOBER 9-10

What’s new in the greenhouse industry?

Photos by Glenn Lowson Vegetable and floral producers will survey new products at a trade show and discuss challenging issues at a speaker program at the upcoming Canadian Greenhouse Conference. This year’s event is slated for October 9 and 10 at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Speaker highlights include: • Chris Blok, Wageningen University, The Netherlands discussing minimal discharge and zero discharge in greenhouse vegetable production. Growers require proper

technical settings to effectively recycle nutrient solutions.

Wednesday’s presentation is in-depth, laying the groundwork for Thursday’s interactive workshop format.

• Shannon Shan and Melody Meizer, University of Guelph, focusing on methods used to diagnose fungal diseases, bacterial diseases and viral diseases on greenhouse crops • Deanna Nemeth and Dan McDonald, OMAF/MRA discussing nutrient management land application

• Ann Huber, SRG, shares innovative water treatment options • Peter Chapman, GPS Business Solutions, discusses the evolving retail landscape and how to get your products in the shopping carts of the big retailers Several sessions require pre-registration and a $10 material fee. Also note that a bus tour to vegetable operations in the Leamington area is planned for October 8. To reserve your seat, go to www.canadiangreenhouseconference.com.

PAGE 6 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

OFVGA SUMMER TOUR

Operate to your natural strengths

Walter Pingle (photo right) exhibits his “punkoot,” the hollow stem of a pumpkin that entertains teachers and school children alike on fall tours.

KAREN DAVIDSON

On-farm market and edutainment

Just east of the automobile factories in Oshawa, Ontario, Durham Region’s agricultural sector is the second largest producer of primary goods. It’s within a short transport drive – depending on traffic – of the Greater Toronto Area. Gross farm cash receipts total $250 million.

As the focus of this year’s OFVGA summer tour, industry stakeholders learned about the challenges and opportunities of growing within the urban shadow.

While heat units may be a little lower than other horticultural areas of Ontario, the region is ripe for marketing to urban consumers. Here’s how Pingle’s Farm Market, Wilmot Orchards and Algoma Orchards play to their natural strengths.

For Walter and Colleen Pingle, business is a punkoot. That’s Walter’s term for the hollow horn of a pumpkin trimmed to blow like a flute. If you don’t like the sound, just cut a hole in the stem and try a different tune. That’s a little how they have adapted to the changing times since putting a bushel basket of produce up for sale at the end of the driveway.

This is the 26th year for Pingle’s Farm Market near Hampton, Ontario. It’s revving up for high season with school tours, an eight-acre corn maze that will be featured on Canada AM and pick-your-own apples, fall raspberries and pumpkins. As long-time members of the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association, they have tweaked

Charles Stevens (photo right) leads a tour of Wilmot Orchards. Photos by Herb Sherwood.

their business, trimming production of some crops and adding entertainment features to their market.

Freshly baked pies and pastries lure customers on a regular basis as do lunchtime sandwiches. By Christmas time, the greenhouses are converted to a display of freshly cut Christmas trees that complement gift baskets full of homemade jams and preserves.

Embracing technology Charles Stevens lives on the cusp, not the astrological kind but the botanical kind: the sharp rigid point of a leaf.

It’s an apt description for the apple and blueberry grower who chairs the OFVGA’s crop protection committee. At his family’s Newcastle farm, he’s tasked with communicating why

he’s spraying in the middle of the blueberry harvest. Straddlng both industry technical and public relations roles with consumers, Stevens is uniquely positioned to see the future in crop protection.

“This is the first year to spray during harvest because of the threat of spotted wing drophosila,” explains Stevens.

“And we’ll soon be up against marmorated stink bug.”

During the August 1 weekend, Wilmot Orchards sold 18,000 pounds of blueberries from the pick-your-own acreage. And with the crush of consumers, came a similar stream of questions: Are these berries sprayed?

Stevens is happy to report positive responses to his explanation that an organic product is sprayed on the berries with a zero withdrawal time to suppress a new insect pest that’s been identified

in strawberries and raspberries in the region. The berries are safe to eat right away.

As a grower, though, he’s concerned that other crop protection products for spotted wing drophosila (SWD) have preharvest intervals of three or four days –a time span that makes it impossible to control pests during the narrow harvest times of small berries. If you have to be out of the field for several days, then the season is gone.

“It’s very risky for companies to do research for 12-hour or oneday pre-harvest intervals,” says Stevens. “They apply for registrations with three-day pre-harvest intervals thinking that’s a faster route to registration.”

He’s also worried about how the horticultural industry will be ready for marmorated stink bug.

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 7 THE GROWER

OFGVA SUMMER TOUR

Operate to your natural strengths

Charles Stevens is an early adopter of new technologies, including cold drains which he has just installed at the lowest elevation of Wilmot Orchards.

Kirk Kemp (L), president of Algoma Orchards, explains the apple washing and sorting process. Their pride in high-quality apples is evident in the specially-designed corrugated cardboard boxes.

No research funds were devoted to this invasive species in the Growing Forward 2 round of allotments.

On the apple side of the business, Stevens explains why crop protection products are a major tool, more than just for disease and insect management. Plant growth regulators (PGRs) are allowing growers to produce apples with better colour, shape and size. With 60 per cent of Stevens’ farm devoted to Gala, Honeycrisp and Ambrosia varieties, these high-value apples can reach their full potential with diligent management.

“Honeycrisps are the hardest apple to manage,” says Stevens.

“Unless you’re a top-notch manager, you will not be successful. And if you don’t use these technologies, the apples won’t be as attractive in the marketplace.”

handles almost 10 million litres for both private and branded labels, including the popular President’s Choice label. By sourcing equipment from the dairy industry, they have exceeded the legal standards required for apple juice.

Conserving and recycling water is a key issue, especially in the juice plant that consumes 75 per cent of the daily water needs.

They are close to perfecting an ozonated bottle rinser that will sterilize juice bottles to an international standard.

Environmentally-friendly, this technology will replace expensive peracetic acid.

“Automation builds business, and that in turn, creates more jobs,” says Kemp. “I’ve never found that automation puts people out of work.”

Automation creates more business and spins off more jobs Mike Gibson and Kirk Kemp have given the boot to the tenet that family businesses don’t succeed. They are inextricably bound under the banner of Algoma Orchards, now 50 years old. They have aggressively planted high-density orchards, now numbering 700 acres with a push to reach 1,000 acres without sacrificing quality. Anywhere from 30 to 35 Ontario apple growers also supply the factory.

Storage rooms have capacity for 50,000 bins.

Since 2009, their growth has multiplied with a state-of-the-art, 110,000 square-foot packing facility that employs optical sorters and robots to move apple crates. An adjacent juice facility

How cold drains work Radiation frosts occur during clear, cold nights with no wind.

The ground loses heat stored during the day allowing an inversion layer to develop. In an inversion, the warmer air layer sits above the cold air layer that is closest to the ground.

During a radiation frost night, the heaviest cold air molecules flow downhill, like water, due to gravity. This cold air settles in low elevation areas that do not allow for adequate drainage. As the cold air accumulates in an area, frost damage occurs.

The Cold Air Drain thrusts the cold air upward to a height of nearly 300ft (91.44m). As the coldest air is being sent up, it collects and mixes with the warmer, lighter air from above. This helps to give the cold air continuous lift and allows it to rise higher, until it is dispersed into the upper inversion layer.

PAGE 8 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

CANADIAN HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL

Board of Directors meets in Prince Edward Island The CHC Board of Directors travelled to PEI for the summer meeting held on July 25-26. In addition to their regular business, the board met with members of the CHC’s PEI Caucus to hear about horticulture’s role on the Island.

Greg Donald, PEI Potato Board general manager, provided a comprehensive perspective of the potato industry and other aspects of Island agriculture.

A highlight is to tour operations of CHC members to understand regional issues and particular challenges. The tour included: MacKenzie Produce (Stratford): produce 60 acres of cabbage for the fresh and processing markets, 15 acres of broccoli, 15 acres of turnips, as well as cauliflower, two types of Chinese cabbage, cucumber, pumpkins and gourds.

Vanco Farms Ltd (Mt. Albion): potatoes and tulips and their products are available across Canada and in the eastern U.S. Three lines of fresh produce are available: Pure Organics potatoes, Vanco Farms potatoes and Vanco Farms tulips.

Canada's Smartest Kitchen (Holland College, Charlottetown): The facility evolved from the incredible success of the

increase production at the site from eight million to 20 million pounds a year.

Keith Kuhl, (L) CHC president, thanks Allan Williams, research and development chef, for the tour of Canada's Smartest Kitchen at Holland College's Culinary Institute.

Photo by Anne Fowlie.

Culinary Institute of Canada. The “Kitchen” offers a complete range of culinary food product development and marketing and promotional services to a broad range of clients from PEI and beyond. The PEI Potato Board hosted a dinner for CHC Board members and invited guests. Potato Board Chairman, Gary Linkletter, thanked the CHC for visit-

ing PEI and stressed the importance and relevance of the CHC and its work and the importance of “getting the messages out.”

Wyman's of Maine (Morrell): They grow wild blueberries on more than 10,000 acres in Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Wyman's is doubling its PEI processing plant, and will

Brookfield Gardens (Brookfield): grows almost 300 acres, most of which are carrots. Other crops include green and yellow beans, corn, beets, cucumbers, broccoli, iceberg and romaine lettuce, green and red Cabbage, green and red leaf lettuce, parsnips, cauliflower, and turnips.

Their produce can be found in nearly every supermarket on PEI. They also sell to a number of local wholesalers, who then redistribute it to restaurants and food service vendors across PEI and their vegetables are sold around Atlantic Canada and overseas.

The group also stopped at an equipment manufacturing site owned and operated by Elwood Lawton, who was featured in a previous edition of The Grower. The group witnessed firsthand the innovation and entrepreneurship which led to the development of mechanization in harvesting wild blueberries.

CHC President, Keith Kuhl, noted that the Board of Directors appreciated the tremendous warmth and hospitality shown during the visit and the “leadership, vision and commitment PEI has always brought to CHC.”

Securing financial protection for produce sellers a tough job Industry efforts towards securing financial protection for produce sellers continue.

However, this is proving to be a tough job even though the issue has been identified as an action item for resolution under the Canada-US Regulatory Cooperation Council initiative.

In April 2013, Agriculture and Agri Food Canada (AAFC) con-

firmed a willingness to consider a single licensing approach, which has been an industry objective since the Dispute Resolution Corporation was established.

However, the “getting paid” piece remains outstanding and is the final piece of the puzzle. Finding a means to achieve an outcome equivalent to that provided by the U.S. PACA (Perishable

Agricultural Commodities Act) is proving to be a significant challenge.

Since the formal government/ industry bilateral meeting held in Washington in June, a number of facilitated “think tank” sessions have been held in Ottawa. The most recent session was held at the CPMA offices on August 13.

In addition to members from

CHC, CPMA and the DRC, participation in the facilitated session also included representation from AAFC, CFIA, Industry Canada, Farm Credit Canada, Privy Council Office (PCO), USDA, Western Growers, The Blue Book and others.

In recent correspondence to CHC President, Keith Kuhl, Minister Ritz, noted “the Government also announced that it recognizes the potential to go beyond a single licensing approach and is undertaking

further analysis on other possible risk mitigation measures for the fresh produce sector. The ultimate objective remains to develop a made-in-Canada solution that improves our financial risk mitigation system and provides comparable outcomes to what is offered in the U.S.” “We remain hopeful that this final piece will indeed be achieved and are fully committed to contributing to a successful outcome,” says Kuhl.

How feasible is a Potato National Promotion and Research Agency?

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

The Canadian Potato Council along with the Canadian Horticultural Council has contracted the Intersol Group to conduct a feasibility study for a National Promotion and Research Agency for potatoes. The federal Farm Products Agencies Act permits collecting a checkoff for promotion and research purposes.

If approved, the agency would promote the consumption of potatoes in light of declining

consumption as well as provide funding of potato production research in Canada.

The feasibility study will start with a baseline document that details options regarding governance, organizational structure, fee structure and collection mechanisms. Then broad-based consultations will be held with potato industry stakeholders in all provinces to assess support for such an agency. These meetings are expected between mid-October and mid-November.

Questions or comments should be directed to Alain Rabeau, Intersol Group (arabeau@ intersol.ca or 613-230-6424) or to David Jones, manager, CHC Potato Industry Coordination (djones@hortcouncil.ca or 613-226-4880 ext 207).

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 9 THE GROWER

OFVGA

Board briefs Following are highlights from the OFVGA board meeting held July 18, 2013.

Labour The provincial government has created an advisory panel to study the issue of future minimum wage increases. OFVGA lobbied for a representative from edible horticulture to be included as part of the working group, but was not successful in its efforts.

Additional increases to minimum wage will have a devastating impact on fruit and vegetable growers as they are one of the only sectors who are not able to pass these extra costs on through the marketplace. The OFVGA is requesting the opportunity to make a presentation to the advisory panel to share horticulture’s position and the impact future increases will have on the sector.

The Board will discuss the issue again at its August meeting.

Canadian Horticultural Council Adrian Huisman reported that the CHC’s oversight committee

has developed and implemented financial recommendations for the organization. Work is still ongoing on governance and operational issues, as well as the updating of terms of reference for all CHC committees. It has been agreed that the CHC leads lobbying issues on generic issues of interest to all edible horticulture sectors and that commodity groups will be responsible for issues specific to their growers, but with support and guidance from the national body.

Crop protection Section chair Charles Stevens reported that Ontario’s strawberry crop was hit hard by viruses this year. Controlling the aphids which spread these viruses is the solution but any crop that has had contact with the viruses will have to be destroyed to prevent spread.

Summer oil is a good control measure.

Stevens reported the registration of a new insecticide from DuPont, Exirel, has been delayed until September for Ontario. The product is part of the largest reg-

istration package ever handled by PMRA and is a joint registration between Canada and the U.S. Exirel will be registered on high bush blueberries and other small fruits for Spotted Wing Drosophila, as well as a range of other pests.

Research Section chair Harold Schooley reported that the Plant Production Systems Theme Advisory Group priority setting meeting was held on June 27. The purpose of the meeting was to develop research priorities for the 2013 “Updated Priorities and Emerging Issues” document for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and the Ministry of Rural Affairs (MRA). Research Program Director Mary Ruth McDonald provided an overview of the Plant Production Systems research theme as well as Tier I and Tier II research funded under the OMAF and MRA research partnership with the University of Guelph and the New Directions Research Program since 2008.

The high level of matching funds

and extensive collaboration that takes place with industry and other governments strengthens research outcomes, supports knowledge translation transfer and provides value for money.

In addition to Tier I and II funding, direct operating support for breeding research also occurs through the Germplasm Reinvestment Program (GRP).

OMAF and MRA receive a share of revenues generated from germplasm licenses for plant varieties developed through funding from the partnership. OMAF and MRA re-invest these funds directly back into breeding research through the GRP. In 2012, this represented $235,000 in 11 projects.

Websites where research information can be obtained: · Specialty Crops: www.omafra. gov.on.ca/CropOp/en/index.html · List of KTT projects: www.uoguelph.ca/omafra_partnership/ktt/en/index.asp · Research Snapshots: www.csahs.uoguelph.ca/pps/ summaries · Field Crop News: http://field-

cropnews.com Twilight tours of the world crops research supported by OFVGA and the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre will be hosted at the Simcoe Research Station on August 7 and at J. Collins Farm in Copetown on August 14. All tours take place from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Anyone interested in learning more about growing crops aimed at Canada’s South Asian consumers is encouraged to attend one of the twilight sessions to speak with researchers and view crops growing this year.

OFVGA funding committee The OFVGA’s funding committee continues to meet in efforts to develop a new funding mechanism for the organization that is fair and equitable to all producers who benefit from the work of the organization. The committee was formed to look at the issue in response to a resolution passed at the 2013 OFVGA annual general meeting.

PERSPECTIVE

We need a holistic approach to bee health challenges LORNE HEPWORTH Bee health has been the subject of much media attention over the last year – and rightly so.

Bees are a critical part of the agricultural system. There are few who are more concerned about this issue than the manufacturers of pest control products who depend heavily on bees to pollinate the crops their products are designed to protect. Quite simply put, we as an industry absolutely need bees in order to thrive.

I’m concerned that as many groups focus the conversation about bee deaths solely on pesticides we’re losing an opportunity to address bee health in a fulsome and meaningful way.

Here’s what we know.

International researchers widely agree that bee health is impacted by a combination of factors, the primary one being the Varroa mite. In Western Canada, more than 20 million acres of canola, the majority of which is treated with a neonicotinoid, is planted and bee health remains strong.

And canola, unlike corn, is a crop that bees feed heavily on.

Groups like the Sierra Club – with no known expertise in bee health or agriculture – have been recklessly calling for a ban on neonicotinoids saying they are to blame for bee population declines. While isolated incidents of bee mortalities certainly need to be addressed, the reality is that managed honey bee colony numbers in this country have been on

the rise for the last 20 years, according to Statistics Canada.

A ban on neonicotinoids wouldn’t solve bee health issues but it would threaten the economic viability of our farmers by removing an important tool from growers’ tool boxes. Without neonicotinoids farmers would be forced to return to older technologies, lose more of their crop to insect damage and maybe unable to grow certain crops altogether.

One only need look at research from the University of Guelph that shows infestations of wireworms and European chafer grubs in corn crops can cause a three-20 bushel per acre yield loss to see the potential consequences of not having access to neonicotinoids.

This means someone who farms 500 acres could see a reduction in their revenues of $65,000 a year.

The benefit of insecticidetreated seeds is that the insecticide is applied directly to the seed, which is then planted in the ground. This limits not only the quantity of pesticides used but also the potential exposure of non-target organisms, such as bees, to the insecticide.

Neonicotinoid seed treatments have been used in Canada for a decade with very few incidents.

The plant science industry has invested heavily in research and development to limit any potential exposure of bees to dust from treated seeds.

We as an industry have also reached out to other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain in an effort to work together to find

long-term solutions to bee health issues. Through these partnerships we’ve been able to develop and widely distribute a comprehensive set of best management practices for planting insecticidetreated corn. While we’re making significant progress by working

with grower groups, governments, as well as the Canadian Honey Council, there are others who refuse to join the larger dialogue around this issue.

Everyone in the agricultural value chain has an interest in bee health. We’d be all much better

served by working together and taking a holistic, science-based approach to addressing bee health challenges that will enable the agricultural system as a whole to thrive.

Lorne Hepworth, President, CropLife Canada

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PAGE 10 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

Should 60 pay so 100 can play?

ART SMITH CEO, OFVGA Over the past number of years there has been growing concern about our container fees and more particularly, the fact that the Farm Product Containers Act (the Act) does not cover every commodity group in the sector nor does it treat all farmers the same when measured against farm cash receipts.

This led to a resolution at last year’s annual general meeting which asked us to look at finding a fairer mechanism for determining fees for the OFVGA. The current Act is flawed as it pertains only to those who buy containers for the sale of fruit and vegetables while at the same time exempts field and bulk containers as well as all mushroom

containers and more recently reusable plastic containers (RPCs). In fact the Act pertains to only 60 per cent of the fruit and vegetable sector yet our work is on behalf of the entire ediblehorticulture sector. That work, by the way, has garnered more than $200 million in provincial ad hoc funding since 2003 and it has gone directly to all growers and grower associations alike within our sector.

We are the only association that I can think of that works on issues for non-members. The cattlemen’s association works on issues for cattle and only cattle and all of the beef producers pay a membership fee. Pork is the same as is grain producers and as is every marketing board.

The OFVGA works on issues common to all edible hort farmers: labour, crop protection issues, safety nets etc. yet 40 per cent of production falls outside the Act. This means that those farmers not covered under the Act receive the benefits from our work but are not required to pay fees to the OFVGA. The most recent example of this is the $23 million Self-Directed Risk Management (SDRM) program now going into its third year. The OFVGA spent close to four years and a lot of money lobbying for this program

can’t afford to legislate the payment of fees by some while others get a free or reduced rate while still enjoying the benefit of our work. This, in the end, is unsustainable.

I must make clear that some commodity groups whose members are not covered under the Act do in fact pay us some money. Two groups -- ginseng and processing grapes –- do pay a membership fee but it is not as much as the .1 per cent of farm cash receipts that, on average, the container fee collects; and processing vegetables also contribute in consideration of the work we do. This money is greatly appreciated but it is far less than if the sector was covered under the Act. I think it is time that the industry says if we want to participate in the benefits provided by the OFVGA, we all need to contribute our fair share.

We cannot expect 60 per cent of production to cover the cost for the entire sector.

The OFVGA has done a great job on behalf of the edible horticulture sector over the years.

The issues we have and continue to work on, with very few exceptions, apply to all in the sector. It’s time that our fee structure recognizes that.

and it goes to every qualifying farmer in the sector whether they pay a fee to the OFVGA or not.

So, it is easy to see why there is concern that not everyone is sharing in the cost.

There is another issue as well and that is the fact that while everyone who purchases eligible containers pays the same 1.5 per cent container fee. The cost of that fee, when measured against farm cash, varies by eight- to ten-fold depending on what you grow and the containers you use.

This is a direct result of the cost of the containers used relative to the sale price of the finished produce package.

When the Act was first legislated in 1947 there were three main types of containers: veneer baskets, wooden crates and burlap bags. There wasn’t the variability that there is today and as a result the farmers would have paid a similar cost. Not perfect but certainly not the differential we experience today.

So what is the alternative?

Well maybe it’s time to look at a new mechanism to determine membership fees. First, if the work we do pertains to everyone in the sector then it’s time for everyone in the sector to help cover the expenses of bringing these programs to fruition. We

A fairer way would be to use Allowable Net Sales (ANS) as a measure of fees as it is consistent to the measure of benefits received. When we look at SDRM, larger producers receive greater monetary benefit than a small producer. Benefits received on the labour file or crop protection file etc. are greater for larger producers than smaller producers.

So would it not seem reasonable that those with larger ANS numbers pay more in membership fees? It’s what every marketing board does. They just use a different unit to measure but clearly the bigger the producers, the more they pay.

I know that there will be many who would be opposed to this concept. It’s human nature to want to receive the benefits for no or little cost; but is it fair to expect others to cover the cost for you?

OFVGA worked and lobbied for years to get SDRM. It is optional -- you don’t have to take it but 85 per cent of our sector farmers do. I wonder how many farmers would stop participating in SDRM if they had to pay a few cents to get a dollar in return?

Not many I bet!

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

WEATHER VANE

Fruit orchards are bulldozed in the Leamington area to make way for new greenhouses. Photo by Glenn Lowson.

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

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ONTARIO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2013 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE Chair Vice-Chair Fruit Director Veg Director Director

Ray Duc, Niagara-on-the-Lake Jason Verkaik, Bradford Norm Charbonneau, Port Elgin Jan Vander Hout, Waterdown Brian Gilroy, Meaford

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Apples Fresh Vegetable - Other Tender Fruit ON Asparagus Grws’. Mkg. Brd. GGO/Fresh Grape Growers Fresh Vegetable - Muck ON. Potato Board Small Fruit/Berries ON. Ginseng Growers’ Greenhouse Greenhouse

Brian Gilroy, Meaford Mary Shabatura, Windham Centre Fred Meyers, Niagara-on-the-Lake Jason Ryder, Delhi Ray Duc, Niagara-on-the-Lake Jason Verkaik, Bradford Mac James, Leamington Norm Charbonneau, Port Elgin Ken Van Torre, Burford Jan Vander Hout, Waterdown Don Taylor, Durham

OFVGA SECTION CHAIRS Crop Protection Research Property Labour Safety Nets CHC

Charles Stevens, Newcastle Harold Schooley, Simcoe Brian Gilroy, Meaford Ken Forth, Lynden Mark Wales, Alymer Murray Porteous, Simcoe

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 11 THE GROWER

PERSPECTIVE Potatoes: New image needed for old reliable crop

OWEN ROBERTS UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH Snack wise, you don’t find out how unique we are as Canadians until you travel abroad.

For example, try looking for a bag of dill pickle or ketchupflavoured chips beyond our borders. It’s nearly impossible.

Take a bag with you and offer to share them with friends. Your staple will be their curiosity.

“

Lay’s is using public

input to create new

varieties that are unique to specific nationalities worldwide, including Canada. The flavour suggestions have produced four contenders: maple moose, perogy platter, grilled cheese and ketchup, and creamy garlic Caesar.”

And it looks like there’s more to come. Lay’s is using public input to create new varieties that are unique to specific nationalities worldwide, including Canada. It’s secured comedian-actor Martin Short to help drive the campaign.

In Canada, the flavour suggestions have produced four contenders: maple moose, perogy platter, grilled cheese and ketchup, and creamy garlic Caesar (almost 40 per cent of Canadians surveyed chose savoury ingredients such as garlic, bacon and cheese to potentially flavour their chips. Sweet flavours were the least popular).

Do you sense a winner? My vote goes to perogy platter, based on the website description: sweet sautéed onion, sour cream and the flavours of cheddar cheese and smoky bacon. How can it miss?

Vote for your favourite at

www.lays.ca/flavour -- voting ends in early October.

Lay’s knows behind every great potato chip there’s a great potato variety.

But for the most part, their names are unsung.

And new research shows the problem runs deep. Despite potatoes being everywhere, it turns out consumers are short on ideas – and confused -- when it comes to fresh potatoes.

When a research group which includes the Ontario Potato Board, Downey Farms, Loblaw and the Oakville-based Value Chain Management Centre reached out to 200 Ontario consumers to figure out what people want from potatoes, it found blank expressions, or worse.

Discussions with consumers led the researchers to believe potatoes continue to suffer from the illadvised anti-carbohydrate movement, as well as from the absurd notion of a carbohydrate-free diet.

And the statistics bear them out. Over the past two decades, fresh potato consumption in North America has dropped by 40 per cent.

The researchers say that stigma is threatening the potato culture that once thrived in Ontario. Most people are simply too unfamiliar with the various potato varieties to make informed purchasing decisions. They know certain varieties are more suited to specific uses --mashing, boiling or baking, for example -- but just barely.

That’s a shame in the province home to the university (Guelph) where the globally renowned Yukon Gold potato was created.

As you can imagine, all this has economic implications. The researchers say Ontario farmers, who have superb potato-growing capacity, have missed a lot of opportunities.

So there’s the challenge to the value chain centre’s Martin Gooch and the rest of the team.

They say most consumers actually hold fresh potatoes dear. But, he says, most don’t automatically understand their role in a healthy, balanced diet . . . and that it’s OK to eat chips, as long as you don’t eat the whole bag in one sitting.

Nor do they view spuds as a product that they buy for what he calls “the experience.” In a grocery store, they don’t browse through the potato bins the same way they sashay down the apple aisle.

They don’t seek out potatoes with funky colours (purple, for example) and plan meals around them.

“Potatoes are viewed more as a relatively cheap and dependable staple food, versus providing excitement and a reason to value

Photo by Glenn Lowson them beyond that of a commodity,” he says.

So just how do you go about making potatoes accessible and exciting?

Well, that’s what he and the research group will tell us this fall, as they address consumers’ concerns. Given the study’s participants – from primary producer

to processor to retailer -- it’s certain whatever they suggest will have broad applicability and hopefully add to farmers’ bottom line.

PAGE 12 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

RETAIL NAVIGATOR

Metro makes its move

PETER CHAPMAN

Canadian retailers continue to adopt the "if you can't beat them, join them" philosophy. On August 14, Metro and Target jointly announced that Metro's Brunet pharmacy banner will supply pharmacists and product to 18 locations within Target stores in Quebec. The regulations in Quebec are unique in that the pharmacy can not be operated by a corporation such as Target. In Quebec Target stores will have pharmacies operated by Metro and food products supplied by Sobeys -- an interesting equation

given the competitive nature of the retail business.

These Canadian retailers have come to the reality Target will be here to stay so they are better to profit from it. Sobeys and Metro will gain efficiencies from the deals they have struck with Target. Efficiencies in distribution should result in better earnings for both. There is also the opportunity to learn from one of the world's leading retailers. Both Sobeys and Metro will get insight into how Target operates and where there are applications with-

in their own respective business.

Perhaps WalMart and Loblaw are feeling left out?

Corporate Social Responsibility-Sourcing Retailers have considerable focus and resources devoted to corporate social responsibility.

Sourcing products is a very complicated issue in today’s retail environment. The consumer is exposed to so many products and recipes - they are more demanding than ever. Retailers must consider every continent when sourcing to ensure they get the items their customers are looking

for.

Availability is not the only priority. Retailers must consider quality, price, food safety, animal welfare, brands, and purchase products from ethical sources. It is also important for retailers to have their own guidelines for treating suppliers properly. The world in which today’s retailers operate is full of transparency and there is nowhere to hide.

With different channels on the Internet, such as YouTube and Facebook, stories spread very quickly. Consumers have the ability to share their opinion and in some cases, deliver feedback directly to retailers. In December 2012, Loblaw was the focus of a YouTube video claiming that the company had mistreated a supplier. One of the company’s co-founders uploaded a video that

was a personal plea to Loblaw’s executive chairman, Galen Weston. In six months, more than 231,000 people viewed the video. The story was covered in every major newspaper as well.

Bad news travels very fast.

Suppliers should have a thorough understanding of their customer’s approach to sourcing and any initiatives that have a direct impact. Seafood is a good

example of a category where sourcing has changed in the last couple years.

There is a lot of detailed information on retailers' websites devoted to sourcing. For a summary obtained from respective websites showing each company’s position on sourcing, go to www.gpsbusiness.ca

If you see your products on the reduced rack, you should figure out why they are there. Your cus-

tomers will only keep your items and support them if they sell through at full retail!

Do you sell through at full retail?

One of the best places to learn is the reduced rack. When I was with Loblaw, we would definitely

explore what was not selling at full price. This can be a result of many things: poor ordering, poor

sales, code date issues, packaging or distribution issues. It is important to understand the causes.

Change more than the logo!

Every time you visit your category manager, you should have a unique package for them.

Changing the logo on the front cover of your presentation is not good enough. Your customers will see through this and you will not maximize the opportunity.

Think through each segment of your presentation to ensure it is right for the specific customer.

Have you reviewed their sourcing

guidelines? They are all different.

Respect this and reflect it in your presentation.

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 ulti-

mate goal of getting more items into the shopping cart. pchapman@gpsbusiness.ca.

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SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 13 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

The Hopsprayer: A prototype vertical boom sprayer for hopyards

The Hopsprayer is trialled at Clear Valley Farms, Nottawa, ON.

KAREN DAVIDSON The tiny hops industry in Ontario needs equipment that can spray for its three major pests: downy mildew, leafhopper and Japanese beetle. With only 30 acres under cultivation and about the same number of members, the Ontario Hop Growers’ Association doesn’t have a deep reservoir of agronomic knowledge. Many are organic growers and need to spray biopesticides on their crop.

That’s where Jason Deveau, OMAF application technology specialist, can help. “It’s the right time to teach this group what good spray coverage looks like,” he says.

This past summer, Deveau built a prototype and tested against a conventional sprayer. “I got the idea for the Hopsprayer after seeing the airblast models used in the northeastern U.S.,” says Deveau. “The problem is that airblast, by design, doesn’t match the crop. The nozzles at the top of the sprayer have to spray a target 18 feet away, while those at the side spray a target two feet away. Perhaps the better solution is to get all the nozzles as close to the target as possible”.

His prototype Hopsprayer was trialed at Clear Valley Farms, Nottawa, Ontario, the biggest hop grower in the province with 18 varietals on 13 acres. Deveau clipped water-sensitive paper every three feet to 18 feet on the upper and under sides of leaves.

Growers John and Laurie Craig used their own airblast sprayer operated at their standard

2,340 L/ha and 2.75 km/hr. The prototype was tested at 1,220 L/ha and 7.5 km/hr – half the volume and three times as fast, even while fully-extended to its 18-foot height. The airblast and prototype both achieved minimally-acceptable coverage on all leaf surfaces at all heights, with one

Figure 1: Total target coverage. Water-sensitive cards located on upper-side of leaves (facing up).

Notes: Both sprayers exceeded hypothetical ideal coverage in all positions. In most cases, prototype vertical boom sprayer achieved higher coverage. This upper surface is generally much easier to spray compared to the underside of the leaf. major difference: The prototype did not cover as much of the under leaf surface (not surprising as the sprayer did not utilize air assist to lift the leaves), but it did deposit almost three times as many droplets as needed.

“My hope is that all those fine droplets provide enough

coverage,” says Deveau. “Just because there’s more spray on the target doesn’t mean that the sprayer is doing the job. Coverage and efficacy can be two different things.”

The next step is to try the sprayer for a season in a hopyard.

The prototype cost just $4,000 to

build compared to a new airblast sprayer which runs about $10,000. “For now, if hop growers can buy a cheap airblast sprayer and calibrate properly, they will be fine,” concludes Deveau. The plans for constructing the Hopsprayer will be made available in the near future.

PAGE 14 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Tall spindle apple orchards reduce labour, improve fruit quality

In its first year of use, the diesel-powered, air-conditioned Kubota RTV has paid its way, says apple grower Chris Hedges. The utility vehicle is useful in getting to the orchard’s frost fans when spring frosts threaten. Trucks can’t negotiate the narrow rows. Photos by Glenn Lowson.

KAREN DAVIDSON Tall spindle orchards are taking root. As Chris Hedges inspects his 120 acres of apples near Vanessa, Ontario, he’s convinced that the system pioneered and refined by Cornell University in the last 15 years is becoming the new standard.

“On day one, you spend a boatload establishing a tall spindle system by the time you install the trellis and irrigation, but there’s a quicker payback in about three years,” says Hedges, comparing yields to semi-dwarf,

non-trellised systems. “I’m banking on packing 90 per cent Canada Fancy on any given acre.”

Those are laudable numbers given that Hedges planted his first high-density orchard in 2004, with anywhere from 670 to 1,600 trees per acre. Establishment costs are quoted at $22,000 per acre including cost of nursery stock.

However, in the last decade, he’s calculated that labour costs in terms of pruning, thinning and harvesting are a quarter of what’s incurred in semi-dwarf orchards.

“The wall of fruit is easier to harvest,” says Hedges, remarking on how most of the fruiting area

does not require ladders.

As a director of the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA), Hedges has travelled extensively observing how the tall spindle system is working in other orchards. Most

recently, Hedges took part in IFTA’s Pennsylvania meeting.

“I encourage anyone in the apple and cherry business to attend their meetings,” he says.

“I’ve covered the cost of the meetings 10 times over and have

established a list of connections worldwide that I can call on.”

Here’s some of the new equipment and technology used in Chris Hedges’ orchard.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 15 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

Tall spindle apple orchards reduce labour, improve fruit quality

Lodgepole pine posts– with next to no knots and tight growth rings -- are preferred for building strong, trellised orchards that are expected to last 30 years.

Branch benders are important in keeping branches horizontal to the trunk to maximize fruit production in the “fruiting table.” Hedges says that these reusable, European-sourced, plastic branch benders require less labour and are more consistent than manually tying tree branches.

Drip irrigation is purposely situated 12 inches from the ground wrapped around wire. This discourages coyotes from chewing the irrigation line.

Consider a calcium-based foliar spray called PurShade to prevent sunburn on apples. “When temperatures are above 30 degrees C, the tree shuts down and the fruit loses size and colour,” says Hedges.

“This product keeps the tree producing.”

Side wall shearing under trial at Cornell Researchers at Cornell University – Terence Robinson, Stephen Hoying and Mario Miranda-Sazo – have developed the tall spindle system during the last 15 years. This high-density apple planting system utilizes highly feathered nursery trees planted at a density of 1,000 to 1,300 trees per acre. The trees are pruned minimally after planting but feathers are tied below horizontal soon after planting. This

means the tree grows rapidly to 10 to 11 feet tall with no heading of the leader and little pruning for the first four to five years, after which the height is limited each year to 11 feet by cutting to a side branch. The mature tree is pruned using limb renewal pruning by removing two to three of the largest limbs -- >2cm diameter -in the canopy each year by cutting them back to a two-three cm long stub. At maturity, this

system gives a narrow, tall fruiting wall with good fruit quality due to good light exposure in the narrow canopy.

Trials indicate that the tall spindle system has been the most profitable system evaluated.

Early yield of recent trials has exceeded 3,000 bushels over the first five years’ establishment.

After year five, partial mechanization of dormant pruning by using labour positioning

platforms has increased dormant pruning labour efficiency by 25-40 per cent.

Further mechanization of pruning by using side wall shearing of the tree canopy in the summer with a cutter bar may offer further reductions in annual pruning costs of the tall spindle.

Right: Narrow tree wall canopy achieved with hedging machine. The narrow trees allow for better light exposure of the fruits and better fruit quality.

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PAGE 16 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

European equipment sorts cherries for international markets

Norfolk Cherry Company processed almost eight million pounds of cherries this year, requiring a wide range of equipment that starts with tree shakers in the orchard to wash tanks.

When the cherries reach the packing floor, an array of sorting equipment manages a wide range of fruit — from the perfect to the blemished. The challenge is to source the latest innovative technology for a harvest season that lasts little more than two weeks. Photos by Glenn Lowson.

KAREN DAVIDSON This year’s tart cherry crop was a sweet success for Norfolk Cherry Company, processing more than eight million pounds from July 15 to 31. The intense factory activity was aided, in part, by optical sorting technology from Europe.

“The Best optical sorter

detects soft, under-coloured or dark-coloured fruit,” explains Marshall Schuyler, one of the three owners of the Simcoe, Ontario-based business. “We never would have been able to handle this year’s crop without this technology under the tight timelines of a hot weather season.”

The first week of harvest, temperatures soared above 30 degrees

Centigrade requiring the extra measure of a tractor hosing down the trees with cold water in advance of the tree shaker. In addition, strong winds resulted in bruising and scarring that can downgrade soft-tissued cherries.

The defect sorter allowed flexibility in handling incoming fruit of varying quality, streaming the scarred cherries to the juice market.

Using infrared sorting technology, pit detectors measure the density of each cherry and discard those remaining cherries with pits. Percentage accuracy depends on the quality of the crop arriving at the facility. Schuyler says this machine also detects scarred fruit, not just the pits.

A robotic palletizer has proved its worth since 2000. “We are exploring the economic feasibility

of replacing this equipment because it’s not fast enough for the capacity we need.”

While Ontario tart cherry acreage remains flat at 2075 acres, about 57 per cent is now grown in Norfolk County due to its suitable soils and climate. The trend makes sense to situate production around a processing hub.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 17 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

European equipment sorts cherries for international markets Historically, more than 80 per cent of the cherries grown in Ontario are marketed outside Canada. That remains true with the Norfolk Cherry Company’s marketing agreement with CherCo in Ludington, Michigan. Because the cherries are not consumerready, they are sent to be further processed as dried cherries, pie filling or bakery products.

The Norfolk Cherry Company exemplifies the challenges of sourcing and affording new innovative equipment says partner Murray Porteous, Lingwood Farms. While it’s the largest tart cherry processor in Ontario, it serves a small specialized commodity market.

“There are fewer options to source competitive technologies, especially when the factory is running

just two and half weeks per year,” says Porteous.

“Acquisitions depend on how fast we can get payback on a product. The disadvantage in Canada is that we’re small relative to other countries. The concern is that government is backing out of ag research so it becomes difficult to innovate.”

Porteous believes there is a role for governments to play in networking outside the country and collaborating to keep informed about what’s current.

Incentives for innovation tend to go to novel or emerging crops, says Porteous, but whether farmers are producing millions of bushels or thousands of pounds, innovation is required to remain competitive.

The Best Primus optical sorter has the capability to sort a wide variability in fruit, a trump card in the July 2013 season with temperatures north of 30oC that can result in bruised fruit.

Infra red pit detector sorters remove fruit that are not properly pitted as well as loose pits and heavily scarred fruit.

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PAGE 18 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

FOCUS: NEW EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY

The art of controlled atmosphere storage DR. JENNIFER DeELL, FRESH MARKET QUALITY PROGRAM LEAD, ONTARIO MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD, SIMCOE AND JAMES SCHAEFER, PRESIDENT, STORAGE CONTROL SYSTEMS INC., MICHIGAN Over the past several years, technologies associated with controlled atmosphere (CA) storage have advanced in the ability to minimize energy and maximize product quality. The following has been adapted in part from a recent presentation by James Schaefer at the Apple Storage Workshop, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

One of the most important things for success is to have tight

CA rooms. This begins with construction of the building. Start by using four-inch insulation under any concrete floor (i.e. DOW polystyrene), HILOAD 40 PSI compressive strength, and Rvalue of five-inch (typical R-20 directly under CA floors). There are new tongue and groove panels available for simple installation (i.e. Kingspan four-inch insulated panel walls and ceiling, Photo 1).

These are easy to clean and food safe, and R-32 panels will not lose R-value over time.

Polyisocyanurate insulation foam (PIR) is a better alternative to polyurethane. An outer building shell with proper ventilation is also good practice. Ensure a good vapour barrier during installation.

Maintaining a low temperature differential (0.5oC) within the

refrigeration system is key for reducing water loss and deterioration of the fresh produce.

Shorter, more frequent refrigeration cycles result in fewer temperature swings and consequence over-shooting of set-points. Tight control requires high quality, accurate temperature probes.

Prior to start-up for the storage season, it is always worthwhile to clean and de-scale condensers, check for abnormal ice formation on evaporators, and clean or replace thermal expansion valves.

Condenser scale build-up leads to reduced cooling surface area and higher head pressure, resulting in lower efficiency and capacity.

Insufficient defrost will also impact capacity, whereas too much defrost will reduce effective time the coil operates.

Alternatively, defrost cycles that

Kingspan insulated panel walls going up within a new storage located in Sodus, NY. Photo by James Schaefer. are too frequent will cause higher energy consumption and more heat cool cycles for the produce.

Frigadon chillers with Hycool secondary refrigerant have been widely used in Europe for the past decade, eliminating the risks associated with Freon or ammonia based cooling. These systems are now making their way into North American CA storages Fan cycling is essential for energy management. Fans should run 100 per cent during room loading and initial cooling (pulldown of temperature). Once pulldown is completed, then fans should cycle only with cooling.

After initial temperature pulldown, electrical demand should be minimized and the tonnage of compressor matched to the running of evaporators. Defrost should occur only when needed.

There are Energy Management Systems available (i.e. KILOWATCH) that can control refrigeration, lighting, ventilation, and more. Real-time energy usage data, which identifies voltage, current, and power, can be sent daily to any computer or cell phone. Alarm notifications can also be sent, so you are always aware of what is happening.

Effective carbon dioxide scrubbing and nitrogen generation are fundamental in CA establishment. There are various types of equipment that fit best within specific storage scenarios. Prior to start-up for the storage season, all CA equipment should be checked for proper operation. Change oil and filters where necessary, test automatic valves associated with the many systems, calibrate oxygen and other sensors, and verify software programs are operating accurately.

Additional strategies to minimize energy and maximize product quality include: maximizing airflow within the room and using proper bin stacking, minimizing infiltration of outside air with high-speed roll-up doors, incorporating rapid-start lighting with occupancy sensors, and sending rejected heat from air compressors and indoor equipment rooms to the outside. The most efficient CA storages encompass many best practices, state-of-art equipment, and good systems management.

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 19 THE GROWER

POTATO STORAGE

New potato varieties may require different storability parameters NORA OLSEN AND TINA BRANDT Potato variety breeding and development over the last few decades has expanded the availability of many new varieties in multiple market classes. The explosion in variety selection within all types of potatoes ranging from russets to yellows and reds to specialties offers desirable characteristics for growers, processors, packers, and consumers. Each variety has specific field and storage management considerations that can vary greatly from standard varieties we have grown for years.

The concept of storability is often mentioned when evaluating a new variety or assessing regional prospects of an older variety.

Storability is a simple term that embodies many complex factors.

The University of Idaho Potato Storage Research Program focuses on describing varietal storability and identifying best storage management practices. Storage requirements for processing (chips, fries) may be distinctly different depending on the specifications for the end product, while storage for fresh shipment may have greater flexibility.

Storage evaluations to assess storability of a new variety or even a field or storage treatment include, but are not limited to, the following. • Bruise potential. Although this is damage that is done prior to storage during the harvest and handling phase, it can directly impact how the potato may respond in storage especially as it pertains to disease development, weight loss, and overall quality.

Our assessment physically damages the bud and stem end of the tuber to look for blackspot and

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shatter bruise potential. Ranger Russet has a greater chance for blackspot bruise development whereas Yukon Gold tends to shatter bruise. Pulp temperature and hydration level will also impact bruise susceptibility. • Disease susceptibility. The typical storage diseases of concern include early blight, Fusarium dry rot, late blight, pink rot, Pythium leak, and silver scurf. Bacterial soft rot is always a concern especially as a secondary invader to the primary diseases listed.

Clearwater Russet and Premier Russet potatoes have a higher susceptibility to Fusarium dry rot.

Western Russet may have more early blight tuber lesions, whereas silver scurf may plague Russet Norkotah more often. Disease development in storage will also be dependent upon storage temperature. Storing at lower temperatures provides the opportunity to potentially slow down the development of the disease.

Unfortunately, depending upon the variety and if they will be processed or not, lower storage temperatures may not be possible as a disease control tool. • Fry colour and quality and sugar content. Fry colour often is lightest at harvest and then can gradually, or dramatically, increase in darkness with time.

Fry colour is related to reducing sugar, or specifically measured glucose, content in the tuber. The higher the glucose concentration, the darker the fry colour.

Typically it is desirable to keep

glucose values below 0.1 per cent FW (1 mg/g FW). Monitoring both fry colour and glucose levels at harvest and throughout the storage season allows for evaluating long-term processing quality.

Sugar content and fry colour are not generally an issue with fresh potatoes unless they are being used for fresh-cut fries or in the dehydration market for premium products. The colder the storage temperature, the greater the potential for glucose accumulation. This is variety dependent.

For example, Clearwater Russet can be stored at 6°C (43°F) and still have acceptable processing quality, whereas Umatilla Russet and Ranger Russet must be stored closer to 9°C (48°F). Sucrose levels can provide insight on maturity at harvest and potential for sugar development later in storage. Variety susceptibility for sugar ends, such as Russet Burbank, can be difficult to deal with in storage since the damage most likely occurred in the field at early tuber bulking and cannot be eliminated in storage. • Weight loss. Some varieties tend to lose more water (transpirational loss) and/or carbon (respirational loss) in storage compared to others. Specific management plans need to be developed for each variety to combat these losses. Some varieties cannot be held long term in storage due to this greater potential for shrink.

Greater weight loss can also result in higher pressure bruise potential in some varieties.

Premier Russet had two to three times greater weight loss in storage compared to Russet Burbank. • Dormancy length. Varieties differ greatly in dormancy length, or the period until the potato will sprout at a given temperature. A lower storage temperature equates to a longer dormancy period.

Russet Burbank has one of the longest inherent dormancy lengths with approximately 155 days at 7°C (45°F) compared to 85 days for Ranger Russet at the same storage temperature.

Knowing the dormancy length helps to identify how early a sprout inhibitor must be applied. • Other storability parameters not detailed above include skin set or physical maturity, specific gravity or per cent dry matter, wound healing ability, response to sprout inhibitors, skin colour or appearance, and many others. The issues of washing, handling, transporting, and displaying (eg. greening) is a whole additional set of parameters to evaluate for fresh market potatoes.

If growing and storing a new variety for the first time, consider these potential factors that may influence storability of the variety. Don’t forget to factor in the seasonal, and field and storage management effect on “storability.�

Dr. Nora Olsen is professor and extension potato specialist with the University of Idaho and president of the Potato Assoc. of America. Tina Brandt is support scientist.

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PAGE 20 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

Growing strawberries in greenhouses ADAM DALE DEPARTMENT OF PLANT AGRICULTURE UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH SIMCOE RESEARCH STATION Strawberries are grown in greenhouses in many parts of the world. In Europe they have been grown successfully since the early 1970s and farmers can get more than 120 tonnes/hectare/per year.

In China, there are over 24,000 hectares of strawberries grown over the winter in energy-saving greenhouses which rely mostly on solar energy to heat the greenhouses. However, few strawberries are grown in greenhouses in North America.

The production techniques are well known and the technology easily imported. In Europe most plants are grown in bags of potting mixes supported on structures 1.5-2m above the ground,

irrigated and fertilized through irrigation system. The flowers are pollinated by bumble bees, although they have to be restricted so that they do not destroy the flowers.

Now with dayneutral strawberries it is possible to have plants fruit continually throughout twelve months of the year.

Dayneutral strawberries initiate flower buds below 25°C in any daylength and will flower without a dormant period.

Consequently, they can fruit consistently from two months after they were planted.

Recently we have found fruit develops best when the mean daily temperatures are between 14-18°C. In our climate, this happens rarely. Usually we are either cooler or hotter than this, which means that greenhouses would need to be either heated or cooled. Both are expensive operations.

Over the last 30 years, I have consistently had three-four enquiries per year about how to grow strawberries in greenhouses.

I have seen operations start and discontinue, but none have stood the test of time. So why is this?

There are three reasons why strawberries are not grown in greenhouses in Ontario: the wide range of temperatures between summer and winter which reduce yields, it takes about three years to learn how to grow strawberries in greenhouses effectively, and in

most areas it is not economically feasible.

A simple calculation will show the poor economic feasibility. In northern Europe, growers consistently harvest 120 T/ha per year, one hectare is 10,000m2 which gives a yield of 12kg/m2 or 2.64lbs//ft2 per year. In Ontario, on average imported strawberries are priced at about $1.25/lb to the farmer, and Ontario berries have a slight premium at about $1.60/lb.

So the average return to the farmer will be about $4.20/ft2.

Greenhouse vegetable growers traditionally received $8/ft2 or more for their produce, and cost would be fairly similar.

However, even though it is uneconomic to grow strawberries in greenhouses for wholesale markets, there is a possibility in niche markets. If a farmer had a market where they would receive $3/lb, this would be competitive with greenhouse vegetables.

These would be in local farm markets. Also, the location would need to be geographically where the summer nights remained cool and the days were not too hot, i.e. northern Ontario.

So, at the present time, although strawberries can grow well in greenhouses, it is not economically feasible in most of the province. However, a small greenhouse in a niche market in more northerly regions could be economically sustainable.

Choosing the right cleaning and sanitizing products WAYNE DU, ON-FARM FOOD SAFETY SPECIALIST

products. When choosing a product consider the following:

Cleaning and sanitizing are critical to food safety in all production systems. If done improperly, food can be contaminated. Good cleaning and sanitizing practices start with the right cleaning and sanitizing

• Make sure the products used are approved for the intended use in Canada.

• Select the right product for the right job.

Cleaners and sanitizers must be suitable for the intended purpose. One will not likely

be right for every use.

• Select the products that are safe for use on the target surface or equipment.

• Consider factors that will impact the effectiveness of the product such as water hardness, pH and temperature in addition to the cost and other product attributes.

Food safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Make food safety training your priority! To attend one of our free online workshops on Cleaning and Sanitizing and other important food safety topics, visit us at: www.ontario.ca/foodsafety or call: 1-877424-1300. Food safety practices keep agrifood businesses competitive, productive and sustainable

New resource connects Ontario growers to information The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs (OMAF and MRA) have developed a new online tool that helps produce growers understand the regulations and requirements to bring their foods of plant origin to market. Whether they are selling at the farm gate, to local farmers’ markets or retailers, this tool, Marketing Foods of Plant Origin in Ontario: A Guide to Legislative Requirements, con-

nects producers to the food safety, labelling and packaging requirements for their region.

Producers in the Northern Ontario region were facing a challenge to understanding how they could offer their locallygrown fruits, vegetables and other foods of plant origin through a variety of channels in their community. Regulations that influence the sale of these products can be from the federal or provincial government as well as the

local health unit. Knowing where to go to get the right information was daunting.

The new tool allows growers to go online and answer a series of questions, the answers to which allow them to offer their products while complying with appropriate rules and regulations.

Questions include what is being sold, if any minimal processing is required before going to market, where the items are being sold and so on.

Links to the correct information from various sources are then provided (as applicable). These links indicate the regulation that is in place, and can relate to packaging, food labelling or processing.

While initiated due to a need identified by growers in Northern Ontario, this tool is available online to all Ontario producers of foods of plant origin. To use the tool online visit ontario.ca/ producesafety

Growers who do not have access to the web-version may contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1877-424-1300 for alternate versions.

For more information about Marketing Foods of Plant Origin in Ontario: A Guide to Legislative Requirements, please visit ontario.ca/producesafety.

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 21 THE GROWER

BERRY FOCUS

A crash course on virus disease control IOANNIS E. TZANETAKIS, DEPT. OF PLANT PATHOLOGY, DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE, UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS SYSTEM AND ROBERT R. MARTIN, USDA ARS, HORTICULTURAL CROPS RESEARCH LABORATORY, CORVALLIS Not all people are aware that plants can be infected by viruses.

Still, plant viruses account for losses in the billions of dollars every year. There have been several cases where a virus epidemic has decimated crops in vast areas and the most frustrating part from a grower’s standpoint is that there is not much to do once a plant is infected.

Let’s start from the basics: What is a virus? A virus is an obligate parasite consisting of nucleic acids (RNA or DNA), proteins and in some cases, lipid membranes. The key term here is ‘obligate’. Viruses cannot function outside a living cell. If the host dies, the virus goes with it.

Thus, in nature viruses have co evolved with their hosts to keep a fine balance between virus replication and survival, and survival of the host to sustain infection through dormant seasons of the host. This is definitely the case in the majority of plant - virus interactions. Viruses have evolved to co - exist and most have minimal impact on their hosts. With new technologies developed in the last few years we know for a fact that plants are infected with several viruses but in most cases no definite symptoms are observed.

These are what we refer to as ‘resident’ or ‘latent’ viruses.

But there are also cases where viruses cause severe plant disease and even death. This is truly an imbalance in the system. The majority of the scientific community agrees that viruses that kill their hosts are probably accidental introductions, as they die out along with their hosts. There are

rare cases where viruses can mutate to cause less severe symptoms allowing for their survival in a particular host.

As we learn more about viruses and virus diseases we have come to realize that, at least in berry crops, the majority of diseases are not caused by a single virus but rather by the combination of two or more viruses. In the past, scientists were able to identify the ‘easy’ viruses, entities that were easy to isolate and manipulate. With the new technologies that have been developed, we now realize that the knowledge of the past only accounts for the tip of the iceberg in terms of what causes virus diseases in berry crops. A clear example is blackberry yellow vein disease (BYVD). Until the turn of the century people assumed that symptoms were caused by Tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV). Although TRSV is found in some plants, the majority of symptomatic plants are free of the virus. Also, TRSV does not cause symptoms in single infections in most modern blackberry cultivars. We now know that BYVD is caused by complexes, with more than a dozen viruses that may contribute to the symptoms. BYVD can be caused by various combinations of these viruses, and in all cases observed to date, there are at least two and up to seven viruses involved.

Management strategies of virus diseases are based on resistance, control of vectors or elimination of viruses from propagation material. Resistance is based on the premise that viruses are identified by their hosts as invaders at the genetic level, and that results in some step in the virus life cycle being blocked. Given that most virus diseases in berry crops are caused by complexes it is a challenging undertaking to develop multiple virus resistances.

Vector control can be a good alternative but knowledge of the epidemiology and transmission of

Virus disease symptoms in strawberries showing assymetrical leaves, yellow vein banding and yellow leaf edges viruses is necessary for the implementation of a successful control program. There are four different modes of transmission when it comes to viruses and their vectors: a. non - persistent; b. semi persistent; c. circulative and d. circulative propagative. What do those terms mean? In the non persistent transmission, virus acquisition and transmission takes place in few seconds or minutes and the vector loses the ability to transmit in minutes. In the case of semi - persistent viruses the vector needs to feed on the source plant for several minutes or even hours, but once the virus is acquired it may be able to transmit from hours to days. The latter two modes of transmission are more complicated as vectors need hours or even days of feeding on infected material to acquire the virus. Then, they are unable to transmit for hours or even days as the virus need to pass though vector membranes to make it back into the salivary system.

However, once acquired, they are able to transmit for days, weeks or even the life of the vector.

The secret to an effective control regime lies in the knowledge of how viruses are vectored. In

the cases of the circulative viruses the answer is straight forward, since there are days between when a vector acquires a virus before it can transmit, allowing for ample time to control the vector. Control will probably eliminate the vector before it is able to move viruses to adjacent plants.

How about the case of non - and semi - persistent transmission?

This presents a major challenge: Let’s assume the case of a non persistent virus. The vector transmits the virus after short feeding time. A control agent applied to the foliage may change the vector behavior (e.g. the composition of the plant sap has changed) such that the vector does not settle down, but rather moves from plant to plant, thus increasing the number of plants that it infects. If no control was applied only a single plant would be infected. This situation is very specific and changes depending the environment, the control agent/chemical and of course the virus/vector combination. Without this information the grower may use valuable resources for vector control and that leads to increased virus spread.

Breeding for vector resistance can

be effective at controlling all viruses transmitted by the vector.

Probably the best example of this in all of plant virology is the success of aphid resistance in virtually eliminating the spread of the raspberry mosaic complex, a group of three aphid - transmitted viruses. Even though successful in North America for more than 50 years, the original source of aphid resistance has been overcome by new biotypes of the aphid and this resistance is no longer effective. In Europe, the resistance was overcome much more quickly and now multiple aphid resistance genes have been overcome. It must be remembered that if we look at a complex like BYVD, there are multiple types of vectors involved (eriophyid mites, whiteflies, nematodes, thrips and pollen), which makes breeding for vector resistance a monumental task. Also, in most cases, vector resistance has not been identified in the berry crops.

The easiest and most effective control is planting clean material.

Many growers propagate their own stock for planting new fields.

Whereas this appears to be an easy and cost - effective approach it can have devastating results.

Plants may appear normal but this is not uncommon when infected with one or two viruses. When placed in the field, viruses are transmitted between plants and complexes develop, plus additional viruses may be vectored into the field and a field decline may become apparent shortly after planting. Even if there are no apparent symptoms, virus infection may account to a 5 - 20% yield loss.

Establishing a field with virus - tested plants does not mean that they will never get infected. A field with clean plants will stay productive for more time and yield better than a field with infected plants, providing growers with better quality product and better yields.

North American Strawberry Growers annual meeting The 2014 NASGA Annual Meeting is early! This year the event will be December 3-6, 2013, at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Durham, NC. This is a joint meeting of the Southeast Strawberry Expo (which is coordinated by the North Carolina Strawberry Association) with the North American Strawberry Growers Association. Workshops on Dec. 3, full-day farm tour

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on Dec. 4, and educational sessions and trade show Dec. 5-6. For more information, email info@ncstrawberry.com, call 919-5424037, or visit www.ncstrawberry.com or www.nasga.org or contact Kevin Schooley, NASGA, info@nasga.org, 613-258-4587.

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PAGE 22 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

BITS AND BITES

The apple of your eye, times two Cornell University and New York apple growers have developed and market tested two new varieties: SnapDragon and RubyFrost. Breeder Susan Brown recognized the promise of SnapDragon because of its juicy crispness from its Honeycrisp parent and its spicy-sweet flavour.

“Retailers will appreciate its other qualities as well, because although SnapDragon’s harvest window starts relatively early – in late September – its long storage and shelf life means retailers may be able to offer it with consistent quality for a longer time than Honeycrisp,” says Brown.

Ruby Frost, on the other hand, ripens later in the fall and stores well. It’s expected to be popular with fans of Empire and Granny Smith. This new apple is described as having a beautiful skin and nice sugar-acid balance, with crisp juiciness.

In May 2010, Cornell forged a partnership for a managed release with a new industry group, the New York Apple Growers. The intent was to establish an exclusive licensing agreement in North America for the two apple varieties. Growers pay royalties on trees purchased, acreage planted and fruit produced with the

income targeted towards marketing and ongoing support of Cornell’s apple-breeding program.

The first trees were planted in farmers’ orchards in 2011, and now 400 acres are in production statewide. The still-young trees will produce a limited crop this fall, available at select farm stands. By 2015, the varieties will be side by side with Empires, Galas and Honeycrisps.

Right: Snapdragon apples Source: Cornell University News Release

More funding for Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) says the Species at Risk Farm Incentive Program (SARFIP) is back for 2013 with renewed funding from Environment Canada and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Farmers will be able to access cost-share funding for on-farm projects that benefit Ontario’s species at risk. Delivered by OSCIA, the program aims to help farmers adopt best management practices to enhance the farm operation, while supporting local species at risk, improving crop-

lands, wetlands, woodlands and riparian areas.

To be eligible to participate, Ontario farm businesses must have a completed Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) and have filed a Growing Forward 2 program enrolment form with OSCIA. Candidates can then select eligible categories from the SARFIP list that relate to an action identified in their farm’s EFP Action Plan.

This year SARFIP offers three different levels of cost-share.

Level one is for general habitat conservation, and is available to

all eligible farmers, provincewide. Level two asks farmers to think about species at risk a little more, and do some investigation to find out if their operation is located in an area that’s critical to various species at risk, but accessing federal or provincial species recovery plans.

Level three goes one step further, requiring farmers to identify and support a species at risk on their property in order to receive cost-share at this level. In addition, a support letter and verification is required by a qualified third party. Cost-share funding of

80 per cent up to $15,000 is available at this level, demonstrating the program’s clear interest in supporting farmers across the board, but providing additional value for those that are directly enhancing species at risk.

“The unique approach of offering three levels of funding depending on how much focus is placed on species at risk really allows farm businesses to tailor their goals and level of interest in SAR within their application. As a result, this program offers a little something for everyone,” says Henry Denotter, president

OSCIA. The eligible invoice date for participants in SARFIP 2013 is April 1, 2013, and the claim submission deadline is January 15, 2014.

For more information, interested participants are encouraged to visit the OSCIA website at www.ontariosoilcrop.org or contact OSCIA directly at 1-800-265-9751 or email programhelp@ontariosoilcrop.org

MARKETPLACE

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

www.thegrower.org

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 23 THE GROWER

MARKETPLACE

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

BIN CARRIER FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

HYDRAULIC TILT AND LOAD - 3 BIN OR 5 BIN. ACCOMMODATES ALL SIZES OF WOOD AND PLASTIC BINS. LOW PROFILE TANDEM WHEELS OPTIONAL REMOVABLE SIDE STEP PLATFORMS 5-Bin Carrier for Wood or Plastic, Excellent Condition . . . . . . . . . . . $3,800 5-Bin Carrier (2 available) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . COMING Apple Bin Dumper for Forklift or Tractor Loader (two) . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000 NEW TURBO-MIST Sprayers With Tall Spray Towers. Just Arrived at Pre-Season Special Pricing Several Recent Sprayer Trades - 400, 500, 600 Gal. (Turbo-Mist and Others) Some With Tower & Very Low Hours.

See Ad Next Month for Complete List with Prices ** Turbo-Mist Parts & Service Available - 7 Days a Week (In Season) ** HAVE A SAFE AND PROSPEROUS HARVEST.

D O N A RT H U R O R C H A R D E Q U I P M E N T (519) 599-3058 donarthur3@gmail.com Clarksburg, ON

REAL ESTATE

CALL ABE FIRST FOR BETTER PRICES, MORE CHOICES, FAST, AND FRIENDLY SERVICE. BUY A DIESEL ENGINE PUMP UNIT FROM THE DIESEL MECHANIC.

NEW IRRIGATION PUMP UNITS ON TRAILER • Cummin 4 cyl, 80 HP • Cummin 4 cyl turbo, 105 HP • John Deere, 4 cyl, 80 HP • Cummin 6 cyl, 165 HP-5.9L • Iveco/Cummins, 4cyl, 105HP • Iveco/Cummins, 6cyl, 173HP Etc., Etc.

PHILLIPS FARM SUPPLIES

EQUIPMENT

1-800-811-6238 pfs@reach.net SPRAYING EQUIPMENT OUR SPECIALITY

YOUR SOURCE FOR JOHN BEAN AND DURAND-WAYLAND

Pipe & Fittings for Water Systems

Rovatti Pumps Berkeley Pumps, etc.

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

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

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

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

Winona Concrete & Pipe Products Ltd. 489 Main St. W., Grimsby, ON. L3M 1T4

info@WinonaConcrete.com

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

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Providing quality apple trees for 40 years.

• • • • • • •

Bench graft Sleeping budded eye 9 month bench 1 year old whip 1 year old feathered KNIP tree 2 year old tall feathered (instant orchard) Brian Van Brenk 31760 Erin Line Fingal ON, Canada N0L 1K0 519-902-6353 www.vanbrenk.ca brian@vanbrenk.ca

REAL ESTATE

VEGETABLE FARM Copetown: 192 acres sandy loam vegetable ground, fully irrigated and tiled. Beautiful 4000 +/- square foot Victorian home fully renovated and spotless buildings including greenhouse, packing room, cold storage and shop. A must see property. Priced to sell. Call John and Kevin.

Gerry Loeters Sales Representative Royal LePage RCR Realty

Your fruit and vegetable farm real estate specialist

Bu y i ng or se l li ng a St. Mary's, ON f ar m prope rt y?

PH. 519-765-4217 Cell. 519-773-6460 G i ve us a c a l l .

Email: gloeters@royallepage.ca John Jantzi, Sales Representative Office: 519-273-2822 Cell: 519-571-3894 Email: jjantzi@netflash.net

NEW . . USED . . SERVICE

have been

YOU to the rest, call the NOW BEST!!

Kevin Williams, Broker Office: 519-273-2822 Cell: 519-572-2293 Email: kevin@netflash.net

RE/MAX a-b Realty Ltd, Brokerage Independently owned & operated www.ontariofarmsrealty.com

Sutton Group-Select Realty Inc. Independently Owned and Operated

JoAnne Baines, sales rep, 519-670-2660 Philip Chabot, broker, 519-495-7117

BRANT COUNTY – ATTENTION GREEN HOUSE GROWERS! Ideal location on 100 acres zoned AG adjacent to new major servicing infrastructure with gas and water at prime 403 highway frontage and interchange access, 45 minutes from downtown Toronto. County has indicated willingness of smaller acreages being severed off for greenhouse development.

Adjacent acreage being developed with industrial zoning. $4,250,000 NORFOLK COUNTY – Very Profitable Gourmet Potatoe Farm marketing to the Toronto Food Terminal. 400+ acres with 49 acres owned and balanced leased land. Residence, state of the art processing and storage facilities which could be adapted to other crops. $2,200,000 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PHOTOS AND MAPPING VISIT:

www.JustFarms.ca

USED PALLET BOXES 3000 used Vegetable pallet boxes, good condition, repaired and ready for the field.

Call: 905-478-4739

Bedding Pro Straw Chopper Like new – used on only 3 acres of Strawberries for 3 Seasons $9000 Obo Phone Neil @613-847-6873

PAGE 24 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

MARKETPLACE

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

Alpine Nurseries (Niagara) Limited

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

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

OCTOBER 2013

howardcolcuc@rogers.com

REFRIGERATION

FOCUS: GREENHOUSE INNOVATION AD BOOKING DEADLINE SEPT 16 CALL HERB SHERWOOD 519-380-0118

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One-Piece and Portable Skid-Mount Systems, HydroCoolers, Medical and Process Chillers, Blast Freezers, Vacuum Coolers, Refrigerated Dehumidifiers.

Custom Built Designs • Domestic and International Markets

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 25 THE GROWER

MARKETPLACE

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

ORCHARD SUPPLIES

hear tnutgrove.com Email : info@heartnutgrove.com Office : 519-264-2708 Mount Brydges, On Canada, N0L 1W0

Does your Grower subscription need an address update?

866-898-8488 x 221

WATER TREATMENT

The 'AQUA Wetland System' “A new breed of constructed wetland” AQUA Treatment Technologies Inc. designs and installs the 'AQUA Wetland System' (AWS) for tertiary treatment of many types of waste water including sanitary sewage, landfill leachate, dairy farm & abattoir wastewater, greenhouse irrigation leachate water & mushroom farm leachate water (i.e. manure pile leachate) and high strength winery washwater.

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

Supplying Fruit and Vegetable Growers with: • Baskets • Masters • Fertilizer • Vineyard Trellis Supplies

• Berry Boxes • Waxed Cartons • Crop Protection Material

LABELS

The 'AQUA Wetland System' is operated out of doors and can achieve year-round tertiary treatment of wastewater. This sub-surface, vertical flow constructed wetland consists of sand & gravel beds planted with moisture tolerant plant species. Water is pumped vertically from cell to cell. There is no open or standing water.

Treatment occurs through physical filtration & biological degradation. Plants shade & insulate the cells, cycling nutrients while preventing algae growth. There is no production of sludge.

The AWS has been approved for use by the Ontario Ministry of Environment through over 40 Environmental Compliance Approvals. Recently the Region of Niagara began approving the AWS for treatment of 'small flow' winery washwater I.e. < 10,000 liters per day. Other agencies who have issued approvals include Health Canada, USEPA and OMAFRA. Recent projects include: 1) treatment of cider mill washwater at Bennett's Apple and Cider in Ancaster 2) treatment of winery washwater at DiProfio Wines and Lincoln Farm Winery in Niagara 3) treatment of pond water at Hihojo Farms for supply of hog drinking water

For additional information please Contact Lloyd Rozema at: cell. 905-327-4571 email. lrozema@aqua-tt.com

P: 519-326-8200 F: 1-888-567-1297 www.madleyglobal.com

www.thegrower.org

PAGE 26 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

MINOR USE CRAIG’S COMMENTS

In search of a fair model

CRAIG HUNTER OFVGA There has always been a great attraction to models. Major clothing firms spend a fortune every year for models to model their new models of dresses. Car companies do the same thing. The idea seems to be that the attractiveness of the model showing off the next year’s model overrides the shortcomings of what they are modeling. Beyond the actual modeling, there are many who seek to up their status by being seen in the company of a model. Again, this may be due to some shortcoming that would be more evident if all eyes were on them, and not on the model.

Unfortunately, the seductiveness of models has transcended (descended?) into the science arena, particularly into areas where actual hard data may be lacking. For many, it is an easy way out of making a decision.

The use of a model scenario has allowed those with perhaps a less than good grasp on a situation to remain comfortable to sit back and make pontifications that beggar a good scientist in understanding how thus is this!

Let me explain.

In a continuing fascination with human and environmental exposure, authorities have asked companies to produce endless reams of study data (only in Canada you say!) at some considerable cost. Sometimes this data is still ‘tossed out’ as it doesn’t meet the exact requirements of an evaluation.

Sometimes, the data may seem to show one thing, but is interpreted in such a way as to reach a very

different (and inexplicable) decision. (It is also why some companies just avoid Canada when it comes to registering some products where the cost of compliance cannot be met from sales potential) When the data is not equal to the regulatory challenge or not available at all, the fallback is usually to use a model! Even when data has been generated to meet the regulatory needs, it may not be exactly applicable in every instance, upon which circumstance, it gets the heave-ho.

However, when a model is needed, all shortcomings of the model are swept away. How, do you ask? One simply uses the model and then adds such a huge ‘uncertainty factor’ that the result is predictable, and bad. No model can cover all eventualities, just as no data study exactly fits every application scenario. However, while the actual data can be tossed, the twisting and gyrations of the application of a model is always OK? That is like using a size 4 model to model a size 14 outfit! Not all the pins in the world will make it look right! No one seems to consider that just hanging the clothes on a rack would suffice!

Nonetheless, the outcomes of such ‘mis-use’ of a model are routinely foisted upon applicants.

All of this also has assumed that a ‘correct’ model was used in the first place! Correctness in this sense is that the model reflects actual in-the-field proposed use patterns, application equipment, personal protective equipment, and due attention to re-entry times.

How could this be done if the actual reviewer had NEVER been on site to see this in first person?

Just as an applicant is not allowed to assume in any of their data, nor should a reviewer assume their interpretation of a field reality is as it appears in their mind’s eye. I could also suggest that even those who developed a model 25 years ago did not and could not have known the reality of today’s application scenarios. A model has many limitations and none

worse than a lack of flexibility to meet variations in what it is supposed to be modeling.

On the other hand, someone with some years of actual experience in the field could greatly aid the users of a model. It is the actual applicability of the model that first needs to be investigated. Knowing the actual availability of all such models is a good start. The model with the best fit is the first step. The filling in of whatever real data that is available is the next step. Any real life data should be used if at all possible. That starts with a

“

Science shouldn’t

ignore any opportunity to be more inclusive when it comes to data use and interpretation.

The same holds true for companies when it comes to developing the data in the first place.”

change from ‘I can’t use it, it is not perfect, to- it may not be perfect but I will use it within its limitations’ as a beginning. A next step would be to use the data in more than one model if there appears to be overlap or underlap in the breadth of scenarios that can be covered by any single model.

This is akin to Honda using models with many hair colours, heights, and ethnic origins just to be sure there is something that anyone/everyone likes. (In addition to the car of course!)

Science shouldn’t ignore any opportunity to be more inclusive when it comes to data use and interpretation. The same holds true for companies when it comes to developing the data in the first place. They should not hold fast to a single study protocol if it doesn’t cover all the use scenarios. Broadening the scope of a study is easier and faster than having to go back to do it again, or worse, have a reviewer junk the (expensive) work and impose a model that is less than ideal.

The company must also look at the possible use situations and consult with someone who actually understands field operations, in the design of appropriate studies. If they rely on desk-bound managers, they fall into the same trap as the reviewers!

There is plenty of knowledge out there! In fact, other countries do review and re-evaluate products too! There is no good reason to not consult. In fact, there are plenty of good reasons to make darn sure that our reviewers have consulted their peers elsewhere.

None of their work is new cutting edge science! There are no secrets involved. Getting it right is what counts here. There are no (at least there should not be) part-marks for a good method, if the result is wrong! In the real world, a very significant economic ‘hit’ may be on the line if the final answer is wrong. (A whole company’s future may hinge on a bad decision, but not so for those in government) There must be an understanding that by getting a wrong result, many people will be at best inconvenienced, and at worst seriously harmed economically. Some of this hurt should be shared- it may lead to greater care to use data and models within their limits, but to their limits.

All of the above is in addition to how guess-timation is used. I have seen dozens of references to “that is a conservative number” or we “chose” to use that number. If a company did that with the numbers in their original submission, it might (would) get rejection.

When used by a reviewer, it becomes acceptable! (Like keeping company with a mobster and suggesting that that is OK, since their business life didn’t interfere with their golf behavior!) Of course it matters! If a reviewer can be comfortable in knowingly using ‘bad’ estimations by hiding behind the ‘fact’ that they know it is a bad number but all they have, then they are not scientifically honest enough to be trusted to do the job!

When a ‘conservative number’ is multiplied by another, and then another and then another, is it any wonder when the result is ludicrous? Sometimes even then it is close to being an acceptable result. Just imagine if a parallel exercise was done with using the ‘un-conservative’ numbers in the calculation! It is that result that should have to get a ‘fail’ mark to get my attention. If that result does indeed pass muster, then it is back to the beginning. Each and every number used needs to be fine-tuned using whatever acceptable data that can be used, from any source. Getting it right is more important than assuaging egos. I am tired of seeing Canadian reviews that are so hugely different that those of the U.S. and indeed the European community. There is nothing unique in the Canadian agriculture experience that cannot be found in the U.S., but there are several that they have that we do not have to account for. The same is true for the crops grown in both countries. The farm workers here are by many measures better trained. Our growers take more training in pesticide safety than outside Canada. How can our re-evaluations founder so often on worker exposure?

I guess we could resolve it if we only used one model- the one in the real world! One set of estimates too- the ones where real growers’ experience counts!

I could buy that model.

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Phostrol is a registered trade-mark of Engage Agro Corporation. © 2013 Engage Agro Corporation.

SEPTEMBER 2013 –– PAGE 27 THE GROWER

MINOR USE

Exirel insecticide registered for both sucking and chewing insects Fruit and vegetable growers now have a new tool available to fight key pests thanks to the August 7 registration of DuPont’s Exirel insecticide. Exirel provides broad-spectrum control for thrips and sucking insects, with a new mode of action, meaning it will have no cross-resistance to other chemistries.

Exirel is one of three new

DuPont products formulated with Cyazypyr insecticide as its active ingredient. When applied early in the crop life, Cyazypyr can increase the opportunity for improved marketable yield by reducing feeding damage, resulting in a stronger crop in the field and a more appealing crop at harvest.

The Exirel label covers a wide

range of fruit and vegetable crops, including pome and stone fruit, potatoes, bulb vegetables and Brassica vegetables. A submission has been made by DuPont to the PMRA for control of Spotted Wing Drosophila.

Source: DuPont news release

Proposed re-evaluation decision for mancozeb After a re-evaluation of the fungicide mancozeb, Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), under the authority of the Pest Control Products Act is proposing continued registration of most mancozeb uses in Canada and phase-out of certain uses with risk concerns.

An evaluation of available scientific information found that, under the current conditions of

use: • Most uses of mancozeb have value in the food and non-food agriculture industry and are not of concern to human health or the environment when further riskreduction measures are considered. These uses are all non-food uses, alfalfa grown for seed, and certain food/feed uses including greenhouse tobacco, potatoes, wheat, carrots, cantaloupe, cucumbers, celery, ginseng,

lentils, head lettuce, melons, onions, pumpkins, sugar beets, squash, field tomatoes and watermelons. As a condition of the continued registration of these uses, further risk-reduction measures are proposed and additional data are required; • The remaining uses of mancozeb are proposed for phase-out because of the human health risks and/or risk to the environment.

These uses are seed treatment for

barley, corn, flax, oat and wheat, and potato seed piece and application on orchard crops including apples, pear, grapes and greenhouse tomato. During the transition to phase-out, additional riskreduction measures are proposed.

The PMRA is soliciting from the public and all interested parties, information that may be used to refine the occupational, dietary, and environmental assessments and/or mitigate risks.

The PMRA will accept written comments on Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2013-01, Mancozeb up to 60 days from the date of publication of Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2013-01, Mancozeb.

Please forward all comments to: PMRA.publications@hc-sc.gc.ca

city issues, rotational cropping issues and adjuvant recommendations) on the Reflex herbicide label.

For copies of the new minor

use label contact Kristen Callow, OMAFRA, Harrow (519) 738-1232 or visit www.syngenta.com/country/ca/en/Pages/ho me.aspx

New weed control on field cucumbers JIM CHAPUT, OMAF/MRA, MINOR USE COORDINATOR, GUELPH The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of a minor use label expansion for Reflex herbicide (fomesafen) for control and/or suppression of labeled weeds on field cucumbers in eastern Canada and British Columbia. Reflex Herbicide was already labeled for management of weeds on soybeans, dry beans, lima beans and snap beans in Canada.

This minor use submission was jointly sponsored by the

Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Pest Management Centre (AAFCPMC) and U.S. IR-4 program in 2008 in response to minor use priorities identified by cucumber producers and extension personnel in both countries.

Access to weed management tools is a priority for cucumber producers and the label expansion of Reflex herbicide will provide producers with an helpful weed management and resistance management tool. The following is provided as a general, abbreviated outline only. Users should consult the complete label before using Reflex herbicide.

Reflex herbicide can be applied at a rate of 1.0 L product

per ha as a banded application to row middles. Make application just after seeding but prior to crop emergence or just prior to transplanting cucumber plants. The pre-harvest interval for cucumbers is 42 days.

Reflex herbicide should be used in an integrated weed management program and in rotation with other management strategies.

Reflex herbicide may be harmful to important wildlife habitats and aquatic eco-systems, therefore avoid drift and follow buffer zones. Do not contaminate these habitats when cleaning and rinsing spray equipment or containers. Follow all other precautions and directions for use (phytotoxi-

PAGE 28 –– SEPTEMBER 2013 THE GROWER

ONTARIO POTATO FIELD DAY

Wow! Machinery is getting bigger and fungicides are getting better

Real Potatoes presented Dark Red Chieftain, a variety suitable for boiling and baking.

KAREN DAVIDSON Alliston, Ontario -- Thanks to potato specialist Eugenia Banks, the newest potato varieties are curated and presented annually at the venue of HJV Equipment for the Ontario Potato Field Day. HZPC, the Dutch marketer of seed potatoes, showed a selection of promising varieties including Annabelle, Rodeo and Vivaldi for the retail fresh market while Innovator, Countessa and Ivory Russet are candidates for the French fry market. Real Potatoes presented many varieties including Dark Red Chieftain, an intensely dark, red-skinned variety that resists fading in hot soils and following long-term storage. Its niche will be for boiling and baking.

Ashoka Kahandawala eyes Agata.

Rogator sprayer impresses growers at HJV Equipment.

Another variety is catching the eye of Earthfresh agronomist Ashoka Kahandawala. For his customers, Agata provides the balance of yield and field performance while providing the cooking and eating qualities at the consumer end. He contracts several producers to grow specific varieties for the Earthfresh brand, streaming them according to end use.

Big equipment is here to stay. HJV Equipment displayed the latest in sprayer technology with a Rogator that has a 125-foot boom and 4-wheel steering. It’s equipped with a professional liquid system with a stainless steel tank, an easy-to-use reload station and a conveniently located rinse station. Its 50-inch crop clearance is a boon with less damage to the crop, leaving fewer spray tracks.

Several machines are already in use.

New technology is expected to prevent the spread of postharvest diseases -- silver scurf and Fusarium dry rot -in stored potatoes. Syngenta has just received registration of Stadium fungicide. The U.S. website states that growers can rely on three active ingredients --fludioxonil, azoxystrobin and difenoconazole—to offer unique modes of action. Not only does Stadium protect against Fusarium dry rot infections that enter through wounds at harvest, it also controls the spread of silver scurf during storage. A single application at postharvest lasts for months, preserving the quality of potatoes throughout storage. Look for more details soon once the Canadian label is finalized.