The Grower April 2016

KAREN DAVIDSON

Eggplant, a member of thenightshade family, is cominginto the sun. This oft-ignoredvegetable is becoming more visible in produce aisles asCanada’s South Asian immigrants demand the tastesof their childhoods. StatisticsCanada reports that imports ofeggplant have risen 32 per centbetween 2011 and 2014 andreached nearly 24,000 metrictonnes.

Those trends have encouraged long-time zucchinigrowers, Jason and Shirley Su,to plant 10 acres of Chineselong eggplant for the last twoyears at their Simcoe, Ontariofarm. With origins in ruralChina, they are familiar withthis eggplant which is sweeterthan the black-skinned Sicilianvarieties. There’s a good chancethat Chinese long and Indianround varieties will catch onbecause they aren’t bitter andcan be quickly cooked without

much preparation. Retailers are eager to

showcase locally-grown eggplant during the summermonths.

With the farm’s reputationwell-established with retailersand future prospects lookingbright, son Henry Su decided tocome back to the farm in 2015.His communications degreefrom University ofToronto/Mississauga will neverbe out of place. It’s his workethic, developed through figureskating at the national pairslevel, that will propel him forward.

“In my first year back at thefarm, I’ve realized that farminghas changed,” says Su.“Farming today is more thanphysically caring for your plants.It’s not just who can grow thebest but it’s the business connections and bringing newproducts forward.”

Su admits that it’s tough forsmall farms to survive, howeveradding Asian eggplant to theirfarm’s roster looks like a path

forward. The seedlings start in agreenhouse then are transplant-ed into plasticulture-coveredrows with drip irrigation. Hisfirst lesson? Eggplant requires alot of labour to trim the lowerleaves so that they don’t scratchthe delicate skin and reducemarketable yields. Labour isalso needed to harvest on adaily basis.

Fortunately, VinelandResearch and InnovationCentre (Vineland) is finetuningthe best production systems forfield eggplant that will be economically viable. As ViliamZvalo, Vineland research scientist, vegetable production

explains, there are a number ofchallenges. First, eggplant issusceptible to soil-borne diseases such as Verticilliumwilt and Fusarium wilt. Thesefungal pathogens enter throughthe roots and cause prematureleaf drop. When the house ofphotosynthesis is destroyed,fruit production shuts down.

To date, fumigation has beenthe standard method to rid thesoil of these robbers, but thosepractices may soon evolve toother ways of controlling disease.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

APRIL 2016 CELEBRATING 137 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION THEGROWER.ORG

FOLLOW THE DEMOGRAPHICS

Asian eggplant shows promise in the field and in greenhouses

INSIDECFIA extends comment period on chlorothalonil Page 6

CPMA hosts Passion forProduce Program 1

FOCUS: Water managementand irrigation Section B

Volume 66 Number 04P.M. 40012319$3.00 CDN

Don’t underestimate eggplant. With increasing immigration of Asians to Canada, this category is quietly growing with local production of Chinese long and Indian round varieties. The Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is studying both field and hydroponic production of eggplant with results that pique the interest of long-time growers Jason and Shirley Su. Their son Henry came home to the Simcoe, Ontario family farm last year to learn the ABCs of eggplant. First lesson? This member of theSolanaceae family requires diligent leaf removal so that the skin isn’t scratched. Photo by Glenn Lowson.

Farming today is more than physically caring foryour plants. It’s not just who can grow the bestbut it’s the business connections and bringingnew products forward.

~ HENRY SU

“

“

Plugs for payment protection program

While Prime MinisterTrudeau was in Washington foran official state visit on March10, NDP MP Tracey Ramsey(Essex) was calling on theLiberal government to intro-duce a payment protection program for Canadian fresh fruitand vegetable producers, in amotion tabled in Parliament.

“Canadian produce growershave been asking the govern-ment for a payment protectionprogram for years,” said MPRamsey. “Conservative inactionon this file has negativelyimpacted this important industry and I urge the Liberalgovernment to resolve the issueby year end.”

Ramsey’s motion (M-49)calls on the government to

introduce payment protectionfor produce growers like thePerishable AgriculturalCommodities Act (PACA) inthe United States by September30, 2016. It also calls on thegovernment to negotiate withthe United States to restoreCanada’s privileged accessunder PACA by December 31,2016.

“The Windsor EssexChamber appreciates MPTracey Ramsey’s leadership ongetting PACA on the nationalagenda,” said Matt Marchand,president and CEO of theWindsor Essex RegionalChamber of Commerce. “It’s atop issue for agri-food exportersin the Windsor-Essex regionand is key for us to maintain ourgoal of doubling agri-foodexports by 2020.”

“Ensuring that growers arepaid for the product they growis a fundamental requirementfor sustainable communities.Currently our produce farmersdo not have that protection inthe marketplace and we lookforward to having this issueaddressed,” added GeorgeGilvesy, chair of the OntarioGreenhouse Vegetable Growers.

The same day, Hon. MarkEyking told delegates at theCanadian Horticultural Councilannual general meeting that theprime minister’s delegation hadbeen well briefed on this issuein advance of the Washingtontrip. As chair of the internation-al trade committee, he was positive about movement onthe file.

Non-browning potatoapproved in Canada

Health Canada and theCanadian Food InspectionAgency have approved J.R.Simplot Company’s Innatepotato for planting in Canada. Ithas low asparagine which meansup to 70 per cent less acry-lamide when cooked. And it hasreduced bruising and browningwhich means less waste.

The potatoes have beendeveloped through a cisgenesisprocess, that is using genes fromthe same species. In this case,the company used genes fromboth wild and cultivated potatospecies. Health Canada doesnot require a label indicatingthat Innate potatoes are genetically engineered, because nutritionally, they are the sameas conventionally grown potatoes.

The U.S. Department ofAgriculture approved the firstgeneration of the Innate potatoin 2014, with the Food andDrug Administration followingabout a year ago. It’s been soldin the U.S. since last May underthe White Russet brand and isavailable in supermarkets andfor food service.

Growers are already lookingtowards the second generationof Innate potatoes whichpromise to be resistant to lateblight, cutting the need for protective sprays of fungicides.Field researchers estimate thatthis trait may result in a 25 to 45per cent reduction in annualfungicide applications.

NEWSMAKERSTHE GROWER

AT PRESS TIME…

PAGE 2 –– APRIL 2016

2016 CHC Board of Directors, (L-R): Peter Swetnam (Atlantic),Adrian Huisman (Ontario) Brian Gilroy (Ontario), Alvin Keenan,first vice president (Atlantic) Keith Kuhl, president (Prairies), BarHayre (BC), Jocelyn St-Denis (Quebec), Ernie Van Boom(Prairies), Fred Steele (BC), Anne Fowlie, executive vice-president, Stephanie Levasseur (Quebec). Photo courtesy ofTrevor Eggleton, CHC.

Delegates to the Canadian Horticultural Council have electedKeith Kuhl, a Winkler, Manitoba potato grower, for a fourth timeto the role of president.

Committee chairs are: Murray Porteous, labour committee; MarkWales, finance and business management committee; Ken Forth,trade and marketing committee; Charles Stevens, crop, plant protection and environment committee; Jack Bates, industrystandards and food safety committee, John Bareman, potato com-mittee; Brian Gilroy, apple and fruit committee; Phil Tregunno,tender fruit section of the apple and fruit committee; Jack Bates,blueberry section of the apple and fruit committee; Bill George,grape section of the apple and fruit committee; Linda Delli Santi,greenhouse committee; André Plante, vegetable committee.

CHC’s Doug Connery Award was presented to Claude Laniel,one of Quebec’s foremost organizers of the province’s horticultur-al industry. He has been involved as rural economist, promoter ofCanadaGAP as well as research and development.

At the Canadian Food Safety Forum, NSF-GFTC recognizedCanadian companies and individuals who have contributed toproviding excellence in food safety. The Holland Marsh Growers’Association took second place in the Food Safety ExcellenceAward category. The award was accepted by Bridget Visser,communications and Jody Mott, executive director.

Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer contest has announcedapple growers Andrew and Jennifer Lovell, River View Orchards,Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick as 2016 winners of the Atlanticregion. In Manitoba, the winners are potato and grain farmersJason and Laura Kehler, Carman. The Canadian championshipwill be held in Niagara Falls, ON from November 29 toDecember 4.

At the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) annual conference, outstanding award recipients included: Amy Irish-Brown, a Michigan State extensionist for the Extension Award;Dr. Randy Beaudry, Researcher Award for pre-harvest maturityand post-harvest storage work at Michigan State University; EdWittenbach, Grower Award; Ken Hall, Industry Service Award;Harold Thorne, IFTA Hall of Fame.

BASF Canada presented the Cuvee Vineyard of ExcellenceAward to father-and-son duo Howard and Wes Lowrey at theCuvee Grand Tasting in early March. The company is also hosting 10 of the top viticulture students from each of BrockUniversity and Niagara College, giving them a chance to networkwith leaders from the Ontario wine industry.

The Alberta potato industry welcomes Dmytro Yevtushenko,Ph.D., to the position of research chair in potato science at theUniversity of Lethbridge. The five-year appointment is fundedby a consortium of association and industry partners. For moredetails, see page 5.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs(OMAFRA) welcomes Mackenzie Lespérance as the weed management lead – horticulture crops, while Kristin Obeid is onmaternity leave. From her base at the Harrow Research andDevelopment Centre, she will be focusing her efforts on greenhouse trials for herbicide resistance screening, collaborativework with the University of Guelph on herbicide resistant pigweed in carrot production and other projects.

Hon Mark Eyking addressesthe Canadian HorticulturalCouncil delegates in Ottawa onMarch 10.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Zvalo’s research is focusing on a novel method ofovercoming soil-borne diseases. His team hasbeen grafting different field eggplant varietiesonto tomato rootstock to produce more disease-tolerant plants. This startling idea makes sensewith the knowledge that eggplant and tomatoesare botanical cousins. They both belong to theSolanaceae family. The practice of vegetable graft-ing is new to North America, but has been usedin vegetable production in Asia for decades.

Tests so far have yielded mixed results in anon-fumigated field.

“The grafted plants were very healthy,” saysZvalo, “but the plant is so vegetative that flowering and fruit set is delayed by three weeks.By the end of the season, yields catch up however farmers need a supply for the wholesummer to fulfill their retailer contracts.”

In 2016, six different rootstocks will be tested.While the colour and quality of fruit pass muster,the researchers are hoping for more timely flowering and fruit set with different rootstocks.

As Henry Su experienced, one of the key hurdles in field eggplant is protecting the skinfrom leaf damage. To that point, Vineland’s teamis staking the beds eight to ten feet apart to prevent leaves scratching the fruit during windstorms. These various trials are expected to fine-tune recommendations to farmers by 2018. That’swhen Zvalo hopes to be in technology transfermode with a goal of 20 farmers across Canada.

A handful of growers in British Columbia,Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Prince EdwardIsland and Nova Scotia are keeping close tabs onVineland’s research as they experiment with theirown field trials.

Just as interesting are the studies of hydroponic cultivation of Asian eggplant, bothChinese long and Indian round. Again, the

technique of grafting new varieties onto MaxifortF1, disease-resistant, tomato rootstock is provinga winner. Last year’s trials were encouraging interms of yield.

The Long Purple F1 variety, for example,yielded 85 per cent more harvest compared to itsnon-grafted mates. One of the secrets in eggplantgrowing is to keep iron levels high to maintainvibrant skin colour. Greenhouse-grown eggplantis also susceptible to the usual insect suspects:thrips, aphids and mites. Biological pest controlhas been proven to preserve yields.

One of the strengths of Vineland is its focus onthe value chain. These new varieties must succeed not only agronomically but in terms oftaste with consumers.

“Unfortunately, these greenhouse-grown eggplant varieties yielded well but did not farewell in eating tests in Sobey’s test kitchen,” saysZvalo.

Undaunted, Zvalo has narrowed the field totwo varieties of Chinese long eggplant and addedanother two varieties for 2016 trials. They will betested on different rootstocks.

“2016 is an important year for our eggplant trials,” says Zvalo. “We are looking for the bestcombination of rootstock and scion to produce 35-40 kg per square metre per year. These are theyields necessary for an economic tipping point.”

Last year’s trials were conducted during springand fall cycles. The question is can these newergrafted varieties produce year round in a greenhouse environment that will be challengedby stressful summer-time temperatures.

So far, greenhouse growers have trackedVineland’s hydroponic eggplant research withinterest. Already successful with baby peppersand cherry tomatoes, they can see potential inmarketing “baby” sweet eggplant. The trio ofvegetables are all members of that sunnySolanaceae family.

APRIL 2016 –– PAGE 3 THE GROWER

COVER STORY

Asian eggplant shows promise in the field and in greenhouses

BELGIUM

Potato crop yields monitored by satellite

The Belgian potato process-ing industry is embracing theiPOT project, which collectsdata from the ground, from air-borne drones and fromspace-based satellites. Theintensive research is buildingon impressive growth to 80,000acres of potatoes in 2014. Nowthat Belgium is the world’slargest exporter of frozen potatoproducts – eclipsing theNetherlands, Canada and theU.S. – the industry must findways to be sustainable.

By the end of the project inMay 2017, researchers expectthat for each potato field, it willbe possible to:• Estimate the plant pheno-logical stage as well as the plausible harvest date;• Estimate the risks of produc-tion or quality losses on thebasis of temperatures, rainfalland soil moisture data as wellas the plant crop status;• Assess the field spatial variability• Forecast yields all along thegrowing season

Source: The Grower research

INTERNATIONAL

EUROPE

Climate change affectsseed breeders

Syngenta, active in breedingtomatoes, peppers, cabbagevarieties and melons, is increasing efforts to respond toclimate change. While factorssuch as yield, flavour, convenience and sustainabilityare important traits, the company will be focusing moreintently on the cold and heattolerance of crops.

“We are now looking todevelop more robust varietiesthat have more flexibility,” saysJérémie Chabanis, global valuechain manager lead forSyngenta, based in Europe.

Warmer weather is confusingthe growing season in southernEurope. The company issearching for varieties that keepwell during a warm winter anddry summer. They must also beresistant to diseases that aremigrating from south to north.

Source: FreshPlaza.com

PERU

Bi-national blueberrycouncil established

When U.S. secretary of agriculture Tom Vilsackrecently visited Lima, Peru, aparallel announcement wasmade about the U.S.-PeruBlueberry Council (USPBC).This is the first bi-nationalcouncil for the blueberry category, including top blueberry producing, packing,exporting and importing companies in both countries.

The goal is to increase newmarket-access opportunitiesbetween both countries. Well-known companies areinvolved including: Naturipeand Driscoll’s of California,North Bay Produce ofMichigan, Camposol, Talsa andProArandano of Peru.

Bi-national co-chairs areBrian Bocock, Naturipe, U.S.and Miguel Bentin,ProArandano, Peru.

The council’s first order ofbusiness will be to support thedevelopment of phytosanitaryinitiatives at a bilateral level.


UNITED STATES

Iceless Brussels sprouts debut

Mann Packing, based in Salinas, California, is launching twoiceless Brussels sprouts products: shaved or trimmed. Trimmedat the stem, this new product eliminates labour for chefs or foodservice and delivers a manageable quantity with less foodwaste.

“We’re comparing these Brussels sprouts products to what iceless green onions have done for the foodservice industry – providing a classic, iceless pack in a user friendly format withoutthe wax carton and mess,” said Gina Nucci, director of foodservicemarketing at Mann’s.

The shaved product delivers a blend of consistent, 1/8-inch cutleaves along with the planks of the sprouts. This format is ideal inraw salads or slaws, or in flash sauté or high-heat roast applications.


Viliam Zvalo research scientist, Vineland Research and InnovationCentre, is finetuning the economics of hydroponically grown eggplant. So far, the secret has been to graft eggplant ontoMaxifort F1, disease-resistant, tomato rootstock. Indian round eggplant is shown below. Photos by Denis Cahill.

– APRIL 2016THE GROWER

CROSS COUNTRY DIGEST

Aware of the trend to marketing second-grade or ugly produce, BC FreshVegetables (dba BCfresh) has launchedits own brand: Farmer’s Keepers.

“This is a new opportunity for us tomarket produce that may not meet ourown grade one standards, but is a realadvantage to customers looking for agreat price,” says Brian Faulkner, vice-president, sales and marketing, B.C.Fresh Vegetables. Based in Delta, B.C.,he says that first efforts have been withyellow and red-skinned potatoes. Ten-pound bags of Farmer’s Keepers general-ly retail in the realm of $3.99 or less.

The positioning of the brand is toappeal to those who are savvy withingredients and who know that the produce is nutritionally sound, except fora blemish or two. The experiment withthe 2015 crop of potatoes has resulted in

many truckloads moved to market, mostly in British Columbia, but also tothe prairies. With that first-season success, carrots will be next. Faulknersays there are no extra promotion dollarsspent on Farmer’s Keepers.

For the 60 farm families that grow forthe BCFresh banner, it’s a good initiative Potato planting of early varieties started in late February in BC’sFraser Valley with first harvest expectedin May. Locally grown produce is indemand every month of the year.

With no dehydration plant in closeproximity to take these “seconds,” theprospects of selling these potatoes areencouraging, returning more money backto the growers.

As Faulkner talks about the success ofthe project, he quips: “Beauty is only apeeler away.”

Lower prices for ugly produce strikes chord with consumersBRITISH COLUMBIA

First-generation apple growers Andrew and JenniferLovell of Keswick Ridge, NewBrunswick were chosen as the2016 Outstanding YoungFarmers (OYF) for the Atlanticregion at a recent awards event

in Charlottetown, PEI.Andrew and Jennifer own

and operate River ViewOrchards (www.seeriverviewor-chards.com), a diversified u-pickfarm market operation thatincludes apples, pears, plums,

strawberries, raspberries, pumpkins and other vegetables.They host school tours, operatean agricultural fence andorchard trellis construction service, and host farm-themedbirthday parties.

“It’s so refreshing to see ayoung couple such as theLovells getting started in afarming career,” says JackThomson, past chair ofCanada’s Outstanding YoungFarmers program. “Our industrydepends on innovative andfresh ideas, and we must createan environment that encouragesnew farmers to enter the sector.Andrew and Jennifer haveembraced the industry and cre-ated an educational and funatmosphere that brings theircustomers closer to the farm.That’s a critical connectionthat’s important for our entireindustry, and we congratulateAndrew and Jennifer on theircommitment and passion foragriculture.”

The Lovell’s story of howthey got into farming is differ-ent than many. Neither of themgrew up on a farm, but Andrewhad dreams of owning his ownfarm for years. And in 2012,their dream came true whenthey purchased a farm that cantrace its roots to the originalland grants in 1784. Andrewmanages the farm operation,and Jennifer continues her workas a full-time nurse. Their goalis to grow their farm to be largeenough that one day their children Robert (11) and Elsie(4) can carry on the family farm,if they choose.

Andrew and Jennifer focuson providing high-quality freshproduce and delivering customer satisfaction. Along

with their diverse u-pick operation, they grow apples forthe commercial market, and thefirst Fuji apples ever planted inNew Brunswick. They wel-comed more than a thousandschool children to their farm inthe past year to learn about agriculture, pick apples, take ina guided educational hikearound the farm, and wanderthrough a corn maze. They havefurther diversified by offeringan agricultural fence andorchard trellis construction service and even host farmthemed birthday parties including wagon rides, giantsandbox, bouncy castles, kiteflying and UTV rides.

Off the farm, Andrew givesback to the industry as a director of the New BrunswickAgriculture Alliance, chairs thecommittee that’s establishingthe Agricultural Coalition toprovide management servicesfor New Brunswick commoditygroups, is current chair of NewBrunswick Apple GrowersAssociation and sits on theApple Working Group of theCanadian Horticulture Council.Jennifer volunteers with churchand children’s activities.

Canada’s Outstanding YoungFarmers for 2016 will be chosenat the National Event inNiagara Falls, Ontario fromNovember 29 – December 4,2016.

Source: Outstanding YoungFarmers news release

Apple growers hit sweet spot with Outstanding Young Farmer award NEW BRUNSWICK

THE GROWER

APRIL 2016 –– PAGE 5

CROSS COUNTRY DIGEST

Funded by a consortium ofassociation and industry part-ners, the University ofLethbridge has appointedDmytro Yevtushenko asresearch chair in potato science. “Thanks to the Potato Growers

of Alberta (PGA) and theremarkable people at theUniversity who have the visionfor the potato and agriculture inAlberta, I can start this programin a relatively short time,” saidYevtushenko, who arrived inJanuary 2016.

The PGA, McCain Foods,Lamb Weston and CavendishFarms have invested $1 millionover five years to establish theChair in Potato Science.Western Canada has fewresearchers dedicated to thepotato industry and the newchair will enhance and expandthe current capacity. The PGAis a non-profit potato growerorganization working to increasethe success of the Alberta pota-to growing industry, currentlyworth $1 billion annually.

“Local growers and proces-sors welcome Dr. Yevtushenkoand we are eager to start work-ing with him,” says TerenceHochstein, the PGA’s executivedirector. “Our membershipidentified a need for university-level research and education inthe potato industry and we areexcited to have Dr.Yevtushenko and his expertiseavailable to us.”

Yevtushenko plans to co-ordinate his research programswith the needs of the localindustry. His major researchinterests are in the areas ofplant biotechnology and breed-ing, with focus on crop improve-ment and food safety usingmodern techniques that involvemolecular biology, plant tissueculture, and genetics. While hehas researched many plantspecies, he prefers working withpotatoes. His experience work-ing in the plant biotechnologyindustry has given him anappreciation for the concerns ofproducers. He has a broad rangeof research expertise, includingdevelopment of potato geno-types with wide-spectrum dis-ease resistance and large-scaleproduction of virus-free seedpotatoes in vitro. Among otherprojects, his research plansinclude improvement of tuberyields through epigeneticenhancement of current potatocultivars and speeding up thepotato breeding process usinginnovative methods.

Yevtushenko was born incentral Ukraine and attendedKiev State University, as it wasthen called. He wanted to be ascientist ever since he was inmiddle school and he arrived atuniversity wanting to study

nature and the environment. Hediscovered a passion for plantbiology and completed a Ph.Dat the Institute of Cell Biologyand Genetic Engineering inKiev. He came to Canada for apost-doctoral fellowship at theUniversity of Guelph. Sincethen, he’s worked at theUniversity of Victoria and heldvarious other positions.

Source: University of Lethbridgenewsletter

Potato industry fundsresearch chair

ALBERTA

SIT’S AS

BLEBLEFLEXIBUROUS.

AS YONEEDS

FLEXIB

olling apple diseasContrcan be a complex job. Tfungicide. With consistenand highly systemic activ

ogram to fit fungicide prtank-mixing needs of yoCall AgSolutions® Cust

i it l ti

ses such as scab and powdery mildewcadiss why we developed new SerThat’ TM

ol of key diseasesnt, continuous contrcadis enables you to tailor your, Servity

the specific application timing and.s what we call flexibilityour farm. That’

e at 1-877-371-BASF (2273)tomer Cari f tif

ada Inc. © 201 F Canada Inc.6 BAS

or visit

ead and follow

agsolutions.ca f

Always reAgSolutions ed trade-markegister is a r

e information.

ections.

for mor

w label dirk of BASF Corporation; SERCADIS is a trade-mark of BASF SE; all used with permission by BASF Cana

He has a broad range ofresearch expertise,including developmentof potato genotypeswith wide-spectrum disease resistance andlarge-scale productionof virus-free seed potatoes in vitro.

Dmytro Yevtushenko

– APRIL 2016THE GROWER

CANADIAN HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

KAREN DAVIDSON

Canada’s horticultural industry was set on its heels earlier this winter when thePest Management RegulatoryAgency (PMRA) announced there-evaluation of a commonlyused active ingredient,chlorothalonil. This is an important active ingredient infungicides such as Bravo andEcho, widely used by potatogrowers and many other commodity groups to preventfoliar diseases such as lateblight.

The industry’s protests aboutthe lack of forewarning haveresulted in an extension oncomments until June 9.

The extension wasannounced at the Canadian

Horticultural Council annualgeneral meeting by MargheritaConti, director-general, valueassessment, re-evaluation man-agement directorate, PMRA.The agency will host a webinaron April 8 to outline how offi-cials came to their conclusions.

If the re-evaluation was asurprise to growers, it was noless so for the three registrantsof the active ingredient:Syngenta (Bravo), Sipcam(Echo) and Adama (Equus).The latter registrant bought therights to the data to get a generic product registration asrecently as December 2015.The re-evaluation notice meansthat the fungicide use would bereduced from 12 times per season to one in potatoes andeight times per season to one intomatoes. Fungicide use would

be totally eliminated in onions,crucifer crops, sweet corn,strawberries, cranberries andblueberries.

Re-evaluation also includesuses beyond horticulture. Forgrowers of lentils, the loss ofthis fungicide would impact onemillion acres on the prairies.

PMRA’s posting ofchlorothalonil -- and otheractives -- on a re-evaluation listis driven in part by theCommissioner of theEnvironment and SustainableDevelopment Report onPesticide Safety, published onJanuary 26, 2016. The crux ofthe issue is worker safety.

“The Canadian horticulturalindustry takes worker safetyseriously,” says Craig Hunter,pesticide expert with theOntario Fruit and Vegetable

Growers’ Association (OFVGA). “However, the regulators arebasing their decision in part oncalculated dermal toxicity values rather than the actual 21-day study they had accepted aslate as 2011. They did not askthe registrants for extra datasuch as 90-and 180-day dermaltox studies that could have provided ‘real’ data points.”

Horticulture’s concerns arebroader than chlorothalonilsince other active ingredientsare also under review.

“If we lost even half of thislist of active ingredients, itwould knock out the foundationof horticulture in Canada,” saysHunter.

The ongoing discussion withPMRA is about use patterns:that is, how growers use theproduct in the field. Concernsabout worker safety can beaddressed when it is understoodhow and when products areused in day-to-day practical set-tings and what worker activitiesactually occur in treated fieldsin the season.

Margherita Conti reported tothe CHC gathering that PMRAwill be developing a policy onthe phase-out of affected pesticides by June 2016. Otherpolicies are under review for

consulting stakeholders. Shealso announced a pilot approachfor increased early stakeholderengagement to provide input onthe use pattern for use in riskassessment.

In a question-and-answerperiod following Conti’s presentation, several attendeescommented.

“My family farms within amile of the U.S. border,” saidKeith Kuhl, CHC president.“U.S. potato growers can shipinto the Canadian marketplaceusing products containingchlorothalonil, but the prospectis that we won’t be able to usethese products. We have to continue to work on theseissues. Otherwise, we will continue to give our tradingpartners advantages in the marketplace.”

Conti replied that PMRAwill evaluate the Canadian usepattern.

Murray Porteous, a fruit andvegetable grower from Simcoe,Ontario, explains that Bravo isused in asparagus after the harvest to keep the fern healthyand to help produce tendershoots the following spring.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

KAREN DAVIDSON

Any review of Canada’s mostrecent disease outbreaks high-lights that emergencies will anddo happen. Emergency pre-paredness is now a high priorityaccording to Deborah Lorenzin,

senior advisor, strategic initiatives division, Agricultureand Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

“Our systems have workedwell in the past, but with globaltrade we need to modernize andenhance plant pest and animaldisease prevention to mitigaterisks,” says Lorenzin. “The goal

is to build sector resilience. Thedesired outcome is to have anagricultural sector that proactively addresses risk,adapts to changing conditionsand is able to withstand andrecover from emergencies.”

Her presentation to theCanadian Horticultural

Council’s GreenhouseCommittee resonates with thesector. In 2011, Spain’s greenhouse sector was devastated while it took weeksfor German health officials tofinger the culprit of 4,125 foodborne illnesses, 908 withhemolytic-uremic syndrome and

more than 50 deaths. Thesource of the E. coli 0104 out-break in northern Germany wasfinally tracked to Egyptian-grown organic fenugreeksprouts, but not before consumers rejected raw cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce. Early in the crisis,German officials had incorrectlyblamed the origin and strain ofE. coli to cucumbers importedfrom Spain. The agriculturalincome from Spain’s Murciaregion was cut by more than 11per cent for the growing season,according to Food Safety News.

Five years hence, it’s morecritical than ever for Canada’sgreenhouse vegetable industryto have an emergency plan.Besides a value north of $1 billion in farmgate receipts, it’sthe years of building a reputation for wholesome,healthy produce that’s at stake.The industry is participating inAAFC’s emergency preparedness.

Stakeholder consultations arenow underway so that a revisedframework can be presented tothe federal-provincial-territorialagriculture ministers’ meetingon July 20-22, 2016 in Calgary.

Emergency preparednessgoes beyond the greenhousesector to the entire produceindustry. For those who wish tooffer feedback, please email:[email protected].

Comment period extended on chlorothalonil until June 9

More than money is at stake in emergency management

Source: AAFC

THE GROWER


CONTINUED FROMLAST PAGE

“Although this product is justone of a few options, removingone product is like removingone in a house of cards,” hesays. “Your tender plants canbecome infected with diseasevery quickly resulting in lessquantity and poorer quality forthe consumer.”

At the CHC meeting,Porteous addressed Conti’s presentation.

“It frustrates me when science is viewed differently inthe U.S. and Canada,” Porteoussaid. “It undermines publicconfidence. It frustrates me as afarmer who can’t compete. Allof this drives up costs to theproducer.”

Conti replied: “Bear inmind, as we try to harmonizeapproaches to the science, weare constrained by the PestControl Products Act. We haveCanadian policies that the U.S.may or may not have. Thatbeing said, when we re-evaluate, we look at other jurisdictions. Through re-evaluations, you may be losingproduct use. PMRA does lookat alternatives and how usefulthose alternatives might be forspecific crops or pests. Let’stake the wireworm example inpotatoes. PMRA worked withgrower groups and provinces tocome up with solutions. Ibelieve that in the end, weworked collaboratively withstakeholders.”

In another exchange,Jonathan Atkins, representingTKI from the U.S. said, “Thisre-evaluation list seems like adramatic change. This is actually a cancellation list, not are-evaluation list.”

Margherita Conti’s presenta-tion was followed by TracyShinners-Carnelley, vice-chairof the CHC Crop ProtectionAdvisory Committee. A nationalresponse will be developedbased on surveys and inputfrom provincial members, grower associations, CropLifeCanada, registrants and allinterested stakeholders.

For each commodity group,there will be an overview of:production (statistics, distribution); actual grower use;extent of use (applicationrates/frequency, re-entry, aerialapplication); use with othertank-mix products; and alternative chemical controls.

“These decisions havecumulative effects,” saidShinners-Carnelley. “There is acumulative impact of PMRAdecisions on pest control in fruitand vegetable crops, whenthere are few or no optionsremaining to control pests.

Resistance management isincreasingly becoming moreprominent. Our competitive-ness is decreasing with increas-ing divergence from the U.S.”

She counseled that pestmanagement should be a systems approach, retainingmultiple tools with rationallabel uses.

“Let’s consider product re-evaluations as part of a pestmanagement system and not inisolation.”

Comment period extended on chlorothalonil until June 9


LECI-TECH™ and LI 700® are trademarks of Loveland Products Inc. Always read and follow label directions.

”“

Surfactant technology improves

pesticide performanceSelect the right product to maximize input investment

Adjuvants are increasingly recognized as a critical component of crop protection strategies. Frequently, producers will choose an adjuvant based on a recommendation from a retailer, custom applicator or crop consultant. Increasingly, however, there is reason toview adjuvants as more than another input or productioncost. Selecting the right product can address specific challenges and significantly enhance the performance of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.

An important consideration when selecting an adjuvant is the strength of the technology that the product is based on. An innovation in surfactants (one class of adjuvants) is LECI-TECH™ – a patented, lecithin-basedtechnology from Loveland Products. The flagship LECI-TECHproduct – LI 700® – is the complete surfactant solution forfoliar products. It addresses many of the potential problemsassociated with pesticide performance, including uniformspraying, product retention and uptake among others.

“This advancement in surfactant technology does a lot toaddress many of the challenges producers face,” says Janet Porchak, UAP Canada. “Getting the most out of theircrop protection investment is near the top of that list, andselecting the right surfactant can go a long way to helpensure that happens.”

More uniform spray patternPesticides have the potential to drift off target when dropletsare too fine. LI 700 reduces the chance of pesticide drift byputting less stress on droplet production and allowing forfewer small droplets and a more uniform spray pattern.Droplet retention is essential to ensure the best performance of a foliar spray product. The spreading andadhesion properties of LI 700 ensure that more spraydroplets hit the target and stay there to provide more consistent performance.

For a foliar-applied pesticide such as glyphosate to be effective, it must be transferred from the leaf surface intothe plant tissue. LI 700 provides better penetration of waxy

cuticles, even when plants are under environmental stress,for quicker pesticide uptake. It also reduces evaporation –another element of ensuring the best pesticide performance.

High pH water in the spray solution can be another challengefor producers. Many pesticides undergo a chemical reactionin the spray tank when mixed with water that has a high pHlevel. The product can quickly break down and lose a significant amount of the active ingredient. LI 700 works as a buffering-acidifying agent that lowers the pH of thewater carrier, ensuring pesticide stability and effectiveness.

Maximum performance and crop safetyCrop producers want products that are safe on their cropand have a good environmental profile. LI 700 is a greatalternative to petroleum-based products because it is a natural derivative of soybeans. The LECI-TECH technologyalso allows spray droplets to reach the critical micelle concentration (CMC) – the point at which maximum surfacespreading is achieved – at a lower rate than conventionalsurfactants. The result is less disruption on the plant surface, further contributing to improved crop safety.

If use of the wrong surfactant increases the risk of poor performance and crop injury, think of the benefits that can be realized by using the right one.

Dr. Dan Bergman, Loveland Products Inc.

When choosing a surfactant for a specific crop protectionproduct, first consult the pesticide label to determine if a specific surfactant is prescribed. Beyond that, select a product that delivers maximum performance and cropsafety. Speak with your retailer or crop consultant to learnmore about the innovative technology behind LI 700.

Poor spray pattern with too many large droplets as a result of not using a surfactant with LECI-TECH.

Higher percentage of correct-size droplets using LI 700 with built-in LECI-TECH technology.

www.uap.ca Ontario & Maritimes: 1-800-265-5444 Quebec: 1-800-361-9369

Western Canada: 1-800-561-5444 BC: 604-864-2866

Photo by Glenn Lowson

THE GROWERPAGE 8 –– APRIL 2016


Labour, safety nets and crop protection top list of issues

Number Name and Status Therefore be it resolved2016-01 CHC Annual Appointments

CARRIEDTHEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CHC include the appointment of a representative of organic horticulture production to the Canadian General Standards Board Committee on Organic Agriculture among its annualappointments and that the representative provide reports through the Industry Standards and Food Safety Committee.

2016-02 Employment InsuranceCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council petition the Government of Canadato recognize the seasonal nature of certain economic sectors such as agriculture; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council petition the Government of Canada toimprove Canadian agricultural seasonal workers’ access to employment insurance by cancelling the changes made in2012 which limit the pool of local seasonal workers, andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council endeavor to gain the support of sectors of theCanadian economy that are experiencing the same issues, such as forestry and fishing, in support of these requests.

2016-03 The Canadian Agricultural PolicyFramework – AgriStabilityCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council petition the Government of Canadato make it a priority to change the level of coverage offered through the AgriStability program returning it back to thatof the program preceding Growing Forward 2, by:1. Eliminating the measures limiting the reference margins within the AgriStability program, and exploring alternativeapproaches to limit payments in cases of producers who earn a profit, while also ensuring allowable expenses are coveredfor producers with negative margins;2. Re-establishing the previous limit that triggers the AgriStability program, so that payments are made when marginsfor the program year fall below 85% of the producer’s historical reference margins.

2016-04 The Canadian Agricultural PolicyFramework - AgriInvest CARRIED AS AMENDED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council petition the Government of Canada to:1. Increase the AgriInvest basic maximum contribution rate for matching contributions to 4.5% of allowable net sales oneligible commodities and eliminate the caps on government payments; and2. Provide more flexibility for agricultural producers with regard to withdrawing funds accumulated through theAgriInvest program for funds earmarked for a series of preapproved and proactive investment programs that mitigatefinancial and productions risks, and3. To allow for the producers to first withdraw their own contributions before withdrawing government funds.

2016-05 The Canadian Agricultural PolicyFramework – AgriRecoveryCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council petition the Government of Canadato clearly define the measures available through the AgriRecovery program, such as measures aimed at providing aid inresponse to natural disasters, and differentiate them from other risk management programs of businesses in order to prevent payments made further to a disaster from being diminished/recovered from another program.

2016-06 Registration of Pest Control ProductsCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council petition the Government of Canadato increase the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s and the Pest Management Centre’s human, financial and material resources in order to meet the evolving contextual needs of industry, andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council petition the Pest Management RegulatoryAgency to accelerate the registration process for alternative pest control products.

2016-07 Temporary Foreign Worker Program:Seasonal Agricultural Worker ProgramTABLED TO THE LABOUR COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council petition the Government of Canada to:• Review the concept of related services within the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) employment contract to allow Canadian employers to benefit from daily deductions for ancillary services,• Reduce the administrative burden for businesses that have previously already submitted a request as part ofTemporary Foreign Worker Programs (e.g., housing inspections valid for 12 months, reduced number of forms and information requested, fast tracking for businesses who have made no changes for five years and obtained a positiveLabour Market Impact Assessment in a year, etc.).

2016-08 Temporary Foreign Worker Program:Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program– Dates TABLED TO THELABOUR COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council petition the Government of Canadato modify the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) so that employers are permitted to hire these workersbetween December 15 and December 31.

2016-09 Temporary Foreign Worker Program –Agricultural StreamCARRIED

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council petition the Government of Canada to:• Modify the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) Agricultural Stream to eliminate the 48-month cumulativetime limit for working in Canada;• The TFWP Agricultural Stream provide for a work permit allowing them to transfer quickly and easily betweenemployers within a season; • Eliminate the TFWP 10% limit for processing facilities whose operations are directly related to seasonal agriculturalproduction;• Prioritizing the processing of these files be made a priority throughout Canada in order to reduce delays and avoid theissues experienced in 2014 and 2015; and• Reduce the administrative burden for businesses that have previously already submitted a request as part ofTemporary Foreign Worker Programs (e.g., housing inspections valid for 12 months, reduced number of forms and information requested, fast tracking for businesses who have made no changes in the past five years and obtained a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment in a year, etc.), andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council immediately apply pressure on the new government due to the urgency of the situation.

2016-10 Canadian Fruit and VegetableBreeding ProgramsCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Canadian Horticultural Council lobby the Government of Canada to provide100% funding to fruit and vegetable breeding programs.

KAREN DAVIDSON

Three themes emerged at thisyear’s annual general meeting: theneed for flexibility in accessinglabour and safety nets and the importance of timely and competitive access to crop protectionproducts. The resolutions belowreflect these concerns.

The federal government’s re-evaluation of chlorothalonil

sparked the greatest commentary bygrowers as reported on pages 6 and 7.The fact that neonicotinoids wererelegated to a mere footnote is tellingin terms of how quickly the crop protection file can change.

Pierre Petelle, vice-president, chemistry, Croplife Canada pointedout that mixed messages are comingfrom provincial and federal governments on pesticides.

“If provinces are undermining communications from the Pest

Management Regulatory Agency(PMRA), we will not succeed,” saidPetelle. “Some provincial governments regularly referenceexternal sources to justify theiractions. If we can’t get to the pointwhere provinces have confidence inPMRA, it will be difficult to achieve anything.”

Next year’s meeting is slated forMarch 14-16, 2017 in Winnipeg,Manitoba.

Keith Kuhl (L) greeted Hon. Lawrence MacAulay,federal minister of agriculture and agri-food, at theopening reception of the Canadian HorticulturalCouncil Annual General Meeting.

THE GROWERAPRIL 2016 –– PAGE 9


Labour, safety nets and crop protection top list of issues

Fle

opex your for CaJoin us in Calgaryy

dedicated to the fruit an

!tunityrppos largest eventanada’

.nd vegetable industry

TROGISW ISTRW OPE

W OPE

RENONONOWNOW

REGIS

TIONEN

TRAOPEN!

AATITRRATOPEN!

ON

Thursday to , April 12uesdayTTuCe, Stampede Park BMO Centr

16, April 14, 20y, AlbertaCalgary

ACDFL _CPMA@ #CPMA2016

*conditions ap

, visit pply convention.cpma.ca for de

etails

Number Name and Status Therefore be it resolved

2016-11 Policy Statement RespectingProduction PracticesCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council amends its standing policy statementrespecting production practices to include “Government of Canada approved production practices”, and as such that thestanding policy statement shall now be the following: The Canadian Horticultural Council supports all Government of Canada approved production methods which will support the future viability and sustainability of horticulture production.

2016-12 Impact of Weight Limits for theTransport of Fruits and Vegetableswithin CanadaCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council work with appropriate federal andprovincial departments to harmonize weight limits for the transport of fruits and vegetables to the highest level established within Canada.

2016-13 Analysis of Weight Limits forTransport of Fresh Fruits andVegetables within Canada and in theUnited StatesTABLED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council work with the RegulatoryCooperation Council, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Transport Canada to document the differences in weightlimits for trucks transporting fruits and vegetables within Canada and in the United States, and to identify means ofaddressing the differences to support harmonizing weight limits to the highest level established within either countryand to enable more efficient transportation on both sides of the border.

2016-14 National Clean Plant NetworkCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council request that the Canadian FoodInspection Agency develop and implement a program similar to the National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) in theUnited States.

2016-15 Spotted Wing DrosophilaCARRIED AS AMENDED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council ensure that the Pest ManagementRegulatory Agency acts so that all conditional registrations be converted as soon as possible to full registrations to assurethe availability of these insecticides for Spotted Wing Drosophila for the 2016 use season; andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council ensure that the Agriculture and Agri-foodCanada’s Pest Management Centre (PMC) continue to provide research into the management of Spotted WingDrosophila, an extremely damaging pest, leading to the registration of both chemical and non-chemical methods, andBE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the CHC work with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and the BCBlueberry Council to ensure the emergency registration of bifenthrin for use in the 2016 growing season.

2016-16 Cyclamen Mite ManagementCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council work closely with Agriculture andAgri-Food Canada’s Pest Management Centre to ensure that research is conducted leading to the registration of additional products to manage cyclamen mite.

2016-17 Improved Weather PredictionMechanisms for HorticulturalProducersCARRIED

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council lobby all appropriate federal government departments to ensure that weather models are kept updated, and the accuracy of weather prediction iscontinually improved so as to ensure horticulture producers in Ontario and across Canada are able to make the bestmanagement decisions based on predicted weather.

2016-18 Request for Third Party Mediator toModerate Canadian Partners in QualityProgram (C-PIQ) AppealsCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council lobby the Canadian Food InspectionAgency to implement an independent third party mediator to handle appeals for Canadian Partners in Quality Program(C-PIQ) clients.

LR2016-19 Labour Market Impact Assessments(LMIA)CARRIED AS AMENDED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the CHC work with Employment and Social Development Canada(ESDC) to streamline the Seasonal Agriculture Worker Program (SAWP) by using existing Labour Market ImpactAssessment (LMIA) approvals to enable an accelerated authorization process for replacing employees.

LR2016-20 Temporary Foreign Worker Program –Agricultural Stream Annual MeetingsCARRIED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that CHC request that the Canadian government establishes an annual meeting of the Agricultural Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program to which would be invited federaldepartments, including Service Canada, Employment and Social Development, and Citizenship and Immigration, andthe CHC to enable ongoing dialogue on the application of the program to ensure better management.

LR2016-21 Increasing Canadian HorticulturalCouncil Lobbying CapacityCARRIED AS AMENDED

THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council allocate specific resources for lobbying resources.

LR2016-22 National Rural Health StrategyCARRIED AS AMENDED

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Horticultural Council include in Standing Policy a NationalRural Health Strategy that will consider the unique factors and challenges of rural life and also address the emergingneeds of rural life – including but not limited to: • Definition of rural areas; • Demographic trends;• Per capita government resources; • Emerging technology;• Emerging professional development of health practitioners;• Special accreditation and compensation for rural health practitioners; and • Special needs of rural areas.


ONTARIO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION

Board briefs

The Ontario Fruit andVegetable Growers’ Association(OFVGA) Board of Directors meton Thursday, March 17, 2016.Topics ranged from an overviewof the Canadian HorticulturalCouncil’s (CHC) Annual GeneralMeeting (AGM), an update onobtaining a PACA-like trust forCanadian growers, and responsesto the Waste Free Ontario discussion and Cap and Traderegulations.

Canadian Horticultural Council(CHC) – Adrian Huisman

The CHC Annual GeneralMeeting (AGM) took place onMarch 8-9. President’s Receptionwent over well and had excellentattendance by Members ofParliament.

A two per cent increase in

membership fees for FY 2017 wasapproved.

The CHC bylaw dictating themaximum length of the president’s term was extended tofour consecutive years from three.Keith Kuhl was re-elected aspresident and will be hosting thenext CHC AGM in Manitoba.

A lobbying firm will be hiredby April 1, 2016 to act as the newgovernment relation’s agency onbehalf of CHC.

All resolutions submitted byOFVGA at the CHC AGM wereapproved.

Labour Section – Ken Forth

At the Canadian HorticulturalCouncil (CHC) AGM, the NDPheld a press conference request-ing that the Liberals institute aPACA-like trust for Canadian

growers. OFVGA chair JasonVerkaik, OFVGA director GeorgeGilvesy and labour section chairKen Forth, took part.

Seasonal agricultural workersare anticipated to be arriving ontime this spring.

Research Section – HaroldSchooley

Ontario Agri-Food Technologiesheld their AGM on March 3, 2016with a total of 16 speakersfocused on the challenges thatentrepreneurs face getting newproducts to market. Of particularinterest was R&D into the use ofnano-particles for targeting drugsdirectly to cancer cells (byGuelph-based Mirexus).Surprisingly the source ofnanoparticles for this work issweet corn. Forty per cent of the

dry weight of processed sweetcorn is nano-particles.

The keynote speaker at theOAFT meeting was BruceCampbell, president and CEO ofthe Independent ElectricitySystem Operator (IESO). Its jobis to operate the electrical system,plan for medium and long-termelectricity needs, oversee thewholesale electricity market, anddevelop conservation programs.Some interesting facts he presented include:• There are 21 electricity regionsin Ontario• Every five minutes IESO forecasts electricity demand dayand night. They must balancethis supply and demand to directgenerators to supply electricity orconnect with large users to askthem to cut back on usage.• They oversee the wholesaleelectricity market selling excesspower.

Research chair, HaroldSchooley and Dr. TaniaHumphrey from VinelandResearch and Innovation Centre(VRIC) met with the Researchand the Business DevelopmentBranches of OMAFRA, to discussresearch priorities. It was agreedthat field vegetables would bedivided into three further cate-gories: bulb and root vegetables;leafy vegetable and crucifiers;and fruiting vegetables.Asparagus has been folded intothe root vegetables group.

Property Section – Brian Gilroy

OFVGA has submitted itsresponse to the Waste FreeOntario discussion paper. Thissubmission is now availableonline at the OFVGA website.

Safety Nets Section – MarkWales

There is a Ontario AgriculturalCommodity Council (OACC)Technical Committee meetingplanned for April 4, 2016; statistics to wrap up the 2015 yearare expected to be shared.

Crop Protection Section – CharlesStevens

Chlorothalonil (Bravo, Echo), afungicide used in many horticul-tural crops including potatoes,tomatoes, fruit crops and others,is currently being re-evaluated bythe Pest Management RegulatoryAgency (PMRA) and a 60-dayextension to public consultationhas been granted. A webinar hasbeen arranged by PMRA for April8, 2016 to address issues surrounding its re-evaluation.Within the last month, ferbam,thiram, ziram and methomyl haveall come up for re-evaluation;OFVGA plans to respond andcomment on each, as well as theCanadian Horticultural Council(CHC). By the end of March it isexpected that iprodione (Rovral)and Captan will be added to there-evaluation list.

From March 21 to 24, theannual PMC Minor Use Prioritysetting meeting is taking place inQuebec. Craig Hunter of OFVGAis chairing the meeting. PMC andPMRA will be encouraged to register new products to replaceold chemistries. This includesmaking sure PMRA knows howthese chemistries are being usedon the farm.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Greenhouse customers canreduce lighting electrical costsI wanted to respond to a quote about lighting costs for greenhousesthat was on page 3 of the March issue of The Grower. As a consultant who actively works with greenhouse customers to develop and help execute a strategy to reduce their energy costs, Iwould like all greenhouse customers to know that there are manyoptions (not just one) that may be available to reduce the suggested cost of $1,000 dollars per acre per day for operatinglights.

Actual customer costs assessed by 360 Energy per acre per dayinclude commodity, transmission and distribution for the mostvolatile electrical markets in Canada: Alberta and Ontario. In ourexperience, $200 to $400 per acre per day are examples of costs ofgreenhouse operators who operate HID lights for more than 1,800hours/year – specifically, during the winter - for operations of six acres and greater.

Since energy costs and incentives are always changing, greenhouseoperators should be constantly improving their energy knowledgeso that they fully understand the energy marketplace, includingany possible programming opportunities that they may be able totap to help reduce their annual energy spend without negativelyimpacting their production.

David Arkell360 Energy Inc. Ancaster, ON

A news conference was held in Ottawa on March 10 to draw attention to the need for a PACA-liketrust for Canadian fruit and vegetable growers. (L-R): Jason Verkaik, chair, Ontario Fruit andVegetable Growers’ Association; Ruth Ellen Brosseau, NDP MP and ag critic, (Berthier-Maskinongé);Tracey Ramsey, NDP MP (Essex); Ken Forth, chair, CHC trade and marketing committee; GeorgeGilvesy, chair, Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers.


CANADIAN PRODUCE MARKETING ASSOCIATION CONVENTION & TRADESHOW APRIL 12 - 14

Fresh faces to attend Passion for Produce Program KAREN DAVIDSON

How do you get into the produce industry? It takes a certain individual who craves afast pace and the risks inherent inhandling living, breathing products.

That’s why the Passion forProduce program is so importantat the Canadian ProduceMarketing Association (CPMA)convention and trade show inCalgary. The program providesan opportunity to accelerate professional developmentthrough a unique mentoringexperience.

“It’s always a pleasure to meetthe rising stars in our industrywho join us for the Passion forProduce Program,” said RonLemaire, president, CPMA.“Passion for Produce takes placein a fun and relaxed settingwhere participants receive mentoring, meet produce industry leaders through net-working events, and increase thescope of their knowledge bymeeting different exhibitors onthe trade show floor. We’rethrilled to have 15 participantsjoining us in Calgary.”

One of them is MatthewTowe. He is the distributionmanager for the Calgary office ofPeak of the Market. With a background in non-perishabledistribution, he joined Peak ofthe Market in October 2015.

“I have always heard that if Iwanted to improve my skills thatthe produce industry was theplace to be,” says Towe. “Wehandle more than 100 varieties ofvegetables from broccoli to potatoes. How to handle the produce items properly isimportant for quality.”

Several months in the position, Towe understands thatefficiency is important but “don’tstart change for the sake ofchange, until you understand thewhole system. It’s a process andwe work together.”

He’s joined by another westerner: Eric Niu, a buyer forFresh Direct Produce inVancouver. Previously he was aproduce manager for one of thecity’s national retailers, but leftfor the opportunity to become awholesale produce buyer.

“I am so energized by produce,” Niu says. “Produce ischanging all the time, with theseasons, with quality and pricing.Now I feel more like a supplier,making sure that what I buy isgood for the company and goodfor the consumer.”

As an immigrant to Canadafrom Taiwan in 1996, Niu repre-sents the growing demographic ofnew Canadians. His unique background gives him insightinto what to buy. Chinese vegetables represent the biggestcommodity in his category. He’salso noticing an uptick in exotic

fruits such as figs, mangoes,papaya and passion fruit.

He expects that his trip toCPMA’s Passion for Produce program will open his eyes to adiverse group in the value chain,from retailers to wholesalers togrowers.

Other participants include: • Adrianna Herrera, TheOppenheimer Group• Ashley Beck, Krown Produce• Cameron Sungail, TheGuimarra Companies• Carsten Hickey, Thomas FreshInc.

• Chris Moore, LoblawCompanies• Don Han, Star Produce Ltd• Jessica Elenko, BolthouseFarms Inc.• Josh Mastronardi, Red SunFarms• Julie Lefort, Quebec ProduceMarketing Association/Les SerresLefort• Kristina Goodall, NFI Canada• Melissa Mossuto, WalmartCanada Corp.• Michael Hiltz, Sliced FC Ltd.• Tim Carruesco, MarkonCooperative Inc.

IT’S AS

FLEXIBLEOURAS YO

NEEDS.

olling potato diseasesContrRhizoctonia black scurf can

cadisdeveloped new Ser TM

ol of key diseases and contryou to tailor your fungicide timing and tank-mixing nee

. Callflexibility AgSolutions(2273) or visit agsolutions

s such as early blight, white mos whn be a complex job. That’

fungicide. With consistent, cocad, Serhighly systemic activity

ogram to fit the specific apprs whateds of your farm. That’

s® e at 1-877-37Customer Carca e informationfor mor

ould andhy weontinuousdis enablespplication we call

71-BASF

(2273) or visit

ead and follow la

agsolutions.

Always rAgSolutions ed trade-mark of BAegister is a r

ca

ections.

e information.for mor

abel direASF Corporation; SERCADIS is a trade-mark of BASF SE; all used with permission by BASF Canada

F Canada Ina Inc. © 2016 BAS nc.

Matthew Towe Eric Niu


STAFFPublisher: Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ AssociationEditor: Karen Davidson, 416-557-6413, [email protected]: Carlie Melara, ext. 221, [email protected]: Herb Sherwood, 519-380-0118, [email protected] Grower reserves the right to refuse any advertising. Anyerrors that are the direct result of The Grower will be compen-sated at our discretion with a correction notice in the next issue.No compensation will be given after the first running of the ad.Client signature is required before insertion.The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association is the soleowner of The Grower. All editorials and opinions expressed inThe Grower are those of the newspaper’s editorial staff and/orcontributor, and do not necessarily reflect the view of the associa-tion.

All rights reserved. The contents of this publication maynot be reproduced either whole or in part without the priorwritten consent of the publisher.

OFFICE355 Elmira Road North, Unit 105Guelph, Ontario N1K 1S5 CANADATel. 519-763-8728 • Fax 519-763-6604The Grower is printed 12 times a year and sent to allmembers of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association who have paid $30.00 (plus G.S.T.) per year forthe paper through their commodity group or container fees.Others may subscribe as follows by writing to the office:

$30.00 (+ G.S.T.) /year in Canada$40.00/year International

Subscribers must submit a claim for missing issues withinfour months. If the issue is claimed within four months, butnot available, The Grower will extend the subscription byone month. No refunds on subscriptions.

P.M. 40012319

ONTARIO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS’ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEEChair Jason Verkaik, BradfordVice-Chair Jan Vander Hout, WaterdownFruit Director Norm Charbonneau, Port ElginVeg Director Mac James, LeamingtonDirector John Thwaites, Niagara-on-the-Lake

BOARD OF DIRECTORSApples Charles Stevens, NewcastleFresh Vegetable - Other Kenny Forth, LyndenTender Fruit John Thwaites, Niagara-on-the-LakeON Asparagus Grws’. Mkg. Brd. Mike Chromczak, BrownsvilleGGO/Fresh Grape Growers Bill George Jr., BeamsvilleFresh Vegetable - Muck Jason Verkaik, BradfordON. Potato Board Mac James, LeamingtonSmall Fruit/Berries Norm Charbonneau, Port ElginON. Ginseng Growers’ Ken Van Torre, BurfordGreenhouse Jan Vander Hout, WaterdownGreenhouse George Gilvesy, Tillsonburg

OFVGA SECTION CHAIRS

Crop Protection Charles Stevens, NewcastleResearch Harold Schooley, SimcoeProperty Brian Gilroy, MeafordLabour Ken Forth, LyndenSafety Nets Mark Wales, AlymerCHC Adrian Huisman, St. Catharines

Water push and pull: essential for success

The Ontario government hasrecently released its budget, andthe Government of Canada willfollow suit shortly. For sure, onething that is common betweenthe two budgets is the focus onthe environment, carbon andimpact of industry on manyaspects of the environment.Water quality and the impact ofagriculture on water usage andrelease are certainly in theircrosshairs. The recentannouncements on the GreatLakes Water Protection Act andthe implications of readily avail-able phosphorus accentuatingalgal blooms in Lake Erie arestrong messages to agriculture.Access to high quality and largequantities of water is fundamen-tal to fruit and vegetable production, and its managementis also essential to maintainingand enhancing sustainability ofour horticultural operations.

No matter what horticulturalcrop is grown, the reliance on“readily-available” water doesmake a significant impact onproduction and essentially profitability at the farm level.Where this water comes fromcan vary from naturally sourcedrainfall, rivers and lakes,dugouts and ditches, wells andtechnologies which conserveand re-use water. Canada is

blessed with an abundance ofwater, but this also means thatthis resource should be carefullymanaged. New and evolvingtechnologies which positivelyimpact the efficiency of waterusage must be developed andways to reduce runoff and con-sequent negative impacts on theenvironment must be avoided.

In horticulture, we areaddressing the need for water,how the water is used, and howthe water eventually leaves thefarm including in the productsderived from the plant, throughtranspiration and evaporation, orthrough exits from the farmthrough runoff and drainage.No matter what the route ofentry and exit, if it involves theuse of human-made technologyand intervention, one can beassured that there will be someregulatory pressure associatedwith it.

The Permit To Take Waterprogram conducted by theOntario Fruit & VegetableGrowers’ Association (OFVGA)assists growers with meeting theinput needs of water irrigation.Growers should know that ifthey take more than 50,000 L ofwater per day from wells orwatercourses, they are requiredby the provincial Ministry of theEnvironment and ClimateChange to have a permit to takewater. Similarly, as more regulations come into force forhow water leaves the farm,growers will need to be aware ofthe importance of adhering tothe rules. George Shearer, waterspecialist, at the OFVGA is anexpert in this realm and canassist growers with these issues.

Agriculture can be a ficklebusiness. In 2015, there weretremendous impacts of water onproduction in the HollandMarsh. And it was not only froma lack of water! May came indry, and farmers were irrigating

onto their land. By the timeJune had come around, fieldswere flooded and water wasbeing pumped off the land. Afew years ago when the price ofcorn was high, irrigation systemsin Norfolk County in Ontariothat were normally reserved forhorticultural crops were beingused for corn.

Technology is being used toaddress the need for water.Precision agricultural technolo-gies will promote fertigationbeing driven by sensors for specific plant nutrition in fieldsor in closed water systemsfound in greenhouses leading tothe most efficient use of fertilizer. Ontario apple andgrape growers are investigatingways to focus on automatingand adapting existing soil moisture monitoring systemsusing new information (includ-ing ideal irrigation trigger,

permanent wilting point andfield capacity) to assist in determining the timing andneed for irrigation application.

Linda Delli Santi, executivedirector of the British ColumbiaGreenhouse Growers’Association, reported last year tothe Canadian Water Summitabout the new technologiesbeing used by greenhouses tocapture rain water, use of hydro-ponics and fertigation, and thereutilization of a combination offresh water and recycled, cleanwater. Low volume micro-irrigation systems, like thoseprovided by Vanden BusscheIrrigation, improve efficiencybecause they require less ener-gy and water. The technique ofaquaponics, the combination ofaquaculture and greenhouseproduction, is also beingemployed in Ontario. Not onlydo all these make environmen-

tal sense, they also can impactthe profitability of the operation.

The provision of water toagricultural operations can beexpensive. When there are newpieces of legislation that affectthe grower’s ability to use thisnecessary input, the costs ofproduction are almost alwaysincreased. The use of water inCanada is a privilege and isbecoming increasingly scruti-nized. The horticulture sectorwill do its part to conserve andefficiently use this resource butthe government must recognizethat these added costs throughlegislation continue to erode theprofitability and sustainability offruit and vegetable farmers.Farmers are excellent stewardsof their lands because they recognize that without it, theycould be out of business. This isalso the case for water.

JOHN KELLYEXECUTIVE VP, OFVGA

Excess water was pumped off fields of the Holland Marsh in June 2015. Photo courtesy of Jason Verkaik.

Early spring, dry spring? It’s time to double-check that irrigation equipment is ready to go. Last year, these newly planted fruit trees in the Niagara peninsula benefited fromextra moisture. Photo by Denis Cahill.

WEATHER VANE


Not long ago, consumersbought food products whose differences were obvious.

Typically, you could see theattributes you wanted in a products, such as size, or colour.

But two University ofGuelph agricultural economicsprofessors say a sea change ishappening that’s turning production upside down.

Profs. John Cranfield andBrady Deaton say buying decisions are becoming basedmore on production practices,rather than on end products.

Consumers still want quality

and economy, say theresearchers. These traits mattera lot, and consumers overwhelmingly find them inconventionally produced food.

But in some cases, instead ofsharing the spotlight with value,they’re sharing it with values.

The duo developed this lineof thinking a few years ago,when they looked at the difference between organic produce and its conventionalcounterpart.

They found consumers werebasing their buying decisions onthe production process. Whatmattered was that the productswere organic. Traits such asappearance were not the ultimate driver.

More and more, the samegoes for crop production. Agenetically modified crop mightlook no different than its conventional counterpart. Butpeople shun it because of theway it’s produced, owing to thestigma around GMOs.

In fact, the genetically modified version might evenlook better than its traditionallyproduced counterpart. Themodified version may have

been outfitted with traits toward off bugs or tolerate herbi-cides. As a result, it’s maturedwithout being ravaged byinsects and stunted by weeds.

Still, some consumers gravitate towards less visuallyattractive versions of the samecrop, because they value non-GMOs…even if they don’tknow why.

In certain livestock situa-tions, the difference might beeven less obvious.

For example, two identicalproducts such as eggs can, anddo, come from very differenthousing systems. Some consumers will choose the eggsfrom hens allowed to roamabout more freely than others,because they think the hens aremore content than those incages.

That makes animal welfare apart of consumers’ buying decisions, even though, onceagain, many people believe thedifference in the end productfrom these systems is negligible.

But even though the differences may appear slight,the cost to consumers for such

choices is significant. The researchers say society

should be aware of them whenit signs onto wholesale changesin production practices, whichit’s already doing.

For example, driven by consumer demand, the EggFarmers of Canada say conven-tional cage housing will cease toexist in 20 years. Up to 65 percent of the hens here will behoused in non-traditional hous-ing within the next eight years.That sounds like a long time,but it’s a big change.

What will replace traditionalcages? Some say no cages. Letthem run free. Others call for“enriched” housing, with morespace and opportunities fornesting, perching and scratchingthan with conventional cages,but still able to provide henswith health and hygiene bene-fits.

This switch in productiontactics opens the doors toexplain why farmers are makingthe change. And that’s an explanation that should comefrom farmers, not self-interestgroups. Farmers are uniquelypositioned to explain what’s

going on inside their own barnsand in their fields, and talkabout the impact of certain production processes.

Farmers are the ones whoproduce products from process-es. It’s time to hear from them,to balance the information outthere about what they produce,and to make informed choices.

Value, or values: What will drive consumers to buy your produce?

OWEN ROBERTSU OF GUELPH

PERSPECTIVE

Orangeline Farms, Leamington,promotes its year-round production of peppers undertheir Zing! Healthy Foodsbrand. Those interested can follow #BigZing on socialmedia. When it comes to thesepeppers, what will consumers’buying decisions be based on.

– APRIL 2016

THE GROWER

BRUCE KELLY

Hmmm. Another warm dryMarch – I remember one ofthose in 2012.

I remember the “backward”spring of 2012. An unseasonablywarm March where beesemerged early with nothing toeat, and a late frost devastatedflowering crops. Then it got dry.Remember the news clippingsback to July of 2012?“A catastrophic freeze earlier thisyear has apparently wiped outabout 80 per cent of the apple cropin Ontario. Now the drought isexacerbating the issue.”

Weeks of drought have turnedmuch of Ontario’s prime agricul-tural land into a dust bowl. And itis corn farmers, especially in thesouthwest and eastern parts of theprovince, who have been the hardesthit.” ~ CBC News, July 2012

It’s hard to predict futureweather and I hold little steadin long term forecasts; the OldFarmers Almanac had called forMarch 2016 to be two degreesbelow normal, but that is wrongby all accounts. However, I dohold more confidence in themajor weather patterns andocean temperature impacts,such as the undeniable fact thatthis year’s El Nino pattern heldthe jetstream northwards. Thiswinter, Ontario looked straightsouth for its weather patterns as

warm damp air from the Gulf ofMexico flowed up throughKentucky and Tennessee bringing “new water” to theGreat Lakes basin.

The Weather Network ispredicting that “across theGreat Lakes region, we expect atrend towards drier than normalweather, especially during latespring. While there will be sufficient moisture to start thegrowing season, this trendtowards warm and dry weathercould be cause for concern foragriculture as we head towardssummer.” They go on to saythat, “it is still too early to knowwhether this summer will beremembered as truly hot anddry, or just warmer than thepast few summers.”

When I mentioned the 2012growing season to SimonFrench of Cookstown Greensrecently, his eyes widened, helooked at me and said “I did notget much sleep that summer[…] I’m getting too old forthis.”

We have gotten off prettyeasy the last three summers asfar as irrigation goes, only need-ing to water a few times eachyear for most crops, but we cannever tell what will happen thisyear. On some farms there mayhave been a complete staffturnover since 2012, and themore experienced among usmay have to give a refresher

course or two on what it reallymeans to irrigate when MotherNature does not co-operate.

Long nights staffing irriga-tion systems, running pumpshard, hauling diesel to thepump yet again, burned outmotors and bearings – yep, Iremember the summer of 2012.Never before have so manystared at a rain gauge after anysort of passing shower, andnever before has that 1/8 inchmattered so much. And thequestion on my mind everymorning?

“Did the pond level bounceup at all?”

I know many growers madesignificant changes to theirfarms after 2012, convertingmany beds to drip, with greateruse of mulch and cover crops,enlarging ponds and storagesand taking better advantage ofsystems to re-capture waterwithin the system. As we looktoward what might be a longhard irrigation season, itbehooves us to wander throughthe shed and review our inven-tories of pipe and replacementparts and their condition. Meetwith your suppliers to reviewyour needs. Has the farmgrown, crops or layouts changedsince 2012? Has your equip-ment inventory kept up withchanges to the farm?

Find out whether there isaccess to enough equipment ifyou really need to water hard –take a look at Katie Gibb’s irrigation assessments articleentitled “Splish Splash I WasTakin a Bath Until I OptimizedMy Irrigation System” on B3 –and carefully measure yourwater application patterns todetermine if you are getting aneven distribution across thefield. You might have gotten

away with a non-uniform coverage pattern in recent wetyears, but in a dry year, unevencoverage can leave some areasdry and your crop quantity andquality might suffer when theirrigation system is providingthe majority of the crop’s waterneeds.

Let’s hope our recent warmwinter is not the start of a major trend and that we have a“normal summer,” but as anindustry that needs water every

week, we better be preparedwhen Mother Nature needs alittle helping hand.

Cheers to a good growingseason.

If you have any comments onthis story or any Farm & FoodCare projects, please [email protected] or(519) 837-1326 x292.

Bruce Kelly is environmental program manager, Farm & FoodCare Ontario.

Early spring, dry spring?

April 2 Garlic Growers of Ontario Annual General Meeting, OMAFRA office, Woodstock, ON

April 5 PEI Wild Blueberry Growers’ Association Annual General Meeting, Charlottetown, PE

April 12-13 65th Annual Muck Vegetable Growers’ Conference and Trade Show, Bradford Community Centre, Bradford, ON

April 12-14 Canadian Produce Marketing Association 91st Annual Convention and Trade Show, Calgary, AB

April 13 Farm & Food Care Annual Conference, Teatro Conference and Event Centre, Milton, ON

April 22 Earth Day

May 18 Canadian Association of Farm Advisors’ Farm Succession Update Conference, Ajax, ON

June 3 Vineland Research and Innovation Centre Greenhouse Open House, Vineland, ON

June 8 Ontario Agri-Food Education Inc. Annual General Meeting, Country Heritage Park, Milton, ON

July 18 – 21 International Fruit Tree Association Regional Study Tour, Rochester to Geneva, NY

August 3 Controlled Atmosphere Clinic, Grand Rapids, MI

August 17 Peak of the Market Family Fun Day, Winnipeg, MB

Aug 18-20 Quebec Produce Marketing Association Annual Convention, Montreal, QC

Sept 13 - 15 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, ON

Oct 5, 6 Canadian Greenhouse Conference, Scotiabank Conference Centre, Niagara Falls, ON

Oct 14-16 Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit Conference and Expo, Orlando, FL

Nov 4-13 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Direct Energy Centre, Toronto, ON

Nov 21-23 50th Annual Alberta Potato Conference and Trade Show, Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, AB

COMING EVENTS 2016

AAFC Drought Map, showing abnormally dry conditions (Feb 29)across much of Southern Ontario

THE GROWER


RETAIL NAVIGATOR

More items sold on temporary price reduction than ever

Sales are the number one pri-ority for your customers. Theyhave to keep driving traffic totheir stores or the economicsjust don’t work. It is veryimportant for suppliers to beengaged with driving sales andsupporting their customers. Weare training the consumer toshop for items on temporaryprice reduction more and more.You need to understand theimpact on your items and howto manage this trend.

Are you playing the game?

We know the number ofitems on sale, in store special orany other form of temporaryprice reduction continues toincrease. Retailers must keepthe traffic coming into the storeand the front page of the week-ly flyer is still the most effectivetool they have. Investments inloyalty programs, the shoppingexperience and new offeringsare there but when they needvolume, retailers revert to itemand price.

Ads need to be a part of yourbusiness plan. The better pre-pared your business is, the moreeffective they can be to driveyour sales at a reasonable cost.It is unfortunate because we aretraining the consumer to buy onspecial more than ever. Walmarthas even moved away from theirfamous every day low pricestrategy in Canada to offer deepdiscounts on the front page oftheir ad.

Be prepared

It is very important to trackthe ads in your category. Youshould understand how oftenthe items go on sale and whatthe level of discount is. Thisincludes all spaces in the ad.We focus on the front page butthere are many more itemsinside that deliver importantsales and more margin to retail-ers and suppliers.

There is a great app calledFlipp that can make this processeasy for you. Select the storesyou want to follow and eachweek you simply search for theitems you want to track. In justa few minutes you can see allthe ads.

If you are selling to national

chains it is beneficial to look atthe other regions as well. Youmight see something in anotherregion that would be good foryou.

When you review the ads,look for ideas such as bundlingitems or multiple pricing thatmight work for your products.Often this will be an opportuni-ty to promote items that wouldnot warrant the space on theirown or allow for a slightly high-er retail.

Develop your promotion plan

Often suppliers think theyneed to wait for retailers torequest an ad. If you subscribeto this philosophy you will onlybe on sale when they want it,not when it works best for both.You need to be proactive anddevelop a promotion plan topresent to the category manag-er. You might not get every-thing you want when you wantit but it is better to lead the dis-cussion. Often they are busyand especially for inside items asuggestion will end up gettingthe space.

The best place to start yourplan is with last year. What hap-pened and when? If there weresuccessful ads, slot them inagain. You should also reviewyour ad tracking to see whenthey advertised your competi-tor’s products. These might beopportunities for you. Considerthe best time for your businessand the item -- does it fit withthe retailer’s plan?

One important number tounderstand in planning ads iswhat retailers refer to as the “Xfactor.” This is the multiplieron ad relative to regular weeklymovement. For example if theitem sells an average of 1,000cases per week and this increas-es to 5,000 cases on ad, the Xfactor is 5. This is very impor-tant for ordering ad inventory.Predicting ad inventory is oneof the toughest challenges foryou and the retailer. Too littleresults in out of stocks with lostsales and unhappy consumers,too much is excess inventorythat costs money and takes upspace. You should spend timelooking at ad volume to ensureyou can predict the volume asaccurately as possible.In your promotion plan considerall blocks in the ads. Two insidespaces can deliver as much vol-ume as a back page slot, withmore margin.

When you have an ad

When your item is plannedfor an ad you should do threethings:1. Make sure you have theappropriate level of inventory2. Go to the stores to check theexecution3. Follow up after the ad to

assess what worked and whatcould be done betterOnce you understand the placein the ad and the level of dis-count you should have an esti-mate of sales. Review this withthe retailer to ensure you areboth thinking of similar num-bers. If you are not close youneed to do more work to getclose.

You need to have the inven-tory available that the retailerhas planned for the ad. If youdo not, then the sooner you letthem know the better. Do notwait or you will cause themmore grief. You should alsohave some safety stock,depending on the lead timesand shelf life of your item. Thisis more realistic for some itemsthan others. When you get thepurchase order for the ad stock,review it to make sure it is inline with your estimates. Thecommunication between catego-ry managers and buyer is notalways perfect.

The week the item is in thead you should visit stores when-ever possible. You will bejudged based on the sales fromthe ad. If the stores do not exe-

cute you need to know so youcan communicate to the retail-ers. If you see issues early onthere is time to react. Do notassume everything works prop-erly. I have seen many exam-ples where an item does notship from the warehousebecause a flag in the system iswrong or there is an issue withthe item number. You improveyour value to the customer ifyou are the eyes and ears forthem.

Following the ad, it is goodto assess the level of sales rela-tive to the projections and someconsideration for the good andthe bad. If possible, what wouldyou change next time? Perhaps

more safety stock or a differentbooking process for stores tohave more input into inventorygoing to them? There are manythings that can impact the per-formance of an ad. The betterprepared you are to talk to yourcustomer the better the experi-ence will be the next time.If you are prepared for ads, theycan be a boost to your businessthat does not break the bank. Ifyou have other ideas for devel-oping a promotion plan or if youhave any questions please giveme a call at (902) 489-2900 orsend me an email at [email protected].

Peter Chapman is a retail consultant, professional speakerand the author of A la cart-A suppliers’ guide to retailers’ priorities. Peter is based inHalifax NS, where he is the principal at GPS BusinessSolutions. Peter works with producers and processors to helpthem navigate through the retailenvironment with the ultimategoal to get more of their items inthe shopping cart. [email protected].

PETER CHAPMAN


POTATO PRODUCTION

Test seed potatoes forDickeya

Here is some additional information to supplement theMarch 2016 article of TracyShinners-Carnelley, “Bacterialsoft rot: new name, newpathogen, new problem?It is sourced from AmyCharkowski’s presentation at the2016 Ontario Potato Conferenceheld in Guelph on March 1. Sheis a seed potato researcher withthe University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dickeya dianthicola, the newblackleg pathogen has the abilityto remain dormant in tuberswhen temperatures are low e.g. atharvest time and in seed storages.Infected tubers look healthy at

planting, but the disease develops when soil temperatureincreases. Seed tubers may rot inthe soil (poor emergence) orinfected plants emerge, whicheventually die but also canspread the disease to neighbouring plants.

The point is that growersshould have the seed tested forDickeya because if the disease isdormant, tubers would look fineat planting but there could beserious losses.

Charkowski’s presentation onDickeya is available at theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madisonwebsite.

Think twice before buying potato seed out of province KAREN DAVIDSON

To date, the genome of the potato hasnot been sequenced because it’s so com-plex genetically. Chinese researchers areclose to solving the puzzle, but until then,the potato must be vegetatively propagat-ed. As an autotetraploid, that makes thespud very susceptible to diseases.

For these reasons, Neil Gudmestad,seed potato pathologist, North DakotaState University, advises care in bringingseed potatoes to your farm. In fact, hewould not recommend sourcing seed out ofprovince.

“There are more than 150 diseases ofpotato globally, 40 of which are economically important,” Gudmestad toldhis audience at the Ontario PotatoConference. “All can be carried either onor in the seed tuber.”

Types of Seed-Borne Pathogen

Type 1 – pathogen carried in the soiladhering to the surface of the potato tuber,Eg. Any soil-borne pathogen such as cystnematodes, pink rot and Verticillium wiltpathogens

Type 2 – pathogen carried in seed coat orin periderm (skin) of potato tuber Eg. Silver scurf and black dot pathogens

Type 3 – pathogen in seed endosperm orvascular system of propagule tuberEx. Ring rot bacterium, Dickeya sp

Type 4 – pathogen carried systemically inseed embryo or in all internal tissues oftuberEg. All potato viruses – PVY, PLRV, potato “Mop top” virus

Here’s how regulatory agencies treatthese pathogens. Type 1 and 2 are eithernot regulated or if they are regarded as aninvasive pathogen – then controlled byquarantine by the Animal and Plant HealthInspection Service (APHIS) or theCanadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).Type 3 and 4 pathogens are most com-monly regulated through seed certificationregulations, occasionally by quarantines.

Gudmestad understands there are validreasons to buy out of province, most commonly to access newer varieties. Butthe risks are huge of either importing amajor disease problem, or worse yet,importing a pathogen that can do irrepara-ble harm to your farm. Some of these risksinclude: powdery scab, bacterial ring rot,cyst nematodes, new strains of potato mop-top virus or Dickeya. Questions remainhow APHIS and the CFIA will regulatethese new strains of pathogens.

“I personally recommend that potatogrowers avoid, if at all possible, buyingseed from out of province,” saysGudmestad. “If you must buy seed,remember to get a North American PlantHealth Certificate in advance of purchase.Ask questions about diseases such asDickeya, that are not specifically addressedon the certificate.”

“The risks that you will ‘buy’ a problemthat does not exist in your province arehigher than you think in this day and age,”he continues. “When in doubt, request apost-harvest test or evaluation by a qualified lab.”

In answering questions from the audi-ence, he indicated that growers should askfor results on sample sizes of at least 400tubers. “That’s a good statistical samplesize that gives you some assurance you’redown to 0.5 per cent probability of a disease.”

Warming seed positively affects emergence and marketable yield

How seed is handled canmake a difference in emergenceas well as marketable yield.

That’s the conclusion of NewBrunswick’s Potato IndustryTransformation Initiative and a

recent report by Loretta Mikitzel.She’s a potato physiologist withthe New Brunswick Department

of Agriculture, Aquaculture andFisheries who spoke at theOntario Potato Conference.

After two years of trials, therewas a positive difference of 21cwt per acre when seedlots werewarmed before planting, especial-ly in less than ideal conditions.With climate change, that’s a dif-ference worth noting. There wasmore rapid and uniform emer-gence, higher yields and greatervalue. Some seedlots don’t benefit from warming, Mikitzelwarns, so know the condition ofyour seedlot in late spring.

In trials conducted in 2014 and2015, seedlots were received inearly March and stored at 4°C.The seed was evaluated for physiological age by sproutingtubers in the dark at 18°C.

For the stored warm treat-ment, in early May, half of eachseedlot was cut into seed pieces,treated with Maxim and stored at7-10°C until planting. For thestored cold treatment, half ofeach seedlot was stored at 4°Cuntil late May then cut andtreated, and stored at 10° until

planting. Planting occurred inprocessing fields on June 2 (2014)

and May 25 (2015). Differences in seedlot

emergence were visually apparent.

A seedlot warming demonstra-tion was conducted at theMcCain Research Farm,Greenfield, New Brunswick, in2015. It was evident that theRusset Burbank variety benefitedfrom precutting and warmingwhen stored at 10°C for 26 to 33days before planting. TheInnovator variety was shown toperform best when precut andstored at 10°C for 19-33 daysbefore planting.

Mikitzel concluded that thehighest yields and crop valuewere achieved with precut seed.The lowest yields and crop valuewere recorded when seed washeld at 4°C until planting, andwarmed for only six days beforeplanting.

“Don’t have the tuberssweat,” she reminded growerswhen warming tubers. “Warmgradually over a week or so.”

She confirmed that if warmedseed was planted into cold soil,growers would have a rot problem.

Be a part of the new exciting changes at the

Check out our video at www.oftb.com for a peek inside the building!

For leasing and more information, contact the

Ontario Food Terminal BoardPhone: 416-259-5479 or Email: [email protected]

Ontario Food Terminal

Proposed new farmers’ market stalls available in the near

future within a warehouse building!

July 21, 2014

– APRIL 2016

THE GROWER

LABOUR

SENATOR 50SC

SENATOR 50SC

®

CS05ROTTANES

n.oiectfn iromh ft grownew and rentcurg nicte protse,seadi

nstir agaearria bes eatry ctviiactc imeysts shi T.oniactode ofm

ueq a unisers growerf offfhattdeciungi fciem systrumspect

oads a bri

CONTROLWHEN IT

COUNTSWHEN IT

GEGANGEN G

ORATSEN eadrtderetsige r asi - fk orma .oa Cdo SnpopiN

CS05ROTTANES

nds aantr pl youoff dovice praurfseaffl

ason hiut solsprayaplhe tfffashed ow

633313.666.8

d.elyid on itectng prodi

he on ted dris he e t oncnta

be tcan’

O

moc.orgaegagnewww.moc.orgaegagn@eofni

8.tel

AGAGNGEN ORGAGE

New figures released by theCanadian Agricultural HumanResource Council (CAHRC)illustrate the increasing chal-lenges that labour constraintsare having on Canada’s agriculture and agri-food sector.

According to CAHRC, annual farm cash receipt lossesto Canadian producers due tounfilled vacancies are $1.5 billion, or three per cent of theindustry’s total value in salesand production. This finding is

part of new Labour MarketInformation (LMI) research,which was released during the‘Growing the AgriWorkforceSummit’ in Winnipeg. Theselosses reflect a myriad of missedopportunities for producers,resulting from delayed andincreased lost production, addedcosts, or forced changes in plansto expand or upgrade facilities.

The LMI research alsorevealed that primary agriculture still has the highest

industry job vacancy rate of anyindustry at seven per cent. Theresearch was based on 2014 figures.

The Canadian Federation ofAgriculture (CFA) recognizesthe urgent need to find solutions for agricultural labourconstraints and has worked withCAHRC on this project since itsinception.

“These new findings fromCAHRC clearly highlight theneed for a long-term strategy

that will address the challengesCanadian producers are facingdue to labour issues,” says CFAPresident Ron Bonnett. “TheCFA thanks CAHRC for undertaking this importantresearch and will be reviewingthe information extensively todetermine the appropriate nextsteps for establishing collabora-tive solutions between industryand government.”

The current gap betweenlabour demand and the domestic workforce is 59,000and projections indicate that by2025, the Canadian agri-work-force could be short workers for114,000 jobs. In response,industry efforts have beenencouraging young people andworkers from other sectors toget into agriculture as a career.Despite extensive efforts gapsstill exist and there still will bea large void in the future.

“The situation is critical nowand will only get worse unless itis effectively addressed,”explains Portia MacDonald-Dewhirst, CAHRC executivedirector.

CAHRC’s research indicatesthat while agriculture labourshortage is critical today, it willbe even more so 10 years fromnow, with dire consequences for

business viability, industry sustainability and future growth.This has the potential to affectfood security for Canadian consumers, as well as exportpotential for Canada’s entireagri-food industry.

Furthermore, given that theagri-food sector contributesnearly $107 billion annually tothe country’s gross domesticproduct and provides one ineight Canadian jobs, the troubling trends identified inCAHRC’s research are not limited to just agriculture, andcould have significant implications throughout theCanadian economy.

The LMI research wasderived from surveys, interviewsand focus groups conductedwith 1,034 representatives ofCanadian agricultural organizations, employees, andemployers - 813 of whom wereprimary producers.

More information on thisresearch can be found atwww.cahrc-ccrha.ca. The LMIresearch was funded by theEmployment and SocialDevelopment Canada (ESDC)Sectoral Initiatives Program.

Source: Canadian Federation ofAgriculture news release

New research finds vacant jobs in agriculture cost producers $1.5 billion


Interested in monitoring for brown marmorated stinkbug? Traps are availableHANNAH FRASER

Brown marmorated stink bug is aninvasive pest that has made its way toOntario. In the U.S., it has caused economic injury in many agriculturalcrops, including tree fruit and vegeta-bles. Our surveys over the last fewyears as well as confirmed homeownerfinds indicate that it is established inmany parts of southern Ontario. Earlyfield detection is important in limitingeconomic injury. In addition to regular

scouting on your farm, traps for monitoring both nymphs and adults areavailable. These can help you to identify locally established populationsand take necessary action.

We have a limited number of trapsand associated supplies available foruse by interested growers and consultants this year.

If interested in participating, youwill be required to:• Set up the trap(s) (instructional videoprovided)• Check trap(s) weekly

• Collect any insects in the trap• Take a digital picture of any suspects• Keep suspects, send in your picturesvia email

Traps should be set up by June andtaken down in September. They areeasy to use, and are a good complimentto field monitoring.For more information on BMSB, visitontario.ca/stinkbug.l

Hannah Fraser is entomology programlead – horticulture, OMAFRA

THE GROWER


ELAINE RODDY

Much has changed in theworld of powdery mildew control. Five years ago, we hadthree products from which tochoose (two conventional andone organic). Today the cucurbit powdery mildew control list contains 15 differentactive ingredients (10 conven-tional and five organic.) Theconventional products comefrom five different chemicalgroups, which is excellent newsfor product rotation.

It is nice to have these manyoptions, but sometimes decisions can be overwhelming.Optimum powdery mildew control is a combination of variety selection, fungicide timing and fungicide selection.

Consider using powderymildew-tolerant varieties toreduce disease pressure in thecrop. In heterozygous varieties,the resistance comes from oneparent. These varieties arepowdery mildew-tolerant, butwill still develop symptomsunder heavy pest pressure.Homozygous resistance comesfrom both parents. These plantsshow a higher level of resistance.

Whether using regular, tolerant or resistant varieties,scouting is the key to effective-ly managing this disease. Assoon as the disease is identifiedin the crop, apply the mosteffective fungicide productsfirst. Disease management isnot a case where you want to“save the best for last.” Followup applications may be requiredon seven to 10 day intervals,depending on when the diseasearrives in Ontario and theweather conditions during fruit-sizing and ripening,

The control threshold forpowdery mildew is one diseaselesion per 50 leaves. Lesionsinitially develop on the lowerleaf surface or petioles of olderleaves. Fungicide sprays willnot be effective once the disease is established in thecrop and the lesions are readilyapparent on the upper leaf sur-faces. Not only is it ineffective,spraying after the disease isestablished in the crop alsoincreases the risk of developingfungicide resistance.

Cheryl Trueman, a vegetablepest management researcher atthe University of Guelph’sRidgetown Campus, has beenconducting downy mildew efficacy trials since 2009. In

these trials, several productsconsistently provided good con-trol of powdery mildew. Theseproducts are powdery mildewtargeted, and have a single sitemode of action. To prevent thedevelopment of resistance, it isessential to always rotatebetween different fungicidegroups and/or tank mix with abroad spectrum fungicide.

Powdery Mildew TargetedFungicides Showing ConsistentControl in the Ridgetown FieldTrials:Group 13Quintec (quinoxyfen)Group 7

1

Fontelis (penthiopyrad)Group U8Vivando (metrafenone)

1 Note: Aprovia, Sercadis andPristine are also group 7 fungi-cides, however they were not testedin the Ridgetown Campus trials.

Several group 3 fungicidesare labelled for powdery mildewin cucurbits including: Inspire(difenoconazole), Proline (pro-thioconazole) and Quadris Top(azoxystrobin/difenoconazole).The efficacy data for theseproducts is not as strong as theones listed above, however they

may be useful for product rotation. Fungicides containingchlorothalonil (Bravo ZN andEcho) provided a similar levelof powdery mildew control.

Research in Ontario andother jurisdictions indicates thatthe group 11 (QoI) fungicidesno longer control powderymildew. However, they mayprovide control of other cucurbitdiseases such as anthracnoseand alternaria.

The powdery mildew

targeted fungicides listed abovewill not provide control of otherfoliar cucurbit diseases unlesstank-mixed or alternated with abroad spectrum fungicide suchas chorothalonil (Bravo ZN,Echo) or mancozeb (Dithane,Manzate, Penncozeb). Thesebroad spectrum fungicides arealso valuable for resistance management.

Elaine Roddy is vegetable cropsspecialist, OMAFRA.

New options for controlling powdery mildewin pumpkins and squash

Scouting protocol for all cucurbit diseases:

• In fields less than 10 acres in size, inspect a minimum of 100plants• Inspect 200 (10 at 20 locations) in larger fields. • Look at upper and lower leaf surfaces and leaf petioles.• Be sure to include field edges and low lying areas.• Don’t underestimate the impact of dew.• Know the period of activity and environmental conditions foreach disease.• Start scouting well in advance of the typical period of activity.

Figure 1. PM lesion on lower leaf surface. One leaf in 50 = time tospray!


VEG FOCUS

These workshops are available for those who will be scouting horticultural crops this year. To register, please contact OMAFRA’s Agricultural Information Contact Centre at1-877-424-1300

OMAFRA IPM Scout Training Workshops for 2016

Workshop Date & Time Location Workshop Leader Materials needed

Introduction to IPM April 288:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Conference Rm 1, 2 and 31st Floor,1 Stone Rd. West, Guelph

Denise Beaton Handouts providedLunch on your ownPay parking ($12/day)

Tomatoes & Peppers April 298:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

PSC 003Pestell Building (lower level),Ridgetown Campus.

Janice LeBoeuf Handouts providedSee Resources for Vegetable Crop ScoutsLunch on your own

Apples May 49:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Auditorium,Simcoe OMAFRA Resource Centre

Kristy Grigg-McGuffin Handouts providedIf possible, bring OMAFRA Publications 360& 310 (available for purchase as well)Lunch on your own

Lettuce, Celery, Onions,Carrots

May 910:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Conference Rm 31st Floor,1 Stone Rd. West, Guelph

Mike Celetti Handouts providedSee Resources for Vegetable Crop ScoutsLunch on your ownPay parking ($12/day)

Tender Fruit and Grape May 99:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Rittenhouse Hall, Vineland OMAFRAResource Centre

Wendy McFadden- Smith Bring a laptop with WiFi capabilityLunch on your own

Cole Crops May 1210:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Conference Rm 31st Floor,1 Stone Rd. West, Guelph

Mike Celetti Handouts providedSee Resources for Vegetable Crop ScoutsLunch on your ownPay parking ($12/day)

Strawberryand Raspberry

May 188:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.


Pam Fisher Require OMAFRA Publication 360, Guideto Fruit Production ($20)Lunch on your own

Blueberry June 13:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.


Pam Fisher Require OMAFRA Publication 360, Guideto Fruit Production ($20)Dinner is provided ($20)

Sweet corn, Peas andBeans

May 119:00 am - noon

Room 102Rudy Brown Rural Development CentreRidgetown Campus

Elaine Roddy Lunch on your own

Cucurbit Crops May 111:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Room 102Rudy Brown Rural Development CentreRidgetown Campus

Elaine Roddy Lunch on your own

Asparagus field session available uponrequest

Elaine Roddy

Hops April 81:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Large Boardroom,Woodstock OMAFRA Resource Centre

Melanie Filotas Handouts provided

Ginseng IN-FIELD

June 171:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

(Rain date: June 20 from1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

C&R Atkinson Farms Ltd.228 Charlotteville Rd. 1, St. Williams

Sean Westerveld,Melanie Filotas

– APRIL 2016

THE GROWER

Colio Estate Wines has pur-chased Provincial Beverages ofCanada Inc., located inThornbury Village, Ontario, aleading producer of award-winning, premium, Ontario craftciders and beer. The deal willenhance Colio Estate Winesportfolio through winningentries in the fast growingOntario craft cider and beer categories.

Colio plans to invest in theexisting century-old historicfacility located in ThornburyVillage to create a unique retail

and hospitality experience capitalizing on the beautifulviews of Georgian Bay and theBlue Mountains.

“Our Company has kept akeen eye on the developmentof the local craft beer and cidercategory. This opportunityallowed us to gain a significantentry with one of the leadingproducers of high quality craftbeer and cider in Ontario,” stat-ed Jim Clark, president of ColioEstate Wines.

In the more immediate term,Colio plans to move the existing

Brewery located in Nobleton tothe Thornbury Village site,amalgamating the cidery andbrewery production under the banner of Thornbury VillageBrewery and Cidery. Plans areunderway to open distinct ciderand brewery retail stores at thislocation. Retaining key beerand cider sales and productionexpertise will ensure the contin-ued growth and success of theThornbury family of brands.

Source: Canada Newswire

BITS AND BITES

Colio Estate Wines makes purchase of local craft cidery

The Ontario GreenhouseVegetable Growers (OGVG) hasannounced funding fromGrowing Forward 2 (GF2) forup to $172,000 over the nexttwo years to implement a RetailEducational MerchandisingProgram for the U.S. market.

The goals of this project areto educate U.S. retailers on best merchandising practices, devel-op and strengthen supply chainrelationships, and ultimatelyincrease Ontario greenhousevegetable sales in the U.S. marketplace.

“Our government is happy to support organizations like theOntario Greenhouse VegetableGrowers through GrowingForward 2 to reach new

markets, and promote Ontario’shigh quality and delicious produce at home and abroad. Byworking with industry organizations we can expandopportunities for Ontario products in foreign markets andbuild a larger, stronger agri-foodsector here in Ontario,” said JeffLeal, Ontario Minister ofAgriculture, Food and RuralAffairs.

“The greenhouse vegetablesector is an important part ofCanadian agriculture. TheGovernment of Canada ispleased to support this programto increase sales and continue togrow the agri-food sector,” saidLawrence MacAulay, federalMinister of Agriculture and

Agri-Food.OGVG general manager Rick

Seguin notes: “The demandsfor retail education have multi-plied and OGVG is committedto the development of an educational program for theU.S. marketplace. With rapidchanging supply chaindemands, OGVG’s educationprogram will offer additionalproduct knowledge and allowOGVG to expand on established and create new relationships to increase theoverall demand of Ontariogreenhouse vegetables.”

Source: Ontario GreenhouseVegetable Growers’ news release

Program to strengthen best merchandising practices for greenhouse vegetables in the U.S.


MINOR USE

Reminder to apple growers: last year to use diazinon

New FRACgroup createdfor Fracturefungicide

Health Canada’s PestManagement Regulatory Agency(PMRA) conducted a re-evalua-tion of diazinon uses in Canadaand determined that most usescould no longer be supported dueto health and environmental riskconcerns. Through consultationwith stakeholders, critical uses ofdiazinon that had no alternativecontrol strategies were identifiedfor longer-term phase-out to pro-vide more time to develop a riskmanagement plan. In June 2013,PMRA communicated the phase-out dates for diazinon productsand the mitigation measures

required to further protect work-ers and the environment, whichcan be found in their consultationdocument titled REV2013-01,Diazinon Risk Management Plan.

How will this phase-out affectCanadian apple growers?

In apples, the last date of usefor both registered diazinon prod-ucts, Diazinon 50 WSP (PCP#29976) and Diazinon 500 E(PCP #11889) is December 31,2016.

Alternative options for diazinon are available for most

apple pests. However, alternativeproducts may be limited based onthe number of different chemicalgroups to rotate between forresistance management and/orcertain alternatives may not provide as effective or consistentcontrol as diazinon for someinsect pests (e.g., mullein bug,wooly apple aphid).

With relatively few alternativeoptions for some pests, it isimportant to take the followingsteps to avoid development ofinsecticide resistance:• For pests with discrete genera-tions (ie., mullein bug, apple

maggot, scale, leafcurling midge),do not use insecticides from thesame group for more than onegeneration. Within a generation,if more than one spray isrequired, use a product from thesame chemical group.• For pests with rapidly buildingand overlapping generations (ie.aphids), do not use products con-taining the same chemical groupin consecutive applications.For a chart on alternatives forsome pests commonly controlledby diazinon, seehttp://ow.ly/ZGlcN

Source: OMAFRA Orchard Networknewsletter


The U.S.-based FungicideResistance Action Committee(FRAC) has assigned Fracturefungicide from FMC to a newlycreated FRAC Group. WhenFMC launched Fracture fungi-cide in 2015, the broad spectrum,biological fungicide formulatedwith ProBLAD technology hadsuch a unique mode of actionthat it could not be classified bycurrent FRAC Group codes.

FRAC codes are created bythe committee to group fungi-cide active ingredients by modesand sites of action to prolong theeffectiveness of at-risk fungicidesand to limit crop losses shouldresistance occur. The FRACcodes also help growers and cropadvisors identify which productsto rotate to maintain effectivedisease control and minimizeresistance development.

The committee recentlyadded the new FRAC GroupM12 for Fracture fungicide andits active ingredient, the lupineextract called BLAD. Like otherM group classifications, Fracturefungicide has “multi-site contactactivity” and is considered a lowrisk for development of resis-tance, according to the FRACpublication.

Fracture fungicide is labeledfor the prevention and control ofpowdery mildew, botrytis andbrown rot blossom blight. It is apatented fungicide labeled foruse in Canada on grapes, straw-berries and tomatoes. With aone-day pre-harvest interval anda four-hour re-entry interval,Fracture fungicide can beapplied up to five times per sea-son, providing growers with aflexible management tool thatoffers quick, reliable disease con-trol that meets or exceeds estab-lished standards.

To learn more about Fracturefungicide visit: fmccrop.ca/products/fracture/

Source: FMC news release

oDisease c

olntroo

Disth

osease cddshat a

olntros up.

Pristinwith a which Call Agagsolu

e® fungicide delivers broad-single product. Pristine also may include increased growgSolutions® Customer Care utions.ca for more informatio

-spectrum control of key disprovides the benefits* of Agth efficiency and stress manat 1-877-371-BASF (2273) o

on.

seasesCelence®

agement.or visit

*AgCelen

AlwayAgSolutiotrade-mar

nce benefits refer to products that contain th

ys read and follow label dirons is a registered trade-mark of BASF Corrks of BASF SE; all used with permission by

he active ingredient pyraclostrobin.

rections.rporation; AgCelence and PRISTINE are rey BASF Canada Inc. © 2016 BASF Canada

egistereda Inc.

– APRIL 2016

THE GROWER

The Pest ManagementRegulatory Agency (PMRA)recently announced theapproval of URMULE registrations for Entrust andSuccess insecticide (spinosad)for control of spotted wingdrosophila (SWD) on stone fruit(crop group 12-09), whichincludes apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums andplumcots in Canada. Entrustand Success insecticide werealready labeled for use on anumber of crops in Canada forcontrol of insects.These minor use projects weresubmitted by British Columbiain collaboration with otherprovinces in 2014 as a result ofminor use priorities establishedby growers and extension personnel.

The following is provided asan abbreviated, general outlineonly. Users should be makingpest management decisionswithin a robust IPM programand should consult the

complete label before usingEntrust or Success insecticides.

Entrust and Success insecticide are highly toxic tobees exposed to direct treatment, drift or residues onflowering crops or weeds. Donot apply this product to flowering crops or weeds whenbees are present. Entrust and

Success insecticide are highlytoxic to aquatic invertebratesand harmful to parasitoids andpredatory mites. Do not applythis product or allow drift toother crops or non-target areas.Do not contaminate off-targetareas or aquatic habitats whenspraying or when cleaning andrinsing spray equipment or

containers.Follow all other precautions anddirections for use on the Entrustand Success labels carefully.

For a copy of the new minoruse label contact your local cropspecialist, regional supply outletor visit the PMRA label sitewww.hc-sc.gc.ca

1 e

3

# can be rinsy rOnl

c# ou purythallUse

ycledcesed containers

hasechemicalshe c

2 sites clean

4

# p collecHelps kee

orkers# safe for wps collection eeK

ction

sites

oNo

suco exc5 putat# egood r

ouMaintain y

ot toote nostion

sm’ur far

!o

r eoue yk ta,Now

containeilizer empty fert

ide!ir the roors along ffoerrs

MINOR USE

Lontrel herbicide label expanded for management of weeds on turnipsJIM CHAPUT

The Pest ManagementRegulatory Agency (PMRA)recently announced theapproval of an URMULE regis-tration for Lontrel herbicide forcontrol of weeds on turnips inCanada. Lontrel herbicide wasalready labeled for use on arange of crops for weed controlin Canada. Although rutabagaswere already labeled on theLontrel herbicide label, turnipswere not…and these two cropsare different despite what manypeople believe. www.differ-encebetween.net/object/differ-ence-between-turnip-and-rutabaga/

This minor use project was

submitted by Ontario in 2014 asa result of minor use prioritiesestablished by growers andextension personnel.

The following is provided asan abbreviated, general outlineonly. Users should consult thecomplete label before usingLontrel herbicide.

Lontrel herbicide is toxic tonon-target terrestrial plants. Donot apply this product or allowdrift to other crops or non-targetareas. Do not contaminate off-target areas or aquatic habitatswhen spraying or when cleaningand rinsing spray equipment orcontainers.

The use of this chemical mayresult in contamination ofgroundwater particularly inareas where soils are permeable

and/or the depth to the watertable is shallow.

Follow all other precautionsand directions for use on theLontrel label carefully.

For a copy of the new minoruse label contact your local cropspecialist, regional supply outletor visit the PMRA label sitewww.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/pest/registrant-titulaire/tools-outils/label-etiq-eng.php

Jim Chaput is OMAFRA’s minoruse coordinator based in Guelph.

Entrust and Success insecticide for control of spotted wing drosophila on stone fruit

Crop Target Rate (L/ha) Applications Pre-harvest interval(days)

Turnips Labeled weeds 0.42 – 0.56 1 (One) as a post-emergent spray

30 (turnip roots), 15 (turnip greens)

Crop Target RateENTRUST

(mL/ha)

Rate SUCCESS

(mL/ha)

Applications PHI (days)

Stone fruit(CG 12-09)

Spottedwingeddrosophila(SWD)

364 182 Maximum of 3 1 (peach, nectarine)3 (apricot, cherry,prune,


lVteeM

diEe hTt

d

1

HTOOB

20YYRAGLAC+ TRADESHOWCONVENTION

April 12-14

CPMA

6

ou aYerhe

You aYYohere

erae.aree.

gnikcapedargpuempiuqe

ehtehW

ituloSmloV

VmloVehtytilicafgweng a nidliubr o, e

xe, an esahcrupt negniredisnoe cr’uoyr

.maeTTes noidereenignEm

am canetTSEVt ra-eht-fo-etatsw

e nilg nitsixw eng a

d 717HTOOB

gni

noit

ytilicaF•

mpiuqE•

nikcaP•

gdubn ouse kmagnikcap

oitcurtnso, cngisedy

son,itacificepsment

n aoitargetnie nilg n

epsr uoyo td n, ategty ltcaxet egu oye ru

Vm loVe ht, ytilicafg

inoissimmod cnn ao

taalltsnidnangicour

noitazimitpod n

.noitacice, emitn o—taht

am can etT SEV

e'll gWyou thWe'll g

you th

get e.re

getere.

08

mmcolov•74733250

mocseinapm

gitnA08

apmoCmloV6201©

saPDI,sllaFohaId ••IW, ogmmcolov7473.325.0

. cnI,seina

• ACno, seFrAWco, smoc.seinapm

Syngenta’s new fungicide Orondis Ultra islabelled for protecting potatoes against late blightfor up to 21 days, however it’s also a good fit forpreventing downy mildew in cucurbits, onionsand leafy vegetables.

Downy mildew is proving more problematicevery year, especially in cucumbers. The diseasedoes not overwinter in Canada, but is reintro-duced each year by spores that are carried onwinds from the southern United States. It’s not adisease controlled by crop rotation. Every year,it’s a blank slate on what disease pressure maydevelop. Some growers follow the disease track-ing website from North Carolina University,while most rely on OMAFRA warnings. OnceOhio and Michigan have reports of downymildew, then Ontario and Quebec growers muststep up their protection program.

“It’s shocking to the industry how quickly disease resistance has grown right across NorthAmerica to new fungicides,” says Jim Anderson,Syngenta’s agronomic service representative foreastern Canada. “Orondis Ultra is unique in thatit can work on these water molds – oomycetes –that infect leaves, and has no cross resistance toother products.”

As Anderson explains, this new product isunique in that it is a true systemic. That meansthe active ingredient -- oxathiapiprolin – movesthrough the xylem up into new growth, providingup to two weeks of protection in the new developing leaves. The product is very active atlow rates.

The company is co-packing Orondis Ultra withmandipropamid, the same active found in thefungicide Revus . One case will treat 50 acres.This is a stewardship program to help preventresistant strains by using two modes of action.

Here’s how Anderson recommends productuse.• Both parts of the boxed product should beadded to the tank, Orondis Ultra A first followedby Orondis Ultra B for mixing order• For cucumbers, add a broad spectrum protectant such as BravoZN• Use Orondis Ultra as a preventative productnot a rescue• Use the product no more than in one-third ofthe entire season’s spray program• Never use Orondis Ultra back to back – use atleast two other modes of action before returningto Orondis Ultra

This product is best used as a preventativeonce disease is reported in nearby states. Secondplantings at this time can benefit from bandspraying for lower cost. Move to broadcast spraying once the canopy is in place.

The label has pre-harvest interval of zero daysand re-entry interval of 12 hours. Always consultthe label before use. For more information, go towww.syngenta.ca.

Photos right: The first picture shows downymildew, with typical angular yellow, necroticspots on the leaf, usually on the lower leaves first.The lower leaf surface shows the downy appear-ance in the morning, especially with dew.

The second shot shows cucumber in the frontrow severely affected with downy mildew whilethe row of squash behind is unaffected withdowny mildew, but showing signs of the whitepowdery look of powdery mildew. Pumpkins,squash and zuchinni have more problems withpowdery mildew. Photos courtesy of JimAnderson.

MINOR USE

New fungicide for late blight, downy mildew


Back in time and in a different place, I had a bosswho understood the ways of theworld even better than Ithought he did. One day wewere dealing with a particularlywell known prevaricator of thefederal persuasion and neededto discuss an issue with him.This was done using the conference mode on the boss’sphone, although I had to staycompletely silent. (A very difficult task for me!) By prioragreement, every time Ithought the caller was less thantruthful, I was to shake myhead. We kept track, andreviewed the items at the end.(There were an awful lot for a10-minute call!) Now I realizehe may have been poorlybriefed by his staff, butnonetheless it was a shamefulperformance. It also taught meto question what some peoplesaid always, what others sayoccasionally and to have doubtalways when I do not know theperson.

It is easy to categorize thosewho you should never trust.High on that list is airline staff.I firmly believe they have astaff course on how to lie to thepublic with open eyes, friendlysmile, and convincing profes-sionalism. If they say it will be a20-minute delay, count on atleast an hour. If they suggest“we hope you have a nice flight,please sit back and relax,” whatthey really mean is “you poorslobs, we hope we don’t have torestrain you because the person

beside you, who is so large thatthey take half your seat spacetoo, has given you an anxietyattack.” When you carefullyplace your coat and small compliant-size carry-on in theover-head rack, they come alonglater and crunch it all up ormove it to accommodate anover-sized non-compliant sizedbag to accommodate a late passenger. So much for Ms./Mr.nice person! Trust? Do youthink you can fly that one pastme?

The banks come a close second place. Even thoughbanking is a service industry,they have precious little frontline staff left to perform service.It seems that the machine isexpected to do everything ateller once did, except toexplain things, be able to reactto an uncommon need, and tokeep the customer a happy customer. You can imagine theresponse when the machine didnot do as was asked, and theattendant’s response after a 10minute (timed) wait was ‘oh, itdoes that sometimes-please getin line (another 10 minutes) anda teller can help you!” Thesilent scream almost escapedmy lips. Then there is thecome-on of a (slightly) higherinterest rate if you open a newaccount. The fine (extremelyfine so seniors, who may actually have money to open anew account, cannot read it)print says the higher rate is onlyfor three months, and there is apenalty (costly) if you close theaccount prematurely or drop thebalance below a (relatively)high amount. The best one iswhere they do not tell you theyare going to secure your line ofcredit by attaching a collaterallien on your home. Thischanges your insurance cost (inmy case by $300) which is theonly way I would have everknown they had done it! Trust?Humbug!

Human resource ‘specialists’are high on the list too. Theyare trained to say ‘we cannot dothat’ and repeat it over and over

again. It is so tragic that theyactually believe they cannot do(anything). It is hilarious to seehow quickly they can jump ananointed staffer through thehoops of progression because ofwhom their patron saint(e) is,and all the while someone elsegets to cover for their work orlack thereof. The worst thingone can do is to be the best atwhat they do. That person willnever get progression because“Who can we ever get to dotheir job?” comes into play.Compare that to the person whonever blots their copy book andalways gives dutiful allegianceto their boss. The proverbialass-kisser never does anythingcontroversial (and maybe neveraccomplishes anything of valueeither) but gets pushed orpulled through the ranksnonetheless! The H.R. staff canmanipulate anyone anywhere ifthey are directed to do so. Thekey to the opening phrase iswhat is left off the end of thesentence: ‘unless someoneimportant to our future tells usto do so.’ Trust? Whom do youthink is sponsoring me?

We all hear the ads thatwheedle and cajole the publicto buy something they hadn’trealized up until then could beso important to their beauty,health, prosperity,

attractiveness, wealth, successand that they will be amongstthe first to get it! People actually get conned every dayby these approaches. It can bevia the television, radio, socialmedia, newspapers or curse ofcurses the telemarketer. Thereal go-getters even come doorto door, usually selling naturalgas contracts (at inflated prices)to unsuspecting homeowners.All of these approaches havethings in common. Overpromise, under deliver, and beimpossible to find later.Optimism just drips from themas they give their spiel. Theyare optimistic they have a liveone (you) and ever optimisticthat you will never meet themagain after a sale. (That is whysales people are parachuted intoneighbourhoods far from home)The ads for weight-loss equipment start in earnest rightafter Christmas over-indulgencetime. Duct cleaning just beforespring and fall temperaturechanges, gas guys after coldwinters when bills skyrocket,and the window guys are nowyear-round. Cell-phone plansget lots of air-time and evenoffer to pay (part) of the cost ofchanging from another serviceprovider. The small (read tiny)print (they got the idea from thebanks) states the new rate is

only for three months and thenyou pay through the teeth forthree or four years to come!(How else do they pay for thoseup-front benefits?) Beware ofwhat you are signing. Trust?Who are you kidding?

Politicians? Used car salesmen? Do I have to saymore? Trust? Ever heard theword in the same sentence asthose guys?

So who can you trust? Itdepends on the day and thesubject. I have a good friend Iwould trust on almost anythingexcept which restaurant tofavour. ‘The food is not thatspicy’ from him means it willonly burn out my mouth in two minutes and not instantaneously. Then there ismy curling buddy who says theice interval time is 2.95 secondsand when that is what youthrow and it comes up short theresponse is ‘well, the ice was abit slower on that track!’ Thenthere is the pal who says helikes what I write, only for meto find that page of The Growerat the bottom of the birdcage.“The birds can so read it!”

Trust is a valuable thing,hard to earn, and quick to flyaway never to return. Cherish it,never take it for granted, and behealthily skeptic always!

Trust me.

CRAIG HUNTEROFVGA

MINOR USE

CRAIG’S COMMENTS

Trust and consequences


MINOR USE

New blockbuster BASF fungicide in advanced development phase

At BASF world headquarters inGermany, the company is reporting apromising pipeline of new crop protection products. In 2015 alone,BASF spent €514 million on researchand development in the crop protection division.

In the fungicide area, BASF plans tolaunch a new blockbuster compound toglobal farmers starting in 2019. Alreadyat an advanced phase of development,the new fungicide has demonstrated outstanding biological performance andis expected to become a key tool foreffective disease control. Extensiveresearch on this proprietary compoundshows a high potential for broad-spectrum activity against a wide range ofpathogens in many crops, including specialty crops.

BASF’s insecticide portfolio is alsoexpanding with two new compoundsincreasing the number of tools for insectcontrol and resistance management bythe end of the decade. The compoundsshow strong commercial potential and

are the result of successful collaborationwith other partners. The active ingredient broflanilide brings a newmode of action that has demonstratedexcellent levels of control for chewingpests – the biggest insecticide marketsegment – for use in row and specialtycrops as well as the professional pestmanagement market.

The other novel active ingredient,Inscalis, is effective against piercing-sucking insects, providing long-lastingcontrol of aphids, whiteflies, and certainleafhoppers, psyllids and scales for use inspecialty crops and other crop species.Both products will be launched in several markets across the globe.

“We have been very successful intranslating ideas and challenges intobest-in-class products and services forgrowers across the globe,” said MarkusHeldt, president of BASF’s CropProtection division. “Innovation remainsa crucial component of agriculture today.It is a dynamic market, with ever-changing needs and new challenges, and

we are happy that we can contributewith new solutions and technologies,”Heldt added.

“For us, innovation goes beyond thediscovery of new molecules and agrochemical compounds,” said Heldt.“We are investing in areas such as IT,formulation technologies, biological cropprotection and new business models aswell.” In 2015, Functional Crop Care,the business area in BASF that offerssolutions for healthier plants and higheryields to supplement conventional cropprotection, launched Limus nitrogenmanagement.

Limus is a patented product thathelps crops maintain optimal nitrogenavailability through the most criticalgrowth stages of plant development,which leads to more consistent yields.Other solutions from the FunctionalCrop Care segment are in the marketintroduction phase.

BASF’s track record in successfullycommercializing new products hasproven to be a key growth pillar for the

Crop Protection unit. Recently, morethan 40 per cent of the business saleswere generated by products launched inthe past five years.

“BASF continues to invest significantresources in order to help our Canadiancustomers produce the highest qualityfruits and vegetables,” says ScottHodgins, brand manager, horticultureand specialty products. “ As an example,in the last five years alone, we haveintroduced four new active ingredientsand eight new products to the Canadianhorticulture market. At the same time,we continue to support the developmentof additional crop protection solutionsthrough cooperation with the minor usesystem.”

Worldwide, BASF Crop Protectionwill continue to invest approximatelynine per cent of its sales in R&D.

Source: BASF news release

TORRENT 400SC

TORRENT 400SC

™

CS004TNERROT

es.blaet vegoff y etide variwn aiungi feycetoom

y d bcausesesseas dintrevepathe tdcingiu fngiatulspor-iant

p 21 rous a gi

CS004TNERROT ly high ais

CONTROLWHEN IT

COUNTS

GE

WHEN IT

GANGEN G

NT RRETO dear a tsi - noitarpoor CorgAe gangEoffkarm

.ecyclhetoffes ag stlalatdoandhtgiar bliolfy tevaris aolrcont

nguve fiatntpreveceand exveiectfefff

633313.666.8.el

e filse seae didewliny mwo

,s rotrootfothade tici

entlel

O

moc.orgaegagnewww.moc.orgaegagn@eofni

te

AGAGNGEN ORGAGE

THE GROWER


APRIL 2016 CELEBRATING 137 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION B SECTION

KAREN DAVIDSON

Living the land, living thewater. That’s how every groweroperates, totally dependent onwhat is offered up by theweather gods.

Marshalling these resourcesgets a little easier with technol-ogy as Dusty Zamecnik pointsout at EZ Grow Farms Ltd.,near Langton, Ontario. TheZamecnik family farm is locatedin what’s called the Grand RiverWatershed Node, part of theCanadian Water Network pro-ject. As the largest watershed insouthern Ontario, the GrandRiver drains into Lake Eriethrough some of the most intensively farmed land in theprovince.

“Farmers work together inthis area ensuring we all haveenough water,” says Zamecnik.

Water management is challenged by populationgrowth – almost one million

inhabitants in the area and climate change. Local farmerscan attest to severe frosts andmore frequent droughts inrecent years. The projectresearchers are monitoring andmeasuring quantity and qualityof water, recording a baseline ofdata that can show when thereare stressors in the watershed.

Wise water use may come as

early as the upcoming fullmoons: April 22 and May 21.Those dates are critical for protecting 30 acres of blueberries from frost. It’s justthe start of a long season of getting water to plants in theright form at the right time.

There are three systems protecting blueberries and astrawberry nursery: overhead

sprinklers/retracting water gunsand drip irrigation for blueberries and misting emittersfor the strawberry nursery.

“These are not new technologies but how they areused is important in saving timeand labour,” says Zamecnik.

Overhead sprinklers, forexample, are no guaranteeagainst frost but they can alsobe used later in the seasonwhen temperatures go higherthan 30°C. At that point, sugarsflow back from the berries intothe plant, adversely affectingthe flavour. Cooling blueberryplants with water can maintainbrix levels in the fruit.

Years ago, eight-inch underground irrigation pipeswere laid five feet below theblueberry fields. This makes iteasy to hook drip irrigation intohydrants strategically locatedthroughout the fields.

For every pump that’s used,there is a filter station to makesure there is no algae or dirt

particles building in the lines.All blueberry bushes receive filtered water.

“We’re getting more preciseon where we’re putting water,”says Zamecnik. “It’s the dieselfor pumps and the time formanaging that costs.”

Drip irrigation is used notonly in the blueberry fields butalso in the strawberry nurseryfor more precise watering. Itdoubles for fertigation in thestrawberry nursery with a 10 to12-inch band over the strawberry plants. A solar-powered panel charges the battery for a computer thattimes watering to the minute.

Drip tape is a major cost,especially when it has to beremoved every year for fieldpreparation. In single-yearapplications, that is for barerootstrawberry ground, Zamecnikuses six- to eight-millimetrethick drip tape.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

WATER MANAGEMENT AND IRRIGATION

Managing water in droplets, mist and ice

Blueberry and strawberry nursery grower Dusty Zamecnik checks the water level on one of several ponds at EZ Grow Farms Ltd., near Langton, Ontario. The farm is part ofthe Grand River Watershed Node, a project of the Canadian Water Network. Photos by Glenn Lowson.

We’re getting more precise on where we’re puttingwater. It’s the diesel for pumps and the time formanaging that costs.

~ DUSTY ZAMECNIK

“

“

THE GROWERPAGE B2 –– APRIL 2016

Invest in a water meter WATER MANAGEMENT AND IRRIGATION

REBECCA SHORTT

Water quantity is a hot topicthese days. Measuring andrecording water use can help todemonstrate how and where theagricultural industry is usingwater. Efficient and productivewater use is beneficial bothfrom an environmental andfrom a production perspective.Agricultural water use drivesproductivity, growing thisimportant sector of Ontario.

The single most importantpiece of equipment that youcan invest in is a water meter.Also, keep daily records of yourwater usage. Whether you’reusing water for irrigation orproduct washing, knowing howmuch you are actually using isthe most important piece inunderstanding where you canfind efficiencies.

Efficient water use can haveseveral positive spin-off bene-fits: energy savings, lower nutri-ent run-off and reduction ofgreenhouse gas emissions. Theenvironmental benefits are notthe only reason to improvewater use efficiency. In fact,improving water use efficiencycan have a significant impact onreducing water supply costs,reducing wastewater manage-ment costs and improving production efficiencies (i.e.increasing fruit and vegetablesize by providing moisturewhen the plants need it). Inaddition, using water efficientlycan help growers adapt tochanging climatic conditions.

Some of the new approachesthe Ministry of Agriculture,Food and Rural Affairs(OMAFRA) is working on withgrowers are soil moisture monitoring with wireless auto-mated access. Not only can wesee when the soil is drying outand it may be time to irrigate,but also how effective rainfall orirrigations were at replenishingwater in the root zone (Figure 1).

OMAFRA is collaboratingwith the University of Guelphin developing the use of satellites for soil moisture mapping. The potato, grape andtree fruit growers have workedwith Weather INnovations toprovide maps of daily vapotran-spiration (ET) that can be usedfor irrigation scheduling(www.onpotatoes.com andwww.vineinnovations.com).

A series of water quantityand quality grower demonstra-tion projects were fundedthrough Growing Forward 2 in2013-2014. Reports and videosof these projects can be foundon the Farm & Food CareOntario website at www.farm-foodcare.org/environment.

All of OMAFRA’s irrigationresources can be found on ourirrigation web page(www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/irrigation.htm),including our series of videos onirrigation system assessmentsand soil moisture monitoring.The mainstream media has produced a glut of articles aboutthe drought and challenges fac-ing California and the westernUnited States. One of the chal-

lenges in Ontario is the need formore water infrastructure for

farming, such as more watersupplies, better access to waterand storage. Numerous studieshave demonstrated that there ispotential for greater agriculturalwater use in Ontario, leading togreater agricultural productivity.This will benefit our rural areasand the economy.

Ontario is not facing thesame water challenges asCalifornia, but we need to standbehind our water use practices.Demonstration of our efficientand productive water use is crucial.

Rebecca Shortt is an engineer, waterquantity for the Ontario Ministry ofAgriculture, Food and RuralAffairs.

Water meter, monitoring flow in drip irrigation system.

Figure 1. Soil moisture fluctuation with rainfall and irrigations (purple arrows). Probes at 12” and 24”below surface. PWP means the Permanent Wilting Point.

Rebecca Shortt (OMAFRA) measuring Evapotranspiration (ET)with an Atmometer.

Two technologies being compared to wirelessly transmit soil moisture, rainfall and other weather data.

A program designed to help Ontariofarmers with water taking permit needs

George Shearer Water Specialist

Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Associationp: 519-763-6160 ext. 219 c: 519-222-3272 f: 519-763-6604

[email protected]

Mr. Shearer’s mandate is to provide surface water takingpermit and impact study services to agricultural water takersthroughout the Province of Ontario. The purpose for thedevelopment of this position at the OFVGA was to lessenthe confusion and costs to farmers of the required watertaking permit process and subsequent studies.

Mr. Shearer will assess clients’ needs in terms of supportrequired in order to successfully complete their PTTW appli-cation as well as to assist clients to assess best options forwater taking given cost and regulatory constraints.

THE GROWER


APRIL 2016 –– PAGE B3

KATIE GIBB

Back in September 2015, Bruce Kellyof Farm & Food Care Ontario wrote anarticle for The Grower about getting wetwhile helping evaluate how evenly anirrigation system applied water to a veg-etable field. The process involved col-lecting and measuring water in bucketsin a grid pattern in the field for a periodof time, measuring the flow rate andpressure at each sprinkler nozzle, andrecording the type and condition ofsprinkler nozzles used and riser pipeheights.

We found that the irrigation waterapplication or distribution uniformity wasnot very even; in fact, it was only 25 percent efficient. The target is 80 to 100 percent.

What does 25 per cent mean? Well,when you finish applying what you thinkis one inch of water over the field, itmeans that some areas are only gettingone-quarter of an inch of water becauseof virtually no overlap in water coverage.The other way of looking at it is that ifyou apply one inch of water to the pooroverlap areas, other portions of the fieldwill get four inches of water elsewhere.

Either those poor beets have theirtongues hanging out or they are buildingan ark depending on which neighbour-hood they ended up in. What it means tothe grower is a potential variation inquality and quantity of product acrossthe field.

Once you know that the application isuneven, ask why and what can be doneto make sure the crop has the sameamount to drink.

The spacing between laterals alongwith nozzle pressures, flow rates, condi-tions, and types help tell us why. In thiscase, moving the laterals closer togetherby about 20 feet improves overlap andraises the distribution uniformity to 75per cent. Further improvement to bringthe system to at least 80 per cent effi-ciency can be achieved by dealing withthe nozzles.

The nozzle pressure dropped slightlyalong the lateral, but it was not signifi-cant. Variations in nozzle flow rates werenot related to pressure or distance fromthe main. The nozzles were in reason-ably good condition. The big factor wasthe variation in the types of nozzles usedand the height of the standpipes. Mostof the sprinkler heads were single noz-zles; however, 18 per cent of the sprin-klers had double nozzles. None of thenozzles was plugged, but one was turn-ing slowly and one was leaking. The lat-eral was leaking at a standpipe connec-tion in one area. Most of the risers weretwelve inches high, but 18 per cent were20 inches. The farm has a nozzle

replacement program. This assessmenthighlighted that they are doing the rightthing by standardizing the nozzles andreplacing old or failed units. It alsoplaced focus on standardizing the riserheights; after all, how can you get consis-tent application if your equipmentvaries?

What did we all learn?

1. The uneven application of irrigationwater was not obvious to the eye. Youneeded to conduct the assessment tomake what was happening visible.

2. Discuss the results with the grower orowner or operator to get feedback. Werecommended moving the laterals closerby about three beds or 20 feet. This sim-ple recommendation was not practical forthe operation. In the end, it was decidedthat moving the laterals closer by thir-teen feet was more practical.

3. The poor overlap has two potentialimplications: produce that is under-watered, or, produce that is over-wateredif you want to ensure the dry areas getenough water. Either way, there may beimplications to time to market, productquality and/or consistency, or crop inputrequirements. Over-watering meansadditional pump run time, which costsyou unnecessary money.

4. Continue with the nozzle replacementprogram. The assessment drew attentionto the impact the variation in nozzletypes and their condition has on howeven irrigation water is applied to a field.Standardization of nozzles and riserheights will help move this system from75 per cent to at least 80 per cent distrib-ution uniformity efficiency.

5. Irrigate when the air is still, typicallyearly evening, early morning, or at night,to prevent the water from evaporatingbefore it hits the ground or being blownto the neighbour’s weed-filled hedgerow.

6. Install a flow meter at the pump tomeasure how much water is beingapplied to the field or farm. A flow meteris a tool to help identify leaks, blockages,variations in the application rates for dif-ferent crops (you might find out thatsome crops are too expensive to grow), orvariations in operator application rates.By benchmarking your water use, youcan identify issues or tweek your system.It is the old adage, information is knowl-edge.

7. If you have an irrigation pond, you areon time-of-use rates, and if you use anelectric pump, fill the pond at night totake advantage of the cheapest electrici-ty rates.

8. Many of the recommendations are lowcost and easy to implement or incorpo-rate into your operation and maintenanceprogram.

For more information on the project,or if you are interested in a water assess-ment, please contact either Katie Gibb,Phoenix Solutions [email protected] or Bruce Kelly at Farm &Food Care Ontario [email protected].

Katie Gibb is project manager for PhoenixSolutions.

Splish splash, I was takin’ a bath until I optimized my irrigation system

864)509(:nePhoNO, eakLhetn oa aragiN - 509(:axF6105

864)5 - e6765 - neiv@onfi:lmai

wwwwwm o.csehinmacdarye mo.cshinedmacaryneiv.

Figure 1: Uneven distribution across the field with little overlap in the centre at the dip.25% application efficiency.

Figure 2: Efficiency improved to 75% by moving the lateral 20' closer. The dip is gone.

Bucket grid layout to collect irrigationwater to determine irrigation applicationefficiency

THE GROWER


Hard truths don’t soften the costs of managing washwater

PAGE B4 –– APRIL 2016

KAREN DAVIDSON

For Ontario’s Holland Marshgrowers, nothing is easy aboutthe layers of provincial environmental regulations andcomplexity of removing mucksoils from root crops.

As soon as vegetables such ascarrots, beets and parsnips gothrough a washing facility, theyare subject to compliancerequirements by the Ministry ofEnvironment and ClimateChange (MOECC). Muck soilsand sandy soils react differentlyand therefore washing challenges are different. Thewashwater is considered industrial waste.

After two years of water projects funded by the LakeSimcoe-Southeastern GeorgianBay Clean-Up Fund, severallessons are bubbling to the surface.

Soil is not a nutrient andneeds to come out first in thewater management process, saysCharles Lalonde, project manager for the Holland MarshGrowers’ Association WaterProject. You can’t approach soilsuspended in water.

“Technology requires attention and optimization,”says Lalonde. “You can’t buy anew piece of equipment andleave it alone. It needs to beoptimized.”

What growers have found ininstalling new equipment isthat it demands a new categoryof maintenance. In many cases,this means licensed electricians,plumbers and information technology (IT) personnel.These new systems requirepeople on the ground at theplant who can deal with electronics.

The location of water treat-ment within your operations isoften a challenge. Wheninstalling new systems, considerhow they will be monitored.

“It’s not like you haveemployees walking by everyfew minutes to see if equip-ment is functioning,” saysLalonde. “It can be a challengeto work in areas that are farfrom washing activities.”

“We’re now dealing with acomplex regulatory system,involving MOECC staff whoare also searching for beneficialsolutions,” says Lalonde.“Don’t try for a home run.”

With 16 growers active onseveral project sites, these arethe lessons learned so far. Theproject goals are to:• reduce risks to environmentfrom vegetable washwater discharge• evaluate technologies to treatwashwater from vegetablesgrown on muck soils • build capacity in the industryto supply

They are testing technolo-

gies to reduce total suspendedsolids, reduce phosphorus andreduce biological oxygendemand (BOD). The latter isthe ultimate gauge of effective-ness of washwater treatment.By definition, it is the amountof dissolved oxygen needed (i.e., demanded) by aerobic bio-logical organisms to break down organic material present in agiven water sample at certaintemperature over a specifictime period.

As Paul Plotz, MOECCreports, “Muck soils are ourmost complex issue, but we arehaving some success.”

“Don’t create a problem andthen you don’t need to managethe problem,” he says. “Don’tcreate more washwater than youneed.”

With existing facilities,MOECC looks for abatementplans that lead toward full compliance. With expandingfacilities, MOECC expects compliance with the expandedportion. With new facilities,MOECC expects full compliance. He says there is ameasurable reduction in phos-phorus loading to Lake Simcoe.

All of these lessons havebeen learned and paid for bySmith Gardens, Keswick,Ontario. Three years after running afoul of MOECC, theyhave invested $2 million in astate-of-the-art washwater treat-ment system. With 450 acres of carrots to wash and package,they put an end to any furtherdisputes so they can grow theirbusiness and export to the U.S.

The new system allows themto recycle 70 per cent of theirwater, says Paul Smith. Theremainder is lost to attrition.This is a significant savingswith 60,000 gallons of waterused per day.

Ian Smith shared the flowcharts above that outline theirnew washwater treatment system.

“We are about 10 yearsahead of our peers in dealingwith washwater, and as such,consider ourselves one of themost sustainable operations inthe country.”

Indoor

Outdoor

Washwater treatment system

Technology requires attention and optimization. You can’tbuy a new piece of equipment and leave italone. It needs to beoptimized.

~ CHARLES LALONDE

“

“

THE GROWERAPRIL 2016 –– PAGE B5


Monitoring and improving water efficiency GEORGE SHEARER

Recently I have beeninvolved in a lot of projects thatrequire a significant amount ofmonitoring in order to securePermits To Take Water underthe Ontario Water ResourcesAct (OWRA). It seems that theOntario Ministry of theEnvironment and ClimateChange’s (MOECC) new direc-tion for water management isgeared towards a long-termcommitment to data collectionand analysis. Gone are the dayswhen if you applied for a permitthen you pretty much got onewith very little requirement todo anything beyond the initialassessment to gain the permit.

Every water-taking permitissued in Ontario comes withthe standard clause that requiresyou to log your usage of thewater and report this informa-tion to the Water Taking andReporting division of theMOECC. For what purpose Icouldn’t tell you and I workedat the MOECC for a number ofyears. It seems to be more of anexercise in making sure that you

follow the rules more than a leg-islated way to collect valuableinformation that could be usedto better manage the resource.

Now a days, it seems thatevery issued permit has someform of extra monitoringrequirement such as installationof staff gauges in streams orlevel loggers for wells. It seemsthat the MOECC has no con-cept of the cost of theserequirements or the extra timeinvolved but there is a benefit.The benefit is long-term sus-tainable access to a very valu-able water supply.

Water on the farm can meanthe difference of making a prof-it or just making a living. It isno doubt that irrigation canincrease crop yields consider-ably and in times such as 2007,considered a drought year, it canbe the difference between lifeand death. Understanding yourwater supply and its limitationscan make for more informeddecisions around your operation.If water is the limiting factor onyour farm then you need to beable to squeeze every drop outof your source and use it as effi-ciently as possible.

Equipment such as piezometers and moisturemeters can allow you to betterunderstand how water is bestmanaged and distributed. Usingsoil mapping of the farm andunderstanding the differentcharacteristics of the soils canallow for efficient distribution ofwater and nutrients to areas of

most need through the develop-ment of irrigation zones.

As the farming landscapechanges from many small local-ized farms with limited acreageto large industrial farms withmany, many acres, it’s importantto understand the differentenvironments within the farmunit. Plan accordingly to maxi-mize the efficient use and dis-tribution of the limited supplyof water rather than going for

increases to water permitswhich might not be available.Utilizing more efficient, mod-ernized irrigation systems canprovide a significant amount ofinformation and will not onlyconserve our resource but willsave you money by only irrigat-ing areas that need it cutting onfuel cost, equipment mainte-nance and time.

Investing in flow meters canmake your life easier when itcomes to reporting and can alsogive you information on youractual water needs rather thanrelying on estimates based onyour irrigation equipment specs.You may find that you havemore water available than youthought which can lead to moreinformed management of yourproperty and what it’s capableof supporting.

Understanding the needs ofthe crop in relation to the soilsand water needs is the first stepin becoming more efficient.This coupled with detailedknowledge of the water sourcecan go a long way to ensuringyour operation’s long-term sus-tainability. So even though itmay seem incredibly onerouswhen MOECC issues your per-mit and you see what isrequired of you, realize that theinformation you are collectingfor them is really for you anduse it to your benefit. After all,you are paying for it.

George Shearer is water specialist,Ontario Fruit and VegetableGrowers’ Association.

e WGG

focus on compliance sowing toGrowing toGrr

so you can grow your bogetherogether

business

e informFor more

ation

.ghdwww.ghdwww

d.comd.com



Trend to more controlled and precise water management KAREN DAVIDSON

In the last decade, there’sbeen a steady movement tomore controlled and precisewater management. No onehas seen that trend moreclearly than Ray MacKenzie,design and sales, for VandenBussche Irrigation, Delhi,Ontario.

In a March 22 presenta-tion to the Ontario HazelnutAssociation, he outlinedsome of the benefits andmachinery used in drip irrigation. Graphically heshowed the different watering patterns of over-head or flood irrigation vssprinkler vs drip. Whenusing drip irrigation only thewater which has been usedby the plant in the previousday or two is added to thesoil resulting in a more balanced mix of air, waterand nutrients in the soil.

Additionally, since thewater is applied only to theactive root zone, a lot ofwater can be saved. Mostcrops in Ontario will useapproximately one inch ofwater a week when in fullproduction. This equates tomore than 27,000 US gallonsper acre. The amount that issaved comes from the wasted water which is in theform of overspray, winddrift, evaporation, run offand watering areas betweenrows (think apple orchards)etc with overhead systems.This could be up to 50 percent savings on some systems.

The newer technologyhas the benefits of distributing smaller amountsof water, more frequently

and offering the flexibility offertigation. A healthier plantenvironment also allows forbetter nutrient uptake andless disease pressure.Growers like the lowerpumping costs and lessweed pressure, in additionto more flexible irrigationtiming.

“The newest crop to takeadvantage of drip irrigationis haskaps,” saysMacKenzie. “Along withdrip irrigation is an increasedneed for frost protection.We’re installing more sprin-klers and row covers.”

Row covers range from 20grams to 40 grams in weight.The heavier weights areused to protect strawberries,especially the day-neutralvarieties.

Some apple growers aregoing back to sprinklers forfrost protection, while usingthe drip method to irrigate.Both aluminum and PVCpipe can be used here withcommon spacings from 40 to60 feet. Sprinklers areincreasingly made from plastic instead of brass andare normally placed abovethe tree canopy.

Another area of increasedinterest is flow meters, notonly for the purpose oftracking water volume forgovernment reports but forbetter management

decisions. Today, flowmeters can be equippedwith transmitters so thatreal-time data flows back tothe home computer.

Soil moisture monitoringhelps to evaluate when tostart the taps flowing in thefirst place. Automated systems are preferred aswater volumes and soilmoisture are tracked hourlyand statistics can be compared at precisely thesame time every day andstored for future reference.Starting at $4,000, thisequipment may not beaffordable for every opera-tion in which case manualreadings can be very useful,but must be done at thesame time, mid-morning,every day. However, it’s asign of the times in terms ofhow seriously growers areinvesting in water management.

Automated diesel systems -- similar to electricpumps with variable frequency drives -- are proving popular. As waterdemands increase, the pumpwill speed up or slow down.These systems will keeppressure constant, regardlessof demand and can start andstop the unit based on timeor demand.

Every drop counts.

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 & abattoirwastewater, greenhouse irrigation leachate water & mushroom farm leachate water (i.e. manure pileleachate) and high strength winery washwater.

The ‘AQUA Wetland System’ is operated out ofdoors and can achieve year-round tertiary treat-ment of wastewater. This sub-surface, vertical flowconstructed wetland consists of sand & gravel bedsplanted with moisture tolerant plant species. Wateris pumped vertically from cell to cell. There is noopen or standing water. Treatment occurs throughphysical filtration & biological degradation. Plantsshade & insulate the cells, cycling nutrients whilepreventing algae growth. There is noproduction of sludge.

The AWS has been approved for use by theOntario Ministry of Environment through over 40 Environmental Compliance Approvals. Recently the Regionof Niagara began approving the AWS for treatment of ‘small flow’ winery washwater I.e. < 10,000 litersper day. Other agencies who have issued approvals include Health Canada, USEPA and OMAFRA. Recentprojects include:1) treatment & re-use of greenhouse irrigation leach water at greenhouses in Niagara & Haldimand2) treatment of winery wastewater at Greenlane Estates Winery & numerousother in Niagara 3) treatment of landfill leachate at sites in Pembroke, Niagara and Alabama

For additional information please Contact LloydRozema at: cell. 905-327-4571email. [email protected]

CALL ABE FIRSTFOR BETTER PRICES, MORE

CHOICES, FAST, AND FRIENDLY SERVICE. BUY A DIESEL ENGINE

PUMP UNIT FROM THE DIESEL MECHANIC.

NEW IRRIGATION PUMPUNITS ON TRAILER

• Cummin 4 cyl & 6 cyl• John Deere, 4 cyl & 6 cyl• Iveco/Cummins, 4 cyl & 6 cyl• Kubota & Deutz etc, etc.• Perkins-Cat

Rovatti PumpsBerkeley Pumps, etc.

And many more new or used up to 550 HP.

We build them all big or small.Also couplers, hoses, clamps, forsuction, camlock, ringlock, bauer

etc.

A. KOOLMEESR.R. 1, Otterville, ON N0J 1R0

(519) 879-6878 Fax: (519) 879-6319

Pipe& Fittings

for Water Systems• PVC, ABS, Poly, Copper

• Stainless, Brass, SteelProduct Lines

• Drip & Micro Irrigation• Septic & Sewer

• Drainage & Culverts• Berkeley Water Pumps

Winona Concrete & Pipe Products Ltd.

489 Main St. W., Grimsby, ON. L3M 1T4

[email protected] (905) 945-8515 Fax: (905) 945-1149

or call toll-free

1-800-361-8515



Managing water indroplets, mist and ice CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

It’s flimsy and relatively easy topuncture with a hoe or cultiva-tor, but easy to fix. At the endof the growing season, aboutNovember, the hundreds ofmetres of tape are rolled up,bagged and sent to a recyclingfacility.

“As we are seeing the effectiveness and gains fromthis drip tape, we are looking atreusable tape in our program,”says Zamecnik. “With tapethat’s 15- or 20-millimetresthick, it’s more expensive butwe hope the cost can bestretched over a few seasons tojustify the practice.”

In the blueberry fields, 25-millimeter drip tape is usedbecause it needs to endureeverything from tractors andwinds to pruning and winterweather.

“We look to have this on theground for 20 years beforereplacing our blueberry fieldwith new drip tape.”

Water management is alsokey for the strawberry nursery.Misting emitters are used towater strawberry plugs, sensitive to drying out. Toensure quality of the water,tests are conducted every otherweek. If a disease spot showsup on strawberries, then thequestion must be asked aboutthe source. Is it disease resulting from a clogged filter?Could it be over-watering whichleaches fertilizer below the rootzone? Frequent water testshelp to trace the source.

The strawberry nursery business is on a growth trajectory with negotiated rightsto the greenhouses that used tobelong to the Delhi TobaccoResearch Station. When thefederal station was closed several years ago, it was sold toprivate buyers. Now thosegreenhouses will be used togenerate disease- and virus-freeplants from nuclear stock. Theresulting plants will be grownout in the nursery and then soldto strawberry clients in thesouthern U.S. Here again, thehigh-grade water available atthe station is an advantage sinceit is produced from reverseosmosis.

After the bareroot strawberryplants are grown out and putinto plugs at the farm, they aregraded and readied for shipment. They are placed intodouble-waxed boxes with a sliceof ice to provide some humidityand moisture for the trip. Theseboxes have vents so that anywater can drain onto the field.By conducting this chore in thefield, the Zamecnik’s avoid anywashwater issues that might

otherwise be encountered in acovered facility.

It total, the farm has threepermits to take water. Thepaperwork is the easy part.Today, water management issqueezing the resource intotinier components and meteringthem one drop at a time.

Photo right: Dusty Zamecnikoffers an overview of the strawberry nursery.

When you find something that works, you stick with it. Arysta LifeScience is proud to offer some of the most trusted names in crop protection for the horticulture market, and our roster is growing. With the recent addition of six products, we now offer a more complete portfolio that includes dependable fungicides, insecticides, miticides, plant growth regulators, a herbicide and bactericide. To learn more about all the

products in our expanded portfolio, visit www.gowithwhatworks.ca.

Always read and follow label directions. The KASUMIN logo is a trademark and KANEMITE, the KANEMITE logo, MAESTRO, and the MAESTRO logo are registered trademarks of Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. ACRAMITE and CASORON are registered trademarks of MacDermid Agricultural Solutions Inc. KASUMIN is a registered trademark of Hokko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. RIMON is a registered trademark of an ADAMA Group Company. Arysta LifeScience and the Arysta LifeScience logo are registered trademarks of Arysta LifeScience Corporation. ©2016 Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC. CDNH-1507


EQUIPMENT

CLASSIFIEDSFor Sale: FMC Packing Linewith 4 lane, 4 drops, washer,dryer, elevator, top dump bindumper. 4” irrigation pipe.Gormen Rup 4x4 irrigationpump. 48” exhaust fans w/ onehorse motors (208 and 600volt). Holland CO2 generators399000btu. 34” and 48” green-house glass vents. Contact Johnat 519-791-2371

For Sale: 200 + lengths ofWade Rain irrigation pipe,3" x 40 ft long complete withsprinkler heads. Very good condition. Call Gord at 905-541.-781.

For Sale:Checchi & Magli transplanter.2 row with double racks. Extraplow shoes and cup sizes. Likenew. $10,800. 519-476-4430.

Equipment for Sale:3 pt. Veg-veyer and 3 self-unloading wagons. 3 field packcauliflower wagons with 2-12ft.conveyors. 2 field pack broccoliwagons with stainless tablesand air compressors and bunchers. All wagons are 64”centers. Don Almas, cell 289-439-0711, office 519-647-2729.

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

CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING

Produce / Vegetable Rubber Bands

• For bundling green onions, asparagus, broccoli, celery,

leeks, herb and other vegetables • Some come with different colours or printed PLU# • Also carry UV bands for plants, ferns, and flowers for

green houses and nurseries Natural Rubber: Best tensile strength available in North

America. Complete product range inventoried in Ontario.

Bay Tree Enterprises E-mail: [email protected] Cell: (416) 452-7574

ORCHARD SUPPLIESPACKING HOUSE AND USED EQUIPMENT

For information please callPierre Jodoin 450-467-4744 * 229Sylvain Jodoin 450-467-4744 * 228

Used apple packing line

Capacity 22 to 25 bins / 8 hrs

Description: Burg dry bin dumperFMC brush, wax and dryer 36’’ wideFMC sizer 2 mechanic lanes

All electric supply that go with thoseequipment are included in the deal.

Everything in good condition andready to use.

If you have a rural routeaddress, please update

subscription with your civicaddress to ensure delivery.

866-898-8488 ext 221www.thegrower.org



EQUIPMENT

DRAINAGE SYSTEMS

DON ARTHUR ORCHARD EQUIPMENT(519) 599-3058 [email protected] Clarksburg, ON

LOW DRIFT SPRAY TOWERS - ADD TO ANY TURBO-MISTTurbo-Mist 500, centrifugal, hydraulic, almost new $17,900Turbo-Mist 500, short turning hitch, optional tower $17,500Turbo-Mist 500, centrifugal, tall spray tower $19,950Turbo-Mist 500, diaphragm, hydraulic valves, full warranty $20,500Turbo-Mist 500, diaphragm, electric, almost new $17,500Turbo-Mist 600, centrifugal, electric, almost new $17,900Perfect KG-220 H.D. flail mower, all new flails $5,900Perfect KG-220 new flails, used 2 years, like new $7,250Apple Bin Carriers - Used (5-Bin) Two available

**** WANTED: Good clean sprayer trades ***** Perfect rotary mowers & heavy duty flail mowers

TRADES, CONSIGNMENTS, LEASING, DELIVERY ANYWHERE

NEW TURBO-MIST SPRAYERS*All Turbo-Mist parts in stock - 7 days/week in season

• VEGETABLE SEEDERS

Planet Jr. Gaspardo Cole

• FERTILIZER ATTACHMENTS

(SideDressers)

• CHISEL PLOW EQUIPMENT

• ROW CROP WEEDERS AND CULTIVATORS

• DISC HILLERS

• SPECIALIZED ROW CROP EQUIPMENT, ETC.Cultivator Steels, Sweeps, Hoes, Furrowers,Hillers, Etc.

JOHN C. GRAHAM CO. LTD.88 Erie Street North • P.O. Box 13

Leamington, Ontario • N8H 3W1

Tel:(519) 326-5051 Fax: (519) 326-0480

ASPARAGUS

ASPARAGUS CROWNS

MillenniumMary Washington

Sandy Shore Farms Ltd.(519) 8753382

[email protected]

ASPARAGUS ROOTS

Jersey Giant

Millennium

Wrightland Farm

RR 1 • 1000 Ridge Rd.

Harrow, ON N0R 1G0

Keith: 519-738-6120

Fax: 519-738-3358

For SaleNH TN 95F 4WD cab

32x32 trans 2400 hrs

good condition

PH [email protected]

P: 1-888-770-8454F: 1-888-567-1297www.madleyglobal.com

SALESSERVICESUPPORT

LABELS & LABEL MACHINERYAUTOMATION & ROBOTICS

FROST PROTECTION

SHuR FARMS®

Frost ProtectionAward Winning Technology! Internationally Acclaimed!

Shur Farms Frost Protection1890 N. 8th St., Colton, CA 92324

Toll Free (877) [email protected] ~ www.shurfarms.com

Manufacturer of the world’s most advanced frost protection.

Cold Air Drain®

Powerful Cost EffectiveVersatile Convenient

Sell your farmequipment here.

classified ads

call the classified department at866-898-8488

ext 221



TREE TRAINING

Treeform “V” [email protected]

519-599-2299 Tree training made easier.

GREENHOUSE ROOFING

www.th

egrower.org

REFRIGERATION

•

Agricultural * Commercial * Industrial

50 Years of Excellent Service

Refrigeration (All Types)

Heating, Air Conditioning

Controlled Atmosphere

18 Seapark Drive, St Catharines ON, L2M 6S6

905-685-4255

www.pennrefrigeration.com

[email protected]

FROST PROTECTION

If you have a rural routeaddress, please update

subscription with your civicaddress to ensure delivery.

866-898-8488 ext 221www.thegrower.org



SEED AND ROOTSTOCK

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 Brenk31760 Erin Line

Fingal ON, Canada N0L 1K0519-902-6353

[email protected]

GLADIOLUS BULBSWide variety selection for retail sales and

commercial cut flower productionCatalogue available upon request or visit our website at www.lmbolle.com

L.M. Bolle & Sons813083 Baseline Norwich, ON(519) 468-2090 Fax 468-2099

email: [email protected]

KEDDYC.O.

• Certified Strawberry Plants & Raspberry Canes• All popular varieties available

• Grown under the Nova Scotia Certification program. Plants shipped across North America.

Contact us for a FREE brochure!

982 North Bishop Road, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada B4N 3V7Ph: (902) 678-4497 Fax: (902) 678-0067

Email: [email protected]

QUALITY FRUIT TREES

• APPLE on M9, B9 and M26

• Peach on Bailey

• PEAR on Quince

ORDER NOW FOR BEST SELECTION

WARWICKORCHARDS & NURSERY LTD

7056 Egremont Rd. R.R. #8Watford, Ontario

N0M [email protected]

Tel: (519) 849-6730Toll free: 877-550-7412

Fax: (519) 849-6731

REAL ESTATE

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Oriental Vegetable Seeds

Bitter Melon

AgroHaitai Ltd. Ph: 519-647-2280 • Fax: 519-647-3188

[email protected]• www.AgroHaitai.com

Ontario HighbushBlueberry Growers

Annual Meeting2016 for Members

Saturday April 2, 201610:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Place: EZ GROWFARMS

Darryl, Helen andDusty Zamecnik

1771 CR23 Langton, ONPlease email Bill Parks

[email protected] or call 519-359-3000

Gerry Loeters for Royal LePage,

RCR Realty.PH. 519-765-4217Cell. 519-773-6460

NEEDED FOR READY BUYERSOrchard with appr. 50 acres in production in Southern Ontario. Preferred good varieties of apples. Also offshorebuyer for ongoing vineyard for wine production and offshorebuyer looking for greenhouse for vegetable production.

Call Gerry Loeters Royal LePage RCR Realty ph. 519-765-4217 or cell 519-773-6460

[email protected] Realtors welcome to respond also.

DIGITAL SALESSPECIALIST

COMMUNICATIONSSPECIALIST

(Maternity Leave Cover)

Find full jobdescriptions at

www.ofvga.org

The Grower April 2016

Documents

Transcript of The Grower April 2016