KAREN DAVIDSON

It’s time to put aside visceral feelings about theTrump administration and put some stock in facts,where they can be found.

If Robert Lighthizier is confirmed as the U.S. traderepresentative, it would seem that between him andU.S. commerce secretary Wilbur Ross, the U.S.Congress will be notified soon of intentions to renegotiate NAFTA. These announcements couldcome as soon as April.

These newly significant players are not well-knownin Canada, however Lighthizier’s approach providesinsight: “I try to be friendly in negotiations. I’m not thetheatrical type. The art of persuasion is knowing wherethe leverage is.”

In these early months of the Trump government,Canadian growers are bullish about the future of thetrading relationship with the United States. The

balance of produce trade is in favour of the U.S. with$4.5 billion coming north and $2.5 billion going south(Statistics Canada 2015). Here are a few examples thatillustrate how integrated the economies are.

Trade

Starting in British Columbia, the blueberry industryis very export-oriented with 60 to 70 per cent of thefresh crop going to the U.S. “There’s been a lot ofmedia about the new president but I hope it will bebusiness as usual this year,” says Jason Smith, formerchair of the BC Blueberry Council. He explains thatU.S.-based companies such as Driscoll’s and Naturipeare active in sourcing B.C. berries. Working under theumbrella of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council,growers are levied $18 per ton on all blueberries goingto the U.S. for marketing campaigns.

On the prairies, Manitoba ships 30 per cent of itsfresh potato crop to the U.S. says Larry McIntosh,

president and CEO, Peak of the Market. “Any negativechange in NAFTA would be potentially devastating tous. It would be a shame because NAFTA works so wellfor vegetables.”

Canada is a net importer of fresh vegetables whichneed to move quickly and freely across the border tohave value. “If the U.S. tightens up the border, wedon’t want trucks sitting at the border for hours,” saysMcIntosh. “We’re based on just-in-time deliveries.”

Ontario is a good example of how produce flowsboth ways. John Hambly, president of GwillimdaleFarms, is a muck crop grower based in Bradford. Heships two trucks of jumbo carrots per week to Salinas,California in the winter season and the back haul bringssalad ingredients to Canada. His American buyers valuethe consistent quality that Gwillimdale is able to provide to the U.S. foodservice industry.

Continued on page 3

APRIL 2017 CELEBRATING 138 YEARS AS CANADA’S PREMIER HORTICULTURAL PUBLICATION THEGROWER.ORG

TRUMP TIMES

Taking stock of the Canadian-American relationship

British Columbia’s blueberry industry is export-dependent, with 60 to 70 per cent of the crop going to the United States. That’s just one example of the highly integrated economies inproduce. Based on day-to-day relationships with American customers, Canadian growers are bullish about upcoming NAFTA talks. That’s because the record shows American businessesneed Canada’s raw and intermediate products for their processing plants. Canadians are a lot like this Jack Russell terrier, standing on guard, a fearless personality in the face of challenge. Photo courtesy of BC Blueberry Council.

Volume 67 Number 04 P.M. 40012319 $3.00 CDN

Rising costs dominate CHC meeting PG 10 What’s ahead in apples PG 16 Focus: Irrigation and water management Section B

$19 million announcedfor Ontario greenhousesector

Ontario agriculture ministerJeff Leal announced theGreenhouse Competitivenessand Innovation Initiative onMarch 23. The province is providing $19 million toenhance competitiveness of thegreenhouse sector by support-ing development of new technologies, encouraginginvestments in greenhouse agriculture and boosting productivity.

“This important investmentwill allow Ontario’s greenhousesector to continue to expand,enhancing economic growth andcreating good jobs right here inOntario,” said Leal.

Ontario’s greenhouse sectoris currently growing at the rateof 150 acres per year, with a

total of 2,876 acres of tomatoes,peppers and cucumbers in production. The greenhouseindustry contributes nearly 10per cent of the province’s agri-food sector jobs and GDP.Last year, Ontario’s greenhousesector and related value chainsupported more than 81,000jobs and $3.2 billion in GDP.

“This funding will supportthe continued growth of oursector and its capacity to createjobs, drive exports and providea reliable supply of locallygrown greenhouse products forOntario consumers,” said JanVanderHout, chair of TheOntario Greenhouse Alliance(TOGA).

Photo by Glenn Lowson

NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

THE GROWER

AT PRESS TIME…

PAGE 2 –– APRIL 2017

Ian MacKenzie, former president of the Ontario ProduceMarketing Association, has been appointed to a three-year termon the board of directors for the Ontario Food Terminal.

Catherine Clark has been named new executive director ofFarmers’ Markets Ontario (FMO) effective April 1. She replacesRobert Chorney, FMO founder, who is retiring after more than25 years at the helm of the association which now has 182 member markets across the province.

The Niagara Peninsula Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Associationhas honoured Bill George Jr. with its Award of Merit. He waschair of the Grape Growers of Ontario from 2007 – 2016, vice-chair from 2003-2007 and has been a board director from 1994 to2016. He is currently vice-chair of the Ontario Fruit andVegetable Growers’ Association.

Photo: (L-R) Leslieann and Bill George Jr. and association presi-dent Jeff Duc. Photo by Denis Cahill.

Broccoli grower Ken Forth has been re-elected as president ofthe Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services(FARMS) which organizes the logistics for about 17,000 workersin Ontario.

The Tender Fruit Growers of Ontario have honoured Austin andJohn Kirkby with their annual Award of Merit.

Eric Biddiscombe has joined Southern Corporate Packers as vice-president of Canadian operations based in Kitchener, Ontario.With headquarters in Florida, the grower/shipper/packer growsmelons in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Nicaragua. It also hasseven packing sheds along the eastern seaboard of NorthAmerica. Most recently, he was senior director planning, producebusiness unit, for Loblaw.

The Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association (OFFMA) has anew president in Steve Martin, Martin’s Family Fruit Farm.Vice-president is Kristin Ego MacPhail, Ego’s Greenhouses.Directors include: Cara Ferguson, Edana Integrated Marketing,Leslie Forsythe, Forsythe Family Farms Inc., Nicole Judge,Spirit Tree Estate, Dana Thatcher, Thatcher Farms, KarenWhitty, Whitty’s Farm and 13th Street Winery. New membersinclude: Colleen McKay, Your Farm Market; Jordan McKay,Willowtree Farm Market; Erin McLean, McLean’s Berry Farm.Jessica Kelly is the OMAFRA liaison. Cathy Bartolic is secretarytreasurer.

Congratulations to OFFMA’s Leadership Award: Phil andStephanie Quinn, La Ferme Quinn. The Ambassador Awardwent to Anna Olson. Outstanding On-Farm Market Award waswon by Heeman’s. The Innovation Award was given to KatanKitchens/Quinta Quinoa.

The Great Ontario Hopped Craft Beer Competition, now in itsfifth year, was sponsored by BASF Canada. The first-place winner was New Limburg Brewing Company along with HeyhoeHops and King Lake Farms. Second-place winner wasWalkerville Brewery and Heyhoe Hops, King Lake Farms andVQH Farms. Third-place winner was Wellington Brewery andHeyhoe Hops. A record 18 teams participated this year.

Winners of the sweet cider competition are: Thomas Wilson,Spirit Tree Cider; Hector Delanghe, Delhaven Orchards; ColinCampbell, Amelia’s Cider House.

Winners of the craft cider, common category are: Doug Johnson,Thornbury Village Cidery and Brewery; Peter McArthur,Heritage Estate Winery and Cidery; Tim Schneider, DuntroonCider House.

The Canadian Horticultural Council (CHC) has electedAlvin Keenan, a potato farmer from Souris, Prince EdwardIsland as the new president. First vice-president is BrianGilroy, an apple grower from Meaford, Ontario. For moreinformation on the CHC annual general meeting, go topage 10.

Photo right: Alvin Keenan, (L) and Ralph Eichler,Manitoba minister of agriculture.

Congratulations to Gary Linkletter who was honoured with theCHC’s Doug Connery award for his leadership and contributions toindustry. He is a 7th generation potato farmer from Summerside anda past-chair of the PEI Potato Board. He is a partner in LinkletterFarms, a family farm operation which grows seed, table and processing potatoes.

Photo bottom right: Paulette Connery (L), Gary Linkletter andKeith Kuhl, outgoing CHC president. Photos by David Folkerson.

Continued from page 1

Since the 1800s, the wildlowbush blueberry industry hasbeen concentrated in Quebec,the Maritimes and the state ofMaine. Peter Rideout, executive director of the NovaScotia Wild BlueberryAssociation, points out thatannual production has grownsteadily with more than 400 million pounds harvested in2016. About a quarter of that isin Maine.

Two companies, JasperWyman & Son and the OxfordFood Group have factories inboth Maine and the Maritimesand several smaller Maineprocessors buy wild blueberriesfrom producers in the southernMaritimes. The high level ofintegration and collaboration isquite unique to the wild blueberry sector.

“There is also considerablecross-border movement of specialized harvesting equipment and crews,” saysRideout. “As an industry, we’renervous that nothing happens tothe border or that taxes may beimposed. There’s a lot ofinvestment in land, equipmentand processing facilities.”

With $7 billion of producetrade under the microscope, theCanadian Horticultural Councilwill be working with the federalgovernment and other industrygroups such as the CanadianProduce Marketing Association(CPMA). The immediate taskwill be monitoring tariff andnon-tariff barrier threats to theNAFTA agreement and developing a position paper thatsupports the free flow of produce.

As recently as March 20,CPMA president Ron Lemaireconsulted with 20 growers andshippers on a teleconference tobetter understand the needsgoing forward.

“It will be important toleverage the relationships withthe governors of 29 states whichhave agrifood trade withCanada,” says Lemaire. “Weneed to remind them that theirbest trading partner is a truckride away, not a boat rideaway.”

The produce industry is concerned about the trial balloon of border taxes. Anddespite the success of a recenttrade agreement with Europe(CETA), growers still worry thatwhen supply management isdiscussed, the produce industrymight become collateral damagein negotiations. It’s hard to predict what the future willbring, given that so many otherindustries - -- automotive,forestry, services –are part ofthe picture. One common

complaint from the pastNAFTA agreement is that theharmonization of pesticides andMaximum Residue Levels(MRLs) is unfinished business.

Water

Trade is but one aspect ofthe U.S.-Canada relationship.President Trump has alreadysignaled a 31 per cent cut to thebudget of the EnvironmentalProtection Agency. Of mostworry is that $300 million earmarked for the Great LakesRestoration Initiative would bepared to a mere $10 million peryear. This action would curtailsuch projects as controllinginvasive species and reducingnutrient run-off. If these budgetcuts are approved, borderingstates would be choked for program funding while nearbyCanadian provinces – and farmers -- would still be tied tolegislation.

In British Columbia, anotherquestion hangs over theColumbia River treaty whichmust be reviewed by 2024. Aseries of four dams – three inBritish Columbia, 11 inWashington state – were completed in 1964 for powerand flood control. In the future,the U.S. wants to pay less forthe right to store water inBritish Columbia. From the perspective of B.C. fruit farmers, the water that’s flowedsouthward has nourished avibrant Washington state fruitindustry that now dominates theprice for the entire industry.Look for the Columbia Rivertreaty to be a bellwether ofwater negotiations in the future.

Labour

Not all Americans in agriculture are thrilled with thepolicy direction. For example,the United Fresh ProduceAssociation, helmed by president and CEO TomStenzel, is on the record in starkcontrast to the president’s policies.

“Immigration policy in thiscountry is in shambles, andreforms of current laws and federal regulations on the booksare desperately needed if we aregoing to maintain a vibrant andsuccessful fruit and vegetableindustry,” he stated. He advocates for a three-part platform that:• supports an adjustment of status for experienced, butunauthorized, agricultural workers who reside in the U.S.• calls for the reform andreplacement of current agricultural worker programwith a new agricultural workervisa program.

• works to ensure that ongoingand future efforts for bordersecurity and enforcement continue as long as they arecoupled with a solution to provide agriculture with a legaland stable workforce.

The immigration policies ofthe Trump administration mayhave unintended consequences.For Washington state applegrowers, the worry is so greatabout access to competitively-priced labour -- at rates rangingfrom $13.50 to $15 US per hour-- that efforts are well underwayto develop robotics for harvesting as early as 2017.

To finance the high cost ofcapitalization and infrastructure,the apple industry is increasing-ly dominated by integratedmega-farms with thousands of

acres, state-of-the-art packing,storage and marketing.

“These huge operations areon an innovation treadmill,”says Murray Porteous, chair ofthe Canadian HorticulturalCouncil’s labour committee.“To cope with increasing labourrates and to stay competitivegiven their high dollar, companies are looking toreplace labour with robotics.These U.S. labour trends willplace more pressure onCanadian competitiveness.”

What to watch for next?

In the near future, watch forthe timing of NAFTA negotiations which will requireCanadian produce policy input.In mid-May, watch for the

broad strokes of the new U.S.budget. Watch for what theCanadian government does onthe Trans-Pacific Partnership(TPP). While few headlineswere generated in mid-March,Canada attended TPP meetingsin Chile, perhaps its last chancefor preferential treatment inAsian markets.

Years in the making, theTPP trade agreement may stillhave legs. Consider the mem-bers: Australia, Brunei, Canada,Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico,New Zealand, Peru, Singaporeand Vietnam. If TPP11 were togo ahead in some shape or form,the trade agreement could provide Canada with some well-needed leverage.

APRIL 2017 –– PAGE 3 THE GROWER

COVER STORY

Taking stock of the Canadian-American relationship

It will be important to leverage the relationshipswith the governors of 29 states which have agrifood trade with Canada. We need to remindthem that their best trading partner is a truckride away, not a boat ride away.

~ RON LEMAIRE, CANADIAN PRODUCE MARKETING ASSOCIATION

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With more than 200 acres inproduction in Canada and theUnited States, Houweling’sTomatoes continues to expandits product line-up.

Houweling’s Tomatoes hasannounced three new high-flavour tomato packs as part oftheir premium Signature

Selection line. This brand dic-tates a strict criteria for varietalselection and growing practices,placing flavour at the forefrontof the selection criteria, followed by other key attributessuch as texture, and appearance.

Houweling’s Group is a leading greenhouse vegetable

grower, propagator and marketer with operations inDelta, British Columbia,Camarillo, California, Mona,Utah and Loveland, Colorado.

See them at next month’sCanadian Produce MarketingAssociation convention andtrade show in Toronto, Ontario.

PAGE 4 –– APRIL 2017THE GROWER

CROSS COUNTRY DIGEST

Ecobain Gardens, the largestcommercial vertical farm operation in Canada, has completed installation of PhilipsGreenPower LED productionmodules. By upgrading the fluorescent lighting previouslyused in the facility to LED,Philips Lighting is helping thevertical farming pioneer to produce at commercial scale,accelerate growing cycles andgrow healthier, more consistentplants, while saving up to$30,000 in energy costs per year.

Producing both organic andnon-organic, nutrient-rich herbsand microgreens in a fully controlled indoor facility,Ecobain Gardens was estab-lished in 2013 and is the firstcommercial vertical farmingoperation in Saskatchewan,Canada. The facility produces18,000 pounds of produce eachyear in less than 1,400 square

feet. Its farming method usesup to 98 per cent less water,zero harmful chemicals or pesticides. The vertical growingtechnology and local distribu-tion systems reduce energy use,travel time and proximity of thecrop, spoilage rates and overalloperating costs.

Ecobain Gardens has partnered with food distributorStar Produce to distribute itsproduce throughout Canada toretailers such as Loblaw,Federated Co-op, Safeway,Sobeys, and other local grocerystores.

"Our goal is to grow our operation to a scale where wecan make a difference to thepeople of our community whoneed quality nutrition, no matter their economic standingor geographical location," saidBrian Bain, co-founder andCEO of Ecobain Gardens.

The operation is now producing more than 10,000basil plants a week, which is atcommercial scale. The low heatoutput of the Philips LEDlights produces healthier, moreconsistent plant growth byreducing the heat stress on theplant canopy and root zone andby providing more uniformlighting. Plants also have a better dry weight compared tofluorescent lighting or LEDlighting systems from othermanufacturers.

In addition, the LED light-ing system helped to reduceEcobain's HVAC system costsby almost 50 per cent while pro-viding Ecobain with increasedspace efficiency due to the minimal heat radiated by themodules. These benefits enabletighter placement of crop rowsand therefore more yield fromthe same growing area.

Saskatoon is home to Canada’s first commercial vertical farm

SASKATCHEWAN

First genetics, then packaging in greenhouse tomatoesBRITISH COLUMBIA

LED Lighting Lunch-n-Learn

Philips is holding LED lighting lunch-n-learn seminars for:

Jordan Station, ON – March 28Medicine Hat, AB – March 29Surrey, BC – March 30

For more information, go to www.lighting.philips.ca/products/horticulture/ledlunch

Source: Philips Lighting news release

Tomtastic Yellow Cherry Tomatoes: Selected for their sweet flavour and yellow burst of colour, thesecherry tomatoes are packed in 12 x 10.5 oz. clamshells.

THE GROWERAPRIL 2017 –– PAGE 5

CROSS COUNTRY DIGEST

Greg Donald, general manager of thePrince Edward Island Potato Board, hascompleted his Nuffield scholarship witha paper titled: “Identification of key success factors from world leaders in processing, seed and fresh potatoes toassist with long-term planning of PEI’spotato industry.”

After visits to Belgium, theNetherlands and the United Kingdom in2016, he authored a paper that’s worthreading not only for its implications inthe potato sector, but all horticulturalsectors. One of his observations is thatthe Netherlands seed industry is gettingbetter, not bigger. That’s a lesson transferable to Canada.

Here’s a refresher on what NuffieldCanada Agricultural Scholarships areabout. The organization offers scholar-ships to agricultural leaders to expandtheir knowledge and network with topindividuals around the world, to promoteadvancement and leadership in agriculture.

The scholarship provides individualswith the unique opportunity to assessthe world’s best in food and farming;stand back from the day-to-day occupation to study a topic of keen interest; achieve personal developmentthrough travel and study; and to deliverlong-term benefits to Canadian farmers

and growers and to the industry at large. Applications are due annually by

April 30. For a sense of Greg Donald’s paper,

here is his executive summary. Belgium is the land of the fries – an

appropriate reference because it is theworld’s leader in processing potatoes.Belgium has achieved this title becauseof its strategic location, high yields, competitiveness (low cost of production)and the industry’s expertise. Belgium’sfuture success factors will include a continued focus on sustainability,research and innovation, collaborationswithin the sector, increasing promotionand capitalizing on growing export markets. I believe that Belgium’s mostsignificant success factor is its strongcompetitiveness in the potato processingsector attributable to its high yields andlow production costs.

The Netherlands has become theworld’s leader in seed potatoes by get-ting better, not bigger. Generally speak-ing, I believe this has been the country’skey success factor, More specifically, theNetherlands’ success is the result of itsstrategic location, favourable soil and climate, expertise, innovation and infrastructure. Netherland’s future success factors will include a continuedfocus on new market-oriented variety

development, research and innovationand pest management. It was apparentproduction costs are very high (in particular land costs) and the prevalenceof the latest in technology. These twofactors are among the reasons why it isbelieved the Netherlands has becomeand will continue to be the world leaderin the seed sector because of the need tofocus on continuous improvement.

The study tour in Great Britain provided a “fresh” perspective for thisproject. The key success factors thathave made Great Britain a world leaderin the fresh potato sector include a hugelocal market, a focus on new exclusivevarieties, branding, promotion of healthyattributes, economies of scale and value-added products. Great Britain’s futuresuccess factors will include managingsupply, promoting the health benefits ofpotatoes, improving convenience, andincreasing environmental stewardship. It was most apparent that addressing thedecline in fresh consumption will be thesingle most important future success factor for Great Britain.

To meet the world’s increasing foodneeds, the potato will play a critical rolein large part because of its ability to produce a great deal of food per unit ofarea with less water per unit of production versus the world’s other

major crops. Growth in both potato consumption and production area willoccur in the developing countries, whereconsumption will be static or declining indeveloped countries. Production areawill also decline in developed countriesdue to increasing yield trends. Trade offrozen processed products will follow asimilar trend as fresh potatoes, howeverit is believed that production of process-ing potatoes and processed products willbe provided by the most competitivesuppliers. The big question globally willbe whether local processing sectors indeveloping countries will be able to compete with the quality and price ofworld leaders such as Washington stateand Belgium.

Nuffield scholar identifies key success factors in global potato industry

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

JILLIAN BENDER

It’s well understood thathoney bee health is complexand honey bees face pressuresfrom a number of factorsthroughout the year including:pests and parasites such as theVarroa mite, harsh weather, disease from bacteria and viruses, a lack of nutritious foodsources and potential exposureto pesticides.

Fortunately, according to the2016 data from StatisticsCanada, honey bee colony numbers continue to increaseand are in fact at an all-timehigh. There were more than750,000 honey bee colonies inCanada and close to 10,000 bee-keepers, as of the end of 2016.

“Bees and pesticides areintegral and complementarycomponents of sustainable agriculture, so we are veryhappy to see these numbersincreasing,” said Pierre Petelle,acting president and CEOCropLife Canada. “Our industry is proud to be playing akey role to ensure both beekeeping and agriculture continue to co-exist and thrive.”

In 2016, CropLife Canadapartnered with the CanadianHoney Council to bringBeeConnected to Canada.

BeeConnected is an app that

anonymously connects registered farmers, beekeepersand pesticide applicators – freeof charge. This allows them toshare information about wherebeehives are located and whenpesticide applications will happen, all through the use of aweb browser, iPhone or Androiddevice.

“We’ve heard from a numberof groups that communicationbetween all parties could beimproved,” said Petelle. “TheBeeConnected app addressesthis issue with an end goal ofhelping prevent bees frombeing unintentionally exposedto pesticides.”

Getting started with the appis easy. Users simply visit thewebsite (www.beeconnected.ca)or download the app from Applestore or Google Play and createan account right on their smartphone.

Farmers are then notifiedwhen a beekeeper logs a beeyard location within five kilometres of their property andbeekeepers are notified whenany crop activity is logged within five kilometres of theirhives. All registered informationis kept confidential and usersare always anonymous.

Registered users can chooseto use BeeConnected’s built-inmessaging service to coordinateand privately share information

with specific users or they canbroadcast their message to anyrelevant users registered withina five kilometre radius of theiractivity or hive.

Farmers, commercial

pesticide applicators and beekeepers can also explore thein-app map to find any nearbyactivity that could affect them.But beekeepers can’t see otherbeekeepers and farmers andpesticide applicators can’t seeother farmers and applicators.

Efforts such asBeeConnected demonstrate thehigh level of interest that existsto support honey bees inCanada and to help protectthem from inadvertent expo-sures to agricultural pesticides.Health Canada’s PestManagement RegulatoryAgency’s recent update onCanadian bee incident reportsshows these efforts are having apositive impact.

Here are a few highlights: • The number of beekeepersreporting incidents potentiallyassociated with a pesticide sprayapplication in Canada havebeen cut in half – there were

seven in 2016 and 14 in 2012. • The number of bee yards withreported incidents potentiallyassociated with corn and soy-bean planting have decreasedby 75 per cent from 2013.• The number of beekeepersreporting incidents, and theseverity, potentially associatedwith corn and soybean plantingare down – there were 37 in2016 and 89 in 2013.

“The goal of a tool such asBeeConnected is to further helpby improving communicationbetween farmers and beekeepers about agriculturalactivity or hive locations withtheir neighbours,” said Petelle.

To learn more about how theapp works, head towww.beeconnected.ca

Jillian Bender is senior communications officer forCropLife Canada.

PAGE 6 –– APRIL 2017

THE GROWER

BEE TRENDS

BeeConnected helps encourage communicationbetween beekeepers andfarmers

Bees and pesticides are integral and complementary components of sustainable agriculture, so we are very happy to see these numbers increasing. ~ PIERRE PETELLE

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Photo by Denis Cahill

MARKETINGTHE GROWER

APRIL 2017 –– PAGE 7

KAREN DAVIDSON

Nine southwestern Ontariogrowers, duly elected by theirpeers, were terminated by theOntario government on March 3because negotiations with tomato processors had brokendown two days earlier.

Ontario’s agriculture ministerJeff Leal appointed ElmerBuchanan, until recently, thevice-chair of Ontario FarmProducts MarketingCommission, as trustee of theOntario Processing VegetableGrowers (OPVG) board. In theminister’s words, the decisionwas prompted by the “impasse”in negotiations for tomato contracts which representsabout half of the $89 million infarmgate receipts in vegetableprocessing.

Mr. Buchanan arrived in theOPVG’s London, Ontariooffices on March 3. The non-profit organization represents producers of tomatoes, green peas, sweetcorn, green and wax beans,cucumbers, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lima beans, peppers, pumpkin and squashfor the canning, freezing andpickling industry.

“This is a slap in the faces ofnine growers who have beendemocratically elected to theboard,” says chair FrancisDobelaar, a tomato and fieldcucumber grower nearWallaceburg, Ontario. “I’mreceiving calls from growerswho say they will park theirequipment this spring. They arecurrently negotiating loans atbanks and they won’t be heldransom.”

Until as recently as March 1,OPVG was bargaining withtomato processors: HighburyCanco (formerly Heinz), Sun-Brite Foods and ConAgra.According to a five-year memo-randum of understanding signeda year ago, OPVG framed theterms and conditions to benegotiated including abiding bytomato processing prices set inCalifornia. Talks were goingwell with Sun-Brite Foods andConAgra, however on the deadline day, none of theprocessors appeared with theirfinal offer.

“I have been closely monitoring the 2017 contractnegotiations between Ontario’stomato growers and processorsand was recently informed bygrowers, processors and theOntario Farm ProductsMarketing Commission(OFPMC) that negotiationshave reached an impasse, jeopardizing this year’s crop season,” said Leal in a state-ment to stakeholders. “Riskingthis year’s tomato crop and the

thousands of jobs that supportit, is something I am not prepared to do.”

Elmer Buchanan, a formerOntario agriculture minister,temporarily assumes the powersof the board to negotiate 2017contracts until elections for aOPVG board are held prior toDecember 31, 2017. Upcomingnegotiating deadlines for tomatoes, carrots, cabbage andgreen and waxed beans wereextended by 14 days to about

mid-March. The timelines aretight, given that seedlings mustbe contracted for delivery intime for spring planting.

These deadlines have putthe processing vegetable industry in disarray. Given thedialogue of the last few months,OPVG commissioned an economic analysis by Dr. JohnGroenewegen, JRG ConsultingInc.

“It’s a telling report,” saysDobelaar. “Exports of tomato

paste are way up. Raw productpricing is competitive, but energy costs aren’t. It wouldappear that processors are tryingto have farmers take all therisk.”

In 2015, tomato paste exportswere tallied at 79,925 kg and by2016, exports had climbed to1,559,606 kg. Ontario has beencompetitive to California prices.

The Ontario Fruit and

Vegetable Processors’Association, helmed by president Steve Lamoure, alsoissued a news release on March 3.

“We look forward to workingjointly with the OPVG, theirappointed trustee, and ourgrower partners in puttingtogether the details for this progressive move.”

Trustee takes over Ontario processing vegetable growers’ board

PAGE 8 –– APRIL 2017

THE GROWER

CANADIAN PRODUCE MARKETING ASSOCIATION MAY 9-11 TORONTO, ON

Stars are rising in the produce universeKAREN DAVIDSON

Produce never sleeps. It’s an industrynotorious for a 3 am wakeup call. So inthe 21st century, what’s the allure of aproduce career?

Eight years ago, the CanadianProduce Marketing Association (CPMA)woke up to succession planning when itlaunched the Passion for Produce pro-gram. Essentially, CPMA asks companiesto nominate participants. From that list,the final mentees are invited to a two-day mentoring program at the annualtrade show and conference. The idea isto inspire young people about a producecareer with access to about 25 mentors ina range of industry roles.

“Three years ago, we started a speed-mentoring event where menteescan meet mentors in 10-minuteintervals,” explains Greg Ogiba, education chair, CPMA. “The feedbackis that this is their favourite event.”

The produce industry is evolving withmore millennials and more women in theranks, says Ogiba. Trends such as mobileapps are revolutionizing how consumersare accessing information about produce– where and how it’s grown. Those transformative trends are migratingthrough the produce industry. For

example, technology is improving thetracking of inventory for ultimate fresh-ness and food safety.

With this year’s show in Toronto,Ontario, guided tours have beenarranged for Passion for Produce participants to visit Ippolito ProduceLtd. (experts in leafy greens) and SyscoFoods (foodservice).

Ogiba, chief operating officer of AMCNorth America, spends his time betweenToronto and Philadelphia moving citrusand grapes to consumers. He’s an exam-ple of the diversity of careers. He’ll beon hand to meet with this year’s crop of18 mentees from across Canada.

Here’s a glimpse into the future of theproduce industry.

Cristina Medeiros

When Cristina Medeiros left anOntario tobacco farm for culinary schoolin downtown Toronto, she never imag-ined that her career path would take herback to her roots. After graduation, shespent several years in high-end restau-rants but the grueling lifestyle didn’t suither. She joined Bamford Produce in 2008and hasn’t looked back. She’s enjoyedseveral roles within the company –receiving, buying, importing – and isnow in charge of business development

for sister company Fresh Advancementsin Toronto. As part of that role, she seesthe schoolmates of her youth in newroles at the Ontario Food Terminal.

“I think the new millennial generation will shake things up,” saysMedeiros. “In the future, I’d love tobecome a buyer. I’m fascinated by howthings grow and the new hybrids that arecoming on the market such as kalettes.”

Steve Chan

Being at the right place at the right timedoesn’t hurt. But for Steve Chan, beingpart of a produce family is perhaps the

biggest lucky charm of his life. His unclewas one of the co-founders of FreshDirect Produce Ltd. in Vancouver,British Columbia. When Chan graduatedwith an economics degree from SimonFraser University in 2002, he neededwork and Uncle Kam’s company was juststarting. His first job? Sweeping thewarehouse floor and packing orders.

He’s now an account manager in sales,selling everything from exotic fruit andvegetables to British Columbia’s famousfruits from the Fraser and Okanagan valleys.

“Our customers get the most excitedabout cherries,” he says, admitting thatthe best part of his day is walking intothe cooler, snapping photos of new produce, sending them to his contact listand getting on his phone to work outdeals.

He is eagerly anticipating the trip toToronto, particularly to see the OntarioFood Terminal. He’s also looking forward to meeting the leaders of theindustry, because one day he hopes to bein a managerial position as well.

The long hours, 10 to 12 hours a day,are tough on his young family. But he’sfound a way to stay energized. He’s atthe gym five times a week. Says Chan:“My heart is already pumping when Iarrive at 8 am.”

Register now One of the highlights of this

annual convention is thekeynote speaker. Don’t missMatthew Corrin, founder andCEO of Freshii restaurants, atthe breakfast, May 10.

Matthew Corrin is well onhis way to building a billion dol-lar business. At 23 years old,Matthew set out to create arestaurant brand that wouldhelp people all over the worldlive healthier and longer liveswith fast food that is convenientand affordable. Enter Freshii: abrand which is now growing at afaster pace than Starbucks.

Today, Freshii has more than200 locations in countriesaround the world and can befound in some Canadian air-ports.

Also put on your calendarEddie LeMoine. His 10-11 amtalk on May 10 will give adviceon how to attract, retain andmotivate talent.

THE GROWERAPRIL 2017 –– PAGE 9

INTERNATIONAL

Fruit Logistica: postcards from Berlin

PETER CHAPMAN

In February I had the opportunity to attend FruitLogistica in Berlin. This is oneof, if not the largest, produceshow in the world. Think of 24exhibition halls, each the size ofa soccer field, devoted to pro-duce. There is so much to see itis a challenge to get through itin three days. It really should bea destination for everyone in theindustry.

Displays and booths wereincredible. It is always interesting to see what can bedone with produce. An EiffelTower full of French produce ora Brandenburg Gate madeentirely of garlic!

We did see a number ofitems where they are combiningdifferent commodities into thesame package. Mushrooms evenhad the cheese for stuffedmushrooms. Great for consumers looking for convenience.

Many suppliers were showcasing items cooked withthe sous vide method. Lots oftasty offerings are ready for theconsumer to take home to re-heat and eat right away.

There were lots of examplesof packaging, different thanwhat we see in North America.One company told me they aretrying to make the packagingmore of an event for the consumer to discover the product. Others are trying totalk to the consumer, showcaseproduct benefits or the actualfarmer.

It was very interesting to seethe many cultures and productsin one place. The producers aretogether by geography so it isenlightening to see the differences as you ‘travel’ fromFrance to Spain to Holland.

Peter Chapman is a retail consultant, professional speakerand the author of A la Cart-A suppliers’ guide to retailer’s priorities. Peter is based in HalifaxN.S. where he is the principal atGPS Business Solutions and apartner in SKUfood.com, an online resource for food producers. pchapman@gpsbusiness.ca

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THE GROWERPAGE 10 –– APRIL 2017

CANADIAN HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Canadian horticultural landscape: from cost to cost to cost

KAREN DAVIDSON

Winnipeg, MB – The theme of“cost creep” dominated therecent annual general meeting,March 14-16, of the CanadianHorticultural Council (CHC).When tallied, the costs that arenow borne by growers threatencompetitiveness in a global mar-ketplace. And carbon taxes topthe list.

Peter Cummings, chair of theB.C. Greenhouse Growers’Association, said in the greenhouse committee meeting,

“I have views of climate changeand am skeptical that policyremedies are going to yield theoutcomes that politicians desire. . . If concessions aren’t met,the result will spell the end ofour industry and an adverseeffect on our economy . . . Weneed to find a benign way to getin front of the public on thisissue. If we as an industry don’tengage with the public on thisissue, then we are headed toruination.”

Cost of production

Current carbon pricing policiesvary between Canadianprovinces and between globaltrading partners, in their implementation timelines, provisions of rebates and program options. Provincial governments have been givenuntil 2018 to implement one oftwo pricing systems or the federal government’s floor pricefor carbon emissions will beimposed: $10 per tonne whichwill rise by $10 per tonne peryear until it reaches $50 pertonne in 2022. Many anecdoteschronicle the meteroric rise of

electricity bills in the tens ofthousands of dollars, sometimeson one farm alone.

The CHC board of directorssponsored a resolution that saidin part: “The Canadian govern-ment, already valuing the horticultural industry as an economic driver, must acknowledge the horticulturalgrowers’ continued role andcontributions towards the intersecting priorities of bothclimate change mitigation andfood production. We resist theconcept of a carbon price without a formal plan to demonstrate how funds collect-ed will address the challengesfaced by growers in mitigatingand adapting to climate change.The Canadian HorticulturalCouncil will lobby the federalgovernment to continue to provide guidance in the implementation of provincialcarbon pricing policies.”

To address these new federalpolicies in a more formal way,the CHC members passed a resolution to create an Energyand Environment StandingCommittee.

Other costs are chippingaway at profitability: a recent10 per cent increase on corrugated cardboard, annualincreases to the minimum wage,a cost recovery initiative of theCanadian Food InspectionAgency and deductions by grocery retailers of six cents outof every farmgate dollar for marketing purposes.

In particular, growers pushedback on grocers with two resolutions. One requested thatCanadian retailers recognize theCanadaGAP program, or equivalent, and implement abroad-based retailer code ofpractice to avoid further abuseof the dominant market positionof highly concentrated retailers.

The B.C. Fruit Growers’Association, sponsors of the resolution, explained thatCostco and Walmart are introducing additional specificrequirements that are not science and evidence-basedsuch as testing water from monitored municipal systems. Asecond resolution, sponsored bythe B.C. Greenhouse Growers’Association, also lobbied for agrocery retailer code of practice.

Cost of loss of access to pesticides

Another issue of high concern togrowers is the PestManagement RegulatoryAgency (PMRA) re-evaluationof several pesticides which areused in 43 horticultural crops.The current proposal is to banagricultural uses of the activeingredient, imidacloprid. If thisneonicotinoid product is with-drawn, the potato industry inparticular would be hard hit incontrolling Colorado potato beetle and other insects.

An update of re-evaluationtimelines was shared byMargherita Conti, director-general, value assessment andre-evaluation managementdirectorate, Pest ManagementRegulatory Agency (PMRA).

“The public consultation todate has garnered 31,000 comments and we expect thatnumber to increase substantial-ly,” she said, referring to thecomment period extended toMarch 23. “Additional aquatictoxicity data are anticipatedfrom Ontario’s Ministry of theEnvironment and ClimateChange.”

Decisions on imidacloprid aswell as clothianidin and thiamethoxam are expected inlate November 2017. Continued on next page

Newly elected CHC president Alvin Keenan is from Souris, Prince Edward Island. He is joined by vice-president Brian Gilroy, Meaford, Ontario and 2nd-vice president BarHayre, Abbotsford, British Columbia. Directors include: Keith Kuhl, past president, MB; Fred Steele, BC; Beth Connery and Robert Purton, Prairies; Adrian Huisman, ON;Stéphanie Levasseur and Jocelyn St-Denis, QC; Peter Swetnam and Andrew Lovell, Maritimes.

Photo Front Row: (left to right) Bar Hayre, BC; Charles Stevens, ON; Linda Delli Santi, BC; Beth Connery, MB; Rebecca Lee, CHC executive director, ON; Alvin Keenan,president, PE; Keith Kuhl, MB; Stéphanie Levasseur, QC; André Plante, QC; Peter Swetnam, NS.

Back Row: (left to right) Jack Bates, BC; Robert Purton, SK; Fred Steele, BC; Andrew Lovell, NB; Brian Gilroy, ON; Jocelyn St-Denis, QC; Adrian Huisman, ON; KenForth, ON; John Bareman, AB; Mark Wales, ON. Photo by Jody Mott.

THE GROWERAPRIL 2017 –– PAGE 11

CANADIAN HORTICULTURAL COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Canadian horticultural landscape: from cost to cost to cost Continued from last page

Next steps may include changesto the use pattern – currentlyin-furrow and seed-piece treat-ment in potatoes -- dependingon new environmental data andany compelling science pro-duced.

Bayer CropScience, the manufacturer of Admire (imidacloprid), is deeplyinvolved in providing more scientific data on the broad-spectrum insecticide. LucBourgeois, issues manager, says,“We have no reported incidentwith imidacloprid after 20 yearsof use. Like any product, weneed to minimize risk. Risk isequal to toxicity and exposure.”

In his presentation,Bourgeois explained thatPMRA’s proposed ban of imidacloprid is based only onlaboratory studies and thechemical’s effect on aquaticinvertebrates.

“It’s interesting to note thata high level of emergence ofmayfly was witnessed in theriver valleys of the Red Riverand Assiniboine Rivers in2016,” said Bourgeois. Ifresidues of imidacloprid wereproblematic, then these insectswould have been killed. Theywere not.

“The PMRA’s proposed banis motivated by 604 samplesfrom 14 sites, primarily in threeOntario watersheds. Withtoday’s technology, we can findminute levels of the pesticide,but they are below any risk tomayflies.”

Bourgeois concludes thatmitigation and stewardshipshould be evaluated prior to anoutright ban. He questions thevalidity of new water thresholdsthat were based on laboratorydata only. He knows of no evidence of harm to waterinvertebrates. BayerCropScience data shows areduction in concentrations ofimidacloprid in water samplestaken in 2015 and 2016 despitean increase in product use.

Charles Stevens, chair of thecrop, plant protection and environment committee, helpeddraft a resolution that CHClobby Health Canada andPMRA to continue their commitment to not deregistercrop protection products whenthere is no replacement productthat the horticultural industryconsiders effective. The com-mittee also supports sponsoringon-farm tour experiences forPMRA staff on an annual basis.

Cost of maintaining public trust

To date, Canada’s fruit andvegetable sector has not suffered the crises of publicconfidence that other sectorshave endured: avian influenzain poultry, mad cow disease

(BSE) in beef cattle, Listeria-tainted pork products. However,growers are realizing the needto tell the story of how fruit andvegetables get to consumers’plates in an increasingly urbanized Canada.

Guest speaker MartySeymour, director of industryand stakeholder relations, FarmCredit Canada, underscored theopportunity. In citing recentpolls from the Canadian Centrefor Food Integrity, he said thebattleground is in the middle –about 50 per cent of consumers

say they’re not sure the foodsystem is headed in the rightdirection.

“That’s an opportunity totalk about food, not produc-tion,” said Seymour. “Buildtrust through shared values.Science is less relatable to con-sumers. Build lines of commu-nication not lines in the sand.”

To that point, members ofthe CHC labour committee,chaired by Murray Porteous, arelooking to tell the story of theSeasonal Agricultural WorkersProgram (SAWP). Most

Canadians, including politicians,need to be reminded that it’s aCanadians first program, howev-er, few Canadians apply to workin orchards, vegetable fields andgreenhouses often in rural areas.The SAWP program has signedagreements with Mexico andCaribbean countries to supplyreliable workers. In turn, theseworkers are paid according toCanadian standard wages, morethan could be earned in theirhome countries. The benefitsthat flow back to their familiesare rarely publicized in their

own words, including the abilityto educate their children andstart small businesses. While inCanada, the workers provide aneconomic boost to their localcommunities. These essentialmessages will be communicatedin a more proactive way in thefuture.

As growers headed homefrom Winnipeg, Marty Seymourprovided a pep talk.

“Agriculture is a big dealworth 6.6% of Canada’s GDP.The biggest project in Canadais seeding every spring.”

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THE GROWERPAGE 12 –– APRIL 2017

STAFFPublisher: Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ AssociationEditor: Karen Davidson, 416-557-6413, editor@thegrower.orgProduction: Carlie Melara, ext. 221, production@thegrower.orgAdvertising: 519-763-8728 x 218, advertising@thegrower.org

The 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 (+ HST) /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 2017

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEEChair Jan VanderHout, WaterdownVice-Chair Bill George Jr., BeamsvilleFruit Director Norm Charbonneau, Port ElginVeg Director Mike Chromczak, BrownsvilleDirector 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’ Remi Van De Slyke, StraffordvilleGreenhouse Jan VanderHout, 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

How many horticulture producers or for that matterfarmers as a whole sometimesfeel like we are on some kind offinancial treadmill with themotors and belt going everfaster as we move our legs everfaster to avoid being run off thetrack? Often we can ask our-selves if the effort we areputting in is paying dividendsand so we settle our anxiety byreminding ourselves that wedidn’t choose this occupationfor the money. Still, how did itcome to this?

The dynamics around horticulture are interestingbecause returns can sway significantly depending on the

weather, production and marketprices. We can mitigate theimpacts of weather as much aspossible and accept the outcome of production but thewild card certainly is prices,which are hugely unpredictable.A bumper crop either here orsomewhere else in NorthAmerica, can throw prices into atailspin or conversely, a severeweather event in a key production area can move pricesup significantly, though thelater seldom will line up withour peak production times.

As growers, we continuallyface increasing regulatory burden, which can also add significant costs to our operations. With the require-ment to have an EnvironmentalCompliance Approval (ECA),significant cost must be borneby the farmer for applications,engineering and required struc-tural changes. These costs areimpossible to pass on to the customer and so they are carriedon the back of the farmer againwith the hope that these costsmight translate into a highervalue for the farm. In somecases, borrowing against theappreciated value of the farm isthe only access to capital thereis.

So how can we thrive in thischallenging business climate?Some have opted to develop abit of a niche market with anon-farm market or pick-your-own. Others are trying to stayon top of the wave of economiesof scale sometimes with a component of direct sales aswell. All of these ideas requiremore capital and a lot of hardwork. Increased staffing costsmore but also adds an elementof management that is difficultto love. For those who choose togo big there is always a component of debt which is nottoo bad with today’s relativelymanageable interest rates butwho knows how it will be wheninterest rates climb even just acouple of per cent. What weend up with is growers who areinvesting more and more ofthemselves into growing theirbusiness to varying degrees ofsuccess. As these businessesgrow the hope is that you areprofitable. When you are sellingmillions of dollars’ worth of produce per year, even a fewper cent profit margin putssome dollars in your pocket.This is viewed as success and itis a good thing.

Others may choose not toinvest in their farm as the risk is

high or they do not have anyoneto take over when they retire.This creates less pressure forthe grower but also limits theprosperity of their business.The real issue that I want toraise is the long-term competi-tiveness of these two models.Will these farms still be growingfruits and vegetables 10, 20 or30 years from now? Sadly, Ithink that many of the smalleroperations will not be in busi-ness as owners retire. There is awaning interest in this lifestyleso I predict that as time passesso will the number of farms inoperation. Some farms will beamalgamated with their neighbouring farms to continueas fruit and vegetable producerswhile others will switch to growing corn or soybeans. I findthis a sad loss.

So how do we avoid thisattrition of our sector?

Somehow, we need to ensurethat farms have the opportunityto remain competitive at varioussizes. We also need to cultivatea new generation of growerswhether they are family members or otherwise. We asagriculture organizations mustbe vigilant that the growers arenot buried in a tangle of redtape. Consumers must be

reminded that “Good ThingsGrow in Ontario” and that theyshould recognize the benefits ofbuying “locally” grown producewhen they can. We need to produce products that appeal tothe consumer’s palate as well astheir pocketbook. As farmers,we must continue to find moreefficient ways to produce morefor less. Government needs tohelp ensure that productsimported meet the same standards that we are expectedto meet or identify them accordingly.

We should not hesitate toencourage young people to consider a career in horticultureby talking about the things welove about our career choice. Itis always time to think aboutthe future of your farm and whomight hold the keys to thatfuture. I know that I can truth-fully say that what I love aboutmy job is the variety it provideswhether it is negotiating somepricing with a vendor, solvingthe latest production issue, orbetter yet working on that nextidea to make our system better.I am thankful for the opportuni-ty to do what I love and I hopethat this sector can remain aviable career option for generations to come.

Just trying to thrive

JAN VANDERHOUTCHAIR, OFVGA

A TRIBUTE TO FARM SAFETY WEEK

THE GROWERAPRIL 2017 –– PAGE 13

If you planted hops a fewyears ago, anticipating continued growth in craft beer,you picked a winner. Canada’sromance with homegrown sudsis just not letting up.

The latest evidence comesfrom Restaurants Canada. Afterpolling more than 560 professional chefs across thecountry, it named craft beer andmicrobrews the top food trendfor 2017 in its eight annualCanadian Chef Survey.

The rest of the top fivetrends were food smoking, charcuterie and house-cookingmeats, sous vide, and locallysourced foods. This is goodnews for fruit and vegetableproducers. Who can meet thedemand for locally sourcedfoods like you?

The five emerging trends –the ones the chefs expect to seeon the list next year, or in yearsto come -- are ancient grains,culinary cocktails with savoury,fresh ingredients, new cuts ofmeat, fermenting, and ethic orstreet-food inspired appetizers.

It’s significant that this listwould come via a restaurantassociation. Traditionally, I suspect most producers considered restaurants lessimportant of a destination fortheir produce than grocerystores.

But think again. Food eaten outside of the

home – much of it in restau-rants, now consumes about 35-40 per cent of the food dollar. That’s huge. And it’s all leadingto more restaurants, which nownumber 94,000 in Canada, andare on a roll. Restaurant numbers, according to theConference Board of Canada,have grown by 1.8 per centsince 2011. That comparesfavourably to the 1.1 per centgrowth in the general population, it says.

Jobs-wise, Statistics Canadarecently released a labour forcesurvey showing total employ-ment in Canada’s foodserviceindustry rose to a record1,244,600 people in 2016. That’snearly seven per cent of thecountry’s total workforce. In fact, foodservice was amongthe top five private-sector jobcreators in 2016, with employ-ment rising by 11,000 jobs,more than double the 5,400 jobscreated in 2015.

Unfortunately, some restaurants don’t succeed. Youhear a lot about restaurant closures, about how hard it is tomake it in the business.

And indeed, restaurant profitmargins are razor thin, like theyare in much of the food business. But a lot of peopleare giving the restaurant business a try.

Maybe new entrants willhave more odds of finding suc-cess if they focus on breakfast. The conference board saysbreakfast traffic is a particularlybright spot for the industry,with breakfast meals rising bymore than six per cent in 2016.They now account for almostone in five restaurant visits, andhave spawned the growing popularity of all-day breakfastsat several of the well-knownchains.

There’s yet another reason toconsider making a direct connection with restaurants. Despite increased competitionand tight margins, restaurantprices rose in 2016, by 2.3 percent. That was contrary to theoverall price of food, whichStatistics Canada’s ConsumerPrice Index shows actually fellby two per cent.

Interestingly, leading theway in that drop was fruit and

vegetables, which were down10-15 per cent in price from2015-2016 -- thanks mainly tothe drought easing in California,Canada’s main supplier of vegetables in the winter.

So the age–old argument offruit and vegetables being tooexpensive to buy and serve isdealt yet another blow.

For this and other reasons,I’m optimistic that restaurantgrowth bodes well for the

sector, and for those who pursueit. As chefs and restaurants distinguish themselves fromeach other, the odds of themserving interesting side dishesand desserts increase.

That’s a great place for con-sumers to experience somethingthey might cook at home . . .and serve alongside the likes ofcraft beer.

More than $274,000 will beearmarked for the CanadianHorticultural Council to expandmarkets for Canadian potatoes.Dan Vandal, Manitoba MP(Saint Boniface-Saint Vital)made the announcement at theCHC annual convention, onbehalf of the agriculture minister.

Under the Growing Forward2 AgriMarketing Program, theproject will help expand domestic and foreign marketsthrough trade shows, targetedadvertising, incoming missions,

market research and development and product promotion.

“The funding will allowCanadian growers to maintain apresence in international markets by participating intrade shows, international standard-setting processes andin phytosanitary market accessactivities,” said John Bareman,chair of the CHC potato committee.

Canadian potato exports arecurrently valued at $1.6 billionannually.

Restaurants’ growth could lead to lucrative markets

Feds announce funding for potato marketing

OWEN ROBERTSU OF GUELPH

PERSPECTIVE

BRUCE KELLY

Farmers love to talk aboutthe weather. And as we moveinto the 2017 planting season,farmers are forever the optimists hoping that goodweather will once again givethem a good crop. (Or that theirrigation pond is big enough tocarry them through the dryspots).

While the outlook forOntario this summer is still anyone’s guess, we have certainly had some irregularweather patterns this winter.Seasonal through the early partof winter until February , whenWiarton Willie predicted anearly spring. Then, just as predicted, a short 16 days later a10-day warm spell brought theearly end to winter.

In the U.S. vegetable belt,we have heard that the five-yeardrought in California is over.Bountiful lettuce and greens inour stores this winter are anindicator here that things havegreened up in California; thesalad bowl of America. In Northern California, themountains are exceptionally wetand covered with snow. Thestate’s reservoirs are fuller thantheir long-term average (with afew exceptions). Flood controlstructures are being employed,some for the first time since2006.

For a few days in February,we watched the news closely asauthorities ordered some188,000 people downstream ofOroville, California to evacuatetheir homes over concerns thatthe dam’s emergency spillwaycould fail and an onrush ofwater out of the reservoir couldflood nearby towns and roads.The Oroville Dam in northernCalifornia is the tallest dam inthe United States, rising 770feet high. It holds back a reser-voir containing 1.1 trillion gal-lons of water, supplying farmsand cities across the state.

The past dry years havehelped us better understand thebalance needed for California’swater system – which mustoperate for many sometimes-conflicting purposes in a climatewith wild swings in water availability. Every year,California must plan fordrought, flood, public andecosystem health, and economicprosperity (or at least financialsolvency).

As of mid-March California’sseven main reservoirs reportbeing at 110 to 200 per cent ofseasonal capacity with a healthysnow pack still left to meltdown from the mountains.

But some parts of the envi-ronment don’t just bounce backfrom years of drought. Despitethese wet conditions, Californiahas remnants of drought, someof which will persist for

decades. Some Central Coastreservoirs remain very low.Most of the groundwater deficitis in dry parts of the SanJoaquin and Tulare basins,which could take decades torecover – with long-lastingeffects on local wells. The millions of forest trees whichdied from the drought will needdecades to recover, if thewarmer climate allows. Nativefish species, already sufferingbefore the drought, are in evenworse conditions today.

The end of drought does not solveCalifornia’s most important waterproblems. Groundwater sustainability, effective ecosystemmanagement, and fixing ruraldrinking water systems remainmajor problems (Jay Center forWatershed Sciences at UC Davis)

Like California, Ontario isbig enough that some parts arealmost always too wet and sometoo dry in the same year. In factin 2016 the weather swingswere so dramatic when itstopped raining at the end ofMay that a couple of farmers inthe Durham area collected cropinsurance for too wet and toodry on the same farm.

The Ontario 2016 droughtwas particularly hard for theNiagara Peninsula and the northshore of Lake Ontario fromOshawa to Gananoque andnorth to the Peterboroughregion. Most of the southernportions of the province is stillactually quite dry and in a levelone low water response stateand the Otonabee watershed(near Peterborough) hasremained at a level two lowwater rating throughout thewinter as ground water levelshave not returned to normal.

Long-range weather forecast-ing in Ontario is just aboutimpossible as the path of the jetstream dictates our weather patterns. Ontario farmers areresilient and know that theyhave to be able to handle bothdry and wet, but if they aredependent on irrigation, April isa great time to check the pumpand pipes.

Good farming to all in 2017.For more information on FarmEnvironmental or AnimalWelfare projects at Farm &Food Care Ontario, contactBruce Kelly at bruce@farmfoodcare.org

Bruce Kelly is programs manager,Farm & Food Care Ontario.

THE GROWERPAGE 14 –– APRIL 2017

April 1 Garlic Growers of Ontario Annual General Meeting, OMAFRA office, Woodstock, ON

April 5 Grape Growers of Ontario Annual General Meeting, Club Roma, St. Catharines, ON

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

April 12 Farm and Food Care Ontario Annual General Meeting, Hilton Garden Inn, Burlington, ON

April 13 Farm and Food Care Ontario Annual Conference and Speakers’ Program, “Myths and Food Fantasies: The search for easy answers can be hard to digest,” Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, ON

May 9 – 11 Canadian Produce Marketing Association 92nd Annual Convention and Trade Show, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON

May 31 Food and Beverage Ontario Annual Conference, Steam Whistle Brewery, Toronto, ON

June 4-8 International Organization of Biological Control Meeting (Western Palearctic Region), Niagara Falls, ON

June 11 Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Country Heritage Park, Milton, ON

June 13-15 United Fresh 2017, West Hall, McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL

June 16 Garlic Growers of Ontario Field Day, Hensall, ON

July 5 Ontario Apple Growers Summer Tour, Niagara, ON

July 17-18 BC Wine Grape Council 18th Annual Enology and Viticulture Conference and Trade Show, Penticton Trade Show and Convention Centre, Penticton, BC

July 17 -19 FPT Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, St. John’s, NFLD

July 28-30 PMA Foodservice Conference, Monterey Conference Center, Monterey, CA

August 3-4 Triggs International Premier Vinifera Lecture Series, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON

August 8-9 Triggs International Premier Vinifera Lecture Series, BC

Aug 9 or 16 Potato Research Day, Elora Research Station, Elora, ON

August 16 Peak of the Market's 19th Annual Family Fun Day, Winnipeg, MB

August 17 Ontario Potato Field Day, HJV Equipment, Alliston, ON

Aug 17-19 Quebec Produce Marketing Association Convention, Hilton Lac Leamy, Gatineau, QC

Sept 12 – 14 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, ON

COMING EVENTS 2017

Will 2017 be too wet or toodry? – likely yes

Photo by Bradley Van Luyk

Often suppliers are sofocused on executing every-thing that needs to be donethey forget to take a look at performance to see what reallyhappened. No doubt the thrillof closing the deal or seeing thebig displays in store is exhilarating. The real wincomes when you and your customer see that you exceededthe expectations. This will getyou an invite to the party muchfaster than filling the purchaseorders. Your customer is focusedon sales and your products needto deliver them.

Great if you are both focusedon sales but they need to be thesame expectations. Your customer might see your product selling 1,500 cases during the summer BBQ seasonand you might think 1,000 caseswould be a great effort. Thiswill never work! You need toagree on the number prior tothe season.

You also need to agree on theregular movement that isexpected of your product. Thisis one of the most importantnumbers in your business. Youand your category manager needto agree on this to ensure youare both working to the samegoal. They always have anexpectation for every productbased on the other items in thecategory and their experience.

You have to walk out of thecategory manager’s office withagreement on regular weeklymovement and promotionalmovement.

Chart your progress

This should be a simple taskin your business. Build aspreadsheet to forecast yourweekly/monthly movement andmonitor the results. There are anumber of factors that impactyour results. Some are in yourcontrol such as service level,participating in promotionalcampaigns and your promotionefforts outside the store. Othersare not within your control suchas competitive activity, retailerexecution and other retailers’programs. Make note of issuesimpacting your results -- it is too

easy to forget when you are sit-ting across the desk. Use thissimple chart to forecast yourresults.

In our example total sales forthe quarter are close to the forecast but still below expectations. Do not fall intothe trap of “our competitor’sproduct was advertised so wemissed our forecast.” Thisshould have been built into theforecast. You should always takethe proactive approach and lookto the future with the attitude“how do I make it up.” That iswhat your category manager willbe trying to do.

See it through your customer’seyes

I am giving you a mini version of how category managers will look at their category. They will look at totalsales at regular price and totalsales on promo. Most havesophisticated tools to do this butin the end they need to under-stand how much are they sellingat regular price and how muchon promo.

When you take this approachto your business they willrespect that you are committedto sales and understand howimportant sales are.

It is true you do not haveaccess to the front-end information as to how productsare selling. Often you will haveto make some assumptions as tohow much is promo but in theend you do know your totalmovement into the warehouseor stores. The most importantnumber is the total. Thatshould be the starting point forthe conversation. Sometimescategory managers will even tellyou what sold during the ad tomake your information morevaluable.

WHAT’S IN STORE

Sections in Sobeys stores

Recently I was looking in astore under renovation bySobeys. They are implement-ing these sections to put extraemphasis on the items. I do notknow the charge or the durationof the program but it does cer-tainly stand out from the rest ofthe aisle. Consumers are crea-tures of habit so if you can trainthem to go to your section youprobably have a better chance atrepeat sales.

Retail news

Loblaw results will frustratesome

In February, Loblaw report-ed its Q4 profits for the 2016

fiscal year. They were up 57 percent over the same quarter of2015. If you remember Loblawcreated a lot of controversy inthe fall of 2016 when itdemanded a 1.5 per cent reduction in cost of goods fromgrocery suppliers. It is impossible to make thecorrelation as to what the

reduction in cost of goods wasworth but there is no doubt itcontributed to the overallresults.

Same store sales were essentially flat when you compare to the previous yearand same store sales atShoppers Drug Mart were upbut reduced from the increasein 2015.

Peter Chapman is a retail consul-tant, professional speaker and theauthor of A la Cart-A suppliers’guide to retailer’s priorities. Peter isbased in Halifax N.S. where he isthe principal at GPS BusinessSolutions and a partner inSKUfood.com, an on line resourcefor food producers. Peter works

with producers and processors tohelp them navigate through theretail environment with the ultimategoal to get more of their items in the

shopping cart. pchapman@gpsbusiness.ca

THE GROWER

APRIL 2017 –– PAGE 15

RETAIL NAVIGATOR

Getting on the same pagewith your customer

PETER CHAPMAN

THE GROWERPAGE 16 –– APRIL 2017

Apple growers plan expansion APPLE PRODUCTION

KAREN DAVIDSON

Ontario’s apple growers areeager to capture more domesticmarket as they plan expansionof 650 acres this year and next.That’s only one of the factscoming from a recently released economic analysis of the industry by the JRG ConsultingGroup. Growing, packing and processing generates economicactivity of $634 million and supports more than 5,100 jobsin the province.

“Ontario is the largest appleproducing province in Canadaand this research shows for thefirst time just how significant

our industry’s contribution tothe provincial economy is,” saysCharles Stevens, an applefarmer from Newcastle andchair of the Ontario AppleGrowers.

Overall, 230 grower membersgenerate farmgate receipts of$80 million. Every million inspending generates 20 jobs.That’s a memorable statistic forthe provincial governmentwhich is looking to agricultureto create jobs. When apple leaders talk to government officials, they will be underlining the need for a business environment thatsupports research and develop-ment, a replant program and a

robust processing industry.Plans for new acres will

include planting consumerfavourites such as Ambrosia,Gala and Honeycrisp. As varietyanalysis shows, 63 per cent ofthe apples planted in the lastfive years are of these varieties.A large percentage of Ontario’sacres are in need of rejuvenation with these morepopular varieties.

At present, apple farmerscurrently supply 45 per cent ofthe Ontario fresh apple market.This means Ontario is a netimporter of apples, bringing inapproximately 80.6 million kilograms for fresh consumptionannually, and leaving the industry with vast growthopportunities.

The industry is facing somestrong winds: variable springweather which requires majorinvestments in frost protection,labour costs, a concentratedretail sector and needs for moreprocessing capacity for value-added products.However, highly skilled growersalso sense an opportunity.Ontario has several micro-climates which spread the riskof any one area succumbing to aweather event.

Apple packers are well-established with expert marketing expertise. The “buylocal” movement and marketing support of Foodland Ontariosupports local product. SouthernOntario has a large consumermarket in close proximity toorchards.

One of the strengths is thatapple growers are travelling.They’re aware of global trends,by belonging to theInternational Fruit TreeAssociation. The 2018 studytour, for example is in NewZealand.

All of these factors are pushing growers to sharpentheir skills.

Ontario’s apple industry faces aggressive competition from theUnited States. A recent comparison of apple prices in the GreaterToronto Area on one March weekend showed Washington stateGala apples priced at $1.49 per pound, 18 cents per pound lowerthan the same Ontario variety at $1.67 per pound. These priceswere noted at discount banner stores.

To plant a high-density apple orchard with the newest varieties cancost upwards of $30,000 per acre. Photo by Glenn Lowson.

THE GROWERAPRIL 2017 –– PAGE 17

APPLE PRODUCTION

Trends in apples foreshadowmore automation in horticulture KAREN DAVIDSON

What’s driving Ontarioexpansion in apple acreage? At$30,000 per acre for establish-ment costs, it’s not for the faintof heart. Chris Hedges thinksthat growers can’t afford to man-age older orchards anymore. Heshould know. As a grower with225 acres near Vanessa, Ontarioand owner of Ontario OrchardSupply, he’s got his hand on thepulse of the business.

Once growers get used to themodern systems approach oftrellised trees, irrigation andpicking with platforms, he saysit’s no longer feasible to pruneand hand pick in older orchards.It’s even more difficult whentwo types of orchards are in production.

“It’s like having a computerkeyboard and a typewriter,” hesays. “You can operate bothways, but it’s hard to orientworkers and equipment to suchdifferent styles.”

Estimates of 650 acres expan-sion this year may be true, buthe expects that Ontario acreagemay soon become static withgrowers tearing out old orchardsof less popular varieties.

Hedges predicts that theindustry will soon rationalize tothree to five popular varieties.Honeycrisp, Gala and Ambrosiaare popular with consumersnow, but the big question to beanswered is what varieties willtake fourth and fifth spot. Is itFuji? Red Delicious?

Washington state is plantinglots of Fuji, but it’s too early totell if this very sweet-tastingvariety will take off here. Thetop five most popular apple varieties in the U.S. are RedDelicious, Gala, Granny Smith,Fuji and Golden Delicious.

Fuji may fit as a later-maturing apple in lateSeptember and October. Andthat would be positive. One ofthe challenges is thatHoneycrisp and Gala mature atthe same time, making for avery intense peak of harvest.The industry needs a later-maturing variety to make use oflabour. Red Delicious still pre-sents an option, a variety withglobal demand and a harvestwindow away from Gala andHoneycrisp.

“I also think that some packhouses are pursuing theirown variety, a club variety thatdifferentiates them in the marketplace,” says Hedges.

Sooner rather than later,Hedges anticipates that roboticharvesters will be in the realmof reality. With such largeinvestments in Washingtonstate, growers won’t abandon

their sunk costs with dwindlingaccess to labour. They willabsolutely be committed to getting the crop off.

The most recentInternational Fruit TreeAssociation meeting inWashington hosted speakersthat predicted the first roboticharvesters to be in the field in2018.

The top five most popular applevarieties in the U.S. are RedDelicious, Gala, Granny Smith,Fuji and Golden Delicious.

Fuji apple

THE GROWERPAGE 18 –– APRIL 2017

APPLE PRODUCTION

Equipment to optimize valuein fallen fruit KAREN DAVIDSON

Grounders are a fact of life inthe apple industry, but there’snew equipment to optimizetheir value and make the collec-tion easier. ProduceTech, afive-year-old Quebec company,has brought a fallen fruit har-vester to the marketplace fromEurope.“Fallen fruits are a problem,”says Eric Deschambault,ProduceTech, from Granby,Quebec. “Workers are alreadyhard to find so having to paythem to harvest the fruit on theground is not cost-effective.The problem is that if applesare left on the ground, theninsects, molds and disease makethem less valuable.”

He has imported equipmentthat rakes the fruit at a rate offive to six bins per hour withonly one worker.

“I want to help growers bemore competitive,” saysDeschambault. “I try to bringequipment that will optimizethe harvesting process.”

Apple grower RaphaelCournoyer has 45 acres ofapples including a pick-your-own operation at Rougemont,Quebec. He produces around100,000 litres of cider per year.

“Two years ago, I boughtthe machine to help us clear theorchard floor once or twice aweek depending on the weath-er,” says Cournoyer. “Thishelps us present a clean orchardfor pick-your-own pickers onweekends.” While grounderscould be used for processing,Cournoyer is also selling thoseapples to deer hunters.

For the equipment to workbest, the orchard floor needs tobe clear of rocks and relativelylevel. The grass must be cut.

“We lose fewer apples to

rot,” he says. “The machine cancollect up to 99 per cent of theapples on the ground.”

Cournoyer is considering theopportunity to use the machine

for custom picking grounders.So far, ProduceTech has soldseven machines in NorthAmerica including Quebec,Ontario, New York, Vermont

and California.

Photo by Denis Cahill.

Prove quality with an in-orchard brix test A digital handheld pocket

brix tester was the apple ofBrian Gilroy’s eye when herecently attended FruitLogistica in Berlin, Germany.Japanese company Atago hasmanufactured an instrumentthat takes real-time, in-orchardtests of sugar levels in apples.

“The apple is cradled in acup and then the operator presses a button for a reading,”explains Gilroy, an apple grower

near Meaford, Ontario. “Theinfrared-equipped instrumenttakes an accurate reading tohelp time appropriate harvest.”

By placing the fruit on thesample stage, there is no needto cut or squeeze the fruit. Theapple is intact for a future sale.The tester is designed so that itcan be held in one hand whilemeasuring the brix of the fruitstill on the tree.

This instrument could be

particularly helpful for packersand their agents as well as growers of more challengingvarieties such as Honeycrisp.Evaluating brix levels is criticalto knowing when to harvest andto start proper storage procedures.

The cost is $750 US. TheNorth American distributor islocated in Bellevue, Washingtonat 425-637-2107.

Today’s orchards start with precision planting No one really knows how

many new acres of Ontarioapples have been planted inrecent years, but Zac Farmerattests that the chore is easier.

The orchard manager forWatson Farms, Bowmanville,Ontario has planted as many as30,000 trees in a “dark-to-darkday planting” thanks to GPS

technology.The precision of planting

new varieties such asHoneycrisp, Gala and Ambrosiain 10 to 11-foot row spacings

with three feet between treeshas benefits throughout the season and the following years.

“The real benefit is the ability to change the density oftrees when you want to switchto a different variety,” saysFarmer. “Yes, you still have towalk the trees and heel them inand set the height of the budunion. But the labour requirement is not as big.”

Several apple farmers havebenefitted in agreeing to useGPS technology installed byHalltech Equipment. First,Algoma Orchards agreed tolocate the base station at its processing plant which has a

clear line of sight to neighbour-ing farms including WatsonFarms and Wilmot Farms. Thesignal reaches the auto steerunit on the tractor, giving precise guidance to the “tripper” on where to stop forthe next hole. When the tractoris at a planting speed of onlyone mile per hour, thisinformation is critical so thatthere are “no wandering rows.”

Precisely planted orchardspay off during the season whenequipment can navigate cleanlyfor pruning, spraying and har-vesting. For growers, there arefuel savings with one pass of thetractor.

THE GROWERAPRIL 2017 –– PAGE 19

APPLE PRODUCTION

Tests show streptomycin still effective in managing fire blight

WENDY MCFADDEN-SMITH, KRISTY GRIGG-MCGUFFIN & AMANDAGREEN

A joint Growing Forward 2project with the Ontario AppleGrowers and the OntarioTender Fruit Growers waslaunched this past year to investigate fire blight (Erwinia amlyovora) management inOntario apple and pearorchards.

Streptomycin Resistance Survey

In 2016, samples of fireblight infected shoots were collected across Ontario fromcommercial apple and pearorchards. Environmental conditions were suitable for fireblight development and projectconsultants were able to collectfrom a total of 64 orchards (42apple and 22 pear). These samples were tested for thepresence of streptomycin resistant E. amlyovora. Fromeach orchard, up to 250 isolatesof E. amylovora were screenedfor growth on agar mediumamended with 100 and 1000ppm streptomycin to identifyisolates with moderate or highresistance, respectively.

The following results werefound:• No E. amylovora was isolatedfrom seven of the orchard sites surveyed, leaving 57 sites forresistance analysis.• Overall, no growth occurredon either amended medium in27 sites, which means no resistant isolates were detected.• In the remaining 30 sitesacross the province, the highestpercentage of moderate andhigh resistant isolates werethree and two per cent, respectively, which suggeststhat very little selection forresistant isolates has occurred inany of the orchards sampled.

It is typical to have a lowproportion of less susceptibleisolates in an average populationdue to natural mutation. Growercooperators in this project willreceive their individual orchardresults before spring 2017.

So, what does this mean forOntario growers? The resultsindicate streptomycin is current-ly still a very effective productfor management of fire blight.However, in order to keep thisproduct as a viable tool, it isvery important to incorporateother control products and management strategies toreduce selection pressure.

Fire blight managementshould:• Consist of a season-long program, including pruning outinfected material as soon as possible and maintaining goodinsect control to prevent spreadof bacteria.

• Include a dormant copperspray at silver tip to ¼ inchgreen.

• Delaying copper after ½inch green can result in phytotoxicity and severe fruitrussetting, depending on thecopper product used, especiallyon lighter skinned apples andsome pear varieties such asAnjou.

• Do not apply under slowdrying conditions or just prior toa predicted frost to also helpminimize the risk of phytotoxicity.• Use a sound rotational

program of registered productsduring bloom, including antibi-otics (Streptomycin, Kasumin), copper (Cueva, Copper 53W)and/or biologicals (BlossomProtect, Bloomtime, DoubleNickel, Serenade OPTI).

• Ensure adequate water volumes are used and thatsprays are deposited into blossoms. Do not use excessiveair speed on sprayers as this willpropel sprays past the flowertargets. For more informationon calibrating an airblast sprayeror troubleshooting coverage,refer to Airblast 101 Handbook.

• Products are most effectivewhen applied just prior to aninfection period. Since biologicals have a preventativeaction, these products should beapplied when forecasting modelsays risk is coming in the nextthree to four days. Antibioticswill provide activity 24 hoursbefore and after a wetting event.

• Products should be re-applied every two to threedays during times of infectionrisk.

• Copper and some fungi-cides are not compatible with

biologicals. Check the label.• Apply control products wheninfection conditions are predict-ed using a forecasting modelsuch as:

• CougarBlight• Maryblyt• OMAFRA Fire Blight

Prediction Maps • Consider managing growth ofsucculent shoots by limitingexcess nitrogen and incorporat-ing Apogee (apples only) begin-ning at king bloom petal fall.

The authors are OMAFRA horticultural specialists.

THE GROWERPAGE 20 –– APRIL 2017

ELAINE RODDY

Even with the use of herbi-cides, broadleaf weed control inpumpkins and squash can beproblematic. Product selectionis key but timing and weatherconditions are also important tothe success or failure of a weedcontrol program. Each of thebroadleaf herbicides comes withits own strengths, weaknessesand risks.

As a general rule, the spec-trum of weeds controlled can beincreased by using tank-mixes.But, for pumpkins and squash,it is wise to limit the tank-mixto two products. A three-waytank mix is risky from a cropsafety standpoint; root damage,stunting, yellowing and/or burning may occur, especiallyunder certain soil conditions.

All of the pre-emergenceherbicides require soil moisture.The active ingredient is carriedby the soil water into the germinating weed seedlings,causing them to die. Under drysoil conditions, it is tempting to

use overhead irrigation to “activate” the herbicides. Thisis an inexact science. Too muchwater can quickly move the herbicide band into the zone ofthe germinating crop roots,causing injury to the pumpkinsor squash. Too little water maybe insufficient to move the herbicide into the germinatingweeds.

It becomes a gamblebetween loosing crop to herbi-cide damage or loosing yield toweed competition. Fortunately,both Dual II Magnum andSandea can be used for earlypost emergence weed control.Unfortunately, control of weedssuch as lamb’s-quarters and pigweed is less effective with apost emergence spray.

Product: Command 360 ME(clomazone)Timing: after seeding butbefore crop and weed emergenceRate: 0.78-1.17 L/ha (0.31-0.47L/acre) - use the low rate on light,sandy loam soils; use the high

rate on heavy soilsStrengths: lamb’s-quarters,nightshades, ragweed, velvetleafWeaknesses: pigweedsCautions: very sandy soilsand/or certain varieties may beprone to crop injury, see labelfor details. Also refer to thelabel for rotational crop restrictions.

Product: Sandea (halosulfuron)Timing(s): after planting andbefore soil cracking (directseeded)- before transplanting; do nottransplant sooner than 7-daysafter application- Post-emergence between the3-5 true leaf stage or 14-daysafter transplanting1

Rate: 35-70 g/ha (14-28 g/acre).See the product label for specif-ic rate information for directseeded, transplanted, processingand fresh market pumpkins andsquash.Strengths: pigweeds, lady’sthumb, mustardsWeaknesses: lamb’s-quartersCautions: Under adverse grow-ing conditions (dry or excessive

moisture, cool weather, etc.) thematurity of the treated crop maybe delayed which can influenceharvest date, yield, and quality.Under dry soil conditions, apply3 – 5 cm of sprinkler irrigationto settle the soil after plantingand prior to application.Do not make a post emergenceapplication if female blossomsare present on the plant; cropdamage may occur to developing fruit.

Product:Dual II Magnum (s-metolachlor/benxacor)Timing: pre-emergence or atthe 1-2 leaf stage (direct seededcrops)- prior to transplanting or within48 hours after transplanting

(transplanted crops)Rate: 1.15 L/ha (0.47 L/acre)Strengths: annual grasses, nightshades, pigweedsWeaknesses: lady’s-thumb, ragweed, velvetleafCautions: risk of crop injuryincreases with cool and wet conditions. Foliar contact canincrease the potential of cropinjury. Note: research in Ontariohas shown high levels of phytotoxicity when using DualII Magnum on cucumber crops.Use on cucumber crops is notrecommended.

1 If using pre-emergence and postemergence applications of Sandea,allow for a minimum of 21 daysbetween the two applications.

Tips for broadleaf weed control in pumpkinsand winter squash

Clubroot, caused by the soil-bornepathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae cancause yellowing, stunting, wilting andclub-like roots on susceptible Brassicaspecies including broccoli, cabbage, canola and cauliflower.Clubroot causes an estimated yield lossof 10-15 per cent in Brassica crops world-wide and in severely infested fields a 30-100 per cent yield loss can occur. Thereare different races of clubroot known aspathotypes and the resistance of manycultivars is pathotype dependent.

Clubroot is classified as neither afungi nor bacteria, but shares manyattributes of both. The resting spores ofclubroot are very resilient, and have theability to remain dormant in the soil forup to 18 years. The resting spores areactivated when there is adequate soilmoisture, temperatures are above 12°Cand root exudates from a potential hostroots stimulate the spores to germinateand release primary zoospores. Thesezoospores have two whiplash tails thatallow them to swim short distances inwater films to Brassica root hairs. Once azoospore contacts a root hair, it infectsthe cell, divides, and goes on to causesecondary infection within the root cor-tex.

Spores responsible for secondaryinfection in the root cortex disrupt thehost cell metabolism. They cause thehost cells to expand and cell division toincrease resulting in the formation of

clubs. While it takes only one spore tocause an infection, many spores areresponsible for the secondary infectionand the formation of clubs. Clubbing ofsusceptible host roots is typical whenconcentrations of spores reach over 1000spores per gram of soil. At the end of theseason, clubbed roots break down in thesoil and release millions of new sporesthat will have the ability to infect nextyear’s crop.

Clubroot spores are extremely difficult to eradicate, as they have beenfound over one meter deep within thesoil profile. There are few cost-effectivemanagement strategies currently available at this time. Liming to raise thepH to ≥7.2 has been found to be effec-tive in some situations, but not all.Resistant cultivars of some broccoli,Brussels sprouts, canola and cabbage areavailable, but most Brassica lines are susceptible. The best management strategy is avoidance.

To limit the pathogen’s spread, donot share equipment from fields whereclubroot is suspected and avoid all formsof soil movement. High-pressure wash-ing has found to be effective at removingspores from equipment, but takes timeand is labour intensive. When working infields with clubroot, always work fromthe least infested areas to those that aremore infested.

The distribution of clubroot through-out Ontario is unknown and there is

even more uncertainty surrounding thespecific pathotypes that are present. Weare currently organizing a clubroot survey to determine the distribution ofthis pathogen throughout SouthwesternOntario. If you suspect you have clubroot in your field, we are requestingsoil samples or clubbed roots to determine if clubroot is present in yourfield and if so, what pathotype(s) is/arepresent.

We would greatly appreciate yourhelp in this study and in return we willbe able to make better decisions with

regards to cultivar resistance as well aslimit the spread of the pathogen to otherareas of Ontario.

Previous studies have shown samplingat the field entrance has the best out-come, as the entrance typically has thehighest amount of resting spores. Fivelitres of soil or clubbed roots from threeplants are requested for the pathotypetesting. If you have any questions aboutsoil sampling or would prefer if we tookthe soil samples, please contact TravisCranmer at travis.cranmer@ontario.ca or(519) 826-4963.

Samples requested for clubroot survey

Figure 1. Pigweed escapes in pumpkins

Pak choy with severe clubbing, sixweeks after seeding.

Stunted cabbage with severe clubroot,ten weeks after seeding

THE GROWERAPRIL 2017 –– PAGE 21

Leah Erickson (BC/AB)604-957-2359

Marc AndréLaberge (QC)514-984-4589

Jim Robinson (ON/MB)905-715-8595

Paul Banks (ON/NS)905-688-4300

Henry Zomer (ON/MB/SK)905-308-4396

Rob Hovius (ON/PEI/NB)519-580-3231

LauraCaralampides (QC)514-984-0662

~ Quality Seed Since 1881 ~

www.StokeSeeds.com

T: 1-800-263-7233F: 1-800-272-5560

OUR EXPERTS ARE HERE TO HELP!

POTATO SCOUTING

The importance of scoutingyour potato fields EUGENIA BANKS

Crop scouting keeps growerson top of field conditions, helpsto detect and diagnose problemsearly and allows for timely management practices beforeeconomic losses occur.

Potato growers face cropchallenges every year. Somechallenges can be predicted,some occur randomly. Insects,diseases, weeds and physiological problems affectpotatoes every growing seasonand can seriously impact bothyield and quality. However,this negative impact can bereduced by using IntegratedPest Management (IPM) strategies.

IPM is a sustainableapproach to managing pests bycombining biological, cultural,mechanical and chemical toolsin a way that minimizes croplosses and protects the environment. Regular fieldscouting throughout the growing season is the foundation of an IPM program. By identifying pestsand other problems early, corrective action can be takenbefore serious crop losses occur.

Field scouting is comple-mented with EconomicThresholds (ET), the levels atwhich pests require control, otherwise economic losseswould occur. ETs for insects arevery important and should beused in conjunction with weath-er forecasts. Insect developmentis very fast in warm weather.For instance, the populations ofpotato leafhoppers increase sorapidly that insecticides need tobe applied before insect numbers reach economicthresholds.

For devastating potato diseases such as late blight,scouting and a preventativefungicide program are the beststrategy. Late blight is anexplosive disease under cool,wet conditions. Economicthresholds are irrelevant.

Potato scouts—be they growers, crop advisors, summerstudents or farm workers—needto have a thorough understand-ing of crop growth/develop-ment, the key pests and theirlife cycles. Scouts also need to

know how the environmentaffects different diseases andinsects. Potato fields should bescouted twice weekly duringthe growing season becausepests may develop rapidly. Ingeneral, warm, dry seasonsfavour insects; cool, dampweather provides favourableconditions for diseases.

Besides the visual inspectionof fields, scouts can also makeuse of yellow sticky cards foraphids and potato psyllids aswell as pheromone traps forblack cutworms and wireworms.

IPM requires good records.Scouts must complete a reportfor the grower immediately afterscouting a field. The reportshould include a field map iden-tifying problems and showingwhere the problems are located.

Cell phones with good cam-eras and GPS have improvedreporting over the last fiveyears. Text messages and emailhave made it much easier tocommunicate with growers.Drones can be used to mapnutrient deficiencies, insectdefoliation or any other problemthat can be detected at droneflying altitude. While newtechnologies are useful, theywill never replace field scout-ing.

POTATO SCOUTING TIPS

Distribution pattern of fieldproblems

• Circular patterns are typical ofaphid infestations. Seed-bornelate blight starts as a circle.Plants that emerge from infect-ed seed are sources of sporesthat infect neighbouring plantsforming a circular patch of dis-eased plants.

• Some problems appear uni-formly over a field. Early blightwill affect nearly every plant ina field if the crop is understress. Colorado potato beetlesare often distributed uniformlyin non-rotated fields. • Scattered distribution is usual-ly seen in fields planted withseed that had a low percentageof viral infections, such as mosa-ic or leaf roll. • Uneven spray distribution cre-ates problems that follow therow.

Time of field monitoring

The time of the day is alsoimportant for disease and insectidentification.• Common mosaic symptomscaused by the PVYo virus areeasier to see on cloudy days.Bright sunlight masks the symp-toms.• Colorado potato beetles areeasier to find on warm, sunnydays. Adults and larvae tend tohide under leaves when it iscool and windy.• Cutworms are not seen duringthe day because they feed atnight leaving typical holes onthe leaves. To find cutwormsduring the day, dig soil aroundthe affected plants.

The need for laboratory analysis

• Laboratory tests are needed toidentify the mating type andstrain of late blight. • Soil tests are required to identify nematodes and estimate numbers. Also, the

level of Verticillium infestationrequires a soil test.• Viral diseases require labanalysis to identify the virusesor combination of viruses causing symptoms.

Field identification can behelped with some simple tools

• A pocket knife to cutstem/tubers to check for internal symptoms. • A 10x hand lens is useful toconfirm diagnosis of diseasessuch as black dot and greymold. • Flags to mark problem areasand assess the performance ofpesticides.• Plastic bags are useful for col-lecting samples from diseasedplants. Plastic containers withsmall holes punched in the lidsshould be used to collect insectsamples. Placing the samples ina cooler will keep them in goodcondition.

Things that scouts should

always remember

• Before scouting a field, checkwhen the field was last sprayed.• Know and obey the re-entryintervals of the pesticides commonly applied to potatoes. • Carry drinking water and usesunscreen even on cloudy days.• Be aware of the weather pat-tern prevailing in your area.Leave the field immediately ifyou hear thunder. • Wear disposable shoe coversto avoid carrying soil betweendifferent fields.

IPM programs are constantlychanging. What is consideredstate-of-the-art today may beoutdated technology in threeyears. Growers will need toadapt to new management practices. Whatever thechanges, field scouting will continue to be the foundation ofpotato IPM programs.

Eugenia Banks is a consultant tothe Ontario Potato Board.

Almost every day we getasked to make comments onsome new or altered positionbeing taken by government. Inmy realm they are proposeddecisions, or policy decisionscoming from Pest ManagementRegulatory Agency (PMRA).For the rest of Ontario Fruitand Vegetable Growers’Association they are comingfrom OMAFRA, MOECC,MOL (Ministries of Agriculture,Environment, Labour) etc.(Even the plethora of acronymscan become stressful!)

All of us need to read whathas been proffered for comment, and then decide ifcomment is warranted, if wefeel it is going to make even aniota of difference in the longterm, and most importantly ofall, will it be of help to ourmembers. Answer to the finalpoint is most critical -- if itwon’t or cannot help our members, we walk away.

When we do decide to makecomment, it behooves us toinvestigate fully what was theformer position, what is theexpected outcome if the newproposal is accepted, and wheredo we feel it needs to be tomeet the needs of our constituents. That is just thebeginning! It could take days ofdigging and making contacts tosuss out all the details neededto write a position statement.Once we have the facts (a la JoeFriday) our position moving forward can be stated, and all

our comments revolve aroundchange to the government proposal that are needed toreach our ‘happy place.’ It isnever easy, and always fraughtwith the danger of not achievingyour needs. It could evenembitter the government whenyou lay out proposed changes,because after all it was ‘perfect’to them when it went out forour comments!

This also raises anotherpoint. When comments on aproposal come in, it is typicallythe selfsame staff who preparedthe original proposal who sit injudgment of those comments.Judge, jury and executioner- allthe same folks! Perhaps government needs to offer upthe original proposal and all thecomments to an independentthird party to assimilate all thatinformation, and to create afinal version that reflects all theinputs. What a concept! But Ican see the reluctance of theoriginal creators to let go oftheir sacred proposals!

In the pesticides world, weend up needing to rely on gooddata to buttress our position.Most of this data is the propertyof registrants. There is alwayssome data freely available on-line from academia but somesources must be looked at withaskance or with a ‘consider thesource’ mentality before using itto make ones case.

Company data is tricky too.Why was it not already in thehands of PMRA if it had bearing on the situation underreview? Why was it not freelyshared when asked for? Whywas it already available to andreviewed by the US EPA, butnever shared with PMRA? Mostrecently, why were requiredstudies as conditions of tempo-rary/conditional registrationsnever done, or not submitted, ordone so poorly that the continuance of registrationcomes into doubt?

Growers come to rely uponsome key uses to remain competitive. They feel betrayedwhen they find out the use is

lost or the whole product is lostdue to actions by the registrantsthat growers has assumed werewell in hand. Notwithstandingthat there are times when wehave ‘differences of opinion’with PMRA; they are not alwaysthe boogeyman. It becomesreally difficult to remain as asupporter and an advocate whenyou get let down.

There are occasionally timeswhen I have found myself beingled down the garden path aswell. Once we had a small delegation headed to Ottawa fora showdown on the continuedavailability of a key product. Itwas only during my trip to theairport that morning when I gotan off the record call to tell methe registrant had already submitted the damning evidence that supported thePMRA decision to drop the registration.

Growers had been kept inthe dark. Maybe it was an oversight, but I did not think sothen or now. We had beenencouraged to make a plea hoping that might change thePMRA decision. The evidencewas such that I felt it was ouronly position to immediatelysupport the PMRA decision,and to use the meeting to investigate what alternativescould be investigated andmoved forward rapidly to fill theneeds gap ahead of us. Some ofthe group were not initially

supportive of this move. I havealways believed that growerswere supportive of doing theright thing, based on good data.This was a slam dunk. The datawas conclusive, and I made itclear that not only was our casealready lost, we had beenplayed as dummies. Eventhough it was a few years ago,that still rankles.

As we face several ongoingand many future re-evaluations,it continues to be crucial thatwe insist on sound science,good data and providing anunderstanding of how our farming practices come into playwhen any pesticide is used.There is an important role to beplayed in getting the registrantsto think about the impact oftheir actions/inactions on ourlivelihoods. In a similar vein, wemust keep PMRA aware of ourneeds, and show willingness toaccommodate new practice ifthat is what it takes to getand/or maintain labelled uses. Ifall three partners can find creative ways to develop gooddata, to interpret available datawith open minds, and to reachconclusions that meet all of ourneeds, then everyone wins. It isonly when any one party fallsdown in their due diligence thatthings start to fall apart.

Just this spring, our officelooked at some position paperswe had been invited to makecomments on. All had been

done, but to varying degrees ofintensity. In the coming monthsas we get inundated with morere-evaluations, I and many others will have to decide onwhich ones are the most important, and which ones gounder the bus. It is never easyto let anything go, but strict prioritization will be needed. Ifregistrants do not appear to bewilling to do what is needed,how or perhaps why would webust a gut to help? Would ourhelp even matter at PMRA ifthey do not get good quality, oreven any new supporting datathey have requested?

None of this means that anyregistrant has totally failed intheir due diligence all the time.However, it is a disturbingtrend that needs to be halted inits tracks. There is an old sayingthat I have paraphrased: ‘TheLord helps those who helpthemselves, but Lord helpthose who get caught helpingthemselves at someone else’sexpense.’

We want to work with partners. We want mutual trustand dedication to prevail. Allplayers must be prepared to gobeyond current rigid thinkingboundaries to find solutionseven if it means more work.

Kind of like how BradGushue’s rink does it on theice!

THE GROWERPAGE 22 –– APRIL 2017

CRAIG HUNTEROFVGA

MINOR USE

CRAIG’S COMMENTS

Responsibility: Where does itbegin and end

We must keep PMRA aware of our needs and show willingness to accommodate new practice if that is what it takes to get and/or maintainlabelled uses.

Chateau herbicide, by ValentCanada, Inc. is now registeredfor use on broccoli and caneberry.

Broccoli and caneberry growers in Canada now haveanother effective tool to assistin the control of Group 2-acetolactate synthase (ALS)resistant weeds such as red rootpigweed, green pigweed, eastern black nightshade andcommon ragweed.

Chateau, containing flumioxazin (51.1%), is a powerful, residual pre-emergentherbicide. A PPO inhibitor,

Chateau’s mode of action is different than many other com-monly used herbicides. So ithelps fight resistance, whileproviding long-lasting control oftough weeds including Group 2-resistant weeds.

“Chateau has proven to bean effective herbicide on a widerange of crops,” says MariaDombrowsky, horticulture specialist at Nufarm AgricultureInc. “I am pleased that this toolis now available to broccoli andcaneberry growers for incorporation into their IPMprogram.”

An important part of anIntegrated Pest Management(IPM) program, Chateau shouldbe used in rotation with otherherbicide modes of action.Chateau is also registered foruse on many other crops including pome fruit, blueberries and strawberries.For more information, consultthe complete product label atwww.nufarm.ca/product/chateau

Source: News release fromNuFarm and Valent Canada.

THE GROWERAPRIL 2017 –– PAGE 23

MINOR USE

Chateau herbicide now registered for use onbroccoli and caneberry

Engage Agro Corporation hasannounced the release of twonew products to serve horticultural producers acrossCanada.

Property 300 SC fungicide isa suspension concentrate fungicide that offers superiorprotection against powderymildew in grapes, cucumbers,pumpkin, squash and melons.

Pyriofenone, the activeingredient in Property, is thenewest generation chemicalfound in the FRAC U8 group.

It demonstrates extremely fasttranslaminar activity that iscomplemented by a “vapoureffect” which is stronger andlonger lasting than that of otherchemistries found in the samegroup.

Property is the only groupU8 fungicide that can beapplied up to the day of harveston grapes.

Cosavet DF is a dry flowablesulphur fungicide that preventspowdery mildew and controlserinium mite of grape. Its

patented formulation ensures alow dust, easy to mix productthat helps to minimize the riskof scorching. Cosavet DF alsocontrols a wide variety of dis-eases in tree fruit, Saskatooonberries, cucumbers and peas.

Variations in particle sizeensure immediate, mid-termand residual activity throughcontact and vapour action toprotect against target fungi.

For more information contactEngage Agro at info@engagea-gro.com or 1 866 613 3336

Engage Agro releases two new products

THE GROWER

PAGE 24 –– APRIL 2017

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APRIL 2017 SECTION B

KAREN DAVIDSON

Last summer’s Ontario droughtunderscored the limitations of theNiagara peninsula’s agricultural irrigationsystem. While some Niagara-on-the-Lake growers have access to water fromthe Niagara River, Lake Ontario and theWelland Canal, due to the open channelsystem established in 1988, growers inthe Lincoln area don’t have the sameaccess. Providing and distributing waterin the right volumes when it’s neededmost is the key question for future sus-tainability.

“Closer to the lake, soils are sandyhowever the vines seemed to be happy,”

says Andy Reynolds, researcher withCool Climate Oenology and ViticultureInstitute (CCOVI) at Brock University.“In the heavier clay soils at the base ofthe Niagara escarpment, soil moisture ishigher but the clay holds the watertighter. Root systems are shallower andavailability of water was not that great.Those vines were under stress.”

Red varieties can manage water stressa little better than white varieties. Notmany growers have drip irrigation, however Reynolds says that preparingfor more droughts in the future might bewise.

Kevin Buis, who farms 300 acres ofvineyard and stone fruit in Niagara-on-the-Lake, confirmed that it was a

challenging summer to irrigate withoverhead guns. About 1.5 inches of waterare applied per round, but given hisacreage, not all the acreage got covered.

“We’re talking about drip irrigationbut that’s an expensive proposition,” hesays. A member of the irrigation committee for the local town, he will beadvocating for more water capacity forfuture years.

“Water is like grease,” says Buis. “Itmakes the wine a little smoother.”

Generally, the demand for water is atits peak between bloom and fruit set.Water is cut back for grapes at veraisonso that flavours can concentrate.

Austin Kirkby, grape grower and pastchair of the Niagara-on-the-Lake

irrigation committee, says that lobbyingis required to make agricultural infrastructure a high priority at themunicipal, regional, provincial and federal government levels.

A previous report estimated that $100million plus was needed to construct apressurized pipeline system for bothLincoln and Niagara-on-the Lake. Theprocess for gaining permits from theministry of environment and climatechange (MOECC) to access water willtrigger the need for other studies fromother ministries.

Kirkby underlines the need for long-term planning and future fundingmechanisms which will require visionand determination.

IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT

Blue-sky thinking required for long-term agricultural irrigation

Overhead irrigation rigs were common in the Niagara peninsula during last summer’s drought. While tender fruit growers struggled to size fruit close to harvest, grape growers neededwater at the same time during fruit development. Photo by Denis Cahill.

Soil moisture monitors B2 Variable rate irrigation B4 De-dirting B7

THE GROWERPAGE B2 –– APRIL 2017

FOCUS: IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT

Soil moisture measurements made easy

REBECCA SHORTT &LARISSA OSBORNE

Insufficient moisture is amajor weather risk for tree fruitgrowers. Shortage of moistureduring critical periods of cropgrowth and fruit developmentaffects both yields and size of

produce.Having remote access to soil

moisture information meansquick and easy answers to questions such as:• Is it time to irrigate?• Did the last application soakin as far as I want?• Should my next irrigation be

more or less than the last one?• Do my trees have enoughwater for the winter?

Soil moisture information canimprove production efficiencyby enhancing irrigation decision making.Methods:

• Monitor five tender fruit siteswith two Decagon EC-5probes/site• Compare the data collectionand transmission using eitherWeather Innovation Network(WIN), Lincoln Hubs, orDecagon EM50G loggers.• Data collected is automatically graphed and displayed in Crop Tracker.

Benefits of Crop Tracker:

• Crop tracker displays soilmoisture in easy to understandgraphs• Provides hourly updates• Available on your smart phoneor office computer

Results example:

The graph above shows soilmoisture (grey and black lines)decreasing during dry periodsand increasing with each rainfallor irrigation.

The blue bars are the dailyrainfall amounts except on July30, Aug 17 and Aug 29 whichare the irrigated amounts.

Starting July 19th the greyand black lines begin todecrease more rapidly. Thisshows that the trees are aggressively taking water fromboth the 12” and 24” depth.The grey line crosses the irrigation trigger point aroundJuly 24. Potentially the first irrigation could have been aweek earlier (July 24) to meetthe crop demand.

The second irrigation on Aug17 was likely not needed and itsignificantly increased the soil

moisture beyond what is neces-sary in the deeper depths (24”grey line going above 40%).

In the fall many growerswere wondering if the soil wastoo dry heading into the winterseason. For this field we can seethat at the end of the monitor-ing on Sept 30th there is stillenough moisture in the soil forthe trees to enter dormancy.

Costs:

• Decagon EC5 probe$150/each• Remote transmission ~$1,000to $1,600 to own or~$800/yr to rent• Crop Tracker access free toTender Fruit Growers• Costs increase with optionssuch as rainfall monitoring

Conclusions:

• Probe readings must be com-pared over time, as opposed tonumerical values.• Identifying the “full” (fieldcapacity), empty (permanentwilting point) and ideal irrigation point, requires a fewweeks of continuous monitoring.

For more information seeOMAFRA Factsheet:Monitoring Soil Moisture toImprove Irrigation Decisions.

Rebecca Shortt is OMAFRA engineer-water quantity.

Larissa Osborne is market andproduction analyst, Ontario TenderFruit Growers.

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 no production ofsludge.

The AWS has been approved for use by the Ontario Ministry of Environment through over 40 EnvironmentalCompliance Approvals. Recently the Region of Niagara began approving the AWS for treatment of ‘smallflow’ winery washwater I.e. < 10,000 liters per day. Other agencies who have issued approvals includeHealth Canada, USEPA and OMAFRA. Recent projects include:1) treatment & re-use of greenhouse irrigation leach water atgreenhouses in Niagara & Haldimand2) treatment of winery wastewater at Greenlane Estates Winery& numerous other in Niagara 3) treatment of landfill leachate at sites in Pembroke, Niagaraand Alabama

For additional information please contact Lloyd Rozema at 905-327-4571or email lrozema@aqua-tt.com

Image left: Site 3. Soil Moisture2015 growing season

Top photo: Wireless transmission systems bring fielddata to the internet automatically

THE GROWER

FOCUS: IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT

Soil moisture monitors to befield tested

APRIL 2017 –– PAGE B3

The majority of requests to aplant doctor – 80 per cent -- arewater-related. Not insects ordisease but water! One ofCalifornia’s foremost experts onirrigation shared this statisticwith tender fruit growers at theOntario Fruit and VegetableConvention.

“When there’s a historicdrought and resources arescarce, farmers are prompted todo a better job,” says IngeBisconer, technical market andsales manager for ToroCorporation. “In California,we’ve become more efficient inthe last two decades. Two-thirds of all drip irrigation in theU.S. happens in California. Andthe result is better quality produce.”

Moving to drip irrigation isan expensive proposition fortree fruit growers. Sheexplained that the root zone isgenerally 24 inches deep but 80to 90 per cent of the feederroots are in the top foot of soilwhere most of the moisture isextracted. She’s a fan of dripirrigation which does a good jobof feeding feeder roots.

Micro-irrigation should wet 25to 60 per cent of the root zone.

To set up an effective system, make sure you employthe experts for good design.Equipment selection and choosing the right drip tape arekey.

Regardless of the terrain, soilconditions and irregular-sizedfields, it’s important to customdesign a system that will factorin these variables.

“A good design will ensurethat the sub-mains will feedproperly into the laterals,” saysBisconer. “But to be honest,irrigation scheduling is the art.”

“Water is free from the skybut labour is expensive, soreducing labour inputs is critical,” she says.

“The bottom line is thatfarmers are blaming the regulators for their waterheadaches, but once they getthrough the pains of betterwater management throughtechnology, they make moremoney.”

Once you adopt drip irrigation, you become moreknowledgeable about the crop

growth curve and more sensitiveto the exact times when water isneeded.

Maintenance of drip irrigation systems tends to beforgotten but is equally important. Small passagewaysmay get clogged with organicmaterial. It’s key to flush theseparticles out for top performance.

“You have to manage thesystem like a Jacuzzi – the system needs cleaning,” shesays.

In the future, look for theirrigation results from theKearney Agricultural Researchand Extension folks at theUniversity of California. Theyare comparing conventionalheight peach trees with

pedestrian height (six to sevenfeet) trees at four to eight-footspacings using UC-developedsize-reducing rootstocks. Theyare comparing conventionalmicro-sprinkler irrigation of conventional height trees versussubsurface drip irrigation in thepedestrian trees.

KAREN DAVIDSON

At major trade shows, thereare some new upstarts on thestreet – tech companies lookingto disrupt current practices withsoftware. Esprida, for example,is based in Mississauga,Ontario. It creates and marketsremote device management“middleware” built on a service-oriented architectureplatform. That’s geek talk forenabling communicationsbetween devices and users viathe Internet.

More of these companies arelooking to make inroads in agriculture. The trick is to pairtechnical expertise with practical expertise.

Vanden Bussche Irrigationbased in Delhi, Ontario is well-known for its range ofproducts and services. At therecent Ontario Fruit andVegetable Convention, GeradVanden Bussche conducted asurvey on soil moisture sensors,garnering 34 participants.

“A few of our customershave been using soil moisturesensing products for yearsnow,” says Vanden Bussche.“Others are just beginning toask about them. We've beenapproached by a few differentmanufacturers and software producers to carry their line ofproducts. Before we choosewhich one we would stand

behind, we wanted to gathersome customer data.

Of the 34 who answered thesurvey, 12 were very interested.These 12 market-leading grow-ers manage 100 acres plus. Ofthe group, two are using soilmoisture sensors: Decagon andHortau. Willingness to pay forsoil moisture data ranged from50 cents per acre to $10 peracre. Almost 60 per cent of therespondents are interested inboth air and soil temperaturedata. A resounding 97 per centof the respondents want alertsfrom the sensor in either text oremail format whether the fieldis “too dry” or “too wet” or “airtemperature is near freezing.”

Almost 70 per cent of therespondents would purchase asoil moisture monitor at cost,and don’t want a subscriptionpayment structure. The features most important to thegrowers were: ability to sendalerts at field capacity or permanent wilting point, easilydisplayed historical data, accessto data on mobile devices, ability to also collect air temperatures and reasonablecost of ownership.

The irrigation company willbe testing a few different products at the VandenBusscheIrrigation Learning CentreFarm this season and expect tomake a decision in the fall of2017.

Irrigate efficiently at the righttime and the right place

Inge Bisconer, Toro Corporation, is a fan of drip irrigation. She is pictured at the Dubois Agrinovationbooth at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention. Photo by Denis Cahill. For a video of theDubois demonstration, go to www.thegrower.org.

THE GROWERPAGE B4 –– APRIL 2017

Crop by each water drop FOCUS: IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT

Two-thirds of irrigated land in Canada is in Alberta,of which more than 70 per cent is in the Lethbridgeregion. That fact alone may have been one of the keydrivers for Cavendish Farms to announce a new processing plant in Lethbridge by 2019.

In an era of climate change and variable snowpack inthe Rocky Mountains, it will be critical to steward thewater resource if the plant expansion demands another9,000 acres of raw product for its frozen foods. Potatogrowers and researchers are looking ahead to futureneeds with the appointment of Dr. Willemijn Appels to

the Mueller Applied Research Chair in IrrigationScience. A year into her appointment, she’s set for abusy summer in 2017.

“There’s a lot of new technology available,” says thehydrologist and soil physicist, “but it requires high-entry level of data from the fields and monitoringequipment for soil moisture conditions. How to integrate all of that is the next step.”

While pivot irrigation is king in Alberta, Appelsacknowledges that controlling the output of each nozzleon a pivot may make some sense. Her research will

study the variability in each section of land and how tofinetune the prescription for variable amounts of waterwhen it’s most needed according to crop development.It’s common to pump an inch of water on a potato field,but perhaps conditions may require more or less in various locations throughout the field.

“We can still increase our crop per drop,” saysAppels. To achieve these goals, she’s working closelywith growers, equipment manufacturers and otherindustry leaders.

Variable rate irrigation to be tested in summer 2017

A trial with variable rate irrigation technology on a quarter section with potatoes isplanned for summer of 2017.Appels says the focus of thisstudy is on zone delineationbased on various input variables(elevation, hillslope characteristics, bulk EC, soiltexture, soil depth, and historicyields) and dynamic prescriptions base on soil

moisture observations in thedifferent zones. Tests withalternative irrigation technologies such as PrecisionMobile Drip Irrigation (PMDI)are also on the radar. The focuswill be on subsurface redistribution of water with thislow-pressure application technique.

“We will be exploring how touse drone images with point

observations of soil moisturestatus to improve the applications,” says Appels.

Photo right: Dr. WillemijnAppels, originally from theNetherlands, is now applyingher hydrology and soil expertiseto the potato acres of southernAlberta. Photo courtesy ofGregory Thiessen.

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BARONS

KEHO-BARONSIRRIGATIONPROJECT

7.0 MW

293

BANTRY #1BANTRY #2

FRANKLAKE

4,500500

14,690

275

2 9

1

1

9

9

1

4

5

2

2

5

6

3

3

36

72

25

62

21

24

36

56

41

41

61

23

22x

2014 Stats - (Map Update: May 2015)

There are 13 irrigation districts in Southern Albertaproviding water to 1,412,836 assessed acres offarmland. The infrastructure that provides water tothe irrigation districts is comprised of approximately7,917 kilometers of conveyance system, of which339 kilometers are owned and operated by AlbertaEnvironment and Sustainable Resource Development.

Agriculture and Rural DevelopmentIrrigation amd Farm Water DivisionBasin Water Management Branch

_ HYDROELECTRIC PLANTS ASSOCIATEDWITH WATER DISTRIBUTION WORKS

HEADWORKS OWNED AND OPERATEDBY ALBERTA ENVIRONMENT & SRD

MAJOR CANALS(DISTRICT OWNED AND OPERATED)

NOTE: - RESERVOIR VOLUMES ARE IN (ACRE-FEET)- POWER CAPACITY OF HYDROELECTRIC PLANTS ARE IN (MEGAWATTS)

IRRIGATION DISTRICTS

1 MOUNTAIN VIEW

2 LEAVITT

3 AETNA

4 UNITED

5 MAGRATH

6 RAYMOND

7 LETHBRIDGE NORTHERN

8 TABER

9 ST. MARY RIVER

10 ROSS CREEK

11 BOW RIVER

12 WESTERN

13 EASTERN

Irrigation Districts andMajor Irrigation Works

within Southern Alberta

®

A new study about irrigation, commissioned by the Alberta Irrigation Projects Association and funded by the federal-provincial Growing Forward 2 program, says that forevery cubic metre of irrigated water delivered, $3 is created for the provincial GDP and $2 for labour income.

We need to show the value of irrigation to all Albertans.~ ERWIN BRAUN, THE CHAIR OF THE PROJECTS ASSOCIATION.““

THE GROWER

FOCUS: IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT

APRIL 2017 –– PAGE B5

Solid set sprinkler systemshave been around for a longtime, however the team atVanden Bussche Irrigation hascome up with a flexible riserthat accommodates the uniquegrowth habit of ginseng.

In general, solid set sprinklers are simply pipe withsprinklers, used by many growers for irrigation and frostprotection. Aluminum pipe isoften used because it can bepicked up and moved when nowater is running. PVC pipe ismore cost effective, but must becut apart, once glued together.

The traditional solid setsprinkler systems for ginsenggrowers use PVC pipe with aPVC pipe riser. PVC is usedbecause the irrigation lines mustbe placed in the planted rows.It can’t be picked up andbrought back later because ofplant injury. It’s best to set it upduring spring planting, let theginseng grow and then pick itup when the field is done inthree to five years. PVC pipe isblown out and drained for thewinter, but stays in the field.Some growers remove the sprinkler and riser for insidestorage, while some don’t.

The problem with the PVCpipe is that it twists, compressesand expands with fluctuatingtemperatures. It’s very hard tokeep the riser and sprinkler 90°upright when the pipe leans leftor right. When the pipe leans,sprinklers spray directly atplants – damaging them – anddon’t reach others. Traditionalimpact sprinklers also have ahigh flow rate, shortening theamount of time to water thatparticular zone. However zonesare smaller because fewer sprin-klers can be run simultaneouslyin that zone. Most ginseng gardens are big enough that

they must be divided intozones. The entire field can’t bewatered at once.

The Nelson sprinkler, whilenot new, is now paired with aflexible riser. The Nelson sprinkler has a lower flow ratethan impact sprinklers. Thetime to water a zone is longer,but more sprinklers can beinstalled in that zone. Forexample, a field that had threezones, may now only have two.This can provide cost savings in

such equipment as valves. The overall impact of the

Nelson sprinkler is not in howlong it takes to put one inch ofwater on the entire field. Thepump is still pumping the sameamount of water. However,there is a distinct design advantage. The Nelson sprinkler has a better uniformity

rate, distributing the water moreevenly than impact sprinklers.This system avoids the situationof some areas being floodedwhile others are dry.

“This is a new idea that wecame up with when evaluatingthe challenges for ginseng growers,” says Gerad VandenBussche. “It keeps the sprinkler

independent from the PVCpipe, so that if or when the pipetwists, it won’t affect the 90°upright sprinkler. In the winter,it is an easy clip to detach thesprinkler from the pipe andstore inside. It also eliminatesdamage and speeds up installa-tion when the system is movedbetween crops.”

Making a solid set sprinklersystem better This is a new idea that we came up with when evaluating the challenges for

ginseng growers. ~GERAD VANDEN BUSSCHE

“

“

THE GROWERPAGE B6 –– APRIL 2017

More soil left behindFOCUS: IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT

BRIDGET VISSER

Concerns for the sustainability of specialty croplands prompted Holland MarshGrowers’ Association (HMGA)and OMAFRA researchers tolook for methods to keep soil inthe field during root vegetableharvesting in the Holland Marsharea. The purpose was to evaluate existing dedirting systems on harvesters for theirability to remove soil from vegetables.

Dedirting methods evaluatedinclude bumpers, finger tables,and hedgehogs. Bumpers arelocated along the initial belt andknock off loose soil and clumpspulled from the field with thecarrots. Finger tables are a set ofinterlocked rotating rubber fingers that jostle soil from theproduce. Some finger tableshave scrapers located under-neath to clear build-ups of soil;this can be necessary with wetsoil conditions or clumping soiltypes. A hedgehog uses anangled belt to pull loose debrisup while the produce fallsdown. Finger tables and hedgehogs aim to remove soilattached to the individual vegetables.

During the project, bumpersand a finger table were testedseparately and five harvesters

were evaluated as a whole system. Two similar harvestersoperated under two soil moisture contents to show theimpact of weather on their ability to separate soil from theproduce. All of the testing wascompleted in carrot fields andwhile most of the harvestingoccurred in muck fields, oneharvester was used in a mineralsoil.

Bushels of carrots were collected at various points of theharvesting process includinghand harvesting, before andafter dedirting, and off the finalconveyor. They were washedusing the Muck Crops ResearchStation’s small barrel washerand the amount of suspendedsolids in the exiting water wasmonitored. Comparing samplesfrom different points showedthe reduction in solids achievedby dedirting.

The amount of soil attachedto root vegetables during harvest depends on a number offactors including the soil moisture, temperature and soilcomposition. The soil moistureranged from 18.3 to 59.5 percent for the muck soil whereasthe mineral soil had a soil moisture of 3.7 per cent.Samples were hand pulled fromthe field to determine howmuch soil would be carried bycarrots with no dedirting. A

kilogram of produce pulleddirectly from a muck and mineral field had, on average,18.3 and 4.7 grams of soilrespectively.

Findings

Bumpers are a valuablemethod of dedirting; knockingoff the loose soil prior to furtherdedirting and reduces thepotential of clogging a fingertable. For example, if a kilogram of carrots carries 18.3grams of soil, in a pallet boxholding 545 kg of carrots (1200lbs) there would be an addition-al 10 kg of soil in the pallet box.If bumpers were used and

removed 84 per cent of the soil,the amount of the soil in thepallet box would be reduced to1.6 kg.

Combining multiple methodsof dedirting will increase soilremoval but the amount is hardto predict. As more soil isremoved, the remaining soil isincreasingly more difficult toremove. Root vegetables willalways leave the field with somelevel of soil attached.

Soil moisture has an impacton the efficacy of the system.The wetter soil was more difficult to remove.

Speed is a factor when operating any moving dedirtingmethods. For example, finger

tables set to rotate too quicklyreduces the time producespends having soil removed.

Conclusions

Dedirting methods can greatly reduce soil leaving thefield. Small equipment changessuch as replacing aging parts,adding bumpers, or manipulat-ing the speed of systems willincrease soil removal.

This HMGA Project wasfunded by EnvironmentCanada.

Bridget Visser provided leadershipto the HMGA project as an independent consultant.

Much of the North Americanstrawberry business (86%) isconcentrated in California whileseven per cent is in Florida andthe remainder is split betweenBritish Columbia, Quebec andOntario. To date,

evapotranspiration rates havebeen used to estimate needs forirrigation. However, recentresearch shows a more accuratemethod in using soil tensiometers for real-time waterneeds and to trigger irrigation.

Jean Caron is a LavalUniversity professor and alsothe Natural Science NSEngineering Research Councilof Canada/Hortau IndustrialResearch Chair in PrecisionIrrigation. He was invited to

speak at the Great Lakes Expoin Michigan last December andpresented “Getting the most ofirrigation systems for day-neutral strawberries.”

His research was carried outby comparing various precisionirrigation management practices,all of which were monitored byHortau irrigation managementsystems. The objective was tohelp growers detect the waterstress in plants in real timeusing wireless soil tension sensors. Researchers were ableto determine the optimal triggerirrigation threshold andirrigation frequencies to maximize plant growth, marketable yields and cropwater productivity (CWP).

The tensiometer approachsaves water by avoiding waterlogging and leaching and bymaintaining the crop within anoptimal soil tension range. Thetarget is -10 kPa to initiate irrigation and to maintain the

crop within the -5 to -10 kParange most of the time. A kilopascal (kPa) is a unit ofpressure measurement equiva-lent to cbars in Imperial units.This regime recorded a 11 percent yield increase compared toirrigation managed using evapotranspiration rates andvisual assessment with a 10 percent decreased in water use.

In highly draining soils with alot of 30 to 70 per cent of coarsesand and shales – common in 42per cent of strawberries inQuebec – pulsed irrigationimproves crop water productivity compared to non-pulsed irrigation. Marketyields are increased by 12 percent without increasing theamount of water used.Applications are divided intoshorter durations of 20 to 30minutes and by spacing themfrom one to three hours.

For more information, go towww.hortau.com.

Precision irrigation saves water

Photo by Glenn Lowson

The LTC Levelogger Edgeis a compact (7/8” x 7.5” (22mm x 190 mm)), sealed devicethat continuously measures andsaves water level fluctuations,temperature and conductivitywhen deployed in a well orother water source. It combinesa datalogger, pressure sensor,temperature detector, and conductivity sensor in one smallinstrument. It is simply pro-grammed using Levelogger PCSoftware to record at intervals asfrequently as two seconds.

It is very easy to suspend in awell using wireline or rope saysTricia Lane, Solinst marketingcoordinator. Alternatively, it canbe deployed using direct readcables to allow real-time communication with the PCSoftware while it is downwell. Itcan also communicate with theSolinst Levelogger App on asmart device. When required,data can be downloaded andviewed using the PC Softwareor App.

If deployed on a direct readcable, the LTC LeveloggerEdge also has the option to beconnected to a LevelSendertelemetry system. The

LevelSender is designed for discreet installation in a standard 2” diameter well. TheLevelSender uses a GSM cellular modem to send LTCLevelogger Edge data back toyour PC database, email, and asa text message to your smart-phone.

This automated device eliminates the need for manualwater measurements, increasingaccuracy and the amount of datacollected. Water level fluctua-tion data helps meet monitoringrequirements of Permits toTake Water (as mentionedhere: thegrower.org/news/permit-take-water-compliance).Conductivity data provides ageneral indication of changes inwater quality. When combinedwith LevelSender telemetry,irrigation wells or other watersources can be monitoredremotely. Data is easily savedfor historical records; telemetryoption provides ongoing data forreal-time monitoring.

For more information, go towww.solinst.com

Source: Solinst news release

Eliminate manual water measurements

THE GROWER

FOCUS: IRRIGATION AND WATER MANAGEMENT

APRIL 2017 –– PAGE B7

BRIDGET VISSER andCHARLES LALONDE

In an effort to improve theefficiency of washing at vegetable packing facilities, ateam of Holland MarshGrowers’ Association (HMGA)and OMAFRA researchersexamined opportunities toreduce the amount of soil onroot vegetables prior to washingat various Holland Marsh pack-ing sheds. Removing soil beforewashing has the benefit ofreducing water required to washvegetables which reduces thesize of treatment facilities needed to process washwater toregulatory standards prior to discharge.

Harvesting root vegetablescommonly includes dedirtingequipment on the harvesters.Some growers rely solely on onemethod which limits the effectiveness of soil removal.Despite installing additionaldedirting methods, there is alimit to how much soil can beremoved. For example, wetfield conditions can cause thesoil to stick. Consequently,

washing facilities receive produce with variable amountsof soil based on harvestingequipment and weather conditions. In storage, the soildries which makes additionaldedirting prior to a wash linepossible and a shrewd invest-ment as there is opportunity toremove more soil before thevegetables come in contact withwater.

The focus of the project wasto evaluate the impact of exist-ing dedirting methods utilizedin washing facilities on theamount of water needed towash produce.

Bushels of carrots and potatoes were collected beforeand after washing facilities’ drysoil removal equipment (fingertables) and a fluming system.Finger tables positioned prior toa wash line consist of rotatingrubber fingers that jostle soilfrom root vegetables. Thebushels collected were taken tothe Muck Crops ResearchStation where they were washedusing a small barrel washer andthe amount of water necessaryto clean vegetables was monitored. The produce was

considered clean when the exit-ing washwater reached a certainlevel of clarity (a turbidity of200 NTU).

Findings

Soil removal prior to produceentering the wash line is valuable regardless of theamount of dedirting performedin the field. Dedirting at thewashing facility creates uniformity when harvestedproduct is variable due to arvesting conditions. The soilmay dry in storage or duringtransport making it possible toremove it at the packing facility.

It is important to remove soilon produce prior to washing asit will greatly impact theamount of water necessary toreach the desired cleanliness.Reducing water use will reducewater treatment system size andcosts as well as increase wateruse efficiency.

Testing was conducted usingwashing facilities’ equipment asit was set for commercial operations. There was noattempt to optimize equipmentprior to testing. Consequently,

some equipment did not perform well compared to others. The finger tables usedin conjunction with the producegrown in mineral soil wouldbenefit from optimization andreconfiguration to achieve optimal performance.

The placement and speed ofthe finger tables have an effecton their efficacy. If the table isabove tanks or flumes and watersplashes back into the fingers, itcreates mud that clogs the fingers. Also, if the table isoperating too fast, the producedoes not have enough contacttime with the fingers and lesssoil is removed.

Fluming can be used tomove produce or remove soilbefore washing but since itrequires water to do so, it willincrease water treatment

requirements. Dry soil removalshould be placed prior to all wetprocess steps.

Conclusions

Removing soil prior to wash-ing root vegetables reduces bothwater use and also water requir-ing treatment prior to discharge.If produce is moved using waterin flumes, the amount neededto complete the final wash isgreatly reduced. The ability tomanipulate the water volumeused at various points of thewashing line is recommended.

This HMGA Project wasfunded by EnvironmentCanada.

Bridget Visser and Charles Lalondeprovided leadership to the HMGAproject as independent consultants.

Making root vegetables easier to wash

Dedirting at the washing facility creates uniformity when harvested produce is variable due to harvested conditions

THE GROWERPAGE B8 –– APRIL 2017

Huge estate auction for THE LATE STEVE FETT consisting of some of the finest, always shedded tractors, trucks, collector cars & snow mobiles, pickups, farm, irrigation & potatoequipment, plant & packaging equipment, stand­by generator, forklifts, seed, antique potato equipment and a HUGE amount of miscellaneous. To be held on the farm located 2miles east of Delhi on Brantford Rd. (Regional Rd #4) to sharp curve. Turn north and continue on the Brantford Rd. for 3 miles to Windham Rd #9. Turn east for 1 mile to farm.Fire #688

TUESDAY APRIL 11TH @ 9:30AMPREVIEW & BID ONLINE www.sunrise­equipment.com

TWO AUCTION RINGS SELLING AT ONE TIME.SECOND RING BEGINS @ 10:00 AM FOR ONLINE ITEMS

TRACTORS & FORKLIFTS: Case IH MX120, 4wd, cab, air, 14.9x46 rears, 14.9x30 fronts, power shift, LHR & Quickie Q75 loader, 3rd function, 7808hrs, 3 remotes (fork attachment sold separately);Case IH MX120, 4wd, cab, air, 14.9x46 rears, 14.9x30 fronts, power shift, LHR & Quickie 980 loader, 3rd function, 7056hrs, Murphy's, two remotes; Case IH MX120, cab, air, 14.9x46 rears, 14.9x30fronts, power shift, LHR, weights, 3 remotes, 1621hrs; Case IH MX120, 4wd, cab, air, 14.9x46 rears, 14.9x30 fronts, power shift, LHR, 3 remotes, T­Rail duals front & back, 7987hrs; Case IH MX120,4wd, cab, air, weights, NEW 380/90R46 rears, 14.9x30 fronts, power shift, LHR 7900hrs; Case IH MX120, 4wd, cab, air, 12.4x54 rears, 12.4x42 fronts, weights, power shift, LHR, 3 remotes; 2 (two)Toyota FG25 propane, 5000lb forklifts, 4 valve & cascade rotators; Toyota FG18 propane forklift, 4000lb, 3 valve; 3 (three) BT LP2000, ride on power jacks, c/w chargers; Propane tanks in cage, full &empty;

FARM EQUIPMENT: Hardi Commander CM750 hi­wheeled sprayer, c/w 90’ booms, foam markers, chemical rinse & induction, hydraulic booms & monitors; 2000 Salford 24’ “S” tyne double walking tandems & rolling harrows (they are off the cultivator but will be sold with it); IH 475 hydraulic fold disc, 18½’, packer hitch & rear hydraulics; DF 18’ crowfoot packer, hydraulic lift (skid ofspare packer wheels sold separate); IH 710, 5 furrow, 16” trail plow (hard to find); Triple “K” 4 row, 3pth cultivator; Case IH 21 run, soybean special drill, c/w press wheels and hydraulic markers; 1999IH 4900, DT466, c/w Market 325 gravity box & tarp and 12’ auger; Buhler Farm King 150 HD blade, c/w hydraulic angle; 24’ steel mesh bale rack, c/w Horst 12 ton double reach wagon; 14’ steel meshbale rack, c/w 1600 gallon water tank on Horst 14 ton wagon; Lundell 4 row stalk chopper; tandem axle 12’ hydraulic dump wagon w/ tarp; AC 32 plate wheel disc; Kongskilde 12’, 3pth cultivator, c/wnew teeth; Vicon 3pth pendulum fertilizer spreader; several plastic water tanks.

IRRIGATION EQUIPMENT: 6 Cadman Power Pack irrigation pumps, c/w JD 6 cyl turbo charged diesels, Berkley B4 pumps, all have approx 2000hrs; Ford 6 cyl irrigation pump; Baur E Rainstar125­400T irrigation reel; Approx 233 Wade Rain 6"x30 pipe & 11 short pieces; Approx 329 Wade Rain 5"x30' pipe & 39 short pieces; Approx 1666 Wade Rain 4"x30' pipe; Approx 15 Wade Rain 3"x30'pipe; Approx 13 Wade Rain 2"x30' pipe; 9 suction pipe; 4 irrigation pipe wagons w/ removable lifts; Approx 2000 Rain Bird risers; HUGE quantity of Wade Rain 6", 5", 4" hydrants, T's, elbows, rubbers, plugs etc; NEW 6" suction hose; 14 Nelson high volume irrigation guns; 9 irrigation suctions barrels;

TRUCKS & TRAILER: 2006 KW 200 tractor, NEW 11x22.5 tires, air suspension, C­13, 13 speed, 1,145,000km, aluminum buds, current safety; 2005 KW 2000 tractor, new 11x22.5 tires, automatic, C­15 engine, aluminum buds, 8 bag suspension, 922,000km, current safety; 2000 KW T2000 tractor, c/w 11x22.5 tires, 13 speed, aluminum buds, C­12 engine, Approx 950,000km, wet line,current safety; 2001 Navistar 4400, tandem truck, c/w 30' aluminum box, rollup door, 315,000km, current safety; 2007 & 2006 Utility 3000R tandem, 53' stainless, flat floor reefer trailers, c/w ThermoKing Whisperer B­210 reefers, one with 1036hrs, one with 3700hrs, current safety; 2011 Eby 22' deck over, aluminum tag­a­long trailer, c/w beavertail, 3 ramps, aluminum wheels, current safety; 1985Fruehauf 28' tandem, aluminum dump trailer, current safety; 1964 Trailmobile 45' tandem trailer.

POTATO & VEGETABLE EQUIPMENT: 2010 Grimme SE 75­40, 1 row digger; Structural 21, 4 row potato planter, c/w cross fill fertilizer; chemical fill pumps & 2pth; 440 plastic Micro 34 bins; 95plastic Micro 32 bins; large quantity of potato seed separating trays; BDK Fabrication, 24’x18” hydraulic drive & lift conveyor, c/w Honda 13hp electric start engine; 2 (two) 1998 IH 4900 trucks, c/wDT466E & Lockwood 22’ potato boxes; Cruse 4 row, 3pth hiller; Haines potato cutter; Haines potato duster; Gallenberg 2 row, model G502­3213 pto drive ginseng digger; RainFlo 3pth plastic layer; 3row, 3pth plug planter; Caisier 2 row, 3pth cultivator; IH 3 row, model 365 unit, 3pth planter, c/w plates; 4 row side dressers; plug planter parts; 3pth plastic roll picker; 4 totes of hanging potato bags& racking; large quantity of plastic plant boxes & green hampers; large assortment of NEW spare parts for EVERYTHING!

POTATO PLANT & PACKAGING EQUIPMENT: LINE#4 2002 Upmatic Model 2112D computerized bagging system c/w 5lb poly bags & 10lb dual head paper & stitch bags, SELLING AS ONEUNIT; Comairco Sullair ES­8 screw air compressor; Comairco Airtek CT60 air dryer, c/w cold trap; Multi Phase MT45 Hydro Convertor from single phase to 3 phase; 2 (two) 600V transformers; LINE #1Holding tank, potato washer/dryer, infeed and outfeed conveyors, 4 compartment sizer grader; LINE #2 Stainless steel, 42" brush washer, c/w 36" infeed table, 8'x36" outfeed table, 36" incline, Kerian10'x30" sizer; LINE #3 Newtec VB40CC, 2lb stainless steel poly bagger, 8'x22" incline elevator, bulk tank w/ 20'x30" cleated belt, 7'x15' cleated conveyor, 14'x8" conveyor belt, 6' rotating table, 10'x24"stainless roller conveyor, 8'x24" stainless roller; LINE #5 7'x24" conveyor table, 15'x24" stainless, plastic cleated belt conveyor, 20'x24" conveyor, three 14' holding tanks w/ conveyors, 20'x24" stainless cleated elevator, 14'x24" stainless cleated conveyor, 4 compact sizer, 6'x48" stainless incline roller table; 8'x48" sponge dryer, two 8'x48" brush washers, 5'x48" plastic belt conveyor, 5'x48"chain conveyor, 10'x24" chain feed incline conveyor; Walthambury W320, 25kg bagger; Walthambury 300, 50lb bagger; Haines 50lb bagger; 2 (two) Fischbein portable sewer; hydraulic power pac; DF10'x24" plastic belt, incline conveyor; Porta Cool model HP cooler fan; Cardinal 5000lb, portable scale; 2 (two) 5' electric round tables; 2 (two) Hitachi RX13 label printers; New long sewer, c/w Haines8' conveyor & printer; 20 NEW rolls of various sized grading chains; DF 12' conveyor; 40'x18" stainless conveyor; 8'x12" stainless auger; stainless 24" incline conveyor; Fischbein ECR sewer; 2 (two)Fischbein E sewers; 3 air staplers; HUGE QUANTITY of different packaging sizes of bags, boxes, poly to be sold by skids; fingerling grade

VEHICLES: 2006 Ford F250 XLT Lariat Super Duty, quad cab, short box, 4x4 diesel pickup, c/w lift kit, Banks Power, 185,000km, current safety; 2008 Ford F350 Super Duty Lariat pickup, quad cab,short box, 4x4, loaded, 432,000km, current safety; 2004 Ford F250 XLT regular cab, 4x4 diesel pickup, loaded, current safety; 2001 Ford 3/4 ton, 15 passenger van, c/w V8 Triton, 194,000km, currentsafety.

COLLECTOR VEHICLES: 1961 Corvette hardtop, c/w 283 Corvette engine, 4 speed standard, 50,757 MILES! Nice car; 1937 Chevy 2 door coupe, c/w Corvette 327 engine, automatic, resto­car,steel body, no fiberglass! Nice car; 1995 Camaro Z­28 Iroc­Z convertible, 4 speed, nice vehicle to restore; 1995 Camaro RS for parts; Ford F150 pickup for parts;

BOAT: 2006 Lund Pro Angler, 16’ fishing boat (custom built for Steve), c/w Honda 50 four stroke, wide side, 6 person & tarp, Meltrail custom built tandem trailer, USED TWICE.

COLLECTOR SNOWMOBILE & BIKES: 1972 Ski Doo Elite twin track snowmobile, Nice; Raider Double Eagle twin track snow mobile, nice; 3 Raider Double Eagle's for parts; 1974 MF Ski­Whiz444; 1974 MF Ski­Whiz 344; 1972 Arctic Cat 292 Lynx; Chrysler Sno Runner; 1985 Yamaha BW (Big Wheel) 200; 2000 Honda 70R dirt bike; Ram Go golf cart, c/w Honda engine; Elite new hood for startof restoration.

SEED: Red, Yellow & Purple potato seed; White, Yellow & Purple fingerling potato seed for approx 20 acres; skid of #31 rye seed; One ton of 6­24­24 fertilizer; large quantity of Berger BM2 germinating mix.

GENERATOR: Stanford Single Phase 175 stand­by generator, c/w Cummins 285hp, LT10, ONLY 49hrs.

ANTIQUE EQUIPMENT: Cockshutt potato classifier; 4 potato plows with handles; 2 Canadian Potato Machinery (MFG Galt) potato planters; transplanter; fertilizer and duster for potatoes; StoverManufacturing & Engine Company, hit & miss engine; Four 1 row pull type potato diggers; Plant JR digger; Aspinall potato cutter; portable cabbage cutter.

MISCELLANEOUS: Rotary 12,000lb drive on hoist with sliding dollies; Ingersoll Rand T­30 twin air compressors; 15 General Electric, 2 way radios & base (serviced by Oxford Communications);Goodyear hydraulic hose crimper & attachments; 8'x6' 4 hole ice hut; Four 10' Work Station Pro, 20 drawer & work bench combination, with cabinets; Work Station Pro mechanics toll chest & contents; 2 Vidmar bolt cabinets & contents; Hobart Mig Welder; ESAB Plasma cutter; King Metal band saw; Coates tire changer; large quantity of orange & blue steel racking; NEW STEEL on racking;metal lathe; 55 ton press; parts washer; Stihl chain saws; weed trimmers; 12 totes of 1 phase industrial lighting; 200 gallon fuel tank & electric pump; 40 bins of tote bags; Tennant floor sweeper; 38'house trailer converted to car carrier, not complete; AMT Sunlamper for pickup; Five 20' van bodies for storage; bolt bins; welding tables; office equipment; Approx 1200, 4x4 hardwood skids;bunkhouse furniture; Inglis washer & fridge; welders; large assortment of bearings & sprockets; skid of #31 rye seed; two 10.5hp Yard Works, walk behind snow blowers; Slot machines, working;Dynablast hot water pressure washer; Honda 11hp pressure washer; skid of puck boards. PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE!

PREVIEW & BID ONLINE WWW.SUNRISE­EQUIPMENT.COMONLINE BIDDING ONLY ON MAJOR ITEMS. STARTING @ 10:00AM

PLEASE NOTE: It will be with great sadness in selling some of the nicest equipment & toys UNRESERVED on April 11th. Steve was one of the most meticulous caretakers around. He took pride ineverything he did! Only items not stored inside were his irrigation pipe and trailers. Plan to attend and buy with confidence. Something for everyone.

TERMS: Cash or good cheque day of auction. No debit or credit cards accepted. An additional 2% fee will be charged on all items purchased online. Any verbal announcements take precedence overany written matter. Owners & Auctioneers are not responsible for accidents on or before auction.

SELLING FOR THE ESTATE OF THE LATE STEVE FETTFOR INFORMATION CALL JOHN SHABATURA at 519­909­1999

AUCTIONEERSTOM HAMULECKI 519­421­6957 or JARED PETTMAN 519­281­1477

FOR PICTURES VISIT OUR WEBSITE @ www.sunrise­equipment.com

HUGE ESTATE FARM AUCTION

THE GROWERAPRIL 2017 –– PAGE B9

MARKETPLACEadvertising@thegrower.org 866-898-8488 x 218

REFRIGERATION

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

info@WinonaConcrete.comPhone (905) 945-8515 Fax: (905) 945-1149

or call toll-free

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IRRIGATION

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CHOICES, FAST, AND FRIENDLY SERVICE. BUY A DIESEL ENGINEPUMP UNIT FROM THE DIESEL

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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

IRRIGATION EQUIPMENTQuantity of irrigation

pipe (mostly hook type)3” - $404” - $505” - $60

Quantity of fittings – hydrants and towers

Large quantity of sprinklers - $10

Bradford(905) 955-5811

CONTAINERS AND PACKAGING

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STORAGE, CONTAINERS & PACKAGING

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@growernews

PAGE B10 –– APRIL 2017

THE GROWER

MARKETPLACEadvertising@thegrower.org 866-898-8488 x 218

SEED AND ROOTSTOCK

GLADIOLUS BULBSWide variety selection for retail sales and

commercial cut flower production.NEW! Order online at www.lmbolle.com

813083 Base Line Norwich, ONT: 519-468-2090 F: 468-2099

E: lmbolle@execulink.com

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 2S0warwickorchards@brktel.on.ca

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

Fax: (519) 849-6731

@growernews

KEDDYCertified 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 brochure982 Charles Keddy RD, Lakeville, NS, Canada B4N 3V7

Ph: (902) 678-4497 Fax: (902) 678-0067Email: keddynursery@xcountry.tv

C.O.

Providing quality apple trees for 40

years.

• Bench graft• 9 month bench• KNIP tree• Top grafting existing orchard

Brian Van Brenk31760 Erin Line

Fingal ON, Canada N0L 1K0

519­902­6353www.vanbrenk.ca

brian@vanbrenk.ca

ASPARAGUS

ASPARAGUSCROWNSMillennium

Mary Washington

Sandy Shore Farms Ltd.P: (519) 875­3382

E: info@sandyshore.cawww.sandyshorefarms.ca

ASPARAGUS ROOTSJersey GiantMillennium

Wrightland FarmRR 1 • 1000 Ridge Rd. Harrow, ON N0R 1G0

Keith: 519-738-6120Fax: 519-738-3358

TREE TRAINING

Treeform “V” spreaders

treeform@sympatico.ca519-599-2299 Tree training made easier.

ORIENTAL VEGETABLE SEEDS

CR NAPA KING F1

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

seed@agrohaitai.com• www.AgroHaitai.com

Looking for a costeffective way to

distribute your 2018inventory catalogues?

INSERT THEMadvertising@thegrower.org

866-898-8488 X 221

THE GROWER

APRIL 2017 –– PAGE B11

EQUIPMENT

DON ARTHUR ORCHARD EQUIPMENT(519) 599-3058 donarthur3@gmail.com Clarksburg, ON

LOW DRIFT SPRAY TOWERS IN STOCK TO FIT ANY TURBO-MIST

Turbo-Mist 500, electric controls, new diaphragm pump $10,500Turbo-Mist 500 electric, diaphragm, tall spray tower $12,500Turbo-Mist 500 diaphragm pump, hydraulic control COMINGTurbo-Mist 500 hydraulic control, centrifugal pump $13,900Turbo-Mist 500 hydraulic, tower, nice clean $15,750Turbo-Mist 500 hydraulic, centrifugal,(2015) immaculate $17,200

Add new low drift tower $2,200Turbo-Mist 600, hydraulic, centrifugal, low hours (2012) $14,900Turbo-Mist 600, hydraulic, centrifugal, tall spray tower $16,500Perfect KG220 H.D. Flail mower, almost new $8,200

* Perfect rotary mowers & heavy duty flail mowersTRADES, CONSIGNMENTS, LEASING, DELIVERY ANYWHERE

NEW TURBO-MIST SPRAYERS* ALL TURBO-MIST PARTS IN STOCK - 7 DAYS/WEEK IN SEASON

MARKETPLACEadvertising@thegrower.org 866-898-8488 x 218

WARWICKORCHARDS & NURSERY LTD.7056 Egremont Road, R.R. 8 Watford, Ontario N0M 2S0

Tel: (519) 849-6730 Toll free: 877-550-7412Fax: (519) 849-6731

Email: warwickorchards@brktel.on.ca

• BIN TRAILERS• BIN TIPPERS• Picking LADDERS• Picking BUCKETS

• Tree STAKES• TIE MATERIAL• TREE GUARDS

ORCHARD SUPPLIES

FROST PROTECTION

• 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

POLLINATION

POLLINATIONSERVICES

Attention Berry, Orchard &

Vegetable Growers.Local expanding

beekeeper servicing Elgin,Norfolk, Haldimand, Oxford

& Middlesex Counties.

Honeybee hive rentals available for crop pollination

for 2017 spring & summercrops. Discounts available

for early bookings. Call 226-238-0175.

For Strawberries, plants of all sizes, andweeds between plastic mulch. 3 Very good weed control

provided by rolling cultivators3 Disk gangs for renovating strawberries3 Hydraulic adjustment for quick changes

to cultivator spacing.

CULTIVATORS

Hillside Cultivator Co. 911 Disston View Dr. Lititz, PA 17543

hillsidecultivator.com717-669-3158

SEEDINGEQUIPMENT

StanHay Seeder (complete with shoes and boxes): $3,000

Seeding Line for Nursery Trays (200cell), Complete with Vermiculite

Applicator: $600

Nursery Plug Trays (256 cell), like new(used twice): $4.5/ea

(905) 955-5811

FOR SALE­Used AFS­

Potato Double BaggerRS­200­EC Automatic

Double Scale With ScreenComplete with AFS Sewer

Please call 905­689­5523or 905­379­0490

WARWICKORCHARDS & NURSERY LTD.

7056 Egremont Rd. RR8 Watford, ON N0M 2S0Tel: (519) 849-6730 Toll free: 877-550-7412

Fax: (519) 849-6731 Email: warwickorchards@brktel.on.ca

Orchard Equipment & SuppliesMunckhof Orchard SprayersVotex ShreddersVotex MowersTree Stakes &Tie Material

REAL ESTATE

THE GROWERPAGE B12 –– APRIL 2017