IN THIS ISSUE SUMMER 2010


Serving the tree fruit, grape and wine industries of British Columbia, Canada


Published quarterly by OMedia Communications


Publisher and Editor Bryden Winsby bryden@omedia.ca


Horticultural Adviser and Contributing Editor


Peter Waterman peter@omedia.ca


Associate Editor


Judie Steeves judie@omedia.ca Contributors


Pat Bowen, Tracy Clark, Lyonel Doherty, Cheryl Hampson, Eugene Hogue, Sean Kuchta, Susan McIver, Denise Neilsen, Gerry Neilsen, Scott Smith, Gary Strachan, Bill Taylor, Kevin Usher, Ray Johnson


Sales and Marketing Director


Garth Allmand garth@omedia.ca


Advertising Sales Mike Hamm mike@omedia.ca


Graphic Design Buddy Cole


buddy@locoldesign.com


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Contents copyright 2010. Reproduction in whole or in part, by any means, without prior written permission, is strictly prohibited.


PRINTED IN CANADA by Thunderbird Press. West Kelowna, BC


26 XX-COC-XXXX On The Cover


Karnail Singh Sidhu has plenty of reason to smile as his organically-grown grapes have won international awards for Kalala Organic Estate Winery. See page 7.


Judie Steeves photo NO TIME TO PROCRASTINATE


Grapes aren’t as likely to be damaged if exposed to the sun early in the season, and some varieties are inherently more resistant to sunburn than others.


regulars UP FRONT


MARKETWATCH PETERWATERMAN


4 6


22


WINEMAKER’S BOOKSHELF 29 PRUNINGS


31 British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Summer 2010 3


16 18


BUDWOOD WORK GROWS


Virus-free material from PICO orchard will undergo trial testing in fruit-growing regions of Ontario and Quebec, as well as being subjected to more stringent testing here.


ESSENTIAL BEESNESS


The pollinating industry is beset with problems, but its health is critical to the success of tree fruits —and most other food crops.


features 10


CHANGE BRINGS SUCCESS


From crop choices to marketing methods, Dave and Arlene Sloan's Matheson Creek Farm has been in constant transition.


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