IN THIS ISSUE Summer 2014


Published quarterly by OMedia Communications


Publisher and Editor


Bryden Winsby bryden@omedia.ca


Contributing Editor Tamara Leigh tamara@omedia.ca


Associate Editor


Judie Steeves judie@omedia.ca


Advertising Sales Erin Fichtner


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Graphic Design Buddy Cole


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Contents copyright 2014. Reproduction in whole or in part, by any means, without prior written permission, is strictly prohibited.


On The Cover


Photos such as this one posted on social media have played a big part in rallying opposition, particularly among young farmers, to the provincial government’s proposed changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve. See page 5.


regulars UP FRONT RESEARCH UPDATE 4 10


MINDING YOUR BUSINESS 17 PRUNINGS


18 British Columbia Berry Grower • Summer 2014 3 16


12 14


BERRY BREEDING SHIFT


Changes in control of this province’s programs will allow industry to play a much larger role in the development of new varieties.


PESTICIDE PROCESS NEEDED


‘Minor use’ registration gives growers access to products that otherwise would not be registered.


LESSONS LEARNED ABOUT SWD


Growers advised to heed area-wide monitoring reports, spray early and maintain a tight interval between applications leading up to harvest.


features 8


SURPRISE ATTACK


Proposed national strawberry council faces opposition from U.S. organizations and importers.


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