Musings
Development of a winning fruit variety takes an Olympian effort.
R
ebuilding and repositioning the tree fruit industry is a lot like developing an Olympic sports program to compete on the world stage. Canada is a proven leader when it comes to Olympic team development. Government is heavily involved financially and should be recognized for its effort.
What many people don’t know is our senior governments are involved in developing world-class tree fruit varieties. The success story is almost unnoticed and it has been developed right here in the Okanagan Valley. We often mention the accomplishment, but rarely do we shed light on the effort of those who produce success.
It starts with experienced scientists at the federal government’s Summerland research station. They develop the prospective varietals. When a variety is developed the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association-owned company, Summerland Varieties Corporation (SVC), first tests the variety and if it is better than anything else currently available, SVC negotiates and promotes the new variety, giving it a place in domestic and international markets. In addition SVC also partners with private interests to develop such varieties as Ambrosia. SVC and Wilfred and Sally Mennell teamed up years ago and continue to invest in and share the rewards of producing a world class product, the Ambrosia apple. The private partnership between SVC and the Mennells has proven to be one of the most successful in the world. The federal government and Summerland Varieties have developed an unparalleled success when it comes to producing world class cherry varieties. The Summerland breeding program has become the envy of the world as it now produces eighty-five percent of all new cherry varieties in production globally. Summerland Research Station and Summerland Varieties are a small team with a very big footprint when it comes to success. The development of a world class product requires science, government
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By Fred Steele Reaching the horticultural podium and industry
investment, and an experienced licencing and promotion company such as Summerland Varieties Corporation. Over the past twenty years this multi talented partnership has
produced success after success. In recent years cherries were the highlight of the program. These combined with some apple varieties such as Aurora Golden Gala, Sunrise and the latest Salish, have proven to be local winners. What will be the next star? It is the result of science, luck and a lot of testing and investment. At present, SVC and the Summerland Research Station are developing some promising varieties that are of interest to the northern Okanagan regions of BC and central and eastern Canadian Growers as these test varieties appear to be suitable to cooler, more humid climates.
There is much more to developing a variety than just promoting it. A host of factors become part of the equation to determine the viability of a new product. Is it easy to grow? Does it store well? What is the disease susceptibility? Does it have consumer appeal? All these questions and more have to be answered. The first answers come from the tireless work of the Summerland Research Station scientists. The development of the variety is then the work of the Summerland Varieties Corporation. SVC engages growers, packinghouses and new variety councils, propagation and distribution channels,
and, of course, the last stage — reaching out to consumers. The whole process can take 20 years-plus, from the first seedling to the time the variety proves itself in the marketplace. While we deal with immediate
varietal success, other projects, longer- term projects, will keep us on the cutting edge of technology. We have all seen companies grow and prosper only to become victims of new technology. Horticultural advancement is no different. One of the new projects we’re seeking funding for is the Genome Project. In partnership with Genome BC, Genome Canada, Dalhousie University, governments and Summerland Varieties, we are looking for new way to detect a winner. We are working to determine the value of seeds. If we can determine the characteristics of the tree at the seed stage, without having to grow the entire tree, we will save time and money. In addition we will be able to grow varieties for specific climates, and custom grow desired characteristics. The collaboration we have engaged in over the past couple of decades has truly formed a formidable partnership that puts us on the horticultural podium internationally. It all starts with a tiny seed, inspiration and innovation. Superstar varieties attract new consumers to apples and cherries grown by dedicated farmers and proudly packed by our packinghouses and featured by the grocery stores. A winner is the result of a truly great partnership.
— Fred Steele is president of the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association
British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Fall 2014
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