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Field day popularity continues


Good grower turnout for activities focused on blueberry and raspberry industries.


By Grant Ullyot F


ield days for blueberry and raspberry growers took place this summer at facilities of the Agassiz Research and Development Centre, formerly known as the Pacific Agri-food Research Centre (PARC), and were very well attended.


Blueberry growers were provided with an excellent program, during which Antoni Podszywalow demonstrated how his falcons can be used to control predatory birds in blueberry fields


The new director of the Agassiz and Summerland Research and Development Centres, Joyce Boye, introduced herself and said Agriculture Canada has approved the addition of four new research people at the centres.


She then introduced the first to arrive in Agassiz — Aime Messiga, who will be working on soil research and is the subject of a feature story in this issue of BC Berry Grower. Meanwhile, Sankaran KrishnaRaj, the former manager of PARC, is now the associate director for research, development and technology in Agassiz. His counterpart in Summerland is Kenna MacKenzie. Here are more highlights from the


day:


China — B.C. Blueberry Council executive director Debbie Etsell provided an industry update that focused on the marketing of fresh blueberries in China and South Korea. Inspectors from China were in B.C. to observe how well we grow and pack blueberries destined for the Chinese market. According to Etsell, the inspectors follow a rigorous program. “Not only do they demand top quality, the packers have to ensure they are using the proper equipment. They must operate it in such a way that it mitigates any transmission of pests


British Columbia Berry Grower • Fall 2016 9


GRANT ULLYOT


Field day attendees look over some of the experimental raspberry varieties on display at the Clearbrook Research Substation.


or diseases in the fruit. It is a costly process for both the packers and the growers. And the record keeping is immense.”


Twelve packers are processing berries for the Chinese market. Most of the product is shipped by air, which not only guarantees the quality but extends the shelf life in China. This season B.C. produced an excellent Duke blueberry crop, which should capture the high-end market in China.


Research—Michael Dossett and Eric Gerbrandt talked about their ongoing efforts to develop new berry varieties. Both said in order for


growers to compete successfully in a global marketplace, they must be able to differentiate themselves by consistently delivering a superior quality product at a fair price. That is why the B.C. berry breeding program is focused on developing the best genetics so this province’s growers have the best available tools to meet market demands and be successful. Dossett’s research involves three prime industries — strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry. “While strawberries are not a huge part of what we do,” said Dossett, “it is still 10 per cent of our funding and so 10 per cent of our effort goes into


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