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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • DECEMBER 2016 Fruit growers pack agenda by TOM WALKER


KELOWNA – Resolutions, replants and renegotiations are occupying the BC Fruit Growers Association (BCFGA) these days. The BCFGA annual convention is slated for February 2-3 in Penticton. A number of resolutions have been drawn up this fall and will be finalized by the December 3 deadline. The proliferation of food safety regulations is a concern to the organization. The BCFGA is calling for a common sense approach and supports a national program, such as Canada GAP.


Members are also looking for a more consistent, regional approach to Agricultural Land Reserve decisions to avoid a patchwork of policy by individual municipalities. Increased pest monitoring is a priority as well, and a deer cull is proposed.


BCFGA general manager Glen Lucas doesn’t see any of the resolutions as being particularly contentious.


“Some will generate discussion,” he says, “while others will clarify “Is this the right direction to move in?””


For the third time, incumbent Fred Steele will be challenged for president by Jeet Dukhia. Applications for the third year of the current replant program closed October 31 and Lucas says both the number and quality of applications is up.


TIMBER! A faller works to take out 50-year-old Anjou pear trees in Steve Day's orchard in Kelowna. Planted by Day's father in the 1950s, they will be replanted with Bartletts in a high density system which will give a much higher yield per acre. TOM WALKER PHOTO


Under the Terms of the Bylaws of the Association


Members are Directed to Take Notice of the 128th Annual General Meeting of the


BRITISH COLUMBIA FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION


February 2-3, 2017 At the PENTICTON LAKESIDE RESORT, PENTICTON, BC


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017 BUSINESS SESSION (1 PM–5 PM) • Annual Report of the Executive; • Financial statements, budget, and any Special Resolutions; • Annual reports of subsidiaries: • BC Research and Development Orchard Ltd. • Summerland Varieties Corporation;


• Guest speakers and reports of industry organizations and companies; • Committee reports and resolutions for delegate consideration.


FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2017 POLICY SESSION (8:30 AM–2 PM) • Guest speakers and reports of industry organizations & companies; • Special reports; • Committee reports and resolutions for delegate consideration; • Election of the BCFGA Executive at 2:00 pm


SOCIAL - A Social will be held on Friday evening. All members and government and industry organization representatives are invited to attend the social from 6 – 8 pm on Thursday, February 2 at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, Penticton.


All members and industry and government representatives welcome. Lunch provided on Saturday.


BC FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION office: 880 Vaughan Avenue, Kelowna, BC V1Y 7E4 250-762-5226 (T) (250) 861-9089 (F) www.bcfga.com


DIANE MURPHY VICE PRESIDENT COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURAL MARKETS 604-504-4980 diane2.murphy@bmo.com


STEVE SACCOMANO SENIOR AGRICULTURAL MANAGER


604-504-4976 steve.saccomano@bmo.com


IAIN SUTHERLAND, P .Ag AGRICULTURE MANAGER 604-504-4978 iain.sutherland@bmo.com


LYNN LASHUK, P .Ag AGRICULTURE MANAGER 604-979-7827 lynn.lashuk@bmo.com


Let’s grow together. Talk to a BMO Agri-Specialist for assistance. We’re here to help.


ABBOTSFORD Randy Lam 604-504-4626 Rick Tilitzky


Satpal Gill 604-504-4975 Greg Ksinan


604-504-4970 604-504-4647


CHILLIWACK Carlie Fleenor 604-793-7256 David Fuerst


CLOVERDALE Igor Koblizka


John Howard 604-574-6855 Philip Kunz


COURTENAY Caroline Neumann


604-793-7274 604-574-6885 604-574-6878


250-703-5330 Committed to Agriculture


CRESTON / CRANBROOK Christine Cooper


DUNCAN Ryan Wettlaufer


MAPLE RIDGE Roland Lazar


NORTH OKANAGAN Teri Kopp


PRINCE GEORGE / NORTH Ante Cirko


250-426-1179 250-715-2705 604-574-6890 250-838-5820 250-612-3030


WILLIAMS LAKE Darlene Campbell 250-305-6828


“We have had 170 applications this year. That’s compared to 140 last year,” he notes. The provincial government provided an extra $300,000 for last year’s program that enabled all eligible 2015/16 applications to be funded. Only one application was denied. “Someone was applying to replant grapes with apples,” he says.


“I don’t know the size of the individual applications yet,” says Lucas, “so I can’t estimate whether or not we will have enough funding to cover all the applications this year.”


Lucas says he feels the government is leading the industry toward better orchard planning.


“Putting the replant plans together can be a hassle but I think they put the growers in a better place.”


“(Ministry of Agriculture tree fruit specialist) Carl Withler gave a couple of presentations on how to make the best application possible,” says Lucas, adding that any replant plan has to be a good business decision on the part of the grower. Replant assistance only covers a quarter to a third of the total replant costs growers incur to convert to varieties that provide a higher return.


Progress continues to be made toward a national tree fruit rejuvenation plan that proposes interest free loans to growers looking to plant bare ground not currently being cropped.


“We have finalized the proposal and are co-ordinating how we will present it to the government,” says Lucas “We are making as many MPs aware of the proposal as we can. So far, they have been positive about it.”


Columbia River treaty


BCFGA continues to keep an eye on the Columbia River Treaty renegotiation process. The current treaty provides extensive irrigation opportunities for Washington tree fruit, onion and potato growers. Lucas says he is encouraged by the recent announcement that the US is ready to start negotiations. “There will be significant changes to flood provisions in eight years that will create uncertainty for the US and I think that, as that date creeps closer, the Americans have got more serious.


“We hope that there will be continue to be representation from the Ministry of Agriculture,” says Lucas. “The (BCMA) staff position in the provincial negotiating team has lapsed and we hope it will be renewed.”


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