IN THIS ISSUE Winter 2011-12


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


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


Advertising Sales


Mike Hamm mike@omedia.ca


Graphic Design Buddy Cole


buddy@locoldesign.com


Canada Post Publications Agreement Number 40841579 Mailing Address


Suite 515, 22-2475 Dobbin Road, West Kelowna, BC, Canada V4T 2E9


Telephone (778) 755-4355 Fax (778) 755-3820 E-mail


info@omedia.ca Website


www.omedia.ca/grower


Contents copyright 2011. Reproduction in whole or in part, by any means, without prior written permission, is strictly prohibited.


PRINTED IN CANADA regulars XX-COC-XXXX UP FRONT On The Cover


Theresa and Dave Ross in the tasting room of East Kelowna Cider, the first ‘land-based’ cidery in the Okanagan and the second in the province. For more on the growth of commercial cider making in B.C., see page 7. Susan McIver Photo


MARKETWATCH PETERWATERMAN


4 6


21


WINEMAKER’S BOOKSHELF 30 PRUNINGS


31 British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Winter 2011-12 3


12 20


26 CO-OP UNDER FIRE


New faces on board as growers voice discontent with how the new Okanagan Tree Fruit Cooperative has been operating.


features 10


ALR ‘IS HERE TO STAY’


Larger budget, legislative changes in the works as provincial government follows up on Bullock review of Agricultural Land Reserve.


SUSPICIOUS PARASITE


Ring nematode could be a culprit in the loss of vigour being experienced by several fruits in the Okanagan.


VINEYARD ROLLER COASTER Thinning and irrigation strategies can play a key role in offsetting the effects of prolonged cool, wet weather.


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