OKSIR gets international recognition


IPMAward of Excellence presented for long-term success combating codlingmoth. By Judie Steeves


I


t’s rare that awards are presented for what’s not there, but such is the case with an international award brought home to the Okanagan this spring for a program that controls a devastating orchard pest — the codling moth — without the use of chemicals.


The international Integrated Pest Management Award of Excellence was presented to the Okanagan- Kootenay Sterile Insect Release (OKSIR) program for “excellent leadership in establishing and sustaining a successful long-term, area-wide IPM program through effective partnerships with local governments, industry, residents and researchers and promoting its adoption in other regions of the world.”


General manager Cara Nelson was presented with the award at an IPM symposium in Salt Lake City in March. In April a local celebration was held to present awards of recognition to program collaborators: the four regional districts (Columbia- Shuswap Regional District, North Okanagan Regional District, Central Okanagan Regional District and South Okanagan Regional District); the provincial agriculture ministry, the federal Pacific Agri-food Research Centre and the B.C. Fruit Growers' Association.


“The judges were really impressed by what we’ve achieved,” Nelson commented, adding she was pretty excited about the win and its validation of the program. The OKSIR program has reduced the volume of pesticides from what was once used against codling moth in the valley, by 96 per cent since 1991 and there’s been a 90 per cent reduction in populations of the moth. On average, growers apply less than one spray a season against the pest, compared to three or more prior to the program, and many


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Summer 2015 9 Sterile Insect Release program field worker.


growers haven’t had to spray for the past 15 years for it.


Today, around the world, Nelson notes, there is a consumer push for food that is produced more sustainably; using fewer pesticides and additives. Okanagan Valley fruit supplies that need — in part because


of the OKSIR program.


It’s a competitive advantage that could be of tremendous economic benefit to local growers, Nelson said. “This program was innovative when it started 20 years ago, and other jurisdictions still consider it cutting edge.”


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36