MARCH 2018 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC Fruit growers elect Dhaliwal president


Province delivers $5 million for sector improvements


by TOM WALKER KELOWNA – It may have


been two days late but BC fruit growers got a nice Valentine from the Minister of Agriculture. Lana Popham announced a $5 million Tree Fruit Competiveness Fund at the BC Fruit Growers Association (BCFGA) annual meeting, February 16, in Kelowna. “I have heard that the


replant program is growing in popularity,” says Popham. “I’ve also heard your serious concerns about aging infrastructure and a decrease in apple sales in the 2017 crop. Your government is helping you with the difficult circumstances you are facing; we are committing new support to your sector.” The funds will be open to


tree fruit growers, producers and processors to support three key areas, Popham explained: research (including cultivar, disease and pest research); marketing (export market opportunities and market development research); and infrastructure (sector-based infrastructure modernization, such as new equipment.)


The funds can also be accessed to cover a shortfall in replant money in years where the program is over- subscribed.


“I truly believe that with a little support, the BC tree fruit sector will continue to seize the opportunities that you’ve told me about and you will continue to grow.


Highlight of meeting


Popham’s announcement was one of the highlights of the two-day meeting attended by some 235 members who heard officer


and committee reports, discussed and passed resolutions and voted in a new president, vice-president and board of directors. Fred Steele’s last report as


president spoke of the strengths of the provincial government’s seven-year replant program and he continued to advocate for federal government support for the proposed national bare-ground program. BCFGA met with the


federal caucus in the fall to discuss the bare-land program but talk turned to the proposed tax changes and how it would affect the farming industry. “We had a well prepared


brief from the CHC (Canadian Horticulture Council),” says Steele. “The federal government is telling us they are taking a second look at how taxes affect our industry.” “Our replants are being


eaten by big-eared rodents,” Steele quipped while calling for a deer cull. He urged an expanded mandate for the Sterile Insect Release program that goes beyond the successful codling moth work that they do, and more robust research into the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Lastly, Steele spoke of the ongoing restructuring that the association is undertaking. “The strength of the BCFGA is a frank discussion that we all have to have together,” he said. General manager Glen


Lucas reviewed the services BCFGA provides to members. He says administering the replant program is taking more time but returning less administrative dollars to the association. Lucas commented on the belt-


Ag Safety Week 


11 - 17 March 2018


Retiring president Fred Steele, left, congratulates new BCFGA president Pinder Dhaliwal and vice president Peter Simonsen on their successful campaigns for elected office. TOM WALKER PHOTO


tightening measures that the BCFGA has been implementing. The labour services committee is very active. Chair Pinder Dhaliwal explained the BCFGA’s local farm labour project that provides farm safety training, general worker orientation sessions and job posting services to the some 4,500 Eastern Canadians who work in the industry each summer. He also covered an extensive outline of the Seasonal


Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) requirements that support the 950 Caribbean and 6,000 Mexican workers who came to BC in 2017. Dhaliwal also reviewed the


BCFGA’s position on the proposed $15.00 an hour minimum wage. “As agriculture, tree fruits is a price taker,” Dhaliwal points out. “Labour is a high- component cost of our farming and such a drastic increase would impact producers.”


Codling moth monitoring


Melissa Tesche reported on the SIR program. The release of sterile codling moths continues to show good results in combating the insect across the valley. ATV riders entering an orchard to distribute sterile moths pose logistical and safety issues and one alternative SIR is investigating is using UAVs. “The potential is really


impressive,” says Tesche. “One See FRUIT on next page o


11


Helping generations of farm families stay safe


25TH ANNIVERSARY 1993-2018


www.AgSafeBC.ca 1-877-533-1789


R ROLLINS “Serving British Columbia proudly since 1946”


Machinery Limited


AG CENTRE: Chilliwack 44724 Yale Road West Chilliwack, BC V2R 4H3 604-792-1301


HEAD OFFICE: Langley 21869 - 56th Avenue Langley, BC V2Y 2M9 Toll Free 1-800-665-9060


Toll Free 1-800-242-9737 www.rollinsmachinery.com


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  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52