10


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • DECEMBER 2018


Pipeline explosion creates uncertainty Higher input costs, smaller crops among the potential effects on greenhouse operations


by SEAN HITREC


SURREY – A recent natural gas pipeline explosion and prolonged reduction in distribution capacity has left greenhouse growers with tough choices as they plan next year’s crop. “We've delayed the crop,


basically, for next season,” says Sunnyside Greenhouses Ltd. owner Jos Moerman. “We will plant 40% of normal and for the rest, we will hold off until we find more clarity about when the gas line will be fixed.” The bigger of two Enbridge-owned pipelines that supply the Fraser Valley


and Lower Mainland exploded near Prince George on October 9. By the end of the month, the line was patched but capacity remains at about 80%. This has pushed natural gas prices to extremely high rates. At press time, prices were


expected to hit $95 per gigajoule. When prices spiked in 2001, they peaked at around $13.50 per GJ. This compares to a normal price of $3.50 per GJ. Growers fear the worst could be around the corner as the National Energy Board still needs to assess the damage, and low flows have prompted


companies to urge consumers to reduce use to conserve supplies. BC greenhouses rely on natural gas for heat and clean carbon dioxide, which feeds plants during photosynthesis. Alternative fuels, such as diesel and wood burners, are costly and emissions are too dirty to feed plants. Growers now face a


gamble, says BC Greenhouse Growers' Association executive director Linda Delli Santi. Higher natural gas prices mean if a grower decides to plant, there’s a chance the crop will cost too much to produce.


“The members are all sitting back now and trying to make their own decisions on how much risk they're prepared to take,” she says. “I've had a couple say that they didn't want to plant at all and the rest of them are pushing back their planting date anywhere from six weeks to possibly three months.” The last two months of the


year is when greenhouses typically clean the production area and order seedlings from propagators. The new plants arrive four to six weeks later, explains Delli Santi, ready to take advantage of the longer days and increasing solar energy that follows the winter solstice. “You're setting up a good,


strong, healthy plant to make it through the whole year,” she says. “If they plant later, there might not be a long enough growing season to recover their costs of production.” That’s what’s happening


this year, as growers hold off ordering because of uncertainties around natural gas prices. Yet price is only part of the


Ask us about 0% FINANCING


Wrap up the year by wrapping up a great deal on hay and forage equipment. At the Case IH Year End Sales Event, you’ll find new Farmall®


, Maxxum® and Puma® series tractors – along with our complete


line of hay tools – all at a special rate. So say goodbye to 2018 and hello to savings! Stop in and see us or visit caseih.com/yearend1.


*


issue. Interruptible service with FortisBC is purchased at a cheaper rate for greenhouse growers, with the caveat of curtailment. Ken Fuhr, sales purchasing consultant at Independent Energy (BC) Consultants, says even when pipelines are at 100%, the flow barely services the Lower Mainland’s growing


population, let alone industry demand. Fuhr says the


reduction in flow means interruptions for greenhouses are likely to happen more frequently. “Let's say we do get a cold snap; what those greenhouses are risking is that Fortis says, ‘We want you completely off gas,’” he says. “Cold weather events can last 10 days, so they could be told, ‘We don't want you buying any gas for the next 10 to 12 days.’ It has that possibility.” Further, Fuhr says because the explosion happened in October, if the NEB comes back with problems that need fixing, they’re going to have to wait until the ground thaws in spring to get started on repairs. “If it happened in April, you could deal with it over the course of the summer,” he says. “We're going into peak of winter here and they won't be able to do anything about it.” Fuhr recommends


greenhouse growers wait until January to see what happens before investing in a new crop. “When there's uncertainty,


take the conservative view and plant a month later,” he says. At the end of the day, this means less greenhouse vegetables will be produced in BC and likely at a higher cost. It will be difficult to recoup losses, because global markets set the price BC growers receive and don’t take a pipeline explosion in the BC interior into consideration.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!


* For commercial use only. Customer participation subject to credit qualification and approval by CNH Industrial Capital America LLC or CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. See your participating Case IH dealer for details and eligibility requirements. Down payment may be required. Offer valid through December 31, 2018. Not all customers or applicants may qualify for this rate or term. CNH Industrial Capital America LLC or CNH Industrial Capital Canada Ltd. standard terms and conditions will apply. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in price. Program subject to change or cancellation without notice.


Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year from all of us at Caliber Equipment


34511 Vye Rd, Abbotsford 604-864-2273 www.caliberequipment.ca


All rights reserved. CNH Industrial Capital and Case IH are trademarks registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.


CASE IH MAGNUM 225 2013, 1900HRS, CVT, 50KM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175,900 CASE IH FARMALL 35C, C/W LOADER, 4X4, HST, NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,450 NH BOOMER 47 2014, 690HRS 45 HP, HYDRO, LOADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,900 CASE IH RB455A, 4’X5’, TWINE WRAP, NEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,965 NH BR750 2004, 4’X6’ TWINE & NET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,500 JD 854 2016, 4’X5’ SILAGE, NET & TWINE CUTTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38,600 CASE IH 541C HYD DENSITY, Q-TURN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,500 HESSTON 4590, 1999, Q-TURN, HYD DENSITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,900 JD 348 2012, HYD DENSITY, Q-TURN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,900 CASE DC 102 10’4”, 2014, RUBBER ROLLS, HYD HEAD TILT . . . . . . . . 23,500 CASE IH DC102 10’4” CUT, 2010, HYD HEAD TILT, RUBBER ROLLS . . . . 17,500 KVERNELAND 4336CT 12’ CUT, CENTER PIVOT, FLAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25,500 JD 830 2012, 9’9” CUT, NEW ROLLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,500 MF 220 SERIES II WINDROWER, 1999, 18’ DRAPER HEADER . . . . . . . . 21,500 SUPREME 500 MIXER WAGON, 2000, RH DISCHARGE . . . . . . . . . . . 16,500 BRILLION 12’4” CULTIPACKER, CROW FRONT, NOTCH REAR, AS NEW . . . .21,950 WILLSIE HYDRAWEEDER 3-POINT MOUNTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,950


NOBLE TRACTOR & EQUIPMENT LTD.


KAMLOOPS 580 Chilcotin Road 250/851-3101 TOLL FREE 1-888-851-3101


ARMSTRONG


4193 Noble Road 250/546-3141


TOLL FREE 1-800-661-3141 www.nobletractor.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