MAY 2019 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC Growers urged


to focus on fresh Strawberry fields need to be replanted with newer varieties


by RONDA PAYNE


ABBOTSFORD – Fresh seems to be the only option for strawberry growers in BC. Rhonda Driediger, owner of Driediger Farms in Langley, notes that processing markets have disappeared and growers should be replanting with new varieties that yield higher volumes of fresh fruit. “People should take out fields that are only for processed,” she says. “The whole processing industry here is pretty much, from what I can see, done. People should be focused on fresh.” BC strawberry production has varied significantly over the past five years, from a high of 1,200 tons in 2016 to a low of 930 tons in 2015. Processed berries declined from 139 tons in 2014 to 29 tons in 2018 and fresh berries increased from 980 tons in 2014 to 1,106 tons in 2018. Strawberries can be a viable crop, Driediger says, but it


takes a variety of resources and there is always a gamble with imports in the market. “You can do well on


strawberries, but the problem is you need specialized equipment and not everyone has it,” she says. Cheap imports are a


significant challenge. “Mexico is killing everybody on pricing,” she told fellow growers at the BC Strawberry Growers Association (BCSGA) annual general meeting on March 28. “You can land Mexican strawberries here for maybe 80 or 85 cents [a pound].” This has left her with 50,000 pounds (25 tons) in storage, and negotiations on prices for the coming crop have been challenging.


Despite the difficulties


growers face, BCSGA is optimistic that higher levies are possible in 2019 versus 2018. While the increase won’t be enough to offset the association’s expenses – it is budgeting a deficit of $15,746


FILE PHOTO


in 2019 – it is reason to believe things can turn around if other issues can be managed. Research into new varieties


and crop issues holds promise. BC Berry Cultivar


Development Inc. research scientist Michael Dossett notes that of 12 promising selections from evaluations of 3,000 strawberry seedlings in 2018, three stood out. BC 1401.101 has nice large fruit with good flavour. It isn’t quite as picture-perfect as BC 1401.129, but has firmer skin. The latter has tender skin that leads to bleeding and as such it is less acceptable commercially. “We will try again [with both varieties] this year,” he


says. “If it goes well, we will go to propagating.” BC 1405.91 is proving to be an early-season June-bearing variety. With a nice flavour and firm fruit, it has potential if growers are interested in a June-bearing berry. The clear stand-out is BC 10-2-1, which is a firm, sweet, day-neutral berry. Size and yield in local trials has been similar to Albion. A small amount will be available for grower trials this year. “We finally got clean plants last spring, so we are propagating those as fast as we can,” says Dossett. “[It’s] just fantastic aroma and flavour.” BCSGA research director


Eric Gerbrandt explained that this year’s funding for on-farm


variety trials was a group effort undertaken through the Canadian Horticultural Council. Other ongoing research


projects strawberry growers are supporting include: berry cultivar finishing, berry germplasm development, enhancing berry crop production via adaptation of fumigation and nematocides, projects shared with the BC Blueberry Council and the Raspberry Industry Development Council to manage Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) and integrated pest management on small-scale farms and a joint project with the cabbage growers to evaluate pest attractants for thrips.


21


of summer BEST PART


It’s the


Aug 17 till


Sep 2 (closed Aug 19 & 26) LARGEST AGRICULTURE SHOWCASE COME CELEBRATE AT BC’S


PNE 4-H FESTIVAL AUGUST 17–20


Off ering over 30 types of project competitions as well as provincial programs for judging, speak and show and educational displays. Travel assistance off ered to clubs outside of the Fraser Valley through the


BC Youth in Agriculture Foundation. ENTRY DEADLINE: JUNE 28, 2019


FARM COUNTRY AUGUST 17–SEPTEMBER 2


Come out and experience BC’s remarkably diverse agriculture industry. Featuring the crowd favourite Discovery Farm exhibit, pig racing, BC Dairy Association’s


Dairy Zone, BC Cattlemen’s Beef Zone, and BC Egg Marketing Board’s


Egg Laying Exhibit, plus a whole barn full of exciting animal displays.


604-252-3581 • agriculture@pne.ca •


PACIFIC SPIRIT HORSE SHOW AUGUST 21–SEPTEMBER 2


Competitions in: Extreme Trail,


Junior Amateur Jumping,


Draft Team, Indoor Eventing and much more!


ENTRY DEADLINE: JULY 26, 2019


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