Photo by Tom Walker
BCFGA AGM
Newly elected president Pinder Dhaliwal (third from left) and supporters.
There was an air of optimism as the 129th BC Fruit Growers Annual General Meeting drew to a close.
The industry has been riding a wave of success as the provincial replant program has given a boost to growers seeking to convert older apple plantings to more profitable varieties. Ambrosia and Honeycrisp apples and new cherry cultivars have put more profit in grower’s pockets. The positive tone set by outgoing BCFGA president Fred Steele has created a “can do” atmosphere.
On the second day of the AGM, some 235 BCFGA members voted to continue that positive direction by electing Oliver grower and former BCFGA vice president Pinder Dhaliwal to the position of president, over long-time Steele rival Jeet Dukhia.
Peter Simonsen, an organic grower in Naramata, was acclaimed as vice president.
The Board of Directors elections chose previously serving younger members Ravinder Bains, David Dobernigg and Sukdeep Brahr, while Karmjit Gill and Sukhdev Goraya bring a depth of experience to the team.
Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham gave a boost to the mood with her announcement of a $5 million Tree Fruit Competitiveness Fund.
“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,” Popham said.
The funds will be open to tree fruit growers, producers, and processors to support three key areas, Popham explained. Research funding will include cultivar, disease and pest research. Marketing funds will support export market opportunities and market development research. Infrastructure funding will provide money for sector-based infrastructure modernization such as new equipment. The funds can also be accessed to cover a short fall in replant funding in years when the program is over-prescribed.
“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.”
Popham was referring to the lower than usual returns on apple sales this season. Similar growing conditions in Washington and BC produced a glut of smaller apples, making it hard to find markets for this lower priced product.
The Minister’s announcement spoke to several of the BCFGA resolutions that called for increased research on invasive pests, particularly the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB). Some very high concentrations of BMSB have been found in downtown Kelowna and crop protection chair Peter Simonsen described the expected movement into orchards as “virtually uncontrollable”.
Other resolutions supported more development of new varieties and a continuation of the replant program past the current 2021end date. The federal bare land replant program that has been proposed by the Canadian Horticulture Council’s apple working group was also given a nod.
A report from Sean Beirnes, General Manager of the BCFGA-owned Summerland Varieties Corp gave an account of royalty revenues. Forty-five per cent comes from apple licensing, 48 per cent from cherry licensing while berries garner just one per cent. The budwood nursery brings in the remaining six per cent. Beirnes explained that SVC funds over $400,000 in industry support each year including 31% to the AAFC breeding program for new apple varieties, a contribution that is mandated in their government contract.
“We need a Canadian breeding program,” Beirnes explains. “With less than one half of a percent of global production we simply are not considered by international variety developers.”
Ministry of Agriculture tree fruit specialist Carl Withler gave a breakdown of the replant program. “From 150 applications a year, about 20 are declined or withdrawn, some can’t secure trees or change their plans and we end up with about 125 that we work with,” says Withler. “Apples are the lead planting for us with about 200 acres per year.” Half of those are Ambrosia he says, with 25% Honeycrisp, 25% Galas and a “smattering” of other varieties. Cherries are about 85 acres a year with Staccato and Sentennial leading the way.
An update on the Sterile Insect Release program was presented by Acting GM, Melissa Tesche. ”We haven’t raised taxes for our program in eight years,” Tesche pointed out, while explaining the success of the sterile coddling moth release program. Tesche outlined successful UAV trials that showed excellent dispersal of the moths over a 40 acre field in a brief six to eight minute flight. She also spoke of promising talks with Washington growers to ship BC moths south to support that state’s IPM programs.
The Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program plays an ever increasing role in supporting BC Fruit growers. Labour Chair and new BCFGA President Pinder Dhaliwal reported more than 950 Caribbean and 6,000 Mexican workers came to BC in 2017. Members discussed resolutions on worker housing issues, communication with consulate representatives, and a “trusted employer” program.
“Over the last two days we have discussed a lot of issues and priorities that we need to tackle for 2018,” says Dhaliwal, addressing the members after his election. “But one thing is certain, we all share a common vision for a strong and prosperous industry. The stronger we are together, there is nothing that can stop us.” ■