Pacific Ag Show
The Pacific Ag Show offers a great educational program this year with a full slate of seminars for berry growers at the Horticulture Growers Short Course.
What is a farmer? To the uninitiated, a farmer is just someone who grows plants for use as food or some other purpose ... but any farmer can tell you there’s a lot more to it than just that.
Farmers are in many ways the great generalists. They have to be experts in chemistry, insects, plants, soils, climate, and mechanics. From fixing a stubborn tractor, to calculating the correct spray level for a persistent pest, farming is a complex business requiring an educated mind.
This year, the Horticulture Growers Short Course is offering a great program as part of the Pacific Agriculture Show. From maximizing yields to controlling weeds, the Hort Course has some of the best experts in the business presenting the latest in research and techniques.
Here is the complete list of events for berry farmers:
Thursday Morning January 30, 2014
TerraLink Room
Raspberries/Strawberries
Chair: Tom Baumann, UFV, Chilliwack, BC
Sponsor: Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Assoc.
9:00 - 9:25 New Pesticide Registrations for Raspberries and Strawberries Caroline Bedard, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC Mark Sweeney, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC An update of new products for 2014 and a peek at what is coming down the pike.
9:25-9:45 Verticillium – Is it a Problem in Raspberries? Jerry Weiland, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, OR There are many potential causes of dieback and decline in raspberries. Here is another potential concern for growers.
9:45-10:25 Innovative Raspberry and Strawberry Production in Quebec Rejean Demers, Les Productions Horticoles Demers Inc., Saint-Nicolas, QC Learn how this Quebec farm is improving season-long productivity of fresh raspberries and strawberries using various novel techniques.
10:25-10:40 Refreshment Break
10:40-11:00 Raspberry and Strawberry Weed Control – New Potential Products Tim Miller, WSU, Mt. Vernon, WA Tim continues to carry-out trials to evaluate new herbicides for use on berries.
11:00-12:10 Developments in Raspberry and Strawberry Genetics and Varieties Michael Dossett, PARC, Agassiz, BC Chad Finn, USDA-ARS, Corvallis, OR Pat Moore, WSU, Puyullap, WA Tom Baumann, UFV, Chilliwack, BC An update on the status of the BC breeding program and a look at available new varieties and interesting material in the pipeline.
Re-certification Credits: 1.0
Thursday Afternoon January 30, 2014
TerraLink Room
Raspberries/Strawberries
Chair: Sharmin Gamiet, Raspberry Industry Development Council, Abbotsford, BC Sponsor: Raspberry Industry Development Council
1:30-2:10 SWD in Raspberries – 2013 Finding Tracy Hueppelsheuser, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC Lynell Tanigoshi, WSU, Mt. Vernon, WA Learn what researchers discovered about SWD in raspberries in last year’s challenging season.
2:10-2:35 Lessons from the Worst SWD Year Ever – Panel Mark Sweeney, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC Steve Phillips, Berryhill Foods, Abbotsford, BC Chuck Mouritzen, Southwest Consulting, Yarrow, BC Sukh Kahlon, Kahlon Farms, Abbotsford, BC After a year of record losses, learn some practical things that you can do to ensure your 2014 crop is protected.
2:35-2:55 Working Towards Better Raspberry and Strawberry Establishment Eric Gerbrant, UFV, Chilliwack, BC A look at some innovative work with plug plants, timings and mulches for getting a good, healthy start with new plantings.
2:55-3:15 Present and Future Challenges with Soil Fumigation in BC Brian Johnston, TerraLink, Abbotsford, BC With more restrictive regulatory hurdles, fumigation is becoming more difficult. Is it still a viable option for growers?
3:15-3:35 Bed Fumigation – An Option for Living with New Regulations Tom Walters, Walters Ag Research, Anacortes, WA Tom has conducted several years of research with this technique that holds promise for raspberry growers.
3:35-3:55 Raspberry Market Outlook Dianne Klatt, Pacific Coast Fruit, Abbotsford, BC The market finally improved modestly in 2013. Will this trend continue in 2014?
Re-certification Credits: 1.75
Friday Morning January 31, 2014
TerraLink Room
2014 Building Farm Business Success - A Lens on Agriculture
Chair: Jennifer Curtis, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC
Sponsor: BCAGRI Business Knowledge and Strategic Adaptation - A Growing Forward 2 Initiative
9:00-9:45 Sustainability: What Does That Mean? Brett Wills, Director Green Enterprise Movement, Toronto, ON Going green has long been viewed as a “nice to do” in good times but that thinking is rapidly changing as more companies discover the power of green as a way to cut costs, increase revenues and gain competitiveness. Learn what it takes to go green, the challenges you will face and how to overcome them, making your business more successful. www.greenenterprise.ca
9:45-10:30 Cultural (R)evolution in Agriculture Maureen Geddes, geddesglobal.ca, Chatham, ON Who is an agricultural employee today? Local is looking more global – and a “stranger” is but a friend you have yet to meet... or the best employee you never imagined hiring. Learn fun and practical ways to engage with the cultural (r)evolution so you can prevent complaints, improve productivity, and lead your team with wisdom.
10:30-10:45 Refreshment Break
10:45-12:00 The Bright New Future of Agriculture Jay Lehr, Economist and Futurist, The Heartland Institute, Chicago USA Dr. Jay Lehr combines 5 decades of expertise and experience in Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Environmental Science and Business Administration with the most contagious enthusiasm for the future of the Farm. His extensive work within the farming industry has given him a highly sought after crystal ball which he predicts the future based on precise knowledge of the past as well as distinctive current trends. This presentation will address the key drivers of Agri-business and impact of advancing technologies on the local and global economy.
BASF Gallery
Farm Direct Marketing
Chair: Donna Anaka, BCAGRI, Vancouver, BC
9:05-9:15 Welcoming Remarks Murray Siemens, President, Fraser Valley Farm Direct Marketing Association, Abbotsford, BC
9:15-10:00 Co-operation, Collaboration, and Creativity Heather Stretch, Saanich Organics, Saanichton, BC An open mind can be more effective than a large advertis- ing budget. Heather will share her experiences at Saanich Organics in a lively, creative environment to re-invigorate our marketing strategies.
10:00-10:15 Refreshment Break
10:15-11:00 Making Bucks and Sense of Farmers Markets Jon Bell, BC Assoc of Farmers’ Markets, Sechelt, BC Farmers’ Markets can make sense for small scale farms and new farmers. Market shoppers are looking to connect with farmers to learn about growing food. Learn how to position your farm stand and maximize your returns.
11:00-11:50 Seeing Where the Value is in Becoming “Value-Added” On-Farm and Family: A Success Story Emma and Kerry Davison, Golden Ears Cheesecrafters, Maple Ridge, BC Discover how a hundred year old legacy was re-born as an artisan Cheese making venture. The Davison family of four works together to produce award winning handcrafted artisan cheeses for a clearly defined and growing customer base. Learn how your vision and company focus can increase sales and profits.
Friday Afternoon January 31, 2014
TerraLink Room
All Berries
Chair: Mark Sweeney, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC
Sponsor: MNP LLP
1:30-1:50 Assoc. Downy Mildew of Blackberry – Management Options 1:30-2:15
Janice Elmhirst, Elmirst Diagnostics and Research, Abbotsford, BC Blackberry growers have been hit hard by downy mildew in recent years. Janice has been investigating some promising control options.
1:50-2:10 Why Berry Growers Need to Get on the Food Safety Ball in 2014 Vic Martens, ARDCorp, Abbotsford, BC More than ever, growers need to have a formal food safety program to satisfy the marketplace. There are resources and funding to help.
2:10-2:30 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – Why You Need to Be Prepared Tracy Hueppelsheuser, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC Not another new pest! This one is now in Washington State and moving north.
2:30-2:50 What You Need to Know About Armillaria Root Rot Siva Sabaratnam, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC This disease is now impacting dozens of blueberry fields. Learn how to identify and manage this emerging problem.
2:50-3:15 What is the Real Story Behind Declining Bee Health? Elizabeth Elle, SFU, Burnaby, BC The media has been buzzing with stories about disappearing bees and the negative impacts on crop pollination. Is this concern real? What should growers do to protect their bees and their crops.
3:15-3:35 Promising New Blueberry Cultural Practices - 2013 Trials Eric Gerbrant, UFV Berry Resource Centre, Chilliwack, BC Eric is working with the Pacific Berry Resource Centre at UFV on a range of production trials with potential benefits for growers.
3:35-3:45 Are Blueberry Growers Making the Most of their Nitrogen? David Poon, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC A 2012 survey of post-harvest nutrients found high levels of nitrates in blueberry fields. Do we know what it means?
Re-certification Credits: 1.25
Saturday Morning February 1, 2014
TerraLink Room
Blueberries
Chair: Rhonda Driediger, Driediger Farms, Langley, BC
Sponsors: Berryhill Foods Inc and Driediger Farms
9:00-9:20 Lessons Learned from BC’s Worst SWD Year Ever Tracy Hueppelsheuser, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC Tracy’s research group tracked weekly SWD pressure in a number of blueberry fields and learned some key practical insights.
9:20-9:55 Managing Spotted Wing Drosophila in Blueberries – the Michigan Experience Rufus Isaacs, MSU, Michigan While SWD was a late arrival to Michigan, it came with a vengeance. Some practical tips from the Michigan industry on managing this pest.
9:55-10:20 New Pesticide Registrations for Blueberries and How to Use Them Mark Sweeney, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC Caroline Bedard, BCAGRI, Abbotsford, BC An update of new products for 2014 and a peek at what is coming down the pike.
10:20-10:35 Refreshment Break
10:35-11:00 The Blueberry Market in 2014 – Will You Wipe-out in the Blue Wave? John Shelford, Shelford Associates, Naples, Florida The 2013 season saw some unusual market pressures. With more supply expected in 2014 and beyond, what’s in store for the BC and global blueberry industry?
11:00-11:30 Communicating a Positive Public Image for BC Blueberries Norm Hartman, TMT WorldWide, San Francisco, CA In the new world of social media, information, both positive and negative, can spread instantly. Learn what individual growers and industry organizations can to do to build and maintain a solid industry reputation.
11:30-12:10 What You Need to Know about Blueberry Nutrient Management for Yield, Quality and Sustainability Bernadine Strik, OSU, Corvallis, OR Bernadine has conducted years of research into the nutrient needs of the blueberry plant and provides a summary of what we know.
Re-certification Credits: 1.25
