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An important role for agriculture associations is education, but not in the traditional sense. “Agriculture extension” provides current, practical information for growers in a way that is easy to use. Helping growers get new, important information can involve workshops, but it is not typically classroom-based. Recently technology is playing a role; anytime there is some gizmo or you need to fix your vehicle, just searching YouTube almost always results in a solution that is useful (though always use caution, use your head and do not blindly follow the YouTube advice!). The BC Fruit Growers’ Association has several ‘extension’ initiatives it is involved in that are of interest to growers.
One example is the Orchard Support System Manual. This manual is about to be published and made widely available, and will be of value to anyone planting apples. The manual is an excellent example of “agricultural extension, a practical ‘how to’ manual that does not get bogged down in technical detail, but focuses on solutions.
Behind the scenes, there was a lot of work in calculating the deterioration of post strength due to rot at the soil level, as well as calculating loads as trees grew to their full height - the rows of trees tied to the support system act like a large sail, and the wind loads grow with the size of the tree. Proper design is important, but the most important thing is to give the practical results to the grower; how to build a support structure that will last 20 years. Diameter of posts must be large enough to withstand the soil-surface rot and the enormous loads of full grown trees. What is the right diameter? The Orchard Support Manual gives the answer.
Especially important for an orchard support system is the anchoring/reinforcement of the end posts. Many support structures use the “H” structure at the end of the row. A surprising number of new orchards do not have proper end-of-row support. When an improperly designed/built orchard support structure fails, a whole row falls over. The manual provides a couple of solutions.
One very interesting option is described, using a cable anchor in a way that will not extend beyond the row and risk ‘snagging’ with moving equipment. The project was completed by Keith Duhaime and Dr. Dwayne Tannant from the engineering department at UBC Okanagan. Carl Withler, Tree Fruit and Grape Specialist put the project together and the BCFGA was responsible for some project administration. The Orchard Support Manual will be available in print form very soon, and will also be available electronically on the BCFGA and Ministry of Agriculture websites.
Again working with Tree Fruit and Grape Specialist Carl Withler, the BCFGA hopes to work on a tree fruit replant manual. This practical guide could take the place of the tedious “Orchard Replant Plan” that is currently required for the Replant Program. We could send a copy of a Replant Manual when each Replant Application is accepted. A truly useful manual would help make preparations prior to replant, so that all activities are reviewed in advance. But, like the Orchard Support Manual, a Replant Manual must be practical and be based on current best practice.
Another important endeavour for the BCFGA is the Tree Fruit Production Guide (TFPG - www.bctfpg.com). At one time, the guide was published and was commonly 200 pages in length. It is a bit of an exaggeration to say this, but the spray schedule was out of date the day it was printed. As soon as a rate changed on a label, or a new product was registered, the guide could have been updated. It was a complex task to prepare the table in print format from all of the detailed information. One change could trigger a need to reformat the print version of the document - manually! Now, the online version of the Spray Schedules are automatically formatted when any change is made to the spray schedule database. When the spray schedule is printed at home, the print date is included on each page. Growers can cross check the date of their print version with the “Change Log” tab to ensure they are using the proper up-to-date spray schedule. Thanks to Don Magnusson at the BC Ministry of Agriculture for his diligence and attention to detail in keeping the spray schedules up-to-date.
Access by other programs was the driving reason to create a spray guide database that is the core of the on-line production guide. The first example of a program that makes use of the TFPG database is the Decision Aid System (DAS) from Washington State University that was introduced in February by the Sterile Insect Release Program. The DAS program is an excellent example of Agricultural Extension. It takes raw data (weather, pest degree day models, spray schedules, and other information) and combines it into information that is practical and can be converted into action that makes the farm more productive and efficient. Growers contact their field advisor or the SIR program to sign up and use the DAS system at no charge during the three-year demonstration period.
The spray schedule database used in the TFPG will also be linked to a Spray Recording System. The BCFGA, BC Tree Fruits and BC Ministry of Agriculture are working on a pilot program to demonstrate the CropTracker Program this summer. The Crop Tracker program is very practical, starting with a map showing the blocks on an orchard, the system allows growers to select a pest, select from the control options, and be provided the tank mix for their particular sprayer(s). The program does the calculation and tells how many tanks will be required for a block (for example, two and one-half), then will tell how much product is required for the first two tanks, and the amount required for the last half-tank. No more calculation! Well, continue calculating, but at least you have a double-check to ensure the proper mix is made.
The Crop Tracker Program also links to the TFPG’s Restricted-Entry Interval and the Pre-Harvest Interval information . You can check a block on the farm map to see what REI or PHI is in place. You can receive email or text notifications of when REI and PHI’s expire.
A truly great extension tool summarizes complex information and provides information in a way that makes decision-making easier. The new Orchard Support System Manual, the proposed replant manual, as well as the trio of the on-line Tree Fruit Production Guide, the Decision Aid System, and future Crop Tracker, will all provide practical information that helps growers to confidently make production decisions. These extension tools lead us to learn better ways of making decisions.
Glen Lucas, General Manager, BC Fruit Growers’ Association