A series of public engagement sessions are giving BC Tree Fruits Co-op members an opportunity to comment on plans to consolidate packing operations in Oliver and sell off assets in Kelowna and Lake Country. An in-person meeting takes place in Oliver today, with a second session set to take place in Kelowna in the days …
CROPS
Province’s peach supply down
Cold winter weather and the cooler spring have profoundly affected the BC peach crops, with some producers reporting little or no production this year. “A couple of the early varieties had blossoms and got pollinated. So, we had peaches on three types, a very light crop, but they are all finished now,” says Jennay Oliver …
Researchers probe blueberry disease
A team of researchers is looking to uncover the mysterious cause of a new disease damaging blueberry fields across the province. Over the last few years, farmers have tested plants showing symptoms of disease for blueberry scorch and other diseases. However, more and more plants are testing negative while symptoms persist, leaving producers unsure how …
Orchard sector pilots new job-matching website
KELOWNA – Fruit growers who employ temporary workers each summer may find a phone app being trialed this season will help fill the gap left by the retirement of long-time BC Fruit Growers Association liaison Ron Forrest. “Over the last 15 years, Ron and other BCFGA team members have welcomed, provided safety and orientation training, …
Pat Bowen’s achievements recognized
The BC Grape Growers’ Association and the BC Wine Grape Council honoured federal research scientist Pat Bowen of the Summerland Research and Development Centre with a lifetime achievement award at the annual grower day, August 11, in Penticton. “Pat was instrumental in developing our industry into the internationally competitive region that it is today,” says …
Larger rootstocks could alleviate heat stress
Research scientist Hao Xu has always been interested in sustainable agriculture and carbohydrate partitioning, especially in fruit trees. Following work as a research assistant at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and visiting scholar at the Universidad de Murcia in Spain, Xu studied symbiosis and root water uptake at the University of Alberta. She completed a …