A cool spring has put a damper on this year’s strawberry crop, but growers hope a delayed start to the season will lead to a longer finish for what’s traditionally the first of the summer berries. Normally, Maan Farms in Abbotsford would be two-thirds through its first pick by early June. This year, cool temperatures …
CROPS
Ocean Spray takes honours
The annual ranking of Canada’s most-trusted brands by the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business held special honours for one company with strong connections to BC growers. Ocean Spray took top honours in the beverage category and ranked 43 overall in this year’s study. This is up from 140th place last year. The survey …
Japanese beetle fight expands
The fight against Japanese beetle in BC has expanded. A federal order has expanded the areas regulated to limit the spread of Japanese beetle, which was discovered in new areas of the Lower Mainland last year. The regulated area in Vancouver now extends west to Bleinheim Street and south to 49th Avenue. This responds to …
Apiarists fear heavy winter losses
BURNABY – Beekeepers across Canada were in for a shock when they opened their hives this spring to check on colony health. The Canadian Honey Council (CHC) confirms severe losses from Alberta to Quebec. “Nationally, it seems to be very high. We may come close to 40%,” says CHC executive director Rod Scarlett. “But on …
Weevil monitoring begins
A cool spring has meant a slow start to the growing season, but it’s never too early to be on the lookout for pests. Strawberry blossom weevil is a case in point, according to presentations at the growers’ short course during the Pacific Agriculture Show this year. Originally identified in Abbotsford in a backyard raspberry …
Tree fruit growers struggle to source plants
KELOWNA – Weather challenges and growing demand over the past two years mean some tender fruit growers are struggling to secure new trees for their orchards. “My son and I attempted to source some peach trees for next spring and the spring two years from now and there’s absolutely nothing. So, we tried to find …