Presentations scheduled for January 12 will give the US International Trade Commission the material need to determine if US blueberry growers have suffered economic injury as a result of imports from Canada and other countries. A vote on whether or not injury has occurred is scheduled for February 11. The proceedings are being closely watched …
CROPS
Grower takes issue with groundwater limits
OLIVER – When Hans Buchler and his wife bought the land for their 18 acres of vineyard almost 40 years ago, one of the attractions was the water. “There is a good well on the property, which was important,” he says. “When I talked to the district of Oliver, they told me it would be …
Kelowna school embraces new container farm
KELOWNA – The newest container farm in BC is at Kelowna’s KLO Middle School. Since mid-November, a 40-foot shipping container just outside the school’s front doors has produced lettuce, kale and bok choy. The next crop will include basil, thyme and oregano. “Right now, we’re only growing about one-sixth capacity but the farm could produce …
Vegetable growers lose key product
Lower Mainland vegetable growers will face a tougher time controlling key pests come 2023 as a result of the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s cancellation of the registration for chlorpyrifos, a non-systemic organphosphate critical to the control of wireworm and other pests in BC. Re-evaluation of the chemical, the active agent in formulations of Lorsban …
COVID-19 hits Fraser Valley farms
While foreign workers were the focus of concerns during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the second wave has brought the risks of the disease home to local farms. The past week saw Fraser Health Authority declare outbreaks at two farms in the Fraser Valley. On December 2, an outbreak was declared at Millennium …
Phylloxera found on Vancouver Island
Grape phylloxera has been detected in Vancouver Island vineyards. Phyollxera, also known as root louse, was detected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency thanks to a grower submission. CFIA announced the discovery at the end of September. While there have been occasional detections in the Okanagan, Vancouver Island was previously free from the aphid-like insect. …