The stage is set for Canada to pursue damages from US growers for unlicensed production of Stacatto cherries. On March 12, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Washington reinstated patent protection for Stacatto, a late-season variety developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and managed by Summerland Varieties Corp. (SVC). The patent …
CROPS
New apple fills niche
Sunpunch, the newest release from the federal apple breeding program at the Summerland Research and Development Centre, is pure sunshine for Amarjit Lalli. “Sunpunch has got a really fantastic tropical taste,” says Lalli, who grows apples and cherries in south Kelowna. “And it looks absolutely gorgeous; the colour is a little more yellow than Ambrosia.” …
United front for fruit growers
Over 150 members and guests gathered at the Penticton Lakeside Resort for the BC Fruit Growers’ Association’s 136th annual convention February 20. This was more than seven times last year’s attendance, showing that the association’s “Stronger Together” message is resonating. “Stronger Together” was the rallying cry at the grower demonstration held in Osoyoos last May …
AgriStability program boosted
DUNCAN – Provincial enhancements to AgriStability promise to address the mounting financial cost of extreme weather and shifting markets on BC crop producers. In mid-January, the province raised the compensation rate under AgriStability to 90% on income declines greater than 30% as well as increasing the program’s existing payment limit to $6.2 million. Previously, the …
Vineyards enter new year with recovery in sight
OSOYOOS – While the 2024 grape crop across the southern Interior was 10% of normal thanks to the cumulative effects of extreme cold events in two consecutive winters, the losses weren’t spread evenly. BC growers typically harvest in the range of 30,000 tons of wine grapes, but in 2023 that fell to 19,570 tons. In …
Apple growers discuss marketing commission
Apple growers will get a chance to hear more about and discuss a proposed apple marketing commission during grower consultation sessions on January 30 in Oliver and January 31 in Winfield. Inner Harbour Consulting principal Derek Sturko, a former assistant deputy minister with the province’s agriculture ministry, was hired to facilitate the process. Inner Harbour …