One of the largest gatherings of the BC farm sector took place at Lundstrum Farms on Westham Island last week.
The annual potato variety trial organized by the BC Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (BCPVGA) and coordinated by ES Cropconsult took place August 27. More than 300 field growers and stakeholders from across the field vegetable sector attended.
“This is a great event to get all the potato farmers together. It’s the potato event of the year,” says Tyler Heppell of Heppell’s Potato Corp., who was scouting early reds among the 44 varieties on display in the replicated trials.
A further 44 varieties were planted in a demonstration plot for growers to assess.
ES Cropconsult principal Heather Meberg says extreme weather associated with climate change is driving much of the variety research right now, as farmers try to keep pace with variable weather patterns alongside changing consumer preferences.
This year’s plots were irrigated through July 18, and the season’s dry weather was a talking point for many growers. A lower snowpack meant lower flows in the Fraser River, which in turn limits access to irrigation water as the salt wedge from the ocean penetrates further upriver earlier in the season during dry years.
However, Lundstrum Farms co-owner Ryan Lundstrum has no complaints about the season so far.
“We got into the fields pretty early in the spring, and got the crop in the ground, and we’ll see what happens,” he says
United Potato Growers of Canada general manager Victoria Stamper says BC experienced “a great growing season” relative to the rest of the West, but the economics have been tight.
“Diesel, input costs like fertilizer – all of that spiked last year into this year, and it’s the most expensive crop,” she says.
The mood over plates of barbequed chicken and – of course – potato salad was positive, however, with BC agriculture minister Lana Popham applauding BCPVGA chair Bill Zylmans for leading the event.
“Bill, thank you for doing such a great job – this is the best one yet!” she says.
The trials have been an annual event for approximately 25 years and have grown to become part of a national series, allowing growers across the country to learn from each other’s experiences.
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