Orchard & Vine Magazine Pre Spring 2016

Kettle Valley Train Robbery Preventing Tractor Injuries Dealing with Pesky Pests: SWD, Apple Maggot & Armillaria Precision Viticulture in a Small Vineyard

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2016 Tractor Guide

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Agriculture is our way of life too Meet Graham In 12 years at FCC, Graham’s helped hundreds of Canadian producers build their dreams.

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Photo by Tina Baird

View of Kettle Valley Winery in Naramata. Story page 20.

Regulars 6 Publisher's View – Lisa Olson 8 Calendar 9 News & Events 41 Seeds of Growth – Fred Steele

45 Legal Libations – Denese Espeut-Post Cover Photo of the Kettle Valley Steam Railroad, Summerland, BC. by Kim Elsasser mpa International Award winning photographer.

Visit www.kimsphotography.com 4

Pre Spring 2016

Photo by Kim Elsasser mpa

43 Word on Wine – Laura Kittmer

The Kettle Valley Steam Train crossing the trestle bridge in Summerland. Story

Features 16 Increasing Productivity with Precision Viticulture 20 The Kettle Valley Winery 23 The Great Train Robbery 27 Preventing Serious Tractor Injuries 29 The Orchard & Vine Tractor Survey 31 The Annual Tractor Review 36 Doom and Gloom for Hazelnuts 37 Lower Mainland Growers see more SWD 38 Shorter Drops make Better Blueberries 39 Apple Maggot in Okanagan Cherrries 40 Armillaria in Blueberries

page 23.

The Tractor Guide. Page 31.

Pre Spring 2016

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 PUBLISHER’S VIEW | LISA OLSON

Trade Show Season!

Vol. 57, No 1 Pre Spring 2016

I

t’s another start to the season and there are so many tradeshows across the country to help with networking, inspiration and education. I wonder how much the consumer knows about what it really takes to bring products to market.

Established in 1959 Publisher Lisa Olson Graphic Design

Beautiful photos are shared on social media about harvesting, farmers with their healthy crops, people harvesting ice-wine under the glistening moon, totes filled with grapes ready for crush, perfectly poured wine glasses perched on tables overlooking beautiful valleys and so many other people having fun and posting on your behalf.

The other day, I was shopping and overheard a ‘food demo man’ tell the same story over and over again on how his product, frozen pineapple, was picked fresh, flash frozen so that it was just as fresh as you had the fresh fruit. I didn’t actually think it was as good as the fresh fruit that I’d had before, but nonetheless people were sampling.

My suggestion to you is, the way we find out about what to publish in the maga-

Contributors Michael Botner, Kim Elsasser, Denese Espeut-Post, Laura Kittmer, Darcy Nybo, Ronda Payne, Carol Reid, Fred Steele, Dona Sturmanis Photo by Kim Elsasser mpa

How do you share your photos and story? Have we featured you or your neighbours’ family farm in the magazine or published your bright idea or products that you want to get across to others?

Usually, we scout around for ideas, hear about them from our writers or you call in or write to us . . . we do like hearing from you!

Stephanie Symons

Sales & Marketing Holly Thompson Circulation info@orchardandvine.net

zine, others will find out about you too.

So, continue to tell your stories, we love them and so many others do too!

Orchard & Vine Magazine Ltd.

Utilize social media as part of your plan to share your beautiful photos, or contact us by phone or send us an email describing your operation, business or even quirky ideas.

West Kelowna, B.C., V1Z 3H5

1576 West Kelowna Road

E-mail: info@orchardandvine.net www.orchardandvine.net Phone: 250-769-2123 Fax: 1-866-433-3349

Take a minute to ‘Like Us’ on Facebook; so we can share your photos and ‘Like you’ back!

Orchard & Vine Magazine is published six times a year and distributed by addressed

Enjoy the Magazine!

direct mail to growers, suppliers and wineries in the Okanagan, Kootenays, Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Washington State and throughout Canada.

Orchard & Vine is also available online.

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40838008 Undeliverable copies should be sent to:

Providing Canadian Grapevine Solutions BRITISH COLUMBIA Frank Whitehead p. 250-762-9845 c. 250-878-3656 frank@vinetech.ca

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Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention February 17-18 Scotia Bank Convention Centre, Niagara Falls, ON www.ofvc.ca BC Cherry Association AGM February 23 Rutland Centennial Hall, Kelowna, BC Contact erin@bccherry.com BC Tree Fruit Horticultural Symposium February 24 Trinity Baptist Church, Kelowna, BC Contact Kelly 778-214-1403 COABC Conference Certified Organic Association of BC February 26- 28 Prestige Hotel Vernon, BC www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca BC Association of Farmers’ Markets Conference & AGM March 4 - 6 Delta Grand Resort, Kelowna, BC www.bcfarmersmarket.org ProWein 2016 March 13 -15 Fair Grounds, Dusseldorf, Germany www.prowein.com

 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Devour Kelowna Showcases Okanagan's Best Food and Drink

By Darcy Nybo Even if you love snow, there’s something special about turning the calendar over and realizing it’s March. Now you have even more to look forward to besides the inevitability of spring.

On March 5, get out and experience Devour, one of Kelowna’s best events. If you are a food, wine, beer, cider and spirits lover, you must attend. What exactly is Devour? It’s an evening of entertainment and indulgence where you’ll be treated to delicacies created by the Okanagan’s best chefs, mixologists and suppliers of great food and drink.

Devour Kelowna was started by Holly Dober in 2014. While Devour is a fairly young event, in its two previous years it garnered accolades and praise from foodies across Canada. Holly truly does know how to put on an event, and it sold out both years.

The event is held at Okanagan College in the Centre for Learning. Each year, Holly and her team take the space from one of higher learning to one of the classiest, unique venues in town. Two floors of food and drink await you as music pumps through the speakers and the smell of dozens and dozens of tasty treats vie for your attention.

View of the center of the Centre for Learning – transformed into a night of foodie fun!

Your evening will start being greeted at the door and checking your coat. You’ll be given a score card with a list of vendors as well as a Devour plate. Your job for the evening is to taste, eat, drink, indulge and enjoy all (or as much as you can) they have to offer. Sample your way through foodie heaven and make sure you make notes.

Devour is a dual-judged event, where vendors are chosen as Best Sip, Best Bite, or Best Pairing. The first set of awards comes from the three guest judges (foodies chosen from across Canada). The People’s Choice awards come from you and all the other attendees at Devour.

Last year there were over 30 dishes to sample, and more cocktails, spirits, wines and beers than I could count. Yes, this is an event where you need a designated driver or a taxi ride home!

At the 2015 Devour event, Andrew Schneider, assistant restaurant manager at Raudz Regional Table, stands behind the display of a Foie Gras Cones, made with Festers Spiced Chocolate, Duck Crackle and Fresh Apple Salad.

If that isn’t enough to tempt you, Devour has a philanthropic side to it. Some of the proceeds from ticket sales go to the Okanagan Chef’s Association (OCA).

The OCA places a high value on supporting and mentoring junior chefs, as well as providing bursaries which foster and encourage culinary education.

Dave Stephenson, president of Sysco Food, and his wife Lisa are ready to taste Chef Stuart Klassen’s Onion Bacon Duck Confit, Burnt Orange Cream, Potato Cup and Basil Onion paired with Intrigue Wines’ Social Red Blend.

there’s no better way than attending this three-hour event that involves taste bud treats, tummy teasers, and tantalizing titbits, so get your tickets now! Tickets sold out fast last year so be sure to get yours right away.

For information and tickets, go to devourkelowna.ca.

It’s time to get out of the winter fog and

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 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Okanagan Cookbook Gets a Seaside Sequel Worth Savouring Book Review

by Dona Sturmanis

Fraser Valley and parts of the Interior and the Okanagan.

Each section contains a selection of recipes, and profiles of their creators, the growers or producers of the local ingredients used, and the makers (winemaker, distiller, etc) of the alcoholic drinks chosen to pair with the dishes.

The Butcher, the Baker, the Wine & Cheese Maker—By the Sea

by Jennifer Schell It comes as no surprise that Jennifer Schell wrote this sumptuous book celebrating cuisine from British Columbia’s West Coast and its creators. She is the author of Canadian bestselling The Butcher, the Baker, the Wine & Cheese Maker: An Okanagan Cookbook which won a staggering number of international awards including Best Cookbook at the Paris and San Francisco Book Festivals.

The Butcher, the Baker, the Wine & Cheese Maker: By The Sea is far more than just a cook book. Jennifer introduces us to the people who grow, raise, fish, forage and make the unique food and beverages of Vancouver Island, the southwest BC coast, the

Along the way you’ll meet cheese makers like the Fraser Valley’s Debra Amrein-Boyes (a member of the prestigious French Cheese Guild) and farmers like Pitt Meadows’ third generation grower Bob Hopcott and his family, devoted to ethical farming practices. You’ll be introduced to cider makers like Rick Pipes and Janet Docherty who craft

the beverage English-style at Merridale Estate Cidery on Vancouver Island and to butchers like Vancouver’s Masi brothers, who own the Columbus Meat Market, in business for over 50 years.

Jennifer’s By the Sea makes a great gift for anyone who appreciates fresh, regional, sustainable cuisine, as well as who and where their food comes from. It’s an informative and fascinating read—colourful because of the stories as well as the plentiful photos.

The Butcher, the Baker, the Wine & Cheese Maker—By the Sea is available at most BC bookstores.

Join the Farm Walk at BC Cherry Association's AGM Start the morning off right with an 8:00 breakfast followed by presentations and the business meeting February 23rd at the Rutland Community Hall, Kelowna, BC Stay for lunch and then join in for an orchard walk and pruning demo at Valley Orchards/ Coral Beach Farms. Then finish off with a reception at Hillcrest Farm Market. 700 Hwy 33 East Kelowna, BC.

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Please RSVP by emailing erin@bccherry.com and indicate if you will be staying for lunch and/or the afternoon tour.

No charge for members and $25 for non-members for lunch and $25 for the afternoon session.

For more information visit www.bccherry.com

 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Nourish + Flourish Theme of BC Farmers' Markets 2016 AGM BC Farmers’ Markets Nourish + Flourish is the theme for this year’s AGM and Conference held March 4-6 at the Delta Grand Okanagan in Kelowna, BC. The weekend will be filled with networking opportunities, inspiring workshops, an industry tradeshow, and a sumptuous banquet.

The three-day event will start off on the Friday with a welcome reception featuring local food and beverages. The following days you will be inspired and ed-

ucated with workshops and sessions for vendors, farmers, managers and boards.

Some of the topics include: 20 Things You Need to Know About BC’s 2018 Organic Regulation Commitment; Blow Your Own Horn; Creating a Wellness Plan for Market Managers, Guerrilla Innovation - Bootstrap Methods to Grow Your Business, How to Present as a Delegation to Your Local Government, Merchandising Best Practices - 100 Booth and Display Photos to Inspire Your Best Booth

Ever, Protecting BC’s Farmland: How to Understand and Assess Local Land Use Policies, Strategies for Market Diversification Through Institutional Selling: Experiences from the UBC Farm, Striving for a Healthy Sustainable Food System: Connecting Farmers to Community Food Action and Food Policy, and The Cost of a Dozen Eggs. Mark your calendar and register today!

For more information visit www.bcfarmersmarket.org

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Fabrics and Netting for a Growing Market Since its beginnings over 30 years ago as a means to literally “put food on the table”, the family owned and operated company of Ross and Dorian Bernard has grown into an international company proudly serving 6 countries with a full spectrum of innovative solutions for gardeners everywhere.

American Nettings and Fabric is committed to excellence and we reaffirm our commitment to service and quality in our everyday relationships with our clients. We have proudly grown from our “backyard” to a company that today has expanded to incorporate 5 warehouses, including a custom sewing facility. With over 90% of our products made in the US, American Nettings is committed to providing the

best, most cost effective products on the market. Our passion is to help growers of all kinds reap the most fruit from their labors—literally.

When vineyards first began to expand into British Columbia in the 1980’s, American Nettings teamed up with the Canadian government to design, produce and distribute vineyard nettings of all kinds.

Since then, we have become one of the leading suppliers of vineyard nettings for North and South America. Today we provide a large selection of extruded nettings, knitted nettings, multi-row and drape nettings, fruit zone shade cloth, deer fencing, ground cover, hail netting and more.

Whether it is protecting growing fruit from birds and bugs or shielding them from

the damaging effects of too much sun exposure, we are your source. With over 30 years of experience working with vineyards, we are confident we have the right product for your needs. We would love to pair with you and your growing efforts. Call American Nettings & Fabric today!

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 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Certified Organic Conference Resilience is the theme of this years’ Certified Organic Association of BC annual conference, awards and banquet. The three-day event takes place February 26 – February 28 at the Prestige Hotel in Vernon, BC. Excellent sessions are being offered; please register early as some sessions are selling out!

Sessions on Keeping Honeybee Colonies Healthy, Organics 101, Seed Growing for Profit, Biodiversity and Freedom, Changes to Organic Standards, water management, pest management, organic hops, stories from trailblazers in the organic community, and so much more.

Saturday Keynote Speaker: Dr. Vandana Shiva, internationally recognized advocate for organics and non-GMO seed sovereignty.

For detailed information and registration: www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca

Horticultural Symposium and Tradeshow An event that fruit growers and industry suppliers look forward to is the BC Tree Fruit Horticultural Symposium, brought to you by the Okanagan Packinghouse Fieldmans Group. The event will be held on Wednesday, February 24th at Trinity Baptist Church, Kelowna, BC. There will be lots of opportunities to learn and network with your fellow growers and industry suppliers.

For more information on reserving a tradeshow booth or register for the symposium please contact: Kelly Berringer 778-214-1403 kberringer@bctree.com

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 PRE SPRING | NEWS & EVENTS

Farmbound Delivery Service Turns Fresh Into Success

By Darcy Nybo In the spring of 2015, Mireille Gourlay and Jaye Coward of Lumby took the permaculture course through Element Eco Design (elementecodesign.com). They were told to “take their business model on a date” and see what happens. They started with $100 each and set out to see if their for-profit business would work.

In June of 2015 their company, Farmbound, became a reality. “We started out by delivering fresh, local produce and organic items in the North Okanagan area,” explained Jaye Coward. “My sister lives up in Fort St. John and she said they really needed something like that up there.”

The pair thought about it and in July decided to spend $25 on a Facebook ad to see if anyone was interested. “We had 150 clients sign up within a week!” exclaimed Coward.

Farmbound did home delivery in Vernon for June and part of July, but once they started delivering up north they found they didn’t have time for local deliveries.

“For the first four or five drop offs we emptied the van each time. People were upset if we sold out of some items,” said Coward.

From Fort St. John the company branched out to Tumbler Ridge, Chetwynd, Prince George, Quesnel, Dawson Creek and Grande Prairie. “Each delivery box has a

Correction

$50 order minimum and they can make substitutions and add on as they like.

We offer fresh fruits and vegetables in season or those that can be stored. In the winter we sometimes get organic shipped up from California and we also offer local Okanagan organic meats and cheeses. Shipments go out every week and residents go to a pick up site,” said Coward.

It’s not just Farmbound that reaps the profits either. In each town they’ve set up a mini-business for people to receive the produce and distribute it. They also encourage them to get new sign ups for the produce, and are rewarded with a per box fee.

Farmbound are back to delivering in the North Okanagan. “We deliver to homes in Vernon and have drop off locations too. We also do drop off in Lumby and will be opening up a location in Armstrong soon,” said Coward.

In our last issue, Year End 2015 we forgot to include Jeanette Montgomery as the author of our "2015 BC Wine Report, A Year of Growth, Change and the Unexpected". Our apologies to Jeanette.

Great article, read it online www.orchardandvine.net/wine

14 Pre Spring 2016

Now that they’ve been able to balance out the Okanagan and northern BC schedules, Gourlay and Coward have their sights on a few new locations up north. “The biggest barrier is trucking the food up there,” Coward said. “We went from using a van to sending up pallet loads on trucks once a week.” www.farmbound.ca

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BARTIER BROTHERS WINERY

Increasing Quality and Productivity PV is about the realities of business – growing more good grapes more efficiently while raising the value of the crop.

Michael Bartier

By Michael Botner

M

ichael Bartier, an Okanagan native, launched Bartier Brother Winery in 2015 on Ryegrass Road in Oliver with his older brother Donald, an accountant and oil and gas industry executive, as partner.

After graduating in recreational administration from the University of Victoria in 1990, Michael Bartier went into wine marketing. Not so keen about the selling part of the career, he returned to the Okanagan to become a “professional climbing guide” in 1995. Taking a job as cellar rat at Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards and being promoted to assistant winemaker by the end of the season was the beginning of his winemaking journey.

Since that time, Bartier has studied winemaking at American universities and worked at Township 7, Road 13 and Okanagan Crush Pad and making awardwinning Chardonnays, before realizing his dream of opening his own Winery.

The fruit for Bartier Bros. 5,000 case a year winery is sourced from two estate vineyards. Between Black Sage Road and Okanagan River south of Oliver, the gently-sloping, west-facing 15 acre Cerqueira Vineyard consists of calcium carbonatecrusted rocks in the subsoil and top layers that Bartier describes as “glacial barf.” Planted between 1999 and 2009, it includes blocks of Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and Semillon.

Planted exclusively with Gewürtztraminer and situated on a steep ridge overlooking Okanagan Lake in Summerland, the two-acre Lone Pine Vineyard rests on the transition zone between ancient volcanic cone of Giant’s Head Mountain

16 Pre Spring 2016

and silt from the glacial-formed banks of Lake Okanagan.

Winemaker Michael Bartier uses precision viticulture farming management practices. Precision viticulture (PV) recognizes that productivity within vineyards can vary widely and even blocks or zones within vineyards can vary significantly. In a nutshell, customizing suitable viticulture management practices to achieve production targets while minimizing environmental consequences encapsulates what PV is about. This is accomplished by collecting and interpreting a large amount of quantifiable data on specific blocks or zones that impact on grape yield and quality.

The size of the grape growing and winemaking operation is certainly a major factor in what and how much information is amassed and how it is used. But the methodology is accessible to smart, smaller producers who can utilize certain techniques selectively based on their specific needs. Winemaker Michael Bartier is one such producer who has adopted PV management practices as he strives to “make good wine and run a sustainable, profitable business, while enjoying an active, outdoor lifestyle.”

We asked Michael Bartier to tell us more about PV, and he answered with the help of Drew Campbell, an engineer with Terra Remote Sensing. Drew provides additional information on the technology and its applications. Campbell has flown several survey missions above the vineyard both with UAV (drones) and a helicopter.

How does PV assist you in growing grapes and making wine?

The Bartier Brothers in their vineyard.

Michael Bartier: To make wine with special character, the key is to get the roots down and exploit the subsoil. To that end, I want to understand and classify substrates in our vineyards, an enormous challenge because of the homogeneously heterogeneous nature of the soils so prevalent in our vineyards and common in the Okanagan Valley.

I utilize underground and above ground PV data such as digging inspection pits, measuring electro-magnetic conductivity in soil and aerial photography for areas

with Precision Viticulture ping or hedging done, and the vine focusses its energy into the fruit. If there’s not enough canopy, then the fruit won’t ripen and the vine is obviously weak.

Too much canopy means the vegetative growth continues to the detriment of the fruit development and character, but also the shoots stay green as they grow, not getting themselves ready for the winter. Also, green shoots are susceptible to fungal diseases.

A vineyard in our region with a balanced canopy that starts to lignify in July is very healthy, needs little or no antifungal sprays, and produces world class fruit. Less expensive to farm, higher crop value, healthy vineyard with longer lifespan - there’s no down side.

Photos contributed

What are you looking for when digging inspection pits in the vineyard?

within a vineyard to determine the water retention capacities of the soils and provide patterns of vine vigour and disease susceptibility, which are not visible at ground level.

alities of business – growing more good grapes more efficiently while raising the value of the crop.

It allows me to adjust the factors – water, fertilizer, pruning and cover crop – to achieve objectively balanced vines that ripen as uniformly as possible and result in measurable improvement from year to year.

Michael Bartier: My personal definition of vineyard balance is a vineyard that grows enough canopy to ripen the fruit that it’s hanging, and no more canopy than that. If this happens, then the shoots stop growing on their own early in the summer without any top-

In the final analysis, PV is about the re

What is your definition of vineyard balance?

Michael Bartier: I’m most interested in rock types in the subsoils since I believe these impact the flavour of the wine eventually (controversial statement and NOT scientifically proven - just anecdotal observations made by most or all of the great winemakers in the world right now). Also the soil structure, and how the soil horizons (where the structure of a soil changes such as from topsoil to subsoil, and then there can be horizons below this, such as a silt hardpan, or a gravel seam, or sand, etc.) are ordered are very important. It’s difficult to coax the roots from the rich topsoil down into the all-important rocks if you can’t hold a bit of water in those subsoils; observing this helps to formulate a strategy. Bounce test is a very quick and easy field test for evaluating irrigation need, ridiculously simple, but effective and accurate; Take a palmful of soil from the soil at root depth below the vines of the block being evaluated. If you can compress this into a ball in your hand and bounce it in your palm a few times then no irrigation needed in my vineyard.

In the summer of 2016 we’ll be digging 200 cm inspection pits (calicata’s) and describing these by content, structure, and with typical soil analysis at each horizon (pH, CEC, salinity, etc).

Pre Spring 2016 17

How are the digs useful?

Michael Bartier: Soil compaction may be observed, showing us that the vine roots don’t have access to the important subsoils that we need them to get to for higher quality wine. Observing this structure can help us to strategize a way to break it up.

What types of images are used for gathering PV data and how are they used?

Michael Bartier: For me, most of the images are simply viewed on their own as pdf’s or photos. The images that I want to overlay are converted to kmz files (placemark file used for Google Earth) so that these can be imported directly to Google Earth which is the software platform I use to look at several layers of information on the same property at the same time or to be able to flip through them.

Drew Campbell: A wide range of images have been collected. These go from what would be considered industry standard, such as RGB, and wide band multi-

spectral, to experimental, such as narrow band multispectral, hyperspectral, and LWIR (thermal), or long-range infrared.

We also have point clouds derived from both photography and lidar.

These are processed into various products. Again, some standard, such as DVI, SAVI, and a DEM. The first two have been used to show vegetation health for years, the DEM shows high detail of bare earth contours which could be useful for predicting both water and air drainage.

Cold air pooling? You guys will certainly be more familiar with the correct lingo here.

There are many more vegetation indices which can be produced. They are easily created through reasonably simple band math. This is the advantage in the collaboration between Terra and Michael Bartier. With his knowledge of his vineyard he can decide which are showing him something useful.

The software is a combination Terra developed for pre-processing and commercial software. I think here we’d prefer The Talon helicopter used for recording the aerial images of

not to say which packages we’re using, it’s certainly nothing earth shattering, but we’ve spent hundreds of hours testing several software packages.

How do you collect the images?

Michael Bartier: Drones are capable of collecting all aerial images except LIDAR and Hyperspec. This is the most economical way of collecting data once it’s known exactly which we’re looking for. Helicopters are useful because of capacity and speed, able to collect huge amounts of all types of aerial images, but very expensive.

Drew Campbell: We used both platforms to give us data from many sensors.

We are also working on a UAV solution which will produce the same array of products from our full helicopter platform. It will be a more robust model than we’re currently using, but hopefully can provide the best of both worlds. A multi-sensor platform, but still with the economy of a UAV. Most of the cameras (excluding hyper and LWIR) are modified commercial cameras. The exact models we’d prefer not to divulge. However, they all run on fully The Bartier Brothers hard at work, pruning in the vineyard.

18 Pre Spring 2016

looking at. Hyperspec shows many specific bandwidths which allows us to look at each, and compare this to known and observed conditions (e.g. disease presence, or water stress) in the vineyard, so that these can be quickly identified in the future just by going straight to those bandwidths. RGB images show the broad range of bandwidths making up the visible colours of Red, Green, and Blue. LIDAR is Light Radar measuring distance very accurately - essentially giving very accurate elevation maps of the terrain.

CEM images (ElectroMagnetic Conductivity) are collected at ground level (for more information see this website http:// www.subsurfacesurveys.com/em.htm) to read the soils ability to move electrons, correlating relatively well with the soils ability to hold water and thus predict vine vigour.

Bartier Bros. vineyards in the Okanagan Valley.

custom software we’ve developed over many years.

What are multispectral, hyper, rpg, lidar images and how are they used to assess the status of your vines?

Michael Bartier: Each aerial photograph is taken with filters to see the reflected bandwidths (visible light and adjacent - near UV and near Infra Red) reflected from the surfaces of the vineyard. Some photos have very specific bandwidths or very broad, some show many ranges, some show just a few. Multispec shows a few very specific bandwidths that we know to show specific, telling information about what we’re

Point cloud, DEM, vegetation indices, etc, all in one product. Just turn layers on and off as desired for different views.

Please provide an example of benefit after physically checking area based on photo image data.

Michael Bartier: Comparing aerial photos with subsurface CEM images, and then visually observing the conditions in the vineyard foliage and canopy allows us to see the exact borders of an area that may be perfect balance, or may need different treatments - irrigation, fertilizer, disease control, etc.

Sometimes, just a regular RGB photo may be incredibly useful. The overhead plan view has many uses… general layout, irrigation planning, and a properly georeferenced mosaic can be used for exact measurements.

Drew Campbell: Sometimes it is with the aid of a filter and sometimes it is by removing a filter. Either way, both multispectral and hyperspectral collect many wavelengths which are invisible to humans. Some of these bands, for instance near infrared, are very useful in assessing vegetation… as said above. Others are being assessed to see which may show us something known to be true, which then could be used as a predictive tool.

We will also assess the value of vegetation indices produced with standard wide bands versus narrow band and even extremely narrow band. With the use of hyperspectral, we have the ability to get very narrow. As said, once it is discovered which works best, we can go straight to these in the future.

The lidar can be used to produce a DEM (elevation model), but also, when colourized with the photos, could provide a single product giving essentially everything we have discussed in one product.

Each aerial photograph is taken with filters to see the reflected bandwidths (visible light).

Pre Spring 2016 19

The Kettle Valley Winery – Created by

By Dona Sturmanis You never know how far you can go when you decide to make wine in your apartment. Such was exactly the case when brothers-in-law Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts, who wanted to grow grapes as a hobby, decided in 1986 to buy a small piece of land on the Naramata Bench to get started.

The owners of what is now Kettle Valley Winery thought premium grapes could be grown in the Okanagan, “far better than anything we had been able to purchase locally,” they say. “We believed Naramata was a premium growing area due to the South Western exposures and proximity to Okanagan Lake, which would moderate frost risk in the spring and fall.”

Bob and Tim obtained the third winery licence on the Naramata Bench and by 1991 had accumulated more than 4.5 hectares of grape growing land. The first vintage was 44 cases of Pinot Noir in 1992. When they opened the doors to their tasting room, they were only the fourth winery on the Naramata Bench and only the 23rd in BC. As Bob and Tim head into their 25th harvest season Kettle Valley Winery is the oldest single-owner winery on the Naramata Bench.

Bob, a chartered accountant, and Tim, a geologist, never actually thought about being in the wine business a quarter century after they started. They were just thrilled with the prospect of growing grapes and making wines in Naramata.

“We would emphasize that winemaking is farming and that comes with all the risks associated with farming, and it is physically hard work,” emphasizes Bob. “You have to be passionate about what you are doing and enjoy the ride,” adds Tim. There has to be a good chemistry between partners like Bob and Tim to keep working together for twenty-five years at Kettle Valley Winery. Bob, a chartered accountant, brings a business driven focus while Tim, the geologist, brings earth science to the mix.

20 Pre Spring 2016

y 25 Years of Partnership Chemistry “We share a similar palate when it comes to wine enjoyment, so style has been easy,” says Tim. “We make wines the way we like to drink them.”

Bob wryly adds, ”Being brothers-in-law keeps us somewhat grounded by our spouses.” But he also comments, “Every year we learn something new. Tim has a tremendous understanding of earth science which helps in deciding which grapes should be planted in specific areas.”

The Birth of Great Northern Wines “We had been looking for a few years for a place to plant Zinfandel grapes,” says Tim. In late 2008, they located a property in the Similkameen that they thought would be a great site. And by coincidence the property was adjacent to the Great Northern Railroads right-ofway running through the Similkameen Valley.

“We were drawn to the land,” explains Tim. ”The soils were gravelly, large river rocks covered by sandy silt. And the property was much hotter than our Naramata vineyards sites and we felt therefore a good candidate for our Zinfandel.”

In 2013 Kettle Valley launched their Great Northern Vineyard series of wines.

Tim’s son Andrew came back to the winery after stints in New Zealand, Chile, France, and Nova Scotia, started making Great Northern Wines in 2013 and assumed responsibility for all vineyard operations in 2014.

The Great Northern Vineyard is owned

by Bob’s and Tim’s spouses, Colleen Ferguson and Janet Watts.

Reflections Over the Years

Photo by Tina Baird

Kettle Valley Winery, a founding member of the Naramata Bench Wineries Association, now produces 10,000 cases a year from 28 acres on the Naramata Bench and 14 acres in the Cawston / Keremeos area. Currently Kettle Valley has a portfolio of 25 wines.

Kettle Valley is very conscientious about environmental sustainability and has developed a water management system that reduces their net water usage in the Pre Spring 2016 21

View of Kettle Valley Winery in Naramata.

You have to be passionate about what you are doing and enjoy the ride.

Tim Watts winery to about 20% of what is used in an average residence. Kettle Valley also installed its own weather station in 2014, as another step to work the best way they can with nature.

It might be hard to believe, but Tim and Bob have two favourite Kettle Valley wines that consistently stand out for them.

“Each year it seems like different grapes shine, so year in year out it is hard to pick the same wine,” says Tim. “Two wines that stand out most years for both of us would be the Hayman Pinot Noir and the McGraw Vineyards Merlot.”

Bob and Tim both feel that over the years they have stayed true to their initial goals of being a small family-owned and operated winery, with both maintaining a hands on involvement in the winemaking. They’re very appreciative of the long standing relationships with wine consumers, restaurants, and wine shops, all of whom have been their customers and have become their friends.  Check the website kettlevalleywinery.com for seasonal tasting room hours and information on wine releases and events.

22 Pre Spring 2016

Photos by Tina Baird

“Both wines are farmed at very low tonnage, totally under our control,” agrees Bob. “These wines show intense varietal character, soft tannins, and both have shown the ability to hold that character as they age.”

Brothers-in-law Bob Ferguson and Tim Watts, preparing their first vineyard for planting in the mid 80s.

THE KETTLE VALLEY STEAM RAILWAY ADVENTURE

Photo contributed

Historic Train Ride…and You Might Get “Robbed!”

By Dona Sturmanis Every year close to 30,000 visitors from around the world ride Summerland’s Kettle Valley Steam Railway. “They’re part of the sheer number of people coming into the valley bringing a spin off effect to the local wineries, fruit stands and other businesses,” says Tracey Slattery, KVSR marketing manager. “We have become a #1 tourist attraction in the area.”

Photo by Kim Elsasser mpa

The Kettle Valley Steam Railway is unique. It is the only preserved section of this historic railway which was built during 1910-1915 to bring Okanagan fruit to world markets, transport families and create employment. Whether you are in a vintage passenger coach or open air car, the restored 1912 Steam Locomotive, the “3716”, will treat visitors to lush orchards The Summerland’s Kettle Valley Steam Railway packed with tourists about to be robbed.

Pre Spring 2016 23

and vineyards. The highlight of the trip is a breathtaking view of lake and land from Trout Creek Trestle Bridge 238 feet above the canyon floor. The bridge was the highest on the KVR and third largest of its kind in North America at the time it was built in 1913.

Normal train rides are 90 minutes long and cover 11 miles to the Trout Creek Trestle, then return. This is also true for the “Special Event” trains that run on Easter, Mother’s Day, Remembrance Day and Christmas and special charters.

Get Robbed for Charity The immensely popular Garnett Gang Train Robbery ride is longer at 120 minutes and covers just a little more than 13 miles. “Normally every event sells out eight weeks before the actual day,” says marketing manager Tracy. “It’s all volunteer-based and everyone plays specific roles from the sheriff to dance hall girls, cowboys and robbers.”

The Garnett Valley Gang consists of over 30 volunteers, bringing the Wild West alive as they ride out of hills, guns firing, to board the train and “hold up” passengers for local charities. Costumed in the dress code of the era, the riders thrill with their skills and antics during the robbery. Meanwhile, passengers are entertained on board the train by the dance hall girls and lawmen.

Taking place throughout the summer

Pistol Annie

24 Pre Spring 2016

Jimmy Boots

Mexicali Rose

and fall, Garnett Gang Train Robbery also features a delicious barbecue dinner.

Photo contributed

All loose change that has been “robbed” from the passengers is donated back to local charities that include but are not limited to: Cops for Kids, South Okanagan Therapeutic Riding, South Okanagan Silver Spurs 4H, Easter Seal Camp, Arion Therapeutic Riding, 4H Stock Show, Agur Lake Camp, CHBC Good News Bear and the Summerland School Lunch Program.

The Garnett Valley Gang has donated many thousands of dollars since it was formed in 1996.

How You Can Help Besides enjoying the enthralling steam train experience, there are ways you can help. The Kettle Valley Steam Railway is a non-profit historical society with no funding from local or federal governments. One hundred per cent of the proceeds go back into keeping the history of the Kettle Valley Railway alive. “We are always looking for volunteers, even if you can spend a week or month, everything is a help,” says Tracey.  Donations can be made to preserve the heritage railway by sending them to Kettle Valley Steam Railway, 18404 Bathhill Road, P.O. Box 1288, Summerland, BC, VOH 1Z0.

Luke Johnson

Black Bart

Del Rio

Belle Star

Charity Belle

Photos of the Garnett Valley Gang by Kim Elsasser mpa

Visit kettlevalleyrail.org or call 1.877.494.8424 for schedules and reservations.

Pre Spring 2016 25

8

MOBILE FILTRATION SYSTEMS

Wine Filtration Diemme Microflex Filter 2 - Pall Oenoflow Crossflow Filters Alcohol Adjustment, Wine Concentration, Taint Removal (VA, Smoke, Brett) 3 - Reverse Osmosis Systems Juice Lees and Wine Lees Recovery Spadoni Rotary Vacuum Drum Filter (RVDF) Wine Tartrate Stabilization and PH adjustment Oenodia Selective Tartrate Removal Systems (STARS)

Cellar Dweller Mobile Filtration Services Ltd. Lesia Wood/ Robert Kwakernaak 250.487.2995 • lesia@cellardweller.ca 250.497.2009 • robert@cellardweller.ca

www.cellardweller.ca 26 Pre Spring 2016

The Best Way to Predict the Future – Is to Create it.

Achieving success in business is hard work. After all the sacrifice, risk and commitment, what’s next? How do you design the future your way? A well-structured plan can result in significant tax savings and increase the value of your operation. Our TransitionSMART program will help you develop and complete a plan that gives you peace of mind and allows you to successfully transition on your own terms. After all, dreams don’t retire - they grow.

TM

Contact Geoff McIntyre, CPA, CA, Business Advisor, B.C. Wine Industry at 250.979.2574 or geoff.mcintyre@mnp.ca

Preventing Serious Tractor Injuries

By Carol Reid Agriculture can be a dangerous business.

Tragedy can beset workers and members of their families. This was reality again in 2015 punctuated with incidents like the loss of children’s lives on an Alberta farm.

This should awaken or remind us all of the ever present dangers in agriculture.

Working safely cannot be inherited; it must be taught, learned and practiced.

To ensure due diligence, an owner, manager or supervisor must require op-

Photo Contributed

The Canadian Agriculture Safety Association manages an agricultural fatality and injury surveillance program called CAIR. In the period from 1990-2012, CAIR reported that an average in excess of 100 deaths occurred each year on farms and ranches in Canada. In their most recent report, machine rollovers and runovers were identified as the continued leading cause of fatalities in Canada. Further they identified that experience did not negate the danger as the 60 and over age groups experienced the highest fatality rate. Many of these incidents involve entanglements in a piece of machinery, the majority of which occur when a piece of clothing gets caught. A serious tractor incident can happen to anyone.

Employees Jasvir Sidhu, Surjit Kumar check roll bar at The View Winery in southeast Kelowna.

Canadian Agriculture Fatalities; Cause 1990-2012

Rollover 459

20%

Runover 418

18%

Entanglement Caught in Engine 185

8%

Pinned or Struck by Machinery 172

7%

Machine Motor Vehicle Collision 166

7%

Animal Related 150

6%

Struck Non Machine Object 113

5%

Fall From Height 78

3%

Struck by Object Propelled by Machine 78

3%

Drowning 73

3%

Pre Spring 2016 27

erators to be educated and trained in the safe operation of all mobile equipment, including tractors. This training must be documented and ongoing. Adequate supervision is required to ensure safe operating standards are adhered to. A practical evaluation of operators displaying competency to a qualified supervisor forms part of this due diligence. Regular safety discussions with operators on tractor related issues and topics are also an important part of ensuring safety remains top of mind.

Many tragedies that happen could be prevented by taking the time to follow safe operational practices.

The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) co-ordinates, develops and leads national initiatives to help farmers, their families and workers recognize and manage safety risks.

As part of their mandate, a fund is available to bring safety training to your community. The FCC AgSafety Fund helps deliver agriculture safety training to farmers and/or their workers across Canada. In 2015 this fund was used to assist with tractor safety training across Canada.

In British Columbia, AgSafe offers on site consultations, safety training and information and helps you address compliance requirements. As part of this valuable service AgSafe (formerly FARSHA) provides a Tractor Safety Training Program. This training session covers incident statistics to help identify how these incidents occur. Applicable regulations, tractor stability, preshift inspections, safe operations and managing risks are additional topics covered by the course. AgSafe also works with employers and/or supervisors to establish safe work practises as-

sociated with and involving tractor operations. It is essential to have ongoing supervision, an effective pre-shift inspection and a maintenance program which combine to help reduce risks of injury when operating mobile equipment and specifically tractors. Correcting what may seem like a small action or making a minor repair can help prevent an incident from becoming very serious. Tractor safety training should be an integral part of your farm’s safety program.  For assistance to initiate or improve your safe tractor operations or other worker safety concerns please contact your regional AgSafe safety consultant. In the Okanagan call Carol Reid at 250-215-5293, carol@agsafebc.ca, or the AgSafe office toll free at 1-877-533-1789

Safety Tips  Conduct a pre shift inspection  Use a Roll Over Protective System (ROPS) and seat belt  C onduct a thorough risk assessment for the tractor, implement and tasks  Keep loads low when travelling  A lways keep an eye out for pedestrians, do not move tractor without eye to eye contact with pedestrian  No extra riders on tractor, bucket, or forks  F ollow recommended hitching procedures and weight limits

Keep your skills sharp

Tractor operator training

 Turn on level ground whenever possible  Stay away from soft shoulders  E nsure brakes are in good condition and properly locked for high speeds

We bring the experts to your location, you pay NOTHING.

 U se a Slow Moving Vehicle sign and Roll Over Protective System on public roads  Ensure loads are properly secured

Supporting BC’s Agricultural Industry through health & safety training

 D isengage PTO, turn off tractor and set brake before leaving tractor seat  R ead and observe the safety recommendations and precautions found in the owners manual

and education since 1993.

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www.AgSafeBC.ca

28 Pre Spring 2016

AgSafe F O R M E R L Y

F A R S H A

Carol Reid 250-215-5293 carol@agsafebc.ca AgSafe office Toll free at 1-877-533-1789 Your Agsafe Representative in the Okanagan

ORCHARD & VINE TRACTOR SURVEY

Orchard & Vine Readers Talk Tractor Safety Have you read the operator’s manual for your tractor?

Being hit by a tractor or caught in a tractor rollover comprise by far the largest percentage of accidents on Canadian farms, and yet many farmers still fail to take adequate precautions.

As part of our Tractor Safety issue, we wanted to know how our readers stack up in maintaining a safe environment on the farm, and specifically involving their tractor. In general, Orchard and Vine readers seem pretty safety conscious, but there is obviously room for improvement. The results of our readers' poll, shown in this collection of pie charts and graphs, shows many farmers in our reader group check on safety issues every single day.

A WHILE AGO 32% YES 59%

Considering eight per cent of our readers have been in a tractor accident, that's something farmers might want to pay attention too.

NO 9%

Where do you fall within these poll results?

How often do you inspect your tractor?

56% 44%

EVERY TIME - Visual inspection, check guard and shields SERVICE EVERY SEASON - As per manufacturers instructions

Do you have regular safety meetings with your employees or family members?

4% DAILY 34% OCCASIONALLY IF NEEDED

Do you keep the manual handy and available for employees or other operators?

14% WEEKLY

YES 69%

NO 31%

47% JUST ONE DRIVER

Pre Spring 2016 29

ORCHARD & VINE TRACTOR SURVEY

Overall what are your biggest tractor safety concerns?

EQUIPMENT

Does your tractor have ROPS? Roll Over Protective Structure

• Particulates in diesel exhaust.

• Harvest operation including loading and unloading bins.

• Safety features are not standardized between tractor manufacturer.

• PTO shields are too tight.

• To connect equipment to tractor. There are a lot of pinch points and you have to get in between equipment and tractor to connect PTO. STABILITY, CONDITIONS & TERRAIN

YES

NO

CAB

60% 20%

20%

Are there safety features that you would like to see added to your tractor?

Most respondents said no. They were satisfied with the safety features on their tractors.

• PTO emergency stop on the rear end, near the Three Point Hitch.

• Emergency PTO shutoff at rear of tractor close to PTO shaft connection.

• Tipping alert.

• Back up beepers better cab mounted mirrors for rear views.

• Warning beacons.

• Clear limitation to the tractor, and maybe a tilt sensor or alarm to prevent roll over.

• Fire extinguisher.

• Safety Belts.

• Cupholder.

• Lower center of gravity.

HUMAN ERROR • Proper training and having operators obey them.

• The lack of understanding from some employees about certain jobs. If the person operating the tractor does not understand what the job requires then accidents happen. Today anyone can drive a tractor it comes down to personnel training.

• Being hit by others when operating on the road.

• Dismounting tractor in a hurry.

• Stupid people. Careless operators.

• Don't work alone.

• I get older, things get heavier.

• DEATH • (yep, that would concern us too!)

Have you ever been in a tractor accident?

HAD A CLOSE CALL 18%

UNDER 25 YEARS OLD

WHAT IS YOUR AGE RANGE?

• Driving steep side hills, mud, snow and ice.

• Working on uneven ground.

• Stability is very important in all cases because of the terrain we work on.

• Rollovers, runaways on hills, tipping with heavy loads.

• Tip overs with heavy loads.

• Stability on rough terrain.

• Tractor lateral stability in grape rows storage.

2% 26-49 YEARS OLD

28% OVER 50 YEARS OLD

30 Pre Spring 2016

70%

NO 74%

YES 8%

TRACTOR

SPECS

2016

Manufacturer

Case IH Farmall V

Deutz Fahr

Deutz Fahr

John Deere

Model

Farmall 105V

Engine Hp

95

Agroclimber F 400/410

Agroclimber V310

5083EN

85/95

82

83

PTO Hp

82

77/86

74

69

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

19.3

24

19

19

Transmission

16 x 16 power or mech.shuttle

16 +16

12 + 8

PowrReverser

Steering

Hydrostatic

Independent Steering Clutches

Independent Steering Clutches

Hydrostatic

Brakes

Wet Disc

Independent Brakes for Steering

Independent Brakes for Steering Hydraulic Wet Disc

Wheelbase 85.3”

85.7”

Length

Minimum Width

42.5-49”

Ground Clearance

Turn Radius

9.8'

11.1'

Weight

5307-6151 lbs

5645 lbs

Driving Wheels

380/70R24

Website

www.caseih.com

54”

46.5”

9442 lbs

8255 lbs

45.2"

MFWD

www.dftractors.com www.dftractors.com www.deere.com

Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seatbelts save lives

We’re working with you to make sure all farmers go home safe. For resources and videos on safe equipment operation, visit worksafebc.com/agriculture.

Pre Spring 2016 31

TRACTOR

SPECS

2016

Manufacturer

John Deere

John Deere

Kioti

Model

5101EN

5100GN

CK2510/CK2510H RX7320PCCR

Engine Hp

100

90-100 24.5 73

PTO Hp

85

20

63

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

25

6.6

25 US Gal

Transmission PowrReverser Mechanical PowrReverser

Manual/Hydrostatic

Power Shuttle w/Creeper, 24F/24R

Steering

Power

Hydrostatic Power

Brakes Hydraulic Wet Disc Hydraulic Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Wheelbase 90.6”

59.8”

83.9"

Hydrostatic

19.3

Hydrostatic Power

86"

Kioti

Length

109.08”

146.3 “

Minimum Width

45.2"

49.2”

77.2”

Ground Clearance

15.2”

13.4”

17.3”

Turn Radius

11.6' 11.6 8.3' 11.2’

Weight

7055 lbs

Driving Wheels MFWD Website

40.5-52"

2260 lbs

6162 lbs

MFWD 4WD 4WD

www.deere.com www.deere.com www.kioti.com www.kioti.com

JBS Orchard & Vineyard Spreader JBS’s NEW Orchard & Vineyard Spreader is the perfect machine for spreading in those narrow orchard/vineyard rows.

• Volume capacity 175 - 280 cubic ft.

• Dual direction conveyor attachment • Dual Spinner Attachment • Single and Tandem axle with spring suspension • Scale Mount ready

Unit #103 31413 Gill Avenue, Mission, BC V4S 0A1 Email: roger@jbscanada.ca Phone: 604-603-3996 Website: jbscanada.ca 32 Pre Spring 2016

TRACTOR

SPECS

2016

Manufacturer

Kubota

Kubota

Kubota

Kubota

Model

M8540NHC10

M7040DTNHC / M8540DTNHC

M8540NPK

B3350

Engine

85.5 Hp @ 2600 RPM

71.0 / 85.5

85.5

27

PTO Hp

76.0 Hp

64.0 / 76.0

76

19.5-27

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

20.1 gal (76.0 Litres)

20.1 / 20.1

18.5

7.3

Transmission

Gear Shift, 10 for. x 10 rev.

8F/8R hydraulic shuttle

8F/8R hydraulic shuttle

3 Range HST

Steering

Hydrostatic Power Steering

Hydrostatic

Hydrostatic

Hydraulic Power

Brakes

Mechanical Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Multi-plate, Wet Disc

Wheelbase

80.7” (2050 mm)

80.7”

84.8”

Overall Length

with 3 pt hitch 138.0”

138.0

138.2”

101”

Minimum Width

48.0”

48.0”

54.0”

53.7”

Ground Clearance

14.6”

14.6”

15.4”

14.6”

Turn Radius

10.5’ in 4WD

10.5' w/brake, 13.8'

13.1' in 4WD w/Bi-speed,

6.9

4WD w/o brake

4WD w/o brake

Weight

4,806 lbs (2180 kg)

4806 lbs

6504 lbs

1896

Driving Wheels

2WD/4WD

2wd/4wd selectable 2

2wd/4wd selectable

2wd/4wd selectable

Website

www.kubota.ca

www.kubota .ca

www.kubota .ca

www.kubota.ca

SHREDDERS-FLV

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& EVENLY SPRED Chopping the heaviest materials, just leaving a Double twin flails for grass fine mulch behind. cutting and light scrub cleaning

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Universal hammer flails for heavy duty pulverizing

Pre Spring 2016 33

TRACTOR

SPECS

2016

Manufacturer

LS

LS

Mahindra

Mahindra

Model

XR3037

XR 4040-4046

1526

Max 26XL HST/Shuttle

Engine Hp

36.5

40

25.6

25.6

PTO Hp

33-37.6

19

19.5-21.5

Fuel Tank (imp. gal.)

10.5-12.4

12.4

7.1

6.1

Transmission

Synchro Shuttle/Hydrostatic

Synchro Shuttle/Hydrostatic

Synchronized Shuttle

Constant Synchro Mesh

Steering

Hydrostatic Power Steering

Hydrostatic Power Steering

Hydrostatic Power

Hydrostatic Power

Brakes

Wet, Multi-Disc

Wet, Multi-Disc

Wet Disc

Wet Disc

Wheelbase

66"

73"

72"

Overall Length

121"

128"

121.3"

104-109”

Minimum Width

60"

63"

63"

54.3”

Ground Clearance

14"

Turn Radius

8.2'

7.9’

7.2-6.6'

Weight

4300 lbs

2437 to 2459 lbs

1693-1819 lbs

Driving Wheels

13.6-24 4WD

4x4 MFWD 4WD

2wd/4wd

Website

www.LSTractorsUSA.com

mahindracanada.ca

mahindracanada.ca

3220-3590 lbs

www.LSTractorsUSA.com

NOW SUPPLYING POWDERCOATED WINE BARREL RACKS !

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The right gas for the right application We supply CO2, Nitrogen, Argon, Dry Ice and Nitrogen Generators In Kelowna call 765-7658

5592 Hwy 97 Oliver BC 250-498-2524 250-498-6231

1-800-225-8247

www.praxair.com 34 Pre Spring 2016

Check out Gerard’s Equipment for any orchard or vineyard supply, located just south of Oliver on Highway 97.

www.gerardsequipment.com

TRACTOR

SPECS

2016

Manufacturer

Massey Ferguson

Massey Ferguson

New Holland

Model

1739E

MF4610

TK4050 T80

Yanmar

Engine Hp

38.5

99

94 78

PTO Hp

32.7 or 30.9

80

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Pre Spring 2016 35

Hazelnut Harvest Collapses Due to EFB

By Ronda Payne Eastern Filbert Blight (EFB) has virtually wiped out the Hazelnut harvest, but there’s still hope according to Thom O’Dell, biologist with Nature Tech Nursery. There will be changes, but also plenty of things to look forward to for those who embrace the industry.

“The industry is on the verge of collapse here,” notes O’Dell. “I hope it’s not. We anticipate there could be a shift in the whole industry.”

EFB is a fungus that causes small, but growing, cankers on trees. On domestic hazelnut trees (which produce fewer and smaller nuts), the canker comes down to appearances, but for European hazelnuts – those on which the local industry is based – it signals a death march. Leaves die, branches die and soon the trees die.

Growers saw the significant impact of EFB in 2015.

“As late as a couple of years ago, we still had a couple of million pounds of harvest,” O’Dell says. “This past fall, what I was told, was that it was roughly 30,000 pounds harvested. This is the year of the real collapse of the harvest.”

EFB made its way into Washington in 1974 O’Dell says. First it went south to Oregon before coming to B.C. in 2005.

Some hazelnut growers have ripped their trees out, others have sold their land and others still were phasing out their farming practices already and felt reluctant to replant.

“In the last year or two, the blight was getting severe enough that people started cutting down orchards or pulling out trees,” O’Dell says.

It’s an issue impacting hundreds of acres and when the worst of the blight hit, it seemed to be the last nail in the coffin.

Far from it explains O’Dell. With a nut as versatile as the filbert, there are plenty of uses and growing demand. Canada imports more than 90% of its hazelnuts, creating a vast market for domestic production.

“There’s a lot of potential in mixed smallscale agriculture. It’s not that hard to pull off,” O’Dell says. “It’s a very good crop in many respects, especially for people who 36 Pre Spring 2016

There's a lot of potential in mixed small scale agriculture. It's not that hard to pull off.

Thom O'Dell want to be a part-time farmer. The nuts themselves have an amazing variety of uses.”

From face cream and candy to cooking oil and protein sources, hazelnuts are versatile enough to do it all. But what about dealing with the blight? How will growers handle that major issue? Fortunately, those in Oregon saw it coming and began a breeding program in 1968.

“They’ve been at it for that long,” O’Dell notes. “They started releasing blight resistant cultivars around 2005.”

Unfortunately, quarantine prevented the importation of hazelnut trees into B.C. at that time, but sterile tissue cultures started making their way here in 2010. The varieties are coming from European-based stock created in the Oregon breeding program. Six trial plots were established

in B.C. in 2010 and O’Dell notes the trial trees are seeing yields grow.

For those reluctant to replant, O’Dell notes there are ways to generate farming income while waiting for the trees to get up to speed.

“You can do alley cropping,” he says.

Garlic, organic rye and vegetables are just some of the options for alley crops he suggests.

While it seems all the problems have solutions, there are still a few bugs in the hazelnut system. With the light yields, one local processor has stopped operations and there is only one other left.

Fewer nuts mean little business for potential processors, but O’Dell and others passionate about the industry hope new opportunities will revive the filbert industry. 

Lower Mainland Growers see more SWD

By Ronda Payne Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) has been harassing Lower Mainland berry growers for five years and Tracy Hueppelsheuser, entomologist, Plant and Animal Health Branch with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, noted that 2015 was an even more exceptional year for the persistent pest.

Research has been ongoing to find and approve the tools farmers need to defend crops against SWD with no current biological control recommended

by Agrifood BC and few chemical controls. Chemicals listed by the ministry are Delegate WG, Entrust SC, Mako EC and Malathion 85E. Mako and Malathion were both emergency registered for treatment of SWD in 2015, Entrust is OMRI approved for organic production and treatment guidelines for all products are available on the ministry production guide site.

Few tools to choose from means growers must be aware of all possible ways to manage SWD and Hueppelsheuser feels 2015 was a great example of preparedness and action.

“Winter and spring trapping along edges of Fraser Valley raspberry and blueberry fields from December to May has been done for the last five years,” she says.

“The winter of 2014 to 2015 was warm and dry, resulting in much less SWD mortality than in previous years. Over this winter and spring, we caught six to nine times more flies than in previous winters.”

Summer was even worse with trapping showing seven to 122 times more flies

in blueberry and raspberry fields when compared to previous summers. Hueppelsheuser says the numbers ramped up earlier and were exceptionally high in both summer and winter. Wild fruit saw heavy SWD infestations in 2015 even though previous years saw light infestations in wild fruit.

“The berry industry was bracing for the worst, and I think that was a good thing,” she says. “Growers were therefore more prepared to deal with the pest in a timely and proactive manner.”

“SWD is anything but routine,” she says.

“The story has played out differently each of the five years we have had this pest and we would encourage growers to keep up to date with the information available.”

In summary, Heuppelsheuser’s biggest advice can be taken from how the 2015 season played out – anticipate SWD and plan for it to avoid being unprepared. 

This early preparedness combined with the hot, dry summer (SWD thrives in humid environments) allowed the programs of management to be implemented more accurately in terms of spray and harvest schedules. This didn’t necessarily keep SWD out of sight, but it certainly kept it at bay. A far better outcome than anticipated.

Hueppelsheuser is hoping more emergency registrations will be approved for the 2016 season. She encourages growers to stay on top of the activities outlined on the ministry site including traps, elimination of culled and old fruit from all areas, watching host plants in neighboring fields and most importantly is to pick early, clean and often.

Tracy Hueppelsheuser, Entomologist, Plant and Animal Health Branch. British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture. Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Pre Spring 2016 37

Shorter Drops While Harvesting Makes Better Blueberries

By Ronda Payne B.C.’s beautiful, flavourful blueberries are now shipping fresh all over the world.

Ensuring the best quality possible for shipping means taking care during harvest and processing to avoid damage. Fumiomi Takeda, a research horticulturalist with the USDA has been studying improved blueberry harvest technologies since 1993 and has found that reducing the drop distance of the berry and other impacts makes for better berries.

“Hand harvest is the best because there is only a small drop into the picking bucket,” Takeda says. “In the case of machine harvesting, if you have a six-foot tall plant, the fruit at the top portion of the bush would be falling more than one meter onto hard catch plates at the bottom of the harvester.”

Through recent research, Takeda found that combining a long fruit drop and landing on a hard surface creates the most fruit bruising and damage. This ultimately leads to

It isn’t just harvesting that can cause bruising from fruit dropping. Processing equipment that includes drops into hoppers or packaging will also cause higher bruise rated blueberries and a shortened shelf life on fresh fruit.

Hand harvest is the best because there is only a small drop into the picking bucket.

Fumiomi Takeda shorter shelf life and lack of firmness of the berries.

Additionally, growers should treat berries like they would treat their grandmothers – don’t load them up with too much weight and make sure any travel is as short and comfortable as possible.

“Care must be taken during harvest operation to minimize impact (avoid high drops) and compression (do not put too much fruit into field lugs) and avoid transporting fruit on rough roads or long distances using farm equipment,” Takeda notes.

Drop height, surface firmness, number of drops and harvesting method were all studied and consistently, findings reported that less aggressive methods (hand harvesting, minimal drops, drops onto soft surfaces and fewer drops) led to berries with less bruising. Over-the-row (OTR) harvesters caused more than four times the amount of bruising than hand harvesting where shake and catch harvest methods saw just slightly higher bruising levels. Berries dropped multiple times onto soft surfaces saw less than half the amount of bruising than those dropped the same number of times onto hard surfaces.

In the end, it comes down to treating your berries gently to ensure great fresh fruit for longer periods of time.

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Cherry Growers Keeping Close Eye on Apple Maggot

By Ronda Payne Cherry growers thought they’d heard the worst news possible when, in the late summer, traps in West Kelowna discovered an apple maggot fly. Sukhpaul Bal, president of the BC Cherry Association says it’s still in the early stages of analyzing the pest’s threat. He says the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will increase its monitoring of the situation and advise growers and others in the industry of any new findings.

“What I’m told is that the same chemistry and pesticides that we’re using could control apple maggot,” Bal confirms.

It’s still too early to jump on board with an increased control program for the pest though. Bal has been told the CFIA’s next steps are to set up more traps in the area of the first sighting, increase monitoring and provide more education.

“We may find that this is a one-off and

Apple maggot attacks cherries, making them brown and inedible. It is one of the quarantine pests noted in the trade agreement cherry growers have with China. Because of this, growers already have what Bal describes as, “a rigorous trapping system. There are quite a few traps in the orchards now because you have to be on [top of] that for shipping to China.”

It’s the first time an apple maggot has been found in the Southern Interior region, although Bal notes apple maggots are well established in the quarantined Lower Mainland and Peace regions. The fear of having the pest spread into noninfected areas has seen a ban placed on the transport of residentially-grown tree fruit from quarantined areas to non-infected regions. Unfortunately, the ban is not well known.

“The notice [about the discovery of the single apple maggot] has gone out to all our trading partners,” Bal says. “Now the CFIA goes through their next steps.

Everything is fine for next season. There is no change in 2016 for growers.”

Cherry growers have had a long-time battle with the cherry fruit fly and the same tools may work against the apple maggot if a problem does arise.

we don’t see it emerge and that would be the best news,” says Bal. “They’ve [the CFIA] let us know what the plan is so far. We’re happy to hear that they are including us in it.”

Action will be reviewed on a season by season basis. Thanks to strong monitoring practices, if more apple maggots are found, growers will be early into the fight with a plan in place. 

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Pre Spring 2016 39

Understanding Armillaria in Blueberries

By Ronda Payne

Bill Chapman, research scientist with BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources is well aware of the persistence of this fungi and has spent time understanding ways to prevent its destruction. Armillaria can impact plant health and yield, potentially killing the host plant, but worse – even without the plant, the disease can still spread.

To add insult to injury, Chapman notes the fungi can’t be controlled by chemicals.

“Armillaria is a very successful and long lived disease. It can live for millennia,” he says. “At an early stage of infection there may be little observable effect as infected plants isolate and wall off the infection.”

As the disease spreads and takes over more of the host plant root, yield will drop and leaves will turn red in times of drought, often preceding death of the plant. Don’t count on mushrooms always pointing the way to an early infestation.

Chapman says mushrooms usually appear around or on the stems of seriously affected or dead host plants.

Interestingly, Armillaria doesn’t always lead to death. As Chapman explains, “It

Photo courtesy of Thomas J Duffy M.D. www.mykoweb.com/

Persistent. That’s the word to describe Armillaria. Armillaria is the genus name of a group of mushroom-forming fungi, some of which are definitely bad news for blueberry growers. Different species of this fungi cause root disease on a diverse range of woody and root crops from forestry trees and fruit trees to potatoes and blueberries.

is common to find Armillaria susceptible species growing happily on centuries old Armillaria infections.”

But blueberry crops aren’t centuries old and are therefore often more susceptible. With its ability to pop up years later on new crops, prevention and control of Armillaria is essential.

“Management practices which introduce susceptible hosts into contact with Armillaria which they have little resistance to can result in a disequilibrium between disease and host,” notes Chapman. “Susceptible strains planted in an Armillaria affected area die in large numbers which creates an energy source for the Armillaria to attack healthy individuals and the disease takes on an aggressive character that is not the norm in natural settings.”

Chapman notes excess use of nitrogen fertilizer, poor sanitation practices and introducing infected soil or stock may

encourage Armillaria growth.

Prevention and control are not normally achieved by digging the inoculum or infected roots out – though Chapman says this may slow the progress. Obviously, ensuring soil, soil amendments and stock are disease free is paramount. Resistant strains are a positive step as is intermixing multiple strains together to vary root structure.

Hypholoma fasciculare, a competing fungi, should be encouraged through healthy soil ecosystems with fresh organic matter. Sawdust and mulches free of root disease are recommended by Chapman for blueberries adapted to high carbon to nitrogen ratio soil. He also suggests forgoing peak yields for hardier plants.

Armillaria root disease is no walk in the flowers, but with the right practices in place, it can be managed and controlled. 

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The Wheels Of Innovation Keep Turning

T

he wheels keep turning as we progress into a bright new future for the tree fruit industry. Before exploring where we are going I would like to take a moment for reflection on where we have recently come from.

The first sign of good news is the state of the industry itself.

For the first time in thirtytwo years the apple industry stopped shrinking and actually grew ever so slightly. The recent seven year replant program was the new beginning we were looking for. Yes it came with logistical problems but the industry and government were able to make it a success. The problem was the time frame and the ability of growers to act quickly resulting in over subscription to the first year of the program. Not many new ventures can claim a program was too successful.

With the over-subscription of

The new face of government saw a new representative for Kelowna-Lake Country Member of Parliament Steven Fuhr.

He was upfront saying ‘I don’t know a great deal about the Agriculture Industry but I am prepared to learn’. It didn’t take long either. Mr. Fuhr was able to facilitate a meeting in Ottawa with the Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture (second only to the Minister). We got an opportunity to present our challenges and possible solutions to the Parliamentary Secretary, the Hon. Jean-Claude Poissant. The discussion soon turned into the prospect of a

the Replant Program, the solution was more funding. We developed new skills in fund raising to come to a constructive conclusion. The Government of British Columbia and the BCFGA were able to satisfy the requests for BCFGA Members who met the requirement of the application process. So where does this leave us? Apples are back and with new varieties and potential new markets the future is brighter, while cherries have exploded in terms of export production and market development.

We need to expand production to meet demand, we need to find financing to plant new acreage that has not been in production for decades or never before. We need to acquire new technology, new equipment and storage for anticipated new yields of apples and cherries.

National program, and a possible way to finance it.

Financing of the program is the key as fruit trees take a few years to grow. Farmers can plant, but they can’t sustain the lack of capital for three years before they realize a crop. We have a Replant Program, but there is not a program available for tree fruit not eligible for replant (i.e. the land to which the trees are planted have not been in tree fruits in the past five years, if ever). It is to that end we are looking for temporary relief. At the time of this writing those details are not yet

Lual Orchards is looking for quality fruit growers for custom packing of stone fruits and apples.

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available however other building blocks required for a successful proposal are being worked out. Of the provinces contacted all are in favor and the exchange of ideas has begun. It is hoped we can have a proposal nationally before the Canadian Horticulture Council Convention in March. Ideally, we will begin fleshing out the details to present to the Federal Government to launch a program before the end of 2016.

That would be one problem overcome with cooperation and solutions, the second issue is infrastructure. Aging infrastructure for the BC Tree Fruit Cooperative and private packers is a hurdle the industry must clear to process the expanding crops. There is new funding for such innovative programs in the new direction of government. Much of the programming falls into the environmental category and if we tailor our needs around the requirements of government programs I believe we will be eligible for funding partnerships with government.

We are gearing up for a few years down the road. Getting the trees in the ground and crops grown, getting the support needed to store, pack and sell fruit in expanded capacity and retool efforts to acquire new niche markets is going to take time. It will see both success and disappointments as is the case with renewal in any field.

There are a host of issues coming our way in areas such as food safety, how we are going to manage wildlife and keep them from destroying new plantings and crops?

How do we plan to manage water resources in drought conditions and climate change?

How rapidly can we adapt to combating invasive pests?

There are a host of issues and a myriad of solutions and it will be our job to determine the best solutions possible. I am a person who believes in the growers' ability to come to the right decisions. As an optimist, I believe challenges are offset by solutions as opposed to finding a problem for every solution.

How does the new year look? In my view, I believe its the year we turn the corner and start down the road to prosperity we have been searching for.ď Ž Fred Steele, President BCFGA 42 Pre Spring 2016

 THE WORD ON WINE | LAURA KITTMER

Old Man Winter Brings Back Icewine Harvest very sweet characters, noting they got over 40 brix in their Chardonnay. “Being such a hot year, I thought a lot of the crop would’ve fallen off, but the large clusters of grapes hung in there and I’m seeing nice sugars in the fruit.

It looks like it will be a very good vintage for Icewine,” notes Gidda.

arrival of freezing temperatures.

Harvested at -8°C (17.6°F) or below, the wine made from these frozen grapes must reach quality standards including 35 brix of sugar to be called Icewine.

A

fter last vintage’s second-earliest start on record on November 12, 2014, the majority of British Columbia’s 2015 Icewine harvest happened on December 31 and into the early morning of New Year’s Day in the Okanagan. However, the first Icewine grapes for this vintage were picked on November 25, as winemakers and viticulturists north of Penticton rejoiced at the early

The first 2015 Icewine grapes were brought in on Wednesday, November 25 just after 6:00 AM with temperatures at -13°C (9°F), when Volcanic Hills Estate Winery in West Kelowna collected four tons of Chardonnay and four tons of Pinot Noir. The following night they resumed picking, bringing in another five tons of Riesling. President Bobby Gidda reported that the overall quality is very good with

This is the third consecutive year BC’s Icewine harvest started as early as November and between the six wineries picking that early, just over 100 tons of grapes were collected. The majority of grapes were picked from December 26 finishing on January 2 with temperatures well below -8°C (17.6°F) and averaging

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around -10°C (14°F) throughout the Okanagan Valley.

Nk’Mip Cellars in Osoyoos began picking their Icewine at 2:00 AM on New Year’s Day with temperatures at -14°C (7°F) when the inner cluster berries were still frozen. The team brought in over eight tons of Riesling and finished pressing at 40.5 brix. Assistant Winemaker at Nk’Mip Cellars, Justin Hall noted, “Last year we were picking in early November so we did see a smaller crop this year, but the overall quality of the juice is still really good and I’m looking forward to this vintage.”

Hall estimates they lost about 5.5 tons of grapes to dehydration, birds and fallen grapes.

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The BC Wine Authority noted that 16 of the 20 registered wineries picked this year, collecting approximately 376 tons of grapes throughout the Okanagan Valley.

The Icewine varieties picked are diverse in the Okanagan Valley, ranging from aromatic whites to tannic reds. This vintage saw the following grapes picked for Icewine: Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Ehrenfelser, Gamay Noir, Gewürztraminier, Merlot, Oraniensteiner, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Vidal, Viognier and Zweigelt.

With the completion of the Icewine harvest, wine lovers across BC can look forward to an excellent crop of new Icewine releases in 2016.

Wineries that have decided to forgo the Icewine designation started picking grapes for Late Harvest wines on October 1, 2015. Seven confirmed wineries have picked and pressed 100 tons of grapes for Late Harvest wines. To keep up-to-date on the harvest, follow @WineBCdotcom, #BCHarvest2015 and #Icewine on Twitter.

Laura Kittmer is the Media Relations Manager at the British Columbia Wine Institute. www.winebc.org

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 LEGAL LIBATIONS | DENESE ESPEUT-POST

ILA - Signing on the Dotted Line

H

ow do you feel about acronyms? Sometimes it can be a fun guessing game. How about this one...

ILA? Independent Learning Academy…Interior Logging Association…and my personal favorite, Independent Legal Advice. Okay, maybe not as exciting as the International Lime Association, but still worth talking about.

Most of you have probably heard of ILA (Independent Legal Advice) before. Some of you may have been told that you must have ILA before signing a contract or a bank guarantee. So, what is ILA? The need for ILA often arises if a person is not represented by a lawyer and is at risk of not fully understanding the consequences of a transaction. In certain situations, you may need to receive legal

are contracting with by helping to ensure the enforceability of the transaction. For example, we have all heard of situations where someone will try to avoid a contract by stating, “I didn’t understand what I was signing.” While this is a difficult argument to successfully make, it will be even harder to establish if an independent lawyer certifies that legal advice was provided and that advice was understood by the person who is now taking the opposite

advice from an independent lawyer who is free of any bias.

Neither that lawyer nor any of that lawyer’s clients can have an interest in the matter requiring the ILA. In certain other situations, you (or your lawyer) may require that someone you are contracting with must obtain ILA. ILA is commonly required if you will be guaranteeing a loan for someone else or you are entering into a domestic family law contract such as a separation agreement or a cohabitation agreement. ILA can also play an important role in employment contracts, when negotiating severance packages, and prior to signing corporate documents as a minority shareholder or to document other corporate transactions between shareholders.

position. Going one step further, a person can attempt to avoid a contract by stating “I understood what I was signing, but I was pressured to sign and did not act freely.”

Once again, ILA will directly Impact the strength of that argument if an independent lawyer certifies their opinion that the person entered into the transaction voluntarily.

Now that you know what ILA is and when you may need it, let’s talk about what you should expect when you see a

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lawyer for ILA. Lawyers have a codified standard of care that must be followed in providing legal services and dealing with clients. When you receive ILA, you are the lawyer’s client and the same duty is owed to you as an “ordinary” client. Your lawyer should be honest, candid and explain the legal aspects of the transaction to you and ensure you understand what you have been told. Your lawyer will also confirm that you have capacity to enter into the transaction and that you are not experiencing any undue Influence or coercion to proceed.

It is not always easy for a lawyer to provide ILA, especially if the person seeking ILA feels very passionate about a transaction and does not wish to hear any potential negative consequences from a lawyer they really don’t know that well.

To make sure your lawyer acts appropriately and you get the advice you need, be prepared to disclose all relevant facts and provide information to your lawyer when he or she asks you questions to better understand the transaction.

Often, the work completed by a lawyer providing ILA will be limited to reviewing and explaining the provided documents and ensuring you understand the documents. If this is the case, the lawyer will advise you of the limited extent and scope of their services. The work to be completed would likely not involve the negotiation of different terms, although you may be able to extend the scope of the work completed to include this.

There are many benefits when it comes to ILA. Whether you choose to represent yourself in a transaction, are required to obtain ILA by another party or want to have someone you are contracting with receive ILA before signing on the dotted line, take the time to find an independent lawyer with knowledge in the area of law in which your transaction, provide all of the necessary documentation, frankly answer the questions that are asked of you and ensure you obtain the answers you require so you enter into enter the transaction voluntarily with a full understanding of the legal consequences. Denese Espeut-Post is an Okanaganbased lawyer and owns Avery Law Office. Her primary areas of practice include wine and business law. www.averylawoffice.ca

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