Atmospheric rivers. Heat domes. Polar vortexes. The increasing prevalence of extreme conditions on top of traditional worries like early frost and hailstorms are driving growers to extreme counter measures to manage weather risk.
Look at Keith Wright and his son David, farming near Harrow, Ontario. On July 1, 2021, hail hammered the tender fruitlets on their apple crop. The cuts to the fruitlets resulted in misshapen, unmarketable fruit.
“The damage was so bad that 90 per cent of the crop was lost,” Wright recalls.
After scouting various systems, they installed Whailex single-row, hail netting for four acres of their high-value Gala apples. Since then, they have warded off subsequent
Wright’s post-purchase satisfaction was fleeting though. His crop insurer refused to lower premiums despite a significant investment that directly reduces future crop loss claims from hail damage. Wright had the opportunity to share his frustration firsthand with the Hon. Trevor Jones, Ontario’s new minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness, who dropped by the farm for a chat in early June. Together, they inspected the hail netting system.
Most risks aren’t solved with netting, however, so growers are glad that business risk management is expected to be high on the agenda when federalprovincial-territorial (FPT) agriculture ministers meet in Winnipeg July 16-18. Minister Jones is one of five new provincial agriculture ministers who will be at the table, along with the new federal agriculture minister Heath MacDonald. These new dynamics provide fertile ground
for the much-needed reset of current policy. Farmer groups across the country insist this can’t wait until 2028, the start of the next five-year Business Risk Management (BRM) suite which encompasses AgriStability, AgriInsurance, AgriRecovery and Advanced Payments.
One of these groups, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA), has underscored the importance of improving the AgriStability Program, seeking to restore the reference margin trigger level to 85 per cent. The Association has also asked the federal government to increase the payment cap to $6 million and the compensation rate to 90 per cent. In light of the ongoing trend to larger-sized farms and the bite of tariffdriven inflation, the existing cap of $3 million per farm per year is now proving to be too low.
Continued on page 3
Hon. Trevor Jones, Ontario’s agriculture, food and agribusiness minister, is gathering input from farmers and their associations prior to the federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) meeting of his colleagues in Winnipeg from July 16-18. Business risk management programs will be on the agenda. Here, he’s pictured in the centre, between apple grower Keith Wright (right) and son David (left). They’re demonstrating the value of hail netting in their orchard near Harrow, Ontario. Photos by Dax Melmer.
AT PRESS TIME…
Upper Canada Growers Ltd declares bankruptcy
KAREN DAVIDSON
Harrow, ON -- Big ambitions have collapsed as Upper Canada Growers Ltd. and UCG Land Inc. were assigned into bankruptcy on May 16, 2025. BDO Canada Limited was appointed as Trustee in Bankruptcy and also appointed as Receiver over the assets of the two companies by order of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. All 128 employees were terminated effectively on May 16.
The Bank of Nova Scotia, the secured creditor, is owed $24.9 million as well as $2.1 million in debtor-in-possession financing.
The family-owned enterprise helmed by Robert Haynes, president and CEO, was also home to a state-of-the-art tissue lab at Harrow, Ontario. It produced high-quality tissue culture fruit trees, rootstocks and scions with a capacity for three million clean plants per year.
In addition, the business had planted 320 acres of apples and 110 acres of peaches.
“This bankruptcy is a sign of the times,” says Chris Hedges, chair, Ontario Apple Growers, citing the rising costs of production. “It’s not exclusive to the apple or tender fruit sector. The bigger an operation, the more pressure to meet the financial numbers. If there are any losses, the hurdles are harder to overcome.”
While costs of production have risen, particularly in labour and materials, other trends are impacting tree fruit.
“Chain stores can import fruit from all over the world,” says Hedges. “Apples don’t have an infinite market.”
As Canada’s largest tree fruit nursery, the demise of Upper Canada Growers Ltd will impact the industry.
“We are in the process of selling the assets while continuing to operate with limited resources,” says Michael Basso, a senior vice-president BDO. “We are continuing to sell inventory and honouring contracts where we can. A few folks won’t get their deposits on orders for 2026.”
Basso says that 19 former employees and 21 temporary
foreign workers have been contracted to look after the trees and other assets while the Receiver executes on its mandate to realize on the property under the supervision of the Court. He suggests that unsecured creditors check the website for periodic updates (www.bdo.ca/services/ financial-advisory-services/ business-restructuring-turnaround-services/currentengagements/upper-canadagrowers-ltd).
At press time, there were no fixed milestone dates.
Anyone planning to order trees for 2026 will need to find alternate suppliers or wait to see what comes of the Receiver’s marketing process with the hope that there may be a buyer who wants to pick up where UCG left off.
There are some smaller suppliers in Canada along with several in the U.S. Of note, Canadian Tree Fruit Nursery Cooperative Ltd, based at Jordan Station, is planning to ramp up its services in peaches, plums and pears to growers outside its cooperative structure.
The board of the Fruit & Vegetable Growers of Canada met with federal ag minister Heath MacDonald on June 3.
Quinton Woods, Alison Robertson, Marcus Janzen, Massimo Bergamini, Russ Van Boom, Hon. Heath MacDonald, Jocelyn Gibouleau, Janet Parker, Pascal Forest, Beth Connery, John Visser.
On June 5, Hon. Kody Blois (King-Hants) was appointed to the role of Parliamentary Secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney The Nova Scotia MP was briefly federal minister of agriculture and agri-food from March to May 2025. Hon. Sophie Chatel, MP from western Québec, was re-appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. She held the role for nine days in March between Carney’s Liberal leadership win and the start of the federal election.
The World Potato Congress has announced board retirements and changes to executive positions after its recent annual general meeting. Gratitude is extended to outgoing director Dr. Nora Olsen, a professor and potato specialist with the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Idaho. The organization also bids farewell to international advisor Jang Sangha, chair of the Sangha Group of Companies in Punjab India, and largest producer of seed and table potatoes. Thanks to outgoing international advisor Martin Acosta, CEO of KIWA, Ecuador, who has revolutionized the snack industry.
Congratulations to Greg Donald, general manager, Prince Edward Island Potato Board, who steps into the role of vice-president. Brian Douglas joins him on the board in the role of treasurer.
Congratulations to Dan Tukendorf, the new chair of the Ontario Produce Marketing Association.. He’s program manager for the Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association. Joining him are: Dustin Wellman (Wonderful Sales) as vice-chair, Steve Moffatt (North American Produce Buyers) as treasurer, and Amanda Knauff (Taylor Farms) as immediate past chair. “I look forward to expanding the OPMA’s partnership with student nutrition programs across Ontario and continuing to engage with the provincial government as they implement the National School Food Program funding,” noted Tukendorf.
The Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame has announced the names of the agricultural ambassadors who will join the ranks as the organization’s 2025 inductees. John Anderson, Dori GingeraBeauchemin, Gaétan Desroches, Joe Hudson, Dennis Laycraft and Dr. Peter Sikkema will be formally inducted on Saturday, November 8 at a ceremony in Victoria, British Columbia. John Anderson is an innovative entrepreneur and business leader who devoted a 50-year career to Oppy – a global fresh produce food retail business.
Marie-Pierre Grimard, P. Tech marie-pierre.grimard@norseco.com 450 261-7468 Western Montérégie Marie-Hélène Monchamp marie-helene.monchamp@norseco.com 514 968-2906 North Shore of Montreal Isabelle Dubé, Agr. isabelle.dube@norseco.com 514 295-7202 Central and Eastern Quebec Stéphanie Gosselin, Agr. stephanie.gosselin@norseco.com 418 254-1469 Central & Eastern Québec Yves Thibault, Agr. yves.thibault@norseco.com 418 660-1498 Organic & Small-Scale Farms Katherine Jouvet, Agr. katherine.jouvet@norseco.com 514 386-0277
Since June 1985, Jane Proctor has been an integral part of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) team. Over the past 40 years, Jane has worn many hats—receptionist, marketer, traceability specialist, supply chain efficiency expert and her current role as vice president, policy & issue management. In each position, she has brought dedication, passion and a commitment to supporting CPMA members on the issues that matter most to their businesses.
On July 4, 2025, Jane will celebrate her very own Independence Day as she begins a well-earned retirement.
Jane Proctor
Dan Tukendorf
L-R:
New ministers, new demands. Same old solutions?
Continued from page 1
When Minister Jones was asked in the Digging Deeper podcast interview if he would be supporting these changes, he said, “We will be. It’s partnership. I believe we can build consensus amongst the ministers. We need two-thirds of ministers to agree. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada leads this. We can’t do it alone. We need to safeguard this vital industry.”
Changing times create changing needs. The Canadian Agri-Policy Food Institute (CAPI) issued a nuanced report in May 2025 calling for a re-examination of how precious risk dollars are being allocated. Tyler McCann, managing director, CAPI says the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is usually considered a $3 billion program, but that does not include the investment in business risk management programs.
“That ag policy framework is actually closer to a $15-billion initiative and probably on track to be more than that now, because of the significant cost of the BRM suite,” says McCann. “I think we need to be more transparent and understand that there are significant implications of that spending and pay increasing attention to it.”
Furthermore, the first six months of 2025 have revealed geopolitical risks never contemplated before.
“I think the industry itself needs to understand that we’re living in a world today where the impact of a trade war could do more harm to farmers than a drought does. There are substantial supports in BRM programs for weather, but there’s no substantial program to respond to trade wars.”
The report, titled Climate Change, Agricultural Productivity and Farm Insurance in Canada, is timely given the upcoming FPT meetings. The authors recommend how to strengthen and streamline BRM programs while concluding that supporting the financial security of farmers in the face of climate risk is paramount.
Analysis shows that farmers hit by climate shocks tend to diversify sharply, redirecting resources away from their most profitable crops, thereby sacrificing productivity. With insurance, these effects are muted: farms with strong insurance support were able to remain more specialized in high-value crops even after adverse weather, and as a result, sustained higher productivity than uninsured or underinsured farms.
The report highlights four practical refinements that would make the BRM suite in general
Thanks to the federal program, Growing Future Opportunities Initiative, Wrightland Farms have planted four acres of Gala, Ambrosia and Crimson Crisp apples. The program covers 75 per cent of the cost of rootstocks, up to $50,000 per applicant. This program has encouraged growers to remove varieties such as Empire, Fuji and Red Delicious that are no longer in demand by packers.
and AgriInsurance in particular more effective: 1) guarantee prompt payouts by delivering indemnities once a claim has been verified, 2) scale coverage to match losses by adjusting caps upward and offering top-ups, 3) trim red tape by optimizing claim paperwork and providing a fast-track process for smaller claims, and, 4) improve transparency by reporting meta data clearly and concisely to producers and government partners alike.
The upcoming FPT ag ministers’ meeting will need to address more than extreme weather and related business risk.
The effects of extreme politics, in the form of Trump tariffs, will also be on the table. Though the direct impact on food crossing the border is currently believed to be minimal, the impact of continuing tariff uncertainty on the broader market is not.
An ongoing impact is the difference in the regulatory environment between the U.S. and Canada as it applies to issues of agricultural pest management.
The “Buy Canadian” change in consumer buying patterns has highlighted the uneven playing field when it comes to growers going up against their U.S. competitors with retailers. Growers in the United States have a much broader array of regulated plant treatments at their disposal.
In the leadup to this year’s FPT meetings, the OFVGA and its national counterpart, Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada, argue that regulatory decisions made without
Who are the provincial agriculture ministers?
Province Name Title
Newfoundland & Labrador Lisa Dempster Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
Prince Edward Island Bloyce Thompson Agriculture
Nova Scotia Greg Morrow Agriculture
New Brunswick Pat Finnigan Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Québec André Lamontagne Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Appointed
May 9, 2025
April 3, 2023
August 31, 2021
November 2, 2024
October 18, 2018
Ontario Trevor Jones Agriculture, Food & Agribusiness March 19, 2025
Manitoba Ron Kostyshyn Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives October 18, 2023
Saskatchewan Daryl Harrison Agriculture
November 7, 2024
Alberta RJ Sigurdson Agriculture and Irrigation June 9, 2023
British Columbia Lana Popham Agriculture and Food
November 20, 2024
Note: Ron Kostyshyn and Lana Popham have reprised their roles, having served as agriculture ministers in previous periods.
There are five new provincial agriculture ministers attending the July 16-18, 2025 meetings. They are: Newfoundland’s Lisa Dempster, New Brunswick’s Pat Finnigan, Ontario’s Trevor Jones, Saskatchewan’s Daryl Harrison and British Columbia’s Lana Popham. Add the new federal minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Heath MacDonald.
consideration for the fruit and vegetable sector have left growers with limited tools for combating pest pressures. They are asking the federal government to amend the mandate of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Pest Management Regulatory Agency to ensure food security and the cost of food are considered in their regulatory decisions. In addition, increased funding is needed to support registration of minor use products.
Ontario -- and Canada -both recently elected leaders that campaigned on platforms of the right leadership to meet the challenge of difficult times. Both went on to appoint ministerial cabinets as an extension of that
mandate. Amidst commitments touting national cooperation, other provinces have been quick to follow suit. Meanwhile, back on the land, growers work their crops while bearing the weight of these difficult times. The “asks” have been made. Will leadership answer?
The Grower is “Digging Deeper” with Hon. Trevor Jones, Ontario minister of agriculture, food and agribusiness. On his agenda? How to make business risk management programs more responsive to climate extremes and global trade volatility. He’ll be meeting
with colleagues and the new federal agriculture minister Heath MacDonald at the annual federal-provincialterritorial (FPT) meetings in Winnipeg July 16-18. This podcast is sponsored by Cohort Wholesale.
CROSS COUNTRY DIGEST
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Canada’s new Centre for Plant Health will benefit wine and fruit industries
A state-of-the-art scientific facility is now open, setting a new standard for plant health science and bolstering Canada’s trade and agriculture sectors.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) new Centre for Plant Health (ÍY¸ NONET¸ ÁUTW E TŦE SJESENENEȻ) in North Saanich, British Columbia, is a pathfinder project of the Laboratories Canada strategy.
As Canada’s only post-entry quarantine, research and diagnostic facility for virus testing of grapevines, fruit-bearing trees, and small fruit, the Centre plays a vital role in protecting plant health. Its cutting-edge work in virus testing and virus elimination
BRITISH COLUMBIA
supports the productivity and sustainability of Canada’s vineyards, orchards, and berry farms.
State-of-the-art science equipment and information technologies at the new Centre will modernize testing for regulated plant diseases, improving Canada’s capability to detect these diseases earlier and more accurately. This will have the potential to decrease plant quarantine waiting times, which can help to speed up regulatory approvals and enable Canadian businesses to move their products to market faster and more economically.
The Centre’s new name, ÍY NONET ÁUTW E TŦE SJE-
Countdown to cherry season
There’s a buzz in British Columbia’s cherry orchards this summer, and for good reason: growers across the province are heading into one of the most promising seasons in years. With healthy trees, ideal growing conditions, and strong fruit development, excitement is building for the 2025 harvest— expected to begin in the southern Okanagan in mid-June and continue through the end of August.
Canadian sweet cherries are prized for their flavour, colour, and natural sweetness—and for many, they’re a true symbol of summer. With the first cherries
expected to arrive in stores in time for Canada Day, anticipation is growing across the country for what is shaping up to be a strong and flavourful season.
“The orchards are looking fantastic,” says Sukhpaul Bal, chair of the BC Cherry Association. “The trees are strong, the fruit is developing beautifully, and we’re seeing all the signs of a high-quality, well-timed harvest. Growers are feeling energized and optimistic.”
The BC Cherry Association will once again celebrate the season with the 3rd annual Canadian Cherry Month (July 15–August 15), encouraging
SENENEȻ, was gifted by a council of WSÁNEĆ elders and means the place that is good for the plants in the SENĆOŦEN language. This is the first CFIA property with a name in an Indigenous language and reflects a meaningful and lasting relationship with the WSÁNEĆ peoples.
The Centre was designed for environmental sustainability and climate resilience and is one of the first Government of Canada buildings to use a geothermal field as an energy source. The Centre’s net-zero design is also expected to save 200 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), annually.
Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency March 7, 2025 news release
Canadians to choose local, enjoy the harvest, and support the growers behind every bite. In addition to a national consumer promotion with fun, cherry-themed prizes, a healthfocused educational initiative, and a retail support program, this year’s campaign will spotlight the people behind the fruit with the theme “I Farm For”—a storytelling initiative that puts a face to Canadian cherry farming. Through personal stories and behind-the-scenes content, the campaign will celebrate the passion, resilience, and fierce Canadian pride that drive BC growers to bring the best cherries
Season Extension Enhancement Program boosted with $7 million
The Province of Nova Scotia and Horticulture Nova Scotia are once again offering the Season Extension Enhancement Program to help fruit and vegetable farmers extend their growing seasons. The program will be replenished with $7 million to help farmers expand their operations and increase productivity by funding items such as greenhouses, irrigation, lighting and cold storage.
“Consumers want to buy local products year-round, especially with the expansion of the Nova Scotia Loyal program,” said Greg Morrow, Minister of Agriculture. “The additional funding will help our fruit
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
and vegetable growers to extend their growing seasons, adapt to a changing climate with undercover production, and open up new market opportunities.”
“Farmers have consistently requested the return of this popular program since its first iteration,” said Marlene Huntley, executive director, Horticulture Nova Scotia. “It is a practical program targeting designated areas our farmers themselves have identified as important and necessary to season extension.”
“The previous Season Extension Enhancement Program was essential to our farm as, without the tunnels we bought
with funding assistance, we wouldn’t have a profitable raspberry crop,” said Jordan Eyamie, manager Webster Farms Ltd and president, Horticulture Nova Scotia. “It helped us continue producing marketquality raspberries, which are in high demand. New funding will allow us to continue tapping into that market and make us competitive with countries such as the U.S. and Mexico.”
Previously, 64 farms received support through the Season Extension Enhancement Program. The $7 million will be added to the remaining $1.5 million left from the last round of Season
PEI buy-back targets wart-affected potato fields
The provincial government has introduced the PEI Index Field Buy-Back Program, aimed at purchasing designated potato wart index fields from agricultural producers in Canada. This initiative aligns with commitments outlined in the 2025 Speech from the Throne.
The program seeks to augment current investments and measures by setting up a fund for acquiring farmland marked as index fields.
Acquired properties will contribute to preserving seven per cent of Prince Edward Island’s land.
Deputy Premier and Minister
of Agriculture Bloyce Thompson stated, “Supporting our producers through this challenging experience has been a main priority for our government, and this buy-back program not only supports affected producers, but also strengthens our entire industry moving forward.”
The exploration of purchasing index fields has been extensive, aligning with the new National Potato Wart Response Plan to facilitate industry-wide benefits amidst critical trade dynamics. Since 2021, more than $40 million has been allocated by the Government of PEI to support
the potato sector, encompassing the Potato Wart Contingency Fund, trade relief, and additional regulatory services.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has identified 37 index field sites across the province.
Extension Enhancement Program funding.
Source: Nova Scotia Government June 4, 2025 news release
NOVA SCOTIA
Aerial view of the Centre for Plant Health, North Saanich, British Columbia. Photo by Michael Rathjen.
CROSS COUNTRY DIGEST QUÉBEC
Smart irrigation: Keeping potatoes in their comfort zone
JEAN-PASCAL MATTEAU
Water is becoming an increasingly limiting factor in global agriculture. In some regions, water scarcity is the core challenge, while in others, it is the poor seasonal distribution of rainfall. For potato growers, the challenge is especially critical. Although potatoes are among the most water-efficient crops in terms of calories produced per liter of water, they are also susceptible to water stress due to shallow root systems and high evaporative demand.
As climate change intensifies and competition for water resources increases, optimizing irrigation is now essential.
Why timing matters
Research has shown that not all irrigation strategies are equally effective. Standard approaches, such as visual observations or applying a fixed amount of water each week, often result in over- or underirrigation. Waiting for wilting or leaf rolling means the plant is already stressed, and yields may suffer as a result. Meanwhile, applying a fixed amount of water regardless of weather conditions or crop needs can cause water leaching or leave the crop under-irrigated.
Classical methods, such as evapotranspiration (ET) models and soil water balance calculations, offer a more proactive approach. They
estimate water loss through soil evaporation and plant transpiration, helping to guide irrigation scheduling. However, these models often rely on general estimates and may not reflect real-time field conditions.
Soil-based monitoring tools, such as tensiometers and capacitance sensors, provide more precise data on soil moisture levels. They allow growers to irrigate at just the right time. However, since soil properties can vary significantly even within the same field, growers need to combine these tools with the knowledge of their land and systems to make wellinformed decisions.
The potato comfort zone
One of the most practical outcomes of the University Laval’s research into potato irrigation management has been the identification of a “comfort zone” for soil tension, measured using tensiometers, between -10 and -24 kPa. Maintaining soil moisture within this range has consistently resulted in significantly higher yields compared to drier or wetter irrigation management. The key lies in maximizing the amount of time the crop stays within this range.
Rather than irrigating on a fixed schedule or by intuition, the comfort zone approach recommends:
• Install sensors in the root zone and irrigate as the soil approaches -24 kPa, stopping before it
The fresh potato market in Alberta has been growing at a slow steady pace since the baby “creamer” potato graced the stage. GV Ridges in Enchant Alberta share the family story of growing this widely loved little gem.
For the seven-minute video highlighting Alex Geerligs and his family, link here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENWGEjwk5Gs
Source: Potato Growers of Alberta May 28, 2025 release
becomes wetter than -10 kPa.
• Use past sensor data to determine the irrigation duration that will maintain soil moisture within the comfort zone.
This method allows for both precision and practicality, offering room for automation and adaptation to different farm sizes and levels of technology.
Turning data into decisions
Collecting data is only part of the solution. The real challenge is turning numbers into actionable insight. Effective irrigation management must balance agronomic recommendations with operational constraints and environmental considerations. Drier irrigation management can lead to deeper tuber distribution, whereas over-irrigation can increase the carbon degradation potential.
Spatial variability – changes in soil type, crop development, or water availability across a field –adds another layer of complexity. This is where decision support tools and rule-based systems
come into play. For instance, setting a simple threshold, such as “irrigate when tension > 23 kPa,” is easy to automate and implement, even without real-time weather or ET data.
Conclusion
With growing pressure on freshwater resources and increased climate variability in a time when food sovereignty is paramount, the way we irrigate
potatoes must evolve. Precision, adaptability, and informed decision-making are the keys to achieving sustainable production while maintaining optimal yields. The good news is that we already have the tools and evidence to irrigate smarter, not harder.
Jean-Pascal Matteau is an adjunct professor, Department of Plant Science, Université Laval, Québec City.
Winners announced for scaling up greenhouse berry production
Launched in 2022, the $33 million Homegrown Innovation Challenge has become a catalyst for Canadian ingenuity, championing sustainable agricultural innovations that reduce our reliance on imports and strengthen sustainable domestic production. With a focus on extending the growing season for berries, the Challenge is advancing systems that not only are built in Canada but also look to the country’s future.
This Challenge is entering its third and most ambitious phase—the Scaling Phase—that vision is closer than ever to becoming a reality.
Four teams (Scaling Phase grantees) from across Canada, chosen from an exceptional cohort of eleven teams from the previous round (Shepherd Phase grantees), will each receive up to $5 million in total over three years to bring their ideas to life. These teams are taking their solutions from concept to implementation by using the Scaling Phase as an opportunity to demonstrate and refine their growing systems under real-world conditions at farm scale.
This next phase will push the boundaries of controlled environment agriculture, driving advancements from automation of lighting to improved berry varieties for indoor production and microclimate management.
Equally important, it will strengthen a growing national network of Canadian producers, researchers, technologists, and entrepreneurs committed to transforming how and where we grow food.
“Over the next three years, Scaling Phase teams will need to demonstrate large-scale implementation of their systems and prove market readiness. And most importantly, the berries need to be tasty and nutritious,” says Garfield Mitchell, chair of the Weston Family Foundation. “This is an exciting time for academia, industry, and government to come together to accelerate innovative, homegrown solutions to hyper-local food production in Canada.”
For more detail, go to www.homegrownchallenge.ca
Simon Fraser University, Jim Mattsson Greenhouse production system to deliver “Made in Canada” off-season blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Building on their successful Shepherd Phase collaboration, Simon Fraser University and BeriTech Inc. are advancing a high-intensity, multi-berry production system designed to deliver delicious, nutritious fruit year-round. Their approach to maximizing yield combines greenhouse production with innovative techniques to manipulate plant physiology and carefully timed cropping cycles through intercropping blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. Throughout the Scaling Phase, the team will work closely with leading growers and other partners to test and commercialize their system in multiple Canadian climatic regions.
Toronto Metropolitan University, Habiba Bougherara & Lesley G. Campbell
Controlled environment agriculture, elevated, with autonomous pollination technology. Toronto Metropolitan University is developing the “MoFarm”: a modular, vertical farming system for continuous, year-round raspberry production. Its multi-layered design can support multiple types of crops at various stages, maximizing yield and efficiency. One of the key features of this farm will be a patented pollination and air circulation system to achieve consistent autonomous pollination. This will surpass the challenges of incomplete bee pollination under short day lengths in greenhouses and artificial lighting in vertical farms.
Université Laval, Martine Dorais
VertBerry: a vertical, modular indoor bioponic system for cultivating transplants and berries. Université Laval is scaling a modular aeroponic platform for year-round berry production and to provide resilient, high-performance strawberry seedlings for indoor, greenhouse, and open-field growers. By integrating phenotyping and microbiome expertise, the team aims to increase their yield and significantly improve energy efficiency—plus grow healthier plants and tasty fruit—with no pesticide residues. VertBerry will combine precise rootzone control, energy-efficient HVAC and lighting, and waste-heat recovery.
University of Guelph, Youbin Zheng
Autonomous, net-zero greenhouse strawberry production. The team at the University of Guelph and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is scaling a hybrid greenhouse-vertical farming system designed to maximize energy efficiency and eliminate fossil fuel use for heating and dehumidification. This innovative approach uses natural sunlight and smart lighting that automatically adjusts to electricity prices and recycles and reuses heat, reducing costs and carbon footprint. With an AI-driven Rootzone Management System (ARMS) and fully net-zero design, this system boosts yields up to six times more than conventional greenhouses.
“We always find it rewarding when our research has impact in the real world,” says Youbin Zheng. “Especially at this moment, when we are facing big challenges like climate change and shifting trade dynamics, using controlled environment agriculture to produce fresh produce locally is becoming even more important for Canada.”
GREENHOUSE GROWER
De Ruiter releases multi-stacked ToBRFV-resistant tomatoes
KAREN DAVIDSON
Kingsville, ON – De Ruiter Demo Days, held May 26-30, showcased the upcoming release of three new varieties of TOVs and two beefsteak varieties. Resistance to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) is of prime interest to growers without sacrificing other agronomic traits of colour, shape, size and yield.
De Ruiter, a brand of Vegetables by Bayer, has developed new tomato varieties that provide multi-stacked virusresistant genes for more durable protection against ToBRFV mutations.
The first generation of resistant tomato varieties has helped ensure produce quality and consistent supply over recent years, but plant RNA viruses such as ToBRFV mutate quickly. This means varieties with single-source resistance are more vulnerable to attack, but stacking multiple resistant genes that disrupt different stages of the plant-virus interaction can offer better protection.
The first tomato hybrids with multi-stacked resistance include Bayer’s De Ruiter red beef Ferreira and pink beef Futumaru tomato, which are already commercially available. Bayer is launching new multi-stacked resistant hybrids for Large Truss, Medium Truss, Cocktail & Cherry Plum Truss, as well as new Beef tomatoes. Recent trials support high expectations on agronomic performance as well as resistance levels.
De Ruiter Demo Days were held May 26-30 in Kingsville, Ontario.
These tomato flowers promise a good fruit set.
As Sydneigh Wilson, field sales representative explains, “We’ve been known for our tomato portfolio in the past and now we’re bringing back a balance of traits. Our visitors can see aspects of tomato production, from flowering to harvest.”
De Ruiter also continues to offer its established rootstocks such as Maxifort, Equifort, and DR0141TX, which are known for their strength and endurance, to optimize production under different management regimes.
Sydneigh Wilson, field sales representative, De Ruiter, showcases TOVs with multi-stacked virus-resistant genes for more durable protection against ToBRFV mutations.
The ratio of flesh to “gel” is an important indicator of long shelf life of a beefsteak tomato. Photos by Dax Melmer.
At the Experience Station, visitors could slice open tomato varieties to view that the entire tomato is red with little core and that there is a good ratio of flesh to gelatinous material.
“A watery tomato does not
have a long shelf life,” Wilson explains.
The new varieties, yet to be named, will be released for late September/early October of fall 2025.
Working to preserve the strengths of SAWP in federal foreign worker program redesign
We’re well into another season and growers across Ontario have welcomed their international workers to their farms for another year. Since the first seasonal workers arrived in Canada in 1966, the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) has become foundational for edible horticulture in Ontario.
Today, through SAWP, more than 30,000 workers from Mexico, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and the
WEATHER VANE
Eastern Caribbean Islands come to Canada annually for jobs in the horticulture sectors. Many thousands come through the Agricultural Stream of the federal Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program.
In 2022, the federal government announced its intent to develop a new, single stream TFW program for all agriculture and seafood processing, with the goal of it being in place by 2027.
Two consultation papers were released during the second half of 2024, with four additional consultation papers made available recently in relatively quick succession.
The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) has been participating in the consultation process around the redesign. The OFVGA labour committee, supported by our OFVGA staff advisor Stefan Larrass, has been diligently working through each of these papers to understand the possible effects of the government’s proposals and to
offer practical perspectives and recommendations that we hope will have positive impact on the development of this new program.
We are working with our national partners, including Canadian Federation of Agriculture and Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada, to highlight the unique features and benefits of SAWP and to reinforce the importance of making sure they don’t get lost in the program overhaul. It is critical that the new program does not create labour disruptions or place unrealistic expectations and burdens on farm employers.
Wherever possible, we also try to highlight how the principles and design features of SAWP can serve as a practical model to achieve many of the government’s policy objectives behind this initiative, such as improved worker mobility.
We knew that to do these consultations justice when they have such potentially huge consequences for growers and our
industry overall would be an ambitious undertaking. This has been confirmed by the level of detail in each of the consultation papers and the considerable time commitment it has taken to review and respond to each document.
As an industry, we are justifiably proud of SAWP which has served growers, workers and their home countries well for decades. SAWP has a more than a 50-year history of collaborative, annual review between the Canadian government, source country governments and growers to ensure the program remains current and reflects Canada’s and the workers’ home countries’ values and interests.
At OFVGA, our goal is simple: to maintain grower access to this critical labour force we all depend on and to ensure workers and employers don’t lose SAWP and its many design and operational optimizations that have been achieved over many decades of constructive problem-solving and cooperation between the parties
Susan Wright takes a moment from the asparagus grading line at Wrightland Farms, Harrow, Ontario to showcase a “ruby bouquet.” Photographed during Local Food Week, she was greeting customers at the family’s drive-through shed for asparagus, rhubarb, and locally crafted beverages. Hyper-local never tasted so good. Photo by Dax Melmer.
involved in the program.
This includes SAWP’s worker mobility provisions, and its collaborative processes which often see the employer, the worker(s) and the liaison or consular staff from the workers’ home country work directly with one another to resolve workplace issues or to find new job opportunities for the worker if necessary.
Since its inception, SAWP has continuously evolved to meet the needs of workers, employers and the governments of both Canada and the workers’ home countries. Money that workers send home, called remittances, is an important revenue stream for those economies. This unique collaborative approach continues to this day with regular virtual and in-person meetings with representatives from workers’ home countries, the Canadian government and the farming community to ensure the program continues to provide benefits to everyone involved.
It’s part of what has made SAWP a valuable asset for the countries who send workers to Canada. Caribbean nations, for example, are actively vying for Canadian farm employers to choose workers from their countries to fill their open jobs.
At the end of the day, our industry relies on our international workers – without them, Ontario simply wouldn’t have many of the fruit and vegetable crops we know and love. And considering the current trade war with the United States, it is particularly critical that we focus on shoring up the Canadian economy and protecting our food production capacity.
That’s why it’s important for the industry to take an active role in the consultations around developing this new program. Employers, workers and the workers’ home countries have nearly 60 years of experience with SAWP, and we are working hard to make sure its benefits and learnings are not lost or become collateral damage during the development of the new program.
Bill George is a grape grower and chair, Labour Committee, Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Growers’ Association.
OFVGA SECTION CHAIRS
BILL GEORGE
LAND STEWARDSHIP
Wilmot Orchards protects farmland against urban development
Wilmot Orchards, a familyowned, female-led blueberry farm located east of Toronto, has announced the protection of its 164 acres of farmland with a farmland easement agreement in partnership with the Ontario Farmland Trust, marking a pivotal step toward land preservation in Ontario for future generations.
With Ontario farmland succumbing to urban sprawl and development at an alarming rate of 319 acres lost daily, Ontario Farmland Trust aims to protect and preserve farmland, and enable a strong and sustainable food production system recognized as an integral part of a thriving economy. Together, Wilmot Orchards and Ontario Farmland Trust’s commitment to ensuring good things continue to grow in Ontario is unwavering.
This farmland easement agreement (also known as a conservation easement agreement), protects the land’s natural and agricultural features and preserves ecosystems. The easement agreement supersedes municipal and provincial land use planning, prohibiting any future non-agricultural use and ensuring land use is solely dedicated to food production for the next 999 years.
“Our partnership with Ontario Farmland Trust represents Wilmot Orchards’ commitment to stewardship,” says Courtney Stevens, seventh-generation farmer, owner and chief creative officer at Wilmot Orchards. “Our farm does more than produce blueberries. It employs our dedicated workers, provides a quiet escape for the larger community, and represents the
legacy my family and I have worked so hard to build.”
“Wilmot Orchards is situated on Class 1 soil, some of the most productive farmland in the country,” says Martin Straathof, executive director of Ontario Farmland Trust. “With only 0.5 percent of Canada’s total land mass considered Class 1 soil, and more than half of it located here in Ontario, preserving the farm’s acreage is essential to the future of Canada’s agricultural industry and our ability to produce local food for Ontarians.”
After a year-long process, Wilmot Orchards, Ontario Farmland Trust and its tight-knit community celebrated this monumental milestone on May 31, 2025.
As a staple in the community for almost 50 years, Wilmot Orchards continues inviting guests to experience nature’s bounty on its now-protected, picturesque farm.
For more information about Wilmot Orchards, visit wilmotblueberries.com. For more information about Ontario Farmland Trust, visit
ontariofarmlandtrust.ca. This project was undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the federal Department of Environment and Climate Change.
Source: Wilmot Orchards June 2, 2025 news release
The Wilmot Orchards team, L-R: Ian Martin, Robbie Montgomery, Judi and Charles Stevens, Courtney Stevens, Ian Parker
Potato holdings are mixed depending on region
The latest data on Canadian potato holdings and disappearance as of June 2025 reveals a mixed picture across provinces and sectors reports Victoria Stamper, general manager, United Potato Growers of Canada.
Nationally, total potato holdings have increased and overall disappearance has decreased compared to last year, and there are significant regional and sectoral variations. The current holdings stand at 27.3 million cwt, a 9.3 per cent
increase compared to June of 2024. The most dramatic increase is in New Brunswick, with holdings up 137.8 % yearover-year to 3.94 million cwt, far surpassing its five-year average, resulting from a much improved harvest in 2024 as well as the impact of the U.S. tariffs slowing market movement.
Although Alberta experienced the largest decline, down 19.5 % to 6.86 million cwt compared to last June, holdings in the province remain well above its five-year average, suggesting that last year’s level was unusually high.
Ontario was the only other province with a decline in comparative holdings, falling below both last year and the five-year average, likely due to greater disappearance in May mostly in the processing sector but also in seed. Stocks in the other provinces were all up compared to June of last year, and although movement in May appears to be down, most growers were not concerned about significant carryover into new crop for the fresh sector.
Source: Potato Growers of Alberta June 16, 2025 newsletter
Greenbelt Foundation releases report on rural housing needs
shortages for farm families, onfarm workers and agri-business employees in Ontario’s rural areas.
This report offers:
• Detailed analysis of housing needs specific to various agricultural sectors, including fruit, vegetable, and greenhouse operations.
• Recommendations to facilitate the development of innovative on-farm housing solutions and the importance of integrating agricultural housing needs into municipal housing and agricultural strategies.
• Principles to guide rural communities to meet housing needs and recognize the interconnectedness of rural housing, infrastructure and agricultural viability.
Insights and solutions are presented through case studies from Niagara Region, Durham Region and Huron Counties. The report was developed through a collaboration with a broad cross section of agricultural, municipal and other stakeholders.
Source: Greenbelt Foundation June 3, 2025 news release
COMING EVENTS 2025
July 8 AgRobotics Demo Day, Ontario Crops Research Station, Bradford, ON 9:30 am – 3 pm
July 8 Cherry Day, Summerland Research Development Centre, Summerland, BC
July 10 Potato Growers of Alberta 45th Golf Tournament, Taber Golf Club, Taber, AB
July 16-18 Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, Winnipeg, MB
July 16-18 Potato Sustainability Alliance Summer Symposium, Charlottetown, PE
July 17 Haskap School, University of Saskatchewan campus, Saskatoon, SK
July 18 Haskap tour, Horticulture Research Field, Saskatoon, SK
July 20-23 International Fruit Tree Association Summer Tour, DoubleTree by Hilton, London, Ontario
July 22 AgRobotics Demo Day. Ontario Crops Research Station, Simcoe, ON 9:30 am – 3 pm
July 24 Gaia Consulting Field Day, Southridge Farm, Southport, MB
Aug 2 Food Day Canada
Aug 6 Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association Summer Orchard Tour, eastern end of Annapolis Valley, NS
Aug 12-13 North American Strawberry Growers’ Association Summer Tour, Nova Scotia
Aug 13-15 US Apple Outlook, Chicago, IL
Aug 20 Potato Research Open Field Day, Elora Research Station, Elora, ON
Aug 21 Ontario Potato Field Day, HJV Equipment, Alliston, ON
Aug 23 Breakfast on the Farm, co-hosted by Norfolk Agricultural Society and Apple Hill Lavender and Apple Farm, Windham Centre, ON
Aug 27 Grape Research Tailgate Tour, Niagara, ON
Sept 3 High Tunnel Berry Grower Day, EZ Grow Farms, Langton, ON
Sept 4 Berry Growers of Ontario Twilight Meeting, Howe Family Farms, Aylmer, ON
Sept 9-11 Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, Woodstock, ON
Sept 16-20 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo, West Niagara Fairgrounds, Grassie, ON
Sept 18-20 Canadian Farm Writers Federation annual meeting, Winnipeg, MB
Sept 24 Ontario Produce Marketing Association Golf Tournament, Lionhead Golf and Country Club, Brampton, ON
Oct 8-9 Canadian Greenhouse Conference, Niagara Falls, ON
Oct 16-18 Global Produce & Floral Show, Anaheim, CA
Oct 28-29
Canadian Centre for Food Integrity Public Trust Symposium, Westin Toronto Airport Hotel, Toronto, ON
Nov 7-16 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Toronto, ON
The Greenbelt Foundation’s latest report, Housing Needs and Actions for the Agricultural Sector in Rural Greenbelt Communities, delves into the pressing issue of housing
RETAIL NAVIGATOR
LinkedIn: best practices to develop relationships in this B-B space
LinkedIn, a professional social media platform, has gained popularity in recent years for business-to-business interaction. Did you know that as of January 2025, there were 27.4 million users in Canada? It’s the third largest social media platform in Canada after Facebook and Instagram. Users skew to a younger demographic – 43 per cent are aged 25-34.
Your relationships with retailers need to be cultivated often, in different places. And LinkedIn can be a great opportunity for 10-12 touchpoints through the year.
It’s a space to share wins, celebrate other people and position yourself as an expert in your category. Our experience has been you will build relationships if you share and celebrate, however you will alienate people if you sell. We do see people who try to sell in this space but would not recommend it.
Start with a good profile
Set up a strong profile with a good photo. Step back and look at your profile from your customer’s perspective. Your photo does not need to be in full-on business attire, but it should be professional and relate to the products and brand you represent.
Look at your written profile, experience and accomplishments. Do they relate to the industry you are in? If your customer reads it, will they come away with the conclusion: ‘I want to do business with this person.’
When you reach out to a retailer contact, they will likely go to LinkedIn for a “heads-up.” You have probably researched them; remember they will probably check you out too! This can be a great opportunity to connect on different levels such as attending the same school or volunteering for the same organization. These connections can definitely help your relationship.
Read their profiles
Read through their profile, past history and look for connections you might have. Education, volunteer work and
past work experience are great conversation topics. Look to see what they are interested in and who they follow. You can learn a lot about a person from the profile they share.
Connect with the right people
Our experience has been that social media connections work best after you meet a person, for example at a trade show or industry event. Send them a connection invite on LinkedIn within a day or two. You can also reach out to key contacts you do not know. If you choose this strategy, make sure your connection request includes a personalized message explaining why you want to connect.
Do not try to connect with everyone at every retailer. Select the key contacts first in merchandising, procurement and supply chain. If you do meet other people in operations or different departments, reach out to connect after you meet them.
Follow and comment appropriately
Pay attention to what your retail contacts are posting. These are insights into what they are doing and what is important to them. Comment when it makes sense. You do not want to comment on everything they post. You can be too much in their face which does not help your relationship.
Share or re-post their posts when it’s appropriate. Again, do not do this all the time. Pick a few opportunities when the post really does deserve to be shared.
Put your own posts through this lens
Every time you post, comment or share ask yourself ‘what will my connections in retail think?’. This is an important question. You do not want to have a negative impact on your relationships.
It is the right thing to post about wins or milestones in your business. Sometimes they are with one customer or another. If you get listed at Loblaw, you might want to post a photo the first time you see your product on the shelf. Celebrate this milestone with your employees and your team.
If you started in the Sobeys’ local grower program, mention them in the post when you say ‘thanks’ to everyone who has been a part of the journey. Retailers understand you will be in different stores. If you are connected with Sobeys people, they will see your post about getting on the shelf in Loblaw. Never hurts to make them feel appreciated as well.
This lens should be applied to all posts or comments you make. There are other social media
platforms where you can express more personal views. LinkedIn is intended to be a business-focused space. Fortunately, most people respect that.
Keep the playing field level
Set up your own process to keep the posts roughly equal across all customers. If you only post photos from one retailer, you will hurt your relationships with others. They will not keep score. But you should!
They should never see the news here first
If you have big news to share, take the time to send an email to your large customers (or all of them) before you post it on LinkedIn. Make them feel special. LinkedIn is a public platform and a great place to share wins or
milestones. You just want your direct relationships at the retailers to feel closer to you than the public space of LinkedIn. They are also more likely to comment on it if they know the news in advance.
Position yourself as an expert
You want your customers to see you as an expert and a resource in the category. This does not mean to say “I am an expert.” What it does mean is regularly post content, photos and information to lead people to conclude you are an expert. This is a great spot to share a few photos from a market you visited or something you saw at a trade show. It sends the message you are sharing and also that you are involved in the industry and events. If you are doing variety trials or working with something
innovative this also reinforces your expertise and commitment to innovation.
It takes time to build prosperous relationships. LinkedIn can be a valuable piece of the puzzle. You need to work at it and be consistent. Diving in and posting all the time for two weeks and then disappearing is not the right strategy. You have lots of things to do but if you carve out some time each week to maintain a presence on LinkedIn and communicate with your customers, it will pay dividends.
Peter Chapman is a retail consultant, professional speaker and the author of A la Cart-a suppliers’ guide to retailer’s priorities. Peter is based in Halifax, N.S. where he is the principal at SKUFood. Peter works with producers and processors to help them get their products on the shelf and into the shopping cart.
PETER CHAPMAN
Update your risk management plan
KAREN DAVIDSON
Farming demands resilience— and optimism. But in an age of unpredictable weather, geopolitical turmoil, and rising input costs, even the most seasoned farmers are facing risks like never before. That’s the opinion of AJ Gill, national leader, agriculture risk management resources, for MNP.
More than 75 per cent of Canadian farmers are feeling overwhelmed by the unpredictability of the ag sector and feeling a loss of control.
“Any viable farm in Canada should be utilizing the Business Risk Management programs like AgriStability,” he says. “If you don’t transfer your risk to the programs that are in place it’s a direct hit to your balance sheet.”
Risks are different from farm to farm. The frequency and impacts on each farm are different but the framework for risk planning is the same.
1. Identify the risks on your farm
2. Assess and prioritize those risks
3. Build a plan to mitigate risks
4. Take action by assigning specific activities to specific people within a specific timeline
5. Review your plan on a regular basis
Based in Kelowna, British Columbia since 2008, AJ Gill has spent more than 25 years in the ag sector. Prior to his role as a national leader with MNP, AJ worked with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the BC Ministry of Agriculture. Not only is he deeply knowledgeable about federal-provincial risk management programs, he has seen the Business Risk Management suite of programs evolve and conducted analysis for strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities.
The strength of current programs is that they are individualized for each farm and offer comprehensive and inexpensive margin coverage through AgriStability. One weakness is that the $3 million limit on any payout to an individual farm has not been changed since 2003. Yet farms have grown in size and complexity, and the cost of
production has changed, fuelled by inflation.
An opportunity is for federal and provincial governments to do a better job in explaining policy intents and modernizing the delivery model of AgriStability to have an enhanced focus on service.
Perhaps less well known is that MNP has 800 employees dedicated to agriculture in 20 regions of MNP Canada, one of the largest full-service chartered professional accountancy and business advisory firms in Canada. AJ Gill explains MNP is the only firm with a full-service approach to farm risk programs.
Farm clients can benefit by
contracting a risk assessment and risk management plan. MNP advisors have forecasting tools such as ARMP (Ag Risk Management Projector). It is very difficult to determine the best BRM strategy without some very complicated calculations and modelling because BRM programs are all different and must be tailored to each farm.
The ARMP uses the client’s financials to do exactly that and can answer questions on what strategy to take. For example, plug in your fixed costs and variable costs, then see what happens to the bottom line if there’s a 10 per cent drop in revenue or a 30 per cent drop in
revenue and how each program will respond.
In addition, MNP also assists in navigating claims and applications, ensuring farmers are well positioned to access available support. But Gill is clear: the foundation of any successful risk strategy is financial literacy. Whether it’s the farmer or a trusted advisor, someone must understand the numbers— and your accountant must be aligned with your risk management goals.
“These programs aren’t meant to replace profits,” says Gill. “They’re designed to buy you time to pivot and adapt.”
Lakeshore Veggie Growers adopts Croptracker for food safety and traceability
Lakeshore Veggie Growers Inc, located just outside of Leamington on the shores of Lake Erie, is a family-run business specializing in greenhouse-grown, flavourful,
heirloom tomatoes. Officially incorporated in 2008, Lakeshore Veggies has scaled up from three to 18 acres by acquiring surrounding farms as they become available. They now
operate three main greenhouse and packing facilities, supplying various local national marketers in Leamington. This expansion has brought on a greater need for fast-paced inventory
management and food safety systems, leading the company to seek out Croptracker’s farm inventory traceability features.
Starting in the fall of 2024, chief administrative officer, Gabriella Colasanti, has been digitizing Lakeshore Veggie’s harvest, packing, storage and shipping processes. With an eye toward improving their First In, First Out (FIFO) inventory management for order fulfillment, Colasanti worked closely with Croptracker support staff to implement the regular use of the ‘Aged Packed Product Report’. This has helped the shipping department identify the right inventory at the right time.
“With the Aged Packed Product Report, we can see the date of the products still in the cooler and make sure we take care of it, allowing our FIFO processes to work efficiently,” says Colasanti.
Following her team’s inputting of data on the Croptracker app throughout the day, she makes frequent use of Croptracker’s Mock Recall Report to ensure the smooth movement of inventory and that the right information is passed along with her shipments when they leave Lakeshore to go to the sales and marketing teams. Having recently completed a successful GAP audit, she highlighted that the auditors were very happy to see the Mock Recall Report. Additionally, Colasanti has used
Croptracker’s traceability reporting to pinpoint and correct quality issues.
“Everything flowed through properly when we ran our reports … If there [is] a quality issue, we can determine right away what went to that customer right down to the pallet,” says Colasanti.
Looking toward the future, Colasanti plans to work closely with Croptracker support staff to create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for daily harvest and packing for outside growers using the Croptracker app and expanded browser reporting. She also hopes to implement digitized plant treatment tracking in their greenhouses with Croptracker’s Spray module.
“Croptracker is a fantastic program with great capabilities and anything we’ve needed modifications with, the support team has been really really helpful,” she says.
Croptracker, farm management software, provides growers with data to improve decisionmaking, whether it’s improving soil health, tracking spray schedules, supporting integrated pest management or tracking inventory. Founded in 2006 by CEO Matt Deir, Croptracker has continued to expand its programs in response to grower needs.
Visit Croptracker.com or get in touch with support@ croptracker.com to learn more.
FOCUS: FARM BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Safe and ready: What tender fruit growers need to know about Ontario Ministry of Health and Safety Inspections
As Ontario’s tender fruit orchards reach their peak and offer up their bounty, there is one priority that cannot be overlooked: safety. With Ontario ministry of health inspections underway through July, now is the time to ensure your farm is inspection-ready and your people are protected.
It’s one of the most demanding times of year in southern Ontario’s tender fruit sector, with growers working long hours to ensure a successful harvest. Amid competing demands, prioritizing the health and safety of your people is vital, not just for their well-being, but to ensure the resilience and continuity of your business.
Keeping your team safe is just as important as nurturing your crop. With Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) inspections underway until the end of July 2025, it’s the perfect time to review your health and safety program.
If you’re a tender fruit grower, here’s what you need to know, and how to prepare, so you can turn this initiative into a positive opportunity for your business.
Why inspections matter for your farm
Health and safety inspections are not just about compliance; they’re about protecting your most valuable assets: your people. Past incidents and inspection findings have shown that agriculture, including tender fruit production, carries unique risks. The goal is to reduce workplace injuries and fatalities, ensuring everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.
The role of inspectors
When MLITSD inspectors visit farms, their main objectives are to:
• Educate and raise awareness about workplace hazards
• Support your workplace in identifying and controlling risks
• Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and its regulations Inspections may focus on specific hazards, such as chemical handling, falls, or pedestrian and vehicle traffic, or take a broader look at your overall workplace practices. While campaign schedules are announced in advance, you will not receive notice of the exact date of an inspection.
Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS) offers free, easy-to-use resources. Here’s a step-by-step approach to ensure your farm is inspection-ready:
1. Review your health and safety program
• Update policies and procedures: Make sure your health and safety procedures are current and accessible.
• Assign clear responsibilities: Ensure everyone knows their role in maintaining a safe workplace.
2. Conduct a self-inspection
• Walk your property: Look for hazards such as unguarded equipment, unsafe ladders, defects in equipment or chemical storage issues.
• Check documentation: Are your training records, equipment maintenance logs, and incident reports up to date?
3. Engage your team
• Hold a safety meeting: Discuss the upcoming inspection campaign and encourage workers to ask questions.
• Provide refresher training: Cover key topics such as equipment operation, personal protective equipment (PPE), and
emergency procedures.
4. Focus on high-risk areas
• Machinery and equipment: Ensure guards are in place and lockout/tag out procedures are followed.
• Chemical handling: Store pesticides and fertilizers safely and provide appropriate PPE.
• Slips, trips, and falls: Keep walkways clear and address uneven surfaces.
5 Be inspection-ready every day
• Foster a culture of safety: Encourage everyone to speak up about hazards and suggest improvements.
• Stay organized: Keep all safety documentation in a central, accessible location.
Turning inspections into opportunities
Inspections are not meant to be punitive, they’re a chance to learn, improve, and demonstrate your commitment to safety. By being proactive, you can:
• Reduce the risk of injuries and costly downtime
• Boost morale and productivity
• Strengthen your reputation as a responsible employer
As you work to bring Ontario’s best tender fruit to market this season, making health and safety a priority is an investment in your team, your business and your future.
For more information and resources, visit wsps.news/Ag.
Source: Workplace Safety and Prevention Services
Farm Credit Canada commits $2 billion to advance agtech innovation
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has committed to invest $2 billion by 2030 to advance agtech innovation in Canada’s agriculture and food industry. This will direct more investment into innovative devices, instrumentation, research, and methodologies designed to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. The funds will come from the organization’s new investment arm, FCC Capital, a group offering capital solutions that catalyze the broader investing ecosystem and bolster growth. Launched in 2024, FCC Capital delivers an expanded offering of capital solutions to companies across the entire ag and food value chain, including investment funds and direct equity capital dispersed from
pre-seed stage to growth-driven late-stage companies. In its inaugural year, it built a foundation by closing nine direct investment deals totaling $170 million, investing in three new funds, and adding a new business accelerator to its portfolio.
“Canada’s economic future requires an agriculture and food industry leading the world in innovation and productivity. However, until now, investment dollars have been scarce and have not scaled to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of the sector. Through this investment, FCC is delivering on its commitment to be a catalyst and support innovation and productivity in one of Canada’s most important and investable sectors,” says Justine Hendricks, FCC president and
CEO.
This announcement comes at a time when various sources are showing that annual venture capital investment into Canada’s agtech sector is lagging. In 2023, Canada’s venture capital investments in the sector were cited at approximately $270 million, 10 times below the United States when adjusted for population. This low level of investment puts Canada at a strategic disadvantage. At the same time, Japan and the European Union have been demonstrating increased investments in agtech.
The formal announcement was made by Darren Baccus, executive vicepresident, agri-food, alliances and FCC Capital, during the Invest Canada 2025
Conference, an event run by the Canada Venture Capital and Private Equity Association. “With this $2 billion allocation, FCC will continue its long history of supporting and partnering with the Canadian ag and food industry to offer greater security and sustainability in a highly competitive global market,” said Baccus. “At FCC, we’re uniquely positioned to provide catalytic capital and work with stakeholders to source compelling investment opportunities. We are confident that our investment commitment to the industry will ‘crowd in’ capital to amplify the economic impact.”
Source: Farm Credit Canada May 30, 2025 news release
How to prepare: A grower’s checklist
Photos by Glenn Lowson
Botrytis resistance testing available for strawberry growers
ERICA PATE
Botrytis grey mould is a widespread disease affecting strawberries in both field and covered production in Ontario. Botrytis grey mould can be caused by multiple species of Botrytis, with Botrytis cinerea being the most dominant species infecting strawberry in eastern North America.
Recently, a new species of Botrytis, B. fragariae, was identified on strawberry in the United States. Botrytis fragariae is more specific to strawberry, and seems to often cause blossom blight, as opposed to B. cinerea, which is detected more often as fruit rot and has more than 200 crop hosts. Additionally, B. fragariae differs in fungicide susceptibility from B. cinerea, and fungicide resistance has been reported in both species, which could affect the level of disease control and management options.
Botrytis cinerea is often resistant to thiophanate-methyl (group 1: Senator, Thief), fenhexamid (group 17: Elevate), boscalid (group 7: Cantus, part of Pristine), and cyprodinil (group 9: part of Switch, part of Inspire Super), while B. fragariae is less often resistant to these products (except for thiophanate-methyl), but more often resistant to fludioxonil (group 12: part of Switch and Miravis Prime), and polyoxin D (group 19: Diplomat).
No resistance of B. fragariae to group 7s has been detected, including isofetamid (Kenja),
BITS AND BITES
fluxapyroxad (Sercadis, part of Merivon), penthiopyrad (Fontelis) and fluopyram (Luna products).
Group 7s may be good options for either botrytis species.
General resistance
management recommendations for botrytis include:
• Using broad spectrum/ multisite fungicides when possible
• Use multiple FRAC groups that are active on botrytis in one application when possible
• Rotate fungicides between different active ingredients
• Limit the number of applications of a FRAC group per season
• Know the resistance profile on your farm
Berry Growers of Ontario have received funding through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative, funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, for Management of Botrytis in Ontario Strawberries. This project will identify the Botrytis species and test for fungicide resistance.
Fungicide resistance profiles can differ between farms; testing for fungicide resistance will help individual growers choose effective fungicides and inform disease management priorities for the industry.
Strawberry samples will be collected and tested for Botrytis species and resistance to multiple fungicides:
Group 7s:
• Boscalid (Cantus, group 7 in Pristine)
• Fluopyram (part of Luna
tranquility, group 7 in Luna Sensation)
• Pydiflumetofen (group 7 in Miravis Prime)
Group 9s:
• Cyprodonil (group 9 in Switch and Inspire super)
• Pyrimethanil (Impala, Scala) Group 11s:
• Trifloxystrobin (Flint Extra, group 11 in Luna Sensation) Group 17:
• Fenhexamid (Elevate)
Funding for this project is available in 2025 for 10 farms: first come, first serve.
If you are interested in participating in this project and receiving fungicide resistance profiles for your farm please contact Erica Pate, OMAFA, (erica.pate@ontario.ca) or Victoria Buma, BGO, (research@ontarioberries.com ) for instructions on collecting and submitting samples.
Participating growers will receive fungicide resistance profiles for their farms and generalised survey results will be shared with the berry industry.
References:
Dowling, M.D., M.-J. Hu, and G. Schnabel. 2017. Identification and characterization of Botrytis fragariae isolates on strawberry in the United States. Plant Disease. 101:1769–1773.
Dowling, M.D., M.-J. Hu, and G. Schnabel. 2018. Fungicide resistance in Botrytis fragariae and species
Botrytis grey mould infecting strawberry
prevalence in the Mit-Atlantic United States. Plant Disease. 101(5): 964–969.
Fernández-Ortuño, D., F. Chen, and G. Schnabel. 2013. Resistance to cyprodinil and lack of fludioxonil resistance in Botrytis cinerea isolates from strawberry in North and South Carolina. Plant disease. 97 (1): 81–85.
Fernández-Ortuño, D., A. Grabke, P.K. Bryson, A. Amiri, N.A. Peres, and G. Schnabel. 2014. Fungicide resistance profiles in Botrytis cinerea from strawberry fields of seven
Niagara Irrigation Initiative Project receives $1.8 million
The Niagara Irrigation Initiative Project has received up to $1.8 million in funding.
“As an eighth-generation farmer growing tender fruits and grapes in Niagara, I’m thrilled to see this vital investment in the Niagara Irrigation Project,” said David Hipple, chair, Niagara Irrigation Initiative Project Steering Committee. “New and improved irrigation systems aren’t just about efficiency; it’s about protecting livelihoods, supporting food security, and ensuring that future generations can continue to farm this land.”
Niagara’s specialty crop lands are one of only a few areas in Canada with climate and soil conditions suitable for high-value crops such as grapes and tender fruit. The impacts of climate change, such as drought conditions, have highlighted the need for improved irrigation infrastructure across Niagara. A need has been identified for a new piped irrigation system in Lincoln and west St. Catharines. In addition, there is a need for upgrades to the existing open channel irrigation system in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“One of the best ways to protect the Niagara Region’s rapidly growing agribusiness sector is to reinforce its long-term competitiveness with new irrigation capacity,” said Trevor Jones, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Our government is proud to invest in moving this project forward which will unleash more productivity, growth, and resilience for Niagara growers and agribusinesses.”
To further advance a new piped system in the Lincoln and St. Catharines area, a Feasibility, Costing, and Preliminary Design study is required. The next step in upgrading the existing irrigation system in Niagara-on-the-Lake is to update and consolidate the Town’s three existing irrigation reports based on the Town’s recently completed Irrigation System Strategy and Master Plan.
The Project is receiving funding from the Government of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and the
southern U.S. states. Plant disease. 98 (6): 825–833.
Hu, M.-J., K. Cox, and G. Schnabel. 2016. Resistance to increasing chemical classes of fungicides by virtue of ‘selection by association’ in Botrytis cinerea. Phytopathology. 106 (12): 1513–1520.
Erica Pate is fruit crop specialist for Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
Greenbelt Foundation. Additional project partners are funding the balance of the estimated $1.8 million project. This public/private partnership includes Ontario Tender Fruit Growers, Grape Growers of Ontario, local Niagara Greenhouse
Growers, the Town of Niagara-on-theLake, Town of Lincoln, City of St. Catharines, and Niagara Region.
Source: Niagara Region June 9, 2025 news release
Representatives of the Niagara Irrigation Initiative Project were on hand at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Convention in February, 2025. L-R: Sean Norman and Brandon Enns.
In a move to strengthen workforce development in agriculture, the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) has partnered with the University of Guelph’s School of Continuing Studies (SCS) to deliver practical, industry-informed human resource (HR) training tailored specifically to farm and rural business operations.
Through this collaboration, the University’s new Certificate in People Management will include a tailored elective stream, HR for Agriculture and Rural Enterprises, co-developed with CAHRC to reflect the unique HR realities of farm operations and rural businesses.
This comprehensive program is designed for farm owners, managers, rural business operators, and team leaders who often manage teams without the support of dedicated human resource professionals. Learners will gain essential HR knowledge for their business through a flexible, online asynchronous format via the University of Guelph’s Brightspace platform.
“CAHRC brings a strong understanding of the agriculture industry and decades of
experience in human resource management and labour market research to this partnership,” said Jennifer Wright, executive director of CAHRC. “By combining our close connection to primary producers and agribusinesses with the University of Guelph’s academic excellence and robust delivery infrastructure, we’re building a meaningful collaboration to deliver practical, high-quality HR training tailored to the needs of Canada’s agriculture sector.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) to develop innovative agricultural HR courses tailored specifically for agribusiness professionals,” says Dianne Tyers, AVP, School of Continuing Studies. “This collaboration allows us to combine academic expertise with real-world insights, equipping professionals with practical, industry-relevant HR knowledge to attract, manage, and retain the talent they need to thrive in this dynamic industry. It’s exciting to build something that directly benefits rural communities and we can’t wait to see the positive impact of this program.”
This certificate program complements CAHRC’s Ag HR Micro-credential Program, helping scale training delivery and increasing national reach. Agriculture-specific microcredentials within the certificate will cover essential topics such as:
• Managing seasonal and temporary workers
• Navigating domestic and international labour laws
• Promoting safe, healthy farm workplaces
• Embracing cultural and language diversity in rural teams
Upon completion, learners will receive University of Guelph–branded digital badges, affirming
their commitment to workforce excellence and continuous development.
CAHRC, with its unique position in the industry, brings its agricultural expertise to the program by:
• Supporting course development and content accuracy
• Ensuring alignment with real-world industry needs
• Promoting the program nationally through its extensive agri-sector network
• Participating in the program advisory committee
This partnership directly supports CAHRC’s mission to deliver workforce development
solutions grounded in research and industry collaboration. It also aligns with the goals of the National Workforce Strategic Plan for Agriculture and AgriFood, by improving HR knowledge, strengthening leadership in rural enterprises, and making training more accessible across regions and roles.
Source: Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council June 5, 2025 news release
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Emergency use of Allegro 500F registered for field strawberries
JOSH MOSIONDZ
The Pest Management Regulatory Agency has approved the Emergency Use Registration request for use of Allegro 500F fungicide, effective June 2, 2025, to June 1, 2026, in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Québec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. While the original request was for both field and greenhouse strawberries, the PMRA accepted the use only for field strawberries, and the use is not valid for use in greenhouses. This Emergency Use Registration request was
submitted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness as a result of minor use priorities established by growers and extension personnel and the urgent need for a management product for this newer disease. A temporary MRL of up to 3.5 ppm has been established on strawberries in Canada, however, any growers exporting fruit out of country should ensure a tolerance is established in the destination country before considering applications in their production systems.
The following is provided as an abbreviated, general outline only. Users should be making
Field Strawberries grown in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador
Suppression of Neopestalotiopsis Leaf Blight and Fruit Rot
disease management decisions within a robust integrated disease management program and should consult the complete label before using Allegro 500F agricultural fungicide.
1.5
Foliar spray, ground applications should begin prior to disease development. Good spray coverage into the canopy is essential for good disease management. Do not apply in greenhouses. Make up to 4 applications per years with a Re-Application interval of 7 days. Restricted entry interval of 2 days. 7
For a copy of the new minor use label, contact your local berry crops specialist, your regional supply outlet, or visit the PMRA label site www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cpsspc/pest/registrant-titulaire/tools-
outils/label-etiq-eng.php
Josh Mosiondz is minor use coordinator, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs.
Captan 480 SC fungicide label expanded to manage pepper anthracnose
The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has approved an Emergency Use Registration request effective June 2, 2025, until June 1, 2026, for control of anthracnose on field peppers in Ontario only. Captan 480 SC fungicide was already labeled for disease control on a wide range of crops in Canada. This Emergency Use Registration request was submitted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness as a result of minor use priorities established by growers and extension personnel and the urgent need for a management product for this disease. A temporary MRL of up
to 1.5 ppm for captan, has been established on field peppers in Canada. Any growers exporting fruit pods out of country should ensure a tolerance is established in the destination country before considering applications in their production systems. Emergency Use Registration requests have been submitted for use of captan on field peppers since 2022, however the formulation requested for the 2025 season has changed from the Water-Soluble Pouch to the Suspension Concentrate. The following is provided as an abbreviated, general outline only. Users should be making disease management decisions within a robust integrated disease management program and should consult the complete label before
using Captan 480 SC fungicide. For a copy of the new minor use label, contact your local crops specialist, your regional supply
Botrytis neck rot diagnosed in Ontario
KATIE GOLDENHAR & TRAVIS CRANMER
Botrytis neck rot, caused by the fungus Botrytis porri, is an uncommon disease in Ontario, but some areas in 2025 have received the cool and wet conditions required to cause disease in garlic fields. There are several species of Botrytis that infect garlic including B. porri, which has been documented to generally infects plants through wounds.
When B. porri colonizes the bulb and crown, lower leaves show symptoms first. Plants appear stunted and green leaves can develop water-soaked lesions, wilt and eventually turn yellow. Plants infected with stem and bulb nematode show similar symptoms with yellowing of the leaves from the bottom of the plant moving upward, but the leaves turn yellow before wilting. When plants are pulled, greyish-brown mould / mycelium is found on the outside necks of plants above the crown. As the disease progresses, black fungal
bodies known as sclerotia up to 7 mm (~1/4 inch) in size form on the outside of the bulb and neck. The outer wrappers of the bulb break down and secondary infections from other pathogens, such as Fusarium or Penicillium can follow. Harvested bulbs with Botrytis neck rot generally have few to no bulb wrappers remaining at harvest.
If only a few plants are found throughout the season, rogue out these plants to reduce inoculum levels. Avoid excessive irrigation and late applications of nitrogen.
The sclerotia can survive on dead plant material and the soil for several years, depending on soil conditions, residue depth, tillage and soil moisture. Botrytis porri is limited to hosts in the Allium family. Development in the field is greatest when cool, damp and cloudy weather persists. Sclerotia germinate under these conditions and release spores that can be carried by the wind to infect new plants throughout the growing season (Crowe 2002).
In storage, Botrytis grey mould survives on the surface of the
Apply in sufficient water for thorough coverage. Apply preventatively, when conditions are favourable to disease development. Apply at a minimum of a 7-day interval. Do not make more than 3 applications per year. Use 3.73 –5.39 L per hectare on young plants, 5.39 – 7.05 L per hectare on mature plants. May be applied by conventional ground equipment. DO NOT use on greenhouse peppers.
outlet, or visit the PMRA label site http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cpsspc/pest/registrant-titulaire/toolsoutils/label-etiq-eng.php
Josh Mosiondz is minor use coordinator, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
bulbs or between leaf/wrapper layers and can move between cloves through the bulb’s basal plate (Jepson 2011). Botrytis porri is a weak pathogen that generally colonizes wounds. Reducing the time between cracking / splitting of the bulbs into cloves in the fall and planting is crucial for reducing the chances that wounds created from the cracking process are colonized by B. porri before they are planted. Fungicides for both
conventional and organic production are registered for Botrytis spp. and can be found in the Ontario Crop Protection Hub. Applications should be aimed earlier in the season in fields where Botrytis neck rot has been a problem in the past and if conditions are favourable for disease development.
In summary:
• Plant as soon as possible after cracking bulbs into cloves
• Avoid planting cloves with any
fungal colonization
• Dig up suspect plants in the spring with lower yellow leaves and inspect the crown for grey mould or sclerotia
• Incorporate crop residue after harvest and avoid returning to the field with susceptible crops (Allium spp.) for 3 years or more.
Katie Goldenhar is plant pathologist – horticulture Crops, OMAFA. Travis Cranmer is vegetable crops specialist, OMAFA.
JOSH MOSIONDZ
Field Peppers grown in Ontario Control of Anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp.
Botrytis neck rot in garlic
Report from the 23rd Annual National Pest Management Priority Setting Workshop
Under continued joint collaboration between the Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC), Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA), and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Pest Management Centre (AAFC-PMC), the 23rd Annual National Pest Management Priority Setting Workshop was held in Gatineau, Québec on March 25 – 26, 2025. Continuing this year was the twoday workshop first introduced in 2024 as opposed to the previous three-day format, which saw entomology, pathology, and weed science priorities elevated over the course of both workshop days. The goal of the workshops was to nominate ‘B’ priorities in all disciplines on Day 1, and to nominate ‘A’ priorities from the ‘B’ list for all disciplines on Day 2.
The meetings brought together a wide range of participants from across North America.
Participants included, but were not limited to university and federal researchers, crop extension specialists, private consultants, provincial specialists, provincial minor use coordinators (PMUCs), registrant representatives, Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and AAFC-PMC staff, growers, grower organization representatives, and delegates from the US IR-4 project, and Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry.
The meetings were held to review the top priorities identified by each of the provinces’
horticultural and ornamental crop industries to establish the top national priorities for the minor and specialty crops sectors. Project priorities resulting from the workshop will guide AAFCPMC’s field research program for the 2026 season, and support future minor use label expansion submissions to PMRA.
Piloted for the 2025 workshops was the re-introduction of capacity for an ‘A’ Priority Without Solution (APWS) project; projects which screen several potential product solutions prior to selection of one final solution for further supporting data generation. Thus, the goal of this year’s workshop was to nominate 47 ‘A’ priorities for capacity analysis consideration, including ten mainstream and two organic projects per discipline, two APWS projects per discipline, plus five regional selections. Ultimately, a total of 42 projects were elevated to an ‘A’ priority.
The first day of the workshop was focused on ‘B’ nominations, and began with participant introductions, opening remarks from AAFC-PMC’s Associate Director of Research, Development and Technology, Jennifer Ballantine, as well as from Chris Duyvelshoff on behalf of FVGC and OFVGA.
Alice Axtell from the US IR-4 program delivered a presentation to attendees, and welcomes were given from AAFC’s Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Andrew Goldstein, and the PMRA’s Assistant Deputy Minister, Manon Bombardier. The workshop then commenced following a presentation on the Dietary Risk Cup from PMRA’s Section Head, Monica Le. By day’s end, ‘B’ nominations were completed within the targeted range of approximately 100 nominations per discipline and completed slightly ahead of schedule.
Day 2 focused on ‘A’ nominations and began with similar introductions, then featured an update on the ongoing AAFC-PMC / PMRA drone project from AAFC-PMC’s Acting Entomology Section Head, Martin Trudeau, and then an update on the Australian pesticide regulatory system from Joseph Morrall of the Australia
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry.
The ‘A’ project nominations began shortly thereafter. As the workshop progressed through the day, 32 mainstream, two organic, five regional selections, as well as three APWS nominations were selected as ‘A’ priorities shortly after 4:00 p.m., marking the conclusion of the 2025 Priority Setting Workshop.
Continuing from previous years, the capacity analysis process first introduced by PMC in the 2022 Priority Setting Workshop occurred over the course of April-May following the end of this year’s meetings due to the 2025 Federal Election and its associated writ period. This process was implemented to ensure projects can be completed in an efficient, and timely manner in the coming years according to several factors including: staffing and site resources, funding, the number of ongoing projects already underway for a particular crop, crop availability in residue crop zones across Canada, whether a selection would support a crop group registration, selected solution product availability, selected pest pressure,
registrant support conditions, new, invasive, or emerging pest status, whether or not the priority was selected as an ‘A’ priority but not taken on in previous years, and ‘category A’ new use project statuses.
Following this capacity analysis process, a total of 21 projects was selected as final 2025 projects to move forward into 2026, broken into 14 mainstream projects, two organic projects, one APWS and four regional selections. A further six to seven food use projects are expected to be selected as joint projects between the U.S. IR-4 project and AAFC-PMC following the IR-4 Food Use Workshop in September 2025. Projects which were not initially selected through capacity analysis as a final project this spring may still become selected as a joint project this fall should selections align between both organizations, or if the target number of joint projects is unattainable. In total, it is anticipated that 26-30 projects will be undertaken for 2026. Project capacity for the 2026 workshop is expected to be confirmed in late fall or winter 2025–26.
The following table summarizes the projects agreed upon as ‘A’ priorities for the 2025 workshop. Lines which are bolded indicate projects which will move forward as AAFCPMC projects in 2026. Lines which are italicized were not selected as part of the capacity analysis process.
Ideally, the projects selected this year will have their data requirements completed and submitted to the PMRA with a target submission timeline of about 2030. Subsequent registration decisions for these submissions are expected from PMRA one to two years following submission.
Chart on next page
Josh Mosiondz is provincial minor use coordinator, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
JOSH MOSIONDZ
One of the entomology priorities is for a solution to cabbage maggot in radishes. Photo by Glenn Lowson.
CROP PROTECTION
Report from the 23rd Annual National Pest Management Priority Setting Workshop
Table 1: Selected ‘A’ priorities for the 2025 workshop. Lines that are bolded will move forward as PMC projects in 2026 while italicized lines were chosen as an ‘A’ priority but will not move forward at this time.
CROP
PEST(S)
Radish Cabbage maggot
Rutabaga Cabbage maggot
Mustard greens
Tomato, greenhouse
Cucumber, greenhouse
PRODUCT
ENTOMOLOGY PRIORITIES (12 of 10 selected (2 extra), 4 final)
