Rebecca Compton, chair of Asparagus Farmers of Ontario, talks about her background and leadership approach to tackling industry issues.

Apple grower Cathy McKay has converted her 27-acre orchard to new varieties and trellis systems to produce a great tasting experience for consumers.

Must-Grow Biologics Corp is an agricultural biotech company developing and commercializing a portfolio of natural, science-based bio-pesticides and bio-fertility products. The company has finalized its advanced liquid formulation of a mustard-derived ‘granule format’ bio-pesticide product.

Kanemite miticide label has been expanded for control of spider mites on hops in Canada.

Tilt 250E foliar fungicide is now registered for control of Cercospora Leaf Spot in garden beets.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved the first active ingredient, Vectorite, of Bee Vectoring Technologies, based in Mississauga, Ontario. Commercially-reared bumblebees deliver the biopesticide as they visit flowering fruits - a low-cost, waterless method of crop protection.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is overriding California’s Proposition 65 law that requires warning labels on glyphosate that it is carcinogenic, citing the action as “irresponsible.” Glyphosate is the most commonly used weedkiller in the world.

The success of Millennium asparagus cannot be overstated with its significant yield improvements, stand longevity and disease resistance, thanks to this University of Guelph breeder.

The London-Ontario based association, Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers, has named Keith Robbins to the role of general manager. He starts September 17, 2019. 

The Quebec Produce Marketing Association names George Pitsikoulis as its 2019 Pillar of the Industry award winner. The honour was bestowed during its annual meeting  in Quebec City, August 8-10.

The Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program kicks off its Class 18 on September 15. The OFVGA’s Chris Duyvelshoff, crop protection advisor, is one of the 21 emerging leaders accepted to the 19-month course.  

The founder of the Savoura greenhouse tomato brand, Stéphane Roy and his 15-year-old son Justin, were found deceased on July 25 after a helicopter crash in northern Quebec. 

The world’s largest exporter of blueberries, Chile, reports that exports will reach record volumes of 115,000 tons in the 2019-2020 season. That’s up four per cent from a year ago. 

Mexico-based Agrizar has committed to grow exclusively for Mastronardi BerryWorld America, a joint venture between Mastronardi Produce Ltd., North America’s leading grower and distributor of greenhouse produce, and the UK-based BerryWorld.

Grown in Washington and Nevada, Sunions will be marketed for the first time in western Canada in December 2019. The seed is not available in Canada. 

The November 2018 crisis of E.-coli contaminated romaine lettuce from Arizona has been studied by a 100+ task force. American experts report on next steps.  

Some American horticultural products – blueberries and cranberries, for example   - will have tariff-free access to Japan’s 127 million consumers. Other goods will be granted access under staged tariff elimination. Most importantly, tariffs are at the same level that Japan provides preferentially to countries in the CP-TPP agreement.

The world’s largest exporter of blueberries, Chile, reports that exports will reach record volumes of 115,000 tons in the 2019-2020 season. That’s up four per cent from a year ago. 

Mexico-based Agrizar has committed to grow exclusively for Mastronardi BerryWorld America, a joint venture between Mastronardi Produce Ltd., North America’s leading grower and distributor of greenhouse produce, and the UK-based BerryWorld.

Grown in Washington and Nevada, Sunions will be marketed for the first time in western Canada in December 2019. The seed is not available in Canada. 

The November 2018 crisis of E.-coli contaminated romaine lettuce from Arizona has been studied by a 100+ task force. American experts report on next steps.  

Some American horticultural products – blueberries and cranberries, for example   - will have tariff-free access to Japan’s 127 million consumers. Other goods will be granted access under staged tariff elimination. Most importantly, tariffs are at the same level that Japan provides preferentially to countries in the CP-TPP agreement.