A newly constituted board of directors meets for the first time to chart the course for Ontario’s $100 million processing vegetable industry.

The University of Guelph has appointed a new associate vice-president research (agri-food partnership). Prof. Beverley Hale has been appointed to the role effective Jan. 1, 2018 for a five-year term.

The Grower, with a track record of 138 years as a horticultural publication, is never too old for awards. We’re proud to share the back stories of two awards from the Canadian Farm Writers’ Federation. 

An Ontario greenhouse operation, the Kniaziew Family, founders of Orangeline Farms and Zing! Health Forward in Leamington, Ont., were one of 11 Ontario Farm Family Award winners honoured at the 100^th annual International Plowing Match held in Walton, Ont.

Ontario’s $100 million processing vegetable sector is undergoing governance changes. The Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission has appointed Suzanne Van Bommel chair of the board for a two-year term and announced four directors.  

New products, relevant to horticulture, are in the pipeline for 2018 and beyond.

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of an URMULE registration for Switch fungicide for control of anthracnose (leaf curl) on celery in Canada. Switch fungicide was already labeled for use on a number of crops in Canada for control of several diseases.

The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) recently announced the approval of an URMULE registration for Confine Extra fungicide for suppression of bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonos campestris pv vitians) in Canada. Confine Extra fungicide was already labeled for use on a number of crops in Canada for several different diseases.

The Grower provides an update on a notice of registration activity. Exirel received minor use label expansion (URMULE) registration for control of aphids and the suppression of thrips in strawberries and the control of black vine weevil, obscure root weevil, spotted wing drosophila and Japanese beetle in caneberries in Canada.

Two insecticides have recently been registered for emergency use on spotted wing drosophila (SWD) on berry crops (crop group 13-07) and stone fruits (crop group 12) in Ontario.