BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada will relocate its head office from Mississauga, Ontario to Calgary, Alberta effective October 1, 2019. Horticultural staff will continue to work from eastern Canada.

Ontario’s $4.4 billion grape and wine industry celebrated pioneers and mentors as the 2019 season gets underway. The Tony Aspler Cuvée Award of Excellence went to Doug Whitty and the team at 13th Street Winery.

United Fresh Produce Association announced the recipients of the 2019 ‘Retail Produce Manager Awards.’ Two Canadians, Mike Burdi of Metro Ontario Inc. in Toronto and Elaine Fong of Calgary Co-op are among the 25 winners.

Grape growers have access to a new herbicide for vineyards across Canada. Chikara herbicide is available through Belchim Crop Protection.

Canada’s greenhouse vegetable sector is being buffeted by carbon taxes, high energy prices and repercussions from the last year’s sudden cannabis expansion.

Canada’s greenhouse vegetable sector is feeling the heat from energy prices to carbon taxes to cannabis conversions. But Duffy Kniaziew, owner, Orangeline Farms, is sticking with what he knows: peppers.

Dr. Ian Potter has been named the new CEO of the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre, effective April 1, 2019. He comes from senior leadership roles with the National Research Council (NRC) and Alberta Innovates – Technology Futures (AITF).

Fifteen volunteers have been named to the Ontario agriculture minister’s advisory group, including representatives for apples, grapes and tomatoes. Chris Van de Laar, the 2019 Grape King, is one of those volunteers.

Nova Scotian apple grower Lisa Jenereaux has taken on the role of president of the International Fruit Tree Association for the next two years. She’s supported by her family operation, Spurr Bros., based at Melvern Square.

Scabby potatoes are unmarketable. However, molecular technology has determined that the most predominant species in Ontario might be one that could be controlled with cultural practices.