While funding for the Canadian Potato Psyllid and Zebra Chip Monitoring Network ends in March 2018, the Potato Growers of Alberta will be launching a new monitoring program this spring.

DowDuPont announces its agriculture division will be named Corteva Agriscience. The spin-off company is expected to be operational by June 1, 2019.

Kate VanderZaag and her husband Peter have been experimenting with a drone on their 1,800 acres of owned and rented land near Alliston, Ontario. They share an insightful experience.

Growers and researchers are giving a thumbs-up to drones which can be used for aerial surveillance of crop problems that scouts miss on the ground.

Ontario’s craft beer industry is a media darling, but local growers have remained almost anonymous. Kyle Wynette is one young grower expanding a six-acre hopyard. His Tavistock Hop Company along with Upper Thames Brewing are entered into the Great Ontario-Hopped Craft Beer Competition to be held February 21 in Niagara Falls.

Reason 500SC fungicide label is now expanded for management of downy mildew of basil and Brassica vegetables in Canada.

Acramite 50WS miticide label is expanded for control of two-spotted mites on herbs and mint in Canada.

Prism herbicide now has a label expansion for stone fruit.

BASF Canada sees a bright future in horticulture. Seven horticultural representatives are stationed across the country. And new insecticides to control piercing and sucking insects are due in 2019.

Access to labour is one of the key issues for 2018. Growers are worried about access to seasonal workers, but also resourcing technical skills and managerial skills. We call Kirk Kemp, president of Algoma Orchards near Newcastle Ontario to find out how his operation is transitioning.