On October 21, Canadians will be heading to the polls to elect the government that will lead the country for the next four years. In the lead-up to the election, the OFVGA has been working closely with its national partner, the Canadian Horticultural Council, to ensure some key priorities are top of mind with the federal political parties on the election trail.

 

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 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.

BioSafe Systems has received approval for foliar spray treatment of a broad range of weeds and grasses in a wide range of crops.

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.

New packing lines are revolutionizing how tree-ripened tender fruit can be speedily handled and shipped to consumers. The largest peach grower in Ontario, the Tregunno family, installed a Spectrim vision system three years ago at the farm near Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Ryan Tregunno stays sharp for 10 weeks as traffic controller in his computer pit above the lines of peaches and nectarines.

For more than 35 years the Grape Growers of Ontario’s Celebrity Luncheon has marked the opening of the Niagara Grape and Wine Festival by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year’s guest is Brent Butt.

The Tregunno family is grading peaches by the pixel with a new Spectrim vision system at Niagara-

Crop protection giant, Bayer, which bought Monsanto in a mega deal, is moving its crop science headquarters to St. Louis and closing its Research Triangle Park facilities.