SIR GROWER & INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES of the Grower & Industry Advisory Committee meeting of the OKANAGAN-KOOTENAY STERILE INSECT RELEASE (SIR) PROGRAM held at the Pacific Agriculture Research Centre in Summerland, BC October 16th, 2002.

 

Committee Members:

            Gavin Young    - Chair             Westbank Packers Ltd.

            Pierre Calissi                            BC Fruit Growers’ Association

Paul Jeffares                             BC Fruit Packers

Denis Larose                            Grower

Charlotte Leaming                    Sun Fresh Coop

Joseph Lucich                           Grower

Brian Mennel                            Organic Grower              

Gerry Shaw                              BC Tree Fruits                                                

Stan Swales                              Okanagan North Growers Coop

Manuel Torres Jr.                     BC Fruit Growers’ Association (Oliver)

Peter Waterman                       Grower / Consultant

Brian Witzke                            Grower                                                                                

           

Committee Members Absent:

Jack Barkwill                            BC Fru it Packers

Nirmal Dhaliwal                        Okanagan Similkameen Coop  

Tom Ouchi                               Grower

Hugh Philip                               BCMAFF Regional Entomologist                     

Tim Watson                              South Valley Sales       

           

SIR Staff:

            Bob Fugger                              General Manager

            Lynn Lashuk                             Agrologist

            Adrian McCluskey                   Public Relations Officer

Rob Gauthier                            Zone 1 Field Manager

Karen Nelson                           Recording Secretary

           

 

AGENDA TOPIC #1:

 

Approval of Minutes

 

The following motion was put forward.

  

Moved by Manuel Torres Jr.              Seconded by Joseph Lucich 

 

“Accepted minutes for meeting dated July 18th, 2002.”

CARRIED.

 

 

 

 

AGENDA TOPIC #2:

 

The Grower & Industry Advisory Committee made the following points regarding the “Communication” that is needed between growers & the SIR Program:

·        When graphs / reports are issued, include text inserts on them for background that is needed for better understanding.

·        Canvass growers by calling to inform them as to when and where the meetings are.

·        Leasee’s needed to get information as well. Get updated mailing lists from packinghouses.

 

Lynn & Bob then made the following points as to what SIR’s goals in “Communication” for the near future:   

·        SIR will issue charts (Horticultural Form & upcoming seminars) that growers can have a better understanding of comparisons and what the numbers mean.

·        SIR will schedule information sessions at breakfast meetings.

·        Workshop scheduled at Okanagan Packinghouse Fieldsmen group in February 2003.

·        Codling Moth 101 Seminars scheduled for November 26th, 27th, 29th & December 3rd, 4th, and 5th with Hugh Philip throughout the Okanagan.     

·        SIR will issue updated information to packinghouses so they are able to include SIR information in their newsletters.

·        SIR Management Reports will be issued to the Grower & Industry Committee members.

Worst Case Scenario

Lynn then made the following points:

·        Damage was way over economic threshold.

·        Pear block, large block that was on a slope. Average age of 35 years.

·        Full rate mating disruption. A lot of chemical intervention regularly as per field service & SIR recommendations.

·        Huge amount of codling moth injury throughout the season.

·        This block had a background level of codling moth injury higher than the average block. It also had a higher water PH than normal.

·        Pulled out blocks – woodpiles, bin piles, neighbour that does not spray.

·        Resident larvae being tested for OP resistance/tolerance.

·        Pending resistance following results. Control options can be considered.

 

The following points were then made:

·        Should the block be removed?

·        Chemical intervention (who pays for chemicals)?

·        Mating Disruption?

·        SIR?

·        Combination of the above?

·        Banding, monitoring, trapping?

·        Proposed trial (Hugh Philip, Bob Fisher-Fleming, SIR, grower)?

·        Who will be responsible for the reduction efforts?

 

After discussion, the Grower & Industry Committee stated that they will make their decision after the “resistance” results.

 

AGENDA TOPIC #3:

 

Refer to attachments for October 18th, 2002 - Board Summary Reports (Draft Copy) regarding Zones 1 – 3 yearly review.

 

Discussion regarding sampling methodology, sources of wild females, SIT rate of infrequency of releases, and communication of growers.  

 

AGENDA TOPIC #4:

 

Refer to BCFGA attachment – September 26th, 2002.

 

After discussion, the following motions were then put forward.

 

Moved by Charlotte Leaming  Seconded by Brian Mennel

 

“The Grower & Industry Advisory Committee would like an increase of grower representation from “1” to “2” growers from each Zone (1 from Creston, 2 from Zone 1, 2 from Zone 2, 2 from Zone 3) and ensure 1 Fieldman from each of the 4 main packinghouses (OSC, BCFP, Sunfresh, and OKN), a Consultant, and an organic grower be represented on the Grower & Industry Advisory Committee; one of the two BCFGA members on the SIR Board must be a member of the Grower & Industry Advisory Committee.”   

 

CARRIED.

TWO OPPOSED.

 

   

 

 

 

Moved by Peter Waterman                 Seconded by Paul Jeffares

 

“The Grower & Industry Advisory Committee would like to see changes in the communication, but not recommend the use of a Performance Plan.”

CARRIED.

AGENDA TOPIC #5:

 

Brian requested to the Committee members that two pear growers attend the next SIR Grower & Industry Advisory Committee meeting. The Committee approved.

 

Meetings will also start at 9:00 AM during the winter season.

 

The meeting was then adjourned.

 

 

 

_______________________                                          ________________________

            Chairman                                                                                  Secretary