02-2016 Newsletter - BC Tree Fruits Cooperative

www.oktreefruit.com
FEBRUARY 2016
GROWER ACCOUNTS
Susan Keetley
250-470-4263 or
1-888-223-7848 ext. 263
[email protected]
NOTICE OF GROWER MEETINGS
HEAD OFFICE
1473 Water Street,
Kelowna, BC V1Y 1J6
Tel: 250-470-4200
Fax: 250-762-5571
KELOWNA PLANT
880 Vaughan Avenue, V1Y 7E4
Tel: 250-763-7003
Fax: 250-763-7370
Northern Region
Southern Region
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Time: 1:00 P.M.
Winfield Curling Club
9830 Bottom Wood Lake Road
Winfield, BC
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Time: 1:00 P.M.
Ramada Hotel
1050 Eckhardt West
Penticton, BC
For the following informational purposes:
OLIVER PLANT
327 Co-op Avenue, V0H 1T0
Tel: 250-498-3491
Fax: 250-498-2677
 CEO Report
OSOYOOS PLANT
12617-N87th Street, V0H 1V0
Tel: 250-495-6518
Fax: 250-495-3202
 Apple & Pear Contracts Status
 Cider Division
 Stone Fruit Contracts
WINFIELD PLANT
9751 Bottom Lake Rd, V4V 1S7
Tel: 250-766-2527
Fax: 250-766-3580
 Overview of current returns by Variety
CRESTON PLANT
754 35th Ave S, V0B 1K0
Tel: 250-428-2125
Fax: 250-428-3520
 Growers Supply Update
 Ambrosia Marketing & Benefit of Levy
 Other business
Inside this issue:
Notice of Meeting
Grower Services
From the Field
Marketing
Human Resources
On Farm Food Safety
Cider News
Advertisements
Calendar
1
2-3
4
5-7
8
January 22, 2016
Alan Tyabji
Chief Executive Officer
Kelowna, B.C.
9
10-11
12
13-14
All of our newsletters are available on-line at www.oktreefruit.com. Or if you would prefer to
receive your newsletter by email, please contact Susan at [email protected].
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 2
FROM GROWER SERVICES
New Apple/Pear Contract Update – Additional Information Sessions
More Information Meetings have been scheduled:
 Tuesday February 16 at the Winfield Curling Club
 Thursday February 18 at the Penticton Ramada
These sessions will provide another brief overview of the New Apple/Pear Contract and growers will have the
opportunity to ask questions and sign the new contract.
Legal & Grower Account Administration will be available to answer questions/assist with signing new contracts
at:

Horticultural Symposium February 24th
If you are planning to sign the new Apple/Pear Contract, please remember to bring to the meeting a stamped
copy of your Declaration of Production as it is required with all new contracts. If you do not intend to sign the
new Apple/Pear Contract, please contact Susan Keetley ([email protected] or 250-470-4263) as soon as
possible so that we may update our files accordingly.
In response to concerns about the ability to cancel your contract early, without penalty, due to an unforeseen life
event, note that the Board of Directors has passed the following resolution:
“That the Board of Directors commits to continue its past practice of waiving notice requirements under grower
contracts where there are reasonable circumstances to warrant, such as early retirement, illness or other life
changes.”
Reminder that the FINAL DEADLINE for automatic approval is March 31, 2016. AFTER March 31st:
 Growers who have not yet applied will have their grower numbers suspended and charging privileges at
Growers Supply will be removed;
 All new applications will be treated as new growers and charged the application fee.
Stone Fruit Shipping Contract Policy Clarification
The Policy on changing your current Stone Fruit Shipping Contract to a Full Service Contract has been recently
updated and a deadline for changes has been set for the 2016 Crop.
Requests to change from a Shipping Stone Fruit Contract to a Full Service Stone Fruit Contract, MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE April 15, 2016. After this deadline, requests for contract changes will not be accepted
for the 2016 crop year.
Implementing this deadline will help the Cooperative better support the 2016 crop and maximize returns for our
growers – it will facilitate timely decisions for the purchase of packaging and improve projections used in the
preparation of Marketing plans and for making commitments to customer buying programs. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 3
FROM GROWER SERVICES
(continued)
Year End Tax Documents
Income & Expense Statements, Pack & Sells and T-5 Statements for the 2015 tax year will be
mailed to you prior to February 29, 2016.
2016 Crop Leases
If you lease your orchard and your lease agreement expired with the 2015 crop, please send Grower Accounting a
copy of your new lease agreement or if you are not renewing your lease, please give us a call to cancel that lot
number.
Statement Charges/Credits
On your January statement of account, you will see:
1.
Growers Supply Charges (if applicable);
2.
APP Application Fee (if applicable);
3.
Demurrage Charges for unreturned Bins (if applicable).
4.
Good Fruit Grower Magazine Subscription Charges (if applicable);
5.
2016 Administration Fees for Shipping Stone Fruit Contracts (if no Apple/Pear contract).
On your February statement of account, you will see:
1.
Growers Supply Charges (if applicable);
2.
Demurrage Charges for unreturned Bins (if applicable).
Pool Close Schedule for the 2015 Crop
Following is our pooling schedule for all unclosed commodities for the 2015 crop. These dates are tentative and
subject to change due to sales movement or claims.
Apples
Pears
Winter Apples
Late Pears
2nd Advance
March 31, 2016
1st Advance
February 26, 2016
3rd Advance
May 27, 2016
Pool Close
April 29, 2016
Pool Close
August 26, 2016
Crabapples
1st Advance
February 19, 2016
Pool Close
April 29, 2016
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 4
FROM THE
FIELD
YOUR FIELD
SERVICE TEAM
Pesticide Applicator’s Course:
Hank Markgraf - Manager
Kelowna
Tel: 250-317-3245
[email protected]
The Southern Pesticide Applicator’s Course is booked for Tuesday, March 1, 2016.
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM at the Penticton Growers Supply Boardroom.
Molly Thurston
Kelowna
Tel: 250-864-8640
[email protected]
Charlotte Leaming
Penticton/Similkameen
Tel: 250-490-5717
[email protected]
Lindsay Hainstock
Summerland/Naramata
Tel: 250-490-1846
[email protected]
Kelly Berringer
Kelowna
Tel: (778) 214-1403
[email protected]
Tony DiMaria
Vernon/Lake Country
Tel: (250) 550-4827
[email protected]
Angela Wilson
Oliver/Osoyoos
Tel: (250) 498-7091
[email protected]
The Northern Pesticide Applicator’s Course is booked for Thursday, March 3, 2016.
8:30 AM- 4:30 PM at the Winfield Memorial Hall.
Please bring the following: PAC books, pencil/pen, notebook, calculator, RESPIRATOR – Carol Reid is going to offer fit testing of respirators as part of this course.
PAC books are also available for purchase.
Costs (2016 pricing):
BCTF Growers = FREE
BCTF Growers’ employees= charge $40.00 + GST= $42.00
Independents= charge $100.00 + GST= $105.00
PAC Course Kits (Book and DVD)= $110.00/each + GST= $115.5
We will not be sitting an exam as a group. Growers will be asked to book their own
exams this year at a Service BC location near them. Exams can be ordered and paid
for by calling Marg at 1-866-205-2102. More details can be found at: http://
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/pesticides-pest-management/pesticide
-use/pesticide-certification
Level 1 WCB First Aid Course:
A WCB Level 1 First Aid Course has been booked at FACTS (First Aid Certified
Training Systems) on
Saturday, March 5, 2016 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM. FACTS is located at #4 - 470 Banks
Rd, Kelowna. The cost of the course is $95.00 per person.
Please contact Field Service for course sign-up.
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 5
SALES & MARKETING
2015 Apple/Pear Market Update
2015 Market Conditions:
Market conditions for the 2015 Apple and Pear crops continue to be distinctly different from that of 2014.
Washington State is now reporting that they may only ship 110 million cartons of Apples to the fresh market
this year due to very poor quality and an abundance of small sized fruit. Washington packouts have dropped
considerably especially with the Royal Gala variety resulting in less fruit available for the fresh market.
The shift in the Canadian / USA exchange rate continues to help prop up market pricing on some varieties,
grades and sizes to higher than 2013 levels.
As a result of the current exchange rate, prices for imported commodities are much higher resulting in much
higher retail prices in your local grocery stores. Demand for fresh apples/pears over the past two to three
months has been abnormally high as retailers build larger displays of commodities that are much more affordable to consumers than some other imported produce commodities.
The 2015 Apple crop as of February 9, 2016, with last 3 years actual:
VARIETY
ROYAL GALA
RED DEL
MCINTOSH
SPARTAN
GOLD DEL
FUJI
AMBROSIA
GR SMITH
HONEYCRISP
SUNRISE
EARLI GOLD
GINGERGOLD
PINK LADY
NICOLA
OTHER
Total Fresh Crop
Diversion
Total Crop
2015
Actual
67,479
9,898
19,249
19,494
3,773
2,174
29,993
4,776
3,303
781
21
163
1,144
375
695
163,318
9,424
172,742
2015
Graded ytd
67,455
8,729
19,249
16,449
3,773
2,174
23,850
4,776
3,303
781
21
163
1,144
375
641
152,883
8,399
161,282
2015
% Graded
100%
88%
100%
84%
100%
100%
80%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
92%
94%
89%
93%
2014
Actual
80,190
13,809
28,336
28,346
6,449
4,742
35,086
4,810
3,314
1,382
90
242
1,232
512
1,407
209,947
10,670
220,617
2013
Actual
58,278
11,027
16,922
17,537
5,327
3,139
23,803
4,002
2,550
1,000
30
159
1,438
858
664
146,734
15,615
162,349
2012
Actual
84,811
14,115
29,942
27,991
8,395
6,546
30,453
3,707
3,245
1,108
70
155
909
636
1,242
213,324
9,509
222,833
Continued Next Page
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 6
SALES & MARKETING
2015 Apple/Pear Market Update continued
Apples
Royal Gala:
The 2015 Royal Gala fresh crop came in at just under 68,000 bins. We are currently shipping 35-40,000
boxes of Royal Gala per week at prices averaging $6.00 per box higher than last year to date. We anticipate
being sold out of Royal Gala by the second week of March.
Ambrosia:
The 2015 Ambrosia crop has come in at just under 30,000 bins. Movement has been steady with prices currently averaging $7.00 per box higher than last season to date. We are currently fully into CA storage and
quality at this time seems to be holding. We are currently selling approximately 14,000 boxes per week. We
anticipate being sold out of Ambrosia by mid to late March.
Honeycrisp:
The 2015 Honeycrisp crop came in at just under 3,400 bins. We are sold out for the season. Average prices
are $6.00 per box higher than last season to date.
Pink Lady:
The 2015 Pink Lady crop has come in at just under 1,200 bins. Sales were strong all season long showing an
increase of $2.00 per box higher than last season to date. Sold out for the season.
McIntosh:
The 2015 McIntosh crop has come in just under 19,000 bins. We are now sold out for the season. Prices on
average were the same as last year.
Spartan:
The 2015 Spartan crop is significantly smaller in volume than last season coming in at just over 19,000 bins
compared to 28,000 bins last season. We are currently shipping approximately 10,000 cartons per week to
the fresh market with prices averaging $2.00 per box higher than last year, year to date. We will be sold out
by early April.
Fuji:
The 2015 Fuji crop is all but finished for the season. Average year to date pricing was $4.00 / box higher
than last year. Sold out for the season.
Golden Delicious:
We are now sold out of Golden Delicious with the exception of a small inventory of small sizes. These are being shipped over the next two weeks. Average year to date prices are $2.75 / carton higher than last year.
Continued Next Page
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 7
SALES & MARKETING
2015 Apple/Pear Market Update continued
Red Delicious:
The 2015 Red Delicious crop has come in at just under 10,000 bins. Currently weekly sales are averaging approximately 7,000 cartons per week with an average price of $2.00 higher per carton than last year.
Granny Smith:
The 2015 Granny Smith crop has come in at just under 4,800 bins. We are almost sold out of Granny Smith
for the season. Blush Grannies are the last to sell and we are having some good success thus far in marketing
this fruit in bags. Average Granny Smith prices are up $4.00 / box higher than last year.
Salish/Nicola:
Nicola are sold out and Salish are close to being sold out for the season.
Pears
The 2015 Pear crop as of February 9, 2016, with last 3 years actual:
VARIETY
BARTLETT
ANJOU
BOSC
OTHER
Total
2015
Actual
2,139
3,049
388
142
5,718
2015
Graded ytd
2,139
3,049
388
142
5,718
2015
% Graded
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
2014
Actual
2,296
3,826
332
96
6,550
2013
Actual
2,726
3,593
393
119
5,718
2012
Actual
2,489
2,545
392
154
5,580
Bartlett Pears:
We are now sold out for the season. Sales were very brisk this season with an early sell out. Prices on average
are $4.00 more per box more than last season. Very limited claim activity this year. Packs per bin to the fresh
market were much higher than 2014. We are very pleased with our Bartlett pear results this season.
Anjou Pears:
We are very close to being sold out of Anjou Pears for the season. Average price is up $7.00 / carton higher
than last year.
Bosc Pears:
Sold out for the season. Average price from the market is up $8.00 / carton over last season.
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 8
FROM HUMAN RESOURCES
GHG Clockwise Training at Growers Supply
Okanagan College Career Fair
Introductions:
There are a few additions to the Growers Supply team;
At our Acland Branch we have both Robert Oishi and Kevin Wildemann working as Warehouse Customer
Service Associates, and Ryan Cowan is our newest Class 1 Truck Driver.
At the Keremeos Branch, Kayla Chappell has joined us as a Counter Sales Representative and Taj Sidhu is our
new Seasonal Warehouseperson.
At the Vernon Branch, Kris Baker joins us as a Warehouse Receiver. Scott Riddick is transitioning positions
from Warehouseperson to Counter and Irrigation Sales Representative.
At the Oliver Branch, Kristine Patterson joins us as a Counter Staff Representative.
On the BC Tree Fruits team we have welcomed Ryan Kraeker as our Northern Assistant Custodial Foreman.
Please join us in welcoming everyone to our Organization!
Realignments:
There are a couple of changes within the Field Services Department;
Lindsay Hainstock has accepted the position of Field Service Rep for Summerland and Naramata.
Angela Wilson has accepted the position of Field Service Rep for Oliver and Osoyoos.
Retirements:
Tajinder Dhillon has retired from BCTFC after 15 years with our production crew in the south.
Congratulations Tajinder!
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 9
On Farm Food Safety
(OFFS)
Update
We have successfully obtained our CanadaGAP certificate for Option B. Thank you to everyone for your hard
work!
Most of our Auto-Fails dealt with hand washing stations. The issues we came across were:
 stations were not used properly,
 stations were not properly stocked,
 stations were not located in the production site.
We will address these issues in the upcoming newsletters as we come closer to harvest dates.
Online Forms and Manuals
We are currently working on updating our online forms and our manuals and we will keep you posted on when
they have been completed.
NOTICE for Independently Certified Growers – for the 2016 crop
Growers that are already CanadaGAP certified (option C only) or have been certified to an equivalent standard
(GFSI benchmarked, such as Global GAP) or intend to be independently certified must submit a copy of their
certificate, or notify us of your intention to be independently certified if you want to pay the reduced OFFS fee.
By doing this, these growers will be considered “Independently Certified Growers” and will no longer be part of
our OFFS Group Management System. Please note that independently certified growers are also subject to audits.
Please submit a copy of your certificate or notification of your intent to be independently certified for the 2016
crop by email to [email protected] or fax it to Diane’s attention at 250-498-2677.
The deadline for submission is April 1st, 2016. For the certificate to be valid, it must include all the lots and
commodities contracted to the Cooperative and be current.
Regards,
Diane Goltz
On Farm Food Safe Supervisor
[email protected]
250-462-5955
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 10
Cider News!
New Product:
The Broken Ladder Family is expanding! Joining Apples are Pears and Apples & Hops!
Staff & Grower Discount:
We are continuing to offer a 20% discount on merchandise and growlers to staff and growers. The discount
no longer applies to cans of cider. Please bring your employee/grower number and identification.
Limited Time Offer:
There is a limited time offer on Broken Ladder 4-packs at BC Liquor Stores province wide. Enjoy $1 off each
pack from January 31st to February 27th. We are also honoring this offer at our Vaughan Tasting Room.
Continued Next Page
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 11
Cider News!
Find Broken Ladder!
Our website now has a cider
locater in our “Find Us” section! Check it out! You are
able to find restaurants and
liquor stores that carry Broken
Ladder.
Events:
Broken Ladder will be sampled at the BC Ministry of Agriculture
dinner happened at the Laurel Packing House February 4th and
attending “Cider Wise, a cider and gluten-free beer tasting on
February 13th!”
FEBRUARY 2016
Page 12
ADVERTISEMENTS
Please note advertisements will be run in the newsletter for a minimum of 3 months. If you wish to renew your advertisement, please contact Susan in
grower accounting (contact information on front page). We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the ads, however we cannot be held responsible
for any errors or omissions. Please notify us if you see a discrepancy in your advertisement.
FOR SALE
Reasonable Rates—Book Now!
Ambrosia Trees
Mann Orchards & Nursery Ltd
Pacific Gala Trees
Call 250-558-8939 or 250-549-4403
Honeycrisp Trees
Spartan Trees
-------------------------------------------------------Cherry Trees
Budding
B-9
Bench Grafting
Call 250-306-0864 or 250-938-7273
Field Grafting
Big or Small Jobs, Reasonable Rates
-------------------------------------------------------250-306-0864 or 250-938-7273
Gala Apple Trees
===============================
Call 250-801-3942
-------------------------------------------------------FOR LEASE OR RENT
Rootstock for spring 2016
Transplanter for Rent
M9, B9, M26, M7, Mazzard, GiSelA®5,
For spring planting
GiSelA®6, Krymsk®5, Krymsk®6, OHF
$115.00
per day or
87, OHF 97, Pyrodwarf®2-33
special
weekly
rate available
Book early for best availability
Call
Germaine
250-860-4651
James Calissi
-------------------------------------------------------Call or text 250 317 2164
ORCHARD FOR LEASE
Email [email protected]
10 Acre Apple orchard
-------------------------------------------------------Close to OK Falls
Orchard for Sale
Call
250-497-5883
2 parcels of 5 acres each in Cawston
-------------------------------------------------------Pears, Apples, Prunes, Peaches,
4.5 Acres in Summerland
Nectarines
Presently
planted to Tree Fruits
Asking $1,000,000 OBO
Looking
for
Long Term Lease
Call 250-378-2047
Email
[email protected]
===============================
===============================
Kasco Spray Helmet
Brand new in box
Original cost $1,100.00
Will take $850.00 firm
Call 250-490-1895
-------------------------------------------------------Ambrosia Trees for Sale
on M9 Rootstock
Ready for 2016 Planting
Call 250-863-0507
-------------------------------------------------------Apple & Cherry Trees for sale
Book your orders now for 2016-2019
Mann Orchards & Nursery Ltd
Call 250-558-8939 or 250-549-4403
-------------------------------------------------------Ambrosia Trees for Sale
B9
Call Harry Sidhu 306-920-0003
-------------------------------------------------------New Holland t4030v
4x4, low hours
New Holland t4040v
Low hours
New Holland tn75v
SERVICES FOR HIRE
21 ft. Goose Neck Flat Deck
WANTED
-------------------------------------------------------Call or text Jag 250-499-9517
Wooden Tri-Leg Orchard Ladders
GK Budding & Grafting
for more information & pricing
The taller, the better
 Budding
-------------------------------------------------------As donation to heritage orchard
 Bench Grafting
Ambrosia Trees for Sale
Will pick up
 Field Grafting
On M9 $7.50
Call John 250-494-8874
 Apple & Cherry Trees for Sale
Ready for 2016
-------------------------------------------------------Book your orders now for 2016-2019
Call Karma Gill 250-863-9737
Rototiller
Big or small jobs, Reasonable Rates
-------------------------------------------------------Bin Loader
Book early
Ambrosia Trees for Sale
Call or text Jag 250-499-9517
Consult for your next project
To plant 2016 spring
-------------------------------------------------------Call Kaul
200 gal Turbomist Sprayer
Flail Mower
250-307-3350 or 250 542-6598
Runs very well
In good condition
-------------------------------------------------------$2,000.00
Call 250-499-2000 Robert
Budding & Grafting Services
Call 250-317-1672
===============================
Big or Small Jobs
--------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1
Wednesday
2
Thursday
3
Friday
Saturday
4
5
11
12
**Breakfast
Meeting
NEW TIME
8:00 AM
The Pantry
Vernon
6
7
8
9
10
Breakfast
Meeting
7:30 AM
Home Restaurant
Salmon Arm
13
14
15
16
Daylight Savings
20
17
18
19
25
26
St. Patrick's Day
21
22
23
24
Good Friday
Head Office
Closed
27
28
Easter
29
30
31
Easter Monday
BCTFC
Head Office
Board Meeting
Closed
2nd Apple Advance
** The March 3rd Vernon Breakfast meeting will feature a super spindle pruning
demonstration following breakfast, no PAC points available that day
**** The February-May Vernon Breakfast Meetings will feature guests speakers
allowing Growers who attend to earn one PAC point per meeting ****
APRIL 2016
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1
Saturday
2
April Fool's Day
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
****Breakfast
****Breakfast
Meeting
Meeting
7:00 AM
7:30 AM
The Pantry
Home Restaurant
Vernon
Salmon Arm
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
BCTFC
Late Pear
Board Meeting
& Crabapple
Pool Close
**** The February-May Vernon Breakfast Meetings will feature guests speakers
allowing Growers who attend to earn one PAC point per meeting ****