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45th ANNUAL CONFERENCE
INTERNATIONAL DWARF FRUIT TREE ASSOCIATION
GRAND HOTEL
KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
FEBRUARY 16 to 20, 2002
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45th ANNUAL CONFERENCE
INTERNATIONAL DWARF FRUIT TREE ASSOCIATION
GRAND HOTEL
KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
FEBRUARY 16 to 20, 2002
Saturday,
February 16
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Pre-conference Tour
Depart by bus from the Grand Hotel, Kelowna, for an all-day tour, traveling
north, visiting orchards between Kelowna and Vernon.
Jamie Kidston Orchard, Vernon. Jamie is a third generation grower on the same
land. He planted his first super spindle in 1992, and his standard spacing
is now 2 x 10 ft. He buys bench grafts and plants them in their final
location (rather than in a nursery). We will look at part of the 1992 planting
as well as his 2001 planting.
Kalamalka Forestry Centre Research and Seed Orchards, Vernon. Approximately
250 million seedlings are planted in B.C. forests each year. Research into
various forestry-related matters, including the improvement of the genetics
of these seedlings, is carried out at the Centre. As well, seed orchards have
been established to provide material for the replant program. Larch trees
have been trained on a trellis to improve cone production. Research is also
carried out with hybrid poplars and other broadleaf species. Our host at the
Centre will be Dr. Mike Carlson, Forest Geneticist.
Jack Shore/Ron Patterman Orchard, Vernon. Jack is a grower with a proverbial
green thumb. He retired from farming in 1990 but could not stay away and started
a new orchard in 1993. This 22-acre orchard is completely super spindle (mostly
2 x 9 ft) and varieties include Gala, Fuji and other modern cultivars.
New plantings have consistently produced over 50 bins/acre in the third
leaf. Year 2000 production totaled 1000 bins from 16 producing acres
with trees from 2 to 8 years in age. Jack re-retired in 2000 and the
orchard is now operated by his son-in-law, Ron.
Wyatt Laing Orchard, Okanagan Centre. Wyatt retired from a former occupation
in 1985 and started farming with no preconceived ideas of "the right
way" of doing things. He has replanted his 20-acre orchard since 1990
with spindle and super spindle trees. Varieties include Gala, Spartan and
Ambrosia. In fact, he was the first in the north Okanagan to plant Gala. He
is an innovative grower.
Gray Monk Estate Winery, Okanagan Centre. Located above Okanagan Lake, this
establishment has a spectacular view up and down the lake. This area has a
micro-climate particularly suited to grape production. The winery has been
producing award-winning wines (especially whites) for many years. We will
tour the operation and taste their latest products.
Sunday
Evening, February 17
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Registration
Monday
Morning, February 18
Session Chair: Ken Hall, IDFTA Vice President, Poplar Grove,
IL
8:20 a.m.
President's Welcome, Jim Hughes, Picton, Ontario, Canada
8:30 a.m.
ROBERT F. CARLSON DISTINGUISHED LECTURE
Dwarfing Rootstocks: Past, Present and Future
Dr. Tony Webster, Horticultural Research International, East Malling, UK
9:20 a.m.
Hail Netting of Apple Orchards—Australian Experience
Dr. Simon Middleton, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Stanthorpe,
Queensland, Australia
10:10 a.m.
Super Spindle Orchard Management in British Columbia—Panel discussion
with Okanagan Valley orchardists
Moderator: Hank Markgraft
Tony DiMaria: Pruning and Thinning for Size and Grade
Russell Husch: Nutrient Requirements for Tree Growth and Fruit Quality
Bill Sandher: Growth Regulators
11:10 a.m.
European Trends in Organic Fruit Production
Dr. Franco Weibel, Research Institute for Organic Farming, Frick, Switzerland
Noon: Lunch
Monday
Afternoon, February 18
Session Chair: Steve Klackle, IDFTA Board of Directors,
Greenville, MI
1:30 p.m. Organic
Apples—North American Trends
David Granatstein, Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural
Resources, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA
2:00 p.m. Successes,
Challenges and Opportunities in Organic Fruit Production—
Panel discussion
Moderator: David Granatstein, Center for Sustaining Agriculture and
Natural Resources, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA
Gavin Young, Westbank Packers, Westbank, B.C.
Dain Craver, Crave Organic Orchard, Royal City, WA
Linda Edwards, Mennell Orchards, Cawston, B.C.
Tye Fleming, Orondo, WA
3:30 p.m. New
Techniques in Organic Apple Production
Dr. Franco Weibel, Research Institute for Organic Farming, Frick, Switzerland
4:30 p.m. Marketing
Organic Apples
Matthew Jarmin, Stemilt Growers, Wenatchee, WA
Monday Evening, February 18
Annual IDFTA Banquet
Featuring the presentation of awards for Outstanding
Researcher, Grower and Extension/Educator; and entertainment. Dr. Steve
Blizzard, Master of Ceremonies
6:00 p.m.
Social Hour
7:00 p.m.
Dinner
Tuesday, February 19
8:30 a.m. to Depart
from Grand Hotel, Kelowna, for all-day orchard
tours.
5:00 p.m.
Mike Melinchuk Orchard, North Kelowna. Mike was 18 when he took over the orchard
from his dad. He currently farms 70 acres in the Ellison region of north
Kelowna with his spouse Priscilla. Mike does not limit himself to one style
of planting, preferring to match the density and training system to the variety
and site. He has been planting super spindle since 1992. The blocks we will
visit are 2 x 9 ft and 2 x 10 ft super spindle plantings of Gala
and Honeycrisp.
Jim Elliot Orchard, Oyama. Jim and his wife Julie have been farming since
1983 and run a total of 50 acres in Oyama. Jim planted his first super
spindle block in 1995. His orchard includes many apple varieties, the main
ones being Spartan, Gala and McIntosh. Jim has recently planted his first
high density cherry block of Lapins and Sweetheart at a spacing of 4 x 15 ft.
He has grown his own nursery trees for replanting his orchard.
Tony DiMaria Orchard, Winfield. Tony and his wife Maria farm 23 acres
in Winfield planted to d'Anjou pears, table grapes and a number of apple cultivars.
They purchased a slender spindle orchard in 1989 and are slowly converting
it to super spindle. They have been progressive in growing their own nursery,
planting bench grafts and grafting trees. In their spare time, they manufacture
wire clips for fastening super spindle trees to the trellis wires.
Dave and Mike Stirling Orchards, Kelowna. Dave and Mike are third generation
apple and cherry growers, farming 100 acres in the south Kelowna district.
They farm independently, operating on owned and leased properties. The brothers
both have post-secondary education in plant science and have put their education
to good use, pioneering new varieties and planting techniques. The blocks
to be visited will be high density cherry and spindle apple plantings.
Brian Witzke Orchard, Kelowna. Brian took over the family farm at a young
age and works with his wife Dorothy and son Shayne. Brian has been at the
forefront of new varieties and high density plantings. His farming is characterized
by an aggressive pruning style and close attention to detail. We will look
at spindle apple plantings and also at some equipment which is particularly
suitable for high density plantings.
Bill Sandher Orchard, Kelowna. Bill began operating orchards in 1989. He started
replanting to super spindle in 1995 and continues to do so today. Bill runs
a total of 51 acres in Kelowna. Gala is the main variety on his farm,
with some plantings of Fuji, Jonagold and Ambrosia. Bill has grown his orchards
from sleeping eyes, bench grafts and nursery trees. He is a progressive grower
who continues to change growing technique in order to produce quality fruit.
Tuesday Evening, February 19
Session Chair: Bennett Saunders, IDFTA
Board of Directors, Roseland, VA
7:30 p.m. Tree
Density or Training System—What is Important in Apple Orchard Design?
Dr. Cheryl Hampson, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada, Summerland, B.C.
8:00 p.m. What
We Have Learned from High Density Orchard System Trials
Dr. Terence Robinson, New York Agricultural Experiment Station,
Geneva, NY
8:30 p.m. Early
Management Issues for Developing High Density Apple Plantings
Dr. Ron Perry and Dario Stefanelli, Michigan State University,
East Lansing, MI
Wednesday
Morning, February 20
Session Chair: Kent Waliser, IDFTA Board of Directors,
Wenatchee, WA
8:30 a.m.
The Productivity and Performance of Apple Orchard Systems in Australia
Dr. Simon Middleton, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, Stanthorpe,
Queensland, Australia
9:20 a.m.
Management of Nitrogen and Water in High Density Apple Orchards
Dr. Denise Neilsen, Dr. Gerald H. Neilsen and Dr. Sunghee Guak,
Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland,
B.C.
9:45 a.m. Fire Blight: Improving
Disease Management
Tim Smith, Washington State University Cooperative Extension,
Wenatchee, WA
10:15 a.m.
Managing the Self-fruitful Lapins and Sweetheart Sweet Cherries
in High Density Systems
Dr. Frank Kappel, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada, Summerland, B.C.
10:45 a.m.
High Density Sweet Cherry Management—Point Counterpoint
Dr. Greg Lang and Dr. Ron Perry, Michigan State University,
East Lansing, MI
11:15 a.m.
New Summerland Sweet Cherry Varieties
Dr. Frank Kappel, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada, Summerland, B.C.
11:45 a.m. Nutrient
and Irrigation Management of Lapins Sweet Cherry on Gisela 5
Dr. Gerald H. Neilsen, Dr. Denise Neilsen and Dr. Frank Kappel,
Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Summerland,
B.C.
12:00 p.m.
Lunch
Wednesday
Afternoon, February 20
Session Chair: Tom Auvil, IDFTA Board of Directors, Orondo,
WA
1:30 p.m. Nova
Scotia—Site of the 2002 Summer Tour
Larry Lutz, Scotian Gold, Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
1:40 p.m.
Ambrosia—A New Home-grown
British Columbia Apple
Wilfrid Mennell, Cawston, B.C.
1:55 p.m. IDFTA 2001 European
Study Tour Highlights
Moderator: Jon Clements, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Deborah Breth, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Albion, NY: IPM and IFP
Dain Craver, Crave Organic Orchard,
Royal City, WA: Organic Initiative
Charlie de la Chapelle, Yakima, WA: Marketing and "Club" Varieties
2:55 p.m. Current Approved Thinning
Strategies for Apples and Pears and Recent Thinning Research Trials in Europe
Dr. Tony Webster, Horticultural Research International, East Malling, UK
3:45 p.m. Size Really Does Matter—What
Controls Fruit Growth in Apple
Dr. Peter M. Hirst, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
4:15 p.m. Cornell-Geneva Apple
Rootstock Performance in NC-140 National Trials
Dr. Terence Robinson, New York Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY
Adjourn
