Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/79982
Apple growers' union gives market power to Quebec growers backed by loyal consumers who'd rather F Membership in the federation is not voluntary. by Richard Lehnert or a relatively small industry with annual apple production of about 6 million bushels, the apple growers of Quebec have a very substantial market power and are eat a Quebec McIntosh than any other apple. That market power is exercised through the Federation of Apple Growers of Quebec. In an interview with Good Fruit Grower, apple grower Steve Levasseur, the 0% president of the group, explained how it works. The grower organization can forge agreements with apple processors and fresh-market buyers, negotiating prices and other terms, including quality 0%INTEREST for On T4000 S standards. In the United States, there is only one such similar group, the Process- ing Apple Growers of Michigan, which has substantially less power. Since 1974 The Quebec federation was formed in 1974, he said, after the Canadian province passed a marketing act that allows agri- cultural organizations to form and speak on behalf of growers. Growers voted over- whelmingly, Levasseur said, to create this 48 MONTHS OR CHOOSE CASH BACK T4000 Series in stock CK! TD4040F The Ready to Roll Sales Event is in full swing, and that means you can get 0% financing for 48 months or cash back on select New Holland tractors: T4000V and T4000F Series Tractors (62 to 92 PTO hp) Get Ready to Roll now with outstanding deals! Program ends Stop by today, or visit www.newholland.com/na for complete details. T4040V with Low Prof ile Saf-T Cab APPLE BREEDING program ends I n Canada, as in the United States, there are several layers of govern- ment and quasi-governmental units. Federal and provincial govern- ments sometimes cooperate but sometimes are not on the same page. As an example, apple growers in Quebec Province need scab-resistant varieties and also varieties that are conducive to making their specialty product called ice cider. As the cold- est apple production region in the world, Quebec also needs cold-hardy varieties. For several years, Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, the federal depart- ment of agriculture, operated an apple breeding program led by Dr. Shahrokh Khanizadeh at the research station near Saint-Jean-sur-Riche- lieu. It developed several varieties, including a new one called Diva, the first scab-resistant cultivar designed specifically for northern climates that could be used both for fresh market and for cider and ice cider production. The breeding program's first focus BIN TRAILERS AS LOW AS. . . $5,390 RENTAL RETURN T4050F with Cab QUINCY OTHELLO MOSES LAKE PASCO WALLA WALLA HERMISTON LA GRANDE LAKEVIEW CHRISTMAS VALLEY HINES at participating New Holland dealers in United States. Offer subject to change. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in price. ©2012 CNH America LLC rights reserved. New Holland and CNH Capital are registered trademarks of CNH America LLC. *For agricultural use. Offer subject to CNH Capital America LLC credit approval. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements. Depending on model, a down payment may be required. Offer good through September 30, 2012, 12 SEPTEMBER 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER was on scab resistance, but it also sought apples that would not drop from the tree. One of those is Eden, a nonbrowning cultivar that hangs on into winter and allows ice cider pro- ducers to use the most desirable method—actually picking the apples and crushing them while frozen. For economic reasons, apple breeding in eastern Canada is being terminated this year. The federal gov- ernment's cutbacks last spring have brought about a closing of its research orchard and the laying off of many scientists. The trees have already been removed, and Khanizadeh will be out of his position next March. He leaves behind several other varieties, including Belmac, Primevere, MacExcel, Reinette Russet, Galarina, and SuperMac. The IFTA tour visited trial blocks of scab-resistant cultivars set up in 2007 and 2008 by Shahrokh Khanizadeh at the Du Minot Orchard. —R. Lehnert www.goodfruit.com