hortwest_2009-07

B. C. L A N D S C A P E & N U R S E R Y A S S O C I AT I O N P U B L I C AT I O N • J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 0 9B C L A N D S C A P E & N U R S E R Y A S S O C I AT I O N P U B L I C AT I O N J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 0 9

CanWest speakersyou can’t miss

Agristability: is thecheque in the mail?

Cabinet ministerfarm-friendly

Landscape participationkeeps growing

HortWestJuly'09.indd 1HortWestJuly'09.indd 1 7/8/09 12:37:13 PM7/8/09 12:37:13 PM

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Message from the President

Ruth Olde, President,B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association

Taking noticeHaving heard many reports that engineered floors are not the best product for a busy kitchen, I asked a professional. I was assured that she had such floors,

and her floors were holding up just fine under the stress of her three teenagers,who don’t care about the mess they make,and certainly wouldn’t worry about cleaning it up.

Which got me thinking. Do we notice? Do we have areas of our businesses, or in our relationships with staff and customers, that we really care about but just don’t notice until a crisis arises?

I mean no disrespect to all the peoplewho have lost jobs and who are suffering because of the economic situation, but I have to say that our industry, in general—in this province—seems to be (gratefully) busy.

We are into the sixth month of what was predicted to be a horrible time. And it may yet be. All the more reason to pay extra attention to the details we need to, in order to set ourselves apart from our competitors.

Planning for continued success:this is what we have always been about.

Does my heart—and the industry—good.


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BCLNA Board Synopsis

Monday, June 15, 2009

JULY / AUGUST 2009MANAGING EDITOR Renata TriveriADVERTISING Barb NelsonPhone: (604) 574-7772Fax: (604) 574-7773

HortWest is the Newsletter of the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association for the horticultural trade in Western Canada. For further information, contact us at:Suite 102, 5783 – 176A StreetSurrey, B.C., Canada V3S 6S6Telephone (604) 574-7772 Fax (604) 574-7773

HortWest is owned by the B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association, and is published 10 times a year. Views expressed inside do not necessarily reflect the at-titudes of the Association but are those of the writer concerned. Material may not be reprinted from this magazine without the consent of the publisher.

All advertising and editorial material are to be received one month in advance of mail out date.

HortWest is mailed under Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement N. 0288608

This magazine is printed in Canada by Globe Printers.

Growers met in early June at United Flower Growers to look at the feasibility of using auction premises as a distribution point for a centralized nursery sales program. The concept is that purchasers would choose products from different growers at a negotiated price and then pick them up at UFG on a certain day. A feasibility study will be completed to properly assess and evaluate this concept.

Former BCAC executive director Steve Thompson has been appointed Minister of Agriculture & Lands for the province of BC.

P. ramorum sampling and testing has begun for new nurseries, while nurseries already in the program are beginning their third round of audits.

Environmental Stewardship Award is under review to reinvigorate the program. Environment committee members identified the following key objectives:

• Recruit young interested landscapers and growers to bring new thoughts and ideas to the committee.

• Raise the profile of this award with more advertising via stronger sponsorship support.

• Acknowledge small-scale projects and ac-complishments of members. This will help increase the number of applications, and will create a competitive environment.

• Reinforce that even simple steps can benefit the environment.

• Enhance the presentation of the award.

• Provide better media exposure for the winners. This will not only benefit the recipient but reinforce BCLNA as the “green” industry.

Membership renewal invoices were sent out at the end of May. Please renew your membership as soon as possible and update your contact info with the association. Payment is required in order to be included in the 2010 Buyer’s Guide.

Executive Director, Werner Knittel and Marvyn Brown (Financial Manager) along with the BCLNA staff are currently working on the 2009-2010 budget based on the board’s vision for the association and the general management of the organization.

On the cover: BCLNA’s Landscape Awards of Excellence recognize and highlight this province’s best in landscape installation and maintenance each year. A points-based judging system and several entry classes means that several companies can be lauded for their outstanding projects in a season. The very best are submitted to the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association as nomi-nees for the National Awards of Landscape Excellence. Deadline to apply is August 5. Photo: Blasig Landscape Design & Construction Ltd. BC Landscape Award of excellence 2008.


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BCLNA News Bulletins

Canada BloomselsewhereCanada Blooms, Canada’s largest flower and garden festival, announced a move to the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto for its 2010 event. The 14th annual festival will take place from March 17-21.

The theme for the 2010 presentation will be ‘Passions’.

Standard bulk buyIn an effort to increase awareness of the BC Landscape Standard among landscape archi-tects, designers, contractors, parks supervisors, prop-erty managers, and homeowners, BCLNA is extending bulk

purchases of the docu-ment’s seventh edition to members. When purchasing 10 copies or more, the unit price is $58.50, and members are encouraged to resell the books at their suggested retail price of $75 plus GST. This document is a must to have on hand! To place your order, contact Ina Chang: [email protected] or (604) 574-7772.

E-advertising comes to BCLNAIn response to numerous requests, BCLNA is offering advertising space in the weekly Landscape, Retail, and Grower Friday Files for a three-month trial period. Only members and affiliates are permitted to access this advertising service.

Private for Profit Educational Non-Profit Affiliates Institution (BCSLA, WCTA, BCRPA, ISA, IIABC, FARSHA etc.)

Sales Advertisements $200* $200* $200*

Education and events $50** $50** Gratiswith a fee free eventswith sales intent

Education and events with Gratis Gratis Gratisno fee and no sales intent

* Two advertisers maximum per week on first come, first serve basis. Includes logo plus 50 words with a link to website, located at bottom of Friday File. No attachments. The cost is $200 for advertising in the first Friday File (ie. Landscape) and $100 for each additional Friday File (ie. Retail & Grower). Advertisers may place an ad in one issue and then will be placed at the bottom of the list for the next available space. Competitors may be placed together in the same week.

** These announcements will be contained in the body of the Friday File with a title, one sentence description and web link only (no attachments). Announcements will be placed in the order they are received and after BCLNA events and announcements.

All free announcements will be placed after paid announcements; will be included one time per event; and due to space limitations are not guaranteed to be posted on the week requested (preference will be given to more time sensitive items).

BCLNA’s annual golf tournamentBCLNA’s annual June golf tournament was held last month, with Sean Kenny (Engage Agro), and Stan Matheson, David Gutterres, and Jeff Martin (missing) from Rona Inc. picking up the win.

Special thanks to our sponsors!Abbotsford Concrete, Bobcat Country, ComPro Business Solutions,Crofton/JVK, Custom House, Denbow, Farm Credit Corp., Finning Canada, Greenstar Plant Products, HUB International, International

Wire Products, Investor’s Group, KPMG, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, RONA, Schmunk Gatt Smith, and True North Golf Events.

Rates & terms:

Access a preferred group savings plan, group banking, and an exclusive lending tool for your clients! CNLA members now receive an exclusive GIC rate with an added 0.6% bonus, and 5,000 additional

reward points on existing offers for RBC Avion Visa cards. For details on this and other member services, go to www.bclna.com and click on “Join BCLNA”.

New membership perk for CNLAmembers from RBC

In anincreof thStanlandtecconsuperanBe

purchases o’ h di i


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The World Rose Festival was held in Vancouver last month to great media acclaim. BCLNA was pleased to host a public education booth there, which featured a “bed of roses”, furnishings and plants from member contributors, Cedar Rim Nursery Ltd., Pacifica Landscape Works, Pan American Nursery Products Inc., and Sage Green Products Inc. Special thanks to these companies and to the volunteers who staffed the booth over the weekend.

BCLNA also recognizes the many members whose participation contributed to the event, including Gabriala Adamov of Malvina’s Design Group who created the front entrance display pictured with the help of Jacob and Silvia Cupa, Oliver Cruiz and Corvid Lebray.

Final Approval

The BCLNA welcomes the following new member as of June 15, 2009:Paulette French Designs, Paulette French, Whistler, Active Landscaper

Tentative Approval

The following companies will become BCLNA members at the next board meeting unless a member provides a valid reason for not accepting the application:Agrium Advanced Technologies, Ron Dekok, Brantford, Out of ProvinceDarvonda Nurseries Ltd., Byron & Tamara Jansen, Langley, Active GrowerFabulous Flower Beds, Scott McLeod, White Rock, Active LandscaperKennedy Landscaping Ltd., Chuck Kennedy, Delta, Active LandscaperSester Farms, Gordon Sester, Gresham, Out of ProvinceVireo Plants, Stephen Dee, Richmond, Active Grower (Interim)

NewBCLNA Members

WorldRoseFestival

Rose Festival.


CanWest Hort Show professional development previewUsing the Internet to your best advantageWednesday, September 23 Growers take note! Thomas Young will help you better understand websites and what yours can do for you. Learn his 10 secrets for websites that sell, and find so-lutions for handling online catalogues, availability lists, e-marketing and more.

Website content thatconvertsThomas Young, MBA

One of the greatest challenges to Internet marketing success is website content. Content is the most important part of your website as users ultimately come to your site to read content. Here are a few tips for getting results from your website copy.

Who will write the content?In many cases, the key managers of a company are tasked with writing website copy and they are immediately chal-lenged by a lack of time and direction. Key staff or contrac-tors should be assigned to writing copy and staying on top of content updates. Make it a priority, because it is your website user’s biggest priority.

Don’t “wing it”Learn how to write website content. It takes skill and training to get it right. This article is an example of effective website content. Use clear headers, small paragraphs, captions on photos and bullet points in your messaging. Most websites can cut their content in half and still communicate the same message.

The principle law of website contentThis is the 10 out of 10 rule. If 10 people come to your website, all 10 will be able to understand exactly what you do and the value you provide. This should be very clear in your tag lines and bullet points on your home page.

Avoid market-speak to drive conversionsBrochure copy should be avoided. Cut through the copy and get to the real message and benefit you provide customers. As a rule of thumb, writing about your business turns users off, and writing about how you can add value moves them towards a conversion. When users do convert, it happens because of the content they read on the site.

Develop a content themeThe content on your site, and especially on your home page, should be centred on three or four main themes that are key to your business. These themes are reinforced in your navigation and your product and services descriptions.

Bad content is ignoredMost users do not read poorly presented or written content. We have seen this firsthand in hundreds of hours of user testing sessions and in dozens of Google stats reports. Learn how to write effective content and increase yourconversions.

Selling to today’s demographic & Ka-ching!Wednesday, September 23 & ThursdaySeptember 24Ian Baldwin comes to CanWest for two days of retail revitalization! Don’t miss his seminars on gardening in an iPod age and how winning garden centres are differentiating and thriving. Ian tops these seminars off with a perennial favourite: Merchandising Magic, ideal for your entire staff!

Seeding prosperityIan Baldwin, Garden Centre Consultant; excerptedIn a tough economy, smart retailers do more than survive. They thrive.

Strip centers, restaurants and furniture stores going out of business proves that recent growth depended on maximum employment, maximum spending and minimal saving. As demographer Kip Creel said, “Americans have spent five years using their home equity like an ATM.”

It seems most of the world’s businesses expanded on a marginal economy. One sneeze and we all catch a cold. The country‘s current financial situation will present challenges to garden centers—no doubt about it. One thing is certain: many of today’s managers and owners are in new territory. So what can managers and owners do when they are faced with shrinking sales, falling customer count and rising costs?

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CanWestHortShow.com


A short, if glib, answer might be, “Don’t panic, play to your strengths, don’t sweat the small stuff. Work smarter, not harder.”

Retailers should see this challenging year as a kick in the pants that will help them emerge stronger than ever for 2010.

Drawing on my experience of the 1980’s both here and in Great Britain, the following strategies should prove useful to garden centers wondering how to chart a path in 2009.

First things first—do not panic!Do not have a knee-jerk reaction and eliminate perfectly good programs, sensible buys, good employees, and worst of all, marketing.

Keep spending. Don’t stop all buying, as I know some companies have done already. The basic but brilliant concept of “keep buying what is selling” must always be in a buyer’s mind.

For instance, I know one company that stopped plant buying and only had eight 6-inch cyclamen in the greenhouse in November, although their POS told them they only sold 126 in November 2007. If you are out of “never outs” no amount of other stuff they don’t want will placate the customer.

Another retailer mothballed a partly built greenhouse extension that would have given them covered shopping for the first time in their 35-year history. Their business plan (approved by the bank) showed that, as it linked the store with the greenhouse, no extra traffic would be needed to justify the investment. Yet this spring it will sit there half finished like a 40- by 60-foot sign saying “We have no confidence in the future.”

It’s time to invest. In times like this people do funny things, like stopping training and conferences, including attendance at management improvement programs. Knee-jerk, across-the-board cutbacks like these restrict business opportunities and give a bad signal to customers and employees.

A big lesson from the past is to increase training andimprove systems that would be key to a quick take offwhen things turn around. So please don’t nix the ANLAManagement Clinic in Louisville, Ky., or the product knowledge classes offered by suppliers. If the public is nervous about spending, product knowledge is moreimportant not less.

The Five R’s of High Performance TeamsThursday, September 24The fastest way to increase productivity and per-formance is to ensure that your employees are operating as a single, well-oiled, highly aligned and energized machine. Jeffrey Scott, whose experience includes operating a luxury pool and landscape firm catering to the rich and famous, will show you how to get there.

Busy is not always goodJeffrey Scott, Landscape Success SystemsHave you noticed how busy people are these days? People were busy last year, and now they are even busier today. But busy is not always good.

There are many different kinds of “busy.” Just like the Inuit have many different definitions for “snow”, we need to differentiate between the different kinds of busy. Here is a list of “busy”— the good, the bad, and the ugly. Which busy are you?

1. Busy/FocusedThis means you are going after a goal, and are strictly focused on executing that goal. It means your team knows what the goal is, and knows what the important priorities are for hitting the goal. This is good-busy, if the team is working in lock step and everyone knows his or her role and goals in the business.

2. Busy/ProductiveThis means you are getting a lot done with your time. Perhaps you have a lot of clients to service, or a large backlog that you are working your way through. Or it can mean you are following the 20-80 rule, and you are doing the work that is most important, and delegating (or simply not doing) the rest. Busy/productive should show up on the bottom line and in the growth of your firm.

3. Busy/ProactiveThis means you are getting “ahead” of issues. Either you are visiting customers, or job sites, or prospecting for business, or meeting with your peer group, or talking to influencers in your community. When done right, this is good-busy, and should make your firm more competitive.

continued on page 9


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For HireAl’s Bobcat Service,serving the lower mainland since 1988. We have a Bobcat loader and a John Deere excavator for all your needs: excavating, backfi lling, trenching, snow removal, post holes, rototilling, both commercial and residential. Call Al at (604) 463-3866 today for more info.

Landscape Equipment Safety Training100% Online. Proven.www.LandscapeSafety.com

Horticulture ConsultantNow available to assist green industry companies move into the future. Accredited and experienced across a wide range of horticulture industry activities and issues. Interested to speak further? Just contact me, Richard at [email protected]

Help WantedTSC Nursery is seeking aprofessional F/T commercialquotes salesperson.Duties include, bidding on commercial projects, communicating between landscape architects and landscapers and assembling orders. Must be a strong multi-tasker with a basic knowledge of horticulture. Please email resumes to Courtney at [email protected]

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4. Busy/InnovatingThis means you are growing in a new direction, adding new services, and are busy figuring them out and selling them. This means your team is trying out new methods for executing the work. It can also mean you are expanding into a new geographic area. Busy/innovating is good-busy because it will drive your profits.

…But busy is not always good, for example:

5. Busy/ReactiveThis means you are busy responding to emails and phone calls and knocks on the door. You are reacting to the agendas of your customers, your suppliers, your subs, and your staff. It means you are not setting the agenda. It may mean your leadership is weak, and you are in a state of “followship”.

6. Busy/FirefightingThis means you have big complaints that are consuming your time, or big quality issues or contract completion issues. This means your employees or customers are screaming, or your banker is screaming, or other stakeholders in your business are screaming. It can also mean you did poor planning this winter and you now are paying the price, responding to the poor planning. This is related to busy-reactive. This means you have a fundamental problem you need to address.

7. Busy/Changing directions constantlyThis is “attention deficit disorder” busy. This is due to not following through on your plans, and constantly creating new plans and new directions. It can also mean you are easily distracted. You thrive on chaos, and it keeps you busy.

8. Busy/Doing double workThis means your systems force you to do double or triple administrative work. This is the kind of busy work that consumes a department or whole company, and stops it from growing easily.

9. Busy/Busy workThis may mean you have gone past the 80-20 rule, and you are simply working on too many projects; unfocused and without great results. You may need to ‘get perspective’ on what you are working on—on what is important right now to grow your business. You may also need a break to recharge your batteries. Either way, it is imperative that you refocus and get back on track.

continued from page 7

Register for these andmore seminars online atwww.CanWestHortShow.com.

But act fast as seminarsfill up quickly. Look forspecial member and

group rates!


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Industry Bits

BCLNA Office: 604-574-7772; 800-421-7963

Industry events and programs

JULY17-18 Certification Exam DayKwantlen Polytechnic University, Langleywww.bclna.com

19-24 Perennial Plant SymposiumSt Louis, MOwww.perennialplant.org

AUGUST5 Landscape Awards of ExcellenceEntry DeadlineInfo at www.bclna.com (click “Awards”)

9-12 CGTA Fall 2009 Gift ShowToronto International Centre & Congress Centrewww.cgta.org

12 BCLNA Landscape Commodity MeetingNorthwest Landscape Supply, Burnabywww.bclna.com

20-22Farwest ShowOregon Convention CentrePortland, ORwww.farwestshow.com

SEPTEMBER3-4 Tree Risk Assessment Course & ExamRiverview Hospital, Coquitlamwww.pnwisa.org

6-14 IPPS International TourIrelandwww.ipps.org/easternNA

10-11 Tree Risk Assessment Course & ExamRoyal Roads University, Victoriawww.pnwisa.org

13-19 IGCA Congress 2009Machester, UKwww.igcacongress.com

19 BC Regional Tree Climbing CompetitionPacific Northwest Chapter of the ISAQueen’s Park, New Westminsterwww.pnwisa.org

23-24 CanWest Hort ShowVancouver Convention Centre, East Buildingwww.canwesthortshow.com

OCTOBER5 PNW-ISA Chapter Tree Climbing ChampionshipPacific Northwest Chapter of the ISAKelowna, City Parkwww.pnwisa.org

7-8 Canadian Greenhouse ConferenceToronto International Centrewww.canadiangreenhouseconference.com

16-18 Certification ExamsKwantlen Polytechnic University, Langleywww.bclna.com

19-21 Garden & Floral ExpoToronto Congress Centrewww.gardenexpo.ca

22-23 Tree Risk Assessment Course & ExamRiverview Hospital, Coquitlamwww.pnwisa.org

Experienced aggie appointedto BCMALLast month’s cabinet appointments saw Steve Thompson take the helm of the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, which industry is applauding. Thompson’s considerable experience in the agriculture sector is anticipated to serve him and BC’s producers well. Thompson’s career includes managerial stints at the BC Federation of Agriculture, BC Ministry of Agriculture, BC Fruit Growers Association, and most recently, the BC Agriculture Council. Absent from this new cabinet is long time horticulture supporter John van Dongen.

Premier Campbell will recall the legislature on August 25; a budget is to be announced on September 1.

Garden clubsupportshort studentsThe North Shore Gardens Contest Society has created an endowment for Kwantlen Polytechnic University horti-culture students with a demonstrated interest in civic beautification. After 22 years, the society decided to discontinue the organization, however, before doing so its members wanted to leave a horticultural

legacy by donating $10,000 for Kwantlen scholarships.

New educationdirector atVanDusenGillian Drake has been appointed to the newly created position of Education Director at VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Drake brings a wealth of experience gained in other botanic and horticul-tural organizations in the U.S.A. and Canada. A native of Vancouver, for the past 11 years Drake has been employed at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, Florida, where she developed many innovative educational and outreach programs; she has also held positions with various horticulture-based organizations in Quebec, including Herbarium Assistant at McGill University’s Department of Plant Science and Research Assistant for the Canadian Government Agriculture Research Station in L’Assomption.

Ms. Drake holds a BSc in Botany from McGill University in Quebec and a Certificate in Applied Landscape Horticulture from Capilano College in North Vancouver. She commences her duties on July 6, 2009.

Allan Gauthier (left), North Shore Gardens Contest Society treasurer, presents $10,000 to Kwantlen Polytechnic University associate Dean of horticulture, David Davidson.


Hunter Landscape Design Ltd., Landscape Award of Excellence 2008

Highlight your talents and gain invaluable public recognition for

a job well done!

BCLNA’s team of esteemed judges spot the very best in landscape design and

installation, and landscape maintenance.

Enter your project today!For complete details, visit

www.bclna.com and click on “Awards” or email Annika:

[email protected]

Nominations close on August 5, 2009.

n

BCLNA Landscape Awards

of Excellence


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Landscape Clippings

When Sharon McGuin called BCLNA last year to offer up Golden Spruce Nurseries to host the June Landscape Commodity meeting, no one could have guessed there would be a record-breaking 145 registrations—two-and-a-half times the number of attendees that attended last June! Fortunately for McGuin,SMS Equipment (Komatsu) welcomed the opportunity to co-sponsor theevent.

“Relocating our nursery this winter turned out to be a bigger undertaking than anticipated so it was a real push to get the place ready in time for the event;” explained Sharon. “Having Rick Cleghorn (SMS Equipment) share in the planning and execution of the festivities was a big help!”

BCLNA thanks both companies immensely for their support.

Members were encouraged to bring along a non-member to this meeting, and BCLNA staff and the Landscape Executive made a point of highlighting all the great business benefits BCLNA has to offer.

Prospective member Donovan Holland, of Holland Home Services Inc., reflected, “This being my first BCLNA meeting, I was excited to see the professionalism and organization from everyone. It was great to see that the other members of the association were open and willing to support and promote other business owners in such an open and understanding way. I was happy to see that the BCLNA and members were all there to promote a higher standard in business and customer service. The whole experience was positive and motivating, and I am glad I got to be part of it.”

The meeting topic may have also played a role in the enthusiastic attendance: Are you billing what you’re worth?

Rick Cleghorn led the discussion and shared his knowledge and perspective on ways to successfully sell your services in this tightened market. And Barry Auger of Hoe! Hoe! Hoe! Landscape Services opened up his financial statements with the hope of helping fledgling gardeners be better business people. That’s a new kind of co-opetition! See this issue’s Extras for meeting discussion highlights.

Next meeting:August 12Join your BCLNA colleagues at the next commodity meeting, being held at Northwest Landscape Supply Ltd., at their Squamish area stone yards. Watch for more details coming soon, or contact Krista for details: [email protected] (604) 574-7772.

Landscapers showingstrength in numbers

Members turned out in force to last month’s Landscape Commodity meeting.

Sumas Gro–Media specializes in the production of specialty crop mixes for the nursery, bedding plants, perennial and blueberry crops. We also have seedling and propagation soils.

• Raw materials purchased in advance helps to ensure product consistency and availability.

• Multiple computers control the dosing equipment, increasing accuracy and speed. This makes it easier to offer competitively priced products.

• Non-invasive mixing equipment protects the structure and consistency of the media.

• Fast, reliable delivery.

www.sumasgromedia.ca

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The Next Generation in Soil MixingAll mixes go through a fi nal screening process before delivery.

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Sumas Gro-Media 1 1/26/09 8:23:51 AM


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Research SnippetsDavid Woodske, Industry SpecialistBCMAL

Weed Control in Christmas Trees with Flumioxazin and Other Residual Herbicides Applied Alone or in Tank Mixtures (HortTechnology 19(1):181-186) – Flumioxazin is a new pre-emergent herbicide. The findings demonstrate that dormant, field-grown Fraser fir and Colorado blue spruce are tolerant to over-the-top applications of flumioxazin at 0.425 kg/ha (label rate). Injury was only noted when flumioxazin was applied as a tank mix with pendimethalin. Injury was likely due to increased foliar absorption of flumioxazin by the emulsi-fying agents used in the EC formulation of pendimethalin. Fall application of f lumioxazin lead to 79%, 82%, and 98% control, respectively, of common ragweed, hoary alyssum, and field violet, whereas simazine provided only 89%, 57% and 65% control. When applied in the spring, it provided 80%, 43% and 48% control of the 3 weeds, and 64% control of white campion. Simazine provided a lower level of control (54%, 55%, 46% and 37%, respectively). Two studies were conducted on Colorado blue spruce that tested flumioxazin alone and in combination with other pre-emergents. In the first study, flumioxazin alone provided poor control of annual grasses (53%), but 71%, 85% and 96% control, respectively, of common catsear, horseweed, and Virginia pepperweed. In the second study, 0.425 kg/ha of f lumioxazin provided equal or better control of common catsear, dandelion, and horse-weed than the 0.28 kg/ha rate in combina-tion with pendimethalin, s-metolachlor, or simazine. The studies demonstrated that flumioxazin controls several prob-lematic weeds, although control was considered to be inadequate of white campion, dandelion, and horseweed. Flumioxazin also demonstrated acceptable selectivity for use on Colorado blue spruce and Fraser fir.

Sanitize with certaintySanitization can be very costly if not done effectively.

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Field trials have proven that the sanitization level of pots prior to planting can affect plant yields.

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Sanitize with certaintySanitization can be very costly if not done effectively.

• Iotron takes sanitization to a new level, offeringNursery Growers unparalleled results.

• Iotron utilizes irradiation technology to eliminatePathogens, fungi and molds on pots, trays, andstyroblocks.

• Iotron's sanitization method fully penetrates materialslike an X-ray, effectively sterilizing the material.

Field trials have proven that the sanitization level of pots prior to planting can affect plant yields.

Money does grow on trees!Be confident that your pots, trays or styroblocks are

the cleanest they can be from the start. A diseasefree environment creates disease free plants.

Benefits• Re-use old pots, trays & styroblock• Increase plant yields• Reduce maintenance on plants• Environmentally friendly process• No more need for harsh chemicals, steam or hot water

If your sanitization method leaves you uncertain, then it's definitely time to make a change.

For more information please contact Iotron Technologies Corp. 1425 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6L3

Ph. (604)945-8838 Fax. (604)945-8827Website www.Iotron.com Email: [email protected]

BCMAL Report


14

Grower Updates

This past winter has been a harsh one for hundreds of nursery and greenhouse producers as they faced plant losses in the millions. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands encourage all producers to take part in the Business Risk Management programs available to help them when their income declines, including AgriInvest and AgriStability.

AgriInvest helps producers protect their margin from small declines. Producers deposit money into an AgriInvest account each year and receive a matching government contribution.

AgriStability is a margin-based program designed to assist producers when they face sharp declines in income. You receive an AgriStability payment when your current year program margin falls below 85% of your reference margin.

AgriStability is based on margins:

• Program margin: your allowable income minus your allowable expenses in a given year, with adjustments for changes in receivables, payables and inventory. These adjustments are made based on

information you submit on the AgriStability harmonized form.

• Reference margin: your average program margin for three of the past five years (the lowest and highest margins are dropped from the calculation).

The deadline to participate in 2009 AgriStability has passed but you can participate for 2010. The deadline for 2010 participation is April 30, 2010.

You still have time to participate in 2008 AgriInvest. The deadline isSeptember 30, 2009.

The AgriInvest and AgriStability forms are harmonized. Producers are reminded of these important application deadlines.

September 30, 2009• Deadline to submit the 2008

AgriStability/AgriInvest Harmonized Form without penalty.

December 31, 2009• Deadline to submit the 2008

AgriStability/AgriInvest Harmonized Form with penalty.

• For AgriStability, if you miss the September30th deadline, you can still submit the form until December 31st with a $500/month reduction to your payment. Note that you must have been enrolled in AgriStability by the April 30, 2008 deadline in order to be eligible for 2008 benefits.

• For AgriInvest, if you miss the September30th deadline, you can still submit the form until December 31st but your matchable deposit will be reduced by 5% for each month or part of the month that your application is received late.

Although Business Risk Management programs are designed to work together, producers do not have to participate in both AgriInvest and AgriStability to be eligible for benefits. Producers not participating in AgriStability can still apply for 2008 AgriInvest by completing and submitting sections 1 to 6 of the harmonized form by the harmonized form deadline (September 30 with penalty/December 31 with penalty).

For more information about AgriInvest and AgriStability, producers canvisit www.agr.gc.ca/agristability or www.agr.gc.ca/ agriinvest, or call toll free at 1-866-367-8506.

Growers encouraged to participatein risk management programsMohini Singh, Communications Officer, AgriStability


September 23–24

20

09

Vancouver Convention & Exhibition CentreYour source for BC’s best nursery and landscape products and supplies

For More Information: BC Landscape & Nursery Association

CanWestHortShow.com

Tours Sept. 25

Exclusive! Two Pre-Show Workshops for Landscape Professionals

Photo by Terra Nova Nurseries www.terranovanurseries.com


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