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ONTARIO
APPLE GROWERS ANNUAL REPORT
(to
view the entire Annual Report as a pdf click here.)
October 31, 2007
CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS
COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR
It is once again my pleasure to report on the activities of the Ontario Apple Growers. This was the fourth year of operations for your new organization. Progress continues to be made through coordinated marketing initiatives and on the political front.
One of the strengths of the organization is the enthusiastic support and participation of the directors and committee members. This year was no different. I am a strong believer that many hands make light work.
We continue to focus on our original five pillars as mandated by our membership. In addition, we looked for new ideas and direction during our District Annual Meetings as well as the Annual General Meeting held in January 2007 during a strategic planning session. Recommendations which flowed forward included:
• A standard contract between growers and packers;
• A longer term juice pricing agreement in face of declining exchange rates and competition from low cost Chinese concentrate;
• A thorough review of the Apple Production Insurance Plan;
• Continue lobbying for the SDRM Program or an SDRM-Like Program;
• New thinking on advertising/marketing initiatives;
• The ongoing need for a transition/replant program;
• Better information on storage holdings;
• Better information on grower returns.
On behalf of the OAG board of directors, I express our appreciation for your input. I assure you that we have a proactive board and staff and each of these issues are being addressed.
So where are we?
• A standard contract was developed and has been provided to packers and growers for their consideration.
• A three-year pricing agreement has been reached with our juice processors.
• Agricorp has initiated a review of the Apple Plan which will include a focus group in January 2008 prior to the OAG Annual General Meeting.
• Continue lobbying for the continuation of the SDRM program.
• A national transition program (pull out program) is being developed (but not yet announced) and we continue to lobby for a provincial replant program similar to those developed in B.C., Quebec and Nova Scotia.
• The Fresh Produce Alliance has undertaken a “Storage Holdings” project with emphasis on apples. An OAG staff person has been delegated to participate in this project.
• A marketer survey has been developed which provides greater detail on actual grower returns, on a per-pound and a per-bin basis.
Our partnership with Foodland Ontario and the Apple Marketers’ Association continue to pay dividends.
Together we have developed effective cost-shared promotion programs both domestically and for export. The goal is to encourage greater movement during November and December. A more complete review of these activities is located elsewhere in this annual report.
My appreciation is extended to the CHC Apple Working Group for their ongoing efforts to refine the Ministerial Exemption system as well as the promotion of a Transition/National Replant Program. Brian Gilroy and Chris Hedges are the Ontario representatives on the Working Group.
The Research Committee has once again been active. Research priorities have been developed for the apple industry and these have been forwarded to the research and extension community for their consideration. Funding has been earmarked to assist them in delivering the information we need. The
remote storage lab at Norfolk Fruit Growers has been fully utilized for post-harvest work on Honeycrisp and Ambrosia. This was a national effort in cooperation with CHC with cost-shared funding from the Agricultural Adaptation Council. I thank Cathy MacKay for chairing the Research Committee and also thank Norfolk Fruit Growers for their cooperation.
Acreage fee collections - Although some accounts have been turned over for collection, I am pleased to report that 98% of the 2005 and 2006 fees have been paid. Collections for 2007 are also in good shape with interest being charged on all outstanding accounts. There are now 29 voluntary members of
the OAG which I accept as a strong vote of support for our organization and the services it provides.
Looking forward, the membership needs to address regional representation. While the overall production hasn’t declined significantly, the number of commercial growers has. The Apple Plan provided for a ratio of 1 committee member for each 25 growers. This gave each district at least 3 grower committee representatives. To maintain this ratio, the OAG is encouraging support for one member to grower committee member ratio at 20. This issue will be addressed at the district annual meetings.
I acknowledge the Agricultural Adaptation Council, AAFC and OMAFRA for their support and the funding provided under the CORD IV Research & Development Program. These funds have allowed the OAG to be more aggressive in their promotional and research efforts. Unfortunately, this program ends as of
November 30, 2007. It is uncertain whether we will be able to access similar funding in the future.
I express my appreciation to Steve Koning for his participation on the Ontario Apple Growers’ Steering Committee as well as the Board of Directors and as a Committeeperson.
I thank all the directors and committeepersons for their support and participation. A special thank you goes to Brian Gilroy for his leadership as Vice-Chair. On behalf of the entire board, I extend our
appreciation to the staff of Grape & Tender Fruit (Ontario) Ltd. and in particular Kelly Ciceran, Sarah Marshall, Larissa Osborne and Adrian Huisman.
James G. Rickard
Chair
2007 Annual Report (PDF)
2006 Annual Report (PDF)
2005 Annual Report (PDF)
2004
Annual Report (PDF)
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