Canada: Fewer Nova Scotia farmers growing more acres of fruit

With raspberries just about finished, and peaches in full swing, this was a good week to talk apples. About 150 farmers took part in the annual summer orchard tour co-ordinated by the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association on Wednesday, visiting five farms to discuss wind exposure, new markets, soil health, how far apart trees should be planted and bringing in bees to make sure apple blossoms get pollinated, among other issues. “We flip-flop between the west and east side of the (Annapolis) Valley, so we’re on the east side this year, and we look to growers who are innovative and doing new practices, we look to visit them and hear why they’re doing certain things,” said Michelle Cortens, tree fruit specialist with Perennia and host of this year’s tour. Cortens said one problem to be solved is to figure out the ways in which changing climate affects pest control, “Because insects emerge depending on how much heat has accumulated, but also for diseases the heat impacts infection ...