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Annual Report 2002

The following is a report submitted by Randy Baker, who has been working extensively on maintaining the seed plot on behalf of the Board:

Asparagus Seed Production 2002

The seed production plot was kept in a maintenance mode for a second year.

The female plants for Guelph Tiessen seed production were reduced through removal of approximately 1/2 of the rows. The subsequent vacant area is fallow, and being readied for new female lines when available.

Pesticides were applied where required, as recommended in Publication 363.

Fern and seed were removed in mid-September. Secondary clean-up helped reduce excessive seed residues.

Mouse bait feeding stations were filled to minimize mouse damage to the rolled-up netting.

My sincere thanks to Ed Dehooghe, and Peter White, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, for assisting in providing service for fern clean-up.

Hopefully, in 2003, the seed plot will be needed for seed production.

University of Guelph Asparagus Breeding Program

P19

• G24 x G751 yield was equivilant to that of Millenium in 2002, despite greater yield in 2001
• G24 x G759 has significantly better rust resistance than Millenium but yielded 106% and 70% of Millenium in 2001 and 2002 respectively

P18

• Four hybrids yielded approximately 10% greater than Millenium at Cambridge over two years
• Three of these hybrids have better rust resistance than Millenium
• Results are not consistent between Cambridge and Simcoe.

P19 Yield Trial, Cambridge Ontario

Hubrid	Marketable Yield Kg/Ha			Marketable Yield % of G. Millenium			% marketable			Spear size g/sp 2002	Rust 1=R 9=S
	2001 CRS* (2wk)	2002 CRS (6wk)	2002 SRS (6wk)	2001 CRS	2002 CRS	2002 SRS	2001 CRS	2002 CRS	2002 SRS	2002 CRS	2001
G242 x G751	972	2114	1226	163	140	43	51	58	32	26	5
G158 x G305	1125	1861	1889	189	123	66	60	66	48	24	4
G240 x G305	1012	1674	1524	170	109	53	63	60	46	23	5
G180 x G305	853	1660	870	144	110	30	50	53	23	23	7
G188 x G305	778	1639	2122	131	108	74	56	52	35	23	7
J. Deluxe	844	1525	1437	142	101	50	51	52	47	23	4
G. Millenium	594	1512	2855	100	100	100	46	54	49	23	7
G230 x G305	649	1456	1900	109	96	67	58	54	50	25	6
G250 x G305	592	1440	2684	100	95	94	46	54	37	23	5
RB18 x G305	539	1437	1804	91	95	63	54	55	40	23	5
G178 x G305	787	1316	2089	132	87	73	49	51	33	23	7
G232 x G305	552	1293	2284	93	86	80	45	55	41	22	5
G262 x G305	624	1287	2015	105	84	71	49	46	50	22	6
J. Giant	467	1263	1656	79	83	58	42	50	55	25	5
G226 x G305	588	1155	3090	99	76	108	65	58	50	25	7
G106 x G305	554	1152	1809	93	76	63	46	51	37	23	6
J. Supreme	466	1102	1991	78	73	70	47	55	44	25	3
G228 x G305	594	1087	2173	100	72	76	39	45	43	22	4
G242 x G305	487	630	1005	82	42	35	43	42	29	22	5
LSD	327	1009	1088				21	16	16

 

Hubrid	Marketable Yield Kg/Ha			Marketable Yield % of G. Millenium			% marketable			Spear size g/sp 2002	Rust 1=R 9=S
	2001 CRS* (2wk)	2002 CRS (6wk)	2002 SRS (6wk)	2001 CRS	2002 CRS	2002 SRS	2001 CRS	2002 CRS	2002 SRS	2002 CRS	2001
G242 x G751	972	2114	1226	163	140	43	51	58	32	26	5
G158 x G305	1125	1861	1889	189	123	66	60	66	48	24	4
G240 x G305	1012	1674	1524	170	109	53	63	60	46	23	5
G180 x G305	853	1660	870	144	110	30	50	53	23	23	7
G188 x G305	778	1639	2122	131	108	74	56	52	35	23	7
J. Deluxe	844	1525	1437	142	101	50	51	52	47	23	4
G. Millenium	594	1512	2855	100	100	100	46	54	49	23	7
G230 x G305	649	1456	1900	109	96	67	58	54	50	25	6
G250 x G305	592	1440	2684	100	95	94	46	54	37	23	5
RB18 x G305	539	1437	1804	91	95	63	54	55	40	23	5
G178 x G305	787	1316	2089	132	87	73	49	51	33	23	7
G232 x G305	552	1293	2284	93	86	80	45	55	41	22	5
G262 x G305	624	1287	2015	105	84	71	49	46	50	22	6
J. Giant	467	1263	1656	79	83	58	42	50	55	25	5
G226 x G305	588	1155	3090	99	76	108	65	58	50	25	7
G106 x G305	554	1152	1809	93	76	63	46	51	37	23	6
J. Supreme	466	1102	1991	78	73	70	47	55	44	25	3
G228 x G305	594	1087	2173	100	72	76	39	45	43	22	4
G242 x G305	487	630	1005	82	42	35	43	42	29	22	5
LSD	327	1009	1088				21	16	16

*CRS: Cambridge Research Station; SRS: Simcoe Research Station

Asparagus Seed Sales

In 2002, the Ontario Asparagus Growers' Marketing Board again acted as distributor of the Jersey asparagus seed varieties. The Jersey varieties are a male hybrid line imported from the U.S.A. In 2002, 84 pounds was sold exactly the same number as in 2001.

The Board once again had a commercial amount of the Guelph all-male hybrid asparagus seed available for sale. In 2002, 252 pounds of the Guelph Millennium seed were sold, 142 pounds into Ontario and 110 pounds out of the province. Once again we had zero sales of the Guelph Tiessen variety. The prices of the Guelph seed were lowered in 2002. The Guelph Millennium asparagus seed will be sold for $400.00 per pound; and the Guelph Tiessen variety for $300.00 per pound.

Asparagus Seed Sales - (Pounds)

1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
144	359	226.5	381	217	421	621	177	389

As can be seen by the charts above and below, the volume of asparagus seed sold has increased in 2002. According to trials the Guelph Millennium and Guelph Tiessen are the recommended varieties as these are all-male hybrids which show very promising results and promise to double and triple the yields of the Jersey Giant variety.

2002 Breakdown of Sales by Variety

Destination	Jersey Varieties	Guelph Varieties	Total
Board Members	26 lbs	142 lbs	168 lbs
Root Producers	53 lbs	54 lbs	107 lbs
Out of Province	4 lbs	110 lbs	114 lbs
Total	83 lbs	306 lbs	389 lbs

Breakdown of Sales by Year in pounds

Destination	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Board Members	81.75	69.00	93.00	66.00	168.00
Root Producers	96.25	47.00	234.00	85.00	107.00
Out of Province	39.00	305.00	294.00	26.00	114.00
Total	217.00	421.00	621.00	177.00	389.00

Value 2001 - $99,944 Value 2002 - $174,477

Asparagus seed sales have increased substantially this year. Michigan sales have increased as growers are showing interest in the Guelph Millennium variety this year. Root producers purchased slightly less seed than last year.

Promotion

2002 Marketing Report from Foodland Ontario

We have worked together jointly to provide many activities which cause Ontario consumers stand up, take notice and demand Ontario Asparagus. I would like to provide an overview of our efforts:

Retail Contest:
Wow! What a resounding success. We encourage stores to build displays and send in photos to win prizes. This activity created much instore excitement and produce manager demand for Ontario Asparagus. Many of these displays were so creative that they earned the stores nominations in the Foodland Ontario Retailer Awards. Most importantly, stores reported that this activity moved large amounts of Ontario product.

Sampling Program:
In over 40 grocery stores throughout the province, with a high concentration on those Toronto area consumers, we encouraged shoppers to taste Ontario Asparagus. We shared the cost of this activity with Knorr Hollandaise Sauce which allowed us to do a larger number of demonstrations and educate consumers on how to prepare our fantastic product.

Promotion with a Consumer Brand
Coupons are very popular with consumers. At no cost to the board, the consumer product "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" (ICBINB) place coupons in the dairy case to save $1.00 off Ontario Asparagus when shoppers purchased ICBINB. Foodland Ontario placed posters in the produce aisle alerting consumers to this great money saving offer.

Radio
The board invested in running a high concentration of 30 second commercials enticing consumers to rush to buy Ontario Asparagus. Foodland Ontario provided at no charge radio tags which told consumers product was now available instore. Given the difficulties of weather, many of these pre-planned spots were shifted to play when there would be maximum benefit to growers.

T.V.
The board invested in placing 15 second T.V. commercials in all of Ontario's major markets to continue to promote our crops.

2002 Foodland Ontario Calendar
The month of May had a beautiful, full color photograph of Ontario Asparagus. We estimate that over one million consumers will have seen this photo.

Asparagus Elastic Bands
Ontario consumers tell Foodland that they wish to purchase Ontario produce when they can readily identify it as being from this province. By continuing to have the elastic bands with the logo, we continue to brand our product as being fresh, high quality and great tasting - a product that stands out in front of any competition!

Public Relations
Foodland Ontario continues to offer Ontario's food media recipes, on air interviews and usage and handling tips geared at creating excitement for Ontario's Asparagus season. This activity was provided at no charge.

Trade Shows
The Asparagus Marketing Board coordinated a booth to speak directly to Canadian and International produce buyers at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association event in January 2002. Feedback from this event has been overwhelmingly positive.

We have worked closely with your board in delivering strong value and increasing sales for Ontario Asparagus. I thank you for your continued support of the Foodland Ontario brand. Our program has now been in existence for 25 years and will continue to thrive due to the support of clients like yourselves. I encourage you to visit our web site at www.foodland.gov.on.ca. Wishing you all continued success and look forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting.

Submitted by Denise Zaborowski, M.Sc.
Officer, Client Services - OMAF
Phone: (519) 826-3947
Email: denise.zaborowski@omaf.gov.on.ca

Acreage Measurement Program

The acreage measurement program continues to maintain an acreage inventory for the purpose of assessing annual licence fees. Asparagus acreage measurements were completed by Paul VandenBorre using a Global Positioning System. By having the measurements completed using this system rather than manually, provides growers with an accurate acreage amount and also provides clearer maps of their asparagus plantings.

The chart gives a cost comparison on an annual basis of the acreage measurement program:

Summary of Acreage Measurement Program

	2000	2001	2002
Total Producers Measured	60	44	39
Total Acres Measured	1,398	1,069	1,249
Average Acres Meas./Grower	23.3	24.3	32.0
Total Cost of Measurer	$5,643	$3,208	$4,960
Average Cost/Measurement	$94	$73	$127
Average Cost/Acre	$4.04	$3.00	$3.97

Acres Ploughed Out

2002	93
2001	123
2000	141
1999	220
1998	314
1997	176

The acres ploughed out are lower than the previous 5 years. The 93 acres removed by growers this year consisted primarily of die outs in the field, and older, inefficient patches. In 2002, 231 acres of the high yielding varieties were planted.

The following chart shows the grower population by size of planting. This year we have 111 growers, which is 5 more than last year. The percentage ratios in each acreage category has increased slightly compared to last year.

2002 Producer Groupings by Size of Total Acreage

Size of Acreage	# of Producers
2 to 5 acres	22	20%
5 to 10 acres	23	21%
10 to 20 acres	21	19%
20 to 50 acres	33	29%
50 to 100 acres	11	10%
100 acres +	1	1%
Total	111	100%

2002 Acreage Report by District for the Last Ten Years

Year	Dist.					Total Acreage
	No. 1	No. 2	No. 3	No. 4	No. 5
1993	423	1,084	269	126	412	2,314
1994	398	1,112	278	92	323	2,203
1995	391	1,121	209	92	330	2,143
1996	452	1,255	216	85	344	2,352
1997	424	1,352	230	90	346	2,442
1998	403	1,264	222	83	290	2,262
1999	452	1,212	213	74	235	2,186
2000	419	1,273	231	106	230	2,259
2001	431	1,325	215	94	226	2,291
2002	377	1,571	221	98	250	2,517

From the years 1993 to 1995, the acreage had declined an average of 110 acres per year. In 1996 and 1997, the increased level of new plantings and seed sales has generated an increase in acreage. From 1998 to 1999 the acreage had declined by 76 acres which were old, low yielding patches. In 2001, the acreage increased by 32 acres from 2000. This year, the acreage increased dramatically by 226 acres.

2002 AGE - Acreage Report by District

Description	Dist.					Total
	No. 1	No. 2	No. 3	No. 4	No. 5
No. of Producers	17	56	13	9	16	111
Percent of Total	15%	51%	12%	8%	14%	100%
Acres Planted 2002	0	201	6	6	18	231
Acres Planted 2001	26	159	8	3	32	228
Acres Planted 2000	14	137	17	1	18	187
Acres Planted 1999	65	57	17	4	21	164
Acres Planted 1998	82	112	13	0	33	240
Acres Planted 1997	35	184	7	0	9	235
Acres Planted 1996	37	120	24	16	6	203
Acres Planted 1995	12	61	4	26	17	120
Acres Planted 1994	5	74	15	3	11	108
Acres Planted 1993	0	49	8	0	0	57
Acres > 10 Years	101	417	102	39	85	744
Non Bearing Acres	26	360	14	9	50	459
Bearing Acreage	392	1,086	190	93	190	2,058
Total Acreage	377	1,571	221	98	250	2,517
Percent of Total	15%	62%	9%	4%	10%	100%
Avg. Age - Years	6.6	6.3	8.1	8.2	6.6	6.6
Avg. Acres/Grower	22.2	28.0	17.0	10.9	15.6	22.7

Avg. Acres/Grower - 2001	21.4	Avg. Age/Acre - 2001	7.5
Avg. Acres/Grower - 2000	21.1	Avg. Age/Acre - 2000	8.6
Avg. Acres/Grower - 1999	20.6	Avg. Age/Acre - 1999	8.6

The "Acreage Report by District" chart shows the state of our asparagus plantings as at September 30, 2002. The bearing acreage has increased by 107 acres from 2001 and 231 acres were planted in 2002. The total acreage has increased by approximately 226 acres in 2002. District 2 is the largest region with 62% of the planted acreage and 51% of the producer population. District 1's total acreage has decreased by 54 acres from 2001; District 2 has increased by 246 acres; District 3 has increased by 6 acres; District 4 has increased by 4 acres; and District 5 has increased by 24 acres.

Crop Production

Once again the response from the crop production survey that had been mailed out to growers was so poor that we were unable to complete our sales/production chart this year. This task is extremely difficult because a lot of growers are reluctant to divulge any information. All information is strictly confidential and is only used for the annual report. Once the report is complete, the grower survey information is destroyed. It is extremely important to have production information included in the report not only for the Board, but for growers as well. When there is a bad production year for growers, the Board would have proof of this by providing the report to the government should financial assistance be required. It would be greatly appreciated and beneficial to obtain production information from growers in order to complete accurate data reports. We hope that in the future growers will be more cooperative.

SUMMARY OF CROP AND MARKET STATISTICS
FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS

Description	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Delivered for Processing
No.1 Grade - 5-1/2 inch ('000 lbs)	12	57	33	162	265
No.1 Grade - 7 inch ('000 lbs)	420	395	481	32	9
No.2 Grade - 6 inch ('000 lbs)	8	12	15	0	6
Total Processed ('000 lbs)	440	464	529	194	280
Total Ontario Crop ('000 lbs)	3,348	3,688	4,319	n/a	n/a
Ontario Bearing Acreage	1,887	1,831	1,920	1,952	2,058
Total Farm Value ('000 $)	4,476	5,301	5,907	n/a	n/a
Average Return $/lb.	1.34	1.44	1.37	n/a	n/a
Yield (lbs./acre)	1,774	2,014	2,250	n/a	n/a
Percent of Crop Processed	13.1	12.6	12.2	n/a	n/a
Number of Processing Growers	44	40	44	34	18
Minimum Prices (dollars/lb.) - Processing
No.1 Grade - 5-1/2 inch	1.83	1.83	1.83	1.76	1.76
No.1 Grade - 7 inch	1.34	1.34	1.34	1.29	1.29
No.2 Grade - 7 inch	0.70	0.70	0.70	0.65	0.96

NOTE: Because of poor grower survey response, quite a few numbers are not available in the above chart.

2002 (2001) Processing Deliveries
No. 1 Grade Seven Inch Equivalents

	'000 Pounds Contracted		'000 Pounds Contracted		% of Contracts		% of Total Deliveries		Number of Growers Delivering
District #1	236	(149)	188	(145)	80%	(97%)	51%	(57%)	4	(12)
District #2 & 5	291	(108)	181	(103)	62%	(95%)	49%	(41%)	14	(21)
District #3	0	(8)	0	(5)	0%	(63%)	0%	( 2%)	0	( 1)
District #4	0	(0)	0	(0)	0%	(0%)	0%	(0%)	0	(0)
Total	527	(265)	369	(253)	70%	(95%)	100%	(100%)	18	(34)

The above chart shows the amount of No. 1 grade 7 inch asparagus each district contracted and delivered. The No. 1 grade 5-1/2 inch asparagus deliveries were multiplied by 136% in order to reach the No. 1 grade 7 inch equivalent amount.

The processing prices were the same as last year at $1.76/lb. for No. 1 grade 5- 1/2 inch; $1.29/lb. for No. 1 grade 7 inch. The No. 2 grade changed from 7 inch to 6" and the price increased from $0.65/lb to $0.96/lb. Growers delivered 70% of their contracts, and 75% of our processor commitments were fulfilled. Last year growers delivered 95% of their contracts and processors received 96% of their contracts.

It seems the more organized we try to become, the more the plans change. This season we scheduled nine loads for shipment to Quebec for processing starting on May 9th with a back up plan of starting on May 13th. This plan soon went out the window as we found ourselves at the mercy of the weather. Cancelling the first two loads was not a positive way to start the season. The first load finally went out on May 20th and then we were hit by the frost and the second load was only a half load coming from the Thamesville area. Going into the last week of May cutting improved and one extra load was put together the last week. The last load went out on June 13th with seven and a half of the nine loads being shipped.

Financial Report

	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Total Revenue	$129,192	$194,594	$294,043	$130,057	$185,495
Total Expenses	$115,114	$130,400	$137,003	$173,758	$162,680
Net Profit (Loss)	$14,078	$64,194	$157,040	($ 43,701)	$22,815

The above financial review represents the Board's General Account and does not include the assets, liabilities, and operations of the area committees.

Revenues have increased in 2002 due to the increased sales of the Guelph asparagus seed.

The following is a summary of the Board's operating costs in respect to office staff and directors expenses from the years 1993 to 2002, which have been taken from the Board's audited statement of revenues and expenditures annually.

Office Staff & Directors

Year	Sales Manager	Office Travel	P.D. & Exp.	Honourariums	Total
1993	$37,745	$715	$32,952	$1,250	$72,662
1994	$35,342	$378	$37,157	$1,250	$ 74,127
1995	$37,458	$715	$47,502	$1,250	$ 86,925
1996	$41,081	$124	$65,538	$0	$106,743
1997	$39,845	$411	$59,540	$0	$ 99,796
1998	$35,622	$610	$70,048	$0	$106,280
1999	$33,043	$301	$63,899	$0	$ 97,243
2000	$29,206	$2,220	$64,296	$0	$ 95,722
*2001	$30,384	$228	$90,061	$0	$120,673
*2002	$45,791	$388	$50,603	$0	$ 96,782

*NOTE: The Board no longer had a sales manager for processing.

In 1996, the Guelph seed block was developed, which increased the directors per diems and expenses.

The office staff expense was slightly higher due to J.Butler's severance payment.

In 2002 the directors per diems and expenses decreased due to less involvement with the seed plot, as well as no government funding applications being completed. Although applying for government funding is a costly and time consuming endeavor, the grants received are beneficial for all growers.

Summary

2002 was not the best year due to a frost which lowered production yields for the majority of growers. However, with a significant amount of new plantings and increased seed sales the asparagus industry is moving forward and continuing to grow.

A number of people deserve a great deal of thanks including our directors, researchers, governments, member bodies, and especially the growers for their continued support, confidence, and cooperation in the Board.

Finally, a very special thanks to Jackie Butler, who after 17 years managing the Board office has retired from this position. Jackie has been unselfishly dedicated to the Board and with patience and efficiency has helped the industry over the years in good and not so good times. Not only will we miss her intelligence and professionalism we will miss her kind heart and warm smile. All the best to Jackie and her family, may you have success, happiness and good health.

The Board would like to wish all of our asparagus producers the best for the year 2003.

November 23, 2002