News about Canada

Varietal innovation, patents and brand strategies, the winning trio for the modern cherry industry

Varieties

30 Jan 2025

For an in-depth look at the topics of varietal innovation and modern commercial development strategies for new cherry varieties, Stefano Lugli of Cherry Times interviewed James Calissi, owner of Calissi Farm, a company specialising in nursery and management of new varieties.

Dry matter as an indicator of sweet cherry maturity and quality

Post-harvest​

29 Jan 2025

A study utilized the CTIFL color scale to classify cherries into three maturity levels analyzing the fruit both before and after a 28-day storage period. Cherries with optimal dry matter levels exhibit lower respiration rates, which helps maintain flavor during storage.

Success on local markets for new prairie cherry varieties from the Saskatchewan University

Varieties

04 Nov 2024

The cherries are the result of crosses between European varieties, which are sweeter and have dark red skin and flesh, and Central Asian varieties, selected for their winter hardiness. "They sell like hotcakes at farmers' markets in the Canadian province."

Determination of the relationship between 'Staccato' cherry fruit storage quality and mineral nutrition

Post-harvest​

24 Oct 2024

Thirty-two ‘Staccato’ plots located in the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia were selected, representing a range of growing conditions in the BC interior. Thirty-one of the blocks were on Mazzard rootstock and one on Colt rootstock.

A federal judge rejects the ‘Glory’ cherry patent

Varieties

05 Sep 2024

District Judge Stanley Bastian has determined that the “Glory” cherries patented by Gordon Goodwin of Wenatchee, Wash, are no different from the “Staccato” trees developed by the Summerland Research and Development Centre of the Canadian government in British Columbia.

Variables influencing cold tests of cherry blossom buds

Tech management

28 Aug 2024

Frosts can cause considerable economic losses and, therefore, limit the presence of orchards in areas subject to these phenomena. Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) is a method often used to assess the cold resistance of plant organs to survive cold temperatures.

Aspects of low temperature survival in cherry in the Okanagan Valley

Production

16 Aug 2024

According to the results of a Canadian study the sweet cherry lethal temperature models devised for 'Sweetheart' and 'Lapins' showed potential when applied to other cultivars with comparable flowering duration, such as 'Sonata', 'Staccato' and 'Skeena'.

Cherry production in British Columbia: an example of Canadian success

Production

17 Jul 2024

Since the 1990s, the growth of the Canadian industry has focused mainly on working with foreign countries to conclude agreements for the purchase of our fruit. Canadian cherries are exported to more than 20 countries, including Japan and South Korea.

Limited harvest, but still a quality product for British Columbia cherries

Production

05 Jul 2024

"The trees have not had a chance to acclimatise to this cold weather," said Sukhpaul Bal, cherry grower and president of the B.C. Cherry Association. "This is where we have seen a huge reduction in volume due to a rapid change in temperature."

Canada crisis: farmers appeal to government after another disastrous winter

Production

26 Apr 2024

After five bad winters, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food said it announced a historic $70 million investment in March to help farmers by replacing damaged crops by replanting more climate-resistant varieties.