The first hop field workshop of 2019 is scheduled for next Tuesday, June 18th at MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Company in Bath. We currently have not met the minimum registration numbers to run this event. To avoid cancellation, any growers or industry members who were planning on attending this event should register by the deadline of tomorrow, Friday June 14, at noon. To register for this or any other OMAFRA hop workshop, contact the Agriculture Information Contact Centre at: 1-877-424-1300 or by email at ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
Additionally, we have added a fourth workshop at the Simcoe Research Station which will feature University of Guelph hop downy mildew research results and a sprayer optimization session for western Ontario growers. Below is the full list of hop field workshops being offered for 2019.
1) Hops Eastern Ontario Field Workshop
Date: June 18, 2019 5:30-7:00 pm (Rain date: June 20 5:30-7:00 pm)
Location: MacKinnon Brothers Brewing Co., 1915 County Rd. 22, Bath
Join OMAFRA specialists Melanie Filotas and Evan Elford for an in-field workshop on seasonal issues in hops. Topics covered will include identification and management of key pests present in the hop yard and a discussion of current production challenges of note for the 2019 season. This is an informal workshop with ample time for participants to ask questions on current agronomic and pest management challenges. Participants can bring pest samples for identification, but to avoid spread to the host farm, please ensure all samples are securely contained in a plastic bag or other sealed container. A minimum of 10 registrants are required for this workshop to run. Register by Friday June 14 at noon by contacting the AICC at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
2) Hop Sprayer Optimization Workshop (East)
Date: Tuesday June 25, 9:00 am-Noon (Rain date June 26 9:00 am – Noon)
Location: The Bickle Farm – Valley Hops, 3054 McClelland Rd., Port Hope ON
This in-field workshop is intended for sprayer operators or those planning on spraying hops. OMAFRA’s Application Technology specialist Jason Deveau will join Melanie Filotas and Evan Elford to talk about the importance of proper spray coverage in hops and discuss what “good” spray coverage looks like in hops. Learn how to calibrate your sprayer and adjust settings to match the height of the plants. A minimum of 10 registrants are required for this workshop to run. Register by Thursday June 20 by contacting the AICC at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
3) OMAFRA-University of Guelph Hop Research Demonstration and Sprayer Optimization Workshop (West)
Date: Thursday June 27, 9:00 am-1:30 pm (lunch provided). Rain date June 28 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Location: OMAFRA-Simcoe Research Centre, 1283 Blueline Rd., Simcoe, ON
Join University of Guelph researchers and OMAFRA specialists for a collaborative workshop. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the University of Guelph Research Hopyard and learn the results of downy mildew research conducted over the last three years. OMAFRA’s Application Technology specialist Jason Deveau will join Melanie Filotas and Evan Elford to talk about the importance of proper spray coverage in hops and discuss what “good” spray coverage looks like in hops and watch emonstrations of airblast and handheld mist sprayers in hops. A minimum of 10 registrants are required for this workshop to run. Lunch will be provided. Register by Monday June 24 by contacting the AICC at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.
4) Hops Western Ontario Field Workshop
Date: July 9, 2019 5:30-7:00 pm (Rain date: July 11 5:30-7:00 pm)
Location: McConkey Farms Hop Company, 197 Howell Rd., St. George
Join OMAFRA specialists Melanie Filotas and Evan Elford for an in-field workshop on seasonal issues in hops. Topics covered will include identification and management of key pests present in the hop yard and a discussion of current production challenges of note for the 2019 season. This is an informal workshop with ample time for participants to ask questions on current agronomic and pest management challenges. Participants can bring pest samples for identification, but to avoid spread to the host farm, please ensure all samples are securely contained in a plastic bag or other sealed container. A minimum of 10 registrants are required for this workshop to run. Register by Friday July 5 at noon by contacting the AICC at 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca.