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MAY 2025
Vol. 111 Issue 4

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1 week ago

From orchard manager to government specialist and now executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association, Adrian Arts brings a rare blend of hands-on farming experience and organizational leadership to an industry poised for renewal. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for BC fruit growers, with Arts expressing enthusiasm about continuing the momentum built by his predecessor and working alongside a board that signals a generational shift in agricultural advocacy.

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Arts leads BCFGA forward

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A combination of organizational management and practical farming experience has primed the new executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association to lead the industry forward.
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2 weeks ago

A public consultation is now underway on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board. Key issues for dairy producers include transportation costs, rules governing shipments and limitations on supporting processing initiatives. Stakeholders have until May 31 to comment.

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Milk board undertakes review

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A public consultation on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board is underway as part of a triennial review required by the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board Regulation.
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2 weeks ago

BC wool shipments drop sharply in 2023, according to StatsCan data released in mid-April. Local producers shipped just 5,200kg at 37¢/kg, down from 18,600kg at $1.08/kg in 2022. While many farmers now use wool on-farm or dispose of it due to low market value, innovative producers like Emily McIvor point to untapped opportunities. Read more in our Farm News Update from Country Life in BC.

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BC wool value, volume drop

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BC sheep producers shipped less wool for less in 2023, reversing strong growth a year earlier. BC producers shipped 5,200 kilograms of raw wool in 2023, according to Statistics Canada data released on...
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2 weeks ago

Eric Feehely and Miho Shinbo are growing 30+ crops on 2.5 acres in Vernon. Writer Myrna Stark Leader takes a look at how Silverstar Veggies is balancing CSA programs, farmers markets and restaurant sales while planning smart expansions in challenging economic times in Market farm works smarter, not harder.

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Market farm works smarter, not harder

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VERNON – Silverstar Veggies, a five-year-old mixed vegetable and herb farm in Vernon, thrives on passion and innovative ideas. A former watersport and adventure sport instructor…
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4 weeks ago

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Animal activists target abattoir

March 1, 2023 byPeter Mitham

Video footage from surveillance cameras installed at Meadow Valley Meats in Pitt Meadows is underscoring the ongoing threat local livestock operations face from animal activists.

Thousands of hours of footage handed over to the province on February 22 show what the group Animal Justice Canada alleges is the criminal mistreatment of animals and improper slaughter practices.

The footage was captured last summer, and mailed to Animal Justice in early February by what the group describes as an anonymous source. However, the group has claimed the sting operation for itself, part of a campaign targeting the “humane” production claims of the livestock sector.

Meadow Valley Meats supplies meat to brands such as 63 Acres, which highlights its beef cattle’s “vegetarian diet.”

A video summary Animal Justice posted online of its action against Meadow Valley features well-known US animal welfare advocate Temple Grandin declaring that workers in the video appeared to lack proper training.

The province, which is in the midst of a review of its animal welfare policy framework, says it is taking the allegations seriously.

“It is troubling anytime we hear allegations of animal abuse,” BC agriculture minister Pam Alexis said in a statement provided to Country Life in BC and other media. “I can assure you we are looking into this situation.”

The province says it has consulted widely on its policy framework review and is “finalizing a thorough background document that will be provided to an advisory committee for review.” The committee’s membership is being finalized, and the province expects members to deliver their recommendations this summer.

Meadow Valley Meats, a provincially licensed and inspected abattoir, did not respond to a request for comment on the video and allegations regarding its practices.

BC Meats, which represents abattoirs in the province, also declined comment.

The latest allegations follow a 2021 sting operation against Cedar Valley, an organic dairy farm in Abbotsford. In that case, prompt industry response resulted in the BC Milk Marketing Board arranging oversight to ensure proper worker training and animal handling practices. A monitor remains in place.

BC SPCA has recommended criminal charges in the matter but Crown counsel has yet to initiate proceedings.

Ridge Meadows RCMP says it is not investigating the placement of cameras at Meadow Valley.

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