NANAIMO – BC SPCA has put commercial livestock producers around the province on notice that it intends to launch unannounced inspections of their operations under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Six sectors have been chosen for the inspections, which will initially take place on Vancouver Island as part of a pilot program. BC …
Ranchers watching bluetongue outbreak
An outbreak of bluetongue among bighorn sheep in the Grand Forks area has livestock producers on watch. There have been 12 possible cases identified, though lab testing is still in progress. Several white-tailed deer in Washington have also contracted the disease. The virus that causes the disease is spread by biting midges (also known as …
PNE auction stays online
Public health restrictions once again kept the annual 4-H auction at the Pacific National Exhibition online. This year’s event took place August 20-21 with the assistance of DLMS Auctions, which also stepped up to facilitate last year’s online auction. “A live auction was not held this year as the COVID restrictions and uncertainty did not …
Challenges linger for meat plants
As Canada enters its fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, meat processors continue to struggle with virus transmission among employees. Reported custom order cancellations and lower staff numbers exacerbate the ongoing capacity crunch small-scale producers face. While no new outbreaks have been declared at Lower Mainland abattoirs or meat-packing facilities since an outbreak at the …
Federal election call
This past weekend’s federal election call means Canada will go to the polls September 20. Ongoing wildfires and drought in BC as well as public concern over COVID-19 variants have prompted criticism of the election’s timing. By law, a federal election wasn’t necessary until 2023. The call came following a run of funding announcements targeting …
Greenhouse, nursery specialist named
BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries field vegetable specialist Susan Smith is now also responsible for greenhouse, floriculture and nursery crops. Smith’s appointment came in June, following Dave Woodske’s retirement as floriculture and greenhouse specialist in March 2020. “There’s a real need for ministry support,” Smith told greenhouse growers at their annual general meeting …