WILLIAMS LAKE – An initial offering of 12 ranches totalling more than 45,000 acres by Monette Farms, one of Canada’s largest farm operators, ended without bids – a sign, according to industry sources, that uncertainty surrounding Aboriginal title is scaring off buyers. The offering of the properties last November through Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc. was …
Farm finds resilience going with the grain
AGASSIZ – A family-run mixed organic farm on Seabird Island highlights the potential for grain and other crops in the Fraser Valley, and the importance of diversification to long-term resilience. “This is the start of the really fertile valley floor land that runs all the way to Delta,” says Hannah Exley, daughter of Jim Grieshaber-Otto …
Avian influenza returns
Two premises in Langley tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza this week, even as a control zone in Abbotsford was revoked after meeting post-outbreak surveillance requirements. The two premises include a commercial flock announced February 23 and a non-commercial flock on February 24. The detections move the industry back to a red biosecurity level, …
Capital spending to rise
BC livestock producers are poised for record capital spending this year, according to Statistics Canada. Results of Statscan’s annual survey of capital expenditures, released February 25, indicate projected investments in construction and machinery this year of $303.7 million, up from $302.6 million in 2020. Spending on construction is anticipated to be the greatest since 2020 …
Greater interest in dairy
The BC Milk Marketing Board fielded interest from a greater number of candidates interested in entering the sector. BC Milk received 33 completed New Entrant Program (NEP) applications by the February 9 deadline, and five completed applications for the organic stream (NEPO). This compares to 29 NEP applications last year and seven NEPO applications. Ten candidates …
Poultry biosecurity notches down
Declining risk factors for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have prompted the BC Poultry Association to lower the industry’s biosecurity threat level from red to yellow. The decision, taken last week, is effective immediately. “While BC is no longer in an active outbreak that mandates a red-level response, risk remains elevated,” the association said in …