The province is set to announce changes to rules governing food processing in the Agricultural Land Reserve in response to strong demand for locally produced food. “Processing and farming have never been strangers,” BC agriculture minister Lana Popham told the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce’s annual agriculture bus tour on June 5. “The question before us …
Federal research cuts alarm industry experts
AGASSIZ – The federal government should reconsider its decision to close seven research centres and experimental farms and take a closer look at the potential national impacts of cuts to agriculture research, a federal agriculture committee says. Dozens of industry experts say the planned closures could undermine agricultural research across Canada as a whole, even …
Vernon growers address drought
Growers blindsided by last week’s demand from the Regional District of North Okanagan for a 70% cut in agricultural water use hope a June 10 meeting with RDNO will chart a positive path forward. “When I first started with the ranch back in 2015, we were having conversations like this, but it was in August …
Chilco Ranch practices honoured
Hanceville’s Chilco Ranch-Miller Ranches Ltd. is this year’s recipient of the BC Cattlemen’s Association Ranch Sustainability Award. Four generations are involved in the ranch, with Jordan and Crystal Grier, their children Connor and Taylor, as well as Justin Grier and Meghan Cave accepting the award at the BC Cattlemen’s Association annual general meeting in Kamloops, …
Weather risks shrink insurance options
ABBOTSFORD – In the days before an atmospheric river struck the Fraser Valley last December, dairy farmer Matt Dykshoorn was already on the move. Following a previous flood in 2021, Dykshoorn had protocols in place to protect his stock and equipment. Young cattle were moved from the lower barn, and equipment was relocated to a …
Quesnel farm grows one venture at a time
QUESNEL – The challenging state of BC’s forestry industry over two decades ago led to an unexpected opportunity for two professional foresters living in BC’s northern Interior. Ted Traer and his wife Heloise Dixon-Warren were career foresters – Traer worked with the BC Ministry of Forests while Dixon-Warren was a consultant in the private sector. …