The BC Potato and Vegetable Growers Association is getting a funding boost this year with official approval of a new levy by the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission (BC Veg). The levy, proposed last year, figured into the annual budget presented to association members at their annual meeting in Tsawwassen on February 25. “We’re trying to …
BC Cattlemen’s joins DRIPA challenge
The BC Cattlemen’s Association (BCCA) has applied for intervenor status in the Pender Harbour and Area Residents Association (PHARA) challenge of BC’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). “The uncertainty that DRIPA has caused is a concern for all of our members,” says BCCA president Werner Stump. “But I would say that …
BC equipment dealer rebrands
A new name and a new location are positioning one of the largest farm equipment dealers in BC for a new economy. Pinnacle Equipment is the new name of Douglas Lake Equipment and Avenue Machinery, which merged four years ago, and the recently acquired Gerard’s Equipment in the Okanagan. The company has nine locations employing …
Monette Farms wins creditor protection
Monette Farms’ rapidly expanding produce business was a key factor in its decision to seek protection from creditors last week, according to court documents. Saskatchewan-based Monette Farms was granted to restructure its operations by the Alberta Court of King’s Bench on April 21 under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), the same legislation BC Tree …
Sun-Rype moves concern growers
The planned closure of Sun-Rype Products Ltd.’s juice-packing line in Kelowna is raising concerns among fruit growers. Lassonde Industries Inc. of Quebec announced April 16 that 80 of the plant’s 215 staff would be laid off as part of a move to consolidate juice packing at facilities in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec. Lassonde told Country …
Dry start to wildfire season
Temperatures across southern BC are set to soar this weekend, just in time for Emergency Preparedness Week (May 3-9), a national initiative led by Public Safety Canada. In a memo to producers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Emergency Management urged all agriculture sector stakeholders “to strengthen their readiness for emergencies.” While early forecasts suggest a …