RICHMOND – A landmark Aboriginal title ruling has some in BC’s agriculture sector worried about the future of farming, ranching and even private property itself. In early August, the BC Supreme Court released its decision in Cowichan Tribes v. Canada after 513 days of trial. Justice Barbara Young found the Cowichan Nation has Aboriginal title …
Plant, animal health lab announced
The province has officially announced plans for a new plant and animal health centre in Abbotsford, but plenty of details have yet to be worked out en route to the $496 million facility opening in 2031. “This is probably the biggest announcement agriculture has made, in my time at least,” BC agriculture minister Lana Popham …
Ag Days foregrounds sector priorities
Chicken growers are looking forward to next week’s BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) lobbying event in Victoria. Ag Days, which BCAC typically hosts annually, takes place October 27-28. This year’s top request is for the province to consider agriculture an essential service. “It means safeguarding the critical needs of the sector so it can be a …
Vegetable commission voices optimism
BC vegetable growers are voicing optimism as another growing season ends, despite ongoing trade concerns. “Despite a backdrop of concerns over potential trade disruptions, most of our greenhouse growers have had a good year and the industry as a whole is continuing the trend of growth and re-investment,” the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission reported in …
Pruning should focus on needs of the bush
LANGLEY – Pruning blueberry plants is all about balance. In young plants, that means balancing vegetative growth with root growth. In fruiting bushes, it’s about balancing vegetative growth with yield and berry quality. “You want to try to maximize your canopy growth,” says Lisa Wasko DeVetter, who leads the state-wide small fruit horticulture program at …
Reports back significant hazelnut potential
CHILLIWACK – Growing local and global demand is fuelling a renewed focus on BC hazelnuts and their potential. Past replant programs failed to achieve full uptake from hazelnut growers, but a new report from Chris Bodnar, assistant professor of agriculture at the University of the Fraser Valley, may drive more interest from government, investors and …