ABBOTSFORD – The devastation California dairy herds are experiencing from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has BC dairy producers taking note. There are no reported cases of HPAI-infected dairy or beef cattle in Canada to date, but with borders still open to the free movement of non-lactating animals and BC at the northern end of …
Reminiscences of a honeyed career
CRANBROOK – Those involved in the art of keeping bees often mention a lifelong attraction to the insects. For BC provincial apiculturist Paul van Westendorp, a Grade 3 school trip sparked his interest. “Apparently, it made such an impression on me, I couldn’t stop talking about them for weeks,” van Westendorp told the BC Honey …
Market farm works smarter, not harder
VERNON – Silverstar Veggies, a five-year-old mixed vegetable and herb farm in Vernon, thrives on passion and innovative ideas. A former watersport and adventure sport instructor, owner Eric Feehely began farming in his native Ireland in 2010 before emigrating to BC and working for Hermann and Louise Bruns at Wild Flight Farm in Mara in …
Milk board undertakes review
A public consultation on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board is underway as part of a triennial review required by the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board Regulation. The consultation invites comment from stakeholders on whether the board’s powers are “adequate and appropriate” and if there should be any changes or additional …
BC wool value, volume drop
BC sheep producers shipped less wool for less in 2023, reversing strong growth a year earlier. BC producers shipped 5,200 kilograms of raw wool in 2023, according to Statistics Canada data released on April 17. This was down from 18,600 kilograms a year earlier. The shipments fetched an average of 37 cents per kilogram, down …
Agriculture at the polls
The polls will be closed and a new government elected by this time next week, but that gives farmers and other voters time to decide which platform they’re willing to support. A number of faces familiar with the agriculture sector’s priorities are on ballots in BC, including Abbotsford’s Mike De Jong, Chilliwack’s Mark Strahl, Langley’s …