Raw milk remains off the table for dairy producers, with the BC Milk Marketing Board (BCMMB) taking action against a Maple Ridge producer for illicit sales. An undercover investigation of Maple Ridge producer Kevin Davison resulted in Davison Farms ordered to pay $7,512 in expenses related to a show-cause hearing last month. The farm has …
New beef practices open for comment
A new national code of practice for beef producers is open for public comment. “The public comment period is an important opportunity for producers across Canada to review the draft code and provide feedback on how it applies to their operations,” Canadian Cattle Association president Tyler Fulton said in a statement announcing the draft code. …
Fertilizer, fuel costs soar amid Iran conflict
ENDERBY – War in the Middle East has delivered a generational shock to energy prices, meaning BC farmers can expect a prolonged period of higher costs, not just for fuel but also for fertilizer. Western North America’s nitrogen fertilizers are mostly locally produced, but Okanagan Fertilizer Ltd. president and CEO Ken Clancy says various factors …
Cannabis tops BC crop cash receipts
DELTA – BC’s legal cannabis crop is reaching new highs, ranking as the top cash crop by value – ahead of both fresh fruits and vegetables. Canada legalized cannabis in 2018, and since then it has become a major agricultural crop. Last year, licensed cannabis producers contributed $10.6 billion to Canada’s GDP. In BC, Statistics …
Restaurant connections fuel farm’s growth
LADNER – Growth is on the agenda for Ladner’s Vive le Veg Farm, where owners TJ and Olivia McWilliam have a new baby and have nearly doubled the size of their market garden to two acres. Since starting the farm in 2021 on a quarter acre leased from the Malenstyn family, the McWilliams have grown …
Land Commission lays off staff
With no budget increase this year, the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) is laying off six staff to make ends meet. “Ongoing financial constraints and the requirement to operate within the approved budget have required the ALC to reduce its staffing complement,” ALC chair Jennifer Dyson says in a March 24 letter to agriculture sector organizations, …