With this year’s wine grape harvest set to be as much as 50% below normal, industry advocacy group Wine Growers BC is toasting recent measures by the province to support hard-hit wine producers. WGBC says the “well-documented ‘crop failure’” the industry is suffering this year as a result of an extreme cold snap last December …
“Quagmire” for foreign workers
The agricultural stream of the Temporary Foreign Workers Program has been growing in popularity with BC farm employers, but recently it’s been creating headaches, too. Ongoing reports of “mass rejections” of foreign applicants began last fall and have continued this summer, creating time-consuming and costly delays for employers. They have yet to be resolved, despite …
Moon shines among BC grape growers
PENTICTON — The BC Grapegrowers Association’s fifth annual Viticulturist of the Year award has gone to an industry veteran from a commercial winery. “The Viticulturist of the Year award recognizes those in our industry who strive to grow the very best grapes,” BCGA president John Bayley says. “Vineyard management, environmental stewardship, equipment, human resources, peer …
Ranchers get the backstory on public perception
VERNON – Ranchers might be concerned about how the public sees their industry, but a producer-funded team at the Canadian Cattle Association has their back. Amy Peck, manager of the Canadian Cattle Association’s public and stakeholder engagement program, gave an overview of her team’s work on behalf of the industry at the BC Cattlemen’s Association …
Federal funding for AI response
Several concerns of the BC poultry sector regarding the handling of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza outbreak last year were addressed this week by a federal commitment of $1.8 million. Delivered over three years, the funding will support the BC Poultry Association’s preparation for direct participation in responses to future outbreaks. “The poultry industry …
Investment foundation grows
The sky’s the limit as the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC keeps growing. A review of the organization’s performance at its annual general meeting, held online September 13, noted that $17.8 million was granted to 1,209 projects through 18 programs in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. “Many more programs are coming online in …