A long-standing day to celebrate food in Canada will be officially recognized this year on its 20th anniversary. Food Day in Canada, which has long had the support of politicians who issue statements applauding the farmers, processors and chefs who are key players in making food in Canada what it is, won official recognition this …
Cowichan Bay project set to swamp farmland
DUNCAN – The province’s emphasis on food security is being undercut by competing interests that, in the most recent case, threaten to literally swamp a productive farm in the Cowichan Valley. A watershed planning agreement the province signed in May with the Cowichan Tribes will see Cowichan Bay’s historic Dinsdale Farm become a marsh. The …
Province funds feed access
The province updated industry this week on efforts announced July 14 to match producers with feed supplies. Access to Feed, a provincially funded program delivered in partnership with the BC Cattlemen’s Association, will see BC Cattlemen’s match sellers of hay and feed domestically across Canada and internationally with farmers and producers. The program is providing …
Livestock health in spotlight
The health of Canada’s livestock took centre stage as federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture emerged from their annual meeting in Fredericton last week. During the closing press conference where ministers summarized their work, federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced the establishment of a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine bank. The most recent federal budget …
Province consults on agritech
A legislature committee is requesting submissions regarding soil health and carbon sequestration as part of a consultation designed to inform the province’s agritech and regenerative agriculture strategy. The Select Standing Committee on Agriculture, Fish and Food is accepting written submissions through November 17. Public meetings will be scheduled for November. “Committee members are interested in …
Drought threatens feed supply
Ranchers and livestock producers took it on the chin in 2021 and into 2022 as the heat dome then a deep drought curtailed forage production in the Interior and on the Prairies. A repeat performance is shaping up this year, with low moisture levels on the Prairies set to reduce yields of feedgrains. This will …