Dry conditions last fall have set the stage for an early start to the wildfire season in northern and Central BC, where Fort St. John was put on evacuation alert earlier this week due to the Stoddart Creek and Red Creek wildfires. High temperatures are set to head south this weekend, according to the BC …
Northwest floods mobilize farmers
While the northeast of the province deals with fire, the BC River Forecast Centre upgraded its flood warning for the Skeena and Bulkey Rivers, which include the Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan territories, Telkwa, Smithers, Hazelton, Kispiox and Terrace. For farmers living in the Skeena Region, especially along riversides, the past week’s unseasonably hot weather presents a …
FCC supports wine sector
The significant losses anticipated to vineyards from the extreme cold in late December has triggered further support for wineries. While grape growers will benefit from recently announced provincial replant funding, federal farm lender Farm Credit Canada has announced openness to considering short-term support options for clients whose cash flow will be disrupted by this year’s …
Insurer steps up to cover farmgate abattoirs
MERRITT – Small-scale meat producers across the province are resting easier following Peace Hills General Insurance’s announcement in April that it will cover farmgate abattoirs. “It’s very good news. We’ve been working on this for over two years,” says Julia Smith, executive director of the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association. “We had been back and forth …
Wildfire, flood risks rise
Warm and dry conditions in the Peace region have prompted early seeding this year, but the lack of moisture has fuelled wildfire risk in the area. “It’s been very dry. We went into the winter with the driest soil conditions I’ve ever seen,” says grain producer Dave Wuthrich of PW Farms in Flatrock, a half-hour …
BCAC plans benefits program
Small businesses often lack benefits plans, but a new initiative by the BC Agriculture Council hopes to change that for farmers. On May 4, BCAC invited producers to participate in a survey that will lay the foundation for a competitive benefits program intended to help them attract and retain workers. “We are exploring the need …