The BC Milk Marketing Board’s is accepting applications until February 7 from potential new entrants in advance of a random draw that will select 10 candidates who will vie for the opportunity to be one of three new dairy producers beginning production by the end of 2024. But this year’s program will also include an …
PRFA projects receive funding boost
The Peace River Forage Association of BC has received $85,380 from the BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund to support research and training projects. The association received the largest sum of money in the fund’s seventh round of grants, announced last month. Under the Research and Demonstration Initiatives funding stream, $80,380 will go towards conducting …
Generational change in BC potato business
DELTA – A veteran of the seed potato sector has stepped down after 44 years with the BC Certified Seed Potato Growers Association. Noel Roddick declined to stand for re-election at the association’s annual general meeting at the end of November. Roddick had served as the association’s secretary-treasurer since 1978, when Richmond grower George Wright …
Young butchers make their mark
PORT MOODY – Taryn Barker and Ronnie Keely were two BC representatives on Canada’s first-ever team in the World Butchers’ Challenge this year. Their experiences have inspired each of them to improve professional development opportunities in the province for those new to the sector. Barker of The Little Butcher in Port Moody had nothing but …
Christmas trees in demand
Christmas tree growers in BC are seeing strong demand, with high quality trees making it to market. “The market is good. We’ll probably outdo last year and last year was one of our best years,” says Art Loewen of Pine Meadows Tree Farms Ltd. in Chilliwack, who has been growing trees since 1970. “We’re getting …
Potato stocks tight
BC potato yields were decent despite a late start for most growers, but lower production may have processors and producers scrambling for supplies next year. “Normally they would be done planting by sort of mid-May and [this year] they were still trying to get potatoes in the ground in June,” says United Potato Growers of …