The fight against Japanese beetle in BC has expanded. A federal order has expanded the areas regulated to limit the spread of Japanese beetle, which was discovered in new areas of the Lower Mainland last year. The regulated area in Vancouver now extends west to Bleinheim Street and south to 49th Avenue. This responds to …
Apiarists fear heavy winter losses
BURNABY – Beekeepers across Canada were in for a shock when they opened their hives this spring to check on colony health. The Canadian Honey Council (CHC) confirms severe losses from Alberta to Quebec. “Nationally, it seems to be very high. We may come close to 40%,” says CHC executive director Rod Scarlett. “But on …
Province backs off compensation
The province is backtracking on its pledge to support mink farmers, whose operations are being shut down as part of the province’s fight against COVID-19 and following lobbying by anti-fur activists. The province has long said the nine operations affected will receive no compensation for business losses associated with the closure of their operations. However, …
Government funding under discussion
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will be the focal point of the next agricultural policy framework when the five-year Canadian Agricultural Partnership ends in 2023. Provincial and territorial ministers met with their federal counterpart Marie-Claude Bibeau this week to check in prior to the annual in-person conference scheduled for Saskatoon in July. Bibeau told Country Life …
Weevil monitoring begins
A cool spring has meant a slow start to the growing season, but it’s never too early to be on the lookout for pests. Strawberry blossom weevil is a case in point, according to presentations at the growers’ short course during the Pacific Agriculture Show this year. Originally identified in Abbotsford in a backyard raspberry …
Tree fruit growers struggle to source plants
KELOWNA – Weather challenges and growing demand over the past two years mean some tender fruit growers are struggling to secure new trees for their orchards. “My son and I attempted to source some peach trees for next spring and the spring two years from now and there’s absolutely nothing. So, we tried to find …