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Originally published:

JULY 2019
Vol. 105 Issue 7

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Stories In This Edition

Breakfast on the Farm

Province blinks on ALR

Berry grower hit with fines

BC hop industry matures despite challenges

Smaller than small

Back 40: The ups (and downs) of sustainable agriculture

Viewpoint: Debate over cannabis underscores challenges

Dry weather ushers in provincewide drought

Giant bee-killing hornet identified in Vancouver

Weather ideal for early start to strawberries

Fresh BC strawberries …

FIRB sides with K&M on annualized production

Pricing remains on ongoing issue for poultry sector

Tree fruit competitiveness funds start to flow

Farmers institute members discuss ALR changes

Dairy association seeks general manager

Sitting down on the job

Online platform gives food a second chance

Armyworm comes back for a second helping

Cannabis genes key to long-term success

Twenty years of ambassadors reunite

Policy shifts top ranchers’ list of concerns

Winner! Winner!

Clifton Ranch aims for better beef, habitat

Sidebar: Ranch operations

Treaties create uncertainty for range users

Market Musings: Summertime slowdown

Do you know a horse …

Grazing targets fire prevention, suppression

Kestrel nestbox project will help control starlings

Sterile moth program heads south of the border

Young farmers served a heaving helping of surf ‘n turf

Research: Welfare, reproduction a complex relationship

Variety trials showcase fresh options

Sweet potato has promise for BC growers

Headway made on organic SWD controls

My turn!

The fine art of raising commercial poultry

Winfield couple banks on organic growth

Woodshed: Plans hatch while Kenneth plays golf

Breakfast on the Farm has lessons for everyone

Jude’s Kitchen: Healthy choices

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4 days ago

Congratulations to Travis and Brad Hopcott of Hopcott Farms for taking top honours as Canada's Outstanding Young Farmers last week in Laval, Quebec. For more, see this week's FARM NEWS UPDATE at www.countrylifeinbc.com/hopcotts-win-oyf#BCAGd#clinbcAg #CLinBC ... See MoreSee Less

Congratulations to Travis and Brad Hopcott of Hopcott Farms for taking top honours as Canadas Outstanding Young Farmers last week in Laval, Quebec. For more, see this weeks FARM NEWS UPDATE at https://www.countrylifeinbc.com/hopcotts-win-oyf-canada/

#BCAg #CLinBC
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Congratulations to all of you. You have done a tremendous job growing your business

Congratulations from Coniagas Ranches! Your business is awesome!!!

Thank you so much! 😁

Congratulations Travis!

Well done ! Well deserved

Congratulations

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6 days ago

Congratulations to Chilliwack’s Ben Janzen, former chair of the BC Milk Marketing Board, who received the BC Dairy Achievement Award from Jim Byrne of the BC Dairy Historical Society on November 23. Byrne hailed Janzen’s selfless work on behalf of the industry, first as a member of the first producer-elected board of Agrifoods International Cooperative in 1996 then as chair of the BC Milk Marketing Board for five years from 2016. "These successes have allowed the industry to increase processing capacity and develop initiatives that, when completed, will provide processing for growth for many years to come,” Byrne said. In response, Janzen expressed gratitude while emphasizing the determination and resilience of producers in the face of challenges. “You’re the ones that make this industry great,” he said.

#BCAg #CLinBC
... See MoreSee Less

Congratulations to Chilliwack’s Ben Janzen, former chair of the BC Milk Marketing Board, who received the BC Dairy Achievement Award from Jim Byrne of the BC Dairy Historical Society on November 23. Byrne hailed Janzen’s selfless work on behalf of the industry, first as a member of the first producer-elected board of Agrifoods International Cooperative in 1996 then as chair of the BC Milk Marketing Board for five years from 2016. These successes have allowed the industry to increase processing capacity and develop initiatives that, when completed, will provide processing for growth for many years to come,” Byrne said. In response, Janzen expressed gratitude while emphasizing the determination and resilience of producers in the face of challenges. “You’re the ones that make this industry great,” he said.

#BCAg #CLinBC
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I don't understand? Maybe it's my own ignorance but don't we produce way more milk than we use and force farmers to dump anything above their quota to ensure the prices stay high? Wouldn't we want to keep the retail price as low as possible while ensuring farmers receive their required compensation? Wouldn't that be worth an award? Help me understand 🤷‍♂️

Is this guy a reason why I cannot buy whole unpasteurized milk for my own personal use, yeah personal use even to make glue ...but really I don't carecwhy anyone wants whole unpasteurized milk ..it is Not my business..and nor should it be the business of bearacracy ..so in mho ppfffft

2 weeks ago

We are profoundly saddened to announce the passing of veteran farm journalist and Country Life in BC editor emeritus David Schmidt. He died suddenly in Chilliwack on November 20. For 35 years, David was the face and voice of Country Life in BC, covering producer meetings across the Fraser Valley and throughout BC. His reporting earned many national awards and he was honoured with several lifetime achievement awards, including the 2018 Scotiabank Champion of Agriculture, as he edged toward retirement at the start of the pandemic in 2020. He was, as one former ag minister eloquently put it, the "encyclopedia of BC agriculture." We will miss him terribly. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. For more, see today's FARM NEWS UPDATE - www.countrylifeinbc.com/bc-agriculture-loses-a-champion/ ... See MoreSee Less

We are profoundly saddened to announce the passing of veteran farm journalist and Country Life in BC editor emeritus David Schmidt. He died suddenly in Chilliwack on November 20. For 35 years, David was the face and voice of Country Life in BC, covering producer meetings across the Fraser Valley and throughout BC. His reporting earned many national awards and he was honoured with several lifetime achievement awards,  including the 2018 Scotiabank Champion of Agriculture, as he edged toward retirement at the start of the pandemic in 2020. He was, as one former ag minister eloquently put it, the encyclopedia of BC agriculture. We will miss him terribly. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. For more, see todays FARM NEWS UPDATE - https://www.countrylifeinbc.com/bc-agriculture-loses-a-champion/
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Very sad to hear of his loss…amazing dedication to Country Life.

He will be missed. His dedication to the agricullture industry was exceptional and conversattions with David were always welcomed

David was just an exceptional person . He had an unbridled passion for Agriculture. He will be so missed in this Industry. Condolences to David's family and friends.

Condolences to David's family and also his work family. He was a veteran agricultural supporter and reporter, and in his younger days attended every agricultural event he possibly could! He always had insightful views on the current agricultural state of affairs in the Fraser Valley, and also on the government programs and relief offered. He will definitely be missed in the Fraser Valley agricultural community.

David's thoughtful, careful and insightful reporting set a standard in farm reporting in BC, and much further. He will be very much missed.

Deepest Sympathy to family and friends.

Our most heartfelt condolences.

Very sad to hear this.

Sad to hear 😞

Very sorry to hear this. David was a first class journalist and an all around good human being.

Rip David.

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3 weeks ago

An agriculture plan progress report presented to Kelowna council November 6 shows a drop in the number of active farm operations in the Central Okanagan region since 2017. Six years ago, there were 1,034 actively farmed parcels; today, there are 983, according to BC Assessment data. Read more in this week's FARM NEWS UPDATE bitly.ws/ZScG ... See MoreSee Less

An agriculture plan progress report presented to Kelowna council November 6 shows a drop in the number of active farm operations in the Central Okanagan region since 2017. Six years ago, there were 1,034 actively farmed parcels; today, there are 983, according to BC Assessment data. Read more in this weeks FARM NEWS UPDATE https://bitly.ws/ZScG
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3 weeks ago

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BC hop industry matures despite challenges

Better practices, varieties moving growers forward

June 30, 2019 byPeter Mitham

ABBOTSFORD—BC’s hop industry faces a bright future as the industry consolidates around growers with long-term plans, but plenty of challenges remain.

Growers harvested approximately 200,000 pounds last year, a crop that was dried and shipped to brewers across Canada, the US and beyond North America.

“We’re getting more interest and we’re also developing a number of export markets,” says Ray Bredenhof, president of the BC Hop Growers Association.

He recently acquired another property that will give Bredenhof Hop Farms 21 acres. He also harvests 19 acres for fellow growers. This has put his business, which includes drying, pelletizing and distributing, at capacity. But growth of demand means there are still opportunities for growers.

“I’m working on international hop deals where I’m going to need hops from more than just my farm,” he says.

But the number of growers has fallen from more than 30 last year to about 20 today. Bredenhof expects a net decrease in BC hop acreage this year as a result.

“It’s an industry that’s consolidating,” he says. “Our quality is improving, our farming practices are improving and the good growers are succeeding, but it’s a challenging industry. It really is.”

Lack of processing capacity

Two key issues are a lack of processing capacity, which meant some acreage couldn’t be harvested last year, and competition from other regions.

Consumers opt for local where possible, as the success of the annual BC Hop Fest in Abbotsford shows. It has grown to more than 1,000 people since the first event in 2015, large enough that the Agricultural Land Commission says it can’t take place on farmland. This prompted its cancellation this year, but organizers Dwayne and Diane Stewart of BC Hop Co. hope to resume the event in fall 2020.

Yet hops are one ingredient that the province’s craft brewers have been slow to source from their own backyard. Oil content and aromatics are key variables among hop varieties, and Lower Mainland brewmasters tend to favour imported hops.

“They’ve been buying US or New Zealand hops for so long that they’re not changing the recipe to fit the BC hops in,” says Bredenhof.

Style is indeed a big factor, say local brewers, including those most committed to supporting local food and farmers.

“It’s not that we don’t want to support local hops, it’s just that we’re looking for a certain flavour profile and it’s just not possible with some of the hops that are grown here,” says Josh Vanderheide of Field House Brewing Co. in Abbotsford. “And that’s okay. It should be okay. … If we could only use local hops, all the craft beers would taste the same.”

Moreover, not all recipes require the same amount of hops. When it challenged the province’s ban on on-farm breweries in the Agricultural Land reserve in 2016, Persephone Brewing Co. Inc. of Gibsons was told that its one-acre hop yard was a minor contributor to its beers. But owner Brian Smith contended that the hops’ contribution far outweighed their economic value.

“Frankly, if all I did was grow hops on that farm and not process it, I couldn’t even afford to pay our mortgage let alone have a viable or profitable business model,” he said at the time. “Beer has a profit margin in it that absorbs the cost of building out the agriculture.”

The lightly hopped honey ale Persephone brewed this year for the BC Association of Farmers’ Markets – whose member markets adhere to a “make it, bake it, grow it” philosophy – did not come from BC, even though the yeast was locally cultured and the honey was sourced from seven BC farms.

Smith says the question of hop content is challenging. The honey ale wasn’t a hop-forward beer, but style is just one of many factors.

“It is a combination of things including varietals, pricing, marketing and farmers being out of touch with their end-user,” he said. “[I] don’t think any of that is something that I want to take on fixing.”

However, the BC Craft Brewers Guild recognizes the issue, and together with the BC Hop Growers Association launched the Lupulin Cup award in 2017 to foster closer relationships between BC hop growers and brewers.

Research to identify and develop new hops, such as Sasquatch, a patented variety that traces its roots to feral hops in Pemberton, or Lumberjack, a trademarked variety developed with imported genetics, will also help.

“That’s innovation, and government and innovative agricultural funding should go towards that,” says Vanderheide, who would like to see government support new variety development as it does for other crops.

“If government was willing to fund going to find the other hops with unique flavour profiles and funding trials of growing unique hops here, that would help build an industry,” he says.

In the meantime, growers are showing there’s a home for top-quality hops.

“The industry is straightening itself out,” says Bredenhof. “The growers that are left are more of the higher-quality, long-term, committed growers.”

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