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Current Issue:

MAY 2025
Vol. 111 Issue 4

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2 weeks ago

From orchard manager to government specialist and now executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association, Adrian Arts brings a rare blend of hands-on farming experience and organizational leadership to an industry poised for renewal. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for BC fruit growers, with Arts expressing enthusiasm about continuing the momentum built by his predecessor and working alongside a board that signals a generational shift in agricultural advocacy.

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Arts leads BCFGA forward

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A combination of organizational management and practical farming experience has primed the new executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association to lead the industry forward.
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3 weeks ago

A public consultation is now underway on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board. Key issues for dairy producers include transportation costs, rules governing shipments and limitations on supporting processing initiatives. Stakeholders have until May 31 to comment.

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Milk board undertakes review

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A public consultation on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board is underway as part of a triennial review required by the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board Regulation.
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3 weeks ago

BC wool shipments drop sharply in 2023, according to StatsCan data released in mid-April. Local producers shipped just 5,200kg at 37¢/kg, down from 18,600kg at $1.08/kg in 2022. While many farmers now use wool on-farm or dispose of it due to low market value, innovative producers like Emily McIvor point to untapped opportunities. Read more in our Farm News Update from Country Life in BC.

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BC wool value, volume drop

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BC sheep producers shipped less wool for less in 2023, reversing strong growth a year earlier. BC producers shipped 5,200 kilograms of raw wool in 2023, according to Statistics Canada data released on...
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3 weeks ago

Eric Feehely and Miho Shinbo are growing 30+ crops on 2.5 acres in Vernon. Writer Myrna Stark Leader takes a look at how Silverstar Veggies is balancing CSA programs, farmers markets and restaurant sales while planning smart expansions in challenging economic times in Market farm works smarter, not harder.

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Market farm works smarter, not harder

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VERNON – Silverstar Veggies, a five-year-old mixed vegetable and herb farm in Vernon, thrives on passion and innovative ideas. A former watersport and adventure sport instructor…
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1 month ago

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BC snowpack runs off

May 24, 2023 byPeter Mitham

High heat over the past two weeks has pushed the BC snowpack well below average for this time of year.

The latest update to the BC Snow Basin Indices released May 19 indicate that many basins through the central Interior as well as across northern BC are well below average for this time of year. Basins along the eastern slopes of the Rockies are also exceptionally low.

One of the lowest readings is in the East Kootenay snow basin, which indexed at 26% of normal as of May 15. A year earlier, it stood at 124%. Similarly, the Similkameen Basin indexed at 38% of normal this year versus 114% a year ago.

The Lower Fraser, by contrast is holding onto its snowpack significantly better, indexing at 74% this year versus 119% a year ago.

Overall, the snow basin index for the province averaged 66%, down from 91% on May 1.

“Snow basin indices are lower this year compared to last year due to contrasting weather patterns in early May,” the BC River Forecast Centre reports. “In 2022, cool and unsettled weather conditions presided over the province into late spring and substantially delayed snowmelt.”

The long-term forecast from Environment and Climate Change Canada indicates “a greater likelihood of above-normal temperatures” for almost all of BC through July.

The warm conditions create the risk for drier than normal conditions across northern Vancouver Island, the Central Coast and north to Haida Gwaii.

Vancouver Island and the Central Coast both entered the winter at a Level 3 drought rating, meaning further dry weather is a special concern.

The province will resume issue its first drought ratings of the 2023 season in June, once spring runoff abates.

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