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APRIL 2021
Vol. 107 Issue 4

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Today’s provincial budget has given a $4.4 million boost to agriculture ministry operations, lifting the ministry’s annual budget to $99.8 million. This is up from $95.4 million last year. The majority of the funds go to "Agriculture Resources” while $600,000 will support "science, policy and inspection" investments. An additional $60,000 is allocated to the Agricultural Land Commission, which now has $5 million to work with. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BC's farmers and ranches. Subscribe now to receive the May edition. buff.ly/2ReiFur ... See MoreSee Less

7 hours ago

Today’s provincial budget has given a $4.4 million boost to agriculture ministry operations, lifting the ministry’s annual budget to $99.8 million. This is up from $95.4 million last year. The majority of the funds go to Agriculture Resources” while $600,000 will support science, policy and inspection investments. An additional $60,000 is allocated to the Agricultural Land Commission, which now has $5 million to work with. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BCs farmers and ranches. Subscribe now to receive the May edition. buff.ly/2ReiFur
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Warren Sarafinchan’s contract with BC Tree Fruits has been extended for five years. BCTF president Steve Brown made the announcement on Friday. Sarafinchan was first hired in September 2019, the co-op's fifth CEO in eight years. He took the reins as a governance report reported the co-op was in "a serious life-threatening crisis.” “In his short time with the Cooperative Warren and his team have been working tirelessly to improve efficiencies, reduce costs and has taken major steps to right size all aspects of the organization,” says Brown. The governance study that was approved by a super majority set the stage for Sarafinchan and the board to move forward with selling assets, increasing plant efficiencies and offering an Apple Quality Assurance Program to encourage growers to deliver quality fruit. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BC’s farmers and writers. ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago

Warren Sarafinchan’s contract with BC Tree Fruits has been extended for five years. BCTF president Steve Brown made the announcement on Friday. Sarafinchan was first hired in September 2019, the co-ops fifth CEO in eight years. He took the reins as a governance report reported the co-op was in a serious life-threatening crisis.”  “In his short time with the Cooperative Warren and his team have been working tirelessly to improve efficiencies, reduce costs and has taken major steps to right size all aspects of the organization,” says Brown. The governance study that was approved by a super majority set the stage for Sarafinchan and the board to move forward with selling assets, increasing plant efficiencies and offering an Apple Quality Assurance Program to encourage growers to deliver quality fruit. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BC’s farmers and writers.
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BC Milk Marketing Board chair Ben Janzen bid an emotional farewell during the final spring producer meeting on April 15. Janzen retires as board chair July 31, but this week’s Zoom meetings were a final public engagement with producers. “It takes a lot of work to do what Ben has done, and I know he’s yearning to spend time with his family and on his farm,” said vice-chair Tom Hoogendoorn in offering thanks for Janzen’s 21 years of service with the board over the past 25 years. Janzen thanked producers for the opportunity to serve and his wife and family for supporting his work on behalf of industry. “It’s disappointing to say goodbye speaking into a computer screen … but the reality is that the industry will continue to progress,” said Janzen, noting that everyone from producers to tradespeople and consumers have a part to play. “It’s been a great honour and a great privilege to be part of this very dynamic industry.” [Image: Ben Janzen, right, congratulates Dick Klein Geltink for his long career in agricultural politics during the 2018 dairy conference.] ... See MoreSee Less

4 days ago

BC Milk Marketing Board chair Ben Janzen bid an emotional farewell during the final spring producer meeting on April 15. Janzen retires as board chair July 31, but this week’s Zoom meetings were a final public engagement with producers. “It takes a lot of work to do what Ben has done, and I know he’s yearning to spend time with his family and on his farm,” said vice-chair Tom Hoogendoorn in offering thanks for Janzen’s 21 years of service with the board over the past 25 years. Janzen thanked producers for the opportunity to serve and his wife and family for supporting his work on behalf of industry. “It’s disappointing to say goodbye speaking into a computer screen … but the reality is that the industry will continue to progress,” said Janzen, noting that everyone from producers to tradespeople and consumers have a part to play. “It’s been a great honour and a great privilege to be part of this very dynamic industry.” [Image: Ben Janzen, right, congratulates Dick Klein Geltink for his long career in agricultural politics during the 2018 dairy conference.]
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BC poultry producers will received $86.8 million as part of a $691 million federal compensation package for market access concessions granted under the CP-TPP free trade agreement with Canada’s Pacific Rim trading partners. Details of the arrangement have been two years in the making. Compensation will be paid out over 10 years and cover up to 70% of the cost of eligible investments the typical poultry farm undertakes. Individual farms will be allocated an amount reflecting their quota as of January 1, 2021. Ottawa has also promised producers compensation for market access granted under CUSMA. Details have yet to be revealed but all eyes are on next week’s federal budget for hints of what’s in store. More info is available in this morning's Farm News Update. Sign up for free at buff.ly/2H3dK8k. ... See MoreSee Less

6 days ago

BC poultry producers will received $86.8 million as part of a $691 million federal compensation package for market access concessions granted under the CP-TPP free trade agreement with Canada’s Pacific Rim trading partners. Details of the arrangement have been two years in the making. Compensation will be paid out over 10 years and cover up to 70% of the cost of eligible investments the typical poultry farm undertakes. Individual farms will be allocated an amount reflecting their quota as of January 1, 2021. Ottawa has also promised producers compensation for market access granted under CUSMA. Details have yet to be revealed but all eyes are on next week’s federal budget for hints of what’s in store. More info is available in this mornings Farm News Update. Sign up for free at buff.ly/2H3dK8k.
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No they aren't actually watering yet. Arterra Wines was testing their overhead sprinkler system at Sunrock Vineyards just north of Osoyoos this week in preparation for the summer growing season. Overheads are used primarily to support the growth of cover crops between the rows of vines. But it won't be long before actual watering begins for Okanagan fruit growers. It has been a particularly dry spring so far with below average precipitation in January and February and an extreme low of 2.6 mm of rain recorded in Kelowna for March. That's just 12% of the seasonal average of 21.6mm. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BC's farmers and ranchers. ... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago

No they arent actually watering yet. Arterra Wines was testing their overhead sprinkler system at Sunrock Vineyards just north of Osoyoos this week in preparation for the summer growing season. Overheads are used primarily to support the growth of cover crops between the rows of vines. But it wont be long before actual watering begins for Okanagan fruit growers. It has been a particularly dry spring so far with below average precipitation in January and February and an extreme low of 2.6 mm of rain recorded in Kelowna for March. Thats just 12% of the seasonal average of 21.6mm. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BCs farmers and ranchers.
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Cash for innovation

[Photo courtesy of Barrelwise Technologies]

August 14, 2019 byPeter Mitham

Projects focused on bees, barrels and mushroom harvesting have won $150,000 in the province’s second Agritech Innovation Challenge.

The challenges three winners were announced August 2 following an assessment by Innovate BC and the BC Ministry of Agriculture. The winning projects each receive $50,000, mentorship and the support needed to validate relevant market demand.

The winners include researchers at Simon Fraser University working under chemistry professor Erika Plenter that are seeking to develop a non-toxic compound for controlling varroa mite in bees.

BarrelWise Technologies Ltd. of Vancouver, which has developed a system that allows wine barrels to remain sealed while winemakers monitor the contents during aging was also selected. Finally, Technology Brewing Corp. of Salmon Arm, which is developing a robot that can harvest and pack mushrooms, was chosen for its potential to address the shortage of agricultural workers.

This year’s edition of the Agritech Innovation Challenge officially launched on April 17. It targeted three areas for innovation: food processing, food traceability, and precision agriculture. Shortlisted parties were required to submit proposals by June 24.

Demonstrations of the award-winning projects is scheduled for the Pacific Agriculture Show in January.

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