Producers have long been told that niche products are one way to avoid being reduced to commodity producers and price-takers. Now, the BC Milk Marketing Board’s scramble to align conventional milk production with consumer demand is highlighting the challenges of serving the mass market and the benefits of targeting smaller categories. The board initially announced …
CROPS
Groundwater bill causes confusion for Island farmer
NORTH SAANICH – A farmer in North Saanich is questioning how the province charges farmers for groundwater after registering his well and being billed for drawing water – even though his farm is on municipal water. Hamish Crawford grows wheat, grapes and a small amount berries and eggs on his 10-acre farm north of Victoria. …
Growers scramble as pandemic spreads
The World Health Organization’s elevation of the new coronavirus COVID-19 to pandemic status on March 11 has sent farm organizations scrambling to assess the impact. While no BC farmers are known to be infected with the virus, many who have returned to the country from abroad this month are in self-quarantine as a precaution. Meanwhile, …
Cherry growers discuss trade
Trade and research were the topics at the annual meeting of the BC Cherry Association in Kelowna on March 3. The industry has grown substantially in the last 15 years, thanks to the opening of export markets. China, Japan and California are now major buyers of BC cherries. “But we need to continue to diversify …
Fruit growers grapple with third year of losses
KELOWNA – Poor apple prices were the focus of the 131st annual BC Fruit Growers Association convention in Kelowna, February 11-12. “This is the third consecutive year of declining grower returns,” says BCFGA president Pinder Dhaliwal. “Returns are now below the cash cost of production.” Payouts as low as nine and 10 cents a pound …
Pruning priorities different for FV grapegrowers
LANGLEY – Close to 30 grape growers in the Lower Mainland attended the BC Grapegrowers’ Association’s first workshop outside the Okanagan on January 21. The session, held at Chaberton Estate Winery in Langley, included a safety discussion and hands-on pruning workshop. Township 7 winemaker Mary McDermott notes events like this are needed in Langley because …