NANAIMO – BC SPCA has put commercial livestock producers around the province on notice that it intends to launch unannounced inspections of their operations under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Six sectors have been chosen for the inspections, which will initially take place on Vancouver Island as part of a pilot program. BC …
NEWS
Federal election call
This past weekend’s federal election call means Canada will go to the polls September 20. Ongoing wildfires and drought in BC as well as public concern over COVID-19 variants have prompted criticism of the election’s timing. By law, a federal election wasn’t necessary until 2023. The call came following a run of funding announcements targeting …
Greenhouse, nursery specialist named
BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries field vegetable specialist Susan Smith is now also responsible for greenhouse, floriculture and nursery crops. Smith’s appointment came in June, following Dave Woodske’s retirement as floriculture and greenhouse specialist in March 2020. “There’s a real need for ministry support,” Smith told greenhouse growers at their annual general meeting …
Communities plan for agriculture
BC communities are taking innovative approaches to agriculture planning with the help of $252,773 from the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. IAFBC’s Local Government Partnership Program awarded eight local governments $252,773 in July for agricultural planning and implementation. While four of the recipients will use the funds to create or update agricultural plans, others are …
Province pledges emergency funding
BC has announced emergency funding to support farmers and ranchers impacted by wildfires, heat and drought this year. While the exact amount is undetermined and several details have yet to be worked out, the province has taken the immediate action of invoking the late participation provision of the AgriStability program. The original deadline was June …
Drought puts focus on livestock nutrition
Cattle producers asked their drought-related nutrition questions to a panel of experts during a Beef Cattle Research Council webinar on July 29. The panel stressed the importance of feed testing during drought conditions. Tests shows if a crop is safe to feed on its own or whether it needs to be mixed with other feedstuffs. …