RICHMOND – Richmond farming advocate Ralph May has died. He was 71. May, a lawyer as well as a prominent cranberry grower, was distinguished by his love of family and commitment to service. “Ralph was always proud of his farming heritage and history in Richmond and felt very strongly about giving back to the community …
NEWS
College assignment sparks salsa business
KELOWNA – Tyler Chartrand saw a hole in the market he decided to fill. Since 2014, he’s been growing tomatoes and peppers and processing them to make Ogopogo Salsa. The business idea came to him while he was pursuing an accounting degree at Okanagan College. During an entrepreneurship class, students were tasked with creating a …
Producers beef up support for Island cattle
COURTENAY – Vancouver Island beef producers have banded together to establish a regional affiliate of the BC Cattlemen’s Association. Vancouver Island producers have been able to join the association in the past as individual members, but the new Vancouver Island Cattlemen’s Association will give the local industry official standing alongside 17 other regional organizations. “We …
Beekeepers suffer colony losses
High winter colony losses were among the issues discussed at the semi-annual meeting of the BC Honey Producers Association in late March. “I personally lost between 80% to 90% of my own colonies this winter and I have talked to others who have had the same results and some who have had no losses at …
Potato growers keep seed treatments
BC potato growers are breathing a sigh of relief following a Health Canada decision last week allowing the continued use of clothianidin and thiamethoxam for seed treatments. The two are neonicotinoids, which have come under fire for their negative effects on pollinators and other beneficial insects. The two have proven effective against key pests of …
BCTF warehouse listed
BC Tree Fruits is moving ahead with the consolidation of facilities and the disposition of surplus assets as it continues to strengthen its financial position. The co-op listed its Kelowna warehouse at 858 Ellis Street with Kelowna brokerage HM Commercial for $20 million on April 1. “Roanoke no longer fits our portfolio,” says BC Tree …