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. …
NEWS
Dairy producers surveyed on regulation impact
SALMON ARM – The BC Dairy Association is compiling data to better understand the financial impact on farms of the new Agricultural Environmental Management Code of Practice (AEM Code). “We’re working to understand an accurate assessment of the AEM code-related costs on farms,” says BCDA general manager Jeremy Dunn. “We’re trying to get a high …
Abattoirs required to cut back overtime
KAMLOOPS – Provincially licensed abattoir operators have been put on notice that regular shifts for provincial meat inspectors must not exceed seven hours a day unless authorized by the province. “I am asking that all slaughter establishment operators adhere strictly to the scheduled inspection services, which do not exceed seven hours per day,” Gavin Last, …
Funding will help farmers address nutrient runoff
SALMON ARM – Water quality in the Shuswap region will benefit from $100,000 in grants over the coming year through a new program launched this spring. The Shuswap Watershed Council is making the funds available to projects aimed at protecting long-term water quality in the region through better nutrient management. “What we’re looking for is …
Consumers buying local
Demand for fresh, local food products is soaring as BC consumers stock up and hunker down to wait out the pandemic. Groups representing several commodities report strong sales, with livestock growers being particular beneficiaries. “The population needs to eat, and grocery store shelves are being cleaned out at an unprecedented rate,” says the BC Livestock …
Farming trumps tourism
The economic toll of COVID-19 continues to mount, with nearly a million people across Canada laid off over the past two weeks. Tourism has borne the brunt of government restrictions on events and social activities, with restaurants and coffee shops limited to take-out service or closed altogether. The number of hotels shuttered continues to climb. …