The annual Make a Difference Sale takes place at the Abbotsford Stockyards this week to raise funds for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. While cattle are at the heart of the auction, other lots include livestock feed and accessories, tools, gift baskets and other items. This year’s auction takes place March 12, beginning at 10 am. …
NEWS
Most farmers support Daylight Savings Time
DELTA—Spring ahead? Fall back? Or just skip the whole thing? According to a provincial survey of public opinion, nearly 92% of farmers favour a proposal to put the province on Daylight Savings Time year-round. That’s slightly less than the provincial average, which saw more than 93% of the 223,273 respondents speak out in favour of …
Going solo
ABBOTSFORD – The province has stepped in to backstop farmers facing hard times thanks to a growing number of weather-related and market challenges. During comments at the BC Agriculture Council’s annual gala in Abbotsford on January 29, BC agriculture minister Lana Popham announced changes to the province’s AgriStability program that she said would make $9 …
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 …
Ag initiatives lack support across regions
DUNCAN – A six-member panel at a full-day event prior to the Islands Agriculture Show in Duncan on February 6 highlighted the complex and challenging nature of supporting local agriculture. Expanding the Influence of Regional Agriculture Support, organized by the Alberni- Clayoquot Regional District, attracted 50 people to the Cowichan exhibition grounds for a morning …
New round of traceability funding available
ABBOTSFORD – Applications are now being accepted for the next round of funding for the BC traceability adoption and livestock tag reader rebate programs. Part of the federal-provincial Canadian Agricultural Program (CAP), the programs provide funding for software, hardware and training for farmers and agribusinesses to adopt traceability programs. “Traceability is the ability to track a …