Two years of funding increases for the province’s agriculture ministry have come to an end, as the BC NDP introduced a budget this week that proposes tax increases for the rich but plays it safe in terms of program spending. BC finance minister Carole James tabled the budget with a speech that touted the government’s …
NEWS
BCMMB new entrants shortlist
Despite headlines touting the rise of plant-based diets, an intrepid 77 candidates applied to be new entrants to BC’s dairy industry this winter under the BC Milk Marketing Board’s New Entrant Program. The program provides successful applicants with 15 kgs of Continuous Daily Quota in order to start milk production (enough for about a dozen …
Research association mulls future
The future of the Pacific Field Corn Association will be on the agenda when the organization holds its annual general meeting in Abbotsford on February 21. A discussion paper circulated in advance of the meeting notes the association’s operating environment has changed significantly since the start of industry-led field corn research in partnership with federal …
Apple growers fight low prices
BC tree fruit growers are seeing extremely poor returns on their first pool advance from BC Tree Fruits Cooperative. Payouts as low as nine and 10 cents a pound for Gala apples were reported by top growers for extra fancy pack-outs. These figures are being called the lowest ever in real terms and are well …
Reeve leads BC Young Farmers
BC Young Farmers has a new executive director. Ava Reeve, a farmer in Langley, succeeded Christine Koch on February 1. She will attend her first board meeting in her new role on February 20. Reeve has developed significant experience with farm organizations as a vice-president with the Langley Sustainable Agriculture Foundation, agriculture program coordinator with …
Ingratta heads dairy commission
Bob Ingratta is back in the dairy industry. Ingratta was CEO of the BC Milk Marketing Board for almost six years, from December 2011 to March 2017. Three years later, he has been appointed as the new chair of the Canadian Dairy Commission. Saying strong leadership is required in the coming year, federal agriculture minister …