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 …
NEWS
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 …
Pruning priorities different for FV grapegrowers
LANGLEY – Close to 30 grape growers in the Lower Mainland attended the BC Grapegrowers’ Association’s first workshop outside the Okanagan on January 21. The session, held at Chaberton Estate Winery in Langley, included a safety discussion and hands-on pruning workshop. Township 7 winemaker Mary McDermott notes events like this are needed in Langley because …
BC potato growers optimistic
Poor weather across Canada in 2018 led to strong demand for BC potatoes as the 2019 crop rolled in, members of the BC Potato and Vegetable Growers Association heard this week. “It had a good crop and was able to take advantage of an industry that was ready for a new crop early in the …