The tenth annual survey of food prices in Canada, released last week by the Agri-food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, show a steady increase in groceries and take-out meals. The annual report forecasts a 2% to 4% increase in total food costs in 2020, on top of a 3.7% increase in 2019. The biggest increase …
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Agritech faces mixed attitudes
A farmer is one the most trusted people in the public mind, according to countless surveys, but that doesn’t mean the public trusts what they’re actually doing. This uncomfortable fact was driven home in two recent studies assessing public attitudes to agriculture in Canada and the U.S. The first, released last month by the Canadian …
Farmers’ institutes briefed on ALR
Representatives from 35 farmers’ institutes gathered in Richmond on November 29 at a meeting convened by the BC Ministry of Agriculture to discuss priorities and receive updates on ministry initiatives designed to support farming. Ongoing changes to the Agricultural Land Commission and regulations governing activities in the Agricultural Land Reserve were a particular focus. Several …
Icewine harvest begins
BC’s icewine harvest kicked off in the wee hours of November 28 as temperatures in the Okanagan dropped below -8 degrees Celsius, the threshold required by law for harvesting and crushing frozen grapes for one of Canada’s signature agricultural products. Quails’ Gate Estate Winery of West Kelowna was one of 20 wineries that registered with …
Peace funds start flowing
Peace region farmers face countless challenges, from weather to resource development, but there was some good news this week with the announcement of funding that should boost the resilience of the sector. Seven projects will receive nearly $210,000 in the first disbursement of cash from the BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund. BC Hydro established …
Honey producers honour industry leaders
by TOM WALKER PRINCE GEORGE — The BC Honey Producers Association presented two lifetime achievement awards at its annual general meeting and conference in Prince George on October 4-6. Lance Cuthill was honoured for his work in educating beekeepers. “Lance’s volunteer work benefits all beekeepers across the province,” said BCHPA president Kerry Clark as he …