ABBOTSFORD – Growers hoping to cash in on Canada’s newest legal cash crop face plenty of challenges as government wrestles with how to treat a crop that has yet to receive legal standing. Cannabis is grabbing headlines in the mainstream media in advance of Canada legalizing recreational pot (expected by July 1), but Ottawa will …
NEWS
The Back 40: It’s time for farmers to speak up
British Columbia’s Agricultural Land Reserve is about to mark its 45th anniversary. The landmark legislation was the first of its kind in North America when it was introduced by the NDP government of Premier Dave Barrett in 1973. It was immediately contentious and has remained so throughout its history. The fact that it still exists …
Cowichan goats inspire global ambitions
Vancouver Island start-up aims to revolutionize mastitis diagnosis DUNCAN – British Columbia goat farmer and cheesemaker Cory Spencer, his tech-savvy neighbour Damir Wallener and agricultural communications specialist Tamara Leigh have teamed up, formed a company and spent the latter part of 2017 participating in an international business accelerator program in New York City. The concrete …
Feedback sought on water regs
Proposed regulations are a long-standing industry priority VICTORIA – The provincial government is seeking public feedback on new livestock watering regulations. An intentions paper released in January focuses on cattle, which represent 96% of livestock grazing 21 million hectares of Crown rangeland and 5 million hectares of private rangeland across the province. Rangeland grazing is …
Goat farmers get behind new dairy association
United front needed as market for niche milk product grows CHILLIWACK – Western Canada’s growing appetite for goat milk is sparking plans for a commercial dairy goat association. The proposal was discussed at the annual meeting of representatives from the 14 farms across BC and Alberta that supply Happy Days Dairies Ltd. in Chilliwack, November …
Hort course the backbone of Pacific Ag Show
ABBOTSFORD – While the Pacific Agriculture Show is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Horticulture Growers’ Short Course – the backbone of the show – has a much longer history. In fact, the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association, which organizes the annual course, is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018. The annual course includes …