BC tree fruit growers face significant pressure this season following January’s freeze event and ongoing market uncertainties, but the sector’s new leadership wants them to know they’re not alone. An open letter to growers this week from BC Fruit Growers Association general manager Melissa Tesche, who took over from Glen Lucas on March 1, put …
NEWS
BC FIRB challenges WMP plans
BC FIRB is challenging BC’s path forward with the Western Milk Pool. Of primary concern is a plan for the BC Milk Marketing Board and the BC Dairy Association to share resources pursuant to memoranda of understanding submitted to BC FIRB last fall. “We have concluded that the proposed MOU between the BCDA and the …
Shuswap watershed grants
The Shuswap Watershed Council’s latest round of water quality grants has selected five farms to receive a total of $59,961 for projects that protect and improve water quality in the region. The grant program focuses on assisting farmers and landowners manage phosphorus, which helps plants grow on land as well as in the water. “When …
Eastern Filbert Blight threatens to resurface
A new strain of Eastern Filbert Blight, responsible for the near-complete destruction of BC’s hazelnut industry following its introduction to the province in 2005, has reared its head in Oregon. “We have collected spores from this [first diagnosed] orchard and are inoculating trees,” says by Nik Wiman, associate professor with Oregon State University (OSU), at …
CFIA nabs Enderby abattoir
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced eight charges under the Health of Animals Act against Enderby farmer and meat processor Richard Yntema. The Yntema family runs a small game farm and processing plant in the North Okanagan where they raise deer, wild boar and lamb. Since 2008, their abattoir Valley Wide Meats has processed …
Short-term rental rules exempt agri-tourism
BC’s new rules limiting short-term rentals to the owner’s principal residence kicked in May 1, but lodgings on farm-class properties are exempt. The exemption holds, even if a local government that isn’t subject to the new rules has chosen to opt in. The list of exempt areas includes the District of Kent, Keremeos, Oliver, Osoyoos, …