The new dairy year will see BC’s dairy sector welcome five new producers. Results of this year’s new entrant selection process were announced July 24 by the BC Milk Marketing Board, which extended congratulations to conventional candidates Frederick Fooks, Amy Gibbs, Dwayne (Marc) & Kari Goossen and Joshua Telford, as well as organic candidate Ian …
NEWS
On the rebound
KELOWNA – Fruit growers in the Okanagan have suffered at the hands of Mother Nature over the past four years, but she just might be smiling on them this season. “This is very good weather that is conducive to growing good quality fruit,” says Sam DiMaria of Bella Rosa Orchards in Kelowna. “From my perspective …
Regulatory hurdles threaten farm income solutions
POWELL RIVER – Two decades of farming on the Sunshine Coast could be nearing their end for a Powell River couple following the Agricultural Land Commission’s rejection of proposals aimed at diversifying their operation. “It’s not easy. With the cost of everything going up, most farmers are starting to go, ‘hey, we’ve got to diversify,’” …
Showdown looms over co-op’s surplus
A year after the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative shut its doors, work towards winding up the operation continues. While most of the assets have been sold, what happens to surplus funds leftover after its debts are paid remains a live issue. Creditor payments are expected to be finalized by late August, leaving an estimated $17 …
Biobest acquires North Vancouver’s Ecoation
North Vancouver-based agritech start-up Ecoation Innovative Solutions Inc. is now part of Biobest. Biobest purchased Ecoation’s business, certain assets and acquired key personnel as part of the deal, which completed July 17. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ecoation will operate as part of Biobest, which acquired an equity interest in Ecoation four years …
Metro Vancouver invites DCC feedback
Growers are being invited to provide Metro Vancouver with feedback on proposed changes to development cost charges (DCCs) collected to fund the region’s water infrastructure. Greenhouse growers pushed back against DCC increases last year, winning a reduction or waiver of DCCs for “agricultural developments designed to result in a low environmental impact.” An interim bylaw …