New Zealand has taken its cue from the US and launched its own challenge of Canada’s allocation of dairy quotas. On May 12, New Zealand initiated dispute settlement proceedings against Canada regarding its implementation of tariff rate quotas under the terms of the CP-TPP trade deal. New Zealand has informed Canada and other signatories to …
NEWS
Ruckle Farm managers honoured
Mike and Marjorie Lane are the recipients of the Heritage BC Distinguished Service Award for their contribution to enhancing and maintaining the historic Ruckle Farm on Salt Spring Island. Ruckle Heritage Farm is the oldest operating family farm in the Gulf Islands. Mike moved to Ruckle Provincial Park in 1990 as park facility operator and …
Ranchers facing rangeland losses
WESTWOLD – Ranchers in areas hit hard by last year’s heat dome, wildfires and drought shouldn’t count on rushing out on their rangeland this summer, cautions a professional agrologist. Chris Wellman, a fence contractor and former range agrologist with the Vernon Forest District, says many herds may need to stick close to home this season …
BC agriculture shrinks
BC reported fewer farms in last year’s census of agriculture, with losses outpacing the national average. The province was home to 15,481 farms last year, a decline of 10% since the last census in 2016. This follows an 11% decline in 2016 versus 2011, and contrasts with a 2% increase in neighbouring Alberta. Nationally, the …
Ocean Spray takes honours
The annual ranking of Canada’s most-trusted brands by the University of Victoria’s Gustavson School of Business held special honours for one company with strong connections to BC growers. Ocean Spray took top honours in the beverage category and ranked 43 overall in this year’s study. This is up from 140th place last year. The survey …
Unfilled farm jobs drop
Demand for farm labour has eased since the start of the pandemic, according to Statistics Canada. The number of general farm labour positions going unfilled in the province each quarter averaged 1,946 last year, down from 2,671 in 2019 and 2,778 in 2018. Demand typically peaks in the opening months of the year as farmers …