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JUNE 2025
Vol. 111 Issue 5

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BC Cattlemen’s Association members gathered in Cranbrook for their 97th AGM last week. BCCA president Werner Stump welcomed upwards of 300 ranchers as he signalled a change in tone with the association’s approach to government. “We are going to be a lot more blunt in our dealings with government as we fight for our livelihood,” Stump told his audience. The North American herd size remains down, and calf prices are expected to stay strong, says Brenna Grant from Canfax. “We could see $5.50 -$5.70 this fall for a 5(00) weight calves.” Duncan and Jane Barnett and family from Barnett Land and Livestock in 150 Mile House received the Ranch Sustainability Award, which recognized their riparian management and community involvement. From left to right, Clayton Loewen with Jane, Duncan and Lindsay Barnett.

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BC Cattlemen’s Association members gathered in Cranbrook for their 97th AGM last week. BCCA president Werner Stump welcomed upwards of 300 ranchers as he signalled a change in tone with the association’s approach to government. “We are going to be a lot more blunt in our dealings with government as we fight for our livelihood,” Stump told his audience. The North American herd size remains down, and calf prices are expected to stay strong, says Brenna Grant from Canfax. “We could see $5.50 -$5.70 this fall for a 5(00) weight calves.” Duncan and Jane Barnett and family from Barnett Land and Livestock in 150 Mile House received the Ranch Sustainability Award, which recognized their riparian management and community involvement. From left to right, Clayton Loewen with Jane, Duncan and Lindsay Barnett.

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Congratulations!!!

Congratulations 👍🎉

Congratulations

Congratulations <3

Congratulations Duncan and Jane Trott Barnett Well deserved recognition

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Duncan, Jane, and all the rest of the Barnett family!

Congratulations Duncan and Jane!!

Congratulations Jane and Ducan! Sandra Andresen Hawkins

Congratulations Jane & Duncan 🥳

Congratulation Duncan & Jane!!

Congratulations Jane Trott Barnett and Duncan!!!

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2 weeks ago

Grapegrower Colleen Ingram, who was recognized earlier this year as the 2024 Grower of the Year by the BC Grapegrowers Association. “Given the devastation we have had over the last three years, I feel like this award should be given to the entire industry,” she says. Her story appears in the June edition of Country Life in BC, and we've also posted to our website.

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Industry champion named BC’s best grape grower

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KELOWNA – Colleen Ingram’s enthusiasm for collaboration within the BC wine industry is so great that when she was named 2024 Grower of the Year by the BC Grapegrowers Association, she wanted to sh...
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2 months ago

From orchard manager to government specialist and now executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association, Adrian Arts brings a rare blend of hands-on farming experience and organizational leadership to an industry poised for renewal. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for BC fruit growers, with Arts expressing enthusiasm about continuing the momentum built by his predecessor and working alongside a board that signals a generational shift in agricultural advocacy.

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Arts leads BCFGA forward

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A combination of organizational management and practical farming experience has primed the new executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association to lead the industry forward.
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2 months ago

A public consultation is now underway on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board. Key issues for dairy producers include transportation costs, rules governing shipments and limitations on supporting processing initiatives. Stakeholders have until May 31 to comment.

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Milk board undertakes review

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A public consultation on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board is underway as part of a triennial review required by the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board Regulation.
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Cedar Valley licence reinstated

November 17, 2021 byPeter Mitham

An investigation by the BC Milk Marketing Board of Cedar Valley Farms in Abbotsford has resulted in the reinstatement of the farm’s production licence with several conditions.

The licence was suspended October 27 following allegations that workers at the farm had abused animals, claims supported by video footage provided to the BC SPCA and subsequently made public by Animal Justice Canada on November 4.

“BC Milk has confirmed there were multiple violations of the Code of Practice at this farm,” the board said in a statement on November 12.

According to board chair Janice Comeau, an investigation by two independent vets who interviewed farm employees found that the farm’s owners – brothers Rich and Dave Vanderwal and their families – had all the right protocols in place but failed to ensure compliance. The lack of oversight allowed a culture of abuse towards the farm’s animals to develop.

“They have good procedures and good processes, but there was no oversight,” says BC Milk chair Janice Comeau.

“Management needs to step in and they need to be more involved in the day-to-day, they need to have better practices around hiring and training and supervising employees, and the conditions we put on the license is intended to achieve just that.”

These conditions include Cedar Valley hiring an independent farm manager chosen by BC Milk who will report directly to the board. The manager “will be tasked with overseeing that the management and employees at Cedar Valley Farms are executing the cultural change in animal care and handling practices required by BC Milk.”

BC Milk will also engage an independent vet to perform regular, unannounced inspections to ensure the welfare of the animals and that change is taking place.

All management and employees will be trained in cattle handling and animal welfare, and be required to sign a cattle care commitment that will be subject to verification and review.

“This licence is conditional, and if we don’t see the changes happening that we expected to see, then we’ll revisit our decision,” says Comeau.

An investigation of the farm by the BC SPCA that could lead to criminal charges is ongoing. BC SPCA was unable to provide an update on its work. BC Milk has offered its full cooperation to the BC SPCA, and says its findings could lead to the bard placing additional conditions on Cedar Valley’s licence.

Together with the BC Dairy Association. BC Milk is undertaking a full review of policies and procedures in place for the industry. This comes in advance of a review the National Farm Animal Care Council is launching next month of the national Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, which all dairy producers must adhere to.

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