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Originally published:

MARCH 2021
Vol. 107 Issue 3

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Stories In This Edition

Province to make Premises ID law

A wee bit of green

No extension for groundwater

Pandemic trends a moving target as spring comes

Editorial: Safe and secure

Back 40: Making the most of a simple pleasure

Viewpoint: Regenerative agriculture is the way of the future

SlaughterRight training launched by ministry

Ottawa to bankroll foreign worker quarantine

Ag advocates honoured at virtual gala

Coping with adversity requires an open mind

Blueberry growers dodge US trade complaint

Open for business

Codling moth control strategy shows promise for SWD

Cherry growers continue to focus on export markets

Ministry prepares to lend support to tree fruit co-op

Delta farm entrepreneur built strong relationships

Dairy picks new entrant short list

Early advocate for farmworkers’ rights remembered

Markets consider allowing Alberta vendors

Ranchers plead with province to address elk issue

Sidebar: Fencing program protects hay

Falkland beef plant finetuning operations

District A sets ambitious agenda

Don’t underestimate scope of farmers institutes

Everlasting

Strict pandemic plan keeps workers safe

Growers face up to labour challenges

Time to tap

Sidebar: Housing key for SAWP workers

Tulip festival to bloom again in Spallumcheen

Hazelnut growers face increased disease, pest threats

Resources go online

Hope prevails as hazelnuts target expansion

Research: Wildfires influence pollinator offspring

Raspberry growers see improved IQF pricing

Raspberry researchers select for hardiness

Direct farm marketers prepared for new season

Sudden dieback now showing up in cherries

Viewpoint: Consumers need more than a Buy Local campaign

New framework to measure AITC outcomes

Farm News: Wishful thinkign for the winter that wasn’t

Ewe know it’s spring

Juiced up over local produce options

Peer groups help foster innovation, support

Sidebar: How to start

Sisters create website to help small producers

Woodshed: Divorce proceedings take off with a dog fight

Gardener pens book about mason bees

Jude’s Kitchen: Spring is coming

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1 week ago

The Great Spallumcheen Farm & Food Festival and North Okanagan Plowing Match is happening this Sunday, September 24 from 10-3 at Fieldstone Organics, 4851 Schubert Rd, Armstrong. The outdoor festival features tastings and a market brimming with local food and beverage vendors, a horse and tractor plowing competition and vintage farm equipment displays. ... See MoreSee Less

The Great Spallumcheen Farm & Food Festival and North Okanagan Plowing Match is happening this Sunday, September 24 from 10-3 at Fieldstone Organics, 4851 Schubert Rd, Armstrong. The outdoor festival features tastings and a market brimming with local food and beverage vendors, a horse and tractor plowing competition and vintage farm equipment displays.
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Patti 😊

2 weeks ago

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2 weeks ago

The top five issues the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity identified in a recent survey were the cost of food, inflation, the cost of energy, keeping healthy food affordable and the Canadian economy. “We are seeing that environmental concerns are not in the top 10,” says Amy Peck, manager of the Canadian Cattle Association’s public and stakeholder engagement program. “If you are concerned about being able to afford to feed your family, the environment becomes less important.” ... See MoreSee Less

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Ranchers get the backstory on public perception

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VERNON – Ranchers might be concerned about how the public sees their industry, but a producer-funded team at the Canadian Cattle Association has their back. Amy Peck, manager of the Canadian Cattle...
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2 weeks ago

BC Tree Fruit Co-op has sold its Lake Country packing house as part of its long-term plan to consolidate operations. The sale, to an undisclosed buyer, closed on August 31, 2023 for $15.8 million. ... See MoreSee Less

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Lake Country packing house sold

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BC Tree Fruit Co-op has sold its Lake Country packing house as part of its long-term plan to consolidate operations. The sale, to an undisclosed buyer, closed on August 31, 2023 for $15.8 million.
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Who bought it ffs ?

Ted Nedjelski Karen Turner

One of my first jobs was apple grading in a packing plant in Vernon

Vivian, is this where you worked?

I’d hear the company that owns the big Cannabis company that owns the green houses all around this packing plant was buying up everything around to expand. Wonder if it’s them that got it.

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2 weeks ago

The federal government has committed $1.81 million over the next three years to support the BC Poultry Association's preparation for direct participation in responses to future outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the province. “The persistence of the virus in wildlife and recurrence of outbreaks globally, presents additional risks during the migratory bird season in North America later in 2023,” the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Vancouver advised in July. For more, visit www.countrylifeinbc.com/ai-risk-rises-with-fall/ ... See MoreSee Less

The federal government has committed $1.81 million over the next three years to support the BC Poultry Associations preparation  for direct participation in responses to future outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the province. “The persistence of the virus in wildlife and recurrence of outbreaks globally, presents additional risks during the migratory bird season in North America later in 2023,” the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Vancouver advised in July. For more, visit https://www.countrylifeinbc.com/ai-risk-rises-with-fall/
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Cherry growers continue to focus on export markets

Building awareness domestically is also important for sales

The BC Cherry Association is developing a radio and online advertising campaign to promote BC-grown cherries in Ontario this summer. MYRNA STARK LEADER

March 1, 2021 byMyrna Stark Leader

KELOWNA – Export markets for BC cherries remain a priority for the BC Cherry Association, which held its annual general meeting February 18-19 via videoconference.

During the two morning sessions, association president Sukhpaul Bal highlighted the trade mission to India early last year which helped drive a 1,200% increase in the value of BC cherry exports to that country in 2020. Growth is expected to continue this year.

Bal praised the leadership and hard work of the board in finding solutions to pandemic-related labour challenges, praising the province for stepping up to cover the accommodation, meal and laundry costs of foreign workers during their mandatory 14-day quarantine.

“We were frankly shocked, but it was such an important step,” Bal said.

The marketing committee is now led by Richard Isaacs, the commercial director at Global Fruit, based in Creston. Issacs moved to BC two years ago from the United Kingdom where he was previously supply chain director with Chaucer Foods Ltd.

“I’ve looked at and bought cherries from 19 countries,” he told growers, “and I moved here because BC cherries are the best.”

Isaacs noted the success of sales in Japan last year, which he expects to continue in 2021. But he also cautioned growers to pay attention to documentation, pallet configuration and labelling so that their fruit is compliant with Japan’s import regulations.

The association is also working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to open South Korea to BC cherries. There’s been steady progress, and CFIA was able to confirm the day before the annual meeting that the latest process document had been sent to South Korea. Included was  a request for a pilot program with two packing houses this summer. The association hopes to keep up the momentum, noting that if foreign inspectors can’t come to Canada, virtual inspections may be an option.

“CFIA were happy to pass that request on. It would also save us a lot of money if we can do that electronically,” says Isaacs.

Trade and Invest BC offices in Seoul and Vancouver have helped connect potential buyers with interested exporters in anticipation of the market opening to BC cherries.

Growers were cautioned to stay up-to-date on the cherry treatment products foreign countries will accept.

At the end of 2019, the European Union surprised Canada by halting imports of cherries. Fortunately, new insect trapping protocols were agreed to and implemented in 2020, helping to keep that market open. The association has subscribed to the Bryant Christie pesticide database to provide growers with the most current maximum residue limits (MRLs) requirements. The database will be available to growers via the association’s website.

BC cherry growers send 90% of their exports to the US, China and Hong Kong. While future marketing efforts may target Mexico, Brazil, Israel and Australia, nothing can come close to the top three markets.

The association is in a healthy financial position, although revenues are expected to fall this year because it is waiving membership dues for 2020 members. Treasurer Erin Carlson forecasts revenues of about $301,000 in 2021, compared to about $420,000 in 2020.

However, cost savings are also on the radar. The bulk purchase of insect traps in 2020, required for crop monitoring as part of export requirements, mean none are required this year. Of the $50,000 earmarked for 2021 research, only $37,900 is allocated, leaving cash for any additional projects that come forward. The federal and provincial governments were recognized for their commitment to funding programs.

Carlson stressed that the association needs to establish a better grasp of cherry production in the province. She raised the possibility of a producer survey to determine the extent of new plantings and potential future production.

The association focused its marketing efforts within Canada last year, thanks to concerns around foreign demand as well as a short crop. The domestic focus is set to continue this year. “We’ve planned this before but the foreign markets have taken time to develop, and now we have time to work on domestic marketing,” Bal said.

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