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Current Issue:

DECEMBER 2019
Vol. 105 Issue 12

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BC growers are overwhelmingly in favour of continuing the BC piece rate system, according to a study the BC Ministry of Labour commissioned in fall 2018 and delivered this past January. Released today, the report found that a change in piece rates will decrease the profitability of all growers, particularly Fraser Valley berry growers, which have seen two years of declining production and margins. (The latest increase in piece rates cost BC producers $7.7 million.) Doing away with piece rates would also hit orchardists hard, with 94% of their workers preferring the piece rate and 87% saying they wouldn’t do the work if paid minimum wage. The report will inform proposals to change the piece rate system to ensure workers receive a fair wage. More info coming in tomorrow's FARM NEWS UPDATE - delivered free to your inbox from BC's agricultural news source: Country Life in BC. Sign up here: buff.ly/2H3dK8k. ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

BC growers are overwhelmingly in favour of continuing the BC piece rate system, according to a study the BC Ministry of Labour commissioned in fall 2018 and delivered this past January. Released today, the report found that a change in piece rates will decrease the profitability of all growers, particularly Fraser Valley berry growers, which have seen two years of declining production and margins. (The latest increase in piece rates cost BC producers $7.7 million.) Doing away with piece rates would also hit orchardists hard, with 94% of their workers preferring the piece rate and 87% saying they wouldn’t do the work if paid minimum wage. The report will inform proposals to change the piece rate system to ensure workers receive a fair wage. More info coming in tomorrows FARM NEWS UPDATE - delivered free to your inbox from BCs agricultural news source: Country Life in BC. Sign up here: buff.ly/2H3dK8k.
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BC's farmers markets sell what local farmers and craftspeople grow, bake and make, and the opportunity to buy local continues during the winter. BC agriculture minister Lana Popham toured the Riley Park winter market in Vancouver on Saturday to mark BC Buy Local week. The market is one of two winter markets that ring up sales of nearly $3 million for BC farmers. A study by local advocacy group LOCO BC says 63% of those dollars stay in the local economy, versus 14% of every dollar spent at vendors that aren’t locally owned. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BC's farmers and ranchers. ... See MoreSee Less

4 days ago

BCs farmers markets sell what local farmers and craftspeople grow, bake and make, and the opportunity to buy local continues during the winter. BC agriculture minister Lana Popham toured the Riley Park winter market in Vancouver on Saturday to mark BC Buy Local week. The market is one of two winter markets that ring up sales of nearly $3 million for BC farmers. A study by local advocacy group LOCO BC says 63% of those dollars stay in the local economy, versus 14% of every dollar spent at vendors that aren’t locally owned. Country Life in BC is the agricultural news source for BCs farmers and ranchers.
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Vancouver Food Pedalers Cooperative Fame comes in funny ways!

BC shoppers can once again expect above-average food price increases in 2020, according to the Agri-food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Nationally, food prices are set to rise 2% to 4%, on top of a 3.7% increase this year. But steady wage growth and a good economy mean BC grocery and restaurant prices will outpace the national average. According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, a family of four spent $1,017 a month on groceries in 2017; a conservative estimate based on the Dalhousie University estimates means that same family is spending closer to $1,160 a month today — just a fraction of which returns to the farmer. Country Life is BC's agricultural news source. ... See MoreSee Less

7 days ago

BC shoppers can once again expect above-average food price increases in 2020, according to the Agri-food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Nationally, food prices are set to rise 2% to 4%, on top of a 3.7% increase this year. But steady wage growth and a good economy mean BC grocery and restaurant prices will outpace the national average. According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, a family of four spent $1,017 a month on groceries in 2017; a conservative estimate based on the Dalhousie University estimates means that same family is spending closer to $1,160 a month today — just a fraction of which returns to the farmer. Country Life is BCs agricultural news source.
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So are producers going to see more money as well?

Why ?

This was reported at exactly, to the day, this time last year. Exactly the same “percentage” of hike as well,,,,, i smell a rat

"steady wage growth"???? What is your definition of "wage"?

That's what you people get if they elect socialists.

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BC farmers can look forward to better access to domestic and foreign markets, according to the throne speech that opened Parliament following October’s federal election. “[We] will remove additional barriers to domestic and international trade for businesses and farmers, continue with ambitious investments in infrastructure, and reduce red tape so that it is easier to create and run a start-up or small business,” said the speech. Dairy farmers can also expect to receive the first piece of compensation this month for market access granted under international trade agreements. A review of the rules governing online commerce is also in the works. Watch for more details in the new year in Country Life in BC, the agricultural news source for British Columbia since 1915. Subscribe: buff.ly/2JhvVYH ... See MoreSee Less

7 days ago

BC farmers can look forward to better access to domestic and foreign markets, according to the throne speech that opened Parliament following October’s federal election. “[We] will remove additional barriers to domestic and international trade for businesses and farmers, continue with ambitious investments in infrastructure, and reduce red tape so that it is easier to create and run a start-up or small business,” said the speech. Dairy farmers can also expect to receive the first piece of compensation this month for market access granted under international trade agreements. A review of the rules governing online commerce is also in the works. Watch for more details in the new year in Country Life in BC, the agricultural news source for British Columbia since 1915. Subscribe: https://buff.ly/2JhvVYH
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1 week ago

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Cowichan Valley seeks sub-appellation

April 24, 2019 byPeter Mitham

Cowichan Valley wineries and grape growers are rallying behind a proposal to create Vancouver Island’s first sub-appellation.

A proposal to designate the Cowichan Valley a sub-geographical indication (GI, or appellation) of the larger Vancouver Island appellation was filed with the BC Wine Authority on April 16.

“The proposed sub-GI has been identified as a unique area with respect to landform, landscape position, meso-climate, air drainage and soil materials,” says the proposal, prepared by Bailey Williamson of Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Vineyard in Cobble Hill on the strength of scientific studies by former federal soil scientist Scott Smith, principal of Eterna Consulting, in consultation with scientists at the Summerland Research and Development Centre.

The proposed sub-GI is 350 square kilometres and includes 14 wineries representing approximately 150 to 175 acres of vineyard. All stakeholders support the region’s designation as a sub-GI.

The proposal follows votes last year in favour of establishing sub-GIs cover the Naramata Bench and Skaha Bench, as well as the previous establishment of sub-GIs for Okanagan Falls and Golden Mile Bench.

Williamson said he hopes an industry plebiscite and establishment of a sub-GI for the Cowichan Valley will complete by the end of this year. This would allow local wineries to label wines made with local grapes from this year’s vintage with the new designation.

 

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