This week saw the selection of two new entrants to the BC egg sector, diversifying the production of eggs beyond the Fraser Valley.
Approximately 31 of the province’s 154 registered egg producers are located outside the Fraser Valley.
But with the selection of Mitch and Breanne Baker of Cawston and Tim Traber of Quesnel in the BC Egg Marketing Board’s new producer lottery in Abbotsford, September 9, two more commercial farms will be supplying the region.
The two are currently small-lot permit holders, with licences for between 100 and 399 laying hens, but as new entrants they’ll be able to expand to 3,000 birds.
“Mitch and Breanne and Tim already produce eggs from their small flocks,” says BC Egg chair Al Sakalauskas. “They have solid business plans as well as dedicated customers and we’re sure that with the extra hens provided by the New Producer Program, they are going to be successful egg farmers.”
Candidates for new producer quota submit comprehensive application packages proving that they’re capable of both caring for hens and running a small business.
The Bakers operate a hobby farm that includes horses, pigs and goats in addition to hens. They have established connections with local markets and restaurants that prime them for growth.
Traber’s parents emigrated from Switzerland and bought a dairy farm, making him no stranger to supply management or farming. Similar to the Bakers, he plans to market his eggs locally and will be the first quota holder in the Cariboo. Traber is expanding his existing barn to house his new hens.
BC egg farmers produced 84.6 million dozens of eggs in 2023 worth $265.7 million, according to BC Egg’s annual report.
Producers included 98 small-lot permit holders and 3,653 unregistered flocks.
There were 19 small-lot permit holders in Thompson-Okanagan region last year, and 852 unregistered flocks, more than any other region in the province.
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