Peace leads real estate

The first half of the year was a busy one for farm property transactions, with BC Ministry of Finance data released this month indicating an 88% increase in transaction volume to 975 deals.

While the value of those properties isn’t disclosed, the regional breakdown was.

According to the numbers, the Peace was both the most active region as well as the one that saw the greatest uptick in deal activity over last year. The region saw 289 deals close in the first six months, up 292% versus the same period last year.

The only other region to see greater growth in activity was the Kitimat-Stikine, thanks to a low number of trades – just three, a 300% from a year ago.

The second most-active region was the Fraser Valley, with 110 deals, a mere 78% increase from a year ago.

However, several regions saw double the activity seen last year, led by the Central Kootenay region with 132% growth to 29 deals in the first half of this year, followed by the Central Coast and Mount Waddington regions, with 110% growth to 76 deals.

According to Farm Credit Canada, the Kootenays have seen strong demand from urban buyers seeking affordable land and space. Many have entertained visions of setting up small-lot farms, contributing to the rural economy if not commercial production.

Demand on Vancouver Island remains strong, also reflecting the exodus from urban centres that took place during the pandemic.

However, larger farm properties continue to require significant capital outlays beyond the means of many younger growers. With farmland values continuing to increase, the sales are driven by well-capitalized individuals or operations.

The data do not reflect the aggressive increases in interest rates seen in both June and July. Many observers expect them to temper purchasing, especially by those purchasing for recreational use rather than production.

BC Ministry of Finance data only tracks sales on which property transfer taxes are paid. The numbers do not include share sales, in which land trades within the company that owns it.

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13 hours ago

Forty-six regions in BC are eligible to participate in the federal livestock tax deferral program, announced yesterday, more than anywhere else in the country. The program allows producers who downsize their breeding herds by 15% to defer reporting the proceeds until the following year, when they buy replacement stock. But after multiple years of drought, the BC beef herd is cruising 25-year lows and some producers are calling for more support to maintain and rebuild their herds. For more, see: [www.countrylifeinbc.com/bc-leads-livestock-tax-deferrals/]

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5 days ago

After weeks and weeks of no moisture, there's rain in Kelowna today. While much more moisture is needed over the coming weeks and months to reduce drought conditions and the air smells of wet campfire, the slow, steady rain is very welcome for fruit grower#BCAg#BCAg ... See MoreSee Less

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The first Delta Farmland and Wildlife Trust Grassland Set-aside Variety Trial Field Day was held at Delta's family-owned Tecarte Farms, August 27. Co-owner Bill Bates and DFWT executive director Christine Schmalz welcomed more than 35 people to view seven acres planted to different grassland blends specifically chosen to rejuvenate the soil and support the farm's blueberries. For the Bates family, it was time to try something different following the decline of the field's blueberry bushes over the past several years. "We tried everything, and nothing worked," says Bates. The blueberries were removed in May and the grassland crops planted about a week later.

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Bessette Creek is the latest watershed hit with a temporary fish protection order this year as the province moves to protect returning Chinook salmon. A total of 131 surface and groundwater users must cease drawing water immediately, with forage producers, greenhouses and nurseries impacted. "Declining flows in Bessette Creek reached record lows in early July 2026 and have remained below the minimum level required to support fish population survival," says the province. Bessette producers have embraced voluntary cutbacks, scheduled irrigation and other measures to reduce water use, and are also waiting on funding to boost water storage infrastructure. They're the second group of producers hit with a provincial order this year. Salmon River irrigators were told to top watering earlier this month following a reprieve to address wildfire risk. Growers in both the Salmon River and Bessette watersheds are urging the province to support new water storage infrastructure in advance of next year.

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There is a problem... having lived in the salmon river ( silver creek ) area, I remember a fish biologist telling family members that salmon only "survive" in high iron content creeks, they do not "thrive".... salmon river ( silver creek ) is a very high iron content, would stain clothes brown when i would use bleach... So don't expect high salmon numbers off of that creek , even in ideal situations...

I just wish they would take an interest in CHASE CREEK....went bone dry...100% of trout abd other species died...smell was terrible from rotting fish. Understand this has happened many times in the past. Chase Irrigation District totally responsible for this disaster. Now fishermen are complaining about major drop in water levels at Pillar Lake.

They could not mismanage things worse than they have. It's impossible for them to. The fact that farmers that we need for our animals are now suffering the consequences our governments have not protected us from, is absolutely fucking wild.