Poultry and hops a winning combination

ABBOTSFORD – The vast difference between the farm they started in 2005 and what it’s become as Ray and Tracey Bredenhof have expanded from broiler production to hops is testimony to not only their own efforts but the support of their community.

“By getting involved, opportunities come up. You meet great people and you learn from other people’s experiences as well,” says Ray. “When we walked onto the farm the very first time compared to now, we couldn’t have planned it.”

The result is the award in this year’s BC/Yukon Outstanding Young Farmers Program, announced May 11. This was the second year in a row the couple were nominated for the award, given to farmers aged 18 to 39.

The couple, who have four children ages five to 15, began farming in 2005 with R&T Poultry. They steadily expanded it, and now produce 225,000 birds a year. The barns were recently upgraded to accommodate 25% more birds, and last year the flock shifted to antibiotic-free production.

“[It’s] the way the industry is headed so we’re getting ahead of the curve on that one,” he says.

Hops were added into the mix in 2016, and today Bredenhof Hop Farms is one of the largest growers in the province, with 21 acres of its own and an equal amount with contract growers.

“That’s not really what we intended when we got into hops,” he says, modestly. “A few of the other farms have pulled out, and we’ve picked up a bit more acreage here and there. We’re really enjoying the industry.”

Growth has not been without its challenges, however.

One of the family’s barns, representing about a third of its production, burned down in April. There were no human or avian casualties, but it’s a reminder not to take anything for granted.

Personally, the couple’s oldest son was diagnosed with bone cancer. It’s in remission, but the experience reinforced the importance of being surrounded by a strong community. The couple have given back, too, supporting fundraising events including the Variety telethon, BC Children’s Hospital telethon and Ronald McDonald House.

“We’ve gotten involved in a lot of that type of stuff, on top of our agricultural [commitments],” says Bredenhof, who also chairs the BC Hop Growers Association.

He encourages other growers to get involved in their own commodity organizations.

“Get involved as much as you can,” he says. “It doesn’t always have to take a ton of time or a ton of resources. Sometimes it leads down a path you weren’t planning on, and that’s okay. We’ve really enjoyed that part of it.”

Typically presented at a ceremony each March, this year’s Outstanding Young Farmers award event was cancelled in response to COVID-19.

Typically presented at a ceremony each March, this year’s Outstanding Young Farmers award event was cancelled in response to COVID-19.

Brian Pauls, who succeeded Sara Harker as chair of the BC/Yukon Outstanding Young Farmers Program in March, said an event could occur this summer but no plans have been made.

Receiving the award from the BC/Yukon program makes the Bredenhofs finalists for the national competition, which takes place in Saskatoon in December 3-6.