Despite headlines touting the rise of plant-based diets, an intrepid 77 candidates applied to be new entrants to BC’s dairy industry this winter under the BC Milk Marketing Board’s New Entrant Program. The program provides successful applicants with 15 kgs of Continuous Daily Quota in order to start milk production (enough for about a dozen …
Dairy
Ingratta heads dairy commission
Bob Ingratta is back in the dairy industry. Ingratta was CEO of the BC Milk Marketing Board for almost six years, from December 2011 to March 2017. Three years later, he has been appointed as the new chair of the Canadian Dairy Commission. Saying strong leadership is required in the coming year, federal agriculture minister …
Dairy producers payout
A first round of compensation to BC dairy farmers for market share lost thanks to concessions Canada granted during trade talks that resulted in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has been almost entirely paid out. According to the Canadian Dairy Commission, 93% of …
Processing plant will cut transportation costs
VANCOUVER – The Western Milk Pool (WMP) has taken the first step in decreasing the cost of moving milk around the four western provinces and potentially increasing processing capacity in the West. “We have been working on strategies (to reduce freight costs and increase processing capacity) for the past three years,” BC Milk Marketing Board …
Marketing board names new entrant winners
ABBOTSFORD—The BC Milk Marketing Board has chosen the first three successful applicants in its New Entrant Program. After clearing the waitlist in its previous Graduated Entry Program, the BCMMB introduced the NEP in August 2018. Ninety-five applicants paid the $250 fee to be included in the first draw, held in February 2019. A random draw …
Ag minister brings cash
Two weeks into parliament’s summer recess, and federal politicians have been busy making the rounds as Ottawa prepares for an election on October 21. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau toured several farms in BC last week as part of a swing through the province that saw cash announced for the berry and dairy sectors. The largest …