• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Country Life In BC Logo

The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915

  • Headlines
  • Calendar
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Headlines
  • Calendar
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • About
  • Archives
  • Contact
  • Search

Primary Sidebar

Current Issue:

MAY 2025
Vol. 111 Issue 4

Subscribe Now!

Sign up for free weekly FARM NEWS UPDATES

Select list(s) to subscribe to


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Your information will not be
shared or sold ever

Follow us on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

2 weeks ago

From orchard manager to government specialist and now executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association, Adrian Arts brings a rare blend of hands-on farming experience and organizational leadership to an industry poised for renewal. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for BC fruit growers, with Arts expressing enthusiasm about continuing the momentum built by his predecessor and working alongside a board that signals a generational shift in agricultural advocacy.

#bcag
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Arts leads BCFGA forward

www.countrylifeinbc.com

A combination of organizational management and practical farming experience has primed the new executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association to lead the industry forward.
View Comments
  • Likes: 7
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

3 weeks ago

A public consultation is now underway on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board. Key issues for dairy producers include transportation costs, rules governing shipments and limitations on supporting processing initiatives. Stakeholders have until May 31 to comment.

#bcag
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Milk board undertakes review

www.countrylifeinbc.com

A public consultation on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board is underway as part of a triennial review required by the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board Regulation.
View Comments
  • Likes: 4
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

3 weeks ago

BC wool shipments drop sharply in 2023, according to StatsCan data released in mid-April. Local producers shipped just 5,200kg at 37¢/kg, down from 18,600kg at $1.08/kg in 2022. While many farmers now use wool on-farm or dispose of it due to low market value, innovative producers like Emily McIvor point to untapped opportunities. Read more in our Farm News Update from Country Life in BC.

#bcag
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

BC wool value, volume drop

www.countrylifeinbc.com

BC sheep producers shipped less wool for less in 2023, reversing strong growth a year earlier. BC producers shipped 5,200 kilograms of raw wool in 2023, according to Statistics Canada data released on...
View Comments
  • Likes: 6
  • Shares: 4
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

3 weeks ago

Eric Feehely and Miho Shinbo are growing 30+ crops on 2.5 acres in Vernon. Writer Myrna Stark Leader takes a look at how Silverstar Veggies is balancing CSA programs, farmers markets and restaurant sales while planning smart expansions in challenging economic times in Market farm works smarter, not harder.

#bcag
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Market farm works smarter, not harder

www.countrylifeinbc.com

VERNON – Silverstar Veggies, a five-year-old mixed vegetable and herb farm in Vernon, thrives on passion and innovative ideas. A former watersport and adventure sport instructor…
View Comments
  • Likes: 2
  • Shares: 1
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

1 month ago

... See MoreSee Less

View Comments
  • Likes: 9
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Subscribe | Advertise

The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915
  • Email
  • Facebook

Unfilled farm jobs drop

May 18, 2022 byPeter Mitham

Demand for farm labour has eased since the start of the pandemic, according to Statistics Canada.

The number of general farm labour positions going unfilled in the province each quarter averaged 1,946 last year, down from 2,671 in 2019 and 2,778 in 2018.

Demand typically peaks in the opening months of the year as farmers prepare for the coming season. In 2018, for example, 3,510 farm labour roles were unfilled. Uncertainties around COVID-19 delayed the hiring of workers last year, but unfilled roles peaked in the second quarter at 2,695.

While data regarding harvest labour is spotty, the available numbers indicate a similar decline in unfilled positions.

The sharp in drop in unfilled general farm labour positions parallels a rise in offered wages. The past five years have seen a $5 per hour increase in pay promised to $16.30 an hour at the end of 2021. This is above the minimum wage of $15.65 an hour.

While the numbers don’t indicate a reason for the decline in vacancies, observers have pointed to automation and a greater use of foreign labour among the ways farmers are addressing the lack of available skilled labour.

According to the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, 3,100 jobs on BC farms went unfilled in 2017. It forecasts a shortfall of 15,200 workers by 2029.

Previous Post: « Vegetable sales remain strong
Next Post: Ocean Spray takes honours »

Copyright © 2025 Country Life in BC · All Rights Reserved