There wasn’t much new in the February 19 provincial budget so far as the BC Agriculture Council is concerned, but nothing was lost, either. The budget promises to boost the BC Ministry of Agriculture’s budget by $5 million, funds designed to support risk management efforts at the farm, community and regional level. Business development funding, …
Vineyards escape cold damage
Orchards and vineyards appear to have weathered February’s cold snap, according to research scientists at the Summerland Research and Development Centre. Samples submitted by viticulture managers for Arterra Wines Canada Inc. (formerly Vincor) and Sebastian Farms, a division of Von Mandl Family Estates in West Kelowna, undergo testing at Summerland every two weeks by plant …
Grading requirements changing
Ottawa is making further changes to grading standards for agricultural products, this time changing the requirements for peas and lentils. Beginning August 1, only registered varieties of peas and lentils will be eligible for a “No. 1 Canada” grade. All other varieties will be eligible for nothing higher than “No. 3 Canada,” the lowest grade …
Throne speech foregrounds land protection
BC’s legislature is back in session. Per tradition, the new sitting kicked off February 12 with the province’s lieutenant governor, Janet Austin, delivering the speech from the throne. “Agriculture is an important part of BC’s economy,” Austin told members of the legislature in a section of the speech headed, “Jobs in every community.” The focus …
Province offers greenhouse growers tax relief
While farms elsewhere in Canada have expressed concern about the implementation of carbon taxes, greenhouse growers in BC are giving thanks for another year of tax relief. The province will accept tax relief applications from greenhouse vegetable and flower growers with sales in excess of $20,000 in 2018 and with a production area greater than …
Hazelnut growers await new production guide
BC hazelnut growers will soon be able to consult a guide that will help them overcome the challenges of establishing an orchard and maximizing their trees’ potential. Provincial berry and nut specialist Karina Sakalauskas expects the long-awaited BC Hazelnut Production Guide to appear this spring. Its publication is set to coincide with a fresh crop …