SMITHERS – The province is developing a forage action plan for private land, BC Cattlemen’s Association members heard at their annual general meeting in Smithers in June. “Our goal is to increase and improve the quality and quantity of forage on private land,” BC Ministry of Agriculture livestock specialist Geneve Jasper told ranchers. Seven regional …
Prince George packing plant gets further study
SMITHERS – The possibility of a larger scale, federally inspected beef processing plant for BC is getting a boost from the province with $450,000 to support further study. BC agriculture minister Lana Popham announced the funding at the BC Cattlemen’s Association annual general meeting in Smithers on June 1. “Bringing a federally inspected beef processing …
Strawberries kick berry season off to a good start
DELTA – With memories of the difficult spring of 2017 still fresh in their minds, farmers say strawberries are flourishing while while early predictions show blueberry and raspberry crops should match those of with previous years in the Lower Mainland. “The size [this year] is as big as I’ve seen for strawberries,” says Kevin Husband …
ALC allegations nix Delta farmer’s vision
DELTA – Don Malenstyn has all but given up on his career and passion after losing an appeal of a remediation and stop-work order from the Agricultural Land Commission. “I didn’t think I’d ever say it, but I’m done. This is ridiculous. This is 54 years of my life completely wasted,” he says, surveying the …
New farmers need to research livestock needs
VANCOUVER – The growing trend for families to engage in food production – including raising animals for meat – in order to be self-sufficient has created new animal welfare concerns for the BC SPCA. BC SPCA senior animal protection and outreach officer Erika Paul says she regularly sees animal cruelty cases among people who have …
Perseverance, ingenuity aid haskap harvest
KELOWNA – Growing a new crop is not for the faint of heart. In June, after five years in the making, Reg Tomiye harvested his first full crop of haskap berries. They grow in front of his home on a nine-acre plot in South East Kelowna which was converted from an apple and sour cherry …