VERNON – Kee Jim is bullish on beef. “I feel very strongly that the participants that are in the industry today are in for a pretty good deal going forward,” Jim told North Okanagan Livestock Association members at their education day in Vernon in late February. “I think calf prices are going to continue to …
Chicken growers demand pricing parity
VANCOUVER – The new chicken pricing formula, which took effect last June, is an improvement over the previous formula but still does not put farmers in the black, says BC Chicken Growers Association president Dale Krahn. “Growers are still farming their depreciation,” he told producers at the well-attended BC Chicken Growers Association annual meeting held …
Organic growers prep for new labelling regs
ABBOTSFORD – Provincial regulations governing the use of the term “organic” come into force on September 1. Raising awareness of what that means for the sector is key to communications efforts the Certified Organic Associations of BC plans to undertake this year. “Communication and conversation is essential to build this out,” said COABC president Carmen …
Farmers’ markets aiming for greater share
VICTORIA – Renewed efforts to promote BC farmers’ markets are in the works following a study that identified a need for common branding and a greater awareness among consumers of the value farmers’ markets offer. “This year, we’ve secured dollars to launch this BC Farmers’ Market Trail,” Heather O’Hara, executive director of the BC Association …
ALR sessions closed to public
VICTORIA – The public engagement process aimed at gathering feedback towards revitalization of the 45-year-old Agricultural Land Reserve kicked off in early February with meetings in Richmond and Nanaimo. But not everyone was welcome at the meetings organized by the nine-member committee charged with conducting the review. The invitation-only events were strictly for representatives from …
Processor capacity challenges small-scale farmers
MERRITT – Small scale abattoirs are closing across BC and that is an increasing concern for small-scale livestock and poultry farmers. The lack of processing capacity means more time spent travelling to the ones that remain. For Blue Sky Ranch, near Merritt, it means Kam Lakeview Meats near Kamloops and Rocana Meats in Salmon Arm. …