Westwold producers rallied September 2 to challenge an August 15 provincial ban on irrigation for forage production in the lower Salmon River watershed east of Westwold. The order signed by BC Minister of Forests Bruce Ralston, was issued under Section 88 of the Water Sustainability Act with a view to protecting the anticipated fall Chinook …
Corn rootworm hits Okanagan
A pest that infested Fraser Valley corn fields in 2017 has made an appearance in the North Okanagan. The BC Dairy Association recently alerted members to the discovery of Western corn rootworm on farms in Armstrong, Enderby and Salmon Arm by a seed industry representative in August. The province is following up to determine the …
Young ranch leaders selected
The latest finalists in the Canadian Cattle Association’s Young Leaders program were announced August 31, following a competitive selection process at the Canadian Beef Industry Conference in Calgary, August 15. Three young ranchers from BC were among the 16 finalists, including Cassie Marchand of Vernon, Kayla Shallard of Hixon and Brett Squair of Lumby. The …
Water curtailments squeeze forage production
KAMLOOPS – Deepening drought conditions prompted the province to ban irrigation of forage crops in four watersheds in mid-August, drawing fire from producers who say the restrictions are making a bad situation worse. The first of the orders on August 15 banned the use of water for forage crop irrigation in the Bessette and Lower …
Island couple future-proof new farm operation
COURTENAY – First generation farmers Matt and Selena Lawrence knew they wanted an acreage and to raise their family on a farm, but securing land and water for a large-scale operation in the Comox Valley was not in the cards. However, after creating a viable farm business model, the couple were able to secure a …
Oat, wheat harvests down
Statistics Canada has relied on satellite technology and agroclimatic data to model preliminary crop yields and production for several years, and estimates released August 29 point to a modest decline in seeded acres this year for grain and oilseed crops but a sharp decline in the projected harvest for certain crops. Overall, seeded acres are …