A long, dry fall may be just what many growers caught out by the late spring wanted, but the warm, sunny weather prompted provincial authorities to raise the drought rating in many parts of the province to the highest level last week. The Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Western Vancouver Island are all now at …
New child worker rules
Certain work will now be off limits to workers under the age of 18, according to new rules the BC Ministry of Labour announced October 11. BC farms can no longer allow youth under the age of 18 to work in confined spaces or work with “dangerous equipment” at on-farm abattoirs. A chainsaw is also …
BC jug recovery up
BC is one of the smaller markets for agricultural plastics in Canada, accounting for 7% of total annual tonnage nationwide. But fresh numbers from national stewardship organization Cleanfarms indicate that BC is recycling more of that plastic than ever before. Data for 2021 indicate 118,892 small pesticide and fertilizer containers (less than 23 litres) were …
Helping cattle keep their cool in the heat
CHILLIWACK – The unprecedented heat this summer has producers and consumers alike wondering what life will be like in the future as climate projections anticipate further temperature increases across the province. The Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium at the University of Victoria says Chilliwack could average as many as 29 days over 30°C each year, up …
To hoard or not to hoard: that is the question
It could be said, so I’ll say it here, that it’s quite likely farmers come in two types: those who save their scrap metal, and those who do not. Obviously, there are myriad further sub-types. Farmers are a complicated, thoughtful, diverse and stereotype-busting bunch and I would be the last to publicly suggest otherwise. On …
Wildfire 2021: ‘They keep locals in the dark. That is really problematic.’
MERRITT – Rhonda and Wayne MacDonald of Bar FX Ranch planned to stay and fight the approaching Lytton Creek fire until they lost power. But as they loaded up their last liner with cattle, a fire tornado breached the top of a hill and raced towards them against the smoky dusk skies. It was in …