A new strain of Eastern Filbert Blight, responsible for the near-complete destruction of BC’s hazelnut industry following its introduction to the province in 2005, has reared its head in Oregon. “We have collected spores from this [first diagnosed] orchard and are inoculating trees,” says by Nik Wiman, associate professor with Oregon State University (OSU), at …
NEWS
CFIA nabs Enderby abattoir
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has announced eight charges under the Health of Animals Act against Enderby farmer and meat processor Richard Yntema. The Yntema family runs a small game farm and processing plant in the North Okanagan where they raise deer, wild boar and lamb. Since 2008, their abattoir Valley Wide Meats has processed …
Short-term rental rules exempt agri-tourism
BC’s new rules limiting short-term rentals to the owner’s principal residence kicked in May 1, but lodgings on farm-class properties are exempt. The exemption holds, even if a local government that isn’t subject to the new rules has chosen to opt in. The list of exempt areas includes the District of Kent, Keremeos, Oliver, Osoyoos, …
Farmland lease rates
Higher land costs translate to higher rents for farmers who lease their land, according to a recently released analysis of farmland rental rates from Farm Credit Canada. The annual analysis, which plots cash rents against the value of farmland for each province, indicated that landowners were charging tenant farmers rent equivalent to 2.52% of the …
Livestock oversight to change
VICTORIA – The province is poised to take over responsibility for farmed animal welfare in BC, following a report that recommends restricting the BC Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to companion animals. Policing of animal welfare, including that of farmed animals, has been the statutory responsibility of the BC SPCA since its …
Early-season fires spark concern
This past weekend saw seven wildfires reported in the Cariboo, including the 1,600-hectare Burgess Creek Wildfire, which continues to burn out of control between Quesnel and Williams Lake. An evacuation alert was announced April 23 for the area east of the fire, but no ranches have been impacted to date. However, rancher and Quesnel Cattlemen’s …