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JULY 2025
Vol. 111 Issue 6

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BC Cattlemen’s Association members gathered in Cranbrook for their 97th AGM last week. BCCA president Werner Stump welcomed upwards of 300 ranchers as he signalled a change in tone with the association’s approach to government. “We are going to be a lot more blunt in our dealings with government as we fight for our livelihood,” Stump told his audience. The North American herd size remains down, and calf prices are expected to stay strong, says Brenna Grant from Canfax. “We could see $5.50 -$5.70 this fall for a 5(00) weight calves.” Duncan and Jane Barnett and family from Barnett Land and Livestock in 150 Mile House received the Ranch Sustainability Award, which recognized their riparian management and community involvement. From left to right, Clayton Loewen with Jane, Duncan and Lindsay Barnett.

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BC Cattlemen’s Association members gathered in Cranbrook for their 97th AGM last week. BCCA president Werner Stump welcomed upwards of 300 ranchers as he signalled a change in tone with the association’s approach to government. “We are going to be a lot more blunt in our dealings with government as we fight for our livelihood,” Stump told his audience. The North American herd size remains down, and calf prices are expected to stay strong, says Brenna Grant from Canfax. “We could see $5.50 -$5.70 this fall for a 5(00) weight calves.” Duncan and Jane Barnett and family from Barnett Land and Livestock in 150 Mile House received the Ranch Sustainability Award, which recognized their riparian management and community involvement. From left to right, Clayton Loewen with Jane, Duncan and Lindsay Barnett.

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Congratulations!!!

Congratulations 👍🎉

Congratulations

Congratulations <3

Congratulations Duncan and Jane Trott Barnett Well deserved recognition

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Duncan, Jane, and all the rest of the Barnett family!

Congratulations Duncan and Jane!!

Congratulations Jane and Ducan! Sandra Andresen Hawkins

Congratulations Jane & Duncan 🥳

Congratulation Duncan & Jane!!

Congratulations Jane Trott Barnett and Duncan!!!

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1 month ago

Grapegrower Colleen Ingram, who was recognized earlier this year as the 2024 Grower of the Year by the BC Grapegrowers Association. “Given the devastation we have had over the last three years, I feel like this award should be given to the entire industry,” she says. Her story appears in the June edition of Country Life in BC, and we've also posted to our website.

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Industry champion named BC’s best grape grower

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KELOWNA – Colleen Ingram’s enthusiasm for collaboration within the BC wine industry is so great that when she was named 2024 Grower of the Year by the BC Grapegrowers Association, she wanted to sh...
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2 months ago

From orchard manager to government specialist and now executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association, Adrian Arts brings a rare blend of hands-on farming experience and organizational leadership to an industry poised for renewal. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for BC fruit growers, with Arts expressing enthusiasm about continuing the momentum built by his predecessor and working alongside a board that signals a generational shift in agricultural advocacy.

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Arts leads BCFGA forward

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A combination of organizational management and practical farming experience has primed the new executive director of the BC Fruit Growers Association to lead the industry forward.
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2 months ago

A public consultation is now underway on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board. Key issues for dairy producers include transportation costs, rules governing shipments and limitations on supporting processing initiatives. Stakeholders have until May 31 to comment.

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Milk board undertakes review

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A public consultation on the powers and duties of the BC Milk Marketing Board is underway as part of a triennial review required by the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board Regulation.
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Drought puts focus on livestock nutrition

August 11, 2021 byKate Ayers

Cattle producers asked their drought-related nutrition questions to a panel of experts during a Beef Cattle Research Council webinar on July 29.

The panel stressed the importance of feed testing during drought conditions. Tests shows if a crop is safe to feed on its own or whether it needs to be mixed with other feedstuffs. While the number of samples is dependent on the size of the field, 20 to 25 samples usually provides a good representation of a field’s nutritional or risk levels.

Feed samples can help producers monitor nitrate levels in forages and other crops. Nitrates present an issue in annual forages such as oats and barley.

Drought stress can cause nitrate accumulation in plants, especially if high rates of nitrogen are applied pre-plant or in-season. Without moisture, plant metabolism slows, and nitrates may linger in the stem.

A nitrate level above 0.5% should be monitored and managed. Diluting high-nitrate feeds can reduce the risk of nitrate poisoning. To avoid the shock to their system, a seven to 10-day transition period helps cattle safely transition to feed with higher nitrate levels.

Poor canola stands in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and parts of Alberta have producers looking to this crop as a potential green feed. However, farmers should exercise caution because canola can cause white muscle disease in calves because of vitamin deficiencies. Canola is high in sulfates, which can tie up selenium, vitamin E and copper. Producers can mix these vitamins into the ration or use ruminal boluses or injections. Specialists recommend that canola hay or silage should make up no more than 50% of a ration. BCRC released a salvage crop calculator so producers can determine the value of alternative feeds for their livestock.

Farmers should also be aware of the amount of straw they feed to cattle. Straw is high in fibre but poorly digestible. It is also low in minerals, vitamins, energy and protein. As a rule of thumb, producers can feed between 1.25% and 1.5% of a cow’s body weight in straw. For example, a 1,400 lb cow can consume between 18 and 22 lbs of straw in its ration. Producers should use caution when resorting to feeding straw as the cows will also require feeds that provide greater energy and nutritional value. However, grain may cause acidosis if the cattle aren’t used to a feedlot-like ration.

Panelists included Dr. Cheryl Waldner, the NSERC/Beef Cattle Research Council senior research chair in beef cattle health in large animal clinical sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Bart Lardner, a professor in the department of animal and poultry science at the University of Saskatchewan; Dr. Andrew Acton, a cattle rancher and veterinarian at Deep South Animal Clinic in Ogema, Saskatchewan; and Dr. John McKinnon, professor emeritus in the animal and poultry science department at the University of Saskatchewan and owner of a nutrition consulting company.

More information and resources are available at [beefresearch.ca/droughtmanagement].

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