Country Life in BC

Westwold producers challenge curtailment

September 6, 2023

Westwold producers rallied September 2 to challenge an August 15 provincial ban on irrigation for…

Water curtailments squeeze forage production

August 30, 2023

KAMLOOPS – Deepening drought conditions prompted the province to ban irrigation of forage crops in…

Oat, wheat harvests down

August 30, 2023

Statistics Canada has relied on satellite technology and agroclimatic data to model preliminary crop yields…

Creston farmland sees demand

August 30, 2023

Strong commodity prices have been fuelling demand for farmland across Western Canada. The activity is…

International exports climb

August 30, 2023

Rising exports of BC agri-food products are set for a further boost with the launch…

Wildfires rip through Southern Interior

August 23, 2023

The impact of a dramatic turn in the provincial wildfire situation last week is still…

Cattle head to market

August 23, 2023

A fire sale is never a good sign, but that’s what’s happening in the beef…

BC Tree CEO on leave

August 23, 2023

BC Tree Fruits Cooperative CEO Warren Sarafinchan took an extended leave of absence, effective August…

Lower Salmon River shutdown

August 16, 2023

With temperatures cresting 40°C in various parts of the province this week, BC Forests Minister…

Comox Valley farmers seek support

August 16, 2023

Mid-Island Farmers Institute representatives spoke to the Comox Valley Regional District this week to advocate…

New dairy entrants selected

August 16, 2023

BC Milk has chosen five candidates to become new dairy producers as part of this…

CYL semi-finalists share positive outlook

August 2, 2023

VERNON – Three BC ranchers were selected as semi-finalists for this year’s Canadian Cattle Young…

Watchdog calls for overhaul of fire management

August 2, 2023

VICTORIA – On June 29, the province’s independent watchdog for forest and range practices released…

Island couple future-proof new farm operation

August 2, 2023

COURTENAY – First generation farmers Matt and Selena Lawrence knew they wanted an acreage and…

Peace Region land-sharing proposal nixed

August 2, 2023

FORT ST. JOHN – Widespread opposition from landowners in the Peace has nixed a bid…

FARM NEWS UPDATE

March 12, 2025

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20 hours ago

Kelowna’s Farming Karma Fruit Company Ltd. has received up to $2 million to purchase manufacturing equipment to increase the production of value-added products made with Okanagan fruit. The money is part of the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF). This round of up to $6.6 million is targeted to Farming Karma and six other BC manufacturing companies to expand operations. BC Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham was joined by BC Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Diane Gibson at Farming Karma for the announcement earlier today. “Seventy percent of our agriculture trade is with the US, so we’ve learned a big lesson about the need to diversify our trading partners,” says Popham. “... It’s not good news that we are in a tariff war, but it’s an opportunity.” To date, the BCMJF has committed $146 million toward 132 projects, unlocking more than $1 billion in private-sector and other public investments. Other recipients this round include: Prabu Foods Inc. in Surrey, North Delta Seafoods Inc. and Trafa Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Delta, One Degree Organic Foods in the Fraser Valley, Brown’s Bay Packing Company Ltd. in Campbell River and Vitamin-One Formulas Inc. in Victoria.

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1 day ago

Team Canada was the theme at Westgen's AGM in Abbotsford, March 18. "We are collectively Team Canada," says CEO Chris Parry. "Elbows up!" The lighthearted, patriotic mood eased some serious discussions around the future. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (the "other" AI!), creating buffers for potential trade-based losses and supporting farmers were key messages under the theme of proudly Canadian. About 50% of semen doses from Semex (a fellow company under the Antares Alliance umbrella) are sold to the US.

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2 weeks ago

The province is earmarking $55.2 million for production insurance in the provincial budget, announced this afternoon in Victoria. The boost in funding represents a 32.5% increase over last year as BC agriculture producers continue to face challenges with weather and wildfire impacts. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food will see a 10% increase in its overall operating budget, up from $130 million in 2024 to $143 million. The budget also noted the new premier's task force on agriculture and food economy is working on “short- and long-term solutions to help farmers find new markets in the face of tariff uncertainty.”

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BC agriculture leaders are mobilizing as the 25% tariff on Canadian exports to the US took effect today. Originally announced February 1 and paused for 30 days, these tariffs now threaten BC's $4.3 billion agriculture sector, which sends 82% of its exports to the US. Industry leaders like Paul Pryce of BC Blueberry Council are working with US counterparts, while BC Cattlemen's Kevin Boon sees opportunity in new markets, particularly in Asia. Tariff shock is our front page story this month, and we’ve posted it to our website.

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Tariff shock

www.countrylifeinbc.com

ABBOTSFORD – BC agriculture leaders are taking a strategic approach in response to the disruptive potential of a 25% tariff on Canada’s exports to the US. “It’s really bringing people together...

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About 60 growers, researchers, consultants, government and industry support staff attended the Cross-Commodity Leadership Support Project's day-long meeting in Penticton on Friday. Project leader Kellie Garcia says discussions at the event will shape the project's 2025 priorities, the last year of the BC government-funded program. The afternoon saw a researcher, grower, government staff, consultant and industry association person at each table share their view on gaps, challenges, priorities, advocacy and industry support efforts, which is not commonly done at other association meetings. Growers highlighted needs such as a one-stop shop spot for extension, research and program access information, better knowledge transfer methods, accelerated approval for new products to help with climate adaptation, equal enforcement of regulations for all, and that revenue generation for the farmer should be the top consideration for any new program or #BCAgct.

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