Country Life in BC

Avian influenza threat looms

February 15, 2023

The latest date for a case of avian influenza during a winter outbreak in BC…

BC snowpack declines

February 15, 2023

Despite the grey and rainy days of BC in the wintertime, the snowpack on mountain…

National celebration of agriculture

February 15, 2023

A national initiative designed to celebrate Canada’s food producers marks its seventh year today. Canada’s…

TJ Schur to lead IAF

February 8, 2023

A new CEO has been hired to lead the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC. TJ…

Strategic partnership struck

February 8, 2023

The closure of BC Tree Fruit Co-operative’s packing lines in Kelowna and Winfield has opened…

Zero farm bankruptcies

February 8, 2023

Despite the financial pressures facing farmers last year, federal records show that BC’s farm businesses…

Community spirit honoured at gala

February 1, 2023

Five leaders in BC’s agricultural community were honoured at the BC Agriculture Council’s annual gala…

Provincial extension service coming

February 1, 2023

A new provincial extension service is in the works, an initiative applauded at an Agri-Extension…

Farmland Advantage funding extended

February 1, 2023

A project that started as a small five-year pilot program in the Kootenays in 2016…

Farmgate abattoirs shut out of insurance

February 1, 2023

FORT ST. JOHN – Dozens of new producers granted on-farm meat processing licences since the…

Farmers need to prioritize mental wellness

February 1, 2023

ABBOTSFORD – When it comes to mental wellness, the fierce independence and stoicism too common…

Market garden powered by solar energy

February 1, 2023

SKOOKUMCHUK – Jessica and Harold Tichenor have renovated several properties over the years, developing their…

Dairy farmers on the brink

February 1, 2023

ABBOTSFORD – A growing number of dairy farms in the Fraser Valley are considering selling…

Surrey ALR inclusion cheered

January 25, 2023

A standing-room only crowd of more than 250 people attended a public hearing the Agricultural…

PAS kicks off

January 24, 2023

The province’s largest agricultural trade show kicks off this week, as the Pacific Agriculture Show…

FARM NEWS UPDATE

March 12, 2025

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9 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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14 hours 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

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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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