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JUNE 2025
Vol. 111 Issue 5

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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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2 weeks 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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Pickers’ piece rates increase

On December 31, the province mandated a 3.9% increase to piece rates for harvesters of 15 crops harvested by hand. File photo | Tom Walker

January 2, 2025 byPeter Mitham

A new year brings new rates for produce pickers in B.C.

While most workers who harvest crops by hand receive more than the minimum wage, the annual adjustment to rates establishes a baseline for workers and indicates the rate of upward pressure employers face when it comes to wages.

On December 31, the province mandated a 3.9% increase to piece rates for harvesters of 15 crops harvested by hand.

“This is an annual increase based on B.C.’s average annual inflation rate in 2023 and is consistent with the 3.9% increase to the general minimum hourly wage that came into effect on June 1, 2024,” the province said in announcing the new rates.

Rates for tree fruits are the most expensive on the surface, with apricots maxing out at more than $55 per bin. Apple pickers must be paid at least $24.05 a bin in 2025, while blueberry pickers will receive $0.558 a pound. Daffodil pickers will receive approximately two cents per stem.

Tree fruit pickers have traditionally received well above the minimum wage for their work. This is consistent with Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives data showing that Kelowna’s so-called living wage is in the range of $25.77 an hour, up 5% from a year ago. (A living wage is the minimum required to afford basic daily requirements in a given region.)

The increases in provincial rates come as inflation shows signs of easing. The latest data shows that inflation in BC during the 12 months ended November slowed to 2.5%. This puts the province’s minimum wage rates to post some of the smallest gains in years this summer.

However, slowing consumer price increases give farmers and retailers less leeway to ask shoppers to pay more to cover wage increases.

Yet with a strong US dollar putting upward pressure on the price of imported products, domestic products may be able to eke out marginal gains that help cover higher labour costs.

Many producers of crops traditionally harvested by hand will continue to invest in automation, however, reducing reliance on scarce labour.

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