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Current Issue:

MAY 2025
Vol. 111 Issue 4

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1 day 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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1 week 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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1 week ago

BC wool shipments drop sharply in 2023, according to StatsCan data released in mid-April. Local producers shipped just 5,200kg at 37¢/kg, down from 18,600kg at $1.08/kg in 2022. While many farmers now use wool on-farm or dispose of it due to low market value, innovative producers like Emily McIvor point to untapped opportunities. Read more in our Farm News Update from Country Life in BC.

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BC wool value, volume drop

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BC sheep producers shipped less wool for less in 2023, reversing strong growth a year earlier. BC producers shipped 5,200 kilograms of raw wool in 2023, according to Statistics Canada data released on...
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1 week ago

Eric Feehely and Miho Shinbo are growing 30+ crops on 2.5 acres in Vernon. Writer Myrna Stark Leader takes a look at how Silverstar Veggies is balancing CSA programs, farmers markets and restaurant sales while planning smart expansions in challenging economic times in Market farm works smarter, not harder.

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Market farm works smarter, not harder

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VERNON – Silverstar Veggies, a five-year-old mixed vegetable and herb farm in Vernon, thrives on passion and innovative ideas. A former watersport and adventure sport instructor…
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3 weeks ago

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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.

Previous Post: « BC Fruit Growers list test orchard
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