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1-888-770-7333 Quality Seeds ... where quality counts! ALL THE BEST for the HOLIDAYS!Postmaster, Please return Undeliverable labels to: Country Life in BC 36 Dale Road Enderby, BC V0E 1V4CANADA POSTES POST CANADA Postage paid Port payé Publications Mail Post-Publications 40012122Vol. 107 No.12The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915 DECEMBER 2021 | Vol. 107 No. 12ANIMAL WELFAREDairy industry takes swift action on animal abuse 7 TREE FRUITS Province sets agenda for tree fruit future 9 RANCHING Frustration over “timber-centric” range bill 15KATE AYERS ABBOTSFORD – Unexpected. Unprecedented. Catastrophic. These are a few of the words ocials have used to describe the rains and ooding that hit southern BC in November. The intensity of the weather system that dumped more than 100 mm of rain on Abbotsford on November 14 set a new record, and saw the province rank the storm as the worst in a century. But for brothers Karl and Rudi Meier, who with their families run U&D Meier Dairy Ltd. just o Hwy1 on South Parallel Road, the dangers are well known. Their properties sit on the bed of Sumas Lake, drained in the 1920s to provide additional farmland, and the Meiers know ooding is possible during periods of heavy rain. Just 12 years after their parents bought the property, the 1983 ood showed them what was possible. When meteorologists forecast a powerful atmospheric river to hit November 13, they paid attention. But nothing prepared them for what followed. When water levels began rising November 15, Karl and his wife Chelsea along with Rudi and his wife Becky began making phone calls to move 38 calves from hutches to higher ground. They also took care of personal belongings, removing them from the basement to the Chelsea Meier navigated a drone from the back porch of her family’s home as oodwaters continued to rise and they waited for rescue on Sumas Prairie, November 16. They were eventually picked up by good Samaritans and ferried to the Whatcom Road overpass, and then again to higher ground on the other side of Marshall Creek. CHELSEA MEIER Industry Experts in Agricultural and Greenhouse IrrigationLangley 1.888.675.7999Williams Lake 1.855.398.7757Catastrophic floodingSee NO on next page o
NO warning as rising waters swamped dairies nfrom page 12 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCGD Repair Ltd.604.807.2391www.tractorparts4sale.caupper levels of their houses, which sit adjacent to one another. Monday night, two cows calved in standing water. The Meiers quickly made a pen in the hay loft and bedded it with straw to keep the newborns safe and dry; at that point, the water levels seemed manageable. “When we did our third milking on Monday night, we thought we’d be ne,” says Chelsea. “We put extra sump pumps in to divert the water and pump it away from the barn and holding area for the cows. We thought, even if the water rose three more feet, we would be ne.” But the situation quickly deteriorated. “My husband and I woke up at 3:30 am on Tuesday morning because we heard weird noises. I went down to our basement and it was completely ooded,” says Chelsea. “I looked out my closet window and saw there was water up to the barn and milking parlour windows. From one room in my house, I could see a section of cows and they were standing in four feet of water.” The family leapt into action. Chelsea needed to wake her six young children and move everything to the second oor of their home. Rudi, Becky and three of their children also needed to get to higher ground. Chelsea called 911 at 4:30 am to request an emergency evacuation, but no one came. The fast-moving waters had caught everyone by surprise. Good Samaritan rescue Shortly after 10 am, community members in shing and jet boats arrived to rescue the 13 family members, two employees, six cats and a dog. Just before heading out, the Meiers threw hay down for the cows, knowing it would oat, in hopes that the cattle would have enough feed until they were able to return. Over the course of several trips, the Meiers were delivered to the Whatcom Road overpass, where they had to walk to a parking lot beside an A&W. Then, search and rescue transported the family across Marshall Creek to dry land on the other side. They were heartbroken to leave their cattle behind – a milking herd of 250 plus 200 heifers and dry cows – but roads were washing out. Fourteen hours after Chelsea's initial call for help and nearly eight hours after the families had been successfully rescued by good Samaritans, Abbotsford Police and search and rescue called asking if they still needed help. That night, the Sumas dyke began to break, letting water from the Nooksack River spill through to Sumas Prairie. During a hastily called press conference at 9 pm, Abbotsford ordered all remaining residents to leave Sumas Prairie for fear the Barrowtown pump station would fail. With all of the Meier family at friends’ and families’ homes in town, both Karl and Becky applied for permits to re-enter their properties and care for the cows. Despite being registered with the province’s Premises ID program, which is supposed to facilitate access to farm properties during disasters, both were denied access from ocials due to safety concerns. “Even with how hard our milk board and BC Dairy is working … there is no easy way to get back to the farm,” Chelsea told Country Life in BC on November 21. “(We knew) the longer farmers had to stay o their properties, the worse the numbers were going to look for stock losses.” Karl and Rudi were nally given permits to return to the farm on November 17. All their cattle were alive, and a vet conrmed they were in good health. The dairy parlour at the home farm remained above water during the worst of the ooding, but there was no power or running water. A generator was set up and community members brought water to the farms. Power was restored later that night and the city turned the taps back on at a lower pressure the next day, though multiple line breaks meant other farms weren’t as fortunate. By Sunday, a week after the record rainfall, the waters had receded and the Meiers’ properties were accessible by road. Neighbours and community members outside the evacuation zone have been providing hot meals as the family takes care of their livestock. While other farms required air drops of feed, the Meiers managed to salvage some round bales and access their grain bins. “There is a high fence at the back of the property that caught the bales that were oating,” says Chelsea. “We were able to get the augers working to get grain out.” No warning There’s no doubt the ood could have been a lot worse. While photos of water covering Sumas Prairie captured national attention, the region is just 90 square kilometres, or less than a quarter of the city’s total area. A far greater area was ooded when the Fraser River burst its banks during the freshet of 1948. However, the area accounts for about half of the city’s farm cash receipts and the Meiers feel more could have been done to warn producers. A promised benet of the Premises ID program is warning to producers of severe weather but the Meiers heard nothing. Public safety minister Mike Farnworth has repeatedly said the impact of the storm could not have been predicted. But farmers note that the government had been warned by authorities in Washington of a northward ow of water that could result in catastrophic ooding, and delayed warning residents. The province’s emergency alert system was not used, something Abbotsford says it refrained from doing in favour of direct communication with aected property owners. Nevertheless, neighbours looked out for each other, and for that the Meiers are grateful. “As farmers, we always look out for each other. We are a tightknit community,” says Chelsea. “But as for being prepared for the future, I think that we will always be worried about the return of Sumas Lake.” Preliminary estimateA preliminary assessment by the BC Dairy Association issued November 23 indicates that just 500 cattle perished on Sumas Prairie as a result of ooding in November. This is a fraction of the approximately 23,000 head on local dairy farms, and testimony to how the community pulled together to evacuate cattle. An estimated 6,000 head were evacuated in the wake of the November 13-15 storm. Approximately 16,000 remained on farms. “It is a credit to the tireless work of farmers, their families and volunteers that so many cattle were saved and so few lost,” says BC Dairy chair Holger Schwichtenberg, a dairy farmer in Agassiz. However, the losses may increase as the full impact of ooding on the 62 farms evacuated becomes clear. Waters remain high at many farms, and some animals may require euthanization. —Peter Mitham
Wash outRecovery begins as farmers face the future A cow is pulled to dry ground by a good Samaritan in front of Westgen, November 16. REUTERS / JENNIFER GAUTHIERCOUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 3a result of the rain. “When they’re dormant, they can be fairly tolerant of water for short periods of time,” he says of his plants. “But you never want to see your eld absolutely ooded, at all.” A greater concern is erosion of the raised beds many growers use, leading to exposed roots, and the loss of soil amendments typically applied in fall so they can soak into the soil over the winter. “Many growers will do soil amendments after the harvest season – gypsum, lime, humic acid, applying sawdust mulch,” he says. “They do it in fall for a reason. I suspect that’s all going to be money wasted. … I don’t think we’ll know the true eects for a while.” Wildfires, now floods Many ranchers, hit hard by the summer’s wildres, face further losses. Wildre-scorched earth is less permeable, increasing the impact of run-o on streamows. Roads leading to Bar FX Ranch in Merritt, which was forced to evacuate this summer when a backburn went wrong, have been washed out in several places. While the closure of major highways make the headlines, the loss of local roads compounds the challenges ranchers face heading into winter. In many cases, debris from runo is now scattered across range land. “A lot of hayelds are now covered in logs, trees, various debris, which will all have to be removed,” reports Linda Allison of Allison Creek Ranch in Princeton. “In addition to the debris, the elds are covered in silt and sand (in many cases three and four feet deep).” Re-establishment will be costly, especially for growers without crop insurance. Property insurance is another concern. Many farms had a hard time securing reasonable coverage before the rains came, and many expect to have a much harder time afterwards, although the Insurance Bureau of Canada says the market is “well-capitalized for these events.” Despite the disruptions, supplies of food and veterinary medicines not signicantly impacted. While local farmers faced losses, the national supply management system kicked in to meet demand for milk, eggs and poultry, preventing shortages even as anxious consumers and blocked roads left many stores with bare shelves. “Our food supply chain remains in good shape,” says Popham. important role in the province’s ood response, but that a number of variables determine whether or not producers can return to properties. The integrity of roads is one of them. “There’s a lot of frustrating situations,” she acknowledges. “We’ve mostly had experience with wildre, so we’ll be looking at how it works with this ood situation. There’s always room for improvement.” Canadian Forces personnel arrived November 18 and helped farmers relocate animals. They will likely play a role in the removal of deadstock, which farmers have been advised to store in barns to avoid attracting scavengers and prevent the spread of disease. An accurate assessment of losses was not available at press time. “We’re currently seeing too much water to really address that right now,” Popham told reporters, noting that plans have been drafted for West Coast Reduction and local landlls to receive carcasses. Cropland impacts Vegetable and berry producers are also impacted. The ooding aected some storage facilities, according to the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission, as well as approximately 200 acres of vegetables. “The concern in our sector is the damage to infrastructure and the ability to plant in 2022,” says Murray Driediger, president and CEO of BC Fresh Inc. in Delta. The long-term impact is also a concern for Jason Smith of Fraser Berry Farms Ltd., a blueberry grower whose property on the Matsqui Prairie saw standing water as PETER MITHAM ABBOTSFORD – The toll of the worst ooding to hit the Fraser Valley in more than 40 years has yet to be calculated, but the eects of the atmospheric river that dropped a month’s worth of rain on southern BC in the space of 72 hours continue to be felt. Province-wide, more than 1,100 farms were under evacuation orders or alerts, with dairy and poultry operations losing tens of thousands of animals. Many farms and ranches lost land and infrastructure. “Our agricultural community is absolutely exhausted,” said agriculture minister Lana Popham as part of the province’s regular updates on November 22. “There’s a lot of pressure on them right now.” One week after the waters began rising, agriculture ministry sta had contacted 1,000 farms and was planning visits to impacted properties in the Fraser Valley and aerial surveys of damage in the Fraser Canyon, Merritt and Princeton. Popham said the delay was designed to let rst-responders do their jobs, but the force of the waters also washed out roads and made access more dicult than following wildres. “Just because a road is dry doesn’t mean its safe,” warned Abbotsford mayor Henry Braun. BC Milk Marketing Board suspended pickups from up to 80% of producers in the immediate aftermath of the storm, but gradually began resuming them as engineers conrmed the integrity of roads. Helicopters delivered water and feed to ooded farms. Shipments of grain originally destined for export were diverted to local feed mills. Clearbrook Grain & Milling served as a staging area for the initial distribution eorts. By November 18, farmers and vets were being allowed back to check on animals. But similar to other recent disasters, some farmers found the process disconcerting as authorities didn’t always grant permission to access properties. Popham says that Premises ID, which all supply managed producers have, played an silagrow.com | 1.800.663.6022Salmon Arm & Surrey, BCSilage PlasticsForage & Grain Seed InoculantsHorticulture PlasticsPackaging Plastics
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Publication Mail Agreement: 0399159 . GST Reg. No. 86878 7375 . Subscriptions: $2/issue . $18.90/year . $33.60/2 years . $37.80/3 years incl GSTThe agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915 Vol.107 No. 12 . DECEMBER 2021Published monthly by Country Life 2000 Ltd. www.countrylifeinbc.comPublisher Cathy Glover 604-328-3814 . publisher@countrylifeinbc.com Editor Emeritus David Schmidt Associate Editor Peter Mitham news@countrylifeinbc.com Advertising Sales & Marketing Cathy Glover sales@countrylifeinbc.com Production Designer Tina Rezansoff Merry Christmas to you & the Mrs, PW!James Rebanks is a farmer and writer from the Lake District in northern England. He has become a media celebrity advocating small-scale and diversied farming. His latest book, Pastoral Song: A Farmer’s Journey, has become an international bestseller. The book starts as an elegy for the farming methods and traditions of his grandfather’s time and becomes a lament of the technological, economic and cultural changes that impoverished his father and the land he farmed. Ultimately, it is a story of resurrection of the ways and wisdom of his grandfather. Rebanks is a fell (hill) farmer in Cumbria. Operated by tenant farmers, fell farms are by tradition heavily devoted to grazing stock. Field shapes and sizes were determined by geography and utility. They were ill-suited to cultivation. All of this began to change in the 1960s and 70s. A continent away, US Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz was urging American farmers to “Get big or get out.” Encouraged by buoyant prices, millions of American farmers went all-in buying more land, more equipment, more fertilizer and more chemicals. Yields soared, surpluses accumulated and prices began to fall. Mr. Butz calmed the fears of farmers in the Midwest with the promise of foreign markets. More food to feed a hungry world sounds commendable but we might consider another Butz quote to shed some light on what was really going on: “Food is a tool. It is a weapon in the US negotiating kit.” Ultimately, the eld of re stretched all the way to the Cumbrian fells. As prices declined, Rebanks’ father went into debt trying to modernize. Straightening watercourses, draining wetlands, removing fences and hedgerows, plowing pastures and abandoning generations of site-specic knowledge – none of which added up to a viable farm. The British hoof-and-mouth outbreak in 2001 was the nal straw. All of the sheep and cattle on the senior Rebanks’ farm were destroyed. Eventually, James and his father left that land and retreated to the farm his grandfather had owned. They had been modernizing that, too, but it was a losing battle: debt was growing, prices were falling. Collaterally, the natural and economic diversity inherent in his grandfather’s day were gone. It seems a one-sided ght, a pellet gun against a battery of howitzers. Best to get out of the line of re. Which is what James Rebanks is doing. He is undoing the modernization, restoring what had been abandoned or destroyed. In the process, the birds, sh and creatures he remembered there from his childhood have returned. Sheep and cattle are shaping the meadows and pastures, there’s little fertilizer and chemicals and the less equipment the better. Rebanks speaks of landscape and its returning nature in reverent and glowing words. I confess to those same feelings on my own farm. I applaud what Rebanks has achieved but I wonder about the economics of it all. James Rebanks considers his 185 acres a small farm. He runs 500 sheep and a small herd of cows. The sheep range o the farm for much of the year. It may well be a small farm in his neighbourhood but not so in many parts of BC. By comparison, it is more than twice as big as ours, which in turn seems huge to a friend on ve acres. Rebanks admits his farm is not protable and he relies on income from other work. In this respect, I believe he will resonate with most of the farmers I know. Certainly, those with small acreages or those looking for something larger. Rebanks lays the blame for this poverty at the door of the corporate food system and the disconnect it has fostered between producers and consumers. Rebank’s book is ultimately a celebration of the natural world and agriculture that will sustain it. Something more in tune with the farming wisdom of his grandfather than the wisdom of Earl Butz. This vision of sustainability seems to have struck a chord with the public and the book has been widely praised. But unless that vision includes reasonable compensation for the costs and labour it takes to achieve it, few farmers – or would be farmers – will have the luxury of embracing it. While not all of us will agree with him in the end, Rebanks is a shepherd in the only place he belongs, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to be there. Most of us can relate to that. Bob Collins raises beef cattle and grows produce on his farm in the Alberni Valley.The Back Forty BOB COLLINSA farmer’s journey doesn’t always pay for itselfWe acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.4 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCGratitude for the blessings of the past year and good riddance to hard times are cause to celebrate each December. For farmers and ranchers across BC, the past year delivered plenty of both. Record heat, drought, wind-driven wildres and then, cruelly, excessive rain, created challenges that made “unprecedented” seem like the new normal. The resilience of the province’s farmers and food systems on display since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic is cause for thanks, however. Spectacular ooding focused the world’s attention on Abbotsford last month, which regularly ranks as one of the most generous communities in the province, if not Canada. Community spirit has deep roots in the faith and family ties of the people who call it home, and it was on full show as neighbours turned out to ll sandbags, rescue neighbours and care for those displaced. In a reverse of the Christmas story, inns were created for strangers as the mangers lled with water. Heroic eorts led to the reopening of highways and rail lines connecting the Lower Mainland to the rest of Canada, and communities in the Interior to supplies normally trucked in from the coast. This included food – both groceries and raw products such as milk that couldn’t reach processing plants in the Lower Mainland. Government and producers both armed that food shortages would not occur, but delivery delays should be expected. The system was stressed, but not broken. What did break was the infrastructure. Highways and bridges were washed out, water systems failed and dykes were breached. The damage brought to mind the more dire warnings about a ood on the scale of the historic 1894 freshet on the Fraser River. Regionally, the cost could exceed $30 billion, while the direct impact to agriculture would be more than $1 billion. This latest ood, caused by autumn rains rather than spring melt, may not come close to those projections but it is already being billed the province’s most costly natural disaster. The loss of lives and livestock, property, income and basic infrastructure will add up, generating new estimates for what a disaster like 1894 might cost today. The general resilience of the food system – a key element of the much-discussed idea of food security – against the backdrop of such a disaster is good news. But the disruption puts government on notice that public infrastructure is key not just to the health of urban communities, but farm communities. Breaches of the dyking system sheltering Sumas Prairie, a former lake bed, require investment and maintenance if agriculture is to thrive. Provincial and federal governments need to deliver on their pledges to renew the aging infrastructure that’s essential to both food security and community security. Rebuilding food security
Farmers can deliver climate solutions on the groundCOP26 fell short, but farmers are positioned to help COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 5climate solutions provider,” as Frank Annau from the CFA delegation describes it. Participants in the conference were either the parties or registered observer organizations, some of which hosted side events. Climakers, a group whose key members include the World Farmers’ Organisation (CFA is on the WFO board), launched its “farmer-driven” guidelines to help policymakers include agriculture in their NDCs. Agriculture’s Ambition, co-hosted by the CFA and the UK National Farmers Unions, made the case for farmers’ ability to deliver carbon-neutral agriculture. Panelists at the well-attended session included Fawn Jackson from the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, who spoke to climate mitigation work underway in the livestock sector and recent Canadian-led experiments with cattle feed additives. Canada’s farmers consistently emphasized that they must be at climate decision-making tables to ensure solutions are scalable, practical and based in science. Farmers anchor food systems and are already struggling with climate change impacts. They are under-served in a global food marketplace where over 90% of the value tends to be captured beyond the farm gate. These disadvantages are unfairly and signicantly amplied for Indigenous farmers and those of colour, particularly in the global south. Canadian farmers are demonstrating commitment to climate mitigation practices such as the top ve recommended by Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS), a Canadian farmer-led coalition: reducing nitrogen fertilizer, intensive rotational grazing, cover cropping, replacing fossil fuel with electric/green energy, and protecting wetlands and forests. FCS recently analyzed countries’ spending on transition to low greenhouse gas emissions systems for agriculture, nding that the US spent 13 times more than Canada and the EU 73 times more. Farmers in Canada and elsewhere need a say in – and access to – properly focused green investment. “We have to get from the policy level down to the farm where things are really actionable: we want to make sure that farm-based stewardship initiatives have support,” says Annau. Stuart Oke from the NFU delegation emphasizes the critical distinction between net zero – which attempts to dodge emissions through trading or osets – and zero, which means actual reductions on the ground. As Oke points out, “there is not enough land on Earth to sequester everyone’s carbon.” Humanity’s dependence on our material planet is absolute. Our primary focus needs to be on protecting natural capital and fostering healthy soil, water and air. In addition, we need – and CFA and others are working to develop – metrics based on a full spectrum of environmental, social and economic factors to evaluate proposed climate solutions technologies, some of which are energy and mineral intensive and may or may not deliver more overall benet than cost to our life support systems. As well as Farmers for Climate Solutions, useful climate resources for BC farmers include the Climate Change Adaptation and Farmland Advantage programs from the Investment Agriculture Foundation, and the BC Agricultural Climate Adaptation Research Network. New resources and research on climate mitigation strategies and policy options for BC are under development. FarmFolk/CityFolk’s 2019 report on climate change mitigation opportunities remains a useful primer. CFA’s Annau notes that although agriculture was not prominent at COP this year, important ideas were contributed for future COPs. Canadian farmer participants attest to the value of relationships and alliances formed and strengthened. As Minette Batters of the England and Wales National Farmers Union stated in the Agriculture’s Ambition session: “The eco-warriors may be outside the door, but the eco-workforce is in here.” Kathleen Gibson lives and grows food in Victoria on the traditional territory of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples. She is a policy analyst and founding member of national, provincial and regional non-prot food sustainability organizations. Canadian farmers made their case for agricultural climate solutions at COP26, the recent UN Climate Change Conference, which wrapped up two weeks of proceedings in Glasgow on November 13. COP is the “conference of the parties” (nations) that negotiate global climate change agreements. COP26 set out to update Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for limiting global warming over pre-industrial levels to no more than 1.5°C. Depending on your point of view, the resulting agreement came up very, or disastrously, short. Watchdogs like Climate Action Tracker warn that even with full implementation of COP26’s updated targets and pledges, we are on course for a temperature increase of 2.7°C. The conference’s disappointments and its constrained process only reinforced the resolve of farmers from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) and National Farmers Union (NFU) who traveled to Glasgow to champion the interests of the farm sector. The ocial agenda had days themed for action areas like transport, energy and nance. Agriculture did not have an ocial day, so farmer voices popped up across the program. Farmers from Canada and other nations met daily and collaborated to craft messages for specic venues. Highlights included a CFA presentation to the COP26 secretariat focused on “the support needed for ecosystem services and nature-based solutions to unlock agriculture as a Viewpoint by KATHLEEN GIBSONDowntown Realty 4007 - 32nd Street, Vernon, BC V1T 5P2 1-800-434-9122 www.royallegpage.caPAT DUGGAN Personal Real Estate Corporation Royal LePage Downtown Realty Ltd. Farm | Ranch | Residential Bus: 250/545-5371 (24 hr) Cell: 250/308-0938 patduggan@royallepage.ca2215 HWY 6, LUMBYwww.OkLandBuyers.ca “Farmers helping farmers with their real estate needs”STUNNING 4 bed/3 bath log home on 94 acres. Set up for horses, cattle w/good outbuildings. 29x30 detached garage/shop; 36x36 tack/hay storage, 32x42 machinery shed. Backs onto Crown land, perimeter-fenced pasture with several paddocks. Good well. MLS® 10235313. $2,500,000 CATHY GLOVER publisherDAVID SCHMIDT editor emeritusPETER MITHAM associate editorcontributors Kate Ayers Anita Desai Barbara Johnstone Grimmer Brian Lawrence Ronda Payne columnists Bob Collins Margaret Evans Kathleen Gibson Anna Helmer Judie Steeves Jackie Pearase Roohi Sahajpal Myrna Stark Leader Sarbmeet Singh Sandra Tretick Tom Walker graphics Tina Rezansoff office Betty Lee Longstaff From everyone at Country Life in BC, may the spirit of the holiday season be yours now & in the new year! You are heroes. To donate to the Canadian Red Cross British Columbia Floods & Extreme Weather Appeal visit www.redcross.ca
6 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCTHAT’S WHY WE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU DO IS A WAY OF LIFE. OUR ROOTS ARE IN AGRICULTUREKeeping it Simple®We have a team of agribusiness experts here to support you every step of the way, helping to choose the right solutions for your unique needs. Whether you are looking to buy a new piece of land or in much need of new equipment to keep your operation running smoothly, we can help.WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE?― OUR ROOTS ARE IN FISHING, FARMING AND AGRICULTUREOur credit union was founded by the farming community. Over the last several decades, our cooperative has grown to $14 billion in assets, and counting. ― WE ACT LOCALNot only is our team of experts geographically dispersed to serve you where you are; decisions are made locally across the table, not across the country. ― WE HELP OUR MEMBERS AND COMMUNITIES THRIVEAs a nancial cooperative, a portion of our prots go back to our members and communities. Like you, we live and work here, so investing in our communities is at the cornerstone of who we are. We can’t wait to learn more about your business. Contact your local Agriculture Advisor today: Amrik Gill Agriculture Advisor Serving the Lower Mainland604-309-6513 amgill@envisionnancial.caToby Frisk Director, Agribusiness Serving the Okanagan, Enderby and Similkameen regions778-212-3415 tfrisk@rstwestcu.caCash Reumkens Agriculture Advisor Serving Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island250-701-3426 creumkens@islandsavings.caDivisions of First West Credit Union
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 7Video footage this summer caught workers at Cedar Valley Farms in Abbotsford caning cattle in the milking parlour, seen here in 2017. DAVID SCHMIDTPETER MITHAM ABBOTSFORD – The BC Milk Marketing Board took quick and decisive action in late October against an organic dairy farm where workers are alleged to have abused animals. BCMMB circulated a note to industry on October 27 saying that it had suspended the licence of Cedar Valley Farms in Abbotsford following the receipt of information from the BC SPCA “regarding violations of the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle.” BC SPCA contacted industry organizations on October 25 following its own inspection of the farm the week before. The unannounced inspection was triggered by video footage Animal Justice Canada provided showing apparent violations of the provincial Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act “and potentially the Criminal Code of Canada.” The footage came from hidden cameras an activist installed at the farm. Among the more than 300 clips were footage showing animals being caned, kicked and suspended from tractor buckets. Other footage shows what appears to be a botched eort to euthanize a down animal. Dairy industry takes swift action on animal abuseAbbotsford dairy investigated by SPCA, milk board“Adherence to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle is mandatory for all dairy farms in BC,” BC Milk said in a statement. “We cannot overstate how important it is that all farms be held to a high standard for the handling of the animals in their care.” The prompt action by industry reects lessons from the 2014 case of Chilliwack Cattle Sales, says Holger Schwichtenberg, chair of the BC Dairy Association. “The biggest step that was taken is that, immediately, the milk licence was suspended so that milk can no longer go into the system and there’s a program in place to look after the animals,” he says. “We’re very supportive of the work that the BCMMB and the BC SPCA are doing in this particular situation.” Seven years ago, Mercy for Animals activists shot undercover video at Chilliwack Cattle Sales of workers beating and mistreating cattle. The video was released to media, and a public storm erupted that prompted Saputo to refuse milk from the farm. Only then did BC Milk stop milk pickups from the farm, Canada’s largest dairy. Meanwhile, the farm’s owners, the Kooyman family, invited media to tour the operation to see conditions for themselves. Immediate action This time, BC Milk stopped shipments immediately. Cedar Valley’s owners, brothers Rich and Dave Vanderwal and their families, have kept a low prole. Public outrage was kept in check, even after Animal Justice Canada released some of the clips that triggered the investigations. Cedar Valley has now resumed normal operations, but under strict conditions set by BC Milk. “BC Milk has conrmed there were multiple violations of the Code of Practice at this farm,” the board said in a statement on November 12. According to board chair Janice Comeau, an Farm and Rural Residential Properties in the Peace Country are our specialtyAnne H. ClaytonMBA, AACI P App, RIAppraiserJudi LeemingBHE, AIC CandidateAppraiser250.782.1088info@aspengrovepropertyservices.cawww.aspengrovepropertyservices.ca2022HORTICULTURE GROWERS’ SHORT COURSE8KK<E;@EG<IJFEFI9PN<9@E8ICfn\iDX`ecXe[?fik`ZlckliXc@dgifm\d\ek8jjfZ`Xk`fe?fik`ZlckliXc>ifn\ijJ_fik:flij\)'))AXelXip).$)0KI8;<O8YYfkj]fi[#9:?dfWhjd[hi^_fm_j^j^[FWY_ÓY7]h_Ykbjkh[I^emK?LIJ;8PIXjgY\ii`\jJkiXnY\ii`\j=`\c[M\^\kXYc\!GfkXkf>i\\e_flj\Dlj_iffdj8cc9\ii`\j=cfi`Zlckli\=I@;8P=Xid9lj`e\jjDXeX^\d\ekCXYfli8^i`ZlckliXcNXk\iDXeX^\d\ek;`i\Zk=XidDXib\k?Xq\celkjM\^\kXYc\:XeeXK\Z_J8KLI;8P9cl\Y\ii`\jFi^Xe`Z?fgjI<>@JK<IFEC@E<8KNNN%8>I@:LCKLI<J?FN%E<KPh: 604-857-0318 | growers@agricultureshow.net?:WdZcWjY^_d]lWYY_d[fWiifehjh[gk_h[Zje[dj[hJH7:;NWdZ7_hi_Z[;l[djIfWY[\WY_b_j_[i$investigation by two independent vets found the Vanderwals had all the right protocols in place but failed to ensure compliance. The lack of oversight allowed a culture of abuse towards the farm’s animals to develop. See CRIMINAL on next page o
8 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCCRIMINAL charges are being considered nfrom page 7The 2025RTOLL FREE: 1-877-553-3373 WWW.PCA.CAPRINCE GEORGE | KAMLOOPS | KELOWNA | CHILLIWACK | NANAIMOPrice includes 2025R and 120R loader only.Offer valid Nov 1, 2021 - Jan 31, 2022. Some restrictions may apply. See dealer for details.0% for 72 months$347 PER MONTH*20% DOWN PAYMENTWITH 120R LOADERSAVEWHEN YOUPRE-ORDER NOW!$1,000“They have good procedures and good processes, but there was no oversight,” says Comeau. “Management needs to step in and they need to be more involved in the day-to-day, they need to have better practices around hiring and training and supervising employees, and the conditions we put on the licence is intended to achieve just that.” These conditions include Cedar Valley hiring an independent farm manager chosen by BC Milk who will report directly to the board. The manager “will be tasked with overseeing that the management and employees at Cedar Valley Farms are executing the cultural change in animal care and handling practices required by BC Milk.” BC Milk will also engage an independent vet to perform regular, unannounced inspections to ensure the welfare of the animals and that change is taking place. All management and employees will be trained in cattle handling and animal welfare and be required to sign a cattle care commitment that will be subject to verication and review. “This licence is conditional, and if we don’t see the changes happening that we expected to see, then we’ll revisit our decision,” says Comeau. An investigation of Cedar Valley by the BC SPCA that could lead to criminal charges is ongoing. Seven workers were charged in the Chilliwack Cattle Sales incident. Company principals Ken and Wesley Kooyman faced nes totalling $345,000 in a sentence the court intended to make clear that animal abuse was unacceptable. BC SPCA’s investigation was interrupted by the catastrophic oods that hit last month and a timeline for completion has not been set. BC Milk has oered its full cooperation to the BC SPCA and says its ndings could lead to the board placing additional conditions on Cedar Valley’s licence. Together with the BC Dairy Association, BC Milk is undertaking a full review of policies and procedures in place for the industry. This comes in advance of a review the National Farm Animal Care Council is launching this month of the national Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, which all dairy producers must adhere to. Without changes, Cedar Valley’s organic certication could be in jeopardy as the dairy code of practice forms part of the organic regulations. Cedar Valley’s certifying body, Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. has not commented on the matter. A revocation of its certication would depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigations. Similarly, the College of Veterinarians of BC referenced the BC Veterinarians Act when asked if Rich Vanderwal, a vet and member of the college, could face discipline. The act says “conviction for an oence relating to the care or treatment of animals” or “conduct unbecoming a registrant” are both grounds for an investigation leading to discipline. A complaint against a member may also trigger an investigation. The college did not say if it is investigating Vanderwal. Trespass BC agriculture minister Lana Popham says mandating surveillance cameras or stricter regulation of livestock operations will depend on discussions with industry and other stakeholders. “Animal welfare is always of great concern to our government and we’re always moving forward with consultation with industry and stakeholders to see how we can better improve that,” she told Country Life in BC. The incident will also test the province’s eorts to strengthen protections for livestock producers against trespassers. An amendment to the Trespass Act last year explicitly prohibited trespass in premises housing livestock. The amendment followed a break-in at Excelsior Hog Farm in Abbotsford, where activists also placed surveillance cameras. Abbotsford Police Department conrms that it is investigating a break-in at Cedar Valley. After their previous facilities were destroyed by re, the Vanderwal family used all-steel construction for Cedar Valley’s three new barns seen here in 2017. DAVID SCHMIDT
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 9Community members struggle to rescue a stubborn cow from oodwaters in Abbotsford, November 15. JESSE WINTER / REUTERSwww.tubeline.ca 1.888.856.6613@TubelineMFGFind us onSPREADERSACCUMUL8 & BALE GRABSBALEWRAPPERS SILAGE RAKEKATE AYERS VICTORIA – When ooding hit Sumas Prairie last month, years of eorts by the BC Dairy Association to prepare producers for disaster paid o. Working with the provincial government, the association developed an emergency planning workbook for members. A template pulls together key information producers should have at hand in the event of an emergency, including a site plan, farm prole and contact list. The association also oversees a buddy system that allows producers to shift cattle to a buddy farm when wildres or oods approach, something that came in handy both during the recent oods and the summer’s wildres. Thousands of cattle were relocated, with 43 animals taking refuge in Agassiz at the property of BC Dairy chair Holger Schwichtenberg. "It's been amazing to watch the community come together to help each other out," he says. "People rescuing cows by opening their barns or oering transportation and coming with trucks and trailers.” The system is one he doesn’t take for granted. While his own farm has an emergency preparedness plan should a natural disaster strike, his buddy farm is in the Interior. Reaching it would have been impossible last month when more than 225 mm of rain triggered mudslides that shut down Hwy 7. “My heart goes out to those who had to leave their farms behind," he says. This year’s extreme weather underscores the necessity of better preparation on the part of producers, strong partnerships and access to the right insurance and business risk management program coverage, says Graham Knox, director of the Emergency Management & Climate Change branch with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. Planning not only helps mitigate risks and ensures the safety of families and workers, especially for operations in remote locations, it also increases the resilience of operations during the recovery phase. “At the most basic level, it’s about business continuity. Getting back and recovering as quickly as possible,” says Knox. “If you can prepare by assessing your hazards, preventing and mitigating, that’s going to mean, when those incidents arrive, the impact on you is hopefully avoided or signicantly reduced. The potential losses or impacts to your business or how long it takes to get back up to speed is really inuenced by having that … emergency plan.” Preparing an emergency plan for large acreages, complex infrastructure, people and livestock may seem daunting, but resources are available to help with this process. BC Dairy’s workbook breaks down the planning process into bite-sized chunks, for example, making it easier for producers to plan. “You don’t want to be overwhelmed by the prospect of building a plan,” says Knox. “Even a little action in terms of thinking and putting something together, can provide signicant payback in the event of an emergency.” The cost of preparedness is far less than the cost of response and recovery, he adds. Knox suggests producers reach out to their respective sector associations to see if they have emergency planning workbooks. Producers urged to make emergency plans As climate- related incidents rise, farmers must keep safety in mindSee HELP on next page oBC Dairy Association www.bcdairy.caBritish Columbia Agriculture Council www.bcac.caRed Cross BC Flood Appealwww.uwbc.caAbbotsford Disaster Relief Fundwww.abbotsfordcf.orgUnited Way for BC Flood Response Fundwww.uwbc.caAffected Food Banks Hope - hopecommunityservices.com Abbotsford - archway.ca Chilliwack - comserv.bc.caPrinceton - princetonbaptist.ca Merritt - nicolavalleyfoodbank.comLivestock & Pets - animalfoodbank.orgHelp farm families and livestock affected by the recent weather-related disaster.www.redcross.ca
10 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCHELP is available to develop emergency preparedness plans nfrom page 9Agricultural Grade Products - Made in the U.S.A. Contact your local Nelson Irrigation dealer today!NEW HANGINGSPRINKLER SOLVESPROBLEMS FORORGANIC GROWERS15-50 PSI8.5-75 GPH9-16’ RAD.PREMIUM PERFORMANCE ON HOSE REEL TRAVELERSIntroducing the S7 Spinner - a new Nelson innovation designed to combatrising energy and labor costs. The S7’s modular design allows quick and easynozzle exchange - and the Quick Clean (QC) technology reduces irrigatorhours — simply turn, flush and reconnect. Special insect protection helpsprevent plugging or stalling. Find out more at WWW.NELSONIRRIGATION.COM®Provincial emergency management organizations also provide information, tools and resources to assist with planning. Dierent operations require dierent approaches, depending on size and complexity. “There are dierent resources and complexities within operations. Even if you don’t end up with a big plan, just … (reviewing) the questions is a good rst step,” says Knox. “We have some business consulting services available through one of our ministry programs to help producers go through their plans. Ag Safe can also work with and help producers.” A farm's emergency preparedness plan will be tailored to its operations. Similarly, producers need to know their own responsibilities with disaster strikes. These may include understanding the risks and types of disasters that occur in their area, training family members and workers on their emergency plans and testing it and building local networks to increase resiliency and provide mutual assistance, says Knox. The province also has responsibilities in emergencies, including acting as a coordinating agency during livestock, poultry and plant disease events, developing and maintaining hazard-specic emergency management plans, and providing emergency education, outreach and resources for producers, producer associations, local authorities and First Nations, says Knox. Next summer, the province will launch specialized tools to better prepare the agriculture industry for more extreme climate events. It recently allocated funding for two emergency response trailers to support livestock producers as well as associated training specic to agriculture and farm needs. Producers can register for Premises ID and should always have their numbers on hand. This can facilitate communications with farmers in the run-up and aftermath of events, including notications of incoming extreme weather events that could aect their land and animals. “It’s almost a priceless registration for us right now, because we know exactly where registered farms are and how many animals they have,” says agriculture minister Lana Popham as sta continued to work last month to assist more than 1,100 farms under evacuation orders or alerts as a result of record rainfall. Two-thirds of livestock producers and all supply-managed livestock premises are registered with the program, according to the province. A new Premises ID regulation under the BC Animal Health Act promises to make it mandatory in 2022. But the development of more on-farm supports as extreme weather events become more common is critical. While weather impacts farm properties, farmers bear the nancial cost of natural disasters, adding to existing levels of stress. “The other big challenge for producers is the cumulative impact … the sense of being constantly under threat,” says Knox. “You’re aected by the 2017 wildres and then the 2018 wildres and then again in 2021. … Some people are starting to feel that in the Interior.” This summer’s wildres and oods in the Fraser Valley, Merritt and Princeton underscore the need for farmers and ranchers to have an emergency preparedness plan. MURRAY MITCHELL
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 11The province is proposing a new agency to represent the entire tree fruit sector and another organization to represent just apple growers, among other changes intended to stabilize the industry. MYRNA STARK LEADERLow cost assistance to complete SAWP applications (LMIAs) Labour workshops, farm safety orientationValuable information in the BCFGA NewsletterFree subscriptions: Country Life in BC, The Grower, and Orchard and VineNo additional charge for Pesticide Applicator Certicate RenewalA $250 incentive for completing an Environmental Farm Plan Some conditions apply, contact us for full detail. info@bcfga.com or call 250-762-5226 ext. 1 Full membership (tree fruit producers) and associate membership (grape growers) accepted.BC FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION1.800.619.9022www.bcfga.caPETER MITHAM KELOWNA – The province released 19 recommendations on November 12 outlining a plan to stabilize BC’s troubled tree fruit sector, the culmination of a nine-month process launched in February at the annual convention of the BC Fruit Growers Association. “BCFGA is supportive and observe that the government recommendations have taken account of dicult times in the apple sector as well as climate impacts over the last three years in the cherry sector,” says BCFGA general manager Glen Lucas. “The input and dedication of the steering committee members and the grower and organization input is very much appreciated.” The recommendations fall into 15 groupings, including leadership, governance and direction; labour supply and housing challenges; extension services; marketing, sales and the power of retailers; increased use of innovation and technology; and addressing the impact of climate change. The recommendations are part of a report that makes several modest proposals under the larger headings. These include the removal of all older varieties that deliver minimal returns to growers and a quality assurance program for fruit similar to the Vintners Quality Alliance program for wineries. A call for a higher farm income for properties to receive farm class status from BC Assessment also gure among the ideas. But the top recommendation is the creation of a single agency to represent the entire tree fruit sector within the BC Agriculture Council and to government. The province says the agency’s governance should include both industry representatives and government-recommended independent members. In parallel with this, the BCFGA would be “realigned” to focus on lobbying, while yet another organization would be created to represent apple growers “at the same level as cherries and grapes.” But the realignment would not be a marginalization of the BCFGA, which has more than 400 members and until this year administered the provincial replant program and other key government initiatives. “We look at it more as a roundtable,” says BCFGA president Pinder Dhaliwal, who farms in Oliver. “The idea of a new agency would be more of increasing communication amongst various people in the valley and industry.” While the BCFGA will continue to represent its members, the new agency would facilitate a more holistic discussion regarding the tree fruit sector, similar to the advisory committee convened to draft the recommendations. “I think they want to have at that table grape growers, some cherry representation, some BCFGA representation, government – Ministry of Agriculture – and marketers, packers to shed light and perhaps even retailers to get things going,” says Dhaliwal. The stabilization recommendations reect feedback gathered during 30 consultation sessions with more than 165 stakeholders between April and June. The advisory committee included representatives from BCFGA, the BC Cherry Association, New Tree Fruit Variety Development Council, Sterile Insect Release Program, BC Grape Growers’ Association and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Georgina Beyers, director of the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries’ industry development branch, and provincial tree fruit specialist Adrian Arts led the initiative. The broad range of input is needed given that the challenges apple growers face, particularly low prices, have a ripple eect. “People are pulling apples out and there’s two choices they have: either go into cherries or go into vineyards,” explains Dhaliwal. “It’s going to really upset the rhythm in those two industries in the short-term and I don’t think anyone wants that.” BC agriculture minister Lana Popham says decisive action is needed because the sector continues to struggle despite having received more than $67 million in assistance from the province since 2017. “We can all improve our eort, and our eorts are more meaningful when we work together,” she said in comments prefacing the report. “This plan will require commitment to the demanding work ahead and a dedicated approach and collaboration from industry and government.” The recommendations now go to industry for consideration, pending implementation. “A lot of those recommendations we agree with,” says Dhaliwal, who discussed the recommendations with BCFGA directors on November 18. “We just hope the government implements them. Some of them need to be implemented and worked on much faster and quicker, and some will take a little bit more time.” BC Tree Fruits Cooperative strategic initiatives director Laurel Van Dam says the report brings together a number of long-standing recommendations, backing them up with a promise of concrete change. “We all know the industry has been having some challenging times, and a step like this had to happen. Bringing those ideas together that will ultimately help move this business forward is a great step,” she says. “We’re very appreciative of the work that the ministry has done on the report. We congratulate and thank the ministry and all the sta and advisory group who worked on that.” BCTF’s board was set to discuss the recommendations at its November 25 board meeting. Other groups, including the BC Cherry Association, are also studying the report prior to formalizing their responses. The province would like implementation to begin sooner rather than later. It has promised to be “actively involved … alongside industry” in the implementation of the 19 recommendations. “Goals will be set, and achievement progress will be monitored on a consistent, and specied basis,” it says. Province sets agenda for tree fruit futureSteering committee recommends new agency to represent sectorwatertecna.comLangley 1.888.675.7999 Williams Lake 1.855.398.7757
12 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCCALL FOR AN ESTIMATE LARRY 604.209.5523 TROY 604.209.5524 TRI-WAY FARMS LASER LEVELLING LTD.IMPROVED DRAINAGE UNIFORM GERMINATION UNIFORM IRRIGATION FAST, ACCURATE SURVEYING INCREASE CROP YIELDS We service all of Southern BCDustin Stadnyk CPA, CAChris Henderson CPA, CANathalie Merrill CPA, CMATOLL FREE 1-888-818-FARM | www.farmtax.caExpert farm taxation advice: • Purchase and sale of farms • Transfer of farms to children • Government subsidy programs • Preparation of farm tax returns • Use of $1,000,000 Capital Gains Exemptions Approved consultants for Government funding through BC Farm Business Advisory Services ProgramARMSTRONG 250-546-8665 | LUMBY 250-547-2118 | ENDERBY 250-838-7337View over 100 listings of farm properties at www.bcfarmandranch.comBC FARM & RANCH REALTY CORP.Buying or Selling a Farm or Acreage?GORD HOUWELING Cell: 604/793-8660GREG WALTON Cell: 604/864-1610Toll free 1-888-852-AGRI Call BC’s First and Only Real Estate Office committed 100% to Agriculture!PROFESSIONAL SERVICESProvince moves to shut down mink farmsBC is banning mink farming, saying it compromises the ght against COVID-19. Provincial health ocer Dr. Bonnie Henry and agriculture minister Lana Popham unveiled the phase-out November 5, noting that public health ocials have been unable to suppress COVID-19 at one of the province’s nine mink farms. Just three farms in Canada, all in the Fraser Valley, have reported the disease. The ban will be incorporated into the province’s fur farm regulation. Breeding ends immediately, while all live mink must be removed from farms by April 2023. The industry, which produces 318,000 mink a year, must cease all operations by 2025. But the industry was among the rst to vaccinate workers against COVID-19. There have been no new outbreaks since, says Kurt Bernemann of Dogwood Fur Farms in Aldergrove and vice-president of the BC Mink Producers Association. “You’re looking at some success stories here,” he says. US farms, where mink are vaccinated, have been free of COVID this year. BC has taken a rm anti-vax stance with respect to mink, opting to ban farming even though farmers like Bernemann are ready to inoculate their herds. “You do everything to protect your animals,” he says. Growers operate under a code of practice developed through the National Farm Animal Care Council. Regular third-party audits as well as government inspections ensure farms are safe and well-run. This leads Bernemann and others to suspect anti-fur farm activists drove the ban. Both the BC SPCA and the Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals have regularly lobbied Popham and other cabinet members regarding a moratorium and changes to the Animal Health Act. The Fur-Bearers lobbied both the agriculture and health ministers on August 26 and contacted all 87 MLAs regarding the issue October 15. Activists have also featured Popham on wanted posters for not banning fur farming and in September issued a press release claiming to be from Popham's ministry announcing a ban. The tactics seem to have worked. “It is shocking that the BC government would surrender to activist pressure tactics, rather than basing policy on science and proven good practice,” says Canadian Mink Breeders Association president Rob Bollert. The association is considering a legal challenge but wants to see the proposed amendment rst. The province says farmers can transition to other forms of agriculture but their barns are custom-built for mink and cannot be repurposed easily. The province has yet to announce compensation. “Those farmers who are carrying debt, they are in serious trouble,” says Bernemann. “They would have to sell their land to pay those mortgages back, because those facilities aren’t good for anything else.” —Peter Mitham Interior opportunities The annual general meeting of the Kamloops Okanagan Dairy Association on November 17 was dominated by discussion of the oods and mudslides in the Fraser Valley. The closure of highways led Ag Briefs EDITED BY PETER MITHAMto cancelled milk pickups, with the BC Milk Marketing Board reporting that approximately 200,000 litres of milk was dumped November 17 in BC’s north, Interior and southeast regions. The follow day, milk pickups resumed in these regions and the milk was sent to Alberta for processing. The situation underscores the need for a mid-sized processing facility in the Interior, says Bremer, and issue that has long been a topic of discussion within KODA. The region has several smaller processors but they are not able to make a signicant dierence in emergency situations like the res this summer and the latest ooding in the Lower Mainland. “It’s hard to get someone new to step in with a medium-sized plant,” Bremer says. “There might be more interest now.” The demand certainly exists. Blackwell Dairy in Barnhartvale posted to Facebook that it was seeing strong demand for its milk, processing as much milk in a day as it usually does in a week as oods cut highway connections and slowed deliveries from other regions. With oodwaters receding, Bremer told KODA the biggest issue would getting grain to producers. On November 22, the province announced that an agreement had been reached with the federal government to ensure a stable supply of grain to Fraser Valley producers. Bremer was pleased to have agriculture deemed an essential service under the provincial state of emergency but he wants more to be done to accommodate farmers in emergency situations. He says treating producers like every other homeowner fails to recognize that they have so much more to lose than household belongings. “Emergency response is about safety but you need a special category for farmers and livestock,” he says. — Jackie Pearase BCAC meetings bear fruit Representatives of agriculture organizations from across BC met with provincial cabinet ministers and sta October 26-27 as part of a virtual BC Agriculture Day. Organized by the BC Agriculture Council, 35 meetings were scheduled over two days with more than 50 farmers, ranchers and agricultural representatives in attendance. “Cultivating our relationships with key government stakeholders is critical to the success of our sector,” BCAC president Stan Vander Waal said in a statement. “Diverse as we are, we all share the same common goals and interests at the end of the day, and bringing those messages on a united front demonstrates the sector’s signicance.” This year’s discussions focused on food security, water security and labour – three priorities that have been top issues for both farmers and the public over the past year. During the pandemic, supply chain disruptions highlighted the importance of having dependable access to food, in turn boosting interest in local production. But healthy food also depends on a healthy environment, putting the focus on protecting water and other natural resources. This year’s heat wave saw record water use on some farms. Next year’s March 1 deadline for existing groundwater users to obtain water licences and protect their rights also looms large. Meanwhile, growers continue to work with government to address issues aecting access to both local and foreign talent. Typically held in Victoria each fall, the meet-and-greet with government representatives was put on hiatus last year, making this year’s discussions that much more important. —Peter Mitham Trade focus Trade will be a focus of Marie-Claude Bibeau’s third term as federal agriculture minister. Provincial and territorial agriculture ministers met with Bibeau in early November and agreed that the next agricultural policy framework that runs from 2023-2028 would “expand new markets and trade … to feed Canadians and a growing global population.” Canada’s ambitions of achieving $75 billion in agri-food exports by 2025 were set back by COVID-19, but Farm Credit Canada says the prospects remain bright with Canada the world’s 11th largest food exporter. The horticulture sector drives BC food exports. Peppers, mushrooms and berries are among the top sectors, with peppers and mushrooms posting strong growth last year. According to federal trade statistics, exports of peppers approached $676 million while mushroom exports increased to $347 million. —Peter Mitham
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 13Winter weather has settled in to much of the province and that means winter feeding has begun. MYRNA STARK LEADERemail: audreycifca@gmail.comemail: okanaganfeeders@gmail.com308 St. Laurent Avenue Quesnel, B.C. V2J 5A3Producers can apply for an advance on calves, yearlings, lambs, bison, forage and grain up to $1,000,000.00 with the rst $100,000.00 being interest free. Plus, interest relief through the Advance Payments Program is available to association members on their feeder cattle purchases.Producer Check-o Supports Beef Industry Projects.www.cattlefund.net 1.877.688.2333www.cattlefund.net 1.877.688.2333TOM WALKER VERNON – Whether it was mid-November’s wild weather or Zoom fatigue, the North Okanagan Livestock Association’s annual general meeting got o to a slow start on November 15. Several members on the Zoom call reported they were without power and working o generators. Several others were no-shows, resulting in a delay as a quorum was achieved. The meeting usually attracts more than 80 people to a popular venue and NOLA president Lani French acknowledged that everyone wants those days to return. “We are all getting tired of this and we need some inspiration to bring back our camaraderie,” says French. “Perhaps we can organize a spring meeting outside, along with a barbeque.” For now, however, Zoom is the only way for members to connect. French encouraged those in attendance to give a hand to others. “Take time to guide your neighbour to connect on computer,” she says. “This is the only platform we have to get information out and we don’t want them to lose out.” Reports highlighted several key issues on producers minds after an active and devastating wildre season. Not happy Werner Stump, chair of the land stewardship committee for the BC Cattlemen’s Association reported on the province’s proposed update of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) through Bill 23. The bill received rst and second reading in October, but Stump feels ranchers’ interests have been ignored. “This act remains timber-centric and continues to ignore range,” he says. “We are very displeased – verging on disgusted – that none of our work has been heard and reected in the amendments.” BC SPCA’s program of unannounced inspections are also a concern, says Nick Bapty, reporting for BCCA’s beef production and innovation committee. Ranchers fear that a BC SPCA inspection ocer from the Lower Mainland more familiar with urban pets might not be the best person to evaluate ranch practices. “We don’t have a lot to hide, but … we hope that they are able to hire people with a knowledge of our industry,” says Bapty. French seconded his comments, telling producers not to take any gu. “Go over your code of practice, know your rights and get your vet out there to stand beside you. Tell your story and don’t let the SPCA get the upper hand,” she says. Chris Zabek of the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries reminded producers of the Canadian cow-calf cost of production network initiated by Canfax. “They are looking for interested parties to join,” he says. In addition to a $500 honorarium, producers have an opportunity to learn and share knowledge. They will receive a summary of their farm’s production systems, including production indicators, a summary of baseline cow-calf enterprise data with ve years of historical indexing and a summary of future farm scenarios. Zabek also reported that funding has been secured to purchase and outt two emergency management trailers to support operations related to transport accidents as well as re and ood evacuations. Neither will be located in the Okanagan or southern Interior; rather, one North Okanagan ranchers briefed on key issuesNovember rains interfere with meeting planswill be stationed in the East Kootenays and the other in the Lower Mainland. Producers were reminded of the new rules allowing secondary housing within the Agricultural Land Reserve without the need for land commission approval beginning December 31. Owners of properties smaller than 40 hectares can build a secondary residence of 90 square metres while those with more than 40 hectares can build up to 186 square metres. Construction must meet local government regulations. Provincial water management specialist Andrew Petersen urged producers to apply for a groundwater licence for their existing non-domestic wells before the March 1, 2022 deadline. “After March 2022, you are out of compliance and will have to stop using water from an unlicensed well,” he explains. “You will be considered a new application and cannot use the water until your licence is approved. You will lose your FITFIR rights and there may not be enough water for your allocation.” Petersen says agriculture is doing a pretty good job of applying for licences. “Agriculture is a shining star. Over 50% of the applications are from our industry,” he says. The process has been simplied, he adds. “I remember the 85-page handout we got at the BCCA AGM in Penticton in 2016. That didn’t go over very well,” he quips. “They have really streamlined the information they are asking for.” Petersen advises producers that if they started an application a while back they should not See WATER on next page o
14 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCWATER nfrom pg 13continue but start fresh. “Restart your application as the new form asks a lot fewer questions,” he says. He suggested applicants gather a number of details before starting the process so they are not stopping to search documents. Property information, areas to be irrigated and crops, history and proof of water use, well information including coordinates, details of water works, and a site drawing or map should all be organized rst. “The location of your well is really important as the government uses that information to protect your licence from another new well going in close by,” he says. Petersen also gave a demonstration of the water use calculator that will indicate how much water use to apply for. “That’s the thing with an existing-use application,” Petersen points out. “The government assumes that the use is already there, and you receive a lot less scrutiny than if it is a new application after the deadline.” He pledged to help anyone with their application. “I’m only a phone call away,” he says. KATE AYERS CALGARY – Producers continue to experience the ripple eects of drought and processing backlogs on calf prices, while retailers relish high beef prices. “Strong domestic demand and international demand have propped up beef prices,” says Canfax manager and senior analyst Brian Perillat. “We have record beef production, which points to good beef demand, but unfortunately getting beef processed, we have a bit of a bottleneck in the processing levels. We still have some carryover fed cattle as a result of … COVID-19 and such.” Western Canadian yearling prices were about $2/cwt lower in the second week of November compared to the previous week. Calves in some regions traded as much as $4 lower, according to Jerry Klassen, president of market analysis rm Resilient Capital in Winnipeg. In some regions, calves weighing under 550 lbs were valued up to $6 below quotes issued weeks prior. As feed prices continue to rise due to drought-related shortages, buyers are being quite conservative. Cow-calf margins are tight and feedlot protability remains elusive. “On the calf and feeder side, fed prices have been somewhat disappointing. With record high grain prices and high costs of production, we’re seeing calf prices come under pressure,” says Perillat. Indeed, most US corn is being shipped to the west, reports Farm Credit Canada. Feedlots are seeing high barley costs, which by end of year, could be 42.9% higher year-over-year and 59.1% higher than the ve-year average. Corn prices are also hurting feedlots with values projected to be 53.8% higher than the ve-year average. On the farm, producers continue to deal with processing bottlenecks. “Processing plants are working full out but are unable to keep up with the supply. Hence, producers are seeing somewhat sluggish prices, relatively speaking. There are more cattle than what processors are doing per week,” Perillat adds. This processing backlog could get worse if Cargill beef plant workers go on strike this month in Alberta. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401, which represents over 2,000 workers at the High River plant, served the company with strike notice on November 10. A halt in production could begin on December 6 if an agreement is not met. This situation could have major impacts on Western Canadian beef throughput. That said, as of the week ending October 16, cattle slaughters were up 9.3% year-over-year. This increase is mostly attributed to a lack of feed and water supplies and farmers liquidating herds in July and August, FCC says. Anne Wasko, marketing analyst for Gateway Livestock Marketing Inc., said in October that producers were seeing the lowest prices for slaughter cows since fall 2010. She also mentioned that the value of a 1,400 lb cow in Alberta dropped by $350 over the course of October. However, as November ticked on, cash trade in the US moved up. North of the border, the BC Livestock sale in Kamloops on November 16 saw nearly 1,200 calves move through the sale ring. A pen of 653 lb Charolais cross steers from Douglas Lake Cattle Co. hit 190.00/cwt. Another pen of 80 calves from Douglas Lake tipped the scales at 582 lbs and sold for 199.00. Ron Eden’s 563 lb black steer calves sold for 200.00, while his 465 lb calves reached 219.00. At Vanderhoof’s regular sale on November 19, buyers saw cattle in every weight category. Steer calves, 400-499 lbs, sold to a high of 234.00, and averaged 218.82. 300-399 lb calves averaged 219.58. According to FCC, cattle prices in Western Canada are struggling to meet their ve-year average this year but year-to-date pricing is up versus 2020. Strong retail, ‘disappointing’ feeder prices Producers, feedlot owners continue to grapple with high feed costs
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 15Frustration over “timber-centric” range billProvince ignores rancher input on proposed amendmentsProposed updates to the Forest and Range Practices Act fail to acknowledge changes the BC Cattlemen’s Association have been asking for during discussions leading up to introduction of Bill 23. TOM WALKER TOM WALKER VERNON – Frustration lled Werner Stump’s voice as he addressed the North Okanagan Livestock Association on November 15 regarding the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), which the province wants to amend. “You have heard me talk about this for quite a while and unfortunately I don’t have good news,” he says. “There has been no progress at this point.” As chair of the BC Cattlemen’s Association land stewardship committee, Stump has been working closely with the province, which launched a review of FRPA in 2018. “We have been trying to get amendments to FRPA to do two things,” he says. “One, to create the legislative requirement to manage for forage and, ultimately, with the objective of managing forage on a sustainable basis like they do timber. And second, a dierent type of management on Crown ALR land – a level of management that would be respective of the agriculture potential of those lands and the intent of the ALC.” It’s ironic that legislation titled “range practices” speaks so little about range. “You know when you read the act you only see the word ‘range’ a couple of times,” notes BCCA general manager Kevin Boon. Boon says the bill that would revise the existing act includes improvements. “We support the idea of forest landscape planning that is being introduced, but the legislation does not specify that range tenure holders are to be included in the planning,” he says. Timber supply, conservation of the environment, Indigenous peoples’ values, local community values and forest health are all listed as objectives to be considered in a forest landscape plan, but there is no mention of range. “They tell us that range is an implied value and we will see more representation of our needs when the regulations are written,” says Boon. “Well, we’ve been burned by this ‘implied’ argument before. When they get around to writing the regulations, they say well, it’s not in the legislation so therefore we can’t put it into the regulations. We simply don’t trust that it will happen.” Stump says there were indications that ranchers’ concerns were being heard, noting that Peace River rancher Mike McConnell is a member of the Forest & Range Practices Advisory Council. “Everything seemed to be going just ne,” he says. “In fact, they had a lot of recommendations that were consistent with what we had put on the table. Certainly the mandate of managing forest sustainably for the good of range, wildlife and other values was in their recommendations.” But hopes were dashed when the legislation appeared. Stump says that when the Bill 23, the Forest Statutes Amendment Act, was introduced in October, his www.rollinsmachinery.cominfo@rollinsmachinery.comBCHA Secretary Janice Tapp 250-699-6466 BCHA President John Lewis 250-218-2537 The breed you can trust! committee was “very displeased, on the verge of disgusted” with the amendments. “None of the work we had been doing previously had been heard and reected in that bill,” he says. “It’s really bizarre. Bill 23 continues to reect the timber-centric culture within the ministry that we must deal with.” Stump, a registered professional forester, doesn’t blame forest companies. “Timber companies do an excellent job of growing trees and adhering to the present laws and regulations,” he says. “But if there is no law mandating that they protect range values, they are not going to add that additional cost into their planning.” Concerns about use of ALR land for growing trees was left out of the amendments as well, despite the fact the Agricultural Land Commission Act trumps the Timber Act, notes Boon. Cattlemen hope restructuring initiatives within the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development led by minister of state Nathan Cullen will raise the prole of range. “We have requested that they create a separate division to provide leadership for agriculture on Crown land, with a chief agrologist similar to the position of chief forester who would report directly to the minister,” explains Stump. “Range would, of course, be within that mandate, but it would also include invasive plants and water management and ALR.” Stump says recent talks with FLNORD have not taken their usual cordial approach. “We have been blunt,” he says. “We tried to carry the avour of what we believe the membership felt. The bill continues to ignore range.”
16 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCLivestock protection program up for reviewPotential changes include a greater mitigation radiusTOM WALKER VERNON – The success of the province’s Livestock Protection Program was a centrepiece of the North Okanagan Livestock Association’s annual general meeting on November 15. LPP coordinator Cam Hill said the program recently completed its fth season, and the number of les sta investigate continues to decline. “We are seeing a drop in the number of les that we are investigating despite the growing awareness of the program and the fact that the sheep people are getting on board,” he reports. LPP sta worked 442 les involving conicts between predators and livestock in 2019. That went down to 405 in 2020 and 316 as of the end of October. “This means that the program is functioning exactly as it should,” says Hill. “Predator conicts are dropping and that is what we want to see.” Hill says the program is doing the job with wolf predation. “In 2017, the rst year of our program, there were 221 wolf mitigations. Last year it was 100 and this year, we are down to 50 as of the end of October,” he says, noting that the mountain caribou recovery program and the BC Trapper’s Association also target wolves as well. But nature doesn’t like a vacuum, and if you remove one top predator another will step into its place. “Coyotes are up a little,” says Hill. “If you remove wolves, the coyotes will get a foothold.” Coyotes have been a particularly dicult issue in a few specic locations. “At a few ranches, we have taken up to 30 conict coyotes,” says Hill. “We are up to about 120 coyotes on the year. While bears, cougars and birds are not covered by the program, Hill says many ranchers are choosing to route conicts with these predators through the LPP because conservation ocers are “really overworked.” While conservation ocers are responsible for mitigating conicts, the LPP lets producers initiate a le, get verication and start the paperwork for losses. Hill believes refresher courses for the 850-odd loss veriers across the province are in order and he would like to hear from local Quality Pre-Owned Tractors & EquipmentAGOC ALLIS 6690 W/LDR . . . 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VBP+ TrainingWorkshops are Free!associations about organizing. “People seem to be forgetting that we need really detailed photos and explanations of damage,” he explains. “I know that people are frustrated that they have deadstock but there is no approval.” Sometimes a carcass has been scavenged and there is simply not enough evidence, he points out, but other times the photos make it dicult to identify damaged body parts. “It has to be defendable. If we approve les without adequate evidence, it compromises the program,” explains Hill. “We are always under re. Groups like Pacic Wild and the SPCA want to end all wolf killing. Tight rules are the reason we have been able to defend our program and so far we have been left alone.” The program comes up for review next year and Hill says he will be meeting with the oversight committee. He has a number of suggestions on how to improve the program. The rule limiting conict mitigation to within 500 metres of a kill site is one issue. “The 500-metre rule is particularly dicult in a harassment situation,” he says. “How do you establish the attack site when an injured calf has come home o the range? He says an interim agreement has been reached with the BC Conservation Ocer Service. “They have said that it may be anywhere the animals has been,” says Hill. “We are putting forth a resolution to have the 500-metre rule expanded to 5 kilometres.” Drones and wireless trail cameras would be useful, too. “These are tools that would really help us in our work,” he says. “This is not a recreation activity; this is our job.” Hill adds that the December 2017 moratorium on the grizzly hunt is a concern. “I know that we are seeing an increase in grizzly populations, but since the government stopped the hunt they have also stopped collecting data and they have no idea of the numbers,” he says. Hill encourages ranchers to speak with their local biologists. “Tell them about the expanding population you are seeing,” he says. Hill is increasingly concerned for rancher safety, particularly when they go to check livestock. If he spots two dierent species of scavenger birds such as ravens and a magpie, that is an indication there is a kill nearby. Bears will take over a kill and, even if it not theirs, they will defend it vigorously, Hill explains. “I had one rancher go in to check a kill, who luckily was packing a .30-30 rie. He had to shoot two grizzlies,” says Hill. “I had another verier who was charged at another site and barely escaped.” Hill reminds everyone to carry bear spray. WEEKLY FARM NEWSUpdatesSign up for FREE today.
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 17Honey producers get technology transfer programChallenges will be addressed as new initiative kicks offInsurance products and services are provided through Assante Estate and Insurance Services Inc. Please visit www.assante.com/legal.jsp or contact Assante at 1-800-268-3200 for information with respect to important legal and regulatory disclosures relating to this notice.Financial planning for farm families Farm transition coaching Customized portfolio strategy Retirement income planningDriediger Wealth PlanningMark Driediger, CFP, FEA, Senior Wealth AdvisorBrent Driediger, BAA, CPA, CMA, CFP, Wealth Advisorwww.DriedigerWealthPlanning.com | 604.859.4890 Assante Financial Management Ltd.TOM WALKER DAWSON CREEK – A new technology transfer program has brought BC honey producers full circle over the past 20 years, and one of the key people who accompanied the industry on the journey was recognized in late October. Dawson Creek beekeeper Kerry Clark, a former extension worker with the provincial agriculture ministry and now past president of the BC Honey Producers Association, received the President’s Award at the BCHPA annual general meeting held online October 29-30. “When you retired, 20 years ago, we lost our extension services and now with our new technology transfer program, we have that support again,” Nanaimo beekeeper Stan Reist told Clark. The new program was announced last March when the province gave $100,000 to get the program up and running. In May, the province added $425,000 to fund the program for three years. Nuria Morn, formerly of the University of Guelph, will lead the program. She brings 14 years’ experience to the role, including work with a similar program in Ontario. “Undoubtedly, this has been our biggest achievement in the past year,” says BCHPA president Heather Higo. “We are thankful to the [province] for their nancial support for the TTP for the rst three years.” BCHPA has full ownership of and responsibility for the program and will secure ongoing funding to keep the program going when provincial funding ends. “We are in an excellent nancial position to be able to support the program,” notes treasurer Irene Tiempo. Weather woes Similar to other producers, beekeepers were impacted by the heat, drought, res and smoke in 2021. Nevertheless, average honey production exceeded provincial apiculturist Paul van Westendorp’s expectations. Apiaries reported an average 70 pounds of honey per hive this year. With lower honey production across Canada and elsewhere, honey prices are set to rise. They’re currently averaging $3.25 a pound wholesale. BC now has more honey producers and more hives, van Westendorp adds. There are currently 4,300 registered beekeepers managing more than 61,000 colonies, up from 3,800 beekeepers and 56,000 colonies last year. The sector’s growth intensies the challenge of nding bees to start colonies in the spring. “Some of our beekeepers started o 2021 with greater winter colony losses than they have ever dealt with before,” says Higo. Van Westendorp says that varroa mites continue to be the top pest of concern, despite lower numbers. However, the incidence of chalkbrood is on the rise, a development he calls “disconcerting.” “There is the more chalkbrood reported than any time in the past,” he says, noting that the issue is one worth investigation through the technology transfer program. The program can also help make it easier for beekeepers to source bees. “One answer to the issue of stock replacement is to become more self-sucient with more BC operations stepping up with both more queen and (nucleus colony) production,” says Higo. “But I feel there is much room for growth in the industry and perhaps that is something our new tech transfer program can assist with.” Bee imports from New Zealand continue to be a problem, reports Reist, the association’s representative to the Canadian Honey Council. “Air Canada is upgrading their aircraft but those planes do not have sucient temperature-controlled cargo space and we have had shipments die,” he says. Air New Zealand is now the preferred carrier. Better techniques for overwintering colonies will also reduce the need to rely on imports, says Reist. BCHPA members were encouraged to hone their skills with the aim of matching the success of Saskatchewan beekeepers. “They were able to overwinter 35,000 colonies last year and that helped ease the shortage of imports for Alberta and Manitoba,” he says. “If they can do it with their cold winters, we can, too.” Spring colony shortages also up the pressure on blueberry growers who rent hives for pollination, a service that greatly improves their yields. BC and Alberta beekeepers charge up to $130 per hive for their services, partly because of the risk bees face while pollinating blueberries. While beekeepers typically bring their colonies to BC to strengthen them, recent years have seen a growing number lost following work in the Lower Mainland. The high prices domestic beekeepers charge led some growers to contract for See BEES on next page oChicken squadronRescuing pullets was part of the Canadian Forces' duties when members deployed to Abbotsford as part of the ood response, November 18. JONATHAN HAYWARD / POOL VIA REUTERSServing the Okanagan and Fraser Valley We’ve been proudly family owned and operated since opening in 1976. And with two blending plants, we’re one of BC’s largest distributors of granular, liquid and foliar fertilizers. Our buying power and proximity to the Fraser Valley makes us the logical choice for truckload shipments. OKANAGAN FERTILIZER LTD 1-800-361-4600 or 250-838-6414
18 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCBEES nfrom pg 17TRACTOR TIMEVICTORIA 4377C Metchosin Rd. 250.474.3301 30 minutes from Victoria and 15 minutes from Hwy#1 in Metchosin.tractortime.comPREMIUM TRUCKPRINCE GEORGE1015 Great Street250.563.0696WILLIAMS LAKE 4600 Collier Place 250.398.7411premiumtruck.ca handlersequipment.comHANDLERS EQUIPMENTABBOTSFORD 339 Sumas Way 604.850.3601HOUSTON 2990 Highway Crescent 250.845.3333Mahindra 1626 with mowerMOREBUILT-INWEIGHTHEAVY-DUTYSTEEL FRAMEpollination services stateside at just $80 a hive. Colonies from the US can’t enter Canada, so beekeepers placed their hives just south of the 49th parallel and let bees y in themselves. “There were colonies lined up along 0 Avenue one foot from the border,” says van Westendorp, adding that the situation highlights the need to establish a better working relationship with BC blueberry growers. “This is a $400-500 million industry. They will be pushing for the ability to secure a crop,” he says of blueberry growers. But blueberries can’t thrive at the expense of bees, says Creston beekeeper and BCHPA vice-president Je Lee. “We warned them many, many years ago that the issue of treating our hives carefully while they are in the elds was important,” he says. “We warned them they would lose access to many of the Alberta hives that winter here and go into blueberries before going back to Alberta, and that is in fact what has happened.” The issue is one more beekeepers hope the technology transfer program will address. “We do have an opportunity to work with the [BC] Blueberry Council to help them, and at the same time to mitigate the risk that beekeepers face,” he says. Quality over quantity for blueberry pollinationStronger colonies are better than more coloniesPETER MITHAM ABBOTSFORD – Stronger colonies trump more colonies when it comes to eective pollination, according to work by Oregon State University pollination specialist Andony Methalopoulos. Speaking to blueberry growers as part of the Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement Association short course earlier this year, Methalopoulos said strong colonies are key to a strong blueberry crop. Research by Lisa DeVetter, who leads the state-wide small fruits horticulture program at the Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon, Washington, indicates a stocking density of up to eight hives per acre can result in larger berries and higher yields in Duke blueberries. But pollinating blueberries can be deadly to bee colonies. Some beekeepers say their colonies emerge weaker afterwards rather than stronger. “This has been a long-standing problem but it seems to be getting worse,” says Methalopoulos, noting that Oregon growers are seeing a similar phenomenon. “Colonies coming out of pollination are experiencing this disease, so when Lisa has approached beekeepers and growers about getting higher stocking rates, the beekeepers often reply that, ‘We think that’s going to make this problem more severe.’” With beekeepers reticent to place more hives in blueberries, how about boosting hive strength? Methalopoulos says that legislation in Oregon and Washington requires that growers have at least three hives per acre when they’re contracting for pollination services. A pollination guide for Oregon said the hives should have at least six frames of adult bees, which would correlate to a return rate of 100 bees per minute. But a research project Methalopoulos participated in with DeVetter found that the actual return rate to hives with six frames of adults was actually 37.5 bees per minute. “That’s what we should consider the minimum, not 100 bees per minute, which is a very big colony,” he says, noting that a return rate of 100 bees per minute correlated to 11 frames of adults. Working together with Peerbolt Consulting over the course of two years in elds of Duke and Liberty, researchers found that the correlation held rm. Stronger colonies also delivered a bigger crop. “Regardless of whether it was Duke or Liberty, you got a big bump in yield,” he says. A eld where colonies had a return rate of 37.5 bees per minute, honey yields were closer to 33,000 kg per hectare. When bees were returning to hives at a rate of 100 per minute, growers ended up harvesting about 54,000 kg per hectare. “Not by changing the stocking rate, folks, but just by getting stronger colonies rented,” Methalopoulos told growers. “There may be some value in going through and assessing the colonies and choosing beekeepers that have stronger colonies and incentivizing them coming in with strong colonies.” Good hosts However, growers also need to be good hosts to the bees. Methalopoulos urges growers to do pest control before bloom and bees are active. “If you’ve got a pollinator-attractive plant and you’re putting pesticide down, it’s best to put them in the headlands,” he says. Hives also don’t need to be right against a crop to be eective. In fact, doing so risks dousing them with any sprays that are being applied. “Putting a pallet of bees right up again the crop, every 20 metres or 30 metres, isn’t going to increase pollination, and there’s no way you’re going to be able to protect those last plants and not douse that colony as you’re coming around the corner,” he says.
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 19Emmy Fietz, left, and Robyn Shenk process chickens at Hop Creek Farms in Squamish. Small-scale producers want rules that make it easier for farms to set up abattoirs that feed local communities. 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CALL FELLA 4 BASKET TEDDER (CHEMAINUS) [U40094) .................... 4,950 KUBOTA DM2028 3 PT DISC MOWER, HYD FOLD (CHEMAINUS) [U40093] ..........................................................9,500 MCHALE FUSION VARIO 2017, 14,000 BALES, [U32135] ......... 85,900 MCHALE 3100 FRONT DISC MOWER [U32621]........................ 18,750 MCHALE R3100 REAR DISC MOWER [U32620] ....................... 18,750 NH L170 SKIDSTEER HAND/FOOT CONTROLS, 3593 HRS, CAB [U32705] ...................................................................... 23,500 NH C232 TRACK SKIDSTEER, DEMO SPECIAL, 500 HRS, ROPS, GOOD CONDITION [N31179] ................................................. 61,000 NH FP240 CORN/GRASS HEAD, CROP PROCESSOR [CNS786] .. 47,500 NH FX40 2006 PROCESSOR, GRASS & CORN HEAD [U32641] 135,000 NH W50C TC WHEEL LOADER 200 HOURS [U32646]............... 75,900 SUPREME 900T FEED MIXER (COMING NOVEMBER) ................ 75,000New slaughter regs helpful but not enoughLivestock and poultry producers struggle to find processor space KATE AYERS SQUAMISH – Growing up as a fourth-generation cattle rancher in Williams Lake, Burt Wright took for granted the abundance of local abattoirs and cut-and-wrap facilities that processed his family’s animals. “Up until about four years ago, we had three Class A abattoirs within a two-hour drive and six more cut and wrap facilities,” Wright says. But today, none of those facilities exist. Rather than driving down the road to the nearest abattoir like he did as a teen, Wright must now drive between 180 and 600 kilometres with the hogs, lamb and chicken he raises at Hop Creek Farms in Squamish and cattle from Murphy Meadow Ranch, south of Williams Lake. “For our lambs, I have to truck them up to Chilcotin Harvest, because they are the only place available. That is a nine-hour drive from here,” says Wright. His other options are Johnston Packers in Chilliwack and Scott’s Meat in Agassiz. But Johnston’s is booked up until July 2022, too far ahead for Wright to commit. He normally plans three to four months in advance; projecting production seven or eight months into the future is far more challenging. “For pork and lamb, we have to book slaughter dates before the animals are born. We have to gamble that we’ll have the right number of animals available,” he explains. “For our farm store, we slaughter as needed, so now (we must) forecast what our sales will be six to eight months in advance, which is dicult.” Johnston’s and other abattoirs also require a deposit at the time of booking. It’s non-refundable, upping the ante for producers who are also caught trying to keep up with demand. Wright isn’t alone. Small-scale producers across the province are facing a capacity crunch. While the large abattoirs killed record volumes of animals last year, the smaller facilities serving small-scale producers in rural and remote areas haven’t been able to meet demand for their services. Many have closed due to retirements. Springford Farm in Nanoose Bay was unable to provide turkeys at Thanksgiving or Christmas this year as the farm’s regular processor shut its doors this fall, and the family was unable to secure alternative space. Bottlenecks The province overhauled the meat licensing system at the start of October to help alleviate processing bottlenecks and increase rural slaughter capacity. As part of these changes, farms with an abattoir licence can kill an unlimited number of their own animals on site and do custom slaughter for other producers. They can sell the meat at retail and direct to consumers throughout BC. Pre and post-slaughter inspection of each animal is required. Producers with Farmgate Plus licences can slaughter up to 25 animal units (25,000 kg) or those of other producers and sell product at retail and direct to consumer throughout BC. Each facility must have risk-based establishment inspections and audits of slaughter records. Farmers with Farmgate licences can slaughter up to ve AU (5,000 kg) only and sell direct to consumer from the farmgate and at farmers markets in the regional district or within 50 kilometres of where the meat is produced. Oversight remains See PROCESSING on next page oFARMNEWSupdatesto yourinboxwww.countrylifeinbc.comChanges welcomed Changes to the provincial meat licensing regime have been welcomed in rural BC. A survey of producers the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako undertook in September found that 46% “would” or “denitely would” consider obtaining a Farmgate or Farmgate Plus licence. Of the producers interested in getting a licence, 73% would apply for the Farmgate Plus licence, allowing them to slaughter up to 25 animal units each year, which they can sell anywhere in the province. —Kate Ayers
20 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCPROCESSING changes don’t go far enough nfrom page 19Marketing British Columbia to the World®www.landquest.comToll Free 1-866-558-LAND (5263)“The Source” for Oceanfront, Lakefront, Islands, Ranches, Resorts & Land in BC®SIDNEY ISLAND OCEANFRONT - LOT 30SOUTHERN GULF ISLANDSWILLOW SPRINGS RANCHCHRISTIAN VALLEY, BCLOG CABIN PUBSPENCES BRIDGE, BCBARNSTON ISLAND ACREAGEHATCH A BIRD FARMPOWELL RIVER, BCOFF-GRID LAKEFRONT PARADISEREVELSTOKE, BCNEWLY RENOVATED LAKEFRONT LOG CABIN - NIMPO LAKECOUNTRY HOME WITH 4 RENTAL CABINS FOR INCOME - PRINCETON, BCCAPSTONE MOUNTAIN197 ACRES - BARE LAND280 ACRE WORKING FARM WITH COUNTRY HOME – BAKER CREEK, BC2.46 acres gently sloping toward the ocean.Outstanding views & easy access to ocean’s edge. Launch your kayak or 昀sh off the rocks. Large 昀r, cedar and arbutus trees provide good privacy. 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A hidden gem, live a quiet rural lifestyle, minutes from the city with great access to Highway 1 & 17. $1,095,000Well established organic farm on 24.4 acres within the ALR with city services. Includes 5 bedroom main home, 2 bedroom home for farm hand, 2.5 acres of market garden, a market store, 6 greenhouses, pasture for livestock, 2 barns and numerous other outbuildings. $1,599,000Spectacular and rare lakefront estate on 156 acres with 2 km of lakeshore on beautiful Lake Revelstoke. Only a few private parcels exist on this expansive lake. Glaciated mountain vistas. Log home, cabin, equipment shed. Truly stunning! $5,125,000Newly renovated, fully service, lakefront, 1,144 ft2 two-storey log cabin on 1.17 acres. Cozy 3 bedroom hunting / 昀shing retreat or recreational getaway on Nimpo Lake in the heart of the Chilcotin. Endless year-round recreational opportunities! $349,000Newly renovated 2,568 ft2 home on 2 acres with 4 additional rental cabins. Each cabin has its own deck and bathroom. Perfect for an Airbnb. Near Osprey, Link and Chain Lake. Access to backcountry for hunting, ATVing and sledding. Pro-forma for revenue available. $695,000South slopes of Capstone Mountain, 197 gorgeous acres with fabulous views of Capstone Mountain, and Moss, Skins and Ootsa Lakes all full of 昀shing opportunities. Privacy and tranquillity within lush 昀elds and trees - well suited for a home, hobby farm or retreat. $279,000280 acres, 2 adjacent titles. With nearly 100 acres of cleared pasture, fencing, corrals, barns, hay shed, shop, country home and cabin, this bucolic property is ready for you to start your farming journey. Ample water: 2 wells, and creek dissects the farm. Surrounded by Crown land. $750,000DAVE COCHLAN 604-319-1500dave@landquest.comRICH OSBORNE 604-328-0848Personal Real Estate Corporationrich@landquest.comROB GREENE 604-830-2020rob@landquest.comRICH OSBORNE 604-328-0848Personal Real Estate Corporationrich@landquest.comJAMIE ZROBACK 1-604-483-1605 JASON ZROBACK 1-604-414-5577MATT CAMERON 250-200-1199matt@landquest.comFAWN GUNDERSON 250-982-2314Personal Real Estate Corporationfawn@landquest.comSAM HODSON 604-809-2616Personal Real Estate Corporationsam@landquest.comJOHN ARMSTRONG 250-307-2100Personal Real Estate Corporationjohn@landquest.comCHASE WESTERSUND 778-927-6634Personal Real Estate CorporationCOLE WESTERSUND 604-360-0793Visit our Websitethe same as Farmgate Plus licences. For all licences, cut-and-wrap must still take place at a provincially inspected facility. If a producer is within an hour’s drive of a provincially inspected abattoir, an explanation is required to outline the need for an on-farm facility. Despite these amendments, some producers believe more adjustments are needed. “There continues to be a gaping chasm between someone who is nishing a few animals on his or her hobby farm and these big commercial-scale farms,” says Julia Smith, owner of Blue Sky Ranch in Merritt and president of the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association. “It is too much for a small-scale producer to build an (on-farm facility) just so they can get their animals processed. … It’s just not reasonable.” Onus on producers The new framework fails to address the fundamental challenges inherent in slaughter facilities, says Smith: infrastructure, labour and expense. The changes also put all the onus and cost on producers if they want to build on-farm facilities and insure it. “We were the rst to get a D licence (now Farmgate Plus) in the valley. One thing we found is that getting insurance seems to be a big problem,” says Alberni Farmers' Institute president and farmer Lisa Aylard. The road to building an adequate facility is long and costly, Aylard says, and the production regulations can become overwhelming. Aylard has notied customers that her supply of product will hinge on the capacity of the one inspected facility in her area. “How can you keep up with all the changes that they keep implementing? It’s a job in and of itself. You’re trying to organize your farm business, do all the marketing and meet with customers,” Aylard says. “I feel like these changes have never been consented by producers, it’s just simply, ‘this is the direction we’re going.’” Processing backlogs and labour shortages are nothing new to Othmar Vohringer of Mobile Custom Slaughtering in Merritt, who has two words to describe the province’s rural slaughter capacity. “It stinks,” he says. “We need a lot more.” But all slaughter facilities, new or existing, face a lack of skilled labour, he says. “I know slaughterhouses … that closed down or do very minimal because they can’t nd meat cutters,” he says. “What we really need is butchers. … The government makes no strides to improve that.” Skilled labour is needed because it can be dicult for producers to farm full time or work o the farm as well as manage a processing operation. “One of the big problems with processing is that you can’t be a part-time processor. Once you get into processing a product at any degree, you have to do it on a regular basis, and be a medium-sized business. You can’t be halfway in between – the economies of scale are such that it doesn’t work,” says Mark Robbins of K&M Farms in Abbotsford, which focuses on poultry. Robbins believes that the province, which has talked a lot about food security, needs to step in to secure processing capacity for producers similar to how local governments use secured market rental units to address the housing shortage. “What the government needs to do is buy processing time at one of the big processors,” he says. “You go to someone like Fraser Valley’s Farm Fed, who wants to expand. Say, ‘We’ll give you $5 million to help with your expansion but every second Friday custom kill gets priority.” This is a best-case scenario, however. In the meantime, a variety of local initiatives are taking shape. These include SSMPA’s plans for an on-farm abattoir in the Peace to process cattle, hogs and sheep. Wright is setting up his own butcher shop and on-farm market to alleviate the challenges he faces. He’s six months away from breaking ground and hopes to be in operation next fall. The facility will be able to process 60 to 80 head of beef, 60 pigs, 100 sheep and up to 700 chickens each year. Othmar Vohringer of Mobile Custom Slaughtering
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 21Sheep producers have tough yearNew leadership as Ydenberg tackles levyBARBARA JOHNSTONE GRIMMER LANGLEY – BC Sheep Federation president Barb Ydenberg completed her three-year term as head of the organization this fall, with the nal year being one of the toughest she’s seen. “The heat dome experienced throughout much of the province saw most of us making every eort to keep our sheep and lambs cooled and watered so they didn’t die of heat stroke,” she told the 30 members and guests who gathered online for the BCSF annual general meeting October 30. “There were reports of higher-than-normal predator losses, then the drought started to get very real.” The drought led to widespread wildres that devastated many sheep producers. “It felt as if not one of us escaped the toll of these things,” she said. “We were either trying to help our friends and neighbours, or under a lot of stress trying to stay safe ourselves.” Ydenberg did not stand for a second term, but she intends to continue working with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries to improve the viability of the sheep industry by developing a proposal to enact a levy on the Canadian Sheep Identication Program ear tags sold in the province. “The funds generated would be used to educate, inform and support producers as well as initiate research and development for the industry,” says Ydenberg. BCSF produces the Sheep N’Ewes magazine three times a year, advocates for sheep producers and provides input on various committees and programs. All these activities are supported by a small, dedicated group of volunteers and a shrinking budget. The federation’s members are too few to generate sucient revenues through dues, and sponsorships are lacking. The Canadian Sheep Federation is pursuing a national check-o levy for the same reasons, and requires all provinces to implement provincial levies in order for this to happen. “BCSF continues to work diligently with both the BC Sheep Separation Committee and the M. ovi Strategic Advisory Group,” says Over 30 0 Exhibitors Showcasing Innovative Agriculture Technology604.291.1553 info@agricultureshow.netJanuary 27 - 29, 2022Ydenberg, referring to two programs focused on minimizing disease transfer between wild and domestic sheep. “Even though I am handing over the chair responsibilities of the BCSF to Jacques Campbell, I hope to continue my participation on the M. ovi groups and as a director with the Canadian Sheep Federation,” says Ydenberg. “ Jacques Campbell is a sheep and beef producer and Class A abattoir operator on Saturna Island. She is also on the board of the BC Abattoir Association and is the Inter Island Sheep Breeders director to BCSF. The old heave-ho Neighbours arrived with trailers to help move hundreds of cattle to higher ground after rains lashed southern BC in mid-November. REUTERS / JENNIFER GAUTHIER
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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 23Grant revives Pacific field corn trialsIndustry-led corn trials are being revived with new funding in the form of a $20,000 award from the Abbotsford Community Foundation’s agricultural enhancement grant program. JACKIE PEARASEDe Dell SeedsThe Leaders in Non-GMO CornOur breeding is done the traditional way, in the field, in an effort to bring you the best possible results on your farm. That is why we are The Leaders in Non-GMO Seed Corn.DON’T MISS OUT... our early order discounts are available now!MOSTOUT OF YOURSSO YOU GET THEWE PUT THE WORKIN OUR FIELDSVYEFIELD AG SERVICES • Caleb Brandsma 604-226-0340 • caleb@vyefield.comterraseco.comTerra Seed Corp PEACE LOVE JOY PEACE LOVE JOY RONDA PAYNE CHILLIWACK – Plans are in place to restart forage corn trials for BC’s dairy industry through the Pacic Field Corn Association (PFCA) following a four-year hiatus. Originally developed in partnership with sta at the Agassiz Research and Development Centre, the trials stopped in 2017 after Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada withdrew from a 40-year collaboration with PCFA. “There had to be a dierent relationship and it was hard to create in modern terms,” says Shabtai Bittman, the federal research scientist who oversaw the program in Agassiz. “We’re looking for a way to help the Pacic Field Corn Association to continue modern-day operations. Renee (Prasad) indicated that she’s interested. We intend to keep helping.” The new program will be undertaken in partnership with the University of the Fraser Valley under the management of Prasad, a UFV associate professor. The trials are also receiving help from the Abbotsford Community Foundation, which has provided $20,000 through the agricultural enhancement grant program to help purchase the specialized ovens needed to dry corn from the trials. Drying the crop at a low temperature (approximately 60°C) allows researchers to determine the percentage of dry matter in the grain. This is critical for farmers to evaluate the value of each variety. “In good corn varieties, the dry weight of the grain would be approaching 50% of the weight of the entire plant. If (it is) less than 40%, the farmers probably wouldn’t be interested in them,” says Bittman. “The wet weight doesn’t tell you much.” In addition to drying, there are a lot of steps that have to be carefully managed. This is where Bittman feels Prasad can make a dierence. He hopes there will be trial crops in the ground for 2022, but the process hasn’t fully begun yet and Prasad intends to start at a smaller scale than the trials undertaken in 2017. The trials primarily took place at the Agassiz Research and Development Centre, but trial locations have to be identied for the new program. “This is very early days,” says Prasad. “I anticipate that it might be a couple of years before it gets to the levels that Shabtai had. I’m on a super-steep learning curve for corn.” Prasad says the work is important because of the short availability of various corn varieties, which change every three years or so. It was one of the reasons the Abbotsford Community Foundation chose to fund the project. “Field testing is on-going with variety turnover in forage corn happening at a rapid pace – every three to four years, compared to other commodities,” says Marcus Janzen, chair of the foundation’s agricultural enhancement grant committee. “Additionally, the demands of climate change are putting stress on forage corn production.” The trials will provide producers with third-party data that identies the corn varieties that t local growing conditions best. Janzen says seed company data doesn’t always align with the needs of local forage corn growers. “Dairy farmers will be able to make better decisions about which corn varieties will grow the most eciently and productively for their operations,” he says. “Since the corn that is grown will be turned into silage and then fed to cows, eld testing is also an important component in the development of the two main products of dairy farms: silage and milk.” Because forage corn varieties change rapidly, Bittman says dairy farmers need accurate information quickly. The multiple steps in the process can make this a challenge. “Each step is simple. None of it is rocket science,” he says. “But if you put it all together, not a lot of people could do it. We’re very condent Renee can do it. The farmers want the data almost immediately when the crop is harvested. They need to get their orders in for the next year and they don’t want last year’s data. The old varieties disappear. They won’t be able to keep growing what they’ve grown before.” Prasad says the project fullls UFV’s commitment to serving the community. “It’s really part of UFV’s mandate of building a community and connecting with farmers,” she says. “We want to support the Pacic Field Corn Association and dairy corn growers and this is a niche we can ll.” The service extends beyond collaborating with trial crop farmers and providing data. “Another measure of success is the participation of dairy farmers as both collaborators in eld testing and their attendance at an annual eld day where they can observe the dierent varieties growing in the eld,” says Janzen. UFV will manage program
24 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCMarc Geen’s interest in growing cannabis started when a friend’s father was diagnosed with cancer. SUBMITTEDWe are interested in your feedback on a potential regulation to manage emissions from cannabis production and processing operations in the Metro Vancouver region. The potential regulation has been revised based on feedback already received.Learn more and submit feedback by December 15, 2021www.metrovancouver.org (search ‘Cannabis production’)ROOHI SAHAJPAL ROCK CREEK – While the record-breaking heat wave this past summer adversely aected many farmers across the province, one cannabis grower in the Okanagan is projecting another successful crop. “It was a bit of a crazy year, but in the end, a fantastic harvest. It was amazing. We got most of it in with zero rot and zero problems with the crop,” says Marc Geen, founder of SpeakEasy Cannabis in Rock Creek, which claims to be the largest legal outdoor cannabis grower in the world. In 2020, SpeakEasy’s rst harvest yielded 72,000 kg. As its harvest season wrapped up at the end of October, Geen projected nearly double that this year – “anywhere between about 100,000 and 140,000 kg,” he says. SpeakEasy, a publicly traded company, owns 290 acres in Rock Creek and has a 63,200-square-foot indoor cannabis complex and 60-acre outdoor eld. “Last year’s June was the coldest and wettest; this year was the driest and hottest by far. So two very extreme years, both of them with fantastic results at the end of the year. In farming, it’s really dicult to pinpoint exactly how much eect one event had because there’s just always so many factors,” says Geen. Geen explains that in the cannabis industry a phenomenon called the ‘June stall’ is common. This is when cannabis planted outdoors during warm weather in May gets hit by colder, damper conditions in June, which can cause the metabolism in cannabis plants not to absorb any nutrients and negatively aect the plant. While there were no res near Rock Creek, the area was aected by a Stage 5 drought in August. Farmers drawing irrigation water from the Kettle River had to put that to a halt. “Fortunately, we have our own well, but it brought into stark focus what multiple years of drought can do and we’re going to take some action on that by using mulch to preserve water and various other things because of this year. It was kind of an eye opener,” he says. Fourth-generation farmer Geen is a fourth-generation farmer who grew up in Kelowna and whose family relocated to Rock Creek in 1995. They grew cherries and ginseng before applying for a licence to grow cannabis in 2013. He was rst introduced to cannabis cultivation when a friend’s father was diagnosed with cancer. “I worked with them to help them learn how to grow the crop and just really got hooked, seeing the dierence that the plant made to my friend's father who was going through cancer. I’ve seen so many interactions between people in cannabis that are on such a positive level,” says Geen. He says that as a farmer in the Okanagan, being used to smaller scale farming and growing dierent types of crops made the transition easy. “It’s something that Okanagan farmers have been doing forever; they try cherries for a decade, then they move to apples, and back and forth. It’s always been something where an Okanagan farmer needs to nd the next cash crop, so converting over to cannabis was not a mega change for me,” says Geen. He adds that many of the same farming practices apply when growing cannabis. “Down in the Okanagan, you risk having spray residue and there’s a zero tolerance limit for pesticides in cannabis. If you decide to grow in an area that’s close to an orchard and you get overspray, that’s going to ruin your crop. So, there’s a lot of similarities, but it’s also a very dierent crop,” he says. Geen considers growing cannabis to be an art form, one that used to come with a stigma but now has cachet. “Knowing how to grow a plant and knowing how to make it a real piece of art takes a long time,” he says. “Cannabis is way more of an art form; it’s far more of a passion project. People don’t get excited when they see a really nice apple.” Sales have been growing. In the nine months ended April 30, 2021, SpeakEasy reported revenue of $1.5 million. It received its sales licence for extracts in September and plans to release multiple brands in the next year. Geen is also a founding partner of Pac Roots Cannabis Corp., a Canadian cultivator that uses a genetics-rst approach to grow dierent cannabis strains. Pac Roots has a 20,000-square-foot indoor facility in Kelowna and has entered a joint venture with SpeakEasy to plant hemp CBD seedlings. It planted approximately 130,000 in 2020. With the cannabis industry continuing to grow in Canada, the next push is for the legalization of psilocybin, a psychedelic compound derived from fungi (commonly known as “magic mushrooms”). Psilocybin has been illegal in Canada since 1975 and is prohibited in Canada by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). But last year, Health Canada started issuing legal exemptions for its use, mainly to people with terminal illness and treatment-resistant depression. SpeakEasy plans to enter the psychedelics sector and has applied for a narcotics dealers licence in order to develop and standardize psilocybin cultivation. “We want to be in a position to be able to oer both recreational and sort of a medicinally focused psilocybin with a bunch of dierent varieties and growth and extraction techniques. We're going to be able to start researching here within the next couple of months,” says Geen. The fragile nature of the mushrooms, which come from six dierent family groups containing psilocybin, would require them to be grown inside. “They’re all of a family that are extremely prone to infection. It’s almost like growing with no skin; anything aects them,” says Geen. “Growing outside is just not something that you can do with any kind of commercial success. They have to come inside and be in a very, very sterile environment to be able to grow properly.” Cannabis grower eyes mushroom productionSuccessful harvests pave way for a new crop venture
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 25Pre-order your Baumalight generator now fordelivery in 8 weeks and get an 8% discount.PTO GENERATORSsales@baumalight.com | BAUMALIGHT.COMDale Howe 403-462-1975MFG A VARIETY OF ATTACHMENTS INCLUDING: BRUSH MULCHERS | ROTARY BRUSH CUTTERSSTUMP GRINDERS | PTO GENERATORS | AUGER DRIVES | TRENCHERS | DRAINAGE PLOWS | TREE SAWS & SHEARSTREE SPADES | BOOM MOWERS | TREE PULLERS | FELLER BUNCHERS | EXCAVATOR ADAPTERS | SCREW SPLITTERSLocate A Dealer OnlineNew poinsettia varieties trialed in Abbotsford Trials are a diversification for the family businessTim Vaandrager has spent the summer and fall growing over 40,000 poinsettias. SUBMITTEDtrying to ll up right after Remembrance Day.” A longer sales window benets the nursery by giving it more time to produce stock rather than growing everything to move in just two or three weeks. Red still most popular But even with all the new varieties, Vaandrager says 70-80% of what he sells remains the standard red variety. However, new varieties are catching on. “Winter Rose is probably number two or three on the list. It's unique, with crinkled leaves making it look more like a rose,” he says. “Year to year, it depends on what's the newest thing.” The diversity is part of the ambition Vaandrager brings to the business. His parents, Mark and Susan Vaandrager founded the nursery in 1988 and Mark remains head grower. Susan is a oral designer and looks after their onsite retail store and wedding owers. Tim’s wife April works in the store and does online promotion and marketing while Tim books and plans the greenhouse crops, manages the team of about 12 full-time seasonal sta and runs the company’s wholesale side. In addition to poinsettias, Vaandrager Nurseries has cut owers, hanging baskets and novelty pumpkins. Production occurs in two acres of greenhouse space and six acres outdoors. years. He says a red poinsettia isn’t just a red poinsettia, with literally a hundred varieties that each perform dierently. “There are certain varieties that may have great colour but they just don't work here because there's just not enough light,” he says. Indigenous to Mexico and Central America, a red poinsettia may not bloom in BC with the same shade as it would if grown in a climate with more daylight hours. Cuttings at Vaandrager’s arrived from places like Mexico, Kenya and Ethiopia. After being rooted osite in June, they spend summer and early fall sizing up. Then, around mid-September, as the days get shorter, the leaves start changing colour and owers form. “We can also manipulate that a little by closing the curtains and making the plants think it’s later in the season,” Vaandrager explains. This can ensure fully blossoming plants by early November. “I remember when we used to barely ship anything before December, and now we'll be half empty by December,” he says. “Dierent varieties are stronger so you can make them bloom earlier and they last longer. Consumers and retail stores want them earlier, MYRNA STARK LEADER ABBOTSFORD – December is poinsettia season for many people, but Abbotsford nursery grower Tim Vaandrager has been caring for them since June. “We have oranges this year, full on bright orange, and dierent speckled ones. Two-tone are really becoming popular, and breeding those with multiple colours,” says Vaandrager, who is growing about 40,000 of the plants this year at Vaandrager Nurseries. The diversity beyond the usual red and white varieties is a benet of Vaandrager’s participation in international variety trials that allow him to showcase new varieties destined for markets in Western Canada and the US. It’s work he sought out. “There was no one, really, in the Pacic Northwest doing it, a bit of a gap, and people here were missing out on seeing these trials,” says Vaandrager. Vaandrager is trialing varieties for Dummen Orange, a US-based company representing several breeders, and Selecta One, a worldwide company owned by the Klemm family of Germany. Growers like Vaandrager are asked to trial up to 50 varieties from each breeder. About half are variety staples, but with specic colours or plant qualities. The other half are new varieties, some still identied by a number. “Breeders want to see what the plants will do in a more northern climate, with our shorter days. The other aspect is showing o the ones they know work here so that all the growers out here can have a really good-quality crop of poinsettias,” explains Vaandrager. Breeding focuses on traits such as plant hardiness, like stem thickness, to better withstand shipping, or longer-lasting plants that bloom at the right time for consumers and aesthetics. A greater number of plant branches means more blossoms. Dierent shapes also meet dierent needs: bushier with blooms all round or tall with more top blossoms. New colours and ower shapes are also being trialed. Vaandrager admits shock at just how many poinsettias there are, with many varieties developed within the last 10
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COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 27John Byland of Bylands Nurseries Ltd. stands in front of workers putting on the roof at the company’s new greenhouse at its West Kelowna head ofce. MYRNA STARK LEADERBC TERRITORY REPRESENTATIVEGord Vande Burgt 604.345.7877www.schippers.caSchippers Canada Ltd.MYRNA STARK LEADER WEST KELOWNA – “When you’re in the business of growing plants, if you can’t take disappointment, you’re in the wrong industry,” says John Byland, owner of Bylands Nurseries Ltd. in West Kelowna. The 350-acre operation has seen a challenging couple of years due to the eects of COVID-19 and extreme weather. The weather woes started in 2020, when the nursery was impacted by extreme cold. Growers looking to source cherries and other trees to expand their orchards had to be patient because temperatures at Bylands’ production site in Coldstream dropped to -11°C before the plants had hardened o for the winter. Cherries were a near-total loss, representing half its stock of that item and a loss of about $1 million. “Virtually all our cherry trees grown there were damaged or killed, so it’s caused a huge shortfall. It's a two-year cycle to grow them so we don't even have a very large crop for 2022 either,” explains Byland. Most recently, this summer’s record high temperatures proved dicult for employees and took a toll on plants. Nursery sales stay brisk through pandemicHeat, drought and labour shortages are challengesFEB 11-12, 2022 • DUNCAN, BC • WWW.IASHOW.CA • 250-748-0822 • COWEX@SHAW.CAVancouver Island’s Largest Agriculture Event of the YearShowcasing the latest and most innovative equipment and technology for the Agriculture industry. Conference and vendor registration at www.iashow.ca.See ACCESS on next page oFOLLOW USLIKE US@countrylifeinbc
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Less Ash.“We had some losses due to the extreme heat,” says Byland. “They weren't devastating, but they were substantial – mostly things that were recently planted, both potted and in the fields, things that hadn't gotten roots established before the heat.” Other plants didn’t size up as normal because of the heat and required extra time to be ready for sale. Water issues increasing While water wasn’t an issue during this summer’s drought, the situation changed in fall as water levels in Okanagan Lake fell to their lowest recorded levels since 1943. Bylands draws irrigation water from the lake, but water levels fell below some intakes. This was unprecedented in its 40 years in business. “That's definitely a concern for us. We're currently spending some time seeing what we can do to manage,” says Bylands. “We may have to extend them or make new ones. ... We don't have all the answers yet but we'll definitely have to do something before spring.” One option for more water is trying to secure approvals for new wells. But as many growers have found, trying to secure a new well in a drought-prone region like the Okanagan is challenging. “It’s an incredibly frustrating experience. The well registration process is quite challenging,” he says. “We've been working on it for several years and spent $54,000 on consulting fees, and we still haven't gotten to the finish line. And unfortunately, the goal posts keep on changing on us and we’re a fairly sophisticated company.” To meet the challenges, Byland plans to continue refining its operations and is building a new, 70,000-square-foot greenhouse in West Kelowna. It will support production of popular items like florals and succulents. “The nice thing about greenhouses is plants don't freeze in them,” he says. On the positive side, after being the first agricultural operation in BC to experience a COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, Bylands experienced no cases in 2021. There were, however, delays with the arrival of its first 14 foreign workers this year. Bylands counts on receiving about 100 foreign workers annually. “Because we were so short-staffed and had delays last year, some of our crops didn't get planted and we weren’t able to do certain things. The impact of that COVID outbreak, it's going to be with us until 2023. More than likely, that's when we're fully recovered from all the challenges we've had,” says Byland. Traffic at its garden centre has also been positive. A continuation of consumer interest in plants during the lockdowns of 2020 gave it a strong start to the season. “Retail sales in the plant world were very good in 2020 and 2021,” says Byland. “But this year, it did fizzle much earlier. Later in May and June, I think people were looking forward to going back camping and doing other things besides their gardens and plants as COVID restrictions eased.” Bedding plants in demand Stan Vander Waal of Rainbow Greenhouses Inc. in Chilliwack says 2021 was generally a good year for his operation, which also has a location in Alberta and supplies flowers and bedding plants to markets across Western Canada and into the US. “Spring bedding plant sales were nothing but awesome,” says Vander Waal, a director of United Flower Growers in Burnaby and chair of the BC Agriculture Council. “In summer, we definitely saw challenges with heat and not being able to keep the greenhouses cool enough so we lost some things but not materially that big,” he says. Those losses were offset by strong demand for local cut flowers as the wedding business picked up and ongoing travel restrictions limited flower imports from South America and elsewhere. But the impact of restrictions continues to be felt. International freight costs remain high and suppliers have been overwhelmed with orders as the economy reopens, even as COVID continues to disrupt the workforce. This is boosting the cost of inputs like fertilizer, which will affect flower prices. "The question will be, can the consumer bear the increased cost of goods?” he says. Consumers are also on the mind of Michelle Willems, who with her husband Roger and his nephew Cody Urbon, owns and operates Outback Nursery & Garden Centre in Courtenay. Willems says 2021 was just as busy if not busier than 2020 for the company, which launched in 2000 as a propagator and wholesaler but opened a garden centre during the 2009 downturn and now operates fives acres of greenhouses and 14 acres of field production. Their garden centre supplies mostly home gardeners across Vancouver Island. While thankful for the boost gardening received during the pandemic, Willems finds many new growers and newcomers to the Island arrive at the operation before doing any research, expecting her team to be plant gurus or landscape consultants. “Some people think we're more like an order desk, like Amazon. Do you have this plant? How big is it? How will it perform?” says Willems. “When someone says they want a hedge, there are probably 25 varieties, so it’s almost impossible to have time to go through the characteristics of each one, especially over the phone.” She anticipates sales may plateau next year, partly due to a lack of product. She says she’s already heard from one Oregon supplier who will only guarantee half of the plants she’s requested.
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 29Forest McCormack, who runs McCormack Farm with his partner Laurel Edwards, recently showed off his cattle herd while hosting a tour organized by the Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors. BRIAN LAWRENCEMower ConditionersKuhnNorthAmerica.comVisit your local British Columbia KUHN dealer today!INVEST IN QUALITY®www.kuhn.comTHE MOST COMPLETE HAY LINE Cut • Dry • HarvestSave time, money and improve hay quality with KUHN.THE HAY AND FORAGE TOOL SPECIALISTS Mowers Mergers Rotary Rakes Wheel Rakes Tedders Harvesting high-quality hay and forage is the focus of KUHN's hay tool innovation. Our commitment is to help yougain a maximum return on investment by providing products known for performance, reliability, and longevity.Matsqui Ag-RepairAbbotsfordNorthline EquipmentPouce CoupeHuber Farm EquipmentPrince GeorgeSmithersBRIAN LAWRENCE BURTON – When Forest McCormack shouts, “Heya, girls,” the cows answer back, almost in unison. When he does it again, they respond and move closer, startling the guests visiting McCormack Farm during an October 14 tour organized by Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors. “That makes me shiver – that’s so amazing,” says a visitor to the 118-year-old farm. “I start the call, and literally 80 cows start coming,” says McCormack, although he can’t continue to indulge the guests or the “girls” will stop doing their part. “I can only do the call so long before they get bored.” McCormack is a fourth-generation farmer on the 480-acre regenerative farm located in Burton, about 35 kilometres south of Nakusp. The farm raises cattle, chickens and ducks, which McCormack tends with his partner, Laurel Edwards. Right now, McCormack’s herd is largely comprised of dark-haired cattle, but that is changing as he gradually introduces more white and lighter cattle. “In ve years, it could be a very dierent picture to today,” he says. “When I rst started getting them, it was a novelty. Along the way, I looked and thought, ‘That’s just a bang-up cow.’” They fare much better in warm weather, he says, and attract far fewer bugs. “When the black cows are covered in ies and irritated, [the white ones] have about 10% of the ies,” he says. “North America has more heat-stressed cattle than anywhere else, because of the high prevalence Black Angus.” Visitors on the tour wondered how the cattle fared during the summer wildre season, which saw the area around McCormack’s farm subject to evacuation orders. “The smoke was arguably worse, but in the past, the chickens have had smokers’ coughs,” he says. “The heat was worse for the cows. Thankfully, I have lots of wooded paddocks, so they just sat in the bush.” It’s a somewhat drizzly day, and the cows are grazing in their paddock, a sign that the weather system will stick around. “When it rains, you can tell how long the system will last,” McCormack says. “If it’s going to stay, the cows are in the eld getting wet. If it’s 15 minutes, they will go to the bush. They know using the extra energy is worth it to stay dry.” It’s the kind of detail that might be expected from the third-generation cattle farmer, the fourth generation to farm on land his great-grandparents bought in 1903. McCormack’s great-grandfather, John Harper McCormack, was a conductor on the railway between Sandon and New Denver. But his life changed when a trestle damaged by wildre began to give way under the train’s weight. John jumped o the back. “He was the only survivor,” says McCormack. “He broke both his ankles jumping o.” As compensation, John was given enough money to buy the farm’s original 160 acres, resulting in a change of profession. Permanent injuries from the narrow escape added to the challenges. “He had a lot of pain for the rest of his life,” says McCormack. “In that day, the Job satisfaction has deep roots Regenerative practices keeps family farm going strongonly thing you could manage that with was liquor.” But with his wife Sarah, John started an apple orchard among the numerous larch trees that dominate the area, and which serve as a constant reminder of the land’s history. “If I’m plowing, I’m still pulling up larch roots from 120 years ago,” says McCormack. The orchard stayed vibrant until the 1930s, when he says, “West Kootenay orcharding fell apart because of the Okanagan getting access to water.” That’s when his grandparents, John and Nell McCormack, began to turn the farm over to cattle. In the 1970s, McCormack’s father, Ron McCormack, bought the property from his parents. Even with that history behind the farm, McCormack wanted none of it, heading to the University of Northern BC to study political science. “It was completely not applicable to what I do here,” he says. “I never wanted to see this place again when I was 18 – youthful rebellion.” McCormack ended up working in Alberta’s oilsands and, after being downsized in 2014, took a year o. The break included a four-month stint at an Australian cattle station. An “awful employer” led him to investigate better methods of farming. “What kind of re-sparked my interest in farming was seeing someone do it See HERD on next page o
30 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCHERD management gets special attention nfrom page 29Proud of our roots since 1928Customer Serviceorder@norseco.com 514 332-2275 | 800 561-9693 450 682-4959 | 800 567-4594Our Team of ExpertsBen Yurkiw British Columbiaben.yurkiw@norseco.com 604 830-9295Martin Deslauriers Sales Managermartin.deslauriers@norseco.com 438 989-4863completely wrong,” he says. “I kind of fell down the rabbit hole of regenerative agriculture. It showed me that farming could be kind to the earth, as well as provide a good lifestyle.” In 2015, he went back to Burton to help his mom, Lori Eger, with a small ock of laying hens and broilers. Rather than shipping calves o to other farms each fall, they began to raise direct-to-market beef. “We built the herd up bigger than it had ever been before,” says McCormack, who now handles most of the farm work while his parents run the farm’s lumber operation. A key to ensuring a good herd, he says, is having cows with what he calls a “big beer gut.” “That’s their fermentation tank. A cow can take in crap grass and turn it into beef,” he says. It means fewer wasted resources, as in the case of Cookie, a 900-pound cow, and Vicky, a 1,200-pound cow. “If Cookie’s calf is 400 pounds to her 900, it’s way better than Vicky’s 400-pound calf to her 1,200.” The nancial benets are greater, too, with a 400-pound calf selling for more dollars per pound than a 600-pound calf. “People want smaller steaks of higher quality,” he says. “There’s way more potential in a 400-pound calf.” To ensure calves of a reasonable size, though, McCormack has to plan for early spring calving. “I’ve tried later calving — May, June — but the calves don’t grow as well. There’s something about the ground here; they’re just not getting the nutrients they need,” he says. McCormack adds salt, from Utah’s Great Salt Lake, and hematite conditioner to his herd’s water, which not only keeps coats shiny and eyes bright, but also helps with digestion. “By using salt, I cut down on the feed bill.” He’s also learned the importance of herd hierarchy – if the cows don’t like the bull, the herd isn’t a happy one. “When the cows don’t like him, it shows,” he says. “You can’t get stuck in the mindset of ‘That’s the bull for the next ve years.’” In the case of Dave, a Highland bull, the cows take aection to another level. “He’s the sweetest bull,” says McCormack. “The cows adore him. I came up one day, and there were ve cows grooming him head to tail.” That endearing sight is one of many things keeping McCormack strongly tied to the family farm. “I love what I do,” McCormack says. “I’m really passionate about it. You’re always learning something new. There’s no day that’s the same – you’re learning a new skill or a new tidbit of information that has changed over time.” He also loves the satisfaction that comes from working his own land, on his terms. “I wasn’t meant to work for other people. I was working in oil and gas, and never sat well with what I was doing,” he says. “They can pay you all the money in the world, but if you’re not happy with what you’re doing, you shouldn’t be doing it.” The 80 cows found at McCormack Farm include white and lighter-coloured animals, which are gradually replacing the black cows raised there. BRIAN LAWRENCE
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 31Jesse and Angelique Slade Shantz are nding new ways to diversify a recently purchased u-pick orchard in Lake Country. 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SPREADER, SAWDUST & SAND THROWER CONSTRUCTION KUB SSV65P 2018 HYD Q/A, STD FLOW . . . . . . . . . . . . CALL DUNCAN TORO TX1000 350 HRS, BUCKET, FORKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28,500 [TORO ATTCHMENTS ALSO AVAILABLE] Happy Holidays!ISLAND TRACTOR & SUPPLY LTD. DUNCAN 1-888-795-1755 NORTH ISLAND TRACTOR COURTENAY 1-866-501-0801 www.islandtractors.comMYRNA STARK LEADER LAKE COUNTRY – They’re not typical orchardists but Jesse and Angelique Slade Shantz are determined to create a thriving Okanagan business on their 10-acre property in Lake Country. After living all over the US and Canada, the Slade Shantzes bought Rose Hill Orchard from Jamie and Glenn Rose in November 2020. The orchard includes four acres of cherries, 3.5 acres of apples and one of plums as well as an assortment of peaches, grapes, berries and more. The couple see it as a perfect spot to build a u-pick and agri-tourism business. “Agriculture has always intrigued us because we see so much room for innovation and entrepreneurship,” says Angelique, a University of Alberta business professor originally from Arizona. Jesse grew up in Ontario and is an orthopedic surgeon practicing in Calgary, Edmonton and Kelowna. “We’d been kind of dreaming about farming ever since we've been together, in a kind of pie-in-the-sky way. But there's nothing like a global pandemic to give you a kick in the butt,” she says during a tour of the on-farm market/kitchen the couple opened this past spring. The market was developed to feature local produce, including their own. It also serves food and beverages during events such as the music concerts, farm-to-table dinners, corporate team-building events, outdoor yoga and weddings they’ve hosted. The foodservice venture was a natural development, as the farm came with two commercial kitchens, one in the farmhouse and another in a separate building that had been used for making chocolates. A full-time chef oversees food preparation. “One of our goals is keeping our really great team employed year-round instead of relying on seasonal labour,” Angelique explains. “We need a team we can count on given we both still work o the farm,” adds Jesse. Rose Hill general manager Shannon Brisson expressed interest in the operation from the get-go. She was the farm’s rst pie customer. An interior designer by training as well as an avid gardener, she has become an asset to the farm’s renewal. “Shannon has an incredible gift for making spaces beautiful and an amazing way of connecting with people. She’s become an integral part of the orchard and what we are trying to build,” says Angelique. From customer to staff Their chef also rst encountered the orchard as a customer. Anthony Tuccitto had a job at the University of Toronto supervising a team of chefs but said he’d come stay in a fth wheel on site because he loved what they were trying to build. “What excites me is making food with things that I get less than 50 metres from this kitchen,” says Tuccitto. They also employ local students and other Lake Country residents during summer. “We're trying to hire people who are okay with wearing many hats, then teaching them to do lots of dierent things. They may not pick as quickly as a professional picker, but there are other benets to hiring local people who are embedded in our local community,” explains Angelique. Along with their children, Niko, 8, and June, 10, the family’s vision remains consistent with some of the principles that guided the orchard’s original owner, Walter Frank, when he developed it in 1959. “[He] understood biodiversity before it was cool,” she says. “This orchard not only has diverse types of fruit – cherries, apples, plums, peaches, grapes, apricots, haskaps, strawberries and blackberries but also many varieties and vegetables and owers, too. That really attracted us. It’s important ecologically and also from a business risk perspective.” Alongside those long-standing principles, they’re also keen to connect people with local food. Newcomers revitalize Lake Country orchardProfessor develops a flexible growth planSee ORCHARD on next page o
ORCHARD provides a hands-on experience for visitors nfrom page 3132 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCABBOTSFORD1-888-283-3276VERNON1-800-551-6411Quality can’t be faked. Avenue Machinery stocks genuine AGCO parts so you know that what you put into your machine will perform up to your standards.AUTHENITCAUTHENITCGIVE YOURSELF T H E AVENUE“We're trying to run this as an open orchard where you can see how our fruit is grown, you can be a part of picking or you can buy it in the market,” says Angelique. For example, trees in the orchard are labelled by variety to educate customers. The Slade Shantzes encourage customers to taste the fruit before buying to determine their preferences. Their plan also includes food preserving classes and some other out-of-the-box ideas to engage customers. Angelique says it’s exciting to see customers’ enthusiasm for particular fruits, like Brits who learn they have Bramley apples, popular in Britain for applesauce and pies. Recognizing their inexperience with farming, the Slade Shantzes hired agronomist Molly Thurston of Pearl Agricultural Consulting Inc. and Claremont Ranch Organics as a mentor. They’re glad they did. This year, she advocated a seaweed spray for their fruit. Although they suered some fruit loss and size issues in cherries due to the extreme heat, the seaweed spray helped their plants retain moisture, something they wouldn’t have known on their own. While a big focus this year was on pruning existing trees to make harvesting easier, Angelique says they plan to expand the orchard on some of the vacant land still available. “Now that our rst year is under our belts, we’re going to focus on how we can be more ecologically sustainable in our farming practices. We're going to be doing some soil sampling, to be really responsible how we fertilize, and also explore how we can improve our water use eciency in our drip irrigation system,” she says. In addition to that work, they’ve recently purchased juicing equipment to make non-alcoholic cider this fall using specic apple varieties. “By oering single-variety juice, we’re trying to help people develop an appreciation for how dierent apples have such unique avour proles,” she says. “So instead of buying generic apple juice, you can buy Fuji or Northern Spy apple juice, each with a very dierent avour.” Using her knowledge of entrepreneurship, Angelique is developing a business plan that allows for exibility and experimentation. She’s using tools like a business model canvas, which documents a business’s basic building blocks such as cost structure, revenue streams and key partners, and lean start-up principles that identify products consumers already desire to ensure immediate demand. “We're denitely still in the start-up stage, so we’re doing a lot of experimentation to see what works,” she explains. “Social media is a great tool, because you can put out dierent ideas to see what resonates with people. It’s a way to test ideas before fully committing a lot of time, nancial or emotional resources.” She says one of the big surprises has been discovering the dierence between expectations of agriculture and the commitment suppliers to the sector have. While farms are expected to have diversity, their insurance broker told them a week before opening that their business was too complicated to cover. They turned to Co-operators instead, which came through, but only after much stress to themselves. Despite the challenges, the family is excited to be part of the Okanagan agricultural ecosystem, believing there’s room to advance farm-to-table, farm-related education and tourism. University of Alberta business professor Angelique Slade Shantz says connecting people with local food is a priority for Rose Hill Farm. MYRNA STARK LEADER
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 33Two minidomes covered in bubble wrap and LED lights were used in a study to determine just how long the growing season could be extended in the Central Interior. SUBMITTEDfrom your AGRICULTURE & AGRI-BUSINESS TEAMAll of us wish you a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!Melanie Lantz 604-217-2572 Quincy North 604-621-6795 Michele Anderson 778-986-2109 Steve Saccomano 604-703-5161 Grace Browne 604-799-2437 Iain Sutherland 250-515-0173 Parm Kooner 604-360-1740 Rick Tilitzky 604-360-5876Teresa McKinley 250-618-4316 KATE AYERS QUESNEL – Research in the Cariboo suggests that additional lighting could help extend the growing season for local vegetable growers. The research team examined the use of small-scale greenhouses known as minidomes and supplemental LED lighting to extend local vegetable production into the shoulder seasons. “We thought the minidomes would play a large role in the plant growth. But when it comes down to it, there was very little dierence,” says College of New Caledonia biology instructor and research team member Jennifer Catherall. “The biggest dierence was between the treatments with lights and no lights. The lights ended up being the deciding factor and really gave the plants a boost when the sun started to fade as the weeks went on towards December.” Catherall and her team planted scallions in early and late August and then romaine and butter lettuces in late August and mid-September as part of the 10-month applied research project. The trials included a treatment with LED lights and a minidome, a second with LED lights with no minidome and the third treatment had no LED lights with a minidome. The control was undomed with natural ambient light only. The minidomes were covered with 5/16-inch bubble wrap. The trial sites included Mackin Creek Farm, an organic market garden north of Williams Lake, and the College of New Caledonia’s greenhouse facilities in Quesnel and Prince George. Researchers were surprised that the minidomes didn’t make more of a dierence. In theory, the minidomes were thought to facilitate a microclimate ideal for crop growth during colder months. “Rather than … heating the entire greenhouse to a higher temperature, the concept here was to use a minidome, which is a greenhouse inside a greenhouse,” says Shauna MacKinnon, coordinator of Climate & Agriculture Initiative BC’s Farm Adaptation Innovator Program. “The idea was … by using an extra layer of protection in a smaller area of a greenhouse, you could raise the (temperature) for a lower cost than heating the whole thing.” Supplemental light did provide a warmer growing environment for the plants. Since the LED lights were approximately 40% ecient, 60% of the energy was lost as heat. The monthly energy bill was $8.50 for 16 hours of full light each day. But the air and soil temperatures recorded inside the minidomes without LED lighting were equivalent to the controls. This suggests a more insulating and translucent material could work better in passively heated greenhouses. Mackin Creek Farm co-owner Rob Borsato, who also serves as president of the Kersley Farmers Institute, said the project was instructive, but highlighted new management issues. For example, he says the minidomes “created real problems with additional humidity, which created issues around fungal diseases.” But ventilation and accurate watering helped mitigate humidity-related issues. “We came away learning some things. We also came away with a lot of questions for further research,” says Borsato. Practical solutions Overall, producer-led research and collaboration with academia can yield practical solutions for farm viability and year-round food security. Catherall says the study shows food production can occur into early winter at a reasonable cost. This nding is good news for Cariboo farmers looking to diversify their operations. “The study really opened our eyes to realize the potential of what can be grown in the north with minimal inputs,” says Catherall. The use of simple and low-cost technologies to increase crop production in the fall, spring and winter can improve a farm’s annual protability and productivity, adds MacKinnon. “In the interior and northern regions of BC, there is increasing interest in horticultural crops as a farm viability strategy because these are often higher-value crops,” she says. “From a food security perspective, much of the horticultural and vegetable products are transported by truck into these regions.” Potential Borsato is also excited about the potential of growing more food with existing infrastructure and increasing farm viability through greenhouse innovations. “We are at the same latitude as the Netherlands. The Netherlands is the (third) largest food exporter in the world. They have capitalized on greenhouse infrastructure and growing,” he says. “We get the same amount of daylight as they do. So if they can crank out food like that, maybe we can do more with our greenhouses.” The study was made possible thanks to funding from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership under the Farm Adaptation Innovator Program delivered by the CAI and support from the Cariboo Agricultural Research Alliance and Mackin Creek Farm. Cariboo research looks to extend growing seasonProducers and researchers studied low-cost greenhouse innovations
34 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCA ReFeed Canada employee sorts incoming produce. REFEED CANADAKATE AYERS LANGLEY – Seeing the dizzying amount of food waste created in Metro Vancouver convinced Stuart Lilley that the current linear food supply chain was doomed. The owner of Envirowaste Cost Solutions, a waste consulting brokerage company, Lilley worked with many agri-food businesses to address food waste. But a project with Enterra, which creates high-protein animal feed using black soldier y larvae, prompted him to make a personal dierence." “When I worked with Enterra, we were bringing in truckloads of rejected product to a demonstration facility in Vancouver,” Lilley says. “I reached out to foodbanks, and they weren’t able to take most of it because there was too much volume and it required too much labour to (manage) it. Everything about it was too much.” Lilley began develop a circular food chain that would result in zero waste. Discussions with Craig Edwards, operations director for the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, identied the need for food recovery that aligns with society’s needs. “Feed people rst, and what you can’t recover for people gets used as livestock feed,” says Lilley. In January 2020, through a combination of his food waste expertise and business network, Lilley brought his food recovery concept to life as ReFeed Canada, a multi-faceted agri-food operation that is on a mission to create sustainable food systems for future generations. “I had the opportunity to take over Enterra’s facilities in Langley when they moved to Calgary (and brought the) circular nutrition concept to fruition,” he explains. “We have a food recovery hub where we bring in industrial amounts of food that has been rejected for whatever reason.” The team recovers edible food and distributes it to non-prots. “Whatever we can’t recover for people, we use as feedstock for our commercial worm farm,” says Lilley. ReFeed Canada also blends food waste into livestock feed. The company’s food collection and redirection programs diverted 2.7 million kilograms of food from compost facilities and landlls between June 2020 and May 2021. ReFeed’s team currently consists of nine human sta members and 900,000 worms, but the number of wriggly employees will soon increase seven fold. Grant recipient The company recently received a $246,875 provincial grant through the Accelerating Manufacturing Scale-Up program. This investment “will help to scale our current facility to (produce) over 2,000 pounds of castings per day at full capacity and (manage) over 6.5 million worms, which double their population every 60 days,” says Lilley. “This will enable us to expand into further facilities and continue a breeding program for that expansion.” The operation currently houses two 45-foot worm beds that are eight feet wide. The team will scale up capacity to six beds that are stacked three high. ReFeed Canada is the rst company in the world to pursue vertical worm farming with a fully automated and digital system, says Lilley. The entire system is made in BC. Worm bed automation and ReFeed’s completely circular system sets it apart from other vermiculture operations. “We have everything from food recovery to utilizing the waste product as livestock feed … and being able to create growing mediums that replace synthetic fertilizers to grow food locally,” says Lilley. In line with transforming surplus food into a higher value, ReFeed Canada will launch three lines of product from the worm castings early next year – a direct-to-consumer house plant line, a home gardener line and a commercial and wholesale line. The team also looks to create custom castings for high-value crops including grapes, blueberries and lettuce. In December, a Scottish farmer is joining the team as an organic farming specialist and soil biologist to support the company in developing quality agri-food products. The team also wants to engage with industry stakeholders and universities to conduct further research. In next year’s second quarter, ReFeed plans to build a pilot facility for dehydrated fruits and juicing as the team develops their Circular Nutrition line of food products. “ReFeed Farms is about addressing food insecurity … and environmental impact from agri-food waste products and producing more food via organic regenerative practices while serving the surrounding community,” says Lilley. To further support the community, ReFeed Canada partnered with Live It Earth in October. Through Live It Earth’s education platform, children will learn about food waste, worms and soil. “We realized there were a lot of synergies with what we were both doing. A big part of my vision for ReFeed is providing education – starting with youth on information about nutrition, growing our own food, soil health and the amount of food waste out there,” says Lilley. “We are working on a bigger project next year with Live It that will bring together other stakeholders, like the Greater Vancouver Food Bank, to provide insight into the entire food system.” The nutrient recovery company has many moving parts, but each piece contributes to the company’s overall objective: transforming waste into nourishment. “Every piece of it is part of a system, changing the food system that we have so that we’re utilizing nutrients as resources,” says Lilley. ‘Full circle’ operation upcycles food waste High-tech vermiculture operation will produce custom composts
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 35BC company specializes in biocontrolApplied Bio-nomics selected to rear new control agentBrian Spencer of Applied Bio-nomics in Saanich is working with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario to commercialize three benecial insects for the greenhouse industry. SUBMITTEDProudly offering quality farm equipment and wholesale farm product delivery across BC.Call, email or visit us onlineinfo@reimersfarmservice.com855.737.0110reimersfarmservice.comCheck out our Einbock Tillage Equipment For Organic FarmingTine Weeders t3PX$SPQ$VMUJWBUPSTr3PUBSZ)PFT $BNFSB(VJEBODF4ZTUFNAND On In StockAEROSTAR Tine WeedersDELTA Drain Tile Cleaner *NQSPWFT%SBJOBHFr$POEJUJPOT4PJMr&DPOPNJDBM 3FMJBCMFr-PX.BJOUFOBODFr4BGFBOE1SPWFOSPECIAL PRICING On In Stock RONDA PAYNE SAANICH – When the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario discovered the potential of the mite Anystis baccarum to control greenhouse pests, a BC company was at the top of its list for propagating the insect for distribution to growers. Having reared arthropods for commercial uses since 1980 and shipping millions per week, Saanich-based Applied Bio-nomics Ltd. is working with Vineland to scale up production of the benecial mite and two other insects to meet grower demand. “Our project with Vineland was to generate three predators,” says Dave Spencer, vice-president of sales with Applied Bio-nomics. “Anystis was identied for thrips, aphids was targeted by hovery, so we’re rearing the American hovery as an aphid predator and there’s also a nabid, which is also a generalist.” It’s too early to say when these predators will be ready to roll out as various scenarios are being examined. Everything is being considered in the trials, from rearing and shipping the insects to whether the three new biocontrol agents play well with natural predators. The cost and longevity of the insects in growing environments are also factors. David’s father Brian Spencer has been with Applied Bio-nomics since 1991, acquiring ownership of the business in 2012. He says the business rears 16 dierent species at its ve-acre facility with the entire process done in-house. “We don’t buy any products; it’s all ours,” says Brian. “We need to control the rearing process to control the selection. The handling of insects is very important.” Not only are the biocontrol agents grown at Applied Bio-nomics, but so are the plants and pests used to research and rear new benecials. “It’s really hard to keep growing millions of aphids year-round,” he says. “Keeping the pest culture clean is where historically we’ve spent the majority of our time. That’s our challenge. The benecials, when you introduce them to the pest, they grow themselves.” Blueberry application It’s not just greenhouse growers benetting from the company’s work. It also supplies Fraser Valley blueberry farmers with a soil mite (Stratiolaelaps scimitus) to control weevils and the midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza for aphid control. Because aphids can lead to scorch, which was a signicant concern for blueberry growers in the 2021 season, the midge helps control the virus by controlling its primary vector. Unlike many of its competitors, Applied Bio-nomics collects no insects from the wild and avoids cold storage, which can impair predatory bugs’ sex ratios and ability to search. “If it’s really hot or really cold, we roll newspapers as insulation. We also have to make sure there’s proper ventilation,” says Spencer. “Fresh products that are collected the day we ship them are stronger, they survive better, their longevity is better as an adult. Most of our shipping is on Monday because that gives our distributors the ability to ship [to customers]. We spend a lot of time to gure out how we’re going to pack the boxes.” Applied Bio-nomics sells its insects primarily through distributors, including four in Canada and ve in the US. It maintains open communications with the growers who receive the product, however. Chemical free Ty James, owner of Blaine Consulting, leases ve acres of farmland and greenhouses at Rendle Farm in Victoria. He grows no-spray vegetables which he sells to specialty retailers on southern Vancouver Island. “Customers nowadays want us to be chemical-free,” he says. “People may not know that, but there’s still quite a number of nasty chemicals out there that can be used in organic growing but that somebody doesn’t want to eat.” He’s worked with predators from Applied Bio-nomics since 2019. Aphidoletes midges can clean up an aphid infestation in 24 hours. “When I get a bad aphid outbreak in the summer, I just get a thousand aphidoletes from Brian,” he says. “I release them in the eld and within 24 hours all the aphids are gone. When I rst met Brian, I was looking for ladybugs and he said, ‘Actually, you don’t really want ladybugs. They’re really bad for the ecosystem as they introduce parasites and other negative, harmful pathogens to the native See BENEFICIAL on next page oWEEKLY FARM NEWSUpdatesSign up for FREE today.
36 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCBENEFICIAL bugs nfrom page 35www.hlaattachments.com 1-866-567-4162 • Independent grapples for clamping of awkward loads• Tine and grapple tips are AR400 material• Compact models available• 1-1/4” shaft diameter• 2-1/2” spacing between tines• Points are 5/8” thick, 400 Brinell high strength steel• Compact models available• Grapple clamps on to any Class II fork frame with walk through guard Grapple shown mounted on HD55 pallet fork.BRUSH GRAPPLESINGLE ARM LOG GRAPPLESTONE FORKpopulation.’” Providing growers with tips like this helps Spencer see his company as a steward of the environment. “We’re not going to ship a non-native product,” he says. “You’ve got to do the homework beforehand.” Home-grown Many biocontrol agents used around the world were developed in BC, says provincial entomologist Tracy Hueppelsheuser. “Our region really lends itself to these sorts of developments,” she says. “We are fortunate that we have local producers of biological control agents. … We’re looking for new and suitable and benecial biocontrol agents as the pests change and as the crops change, so it’s dynamic.” Spencer sees biological control agents as both preventative and conservational. “The strawberry guys used to say, ‘we have to spray every week.’ Then the day after they spray, there’s still aphids. So, over the years, my discussion with the growers is that our products can do just as bad a job as the chemicals,” he says. “But, our products do a much better job.” He’s never seen a situation where chemicals fully control a pest. “No matter how heavy the artillery,” he says. “Biocontrol is always a better way to go. It doesn’t smell as bad and it’s not as dramatic.” Spencer’s son echoes that view, saying plants are protected and the natural ecology can ourish without sprays. “As soon as you’re committed to not spraying, the natural predators show up anyways,” he says. “That’s two benets from using our product.” James says his rule of thumb is that if he wouldn’t eat something, he won’t sell it. This philosophy has led him to forgo spraying. “These controls are available to farmers nowadays and I think they are the best option available,” he says. “From a farming perspective, it’s all about building ecosystems.” Here’s the situation: A non-farmer, greeting a farming friend at this time of year, says: “How’s the farming going? You must be slowing down now.” The farmer, who feels she is doing nothing of the sort, must frantically reconcile that with the fact that the bag she is carrying while casually sauntering through town fairly bristles with library books, coee cream and bags of chips (potato). Finally, the inadequate, stock reply: “Well, it is a little dierent now – much less light.” The farmer scuttles o, gnashing her teeth, frustrated by her inability to succinctly explain the conicting obligations and impulses inherent to winter farming, which she feels would go a long way towards helping the consumer end of the food chain understand the travails of the producer end. What is going on here? It’s too bad that it ignites a self-righteous storm of inarticulate ravings on the part of the farmer. The friend is being caring and supportive. Let’s unpack (modern, public broadcasting term) it. The farmer, although normally quite chatty, is rendered momentarily speechless as scenes from the exquisitely challenging recent growing season ash through her mind and a daunting catalogue of jobs to be completed threatens to rise from the subconscious where it lurks. Menacingly. She feels still very consumed by farming and resents the bag of leisure for sending entirely the wrong message. Furthermore, as she did not, in fact, spend the entire summer engaged in hard labour, she does not feel deserving of the sympathy to which the more hard-working farmers are certainly due. The phrase “you must be slowing down now” presents the most diculties. It assumes that farm work stops in the winter. It assumes that visiting, recreating and indulgent idleness are now the primary activities. It also assumes that you have been doing nothing but work for several months. The farmer, having at one point in the summer managed to swim in a dierent lake every day for a week, and also went camping, may feel overwhelmed by the eort required to set the record straight. Later on, deep in the couch, coee cup resting on the next library book to be read, she further reects: it’s evidence of a disconnect, obviously; another clear sign of the gulf that exists between consumer and producer; the general population knows nothing about farming. Pages are feverishly ipped to get the book read before it catches the eye of a passing sister. Slowing down, forsooth. Now speaking for myself, and in no way defensively, this isn’t slowing down. It’s work-life balance measured over the course of a year. There is still plenty of work to do. Most of the potatoes, for example, need to be washed, sorted and sold. If you have ever done any of this in a December snowy-rain event, then you know it’s somewhat incompatible with “slowing down.” Then there is this dreaded list – all the mandatory little things that need doing, bloated this year by all the little things that didn’t get done all summer, on account of the heat (hence the swimming). This list is going to haunt me all winter. I had to hoist up some seriously rickety and leaky tents at a very rainy big city market yesterday, tents I should have xed before the start of markets. My crew was sympathetic to my excuses, patient with my lack of organization and resigned to the discomfort. The customers came armed with resilience in the form of raingear and cheery, welcoming dispositions. There was no opportunity, none, for me to feel anything but gratefulness for the entirety of the food chain to which I belong. Gratefulness, too, for the quantities of spare time available to me now. Anna Helmer farms in the Pemberton Valley where there is only a little idle in the idyllic. Idyllic worlds have very little idleness in themSlowing down is a question of work-life balanceFarm Story by ANNA HELMERPenticton streamlines ALR applicationsPenticton is streamlining the process to remove land from the Agricultural Land Reserve. Property owners must rst exhaust all other options available to them through the ALC, such as applying for non-conforming use. The property cannot be designated for agriculture in the Ocial Community Plan. Two city committees and a public consultation will vet applications before going to council for nal approval. Property owners can no longer apply directly to the ALC for exclusions after the province made changes to legislation eective September 2020. Instead, applications must be submitted through their local governments. —Cathy Glover
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 37BC AGRI-FOOD INDUSTRY GALATICKETS ON SALE DECEMBER 2021WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2022Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre36035 N Parallel Rd, AbbotsfordVisit bcac.caSARBMEET SINGH ABBOTSFORD – Some people go to the gym, cinemas or other places to release their work stress, but for Abbotsford veterinarian Dr. Dalbir Benipal, farming is the stress-buster. The owner of Glenn Mountain Animal Hospital, a small animal practice in Abbotsford, Benipal also grows 16 acres of blueberries. Originally from India, he trained at Punjab Agricultural University and practiced for three years before arriving in Canada as a permanent resident in 2000. He worked in a nursery and drove taxi prior to obtaining his licence to practice in Canada. Benipal says that a family background in farming led him to pursue agriculture even as his veterinary practice grew. He bought his rst 10 acres in 2011. “I got my vet licence in 2001. For my livelihood, I started my practice by opening a clinic in 2002. Being from Punjab (an agrarian province of India), we decided to start agriculture here also as my family owns land in India,” he says. “Initially, it was dicult to convince family as they were slightly reluctant because it was challenging to manage the farm while doing full time practice.” Raspberries were the rst crop, but he soon shifted to blueberries. “I was earning a handsome income in my profession, so earning prot from the agricultural land was not a concern for us,” he says. “[But] two years after buying the land, we decided to shift to blueberries.” Blueberries brought income, something the raspberries never did. “Our farm hadn’t generated any income until 2016 and during this period, we managed to survive with the help of my vet practice,” he says. Benipal says farming is a stress-buster for him. “Being a veterinarian is a very demanding job. After working in the clinic for around 10 hours, doing agriculture chores helps me to reduce my work stress,” he says. “I never went to gym, but I am totally t, and the credit goes to farming.” Now 52, he would like to farm full-time eventually but he currently splits his time between the clinic and the farm. During harvest, however, he spends the majority of his time at the farm. “During the harvest period, I don’t visit the clinic and keep myself busy at the farm,” he says. “Harvesting the crop provides me immense pleasure.” Making connections His interest in farming hasn’t kept him down on the farm, however. He is also active in the community and was elected as chair of BC Blueberry Council in July. Being a South Asian and having roots in Punjab, he hopes to make connections with growers. “Many of the more than 600 growers who farm the province’s 27,000 acres of blueberries are Indo-Canadians. They can reach out to me anytime. Many growers feel comfortable sharing their issues in their mother tongue, Punjabi,” he says. Benipal says he is now thinking about replacing his Duke and other varieties with Calypso due to its characteristics. Talking about challenges facing blueberry growers, Benipal says subsidies for farm equipment could help growers. He also feels more emphasis is needed on marketing. “The blueberry sector needs more promotion. The council is focusing on it. The government can also promote the industry. Awareness can be spread on nutritional aspects of the berries,” he says. “The fruit is perishable in nature and awareness campaigns can boost fresh sales. The processed berries can also become popular with the help of better marketing strategies at the national as well as international level.” Benipal’s engagement and enjoyment of the work is something he hopes his three children will nd rewarding. But he’s going to let them decide. “Farming is so relaxing that I want my children to be involved in it, although its their choice if they want to pursue it,” he says. Blueberry farming is stress-busting for new chairDalbir Benipal is farming 16 acres of berriesNew BC Blueberry Council chair Dalbir Benipal at his farm in Abbotsford. SARBMEET SINGHFARMNEWSupdatesto yourinboxwww.countrylifeinbc.com
38 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCwww.tjequipmentllc.com 360-815-1597 FERNDALE, WA ALL PRICES IN US FUNDS2011 JD 5101EN 4WD, 101 HP, 7166 HOURS, 3 REMOTES, 540 PTO, 3 POINT, ALL NEW TIRES $37,0002011 CASE IH FARMALL 105U W/LOADER, 4WD, 105 HP, 3751 HOURS, 2 REMOTES, 540/1000 PTO $39,0002013 JD 6115M 4WD, 115 HP, POWERQUAD, 5513 HOURS, 540/1000 PTO $40,000MCHALE F5500 2235 BALES, 15 KNIFE CHOPPER UNIT, DROP FLOOR DESIGN, VERY GOOD CONDITION $40,000The UN Conference on Climate Change (COP26) wrapped November 12 with urgent resolves for countries to strengthen their carbon-cutting targets and reach net-zero to address a rapidly warming world. Among those resolves was an intent to make sustainable land use practices more attractive, accessible and aordable than unsustainable alternatives. CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) committed funding to support a number of initiatives. They included the development and deployment of crop varieties that are more climate-resilient (heat, drought, oods) and more nutritious (elevated levels of essential micronutrients), agricultural practices that are more productive and sustainable, new livestock varieties, diagnostics and management practices, better management of the global food system, and improved policies to help poor farmers use new technologies to access markets. The global science community has been on task for many of these initiatives for years. Scientists have been researching climate-resilient crop varieties; crops resistant to disease, pests and drought; and more productive livestock. A two-year trial on Alberta beef cattle showed that a newly developed feed additive included in commercial feedlot diets can reduce methane emissions by up to 80% with no negative impacts on animal health. But achieving the level of sustainable farming worldwide needed to even begin to address the climate challenge is going to need all the tools in the science toolbox. A recent study from the University of Basel, Switzerland, conrmed that sustainable agriculture will not be achieved by one universal solution but a system that embodies less resource-intensive farming practices designed for local needs and in dialogue with local farmers. Three principles For several years, the World Bank and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization focused on three principles to achieve the sustainability goal: no-till farming, retaining crop residues (what remains in the eld after harvesting) and crop rotation. But according to 49 dierent studies in a meta-analysis the Basel researchers conducted, to till or not to till was a confusing management approach for many farmers around the world because of results that led to declines in crop yield. The purpose of no-till farming was to protect against erosion, store more CO2, protect crop yields and achieve sustainability. But the review showed that no-till as conducted by multiple farming communities actually led to a signicant decline in crop yield. However, the research showed that crop residue retention proved to be a key driver in improving crop production. According to Nikolaus Kuhn, an environmental sciences professor at Basel, the variable results of previous studies as a consequence of imprecision in dening sustainable practices has led to over-simplied solutions that can be misleading for many farmers. “Our analysis illustrates that in conservation agriculture, no-tillage as the original and central principle of soil management is often less eective than associated supplementary measures, in particular [crop] residue retention,” writes Kuhn in the Basel report. “Residue retention may therefore play a key role for achieving sustainable land use. An additional benet of residue retention is the less dramatic change of farming practices compared to no-tillage.” He says that the results of the review illustrate that a new framework for assessing the benets of conservation To till or not to till? That’s actually not the questionCrop residues may be a better focus than tillage practicesResearch by MARGARET EVANSpractices has to be developed. He emphasizes that tilling, or not tilling, is not so much the central question compared to the value of crop residue retention, or the remains of a crop left in the eld after harvesting. Not only are crop residues believed to be eective anti-erosion measures, but these residues can help to improve soil structure and quality, increase organic matter content, reduce evaporation, and help x carbon dioxide in the soil. He says that nature is too multifaceted for a single practice to achieve good results everywhere, which is why the research team stresses the need for farming practices to be designed at the local level. Finding balance Global agriculture faces many challenges in the coming years. These include the need to increase productivity to feed a growing population as well as greater demands for ethically produced food that is nutritionally adequate, compatible with ecosystem health and resilient in the face of a changing climate. While agriculture provides economic benets to the global farming community, it can put stress on the environment in terms of water use, nutrient pollution and biodiversity loss. The balance lies in increasing the output of production while minimizing environmental stress. The research study by Kuhn and his team was published in the journal Global Change Biology. Crop residues may be more important to soil health than tillage practices. MICHELLE LASZCZYK
Art Loewen of Pine Meadows Tree Farms in Chilliwack has been growing Christmas trees since 1970. RONDA PAYNECOUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 39Christmas tree growers face a grim futureClimate change proving to be a GrinchRONDA PAYNE CHILLIWACK – BC residents should be able to nd their annual Christmas tree this year, but the annual pilgrimage to the tree lot stands to become more challenging. Art Loewen, founder of Pine Meadows Tree Farms in Chilliwack, is a past president of the Canadian Christmas Trees Association and has been growing trees since 1970. He’s one of nearly 400 Christmas tree growers in the province, down from more than 500 in 2011. “We’re really hoping we’re going to have enough for anyone who needs a Christmas tree, but we’re cutting back on wholesale to do that,” he says of the lot at his farm. “We are holding back probably 1,000 from wholesale that will be sold here.” Loewen’s son Tim now runs the family business, which is mostly in nursery trees, while Loewen remains very much involved with the Christmas tree side of things. He stays up to speed on what’s happening in the industry and despite his ingenuity and eorts, says the industry is in decline. The unprecedented heat wave that rolled across the province this past June is one of a number of factors contributing to the woes. “We’ll see next spring if they recover,” Loewen says. “Fortunately, we’ve been growing fewer and fewer Fraser rs over the years.” Up to half the Fraser rs at Loewen’s farm were damaged by the heat, which exceeded 40°C. This compares to just 5% of other varieties, much of which was limited to the tips. Pruning removed minor damage for these varieties, but Loewen expects he’ll end up destroying about 10% of his younger Fraser rs, which suered most. Many seedlings planted over the past two seasons died, however. The losses will impact tree availability this year and into the future. In Enderby, Bud Collis of Christmas Ranch Tree Farm experienced similar issues on his two-acre farm. He expects at least half of his Fraser rs will survive, but he was already low on trees. Strong demand last year cut into his plantings as families showed up to cut their own trees – one of the few allowed outings during the restrictions in place to curb COVID-19 last year. “I think it was people wanting to get outside with their kids and came to the u-cut,” he says. “A lot of trees were cut out of there last year.” It left him short of stock going into this season, so a friend is supplying him with cut trees to supplement his own production. He will have a limited number of u-cut trees available as well as evergreen swags and handcrafted birch items. “I’ve been selling Fraser r for 20 years and never had a problem,” he says, blaming the heat for this year’s shortage. Dry seasons In Duncan, Robert Russell with Sahtlam Tree Farm says drought has been an increasing issue for both the hard-hit Fraser rs and other varieties. “For the last four years, I’ve lost seedlings with the droughts that we’ve had,” he says. “So basically, I’ve always planted in the spring. But last year, I planted in the fall and even those trees that went through one of our coastal winters, even they succumbed to the long drought and the situation that occurred in late June.” He says that Fraser rs about three years old and older were more likely to survive, but younger trees were signicantly damaged. On the plus side, higher prices this year will oset the losses. According to Statistics Canada, the farmgate value of BC trees has quadrupled since 2016, and are now worth $13.4 million to growers. Unfortunately, drought makes for a lower-quality tree. “The people will be paying more for not quite as good of a product,” he says. High land prices have made it dicult to attract new entrants as older farmers retire. Russell knows of at least two farms on Vancouver Island that have shut down or are about do so. Russell, now 83, plans to wind down his own wholesale business as a lifestyle choice and will focus exclusively on u-cut in a couple of years. “The money in a Christmas tree is so low, the next generation isn’t continuing,” says Loewen. “The price of land in BC … is too high to make it worth your while.” He says even cole crops are more valuable. His son is thinking about inter-planting garlic with young Christmas tree seedlings to increase the return from the land. Loewen’s pessimism resonates with Russell, who says a combination of more severe weather and basic economics makes it tough for BC growers to continue, even with indigenous species like the Fraser r. “It’s going to be harder on the next generation or two to continue in the trees,” he says Russell. “I’m a little pessimistic, I guess, but I can see the future of the Christmas trees declining over the next decade.”
40 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCAn awkward encounter; a clever diversionWhen we left o last time, Junkyard Frank had hooked up to Delta Faye’s broken down truck (for a fee). With Delta Faye calling shotgun, Kenneth then hauled her horse trailer to Newt and Susan’s and took Delta into town to arrange repairs for her truck. Rural Redemption, Part 141, continues ... Kenneth Henderson drove Delta Faye Poindexter to the car dealership on the far side of town. She said she would arrange to have Junkyard Frank tow the truck there the following morning. The service manager rolled his eyes when she told him. She said she expected the repairs to be covered by warranty. The manager said he’d look into it. Back in Kenneth’s truck, Delta told him he was her knight in shining armour and she didn’t know what she would have done without him. She said it would be a kindness if he’d agree to let her take him for dinner. Kenneth feigned indierence and said sure why not. Truth be told, he had been on the verge of asking her. Delta had done a quick search on her phone while she was in the dealership. She said she’d heard good things about the Seaside Restaurant and wondered if it would be okay. Kenneth said it sounded great and 10 minutes later the host was seating them at a table on the patio. Delta scootched her chair right up next to Kenneth’s so they could both look across the water. “Do you believe in kismet?” she asked. “I haven’t given it much thought.” “I do, and I think that’s what you nding me today was.” “Maybe, I guess.” “No maybe about it, Mr. Henderson. It was meant to be.” Delta raised her glass. “Here’s to kismet,” she said as they clinked glasses. Kenneth felt her knee brush lightly against his leg. vvv Earlier in the afternoon, Deborah’s phone rang. It was Doug McLeod. “Hello, Doug. It’s nice to hear your voice.” “Yours, too. I’m calling about the graduation party for Ashley.” “I’ve been thinking about you a lot,” said Deborah. “Me, too,” said Doug. “I’d like a chance to talk to you. When you’re ready.” “I want that talk, too, and there’s no reason to wait any longer. The divorce will be nished in a matter of days.” “Do you have dinner plans?” “No, the kids are both out and I’m here on my own. Do you want to drop by?” “How would it be if I drop by and take you out for dinner?” “I’d love that,” said Deborah. An hour later, Deborah and Doug McLeod were being shown to a patio table at the Seaside Restaurant. As they were about to sit down, the cozy couple at the next table touched glasses. Just as Kenneth felt Delta’s knee brush his leg, he heard a familiar voice say his name. “Kenneth?” Kenneth turned and looked up. “Deborah! What are you doing here?” “Having dinner,” said Deborah. “You remember Doug McLeod.” Kenneth nodded toward Doug and said his last name. Doug returned the nod and the name saying. There was a moment of awkward silence. Deborah and Delta looked at one another. “I don’t believe I’ve met your friend,” said Deborah. Kenneth scrambled to gather his thoughts. “Ah ... this is ... Delta ... Delta Faye. Delta, this is my ex-wife Deborah.” “Nearly ex,” said Deborah. Pleased to meet you, Delta.” “Me, too,” said Delta. Kenneth pointed in Doug’s direction. “And this is Doug McLeod, Deborah’s ...” Kenneth trailed o, stuck for a noun. “Neighbour,” said Deborah. “Neighbour! Right,” said Kenneth. “Have you known Kenneth long?” asked Deborah. “Not so very long,” said Delta. “No more than a few hours. My truck broke down and he stopped to help me and towed my trailer to meet his mother where they’re letting me stay for a few days, and he drove me in to make arrangements to get the truck xed, and he was so kind about it all, I asked him to join me for dinner. If you can believe it.” Deborah smiled. “Well, Delta, if you are staying at Newt and Susan’s that makes us neighbours, too. You’re right next door. You’d be more than welcome to drop over for a cup of coee.” “That’s very kind of you. I’d like that,” said Delta. Doug maneuvered Deborah to a table at the other end of the patio. “Ironic, wouldn’t you say?” said Deborah. “The ink’s barely dry on the divorce and we both wind up here with someone else.” “All’s well that ends well,” said Doug. “Here’s to us, if that’s still in the cards.” “I hope it is,” she said. “Here’s to us, and them, too, I guess.” vvv Back at Newt’s, the phone was ringing o the wall. Susan was elding the calls and trying desperately to dampen all the enthusiasm without hurting anyone’s feelings. She sensed it was a losing battle. Newt left to try to cut it all o at the pass. He went to the general store to see Lois and was waylaid on the front steps by old Jimmy Vincent. “So, what’s the word on this party you’re throwing? Everyone’s talking about it, but no one knows what’s up.” “You’ll hear soon enough,” said Newt. He went inside and asked Lois if they might speak privately. Newt explained the dilemma. “You’re the closest thing we’ve got to a mayor,” he said. “And everyone trusts you. You’re the only one with a chance of putting the brakes on this runaway.” Lois asked for details about what was planned for when. Newt lled her in and explained it was a surprise for Ashley who didn’t want any fuss at all. Lois said people had been talking about it most of the afternoon but it was all speculation so far. She said to leave it to her; she thought she might have something up her sleeve that could get things headed in another direction. Newt thanked her and left, and Lois found Jimmy serving himself a cup of coee out front. “What did he have to say about this party he’s throwing?” asked Jimmy. “I don’t think it’s fair,” said Lois. “He never asked you either?” “Not that,” said Lois. “Ashley’s not the only kid in these parts who’s graduating. How are the others going to feel if everyone goes to a party that’s just for Ashley?” “You’re right!” said Jimmy. “It’s not fair at all. It’s downright undemocratic is what it is. Pullman ought to know better. “You know what the answer is, Jimmy?” “Not o hand.” “Well, rst o, folks should start making excuses for why they can’t make it to Newt’s party, and we should start planning a community graduation barbeque for everyone at the balleld on Sunday afternoon. If we get folks there early enough, we could have a work bee and do some clean up and grass trimming. What do you think?” “Who’d put that on?” “The community association could pull o hamburgers and hot dogs and we could ask folks to bring some potluck stu on the side. Of course, we’d need someone like you to get the ball rolling.” “Get the ball rolling how?” “Well, we’d only have three days to spread the word and make sure everyone hears about it. What do you say? Is that something you’d be willing to take on?” “I do hate the thought of Pullman playing favorites and leaving those other kids out. Count me in. I’ll start right away.” ... to be continued Woodshed Chronicles by BOB COLLINSThousands of BC farmers and ranchers turn to Country Life in BC every month to nd out what (and who!) is making news in BC agriculture and how it may affect their farms and agri-businesses! www.countrylifeinbc.com/subscribeCREDIT CARD # _________________________________________________________________ EXP _____________ CVV _____________ o NEW o RENEWAL | o ONE YEAR ($18.90) oT WO YEARS ($33.60) o THREE YEARS ($37.80) Your Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________ City ________________________________________________ Postal Code _______________________________________ Phone _________________________ Email _______________________________________________________________ MAIL TO: 36 DALE RD, ENDERBY, BC V0E 1V4 subscriptions@ countrylifeinbc.com Please send a _______ year gift subscription to ______________________________________________________________ Farm Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ______________________________________________________________________________________________ City _________________________________________________ Postal Code ________ ______________________________ Phone _________________________ Email _______________________________________________________________
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC DECEMBER 2021 | 41A century of dairy farming in Pitt MeadowsThe Severinski family has milked cows every single day for over 100 years Louise and Harry Severinski sit surrounded by family, including son Kevin, far right, and grandson Brandon, the fourth-generation Severinski to work on the family’s Pitt Meadows dairy farm. Severinski Farms received a Century Farm award from the province in September. SUBMITTEDKATE AYERS PITT MEADOWS – Severinski Farms reached a golden milestone this fall, one recognized with the province’s Century Farm and Ranch Award. The celebration in September was attended by nearly 200 people, including friends, family and local politicians. It was a special moment for the entire family, but especially Harry and Louise Severinski, who have been a part of the operation for the lion’s share of its 100 years. “I told my parents, so they knew (the barbeque) was happening, but we hadn’t told them we’d applied for the BC Century Farm Award and we didn’t tell them we’d invited all the local politicians,” says Kevin Severinski, Harry and Louise’s son and a third-generation farmer. “So, they were pretty shocked when they saw the mayor, councillors, the MLA and MP show up. They were pretty proud.” The Severinski family traces its farming roots back to 1910 when Steven Severinski, Kevin’s grandfather, immigrated from what is today Croatia. Upon landing in Cloverdale, Steven bought a ve-acre parcel and invited his ancé Manda to join him. The couple married on September 12, 1921, just a day after she arrived. They milked about a dozen cows and established Severinski Farms. When a neighbour’s farm caught on re in early 1922, the Severinskis joined a bucket brigade to put out the re and save the neighbour’s house. But the strain caused Manda, who was expecting the couple’s rst child, to miscarry and she wound up in hospital. During Manda’s week-long hospital stay, Steven swapped the Cloverdale property for 40 acres in Pitt Meadows. When he picked Manda up following her treatment, they drove to their new farm just north of the Fraser River, along with all their cattle and one horse. The couple bought two more draft horses upon their arrival. As Steven and Manda settled into their new home, they grew their land base to 80 acres and their family by 10 children. Harry, the couple’s youngest son, bought the farm in 1965. He and his wife Louise expanded the operation to 120 acres and 60 milking cows. In 2000, Kevin and his wife Audra took over the farm. They have since grown the operation to 145 acres of owned land and 100 acres of leased land. Kevin has worked on the farm all his life. He took an o-farm job for a year after high school, but quickly came back home because he “really enjoyed the lifestyle.” “With dairy, it’s a lot because you have to milk every day,” he says. “(But) it’s nice to have variety – you have eld work, mechanic work, a lot of construction and there’s other types of maintenance.” The farm also provided a rich environment in which to raise their four children. So much so, that two of their children are interested in carrying the farm into its fourth generation. Their son Brandon is the family’s full-time herdsman. Their daughter Amanda is a herd manager and works o the farm in sales. As the family navigates the challenges of succession planning with four children, they hope the operation’s legacy will continue long into the future. The family now milks 160 cows three times a day with a herringbone double-eight parlour. “I always wanted to milk three times a day. I worked with my dad forever and over the last four or ve years we worked together, I told him I wanted to milk three times a day,” Kevin says. “He said the day I bought the farm, I could milk as many times as I wanted. Purposefully, the day we bought the farm, we started milking three times a day and have ever since.” The Severinskis grow grass crops for the cattle, producing silage and small square bales. Throughout the years, the family has integrated innovative and technological advancements into their operation, such as cattle pedometers and milk meters. “We have a computer system that keeps track of milk weights and cow activity three times a day and breeding (information) is all in there,” Kevin says. In addition to innovation, collaboration and understanding between the generations contribute to the farm’s long-term success. “It’s very special, the fact that I get to work with my dad every day. I think it’s even more special that my dad gets to work with his grandson,” Kevin says. Harry and Brandon clean the heifer and calf barns together three or four times a week. “My dad drives the tractor and my son moves gates. I always think about how lucky Brandon is to have those experiences. My dad shows Brandon a lot of mechanics stu, too, and shows him how to x equipment. My grandfather was 90 when I was 12. He was retired by then.” Through the family’s 100 years of farming, other operations came and went, but the Severinskis stayed true to their passion – cows – and their community. “We’ve never switched to blueberries or cranberries,” says Kevin. “A lot of people moved around or did chickens. We’ve always just stuck with dairy for 100 years. And we love Pitt Meadows. We’re very involved in the community in a lot of local events.”J.R. (Tim) Armstrong Memorial Bursary For students in Agriculture or Journalism ProgramsApplication Deadline:December 31, 2021e Tim Armstrong Memorial Bursary is open to British Columbian students who are enrolled in their second year or higher of a full-time agriculture or journalism program at a university, institute or regional college in Canada.Visit: www.bcfwa.ca/bursary--links.htmlContact: Ronda Payne, Scholarship Chairronda.eyben@shaw.ca
42 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCCelebrate! Celebrate!It doesn’t matter what you celebrate, for goodness sakes, just do it! You don’t have to be in a crowd of 50 people to have a celebration. There could be just two of you. Or your family of four or ve; or just those fully-vaccinated friends who are in your bubble. Incidentally, you can celebrate outdoors, particularly if it’s around a re or heat-source of some sort, but if it’s too cold to celebrate out there, or you want to wear something tropical instead of something North Pole-ish, take it indoors. Put a ame to the candles and the replace and turn down the overhead lighting to improve the ambience and soften the look of things. Let the burnished copper or brass accessories glow and plug in some sparkling lights. Dig out your best bib and tucker and comb that hair, even if you haven’t had a haircut in nearly two years, and, think about special foods, remembering all the garden-fresh goodies you picked and preserved or froze last summer when the sun was warm as well as the soil; when you planted little seeds and big fruits and vegetables appeared from them: too many to eat at once. Or, the harvest your neighbour or local farmer grew for you… Dig them out and make something special with them. Was it basil pesto or fresh-picked tomato sauce, pear with ginger chutney or black currant preserves? Each has a place at the celebratory dinner. My birthday’s in December, so if you can’t think of anything else to celebrate, go ahead and observe that occasion with me. I’m healthy and alive and I intend to salute that. The days have been getting shorter but, it all turns around – gradually – beginning December 21 with the Winter Solstice. The next day those long, dark hours begin slowly to diminish in favour of longer days. Many people celebrate the Winter Solstice as the turning point of those long hours of darkness, yet it’s also the ocial start of Winter. You can also celebrate that, with your skis or snowshoes on, or by staying indoors and watching the akes drift down outside the window. However you do it, enjoy the day. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year! Here’s hoping that 2022 is a better year for you. Jude’s Kitchen JUDIE STEEVESThese appetizers are cute and they’re Christmassy colours, but better than that, they contain a fabulous combination of textures and avours, all in one healthy bite. Easy to make. Call in the family and form an assembly line. English cucumber cream cheese basil pesto • Slice English cucumber into as many rounds as you would like to have appetizers. Dab any moisture o each top. • Smear each with cream cheese. • Top with a dab of the basil pesto you made from all that fresh basil last summer, then froze; or with some from a jar from the market. • Slice tiny tomatoes in half and press a half-tomato into the pesto on each cucumber. • Use a toothpick to spear a basil leaf and a pitted, half of a sun-dried black olive from the deli, then push the pick through the tomato and cucumber. • Figure on at least three or four per person. It’s hard to stop eating them. But watch for the toothpicks. BLACK HAT TOMATOES WITH PESTOTiny Tim-type tomatoes sun-dried black olives fresh basil leaves This would make a very special New Year’s Eve celebration dinner for four to six people, depending on what other dishes you serve with it. Makes 24 cannelloni. 12 lasagna noodles Cheese Sauce: 1/4 c. (60 ml) butter 1/4 c. (60 ml) our 2 c. (500 ml) milk Filling 1/2 lb. (225 g) each of shrimp and scallops 1 tbsp. (15 ml) olive oil 1 small onion 1 large garlic clove 10 oz. (284 g) spinach • If using dried lasagna noodles, cook them according to package directions. Don’t overcook. Cut each in half and lay out on a board or the counter, ready to roll up around the lling. Cut lasagna sheets into pieces about 3x4 inches. • Meanwhile, prepare the cheese sauce. I like to make it in the microwave oven by melting the butter in a large glass bowl, then whisking in the our and heating for 40 seconds. Gradually whisk in the rst quarter cup or so of milk, until it’s smooth and beginning to thicken. Add more milk and whisk, then reheat in the microwave for nearly a minute and whisk vigorously until it’s smooth. Add the remainder of the milk and whisk in, then heat for a minute or two or until it’s thickened. Whisk until smooth. Add grated cheese and stir until smooth; then add salt and pepper, to taste. You want a thick sauce. • For the lling, chop onion and mince garlic. Heat olive oil in a frypan and cook onion and garlic over medium heat until limp. • If using fresh spinach, chop and add to the pan, turning about until it’s just limp. If using frozen, thaw it rst and squeeze it dry, chop and add to pan, cooking just until the moisture is gone. • Add fresh or frozen seafood and gently cook for a few minutes until just opaque and heated through. • Take it o the heat and add the remaining ingredients and mix, or dump the spinach and seafood mixture into a large bowl and add the 2/3 cup of cheese sauce. Mix well. • Pre-heat oven to 375°F. • Divide lling into 24 and put a portion on the bottom third of each piece of lasagna noodle. • Spread about a half cup of your favourite tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x14-inch pan or ovenware dish, or two smaller ones, or individual oven-proof dishes. • Roll lling up in pasta and lay each, seam side down, in the prepared dish. • Pour remaining cheese sauce over the rolls, top with tomato sauce, then cover with grated asiago cheese. • Bake, uncovered, for about half an hour or 45 minutes, or until everything’s bubbling and the top’s slightly browned. • Slide under the broiler for a few minutes if it doesn’t brown to your satisfaction. • Makes about 24 cannelloni. Freezes well. SPINACH CANNELLONI WITH SEAFOOD & CHEESE1/2 lb. (225 g) Fontina cheese salt and white pepper, to taste 2/3 c. (150 ml) cheese sauce 2 c. (500 ml) tomato sauce 1 1/3 c. (325 ml) cheese sauce 1/4 lb. (112 g) Asiago cheese Good for you! Black hat tomatoes with pesto make a colourful appetizer your guests won’t be able to resist. JUDIE STEEVES
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CALL JIM FOR ANY HARD TO FIND ITEMS ABBOTSFORD 604-852-6148DeBOER’S USED TRACTORS & EQUIPMENT GRINDROD, BCUSED JD TRACTORS 60-100 HP JD 7810 75,000 JD 5105 2WD, 2006, 1,400 HRS 15,000 [ADD LOADER TO 5105 3,500 JD620 21’ disc dbl fold 20,000 KVERNELAND 7512 round bale wrapper w/3 spool valve 4,500 ED DEBOER 250/838-7362 cell 250/833-6699 CURT DEBOER 250/838-9612 cell 250/804-6147• ROCK PICKER converted potato harvester. Asking $2,500 • MF 12’ disc harrow, $3,500 Contact Carl 604-825-9108 or email ourgoodearth@live.com1-888-770-7333Excellent ROUND BALES, clover/grass mix. 800 lb bales. 604-220-4903couNEXT MARKETPLACE DEADLINE DECEMBER 20REGISTERED SHORTHORN cow; pregnant with heifer calf, due Jan 2022, $2,950. mhof126@gmail.com 250-715-6297Two three-year-old purebred SHORTHORN COWS, bred for March calving. Call Bob 778-240-7233.25 KW PHASE 1 pto-driven GENERATOR, AGtronic, Chilliwack, $650. 604-799-0576Carrie Nicholson PREC* 250-614-6766 DISCOVER PRINCE GEORGE PRINCE GEORGE & AREA SUBDIVISION LOTS: PARADISE ESTATES: R2628217; R2628221; R2629299 and more lots available in this subdivision. GLADTIDING ESTATES: R2598853; R2598860; R2599054 and more lots available in this subdivision. SAXTON LAKE ROAD: R2610535 R2610527; R2610554 and more lots available in this area. EQUESTRIAN/CATTLE RANCH. Out-standing 445 acre property w/~250 acres in hay/pasture, updated home, MLS R2604494 $1,650,000 CRANBROOK HILL 77 acres w/dev potential minutes from UNBC. MLS R2599818 $1,500,000 HART HWY 54.95 acres. MLS R2598804. $750,000. STUNNING LAKEFRONT Year-round home with over 1000’ of shoreline on Francois Lk. MLS R2605976 $399,900 CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN 8.3 acres. MLS R2610880 $295,000 160 ACRE parcel near Fraser Lake. MLS R2610887 $294,900 310 ACRES on Leg Lake (Fort Fraser). MLS R2610870 $374,900 LARGE 5 bed/2 bath home on 1.6 acres. MLS R2601948 $370,000 74 ACRES w/ 20,000 sq ft bldg., 40 acres cultivated. MLS C8041167 $1,700,000 ESCAPE the city. Two lots in Willow River, 22,500 sq ft. MLS R2591708, $44,900 69+ ACRES ON RIVER Approx 50 acres in hay. River, road access. MLS R2569334 $785,000 RANCH PARADISE 700 acres, 5 titles, 160 acres in hay. MSL C8038028 $1,244,421 VANDERHOOF 5.15 building lot. R2575990 $79,900 55 ACRES Dev potential close to airport. MLS R2435958, $599,900 112.02 ACRES IN CITY LIMITS. Potential for development. MLS R2435725. $1,300,000 REID LAKE Sprawling 2,100 sq ft rancher on 16 acres. MLS R2634309 $275,000 VANDERHOOF 2 homes on 160 acres (95 in hay) MLS R2615764 $899,900 PRINCE GEORGE & AREA RURAL LOTS see MLS: R2531431; R2531443; R2603761; R2603767; R2603772; R2603775 CUSTOM RANCHER on 10 acres, 4 bed/4bath. Pole barn w/hay storage. MLS R2624248 $599,900 TREED LOT on edge of the Fraser. MLS R2622560 $250,000 160 ACRES waiting for ideas. MLS R2622568 $ 229,900NEW HOLLAND STACK LINER 1033 for sale. In working condition, does need tuning. $4500. Worn hoses re-placed, new oil . Text Noah 604 7915314TANKS6,000 Gallon or 27,000 litre GOOD GRADE TANKS $15,000 Call for Info Mike 604-946-0215 Wholesale buyer of all types of BARNWOOD OLD GROWTH LUMBER, ANTIQUES, incl old SIGNAGE, GAS PUMPS,WORK BENCHES & related items, OLD METAL ROOFING, etc. Jordi 604-798-0377couNEXT MARKETPLACE DEADLINE DECEMBER 20
44 | DECEMBER 2021 COUNTRY LIFE IN BCkubota.ca | 1521 Sumas Way, Box 369Abbotsford, BC V2T 6Z6(604) 864-9568avenuemachinery.caAVE010AVENUE MACHINERY CORP, Abbotsford NORTH ISLAND TRACTOR, Courtenay KEMLEE EQUIPMENT, Creston DOUGLAS LAKE EQUIPMENT, Dawson Creek ISLAND TRACTOR & SUPPLY LTD, Duncan HUBER EQUIPMENT, Smithers DOUGLAS LAKE EQUIPMENT, Quesnel AVENUE MACHINERY CORP, Vernon GERARD’S EQUIPMENT LTD, Oliver HUBER EQUIPMENT, Prince George AVENUE MACHINERY CORP, KelownaPROUD PARTNER OF