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Postmaster, Please returnUndeliverable labels to:Country Life in BC1120 East 13th AveVancouver, BC V5T 2M1CANADA POSTESPOST CANADAPostage paid Port payéPublications Mail Post-publications40012122Vol. 102 No. 2Poultry Farmers seeking common ground with SPCA 6Dairy More quota, bigger cheques on the way 13Revival Cider producers have rekindled interest in heritage fruit 35Lifein BCThe agricultural news source inBritish Columbia since 1915Vol. 102 No. 2 • February 2016Battle brewing as port eyes farm land for expansionby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – The provincial and federalgovernments are investing $300,000 tostrengthen surveillance, early detection andresponse measures to avian u.The funding will give the BC Ministry ofAgriculture Animal Health Centre inAbbotsford specialized equipment to diagnosesamples collected in the ministry's avian usurveillance.Following the December 2014 AI outbreak,BCMA sta began a pilot project to collectsediment samples at ponds and wetlands usedby wild waterfowl. As of mid-January, theproject had collected over 300 samples from15 wetlands but no results are yet available. The BCMA will also host workshops forowners of small poultry ocks this spring.Workshops have already been scheduled forSechelt (February 6), Vernon (March 5) andSaanich (March 19) and others will followthroughout the province. The workshops willprovide information on poultry health andbiosecurity and such resources as the SmallFlock Poultry Health Manual.The funding is also being used for mobileequipment to be stored in Abbotsford. TheBCMA expects to have the system, which hasbeen custom-designed to be rapidly deployedto humanely depopulate infected birdpopulations, in place by April. Since the beginning of 2015, the ministryhas also tested 745 wild birds. Although fourPlease see “AI” page 2YCOUNTRYFederal/provincial funds to combat AIby PETER MITHAMRICHMOND – The outcry over PortMetro Vancouver’s acquisition ofriverfront land for future expansion isset to reach fever pitch in 2016 as theregion’s industrial land shortagebecomes more acute.A report that Vancouver researchrm Site Economics Ltd. prepared forthe port last fall indicates the regioncould run out of land for industrialdevelopment within a decade asshipping activity continues to increase.Container trac through the porthas been increasing at about 3% peryear and plans are in the works todouble the size of the Deltaportcontainer terminal at Roberts Bank.This would accommodate anadditional 2.4 million TEUs (20-footequivalent units, an industry measureof container volumes).Please see “HUNDREDS” page 2Port says shortageof industrial landshouldn’t stand in theway of its developmentWith plans to double the size of the container terminal at Deltaport, Port Metro Vancouver has banked hundreds of acres ofland, including some within the province’s Agricultural Land Reserve, to meet its projected needs for an additional 2,700 acresby 2030. (Photo by Colin Jewell)1-888-770-7333Quality Seeds ... where quality counts!YOUR COMPLETESEED SOURCEIRRIGATION LTD1-888-675-7999www.watertecna.comPROVINCE WIDE DELIVERYPROVINCE WIDE DELIVERY• DIESEL & PTO PUMPS• PVC & ALUMINUM PIPE• HARD HOSE IRRIGATION REELS• DRIP IRRIGATION• CENTRE PIVOTS• SAE AIRBLAST SPRAYERSGrowing morewith less water
HUNDREDS OF ACRES ARE BANKED From page 1AI TESTING From page 1Country Life in BC • February 20162Land Commission sta.“Any changes in thoseplans, we’re going to discusswith the city of Richmond andthe ALC,” Winkler said, notingthat mitigation of impacts willbe part of the discussions. “Wewould totally mitigate thatremoval from the ALR eventhough we’re not required to.”Seven years later, the port’spresident and CEO, RobinSilvester, doesn’t feel boundby those words.An engineer by training,he’s spent his careeroverseeing and developingport facilities around the worldand has little time forsentiment. He took ak veyears ago for describingagriculture as “emotionallyimportant” but “almostmeaningless for the LowerMainland,” economically andas a food supply.With the shortage ofindustrial land ever moreacute, he doesn’t see whyagriculture needs to stand inthe way of the port, a federallyconstituted authority that canoverride lower levels ofgovernment – including theprovince and its AgriculturalLand Commission.“I don’t think we would bebound [by the ALC],” he toldThe Province newspaper inmid-January. “As a federalbody here at Port MetroVancouver, we havesupremacy.”The port’s arrogance hasn’tgone over well with Richmond,which it once pledged toconsult.But, of course, consultationstake time and Silvester toldThe Province during hisinterview there are simply toomany stakeholders to consulteveryone. He has, however,pledged to take allperspectives into account.Among the feedback it’sreceived are communicationsfrom the Delta FarmersInstitute, which foresees theloss of up to 1,500 acres ofagricultural land if theexpansion of Deltaportproceeds.“We request that theenvironmental assessmentincludes impacts to agricultureand farmland and in the endthis much needed industry isnot negatively aected,”Clarence DeBoer, vice-president of the DFI, told theport in a letter last June.“Increased truck and rail tracand loss of farmland currentlyhave the greatest impacts tofarm operations.”BC agriculture ministerNorm Letnick, whilechampioning exports of BCfarm products as a criticaldriver of farm growth, says theuse of farm land for port andindustrial purposes mustrespect local rules.The province was tarredwith the debacle of theoriginal Roberts Bankdevelopment project in the1960s, when land wasexpropriated and never used,creating decades ofuncertainties for local farmers.These days, the powers thatbe in Victoria are telling thefederal government to heedlocal laws.“The normal rules willapply,” Letnick said in May2015.“Given the importance ofMetro Vancouver’stransportation sector,industrial lands are essential tothe future vitality of the local,regional and nationaleconomy,” wrote RichardWozny of Site Economics.“Without land to develop, itwill be very dicult … tosupport the growth incontainer handling within theregion.”Port Metro Vancouver hasbanked hundreds of acres ofland in recent years to ensureits needs are met, but that’sjust a fraction of the 2,700acres required to meet itsneeds by 2030. Today, withjust 1,000 acres of developableland in the region, it’s urgingthe province to reconsiderland uses in the LowerMainland.Agricultural land – clean,green and often close to keytransportation corridors – is acoveted resource.The port initially took painsto support agriculture on theproperties it acquired.Speaking with Country Lifein BC in 2009, Bill Zylmans ofW&A Farms in Richmonddescribed the port’s attitudetowards management of the220-acre Gilmore farm itacquired that year as “proagriculture.”A tenant of the port,Zylmans was impressed withits willingness to support localfarmers by supporting amunicipal drainage canal thatimproved the property’scapacity for agriculture as wellas building an overpass toreduce truck trac alongWestminster Highway.Tom Winkler, chief strategicdevelopment ocer for theport at the time, conrmedthere were no immediateplans to rezone the property –and any future changes wouldfollow consultations withmunicipal and Agriculturalbirds tested positive for AIduring the AI outbreak inDecember 2014-January 2015,only one has tested positivesince. That was a mallard duckkilled by a hunter in a eld oSmith Line Road inAbbotsford in November. Thevirus was low-path and notrelated to the high-path viruswhich caused the December2014 outbreak. Delta farmers are asking for an environmental assessment that willaddress impacts to agriculture and farm land by port development.(Peter Mitham le photo)“I donʼt think we would be bound [by the ALC]. As a federalbody here at Port Metro Vancouver, we have supremacy.”Port Metro Vancouver CEO Robin SilvesterVALLEY¿FARM¿DRAINAGE31205 DEWDNEY TRUNK RD. 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Van Der Wal Equipment (1989) Ltd.23390 RIVER ROAD, MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2W 1B6604/463-3681 | vanderwaleq.comVisit our showroom to see more!VERTICAL LIFT COMPACT LOADERSEZ38EXCAVATORST28SW45• Standard two-speed transmission• Spacious extended cab • Optional high flow hydraulics • Quick and easy service access • Hydraulically driven fan for faster warm-up,less noiseFebruary 2016 • Country Life in BC 3OYF awarded to second generation contestantsPoultry and egg producers Jewel and Brian Pauls of Chilliwack were named the 2016 BC & YukonOutstanding Young Farmers in Abbotsford. They received their award from BCOYF interim chair SaraHarker, at far left, and incoming chair Troy Harker, at right. (David Schmidt photo)by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – For the rsttime in its 36-year history ofrecognizing outstandingyoung farmers, the BC andYukon Outstanding YoungFarmer Program has a second-generation winner.On January 13, the programnamed Chilliwack poultry andegg producers Brian (37) andJewel (35) Pauls as the 2016 BC& Yukon Outstanding YoungFarmers. Brian’s parents, Frankand Elma Pauls, earned thesame award in 1990.Although Pauls claims toown “only one farm,” with17,000 broilers and 55,000caged white and free rangebrown layers, he also managesthe family’s “multiple” egg,broiler and turkey farms in BCand Saskatchewan. Theholdings include Canada’s rstcertied humane turkey farm.“We raise broilers, pullets,layers and turkeys and grow amultitude of crops which use alot of chicken manure,” thePauls state. Their holdings may rivalsome US mega-farms, but theiroperational model iscompletely dierent.“We buy family farms andhire families to live on andmanage them,” Pauls says,noting this gives opportunitiesto people who may not havethe capital to own their ownfarm. It also helps spread therisk of avian inuenza or otherpoultry disease outbreaks. Thevalue of that was demonstratedlast year as they only had todepopulate one barn duringthe most recent AI outbreak.“Our birds were notinfected,” Pauls stresses, “butour farm was within therestricted zone.”Pauls has had a life-longinterest in farming. When hewas still a toddler, his fatherwelded a car seat onto thetractor so Brian couldaccompany him around thefarm. Although he earned ascholarship to studyagriculture in the mid-1990’s,he jumped at the chance toreturn home after just a year atthe University of BC when hisfather oered him theopportunity to become thefarm manager. To be eligible for theOutstanding Young Farmeraward, farmers must bebetween 19 and 39 years andderive at least two thirds oftheir income from farming.Nominees are judged onconservation practices,production history, nancialand management practices,and community contributions. “The Pauls stood out headand shoulders above the other14 nominations we receivedthis year,” BCOYF programnominations co-ordinator JenWoike said, with interim BCOYFchair Sara Harker noting thePauls received ve letters ofsupport, the most ever for anominee. Brian and Jewel were to beREASON 3: Our Alexander Knives, when paired with our patented Vertical Knives, create an unparalleled cutting action. The curved carbide coated cutting edge and angle of the Alexander Knives increases the aggressiveness of cut to improve the processing rate of round baled forages, especially coarser forages. Our Vertical Knives, which are mounted on our slide plate, improve processing and feedout of high forage rations. 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Together with our four other exclusive auger features, we produce a faster and more uniform mix than sluggish conventional augers, which typically take too long to process forage, resulting in too many fine particles in the shaker box. Nutritionists say if you want to resist sorting you’ll need a TMR with optimum shaker box results, and with a Jaylor you can deliver that ration every time.SIX REASONS WHY RESISTS SOR1-888-770-7333BILLAWMACKChilliwack couple tops 14 othercandidates in annual competitionrecognized at the BC Ag Galaat the end of January and willgo on to represent BC at thenational OYF competition inNiagara Falls, in November. BCOYF also announced itwill be hosting the nationalcompetition in Penticton in2017.Proudly certifying Producers and Processorswithin BC and Alberta.FVOPA provides year round certification services compliant with the Canadian Organic Standards (CAN/CGSB) and in accordance with the BC Certified Organic ISO 17065 recognized program. 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The province of Ontario announced lastOctober it intended to allow testing of driverlessvehicle technology to begin on January 1, 2016.The city of Stratford has stepped forward toassume the role of “petri dish” for the testing ofdriverless vehicles and the associated technology. The provincial government has thrown half amillion dollars into the kitty to help pair academicinstitutions with industry to develop driverlesstechnology. Ford, GM and Blackberry allannounced they were on board at the ConsumerElectronics Show in Las Vegas in early January. GMis teaming up with Lyft, the American ride-sharinggiant, to develop driverless cars.Governments are still grappling with theregulatory framework that will govern driverlesscars but there is a strong likelihood by the timetoday’s elementary schoolers are old enough toget a driver’s licence, they won’t need one. Carswill be robots with comfy seats. Let your car work all nightPartnered with services like Lyft, every carbecomes a taxi. When it’s time to turn in for thenight, just flip the family sedan onto Lyft modeand let it work all night and be back in thedriveway in the morning. Or perhaps just buy oneand turn it loose and let it maximize its pre-programmed potential. You might not see it for aweek but if it’s making enough money, why wouldyou care? If you need to go somewhere, you couldhit the Lyft App on your I-Phone and someoneelse’s robot car will pick you up. Robotic vehicles shouldn’t really come as toomuch of a surprise. Robotic transportation hasbeen up and running in BC since the first Sky Trainline was opened in 1985. Robotic welders havebeen on auto assembly lines since the 1960’s. Driverless vehicles are just one manifestation ofthe confluence of new, rapidly improving andwidely available technologies. Computers many times more powerful thanthose used to send the first men to the moon arehousehold items and the World Wide Web linksalmost all of them together. Nearly every high school student in the countryhas a wireless communication device that wasscience fiction a generation ago. A device that will fit in the palm of your handwill communicate with a series of satellites,calculate its exact position on the face of the earthand keep track of changes metre by metre.Artificial intelligence, wireless communication andsensory technology are turning robotics intoautonomous, analytical, decision makingmachines. Two big changes in farmingAgriculture has a long history of innovation andof rapidly embracing it. While innovation occursconstantly, there were two particularly noteworthychanges prior to the 1960’s. Farming in North America was profoundlychanged by the invention of the self-scouring steelplough and the mechanical reaper in the 1830’sand by the near total adoption of tractor power inthe 1940’s and 50’s. Chemistry and biology were the primary driversof the “Green Revolution” that unfolded over thelast half of the 20th century but technology hasbeen driving the bus for the past ten years andanother sea-change is underway. Newtechnological applications are arriving as quicklyas they can be conceived. A report from Bank of America Merrill LynchGlobal Research estimates the market foragricultural robotics will grow from $817 million in2013 to $16 billion by 2020. Drones go on and onFlying drones are expected to be a major part ofthe total. Drones are now common (there is acomprehensive selection for sale at our locallumberyard) and the Merrill Lynch reportspeculates agriculture could account for 80% ofthe consumer market. What look like big toy helicopters are alreadyprecision spraying crops in China and drones withspecial lenses are recording crop and soil data onland across the prairies.Once analysed, that data can be fed to a robotthat will custom blend fertilizer that will be loadedinto another robot that will make precisionapplications in the field at the same time it isprecision seeding. The whole works can be pulledby a driverless tractor that can analyze field andweather conditions and decide whether to keepgoing all night. All of this is bound to be a game changer. Thefarm population of Canada has decreased from50% to two percent in the past 100 years. The ageof robotic technology and mega data could makea big chunk of the two percent redundant.Fifty years ago, I was on my first post-highschool job milking 50 Ayrshire cows in a stanchionbarn. The milk was carried to the bulk tank inbuckets, the upright silo was unloaded with asilage fork and the gutters were cleaned with ascoop shovel. I couldn’t have conceived of therobotic milkers on display at the ag show in mywildest dreams. I can’t imagine what this year’sgrads might be looking at in another 50 years. Editor & Publisher Peter WildingPhone: 604/871-0001 • Fax: 604/871-0003E-mail: countrylifeinbc@shaw.ca • Web: countrylifeinbc.comAssociate Editor David SchmidtPhone: 604-793-9193E-mail: davidschmidt@shaw.caAdvertising Sales & Marketing Cathy GloverPhone: 604/328-3814E-mail: cathyglover@telus.netProduction Ass’t: Ann Morris • Senior Researcher: Phil “The Duffer” GordonCOUNTRYLifeAdvertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, that portionof the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with reasonable allowance forsignature will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at theapplicable rate.In the event of a typographical error which advertises goods or services at a wrong price, suchgoods or services need not be sold at the advertised price. Advertising is an offer to sell, and maybe withdrawn at any time. All advertising is accepted subject to publisher’s approval.All of Country Life in British Columbia’s content is covered by Canadian copyright law.Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the writer and not necessarily those ofCountry Life in British Columbia.Letters are welcome, though they may be edited in the interest of brevity before publication.All errors brought to our attention will be corrected.The agricultural news sourcein British Columbia since 1915Published monthly byCountry Life 2000 Ltd.Vol. 102 No. 2February 2016in B.C.1120 East 13th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5T 2M1 Publication Mail Agreement: 0399159 GST Reg. No: 86878 7375 Subscriptions: $18.90/year • $33.60/2 years • $37.80/3 yearsAll prices incl GSTRise of the robot will drive decline of farm populationThe Back 40BOB COLLINSCountry Life in BC • February 20164We all know the story of the small town where residents have so little to ghtover that everything becomes a battle.British Columbia’s Lower Mainland is largely governed by Metro Vancouver,and bears the Vancouver name on the world stage, but it operates as 21separate municipalities, a provincially regulated electoral area, and one treatyFirst Nation. In addition, a number of federal entities operate here that, whenpush comes to shove, trump any local government (save Tsawwassen FirstNation).While there have been eorts at coordinated land use planning throughMetro Vancouver’s Regional Growth Strategy, the fact is that individual interestsof the region’s four levels of government and 23 entities are often at odds.This small-town way of doing business is once again coming to the fore inPort Metro Vancouver’s plan to expand the Roberts Bank container terminal.Port expansion will ramp up pressure on the local land base, tightly packedbetween the mountains, sea and US border. Ongoing redevelopment ofindustrial and commercial properties for housing has left little land where actualwork gets done – be it paper-shuing, goods movement or, for that matter,food production.When the province froze agricultural land in 1972, it did so against pressuresfrom other kinds of development – assuming that development would goelsewhere.Today, there’s not much room for development to go: the inventory of well-located developable land is diminishing, and the port is waving its trump card inthe push to set the agenda for land use – upsetting local governments as well asthe farmers who wonder if the province’s protection of their land is worthanything.There are two options facing farmers (and everyone else) in this small townscrap.On the one hand, they can make a business case for the economicimportance of their farms – something that might win hearts in this winter ofproduce shortages and high food prices. But as the port points out, when itcomes to sheer numbers, the farm sector is miniscule.On the other, instead of arguing for their own worth, the stakeholders couldcome together to identify ways to co-exist. Successfully managing growthrequires impartial leadership, something no level of government is currentlyproviding.Protecting farm land was, and remains, a smart idea but unless there’s a planfor managing other land uses, the grass is always going to look greener over thefarm fence. Taking the pressure o one sector only increases it on others,leading to any number of bad behaviours (and the port is behaving badly).Supporting the region’s economic growth is something the federalgovernment and Victoria both say they’re trying to do. A good start would bemaking sure there’s space for everyone, not just the local bullies, to make acontribution.Small town primadonnas
My attention is straying inclass again and I’m perusingFacebook, scrolling throughpictures of friends and postsabout the NFL and thensuddenly I’m cringing. I’mtempted to keep scrolling but Iknow all the quotes aboutknowing your enemy.Grudgingly, I click the link toread up on the latest bashingof Monsanto, claims thatconventional agriculturalpractices cause cancer andproclamations that GMOs aredestroying the world.As usual, I am struck by thevicious ways these articles areattacking the agriculturalsector. I am always remindedhow in the trivia challenges atthe BC 4-H events I attendedin my teenage years we werealways told how highlyfarmers ranked on the ‘trustedprofessions’ list. What hashappened?Genetically modied cropshave incredible benecialpotential. In a world rightlyconcerned about climatechange, drought resistant GMcrops have the ability to growwith less water, thusconserving this preciousresource. In a society thatdemands less chemicals, GMdisease resistant crops havethe hardiness to combatinfections without beingsprayed with as muchpesticide. In underdevelopedcountries where children aregoing blind and dying ofVitamin A deciency everyyear, GM golden rice has thenutritious answer. But societal pressures indeveloped countries have andcontinue to pressuregovernments to ban GMcrops. Thanks to radical anti-science groups, the uproarover golden rice has been sosevere it hasn’t come widelyavailable. Because of NorthAmerica’s whining, people aredying.GMO foods have beenscientically proven safe overand over again.Prominentinternational groupsincluding the WorldHealth Organizationare clear on theirstance that any GMfood that enters the worldfood supply chain must beproven safe and they areunder continual scrutiny andreview. While this informationcan be easily found on theWHO website, misguidedconsumers continue to sharefear-mongering false claimsfrom ‘Millions AgainstMonsanto’ and other radicalgroups.Then come the claims ofdeadly chemicals beingcontinually applied to cropsand soil. And the horrendouslyerroneous claim that “organic”products are chemical free. InCanada, organic is dened bygovernment regulations thatallow only pesticides fromnon-synthetic natural sources,meaning they still use naturalchemicals. Organic pesticidescan still be harmful at highdoses and studies have shownorganic crops may requirehigher amounts of chemicalsin order to achieve the samelevel of plant health asconventional crop systems.Additionally, organicagriculture requires more landthan conventional to producethe same amount of food,which decreases eciency andleads to the need for morearable land which in turn leadsto destruction of some of ourworld’s precious ecosystemssuch as the rainforests. Having now spent yearsliving and studying on theprairies, I have developed amuch deeper understandingof modern agriculturalsystems. But no universityclasses or scientic articlescould come close to what Ilearned from witnessing a fullcycle of a prairie family farm.Watching the daily taskschange from winter toplanting to harvesting isincredible in itself. But themost important thing I realizedfrom helping around that farmis that the people protestingmodern agriculture neverpicture the farmers. I’ve been there whenfarmers are making up the mixthat goes in the sprayer. Thisprocess is done carefully,safely, with incredibe precision– and right in their yardbetween their home and thebarn. And that should meanmore than any scientic studyto the public. This is where they live; it’swhere families grow. Theyaren’t afraid because theyknow how to use pesticidessafely. I’ve gone on crop tours withfarmers to survey how theircrops are growing and walkedthrough their elds in bluejeans, running bare handsthrough the soil and over theplants. I’ve seen rst hand theerce love of the land held byfarmers. I’ve stood by agravestone almost a 100 yearsold bearing the same lastname as the man who nowworks the same land. And Iknow how much that familyhopes the same last name willfarm it 100 years from now.That should mean something. Poisoned land doesn’t growcrops. That means farmers aresome of the most active front-line environmentalists in theworld. They are thirsty forscientic advancements thatallow them to make lowerenvironmental impacts andbetter improve the health oftheir land. Zero-till, GMOs andprudent pesticide use all makethis possible. I realize how fortunate I amto have experiencedcommercial agriculture rsthand. But lack of directexposure is not an excuse formisguided decisions andjudgements. I encourage allconcerned consumers to golooking for credible scienticsources. Better yet, talk to afarmer! They want to tell theirstory. To farmers reading this:speak up! An excellent placeto start for both sides is a new30 minute documentaryentitled ‘License to Farm’[www.licensetofarm.com].Shannon Palmer, originallyfrom Port Alberni, is now in hersecond year of veterinary studiesat the Western College ofVeterinary Medicine inSaskatoon.The real truth about GMOs and why we need themIn PerspectiveSHANNON PALMERFebruary 2016 • Country Life in BC 5• TRACTORS• ALL TYPES of FARM EQUIPMENT• FARM TRUCKS• RVs, BOATS & ATVsHERITAGE PARK FAIRGROUNDS • CHILLIWACKPROFESSIONAL LIVESTOCK & FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION SERVICES & APPRAISALSwww.patonauctions.comMOVE IN DAYS: TUES, APR 26 TO THURS, APR 28 9 AM TO 5 PM,FRI APR 29 9 AM TIL 11 AM ONLYThis auction offers the farming community anexcellent opportunity to sell one or two items oreven a small dispersal of your items at thiswonderful facilityIAN PATON | 604.644-3497ian@ patonauctions.comCHILLIWACKCONSIGNMENT AUCTIONFARM EQUIPMENTI. 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MLS® 10100266, $3,700,000www.oklandbuyers.comwww.OkLandBuyers.ca1095 DEEP CREEK ROAD, ENDERBY1095 DEEP CREEK ROAD, ENDERBYDowntown Realty4007 - 32nd Street, Vernon, BC V1T 5P2Toll Free: 1-800-434-9122www.royallegpage.caPAT DUGGANFarm | Ranch | ResidentialBus: 250/545-5371 (24 hr) Cell: 250/308-0938email: patduggan@royallepage.ca“Farmers helping farmers with their real estate needs”
Country Life in BC • February 20166Stories by PETER MITHAMABBOTSFORD – Poultrygrowers could be next in lineto strike a working agreementwith the BC SPCA when itcomes to allegations of animalcruelty.Dairy, beef and horsegroups have struckagreements with the animalwelfare association whichserves as an agent of theprovince when it comes toinvestigating allegations ofanimal cruelty.A preliminary meeting tookplace on January 15 with BillVanderspek, executive directorof the BC Chicken MarketingBoard, regarding acollaboration between poultryproducers and the BC SPCA.The association alreadycerties livestock handlingpractices on 11 farms in BCwith products fromparticipating farms markedwith the SPCA Certied seal.The seal assures consumersthat producers embrace “highstandards of farm animalwelfare.”A working agreementwould ensure a seamlessinterface between the BCSPCA, with responsibilities setforth in provincial legislationand a force of 28 specialconstables, and industry,which has its own standardsand disciplinary procedures.Working agreements with theproducer groups aim to ensurethat the BC SPCA’s statutoryduties mesh with industry’scommitments to provide a co-ordinated response to anycomplaints.“Through the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals Act, we’rethe legislated authority torespond to complaints ofanimal cruelty to any kind ofanimal across the province,”explains Geo Urton, seniormanager of stakeholderrelations for the BC SPCA. “Theindustry itself has its measuresin place; we have somelegislated authority, so let’s teethose things up so we’re onthe same page.”Urton says the discussionwith Vanderspek – who wasn’timmediately available forcomment – was “a verycollaborative, positiveconversation.”“Most animal cruelty caseswe tend to get complaints onare regarding animals thataren’t part of the commercialfarm industry,” Urton says.“And even less so with regardsto the supply managedcommodities. But it’simportant to have an openchannel of communicationwith that sector and talk aboutwhat we can do to shareinformation when weencounter some of these kindsof issues.”This isn’t to say industry isdoing a bad job.Urton points to themarketing board’s decision in2014 to discipline anAbbotsford producer,terminating his license andrequiring him to sell his quotafollowing a history ofinfractions. The process wasconducted independent of BCSPCA involvement.“The chicken board was ableto proactively deal with thisfarm through its own animalcare program and take thesteps necessary to rectify thesituation,” Urton says. “Thatgoes a long way for thecredibility of their program.”Ray Nickel, chair of the BCPoultry Association, said thediscussions with the BC SPCAwill build on a previousrelationship through the BCFarm Animal Care Council.“To have something in placewouldn’t hurt, and would allowus to continue the relationshipwith SPCA that we hadthrough the animal welfarecouncil,” Nickel said.BC was among the rstprovinces in Canada to achievefull certication of its farmsunder the Chicken Farmers ofCanada’s Animal CareProgram. However, theindustry standard diers fromwhat the BC SPCA requires aspart of its certicationprogram. Setting a commonbaseline for assessing on-farmstandards is something Urtonwould like to see.In addition, outsidemonitoring is something manyin the industry believe wouldsupport and substantiate theindustry’s own eorts toimprove animal welfare.Poultry producers seekingcommon ground with SPCABC animal protectionlegislation originally soughtto ensure that the animalsthat were the backbone offrontier society – especiallyhorses – were treated well.Passed in 1895 at theinstigation of Justus EdwardKnight, a young customsagent in the miningcommunity of Ashcroft, thelegislation led to BC SPCA’screation in 1896. Branchessoon formed across theprovince and wereempowered as adjuncts tothe province’s established lawenforcement agencies. Mostearly cases involvedmistreatment of horses,although overstued poultrycrates were also a commonproblem. In one case, ratswere being ill-treated by theChinese.But as society changed andmotor vehicles displacedanimals from the streets of BC,the SPCA’s focus increasinglyshifted to the province’sremaining domesticatedanimals – pets and livestock.SPCA certication forpoultry and eggs has been inplace since 2002 and GeoUrton, senior managerresponsible for stakeholderrelations with the BC SPCA,says further programs areunder development.While the organization isbacked by legislation, Urtonsays it has no authority toinspect farms without thepermission of producers.However, the certicationprogram and workingagreements with industry area chance for commercialfarmers to assure the publicthat they’re following bestpractices.Animal protection history !"#$%&'( !" #$%&)*!#+%,-./0' )*!#+%,-./0'( )*!#+%,-./0' (,1/( -2 &// ,1/( -2 &// (, 3+4Large selection of pipe fittings, ball & gate valves• 16.5 - 14 ply• 21.5 - 14 ply• 11L15 - 8 ply• 9.5L-15 - 8 ply• 11L-15 - 8 ply• 10.00-15 - 8 ply• 12.5L-15 - 12 ply• 16.5L-16.1 - 14 ply• 21.5L-16.1 - 14 plyPOWER WHEEL & MOTOR FOR TYCROP IRRIGATION REELSSTOCK TIRES FOR SALENew!LOEWEN MACHINES FOR SALE3000 MANURE SPREADER $71,500Dual 750 pumps, large 35.5-32 otation tires, heavy duty 10 stud axle,pre-vac, lights, 3" hose & front mandoor• REBUILT 592 Horizontal Feed Mixer ....................................$36,000• REBUILT 350 Horizontal Feed Mixer ....................................$21,000• REBUILT 350 Horizontal Feed Mixer ....................................$22,000• 15 ft. 100 HP Manure Agitator ..................................................$2,500• 23 ft. 100 HP Manure Agitator ..................................................$4,150SOLD!SOLD!SOLD!SOLD!SOLD!SOLD!SOLD!SOLD!
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 7by PETER MITHAMDELTA – Vegetableproducers counting on higherprices this summer thanks to astronger US dollar should bepatient, says one veterangrower.“Your prices are set bycompetition and ourcompetition is import foods,”grower Ron Tamis of RondrisoFarms in Surrey told CBC inJanuary. “So anything we canuse to help boost our price ... isdenitely going to help.”Green onions were sellingfor between $1.49 and $1.99 abunch at local grocers in mid-January, while leafy greenssuch as lettuce and spinachwere priced at $1.69 and up,and as much as $3.99 fororganic oerings.This compares to lastsummer’s best prices for localproduct of two for a dollar forgreen onions and two for $2for lettuce and spinach.“We’re seeing a bit of a blipwith short supplies out ofCalifornia and I think there’sshort supplies out of Mexico aswell on some of the freshvegetables,” says Harvie Snowof Snow Farms in Delta, but hecautioned: “I don’t thinkthere’s a guarantee with howlong it’s going to last.”Supply and demand is thebiggest factor in the market atthe moment, driven largely byweather-related factors. Brussels sprouts, forexample, were in short supplyat Christmas thanks to acombination of hot weatherduring the growing seasonthat stunted growth, and rainsat harvest that limited accessto elds and ultimatelyreduced volumes by about athird.“The reality is that 80% ofthe crop at that time of yearcomes from California so ifthat’s down a third inproduction, then there’s justnot going to be enough to goaround,” Snow says.Conversely, broccoli andcauliower in Arizona were hitby cold weather delayingharvest and contributing to “asupply gap of historicproportions” according to oneobserver.“Forget the high prices, youcan’t even get cauliower.Nobody is even quoting it,”remarked one buyer for a USgrocery chain in earlyDecember.Winter produceA month later, the shortageis still in play and aplummeting loonie hasfocused attention on the highprice of Canada’s dependenceon US growers for winterproduce.Just 18 months ago, theloonie was worth 94 US cents;today, it’s worth less than 70US cents, its lowest level in adozen years.This has factored into theprice of US produce, but thesudden turn has raised theprospect of prot-takingamong some growers.“It makes my product morecompetitive,” Snow says, buthe added that several factorsdetermine prices. The dollar is one; supplyand demand another, andthen there’s transportationcosts, which are currentlyabout $8 a unit for producetrucked north from California.“We’re guaranteed at least$8 if we match the landedprice,” Snow says.He has no intention to takeadvantage of the situation,however, in large part becausethe network of relationshipsneeded to move produce tomarket are so deep.“We intend to maintain thelong-term relationships withour customers, and we want tobe fair about it,” he says. “Ifthere’s a modest uptick inprices, then we would take itbut … I know too many facesof the people that consumethe product that I grow, andI’m not out there to screwthem.”Similarly, he says grocers –which face their owncompetitive pressures – aregoing to gear prices to attractcustomers.“It’s good business if youcan oer your customers agood deal,” he says.While prices might seemhigh now, he anticipatesprices coming down later inthe year, especially if growersrush in to take advantage ofthe situation.“If more speculation occursand more people decide that aparticular commodity mightbe more attractive, we couldend up with a localoversupply, and then that’sgoing to force the pricedown,” he says. “With the non-regulated vegetablecommodities, that’s a regularoccurrence.”SnowpackCalifornia’s snowpack isanother consideration.The cold weather that cutinto cauliower cropscombined with moist airassociated with El Nino todeliver snow at higherelevations, boosting thestates’ snowpack tosomething above normal forthis time of year. Reservoirs atlower elevations have alsostarted to rell.It’s not enough to end thestate’s drought, now enteringits fth year, but analysts suchas those associated with theUniversity of Guelph’s FoodInstitute, expect theBC vegetables more competitive as imported produce prices riseprecipitation to improveprospects for produce growersand limit food ination in2016.Snow, for his part, is waitingto see what the seasondelivers.“If there’s enough decentweather and a good snowpackin California, there’s a goodchance those folks could do alittle bit better on their vegproduction, but it remains tobe seen,” he says.Meanwhile, Snow wastopping beets in January andcontinuing to tend to his ownfarm with a view to servinglocal demand as he’s done inpast years.MatsquiAg-RepairAbbotsford, BC604-826-3281Noble Tractor & EquipmentArmstrong, BC250-546-3141 Noble Tractor & EquipmentKamloops, BC250-851-3101PS 150 AND 160 PROSPREAD® APRON BOX SPREADERr*QTK\QPVCN8GTVK5RTGCF®CPF#EEW5RTGCF®FKUEJCTIGQRVKQPUr8CTKCDNGFKUEJCTIGTCVGEQPVTQNHQTOQTGRTGEKUGPWVTKGPVRNCEGOGPVr5VWTF[EQPUVTWEVKQPCPFJGCX[FWV[CRTQPHQTNQPIUGTXKEGNKHGJGCRGFEWHVECRCEKVKGUKuhnNorthAmerica.com+08'56+037#.+6;®AccuSpread® Spinner DischargeVertiSpread® Vertical BeatersSPREADS TOUGH MATERIALS QUICKLY AND EVENLYHarvie Snow (David Schmidt le photo)
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February 2016 • Country Life in BC 9by PETER MITHAMDELTA – Delta’sparticipation in a programdesigned to help local farmersadapt to climate change iswrapping up with a newawareness campaign that willboost the prole of farming inDelta and the sector’s diverserange of producers and crops.Building on past roadsidesignage programs, theinitiative consolidatesinformation about agriculturein the municipality in adedicated section of Delta’sweb site. Complementingroadside signage, variousmaterials suitable for postingalong the informationhighway are also being madeavailable so farmers,consumers and others can telltheir networks about what thecommunity has growing.“It certainly complements[past eorts],” says MikeBrotherston, who managesthe Climate Action andEnvironment le for Delta.“We had some information onthe crop signs program andother agricultural initiativeson our web site, and then werestructured it a bit and built amain page and added on tothat existing information withthe new stu that we have.”The new campaignencourages producers andallies to post about agriculturein Delta on a regular basis. Ahost of images appropriate toeach month and suitable forposting to social media siteslike Twitter, Instagram andFacebook have beenproduced, emblazoned withthe tag, “My neighbour grewthis” in block letters. Wordingfor social media posts toaccompany the images is alsoprovided.Funding sourcesThe initiative is funded bythree levels of government, aswell as the Real EstateFoundation of BC, the BCAgriculture & Food ClimateAction Initiative of the BCAgriculture Council and theDelta Farmers’ Institute.“Agricultural climatechange adaptation … hasbeen a multiyear partnershipled by the BC AgricultureCouncil’s climate actioninitiative,” Brotherston notes.“One aspect of that programwas the communicationsstrategy; that strategy wasdrafted and now we’re in theimplementation phase.”Water managementstemming from climatechange is an issue thatreceived considerableattention under the program,including ood preparedness,drainage and irrigation.Delta received considerableattention for bolstering thedefense of its dykes against aso-called “king tide” in mid-January. A projected increasein sea levels by 1.2 metres by2100 could wipe outagriculture in Delta,inundating much of the23,000 acres of agriculturalland in the community.And, while water, watereverywhere, may sound goodafter a dry year like 2015, fewdrops of it will be worthdrinking because the wedgeof salty ocean water willextend further up river thanksto reduced stream ows. Thiswill limit production as therewill be less suitable irrigationwater later in the growingseason, just when it’srequired.“Things could get saltyaround here,” suggests thesocial media materialsdeveloped by the program.While past programs raisedawareness of local farmers,the current initiative focuseson what Delta farmers aredoing to address the eects ofa changing climate change ontheir sensitive ecosystem.Proles of the Harris, Keulenand May families are includedin a brochure, withinformation on their earth-friendly practices.Complete information onthe program is available at[www.delta.ca/agriculture].Delta boosting its farmingprofile in public campaign604.556.7477DUNCAN5410 Trans Canada Hwy. 250.748.8171KELOWNA103-1889 Springfield Road250.860.2346NANAIMO1-1277 Island Hwy. S250.753.4221PARKSVILLE587 Alberni Hwy. 250.248.3243SAANICH1970 Keating Cross Rd. 250.652.9188SALMON ARM1771 - 10th Avenue S.W. 250.832.8424WEST KELOWNA2565 Main St., Hwy. 97 South 250.768.8870ABBOTSFORD31852 Marshall PlaceCanadian Owned and Operated100%A Taste Of SpringSee you at the Islands Agriculture Show, February 12 - 13, Cowichan Exhibition Park Blooming HelleboresNEW LOCATIONThe 3PH Box Scraper by MK Martin provides both small and large property owners with affordable options for grading with their line of box scrapers.For more information on grading, scraping and leveling products contact MK Martin.These rugged land movers come in a range of sizes from 8 to 12 feet and feature a variety of options ensuring the right con-figuration for your needs.This two in one combination of leveling and scraping makes short work of your grading and leveling jobs. Available mounts for skid loaders and 3PH.Note: Models may not be exactly as shown.
Country Life in BC • February 201610With their long tongues and hairy bodies, bumble bees are particularly good pollinators, especially ondeep owers of legumes and blueberries. (Judie Steeves le photo)by JUDIE STEEVESKELOWNA – They’re cuteand furry and they’re great atmoving pollen. They’re also native to BC, asopposed to honey bees whichwere introduced here fromEurope.Bumble bees make up justone per cent of all bee speciesbut like all bees, they’re incrisis, with critical declines inpopulations in recent decades.Ralph Cartar is an ecologistand associate professor in theUniversity ofCalgary’sDepartment ofBiological Sciences.He has studiedthe ecology ofbumble bees formore than 30 years,including theirbehaviour across arange of naturaland human-alteredlandscapes in BCand Alberta.He admits quitefrankly that he’s ‘smitten’ withbumble bees and impressedwith their role in nature.Cartar talked about theLives of Bees in theAnthropocene as the rst in aseries of talks put on by theUniversity of BC Okanaganand the Okanagan RegionalLibrary as part of a projectcalled Border Free Bees.It is headed up by CameronCartiere, associate professor inthe Faculty of Culture andCommunity at Emily CarrUniversity of Art and Design,and Nancy Holmes, associateprofessor in the Faculty ofCreative and Critical Studies atUBC-O.Cartar told a diverseaudience in Kelowna inJanuary that habitat loss andfragmentation is one of thereasons behind the decline.Both agriculturalintensication andurban sprawl arelargely to blame.As well,competition fromalien honey bees,brought in fromEurope andmanaged topollinate crops,may have hadserious impactsbecause honeybees compete withnative bees forforage yet they are kept alivewith supplements to their dietwhen forage is low.Cartar believes honey beeshave no place outsideagriculture.Pesticides are anotherreason for the decline.Research has shown that evenif a pesticide such as aneonicinotoid used inrecommended quantitiesdoesn’t kill bees, it still doeslower or prevent reproductionamong native bees. “Sub-lethal eects are big,”he comments. As well, he saysit’s likely these pesticidesinteract with other factors.Another issue contributingto the decline in native beepopulations is the sharing ofpathogens from cultivatedbees such as commercialbumble bees. Parasites arepassed on to native bees bycultivated bumble bees,leaving some species in deeptrouble now, he notes.As well, climate change isshortening their geographicrange, as they have retractedtheir range in the south, butare not expanding in thenorth.Cartar says bumble bees areparticularly good pollinators,especially of deep owers likelegumes and blueberrieswhich have tube-shapedowers, rather than an open,ray-shaped ower. Bumblebees have long tongues whichcan reach into tubular owershapes and they’re hairy sothey are especially goodpollinators.Economically, they’re veryimportant as crop pollinators.Their tongues are like aDr Ralph CartarHabitat loss, fragmentation see bumble bees in declineNative species have to competewith alien imports from Europedogs’ tongues, rather than likesome insects such asbutteries, which havetongues like a straw. They usetheir antennae to smell owerswhich are good nectar sourcesand they use ower nectar toproduce honey for energy andpollen for protein.Pollen baskets are locatedon their back legs. Males havea yellow face, do not sting andhave no pollen basket, whilefemales have a black face, dosting and have the pollenbaskets.Bumble bee colonies areannual, except for the queen,who hibernates in empty volenests or dried grasses overwinter, beginning a newcolony which becomes activewith warm weather. She diesat the end of the year, and thenew queens then store spermand hibernate the next winter.Cartar notes that BC is verydiverse in its populations ofbees, and the Okanagan Valleyis the most diverse spot inCanada.However, Canada isbecoming increasingly urban,with conversion of naturalhabitat which has thepotential to threaten beepopulations, he says. Urbanpavement and impervioussurfaces are not good for bees.Despite the fact that theurban world is structured verydierently from the naturalworld for bee survival, owergardens do provide valuableSee “HUMAN” page 11A Firsthand Understanding Of Your Family’s Wealth PrioritiesMark Driediger, CFP, Senior Wealth AdvisorAssante Financial Management Ltd.www.MarkDriediger.com | (604) 859-4890 Farm Transition Coaching Customized Portfolio Strategy Retirement Income PlanningPlease visit www.assante.com/legal.jsp or contact Assante at 1-800-268-3200 for information with respectto important legal and regulatory disclosures relating to this notice.Your Farm. Your Family. Your Future.
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 11Retail sales of honey in BC were nearly $16.5 million in 2014, most of which sold at farmers markets,roadside stands and in direct sales to consumers and restaurants. (File photo)forage for bees.Those who wish to improve conditions forbees should use no pesticides, reduceimpervious surfaces wherever possible andplant bee owers. An internet search will yieldlists of owers preferred by bees but commonadvice is to oer a variety of bloomsthroughout the season and dierent shapesand colours of owers.You can even make a nest box for bees andput it out in the spring.Cartar is concerned about human impactson such important pollinators as bees. Bees arevital in the production of about a third of ourfood, yet we’re doing them harm.“We’re changing the world,” he warns.The Anthropocene Epoch is characterized asan era when human activities began to have asignicant impact on the earth’s ecosystems,but there’s no agreement among scientists asto start date.Cartar feels a likely beginning was in the1950s when plastics, concrete and aluminumbegan to accumulate in the environment.“We’re in a time of unprecedented humanimpact,” he says.HUMAN IMPACTS From page 10by JUDIE STEEVESKELOWNA – Despite reportsfrom many beekeepers in theOkanagan of low honey yieldsbecause of extreme heat anddrought last summer, overall,not only was it a good cropyear but prices for honey,beeswax and pollen werestrong in 2015, reportsprovincial apiculturist Paul vanWestendorp.He admits he was surprisedby the positive news in a yearof unusually dry weather inmuch of the province.“Many beekeepers reporteda good crop – average toabove-average. What made itparticularly rewarding was thefact that the commodity pricesof honey, wax and pollen havebeen very strong,” hecommented.More and more peoplebought honey straight frombeekeepers in 2015, with farmreceipts for retail sales ofhoney nearly doubling over2014, to nearly $16.5 million.That included honey sold atfarmers’ markets, roadsidestands and in direct sales toconsumers and restaurants.By comparison, beekeepers’receipts from honey sold tostores and wholesale packerswas more than $3 million in2015.Sales of beeswax alsoincreased to more than $1million last year. Not only is itused in candle-making, butincreasingly it is used in theproduction of food, cosmeticsand pharmaceuticals.Pollination income forbeekeepers for 2015 wasestimated at $5 million. Honeybees are used to pollinateberries, tree fruits and canola.It’s estimated that croppollination by honey beescontributes $250 million to theBC economy and more than $2billion throughout the country.There are more than 2,400beekeepers in BC with nearly45,000 colonies of bees.Agriculture minister NormLetnick congratulatedconsumers in BC for theirsupport for local foodproducers and for buying theirhoney direct from localbeekeepers.“Supporting local foodproducers creates local jobsand is a sweet reward to theprovince’s beekeepers,” hecommented.BC bees big businessJAGUAR. Multi-talented.604-864-227334511 VYE ROAD ABBOTSFORDSTORE HOURSMONDAY-FRIDAY, 8-5 SATURDAY CLOSED til MarchMCCORMICK CX105MFD CAB TRACTOR$28,900JD 7450 PRODRIVE SPFH4X4 KP, 10' GRASS PU, 676 6 ROW CORNHEADCALL FOR PRICING.JD 7400 SPFH 4X4, KP 10’ GRASS PICKUP,JD 686 6 ROW CORNHEADCALL FOR PRICING JOHN DEERE 3600 PLOW5 BOTTOM, DRAWBAR PULL$4,100CLAAS 870T TEDDER28.5’ HYD. FOLDCALL FOR DETAILSNH 315SMALL SQUARE BALER CALL FOR DETAILSPZ FANEX 7306 BASKET 24’ TEDDER $3,900CLAAS 1550 ROTARY RAKETWIN BASKET SIDE DELIVERY$17,900CLAAS 780LCENTER DELIVERY ROTARY RAKE$10,500Pre-ownedTractors &Equipmentwww.caliberequipment.ca
Country Life in BC • February 201612by SUSAN MCIVERSUMMERLAND – Over theyears, Jeanette Hesla ofTapestry Farm inSummerland has kepteverything from pigs andcattle to ducks and alpacas.At one point, she raisedalmost everything herhusband, Terry, and theirgrowing sons ate, includingmeat, milk and vegetables.She now specializes insheep.“I started in 2005 with fiveRomney ewes and have sinceacquired a BluefacedLeicester ram and a Gotlundram,” Jeanette says.She originally selectedRomneys because shewanted high-quality,purebred animals of arelatively rare breed. One ofthe less common breeds inCanada, the Romney evolvedin the low wet RomneyMarsh area in southeastEngland during the 13thcentury.“Romneys have long,lustrous wool, both colouredand white,” she says.Jeanette’s interest in fibrearts began over 30 years agowhen she took a class inspinning and weaving.“I bought Romney fleece atthe time. Now I produce it,”Jeanette says.Eventually, Jeanette beganhaving difficulty locatingpurebred Romney rams.More maintenanceRomneys have woolly facesand legs which require moremaintenance than the clearfaces and legs of otherbreeds.In spring 2012, Jeanette’sshearer told her aboutBluefaced Leicesters (BFL)which evolved from abreeding program in the 18thcentury in Leicester, England.She quickly purchased aBFL ram from Ranfurly Farmin Chase and used him thatfall to service nine RomneyIt’s all aboutthe fleece forthis OK breederJeanette Hesla of Tapestry Farm in Summerland has introduced Bluefaced Leicester and Gotlandbloodlines into her Romney ock of sheep. Above, Jeanette gives Yates, her BFL ram, a friendly pat.(Susan McIver photo)ewes. Of the resulting 22lambs, 19 went forbutchering and three ewelambs were kept.“A lady in the Yukon isinterested in buying one asbreeding stock,” Jeanettesays.Lighter fleeceBFLs have long curlythreadlike wool which makesit considerably lighter thanwool from other breeds. Forexample, some BFL fleecesweigh only two to threepounds.The fleece is becomingincreasingly popular forhand-spinning.In fall 2014, Jeanettepurchased a black Gotlandram from Ranfurly Farm.The fine-boned, medium-sized breed originated onthe Swedish island ofGotland.Gotlands are raised bothfor their excellent fleece,which is good for felting aswell as hand-spinning, andtheir tender and tasty meat.Can untie knots“They are a primitive breed– intelligent and mischievous.My ram loves to untie knotsin ropes,” Jeanette says.Today, Jeanette’s flockconsists of 15 ewes, includingtwo lambs, three rams and aneight-year-old Romneywether named Bailey. “I keep him because of hisgorgeous gray fleece,”Jeanette explains.She is finding that theintroduction of BFL andGotland bloodlines into herflock has resulted in excellentquality wool which shereadily sells to local spinnersand weavers and at fibrefestivals. “For some years now, awoman in the QueenCharlottes buys two fleeces ayear and more recently acustomer in Kaslo is buyingone fleece,” Jeanette says.In winter, Jeanette oftenputs coats made of rip stocknylon on her sheep.“It’s more work but itmakes a big difference ingetting clean wool. I’m fussyabout the fleece,” sheexplains.Sun bleach preventedShe has also used coats onher coloured sheep in thesummer to prevent sunbleach. While Jeanette’s primaryinterest is wool, Terry is incharge of meat sales.Terry is pleased with therobust, rapidly growinglambs resulting from the newvaried bloodlines.Most of the lambs are soldto a distributor while a fewgo directly to private buyers. Tapestry Farm lambs areborn in April and are readyfor market in the early fall.“Although our profit ishigher from meat sales thanfrom the wool, it’s sad to seethe lambs go. They’re still socute at that stage,” Jeanettesays.CUSTOM SLAUGHTER SERVICES PROVIDEDServing the Community TogetherWANTED: ALL SIZES MARKET GOATS & LAMBSashiq@meadowvalleymeats.com604/465-4752 (ext 105)fax 604/465-474418315 FORD ROADPITT MEADOWS, BC V3Y 1Z1PROVINCIALLY INSPECTED ABATTOIR BC#34• BEEF• VEAL• BISON • LAMB • GOAT • DEERMEADOW VALLEY MEATS1-888-770-7333BILLAWMACKFebruary 20th Kamloops 1:00pm Annual Pine Butte Ranch Horned Hereford Production SaleMarch 5th Williams Lake 1:00pm Prime Time Bull Sale & Cutting Edge Cattle Bull SaleMarch 8th Kamloops Valley Charolais Bull Sale RRTS CharolaisMarch 12th Williams Lake Harvest Angus Bull SaleMarch 19th Kamloops 12:30pm Angus Advantage Bull SaleMarch 21st OK Falls All Breeds Bull SaleMarch 26th Vanderhoof 1:00pm Northern Alliance Black & Red Angus Bull SaleApril 2nd Williams Lake 1:00pm Best Bet Bull Sale, Mitchell Cattle Co. & GuestApril 9th Vanderhoof 12:00pm All Breeds Bull SaleApril 14 & 15th Williams Lake Williams Lake Bull Show & Sale ll SaleTuesday January 26thKamloops is hosting a complete herd dispersal of 350 bred cows for Bar M RanchBCLBCLPINE BUTTERANCH21st ANNUALPRODUCTION SALESATURDAY, FEB 201 pm KAMLOOPSRegistered Horned Herefordssince 1961February 20 Kamloops 1 pm 21st annual Pine Butte Ranch Horned Hereford Production SaleMarch 5 Williams Lake 1 pm Prime Time Bull Sale & Cutting Edge Cattle Bull SaleMarch 8 Kamloops 12:30 Charolais Bull Sale RRTS CharolaisMarch 12 Williams Lake Harvest Angus Bull SaleMarch 19 Kamloops 12:30 pm Angus Advantage Bull SaleMarch 21 OK Falls 12:30 All Breeds Bull SaleMarch 26 Vanderhoof 1 pm Northern Alliance Black & Red Angus Bull SaleApril 2 Williams Lake 1 pm Best Bet Bull Sale, Mitchell Cattle Co. & GuestApril 5 Kamloops 12 pm Langenegger Cattle Co Red Angus Bull SaleApril 9 Vanderhoof 12 pm All Breeds Bull SaleApril 14-15 Williams Lake 11 am Williams Lake Bull Show & Sale
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 13More quota, bigger pay cheques on the way for dairy farmersby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – BC milkproducers can expect anincrease in their milk chequesin February.In December, the CanadianDairy Commission (CDC)announced an increase in thesupport price of butter and areduction in the supportprice of skim milk powdereffective February 1. Thesupport price of butter willincrease from $7.4046 to$7.7815 while the supportprice of skim milk powder willbe reduced from $6.3109 to$4.4176 per kg. “These adjustments insupport prices acknowledgethe 3.11% rise in the cost ofproducing milk and areadapted to changing marketconditions,” CDC chair AlistairJohnston said. Revenue increaseThe CDC expects theseadjustments to add up to anoverall revenue increase fordairy producers of about2.2% for milk used to produceyogurt, ice cream, cheese andbutter. At the same time, the BCMilk Marketing Board(BCMMB) announced anincrease of 2.192% in theprice of fluid milk, alsoeffective February 1.The entire fluid milk priceincrease is being applied tobutterfat (BF) as the WesternMilk Pool (BC to Manitoba)attempts to align its priceswith those in the P-5(Ontario-east).“As a result, the solid-nonfat (SNF) price will now beessentially the same acrossCanada,” explains BCMMBgeneral manager BobIngratta. Western producerswill still, however, get a lowerprice for their BC than theircounterparts in the P-5.Prices of fluid andindustrial milk are adjustedannually based on changes tothe cost of production andconsumer price index. This isthe first increase in two yearsas the formulae led to a slightdecrease in prices last year.Returns will varyIngratta notes producers’actual returns vary frommonth-to-month dependingon relative milk usage as wellas how much freight andother charges and/or creditsare applied to the pool in anygiven month.Although no increase hasyet been announced,producers can also expectanother quota increase in thenear future.“I’m going to give you avery good feeling aboutbeing in the dairy industry,”BCMMB chair Jim Byrne toldproducers at the MainlandMilk Producers annualmeeting in Abbotsford inearly January.Milk sales upHe noted the fallingCanadian dollar has resultedin less cross-border shopping.As a result, “we have beenable to recapture all theborder losses,” Byrne said,reporting BC milk sales are up2.9%, cream sales are up 3.4%and cheese sales are up 2.7%.Add increases in industrialmilk demand and you get atotal increase of 4.9% inbutterfat sales, which Byrnesays “usually translates to aquota increase. We haven’thad sufficient quota to meetthe market demand since2013.” That shortage is felt mostacutely in the butter stocks,which plummeted to historiclows and have resulted inextra imports of butter.“Canada is obligated tobring in 3,200 tonnes ofbutter through our tradeagreements but we broughtin a further 3,700 tonnes lastyear,” Byrne pointed out.Canada’s milk marketingboards are now meeting withprocessors to develop newmilk classes and a newpricing strategy so anincrease in butter productiondoesn’t lead to a furtherbuildup of solids-non fat.“We need to price SNF soprocessors use it,” Byrne said.More room for shippingEven without a quotaincrease, there is room in thesystem for producers to shipmore milk. The WMP isallowed to exceed its quotaby 0.5% but BC is currentlyonly 0.03% over quota. “We can produce anadditional 852,000 kg of BCbefore producers go overquota,” Byrne said.Board chair Jim Byrne says falling loonie has resulted in less cross-border shoppingThe board has also sentout a request for producersto consider converting theirquota to produce organicmilk from grass-fed Jersey,Guernsey and/or Brown Swisscows. The specialty milk isconsidered part of theboard’s lifestyle milkcategories and would receivea 15¢ per litre premium inaddition to the 30¢ per litrealready being paid fororganic milk.Two processors interested“We have at least twoprocessors interested inproviding it,” Ingratta says,noting such milk is already onBC retail shelves but sourcedfrom Ontario. “We should beable to produce it locally.”Initially, the board islooking for three to fiveproducers but that couldincrease if demand for theproduct takes off.Jim Byrne“Serving British Columbia proudly since 1946”MachineryLimitedCOMMITTED TO AGRICULTURE in the FRASER VALLEYwww.rollinsmachinery.caROLLINSRTRACTORSDEMO SPECIAL: NH TS6.125 ROPS, LOADER, 4WD, 6 CYLINDER (N30490) ...................................................................... 66,250DEMO SPECIAL: NH T4.105 CAB, 4WD (N30838) ........................ 59,750FORD 6640 1994 2WD, CAB (U30091) ........................................... 14,900FORD 8340 TRACTOR 2WD, W/CAB, 1994 (U31067) ...................... 19,900JD 870 TRACTOR 1997, 440 LDR,FLAIL MOWER (FORD 917A) (CNS582) ............................................. 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SOLD!SUPREME 300 FEED MIXER GOOD CONDITION (CNS581) ............ 18,000WALLENSTEIN GX900 BACKHOE W/15” BUCKET (CNS504) ........... 6,500CHILLIWACK • 1.800.242.9737 | 44725 Yale Road West • 604.792.1301LANGLEY • 1.800.665.9060 | 21869 - 56th Avenue • 604.533.0048AUTHORIZED DEALERKVERNELANDSUPREMEwww.canadianorganicfeeds.comFOR QUALITYCERTIFIEDORGANICFEEDS FOR BAGGED or BULK ORDERS:Darren JansenGeneral Manager604/794-3701organicfeeds@gmail.comCUSTOM ORDERSCertified to Canadian National Standards12:6(59,1*7+()5$6(59$//(<:H·YHEHHQSURXGO\IDPLO\RZQHGDQGRSHUDWHGVLQFHRSHQLQJLQ$QGZLWKWZREOHQGLQJSODQWVZH·UHRQHRI%&·VODUJHVWGLVWULEXWRUVRIJUDQXODUOLTXLGDQGIROLDUIHUWLOL]HUV2XUEX\LQJSRZHUDQGSUR[LPLW\WRWKH)UDVHU9DOOH\PDNHVXVWKHORJLFDOFKRLFHIRUWUXFNORDGVKLSPHQWV2.$1$*$1)(57,/,=(5/7'
Country Life in BC • February 201614ProfessionalServiceswww.agri-jobs.ca | Phone: 604-823-6222 | Email: info@agri-labour pool.comWe do the work for you! Agri-jobs.caOur business is helping your business GROW, since 1974.Connecting employers with the right employee!Contact us to nd out how we can fill your position:Looking for HELP on your farm?View over 100 listings of farm properties atwww.bcfarmandranch.comBC FARM & RANCHREALTY CORP.Buying or Selling a Farm or Acreage?GORD HOUWELINGCell: 604/793-8660GREG WALTONCell: 604/864-1610Toll free 1-888-852-AGRI (2474)Call BC’s First and OnlyReal Estate Office commited 100% to Agriculture!Helping industry build & implement practical & sustainable programs & publications To see past projects and potential scope of services visit www.qfirst.ca Ph: 604-309-3509 E: qfirst@telus.net For more information or to pursue an idea contact: Annette Moore B.Sc.(Agr), M.Sc., P.Ag. Quality First in Agriculture Inc. Jack Reams P.Ag. Agri-Consultingv BC Farm Business Advisory Services Consultantv Farm Debt Mediation Consultantv Organic Consultant & Inspectorv Meat Labeling ConsultantPhone: 604-858-1715 Cell: 604-302-4033Fax: 604-858-9815 email: marlene.reams@gmail.comCONFIDENTIALITY GUARANTEEDby TOM WALKERKELOWNA – The ClimateAction Initiative (CAI) isholding a final series ofmeetings in the Okanaganregion. Growers, nursery andindustry reps and municipaland regional district staff metto consider needs and selectpriority objectives in earlyDecember. They will be backtogether in early February toturn those priorities intoaction plans.Following a 2012assessment of climatechange-related risks andopportunities across theprovince, explains EmilyMacNair, manager ofadaptation programming forCAI, a series of in-depthregional plans withadaptation strategies are nowbeing developed across BC.Areas completed are thePeace, Cariboo, Cowichanand Fraser Valley/Delta.“A common concernacross the province was thata cookie cutter approach wasnot going to work forindividual regions,” MacNairsays. “We really needed tolook at regional issues andlocal concerns.”Whether or not youembrace the concept ofclimate change andregardless how you chooseto describe it, one thing iscertain and that isuncertainty. The recordbreaking early spring andwarm summer last year is anexample.How does that affectfarmers directly? “Our cherries were in theEuropean market two tothree weeks early,” Olivergrower Greg Norton toldmeeting guests. “We ran intodirect competition that wehave not seen before withour usual ripening andshipping dates.”Problems for wineOkanagan grapes ripenedearly this year as well andwhile yields were good, itpresented a different set ofproblems for the wineindustry. “It was 30 C out when wewere picking,” says Naramatagrower and wine makerGraham O’Rourke. “Thatmeant we had to cool thegrapes quickly or risk thembeginning to rot.” The Okanagan-Thompsonregion will have some uniquechallenges over the next 35years, workshop participantswere told.The average annualtemperature in the Okanaganregion is expected toincrease 1.4 C by 2020 and2.4 C by 2050. That translatesdirectly into 21 more frostfree days a year by 2020 andup to 38 more frost free daysby 2050. There are likely to be249 more growing degreedays by 2020 and 453 moreby 2050. More extremely hotdays are expected, as well asoverall warmer and driersummers. Annual precipitation isexpected to increase 1.2% by2020 and 4.4% by 2050. Butthat is likely to show up asmore rain and less snow inthe winter and less rain in thesummer. At the Decemberworkshop, participantsselected three climatechange priorities. Warmerand drier summers, changesto pest populations, andextreme precipitation eventswere the issues deemed mostimportant by thoseattending. Water management issuesare the direct outcome ofwarmer and drier summersand a change in precipitationtiming. Growers in theOkanagan are likely to findwater supplies affected inlate summer and into the fall.The irrigation season will belonger which will incur highercosts and non irrigated cropsmay see impacts to cropyields and quality. Warmertemperatures may lead totree fruit stress and loweryields as trees begin to shutdown at temperatures over30C. Indeed, highertemperatures this pastsummer caused some treefruit to be smaller sized.Grim reminderIncreasing wildfire risks willaccompany warmer and drierconditions. The interface firesthat threatened southernOkanagan vines and fruittrees this summer are a grimreminder.Any change in the climatemay lead to a change inpests. There is a likelihood ofan increasing number of pestcycles in a year. Timing ofpest management strategieswill need to be changed andcrops dealing with heat andwater stress are morevulnerable to pest damage.Growers will need toconsider what new pestsmight be attracted to awarmer Okanagan Valley. Extreme precipitationevents will impact growersthrough soil erosion,landslides and flooding.Pollination and spray timingmay be interrupted andcrops damaged.Enhancing ag’s abilityFourteen projects havebeen completed across theprovince with 15 moreunderway, MacNair says.There is only $300,000 inGrowing Forward funding foreach region but participantsidentified strategies andactions that would enhanceagriculture’s ability to adaptto projected climatechanges. “Individual farmers canadapt,” says MacNair. “Theyalways do. But there arebigger issues at play herethat go beyond the farmgate.”An evaluation of theirrigation potential in thePeace Region has recentlybeen completed. The CaribooRegion studied co-operativemaintenance andenhancement ofagriculturally significantdams. A drainage and sub-irrigation study wascompleted in the Delta areaand Cowichan stakeholdersare piloting a drought alertsystem.The February workshopwill develop action plans forthe Okanagan.Emily MacNairOkanagan identifies priorities for Climate Action InitiativeFollowing assessments of risks and opportunities, adaptation strategies are under developomentDustinStadnykCPA, CAChrisHendersonCPA, CANathalieMerrillCPA, CMATOLL FREE 1-888-818-FARM | www.farmtax.comExpert 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 ExemptionsApproved consultants for Government funding through BC Farm Business Advisory Services ProgramARMSTRONG 250-546-8665 | LUMBY 250-547-2118 | ENDERBY 250-838-7337
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 15by TOM WALKERKELOWNA – There is amarked level of optimism forboth treefruit andgrapegrowers intheOkanaganvalley andthe decades-long trend ofpulling treesin favour ofvines may bereaching anend point.“This industry actually putmore apple trees into theground than we took out overthe last year,” says BC FruitGrowers Association (BCFGA)president Fred Steele. “For therst time in 32 years, theindustry has actually grown –modest, but it has grown.”The tax man has proof.Acreage totals recorded by theOkanagan Sterile Insect ReleaseProgram (SIR) show that in 2005there were 11,800 acres plantedin pomme fruits (apples andpears) from Osoyoos through tothe Shuswap. That acreagecontinued to decline over thenext nine years at an average of450 acres a year, down to 8440acres in 2014. Then, in thespring of 2015, there was aslight increase of 23 acres. (SIRcollects fees to fund theirprogram as soon as trees gointo the ground.)“We intend to keep it thatway,” Steele adds. “I have hadcalls from as far away asSpences Bridge where, 100years ago, they had an appleindustry; they want to get backinto the market place. “They are calling me abouthaving people come and seewhat they have to oer.”Steele notes the gradualwarming trend across thevalley. Cherry acreage isexpanding. He points to newvarieties and elevationplantings stretching up thevalley hillsides. “It used to be you had tocome to the Okanagan by theend of July or we would be outof cherries,” he says. “Not so!We now have late seasonvarieties and elevationplantings so that the lastpicking is on the Labour Dayweekend.”“I think the industry hascreated a positiveatmosphere,” says Steele.“(Minister of Agriculture) NormLetnick once said to meoptimism is contagious and Iagree with him. Instead of, “OhMore trees in the groundfor BC fruit producersGod, can we really do this?” it’show are we going to do thisand it makes all the dierencein the world.”Grape plantings in theOkanagan have grown as adirect opposite to thedeclining pomme fruitnumbers. The 2014 BC WineGrape Acreage Report notesthat in 1999 there were 4,184acres in vines. By 2014, thathad swelled to 10,260 acres.Some periods saw a more than30% increase, but that hasleveled o with 2008 to 2011gaining only 8.7% and 2011 to2014 just 4.1%.After stories of a surpluscrop in the summer of 2014,British Columbia GrapeGrowers Association presidentManfred Freese says things areback in line. “Optimism has made acomeback,” says Freese. “Theprospects have looked betterthis year; sales have gone verywell with just a few extra tonsavailable.” Freese says the majority ofgrowers are moving tocontract their crop and thathelps with prices. However, hesays some growers didactually pull out grapes toreplant in apples this lastspring. But is that going to betrend? BCFGA general managerGlen Lucas doesn’t think so. Rather than a direct changeof crops, he sees the industrygaining momentum fromwithin, as apple growers takeadvantage of the replantprogram. ”As I drive out of downtownKelowna up onto the fruitgrowing benches thatsurround the lake, I see signsof potential,” says Lucas. “I seeland that used to have oldtrees with wide spacing that isready to go back intoproduction with currentgrowing methods.”After years of losing ground (mostly to grapes), apple plantings areon the increase. (File photo)Fred SteeleM7 Series Tractor and SSV Skid Steer.www.avenuemachinery.caABBOTSFORD 1.888.283.3276KELOWNA 1.800.680.0233VERNON 1.800.551.6411Book yourSpring servicetoday!See the all New M7 SeriesTractor and SSV Skid SteerOPEN HOUSEABBOTSFORDMARCH 11-12Save the date!
Country Life in BC • February 201616 6IEWTHISYEAR´S'ALAPHOTOANDMOREAT!G'ALABRITISH COLUMBIACHICKEN MARKETING B OARD Y Th k k T YLLYSUORENEGSICIRG!#"EH4 ALA'YBDEROSNOPSERUTLUC L1915sinceColumbiaBritishincersouwsewnalragricultuheTYRRYTNUOC efBfeiifLYYYBCfinf DRAOG BNITEKRAN MEKCIHCAIBMULOH CSITIRB traceabilitytysolutions IHTI6YRRYTSUDN)ENI7TIUR&EHTGNIVRE3SRAE9REVOROFFO DTHL'´ L'!T
17February 2016 • Country Life in BC4HE"#!GRICULTURE#OUNCIL"#!#ISTHEPROVINCE´SUMBRELLAFARMORGANIZATION!SACOUNCILOFPROVINCIALFARMORGANIZATIONSWEREPRESENTTHEMAJORITYOF"#FARMFAMILIESWHOINTURNGENERATEPERCENTOFTHEFARMGATERECEIPTS IN"RITISH#OLUMBIA!GRICULTUREISTHETHIRDLARGESTRESOURCESECTORIN"#PLAYINGASIGNIFICANTANDIMPORTANTROLEINTHEPROVINCIALECONOMYANDTHEHEALTHOF"RITISH#OLUMBIANS"#!#´SMISSIONISTOCONTINUALLYIMPROVETHESOCIALENVIRONMENTALANDECONOMICSUSTAINABILITYOFAGRICULTUREIN"#,EARNMOREATWWWBCACBCCA,EADINGTHEWAYTOGETHER$(-&(0(-&(0/.(-&(0/.(-&(0$$ $ " # "!! "!"% #!#!#! "! #!$"! # #$" !!" GAIN ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE FARMER DISCOUNTS AND BENEFITS!;OL)*-HYTLY0KLU[P[`*HYK7YVNYHTPZZWLJPÄJHSS`KLZPNULK[VVɈLYMHYTLYZHUKYHUJOLYZL_JS\ZP]LILULÄ[Z[VPTWYV]L[OLPYI\ZPULZZHUKSPMLZ[`SL"!"" ! # !!!$ ! ! !#" !!"$#! #! " !!$"!"*(%0-(0%0'+1%3%+,%&,(2/%,,&/.%'()%0-(01Issued by the BC Agriculture CouncilBC Farmer Identity CardEXPIRY DATE:No:Bona Fide FarmerBENJAMIN J. WEATHERINGTONBlueberry Valley Farms 230-32160 South Fraser WayAbbotsford BC V2T 1W512/12 /12 01234-567890! &"& &$!&'#$- ,!)'* '*#' $( %)&' $ #+ &-'!&$$&%*!&*(!(&*'#')&#&*!#')&#&"'((!###$&!$(!$$ ##&#(!!$"'$#'(#!!)!&$#'(#$"$#!#(&'$#!(-$#($&##"$& www.bcac.bc.ca 1-866.522.3447 I DERMRAFFACEC ANIAG !!! DN ASTNUCOSISIUCLX EO TSS !SITEFEN BEVSI d5:ETADYRIPXE2raCytitnedIremraFCBlicnuoe CrutlucirgACBe htybdeussIr1/21/21WW51T2VCBdroffostobbAyaWWaresarFFrhtuoS06123-032smraFFayellaVyrrebeuemrrmaarFFaeddeiidFFiannaoBBo d:oN76543210 \ $!!" SJ_LZYLOJUHYKUHLK0YLTYH-*)LO;I DERMRAFFA L! #]VYWTPV[Z[ÄLULIL]PZ\WZZPTHYNVY7KYH*`[P[ULDN ASTNUCOSI `" $ !" ! #[ZLMPSKUHZZLUPZ\IYPLO[LɈVV[KLUNPZLK`SSHJÄPJLW!SITEFEN B "$LS`YLZLHMM :oN098765-43210 (2#!# ,&%,+%31%'+%00(-0%(* (0&(-$,! %"!"# # $!#,/%(2 (0(0&(-./&(- !"$ (0$&(-./ "!! &-0)%('%/.&&"&$$&%*$&!!###'(#$# $(10(-*#''!)'*,- #$$!&'&##')&'*&!((&*!$$&%*!(!&###$$ !$($&!(&'$#!$"$#!#( -'!&&&$ #+'%)&$((&"'(#!#')&*&#!!)!&'(#$#$"'!#"$&$&#-$#(( a.cc.bacc.bwww 1-866.522.3447BCAC FARMER ID CARDThe BC Agriculture Council(BCAC) represents over14,000 BC farm families via29 farm sector associationsfrom all regions of theprovince. Our mission isto continually improve thesocial, environmental andeconomic sustainabilityof BC agriculture.SAVETHOUSANDS OFDOLLARSPST EXEMPTIONS, COLOURED FUEL,INSURANCE DISCOUNTSAND MORE!EXPIRY DATE: 12/12/18 No: 01234-567890www.bcac.bc.ca1-866-522.3447Register or renew your BCAC Farmer ID Card this February & receive a $10 Tim Hortons gift card!**While quantities last.what’s your tip?.OAHHISDAD2AYMOND"REDENHOF0ROUD"#0OULTRY&ARMERSRaymond’s farm safety tip ±!LWAYSBEAWAREOFPEOPLEESPECIALLYKIDSWHOAREAROUNDWHENOPERATINGMACHINERY²3HAREYOURfarm safety tipTO!G3AFETY#HAMP&ARMERSHELPINGFARMERSSTAYSAFE
Country Life in BC • February 201618by PETER MITHAMFORT ST JOHN – People power is squaringo against hydro power in the Peace Riverdistrict as opponents block access to whereconstruction of the Site C dam is under way.Despite countless court victories for theprovince that have quashed challenges to thedam, opponents aren’t giving up hope ofstopping the $8.4 billion energy project.Buoyed by local First Nations, opponents aimto stop the construction that will consumethousands of acres of agricultural land for aplan some have called a relic of the 20thcentury.Protestors gathered on the morning ofJanuary 6 at 269 and Old Fort Roads west ofFort St John to block access to the dam’sconstruction site.Among the handful of people assembledwas Arthur Hadland, an agrologist, farmer andformer director of the Peace River RegionalDistrict, who was arrested along with twoothers on mischief charges shortly after theblockade began.Hadland, a vocal opponent of the dam, haspenned several letters on the issue. In an openletter sent to Country Life in BC last spring,Hadland argued that the project posed asignicant safety concern and nancial burdento BC residents, with no compensationprovided to Peace River residents as wasprovided – after years of clamouring – forthose aected by the Columbia River Treatydams.“Destroying a river is neither green norclean,” he said in a letter regarding the projectto Premier Christy Clark and circulated tomedia this past November. “Economic,environmental and social responsibility arelargely marginalized. [BC Hydro] has neverdeveloped a social licence to build andoperate within the Peace Region.”Hadland has many supporters, and not justamong old-timers like Mike Kroecher, now 79,who moved to the region in 1965.“I’m an oldtimer, and I’ve been opposedfrom day one to this idiotic scheme,” Kroechertold a reporter for the Alaska Highway News.“Sometimes, as human beings, we can’t justalways sit on the sidelines; we have to make astand, and this is it. And if they want to arrestme, so be it.”Backing the old guard are First Nations andenvironmentalists, about a dozen of whomhave been camped out at the old RockyMountain Fort site, several miles into the bushsouth of Fort St John.Veteran environmentalist David Suzukimade the pilgrimage to Rocky Mountain Fortin mid-January, throwing his support behindopponents to a project he told CBC he himselfsuccessfully opposed in the 1980s.“I wanted to go and thank them,” Suzukitold CBC. “I was one of many, many people 30years ago that was opposing the dam at Site C– exactly the same dam and we won that one.… So I can’t gure out what the hell – wealready had this battle before and we're havingit again.”Despite the swift police response toprotectors’ blockade of the construction siteon January 6, the bush camp established bymembers of the Treaty 8 First Nationsremained at press time despite an evictionnotice from BC Hydro.Sources among opponents have toldCountry Life in BC that the opposition of localFirst Nations is the best chance critics have forshutting down the project.Stewart Phillip, Grand Chief of the Union ofBC Indian Chiefs, has lent hope to the cause,coming out swinging against what he calls the“provocative and aggressive approach” of BCHydro.“It is absolutely unacceptable that BC Hydrois relentlessly clear-cutting forests right now toprepare for the ooding of the Peace RiverValley, which will destroy archaeological sitesand eradicate prime farmland,” he told CBC inadvance of David Suzuki’s visit to protestors.“The proposed Site C project will irreparablyharm and adversely impact the environmentand the Treaty 8 First Nations and all residentswhose lives are entwined with the health ofthe land and waters.”The leaders of other First Nations groupsalso back the resistance of Treaty 8 FirstNations to the Site C dam, underscoring theprovince’s failure to adequately consultaboriginal interests and resolve outstandingissues associated with the dam.Site C opponents arrested asconstruction protests continueRCMP ocers were called in when protesters of the Site C Dam set up a blockade limiting access tothe dam’s construction site last month. 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February 2016 • Country Life in BC 19by PETER MITHAMDAWSON CREEK – Wind isthe latest controversial crop inBC to spark discussions aroundspecialized new zoning togovern its harvesting.While local governmentselsewhere discuss theregulation of medicalmarijuana, Peace River isstudying the potential tointroduce a new class ofzoning for small-scale windfarms following interest from anumber of property owners.Directors of the regionaldistrict discussed a sta reportissued January 7 regarding theupswing in applications, whichnow total four.The projects are popular inthe province’s Northeast,thanks to the winds sweepingacross the foothills from themountains to the west. Someof the province’s biggest windpower developments arelocated here, such as SanFrancisco-based PatternEnergy Group LP’s 185MWproject near Tumbler Ridge,which is set to begin supplyingthe grid in late 2016.However, many projects areon hold pending a major newcall for power from BC Hydro,which has focussed ondeveloping Site C to supplythe power required to servethe province's growingpopulation and northernindustrial projects.Subhead hereProjects generating lessthan 15MW are handledthrough BC Hydro's standingoer program, and are notsubject to environmentalassessments – a key point ofcontention. “A number of ALR andrezoning applications for windfarms have been received thatare within the land usejurisdiction of the Peace RiverRegional District and for which[provincial] environmentalassessments are not requiredand inquiries from industryindicate that many more mayalso come forward,” the reportstates.Three of the applicationshave received approval fromthe Agricultural LandCommission, which doesn’tconsider wind farms anagricultural use. A fourth isunder consideration.The original threeapplications have since comeback to the regional district forrezoning approvals but thedistrict has no criteria forjudging the applicationsbecause wind farms aren’t apermitted use under existingregulations.However, all three projectshave authorization under BCWind farms pose regulatory questions for local gov’tsHydro’s standing-oerprogram, putting the district –already at odds with BC Hydroover the contentious Site Cdam project – in a tough spot.Critics claim the wind farms,all of which are smaller than 15MW and therefore not subjectto environmental assessmentsby the province, will (like SiteC) cause environmentaldamage.Wind farms have long facedcriticism as blights on thelandscape; many opponentsfear the impact on wildlife.Both were among theconcerns that area directorsfor the regional districtdiscussed at a meeting inDecember and whichresurfaced in mid-January todiscuss the sta report.The directors also mulledthe question of heightrestrictions, aestheticguidelines, noise thresholdsand other concerns that mightcome forward with furtherstudy.Gravel extractionWind farms aren’t the rstactivity scrutinized by regionaldistricts in lieu of the need forprovincial environmentalassessments.Opponents of plans byBalme Ayr Farms Ltd. toreshape a portion of itsproperty at Cobble Hill onVancouver Island to improveits agricultural capability nixedplans for the farm to processgravel removed from theproperty on site.Cowichan Valley RegionalDistrict sta couldn’t issue atemporary permit foraggregate processing on sitebecause the district’s planningdocuments didn’t give itexplicit authority in the matter.Nevertheless, the proposalhad received approval fromthe Agricultural LandCommission and exemptionfrom review by the province’senvironmental assessmentoce.The circumstance mean theBalmes now have to truckaggregate to Duncan forprocessing, increasing trucktrac and doubling theanticipated life of the project.Bearing in mind the publicinterest, the sta reportconcerning wind farms in thePeace River districtencourages a publicengagements process of somesort. The consistency of locallegislation with provincialagencies will also beconsidered, with any draftbylaw likely referred tomunicipalities within thedistrict.Wind farm projects in the Peace River are on hold as the district grapples with questions concerningthe need for environmental assessments. (File photo)Let’s grow together.BMO is pleased to announce the appointment of Diane Murphy as Vice President, Agriculture, Commercial Banking based in Abbotsford.Diane joined BMO in October 2011 as a Mid Market CommercialAccount Manager in the Fraser Valley. Prior to BMO, Diane worked asRelationship Manager in Agriculture in Ontario, Alberta and BC. 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by PETER MITHAMABBOTSFORD – Hop production is on the rise in BC withyears of recovery paying o this past fall in a record number ofwet-hopped beers from the province’s craft breweries. Thecoming year will see that momentum continue, with bearingacreage set to double and a locally developed hop varietybequeathed to brewers.“It was a spectacular season; we had one of the bestsummers you could possibly ask for for growing hops,” saysDwayne Stewart of BC Hop Co. in Abbotsford, which harvested10,000 pounds of hops from 38 acres this past year and is set tohandle double that in 2016 with 100 acres set for production.While presenting rst-time growers such as Stewart with thewarm, dry conditions ideal for hop production, it’s alsoencouraged more growers to get involved.“This year you saw a lot of new elds coming online,” he says.“I get two or three phone calls a week from people inquiringabout growing hops.”Those calls are good news for Stewart, who is seeking toboost production to 125 acres, but it’s also good news for theprovince’s ve dozen craft breweries, who are keen on boastinglocal content as well as keeping input costs low in theincreasingly competitive craft beer scene.“We’re denitely trying to source local as much as we can,and we’re trying to trend in that direction, even more so as theAmerican dollar is going crazy on us,” says Lee Agur, co-ownerof Bad Tattoo Brewing Co. in Penticton. “We are looking tomove everything as local as possible and [this winter] we’reevaluating every supplier we have and seeing if there’ssomeone closer to home.”Bad Tattoo’s tanks were made by Ripley Stainless Ltd. inSummerland and the brewery’s pizzeria comes from UpperBench Cheese Co., just outside of town on the Naramata Bench;next year, an employee plans to harvest hops from a one-acrehop yard in Twin Lakes for a limited release beer.The farm supplied hops for one of Bad Tattoo’s initialreleases. When the grower announced plans to get out of hops,Bad Tattoo’s employee jumped in.“He’s going to try and grow it into a business, and we’rehoping to source some hops from him,” Agur says. “We’rehoping that more hop farms open up.”The majority of hops in BC-made beers come from theYakima Valley in Washington state, one of the world’s key hop-growing areas. Agur and others in the industry want to see thatchange, and Agur is particularly keen to see a hop that reectsCanada.“Right now, I don’t think there’s anything that really standsout that’s a Canadian hop,” he says. “We’re hoping that if morehop farms open up, and we’re supporting them, that there’senough money in that industry to make, basically, a Canadianhop.”It’s exactly that kind of development that Stewart says is justaround the corner.Potential for new styles of beerWith more than 200 bearing acres this past season and morethan 400 acres set for harvest in 2016, the industry is generatingthe kind of interest needed to develop a unique variety of hopfor local growers. Developed independent of government, theindustry-driven hop has the potential to create opportunitiesfor new styles of beer beyond those allowed by Amarillo,Centennial, Goldings and other well-known varieties.“These varieties are known, they’re not new,” Stewart says.“We’re supporting a broader ranger of locally produced beers, Iwould suggest, but as far as styles or types, not really dierentbecause the [hop] varieties are not dierent.”The new locally-developed hop set to hit the market in 2016promises to shake up the market and be the talk of the tapswhen craft beer enthusiasts gather next autumn.“It’s super-secret at the moment, but it’s coming,” Stewartsays, declining to give details. “When that comes out, you’ll seenew kinds of beer possible because it’s a dierent hop.”• More on this story next pageCountry Life in BC • February 201620TAKE A STEP INSIDEVERSATILITY | MANEUVERABILITY| VISIBILITYmaneuverability of a wheel loader| visibility of a tractor| versatility of a telehandler Matsquiag RepairSales, Service & PartsEst.1989LTDMATSQUIThe TM 220 & 320 has maneuverability of a wheel loader, visibility of a tractor and the versatility of telehandler. Designed with you in mind, to be your most reliable farmhand. Contact Matsqui Ag Repair to demo a new Telemaster today!JCB TM 320 TELESCOPIC HANDLER www.matsquiagrepair.comMatsqui Ag Repair34856 Harris Rd Abbotsford BC 604-826-3281YOUR NEW JCB AGRICULTURE DEALERSThe number of acres planted to hops in BC is expected to double this year. (David Schmidt le photo)Farmers hop to it,spurred on by callsfor more local crops
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 21Food bank grateful for milk donation from dairy associationby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – BC Ministerof Finance Mike deJong haspromised more money foragriculture in the 2016provincial budget. But beforeanyone jumps for joy, it willlikely not be a signicantincrease.The increase will “probablynot (be) as much as you’dlike,” deJong told dairymen atthe Mainland Milk Producersannual meeting inAbbotsford, January 8.DeJong was among agroup of federal, provincialand local politicians mouthingtheir support of agriculture ingeneral and the dairy industryin particular. Both Abbotsfordmayor Henry Braun and newMatsqui-Mission-FraserCanyon Liberal MLA Jati Sidhustressed its importance to theregion’s economy.“I shudder to think wherewe would be without farmerslike you,” said Sidhu, a formerAbbotsford berry andvegetable grower.MMP also received theheartfelt thanks of AbbotsfordFood Bank executive directorDave Murray, whoacknowledged theassociation’s donation of$100,000 of fresh milk forFraser Valley food banks.“Your milk is gold to us,”Murray told producers, notingit was the largest single dairydonation food banks haveever received.Leads to deficitAlmost $10,000 of thedonation was included inMMP’s 2014-15 scal yearwhich ended October 31. Thebalance will be included inMMP’s 2015-16 scal year.Even though it will result in aprojected decit of almost$50,000 this year, MMPpresident HolgerSchwichtenberg said the MMPboard unanimously approvedthe donation, noting it was away for the association to giveback some of the large surplusit has accumulated the pastfew years.Producers clearly agreed,re-electing directors MarcDalton, David Janssens, TheoStoker, Wally Tenbrinke andStan Van Keulen for newthree-year terms. The onlynew director is Casey Pruim.He replaces Louis Schurmann,who chose not to run again.The food bank donation isnot the only donation theMMP made in the past year.They also donated $10,000towards the new studenthousing at the University ofBC Dairy Education andResearch Centre in Agassiz,part of their ve-year $50,000commitment to the now-completed project.Young milk producersThey also supported theirown up and coming farmersby providing over $24,000 forthe Mainland Young MilkProducers. This includedsending half a dozen youngproducers to the DairyFarmers of Canada annualmeeting in Vancouver in July.BC Dairy Associationpresident David Taylorcongratulated MMP on theirinitiatives, saying the BCDA ishoping to further their eortswith a provincial program tosupply dairy products to foodbanks across the province.Both Schwichtenberg andTaylor extolled the benets ofsupply management but saidall producers must support it ifit is to be retained.“Don’t ever take the supplymanagement system we havefor granted,” Schwichtenbergsaid. “We have a system thatworks. Let’s not wreck it.”Taylor said that meansproducers must live up to themilk quality, food safety,animal welfare, traceability,environmental and biosecuritystandards included in theDairy Farmers of CanadaproAction initiative.“As leaders, we willcontinue to advocate tomaintain supplymanagement,” Taylor said.“Don’t handcu us by notfollowing good agriculturalpractices.”Commercial hop growing inBC eectively ended in 1997when the nal harvest from 300acres near Chilliwack was baledand shipped o to Oregon.But Rebecca Kneen andBrian MacIsaac of Crannóg Alesand Left Fields Farm in Sorrentokept the spirit alive, cultivatinga small hopyard and producinga hops production guide forother farmers interested ingrowing the crop.Three years ago, the numberof growers numbered a dozen,with acreage increasing byleaps and bounds. Left Fieldsnow has 10 acres of hops, andBC Hop Co. is among thegrowers aiming at bringingmore than 100 acres intoproduction.One of the big issues iskeeping up with demand forrhizomes, especially virus-freematerial that won’tcompromise the harvest qualityor the health of the industry. Dwayne Stewart of BC HopCo. kick-started his operationwith plant material from theUniversity of Washington butto secure the volume of stockneeded, he worked with a localgrower to propagate rhizomesto populate his hop yard.“There’s a shortage of stockin the sense that we had to doit ourselves,” he says. “If you’reout there trying to buy stock,yeah, it’s somewhat dicult tocome by.”However, the can-doattitude of the industry isshown not just by thewillingness of the mostambitious to propagaterhizomes themselves, but todevelop an indigenous varietyof hop that will reect the localterroir. The result promises toVirus-free rhizomes vital for healthy hop harvestbe craft beers that are localfrom the ground up.While the movement hasbeen largely industry-driven, ithasn’t been without calls forgovernment recognition.In 2013, addressing JohnYap, parliamentary secretary forliquor policy reform, the BCCraft Brewers’ Guild urgedVictoria to “create jobsthroughout BC by encouraginginvestment from craft brewers,”including through theencouragement of “ ‘BC Only’ingredients for brewingthrough tax incentives.”Similar tax incentives existfor distilleries, which have saidexcise taxes make it dicult forthem to compete, but craftbreweries have so far beenviewed as small beer by theprovince.Sourcing disease-free rhizomes is one of the challenges facing hopgrowers looking to expand to meet market demands. 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Country Life in BC • February 201624by DAVID SCHMIDTLANGLEY – Inviting thelocal mayor to open anagricultural conference isoften a formality and usuallyincludes platitudes about theimportance of agriculture tothe municipality, wordsquickly forgotten by both thespeaker and the audience.Not so at the LangleySustainable AgricultureFoundation’s Farm BusinessPlanning workshop, held latelast year.While Langley Townshipmayor Jack Froese’s openingremark that “farm businessplanning is the mostimportant part of farming” isthe kind of comment youwould expect a mayor tomake, his own historyreinforced it.Twenty years ago, whenthey were just another pair ofstruggling turkey growers, heand his wife attended a 12-week course on diversicationand farm business planning.That led to JD Farmsswitching from mainstream tospecialty turkey production,adding specialty turkeyprocessing and wholesalingand eventually a bustling on-farm market and bistro, eachstep preceded by intensivebusiness planning. Mostrecently, the family engagedin succession planning to turncontrol of the farm andmarket over to Froese’s sonand daughter, allowing him totake on his new job of mayor.“If you don’t innovate, youfall behind,” Froese said,adding farmers who innovateare the ones who survive.He stressed the need toinclude the ability to “payyourself” in any farm businessplan, saying farming getstedious very quickly “if youdon’t pay yourself.” BC Ministry of Agriculturebusiness developmentspecialist Clint Ellison heartilyagreed, telling the audience“farming as a business is awonderful lifestyle butfarming as a lifestyle is ahorrible business.”Froese’s commentspreempted those of ChrisBodnar of Close to HomeOrganics in Langley, who hadbeen tasked with identifyingthe value of businessplanning. Although farmersneed “hope” to start, that isnot a plan. “Hope only takes you sofar,” Bodnar said. “The man orwoman with the plan wins.”People with a plan“accomplish what they set outto do,” he noted, as Froesehad already proved.Bodnar said the one in vefarms which have a businessplan are more businessoriented, more open toopportunities and change andmore condent in the future.He told farmers to establishnancial, business andpersonal goals for 10 yearshence, design their plan tomeet those goals, thenmeasure their progressagainst those goals. The goalsneed to be SMART: Specic,Measurable, Attainable,Realistic and Time-related.Kamloops accountant ChrisHenderson, whose practicefocuses on farmers, ranchersand agricultural organizations,told the audience to create ateam to develop andimplement the plan, saying theteam should not only includethe people who work on thefarm, but also an accountant, alawyer, a banker and aninvestment/insurance agent.He said the process is moreimportant than the end result.That process should denewhere you are now, whereyou are going, how you willget there and something toidentify when you havearrived.He noted many plans fail toaccount for cash ow. Abusiness may have excellentprot potential but if there’snot enough money to coverthe costs in the meantime,you may never make it to theprot stage.The BCMA has a number ofresources to help farmersdevelop business plans. Itstarts with “Taking Stock,” freefarm business planningworkbooks for both existingand beginning farmers. Theworkbooks start with aquestionnaire to help farmersidentify their strengths andweaknesses and provide achecklist of items to include inthe plan. They includemarketing, productioneconomics, human resources,nancial management, socialresponsibility, successionplanning, business structureand risk management.Once farmers havecompleted the self-assessment, Ellison urgesthem to take advantage of theministry’s Farm BusinessAdvisory Services Program toesh out the plan.Under Tier 1, farmers willreceive a basic farm nancialassessment (valued at $2,000)from an accredited farmbusiness managementconsultant for just $100.Under Tier 2, they will receive85% support up to $3,000 towork with the consultant todevelop a more detailedbusiness strategy.The workbooks and a list ofeligible consultants areavailable at[www.al.gov.bc.ca/busmgmt/].Business planning essential forsuccessful small farm start-upsTownship of Langley mayor and turkey grower/processor Jack Froese. (David Schmidt photos)BC Ministry of Agriculture agri-food businessdevelopment specialist Clint Ellison.meridianeq.comMERIDIAN EQUIPMENT CO., INC.5946 Guide Meridian, BELLINGHAM, WAPH. 360.398.2141 • email: meridianeq@msn.comTRACTORS • TRUCKS • IMPLEMENTSFARM EQUIPMENTAUCTIONSATURDAY, MARCH 19Spring ConsignmentSee our complete inventory atFarmersEquip.comLYNDEN, WASHINGTON888-855-4981PRICES IN US DOLLARS2008 CASE IH PUMA 195 16SP POWERSHIFT, LX770LOADER, NICE TIRES, 80%TREAD FE#22554$120,000’96 KUBOTA L235025 HP, GEAR DRIVE, LB400LOADER, 540 PTO, TURF TIRESFE #23278$8,95006 NH TM1554WD, AC, HEAT, 850TL SELFLEVELING LDR, 5185 HOURS FE #22791$59,950VOLVO L50B WHEEL LOADER1670 HRS ON REMAN MOTOR,BKT/FORKS, HYD QUICKCHANGE BUCKET, GOOD TIRES,FE#20050$39,950JOHN DEERE 94005,400 HRS, FR/R DUALS, 3PT, 4 SETS OF REMOTESFE#23347$84,950
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 25by RONDA PAYNEONTARIO – Despite itspopularity south of theborder, the Pixie grape willnot be making its way backinto the US in the foreseeablefuture. That’s due to recentlimiting USDA requirementsthat were not in place whenthe grape rst came on themarket. Now that importpermit requirements arepreventing the pixie fromtravelling south, consumers inBC may nd it easier to gettheir hands on the miniaturegrape plant which has beenavailable in Canada in limitednumbers for the past threeyears.The Pixie grape was literallyborn in a garbage pile in2008, notes ChandraBierhuizen, sales andmarketing manager withSunrise Greenhouses inOntario. Daryl Somers withVineland Research Centre hadnished his work with theprolic plant and tossed itout. “Robert Bierhuizen[Sunrise’s founder] was on adirector’s tour at VinelandResearch,” notes Chandra. Robert’s chance encounterwith the disposal pile led todiscussions to develop thePixie as the first dwarfspecies.“The rst variety to comeaboard was the ‘Purple’ PinotMeunier for a soft trial intothe consumer market,” saysChandra. “The results weredramatic; we had people fromall over the world calling,emailing and stopping in atSunrise for the Pixie grape.”That was in 2012 when thepurple Pinot was trialed. Now,new varieties are beingcreated with a desire for aseries of varietals.Plug Connections, a plantpropagator and reseller in theUS, took more than 40,000Pixie plants in 2015 but inJuly, a change to USDApermits required an importpermit on foreign grapes –something retail chains aren’tfamiliar with or set up tocomplete. With the 2015 USshipment, Sunrise sold out ofPixies so retailers and gardencentres domestically may beable to access the plant moreeasily in 2016 if shipmentssouth continue to be held upin paperwork. The plant isalso selling well in Japan, andChandra notes Sunrise hopesto sell the plant in France inthe spring if quarantines arecompleted as expected. Major Canadiansupermarkets have carriedthe plants for the last threeyears as have garden centresfrom the large ones to small,remote independentlocations. As the plants areprotected by patents andbreeders rights, growersshould not be looking to thePixie as potential stock butrather as an option to sell atfarm gate shops to furthergenerate interest in theindustry. Production on thetiny plants will resume atSunrise in May. From the garbage pile todomestic and internationalmarkets, the Pixie grape issomething of a Cinderellastory.Bureaucracy increases opportunitiesfor Pixie grapes north of borderGrape’s growth stunted in US market may benefit BC1.866.567.4162Cuts From The Bottom Up.Maximize your productivity, reduce costs, and save valuable time with a Bale Knife from HLA Attachments. Available in 3 sizes, the Bale Knife uses a serrated cutting edge to easily cut through your 4, 5, and 6 foot silage and hay bales. A proprietary system grabs the wrap and bale netting holding it securely as the bale is sliced and drops free keeping bale netting and wrap out of your mixers and feeders.It’s unique design allows for bales to be cut a mere 6” off the ground making it ideal for use in areas with low overhead.Visit www.hlaattachments.com/baleknife for more information.www.hlaattachents.com www.horstwagons.com• Bearings on king pins for no sway trailing• Includes 2 shoes and 2 Universal Pads• 2 Ratchet straps to secure load• 4 Wheel steering• 4 Wheel electric brakes• 4 Wheel independent ROAD FLEX suspension• 30 ft. wheelbase with reinforced bottom rail• Wheel Fenders• Running lights on fenders and rails• Light kit (Red Lenses)• 2-5/16 ball hitch and safety chains• Vehicle Identification Number for Licensing• Double Spring Balancer• 235/85 R16 (F Range) Highway trailer tire on 16 x 6 x 6 rim1-888-770-7333BILLAWMACK
by TOM WALKERKELOWNA – BC Tree Fruits’(BCTF) Chris Pollock sees a lotof reasons to be positiveabout the Okanagan tree fruitindustry.As marketing manager forthe packing and marketingco-operative that serves over500 grower families in theOkanagan, he has a prettygood handle on industrysentiment.“A couple of years ago, itfelt like it was doom andgloom,” says Pollock from hisoce in downtown Kelowna.“There was lot of talk that theindustry was on its last legs.”Now, he says, there hasbeen a strong resurgence inthe industry. “In the last few years, therehas denitely been a change.”“One of the huge turn-arounds is that we havegained access to the Chinesemarket for our cherries,” saysPollock. “Obviously, when youhave access to a market ofover a billion people, you canestimate what kind of animpact that will have.” All cherry growers benefitedAnd it’s not just for BCTFmembers, Pollock adds. Theco-operative represents abouta third of the cherry growersin the valley but all cherrygrowers beneted from theinitiative to get into theChinese market. “It was a BC endeavor,something that aects theindependents as well.” “We had almost 11 millionpounds of cherries last year,which is a huge crop for us,”says Pollock. “We areanticipating, as long as thereare no issues with theweather, that we will be in asimilar range this year.” Part of that is newplantings, he explains, andpart of that is the weather.Heat didn’t affect them“Cherries are sosusceptible. The weather cancause signicant damage,much more so than apples.We had very little frost, almostno rain, no wind and the heatdid not aect them.”A dedicated cherry exportline in Kelowna has beencompletely upgraded overthe last two years. “This is a busy place duringcherry season,” Pollock pointsout. With the large number ofvarieties that are now grownacross the valley, shipping ofthe fruit must be timed withmaturity. Only specicgrowers who meet exportmarket requirements see theirtop graded fruit go tointernational destinations. “We see some very strongreturns for our growers.” It’s not just shipping toChina, Pollock says. Being themost northerly growers givesBC denite advantages in theNorth American market. “By the time our fruitcomes on, California isnished and Oregon is almostdone,” he says. “So we canship our cherries intoCalifornia and, of course,across western Canada.” But the story is just notabout cherries, he says.Country Life in BC • February 201626BC fruit growers confident of their prospectsby TOM WALKERKELOWNA – How does thatapple stay crisp all the way tonext summer? The BC TreeFruits Co-operative (BCTF) usesControlled Atmosphere (CA)storage.“CA storage is the key tomaximizing sales,” explainsBCTF marketing manager ChrisPollock, “so we are notscrambling to move all our fruitbefore Christmas.” The average CA roomranges between the size of anControlled atmosphere makes business senseelementary and a high schoolgym.Pollock says it enables BCTFto go to customers at thebeginning of the year and sellthem a year long program. “We can tell customers weare going to have this varietyin this volume for you all year.“We are the only shipper inthe Okanagan with CAstorage,” says Pollock, “so weare able to take advantage ofthat.”The true beginning of CAstorage came during WorldWar I. Faced with growing foodshortages and a big apple cropthat was spoiling, the UK wasone of several countries toinitiate storage research. Controlled and airtightCold storage doesn’t do thejob. Modern CA storage is acontrolled airtight buildingwith an atmosphere thatdiers from the air we breath.A combination of low oxygen,high nitrogen and higherlevels of carbon dioxide createan environment that delaysthe ripening of the apple crop.“The common explanation isthat apples breath and CAstorage slows down thebreathing which slows downthe ripening,” explains BillWolk, quality developmentmanager at BCTF. “And that’strue, but there is more to itthan that.”Apples and pears produceethylene, Wok explained at aBCTF hort forum last spring,and ethylene initiatesripening. “The low oxygen in CAstorage inhibits the productionof ethylene and if there isethylene present, it slowsdown it’s ripening action.” Carbon dioxide levels alsoaect ethylene. “In this case, it’s highercarbon dioxide that slowsethylene production andaction,” says Wolk.“Gas storage” plantThe rst “gas storage” plant,as Englishmen Franklin Kiddand Cyril West called it, wasbuilt in 1929 in England andby 1938, there were 200 unitsin the UK. The rst plant inNorth America wasconstructed in Nova Scotia in1938 and the technology wasadopted throughout easternCanada and the US. But it wasnot until the 1960’s with largeplantings of Red and GoldenDelicious that CA came west. “The word gas took on anominous meaning during theWorld Wars,” Wolk points out.In 1941, scientists in New Yorkstate changed the name toControlled Atmosphere.“There is a lot of sciencegoing on in a CA storagefacility,” says Wolk, “both interms of physiology and biochemistry.”The sealed buildings arecarefully controlled andmonitored and leak testedevery year. The operatorsmust maintain the roomsbetween a narrow level ofranges and the systems aresensitive to changes inoutside temperature and airpressure. “If there’s a stormcoming, the operators knowthey will have a busy day,”says Wolk.Apples are 70-75% of BCTFbusiness, with cherries, pearsand summer fruit such aspeaches making up theremainder.Apple prices and sales arestrong this year Pollock says.They expect to be sold outearly. “We should still see acouple of varieties into May.The majority of them aredone now.” “For apple month inFebruary (when BC retailershave a major applepromotion), I have to say tothe sales guys we’re are onlygoing to have four varieties,maybe three,” Pollock says.“It’s good and bad.” The replant program willhave a positive aect, Pollockpredicts. “There just isn’t the marketthere used to be for RedDelicious and GoldenDelicious and Granny Smith.”“Its not that we arecompletely removing them;it’s just that you are going tosee less,” Pollock explains.“And you’re going to seemore Ambrosias, (perhapsdouble, he predicts) andHoney Crisps and Galas. Wewill need to continue todevelop those markets asgrowers who replant now willbe looking for returns in veyears.”Pollock again points outthe BC advantages. Unique region“We have such a uniqueregion here in the Okanagan.We are able to grow a varietyof fruits and we are able togrow them better thananywhere in the world.” He uses Macintosh applesas an example. “Being a little farther norththan Washington, we growthem very well here.”“We can’t compete onvolume but what we cancompete on is quality, on thebrand and the service we canprovide customers,” saysPollock. “And consumers inWestern Canada specicallywant local.” The low Canadian dollarhelps a lot, too, he explains. Itgives BC fruit a morecompetitive price when soldinto the US market and it alsomakes US fruit moreexpensive if it comes intoCanada. Individual producer returnsare based on the varieties andgrades of fruit that theydeliver to the packing house.Most apple varieties areselling at $3 to $6 a boxhigher than last year. Anjouand Bosc pears are $7 to $8 abox more. “I think our growers will behappy with the work we havebeen able to do this year.”British Columbia Angus AssociationANGUS BULLSSEEDSTOCK SALES | EVENTS March 5Prime Time & Cutting Edge, 1 pm Williams LakeMarch 7Select Sale, Dawson CreekMarch 12Harvest Angus, Williams LakeMarch 19Angus Advantage, 12:30 KamloopsMarch 26Northern Alliance Bull Sale, 1 pm VanderhoofApril 2Best Bet, 1 pm Williams LakeApril 2Gumbo Gulch Bull Sale, 1 pm Dawon CreekApril 9Vanderhoof All Breeds, 12 pmApril 14/15Williams Lake Bull Show & SaleBC ANGUSTom DeWaal . President . 250.960.0022Jill Savage . Secretary . 250.679-2813www.bcangus.caLIZ TWAN PHOTOare a better buy in BCHELPWANTED!BC Angus is looking for anew Secretary/Treasurer.VISIT OUR WEBSITE ORCONTACT JILL SAVAGEFOR MORE INFORMATION.
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 27Getting product to grocery shelvesConsumer demands are changing; so should youby RONDA PAYNEABBOTSFORD – Consumersare demanding to know notonly where their food comesfrom but also the kind of farmmanagement practices thatare being used to produce it. For many producers, havingtheir products sold throughthe Overwaitea Food Group(OFG) is a big goal and OFG’sKen Clark says the company isresponding to the everchanging demands of theircustomers. To be considered as an OFGsupplier, a farmer must beprepared to follow approvedstandards for farmingpractices. Fortunately, throughARDCORP’s EnvironmentalFarm Plan (EFP), producershave access to a condential,sustainability assessment tohelp them achieve thestandards required by retailerslike OFG.The program involves a no-charge, no-obligation, on-siteappointment with one of theorganization’s advisors whowill discuss the program andwhat it entails. While EFP isfunded by government, theresults of any assessmentremain condential betweenthe advisor and farmer.“We have 19 planningadvisors available to help you,”says Jaclyn Laic,communications manager forthe BC Agriculture Council. Farm’s commitmentThe ultimate goal of anenvironmental farm plan is tohelp farms achieverecognition of the farm’scommitment to sustainabilityand proper farm managementpractices. Upon completion,farms receive signage provingtheir accomplishment.“You can take it to farmers’market events; you can take itto trade shows,” says Laic.Many farms are alreadydoing the right things andwould qualify for EFP statuswhile others need to make afew changes. Plus, if theactions required come with acost, the EFP advisor canrecommend cost-sharingprograms to help meet thoseneeds. More than 4,000 farmsalready have EFP status. Because of thecompetitive and ever-changing marketplace, Clarknoted that all of OFG’sbusiness begins with thecustomer, and stores aredesigned to meet customerneeds.“Satisfying customers hasbecome very, verycomplicated,” he says. “Theywant to know where theproduct comes from. Timescontinue to change… it’simportant for all of us… tounderstand the consumer.”According to Clark,consumers want high qualityat an aordable price andthere are high expectations offood safety and traceability. “It’s the new normal,” hesays.Potential and currentsuppliers and partners need tocontinually look to wherethere is an opportunity forbusiness growth. One growerwho supplies OFG came to thecompany with the question,“What do you want me togrow for you?” Clark statedthis farmer grows 100% for thecompany now.“That’s partnership,” ClarkFarmers spared from latest pesticide regsby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – Agriculturewill generally not be aectedby recent amendments to theintegrated pest managementregulation (IPMR) which areset to take eect July 31. Passed by a ministerialorder in mid-December, theamendments requirecommercial service providersto have pesticide user licencesand residents to havecerticates in order to applymost pesticides in privatelandscaped areas.As part of the amendments,the BC Ministry ofEnvironment will establish alist of pesticides (calledSchedule 5) that can be usedin landscaped areas without alicence or certicate.Homeowners will be able toearn their certicates bytaking a free online course.They will not need a certicateto use domestic-classpesticides on food gardens orhobby farms or to controlpests such as rodents orcarpenter ants.As is already the case,pesticide application foragricultural production usuallydoes not require anauthorization under theIntegrated Pest ManagementRegulation but anyone usingpesticides must follow thesafety precautions identiedon the product label. Theymust also adhere to thepesticide storagerequirements in the IPMR.Farmers applying pesticidesto their own land and farmworkers in their employrequire pesticide applicatorcertication in the followingsituations:• If the product label indicatesa certicate is required toapply the pesticide.• If the pesticides being usedare permit-restricted or in arestricted class. says. “That’s what it’s allabout.”OFG goes through a partnerchecklist with every one oftheir suppliers on an annualbasis. Plus, this allows theretailer to have a betteropportunity to cultivaterelationships with localsuppliers.“We like to really promoteour local suppliers because weare the local retailer,” Clarknotes. “Food retailing isn’t justa food business; it’s a peoplebusiness.”Working with local suppliersis the company’s rst choiceand it all begins with a phonecall and conversation, saysClark. High growth areas, henoted, are organic and glutenfree products. “Organic and gluten freeare big, big trends.” The company was openingstores in Saskatchewan at theend of 2015, providing evenmore opportunities for localfarmers.“We love when ourproducers come into ourstore,” notes Clark. “You trulybecome celebrities.”Overwaitea Food Group’s Ken Clark says they prefer to work withlocal suppliers. (Ronda Payne photo)• If pesticides are classied asmoderately toxic or verytoxic, the OccupationalHealth and Safety Regulationrequires farm workersapplying them to have avalid pesticide applicatorcerticate.www.islandtractors.comUSED EQUIPMENTNH FP230 W/ 27P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,500TAARUP 338 MOWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,500NH 1037 BALE WAGON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,500NH 565 SM SQ BALER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,500NH LS150 SKIDSTEER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,500KUBOTA F3680 60” MWR, GRASS CATCHER . . . . . . . . . . . 10,600USED TRACTORSKUBTOA B1750 2532 HRS, LDR, BUHLER Y48SD TILLER, 3 PT SCOOP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,500KUBOTA B1700 TRACTOR/LOADER, 1350 HRS. . . . . . . . $9,500KUBOTA M7030 LDR, AFTERMARKET CAB, TURF TIRES . 9,500KUBOTA B1700 700 HRS, LDR, 48” TILLER, FORKS, SPRAYER 13,500JD 2305 600 HRS, 2010, LDR/54” MOWER DECK . . . . . . $13,500NH TS100 7800 HRS, TIGER BOOM MWR, FLAIL HEAD $21,500JD 7405 4WD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $23,000NEW INVENTORYNH H7320 9’ 2” DISCBINE (ONE LEFT). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $23,950NH BC5060 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $19,950NH BC5070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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February 2016 • Country Life in BC 29Think barley, think beer. Butin Australia, they have beenlooking down and thinkingabout the root of it all. Quiteliterally. Researchers at theUniversity of Queensland haveidentied a critical gene inbarley that allows the plant’sroots to access water deep inthe soil. And that is vitallyimportant in times of drought.The gene promotes narrowroot growth that allows theroots to reach down andpenetrate through the soil towhere moisture lies. “The initial research that ledto the discovery of the genebegan in wheat where a veryecient and simple techniquewas developed to measurenarrow root growth in wheatseedlings, called the clear potmethod,” says HannahRobinson, PhD student withthe University’s QueenslandAlliance for Agriculture andFood Innovation. “Due to thesuccess of this method inwheat, the clear pot methodwas then adapted to measurethe root growth shape inbarley. Once the method wasadapted, it became clear thatthe root system shape variedin barley. This then led to theinvestigation of the geneticsinuencing the root systemshape and hence theidentication of this majorgene controlling narrow rootgrowth.”Robinson says the gene isnot necessarily present in allbarley varieties but is found ina number of commercialvarieties. Dierent barleyvarieties respond to dierentgrowing regions. In Australia,the gene is eective in theirnorthern grain growing region(southern Queensland andnorthern New South Wales).Their research ndings haveshown that the gene’sinuence on narrow rootgrowth is enough to generatean impressive crop yieldadvantage of up to 11%. Barley was one of the rstcereal crops to bedomesticated and itoriginated in the regionknown as the Fertile Crescent(from Egypt’s Nile River to theTigris and Euphrates rivers inmodern Iraq) over 10,000years ago. According to theInternational BarleySequencing Consortium,barley ranks fourth inworldwide production ofcereals and is widelycultivated in temperateregions. Its genome is one ofthe largest in the cereal cropsand twice the size of thehuman genome. Canada is the fourth largestproducer of barleyafter Germany, Franceand Russia, producingsome eight milliontonnes of malt andfeed variety grains.End uses includemalting barley for beer andwhiskey and as a grainingredient for foods while80% of production goes asfeed for hogs, cattle, poultryand sheep. According to theCanadian Agri-food TradeAlliance, barley is grownmainly in Saskatchewan andAlberta as well as, to a lesserextent, British Columbia andManitoba. The research in Australiawill no doubt pique Canadianfarmers’ interests, especiallyfor those growing barley indrought-prone summers.“The response fromAustralian farmers regardingour research, in particularfarmers and agronomists fromthe northern grain growingregion, has been positive”says Robinson. “Many farmersand agronomists have beenvery interested to nd outmore information about thegene and its presence inAustralian commercialvarieties. We aim to includefarmers as much as possible inour future researchinvestigating the eects ofthis gene in other Australiangrain growing regions.”Robinson’s team isplanning further research onthe gene’s discovery and itssignicance, especially thegene’s relationship with otherBarley gene triggers roots to search for waterResearchMARGARET EVANSAustralian research could help Canadiangrowers cope with drought-prone summersPhD student Hannah Robinson is studying how genetics and the root shape of some varieties ofbarley help the plant penetrate deeper into the soil to access moisture. (Photo courtesy the Universityof Queensland, Australia)Please see “IN THE” page 30KuhnNorthAmerica.comINVEST IN QUALITY®Integral RotorMatsqui Ag-RepairAbbotsford, BC604-826-3281Noble Tractor & EquipmentArmstrong, BC250-546-3141Noble Tractor & EquipmentKamloops, BC250-851-3101LSB D SERIES LARGE SQUARE BALERSr+PVGITCN4QVQT6GEJPQNQI[GPUWTGUGXGPETQRƃQYTGICTFNGUUQHYKPFTQYXCTKCVKQPUr6JG2QYGT&GPUKV[U[UVGORTQFWEGUWPKHQTOƃCMGUCPFUSWCTGGFIGFTQEMJCTFDCNGUr5KORNGJGCX[FWV[FTKXGNKPGYKVJHGYGTOQXKPIRCTVUHQTITGCVGTTGNKCDKNKV[r4GNKCDNG6YKP5VGRMPQVVKPIU[UVGORTQFWEGUFWTCDNGDCNGUQHKFGCNYGKIJV2TQFWEGUZCPFZDCNGUr%WVVKPICPFPQPEWVVKPIOQFGNUCONSISTENT, HIGH-DENSITY BALES
Country Life in BC • February 201630Scientic research is identifying ways that plant roots – in this case, barleyroots – respond to stresses like drought in order to ourish. (Photo courtesythe University of Queensland, Australia)IN THE GENES From page 29genes responsiblefor improving wateraccess during dryconditions. Thisyear, they plan tobegin trials on otherbarley growingregions throughoutAustralia withdierent soil typesand rainfall patterns. “We suspect thatthe gene will beeective across thedierent barleygrowth regions ofAustralia, despitethe climatevariability, howeverfurther research isrequired to validatethis theory,” shesays. “In theliterature, there issome evidence thatcertain varietiesrespond better todrought where theyhave been reportedto grow deeperroots in response tostress. We arecurrently working tofurther investigatethis and understandhow this generesponds to severedrought conditions.”New ag minister meetscounterpart in Washingtonby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – FederalAgriculture and Agri-FoodMinister Lawrence MacAulaymade his first visit toWashington on January 14 tomeet with US Secretary ofAgriculture Tom Vilsack.“My purpose was todeepen Canada’srelationship with the US,”MacAulay told a mediateleconference at theconclusion of the meeting,noting Canada currentlydoes over a million dollarsper day of agricultural tradewith its southern neighbour.“We want to build on that,”MacAulay said. Agriculture and seafoodexports to the US totalled$29.5 billion in 2014. That is52% of Canada’s totalagriculture and seafoodexports, making the US farand away Canada’s mostvaluable agricultural exportmarket.In a media release, thegovernment said MacAulayand Vilsack “expressed theircommitment to worktogether to facilitate tradeand increase thecompetitiveness of theagricultural sector.”MacAulay particularlycomplimented the US forfinally repealing its Countryof Origin Labelling (COOL)requirements for beef andpork in December, sayingCanada “looks forward torestoration of the supplychain for beef and pork. Itwill help both sides.”COOL had been a hugeirritant for Canadian beef andpork producers and Canadahad threatened to imposesevere retaliatory tariffs if itwas not repealed after WorldTrade Organization panelsconsistently called thelegislation an unfair tradebarrier.Although COOL has beenrepealed for beef and pork, itremains in place for sheepmeat and MacAulayindicated there are no effortsunderway to change that.Blue Means Fastwww.LEMKEN.caWork down residue at high speeds in just one pass with the LEMKEN HELIODOR compact disc.LEMKEN compact disc’s provide optimal soil-trash mixing and full-surface cultivation for all stubble and weed conditions. Manage residue, smooth out ruts and blacken soil leaving a seed-ready field finish in a single pass.Choose the LEMKEN HELIODOR that’s right for your farm and make quick work of your residue!Q 20 models available ranging from 8 to 52 feet wideQ Lightweight for fast stubble cultivation and seedbed preparationQ Leaf springs create disc vibration for better crumblingQ 18” diameter 5mm thick serrated fast running concave discsQ Optional hydraulically-adjusted, spring-loaded leveling tinesQ Modular section design allows unique ground contour(604) 864-2273www.caliberequipment.ca(250) 938-0076
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 31COUNTRYLifein BCThe Agricultural News Source inBritish Columbia since 1915It’s your business.And you need to keep up date on the news andevents that affect you and your farm operation.It’s what we have been doing for over a century!Subscribe today!ONE, TWO & THREE YEARSUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE. See our ad on page 42 for rates!Stories by PETER MITHAMVICTORIA – A contentiousproposal to twin a 50-year-oldpipeline carrying bitumenfrom Alberta to Burnaby isfacing opposition fromVictoria, giving hope tofarmers whose land lies on theproposed alignment.Originally laid down in1952, the existing TransMountain pipeline isapproximately 1,150kilometres in length. Now,operator Kinder MorganCanada wants to double thevolume of oil moving fromEdmonton to Burnaby bytwinning the pipeline, aproject involving constructionof 900 new kilometres of pipeacross approximately 403kilometres of range andfarmland.“There has not been a goodhistory with the pipelinecompanies,” says Peter Reus,president of PrinsGreenhouses Ltd. and chair ofthe Abbotsford SoilConservation Association, indiscussing the project withCountry Life in BC two yearsago.That year, two incidentsoccurred at the company’sfacility on Sumas Mountain inAbbotsford, underscoring therisks involved.But it’s not just farmers whoare concerned. The pipelinehas been a hot topic amongcity dwellers, many of whodon’t trust the safety ofpipelines. And no wonder:while the accident ratedropped in 2014 to its lowestlevel in a decade, the numberof incidents hasapproximately doubled.Five requirementsNow, the province hasweighed in, telling theNational Energy Board thatKinder Morgan has yet tomeet the ve requirements it’sProvince weighs in withconcerns over pipelineKinder Morgan Canada acquired the aging TransMountain pipeline in 2005 and is seeking to fully twinthe pipeline – which is already twinned in some parts –along the entire length of its route. It claims to followvarious practices to ensure minimal disruption toagricultural operations and adequate compensationwhen disruptions occur, including:• Specific soil handling procedures ensure that thetopsoil and the subsoils are removed and storedseparately, and no admixing occurs during restoration.• Where noxious weeds are a problem, constructionvehicles are cleaned or washed to prevent the spread ofweeds.• Where disruptions to crops occur, land agentsundertake compensation agreements based on themarket value of the crop loss for not only the year ofconstruction, but also for future year losses until thecrop is re-established.• Alternate pasturing, protective fencing andcompensation for extra purchased feed necessitated byconstruction are implemented for livestock operations,among “many other innumerable arrangements”• Assistance is given when landowners requestequipment time to re-contour existing lands both onand off the right-of-way, or to assist in solving a pre-existing drainage problem, or to construct a properroad access across the pipeline.Protocols in place fordisruptions as they occurset that would allow theproject to proceed.While one of those, federalapproval, is contingent on theNational Energy Boardhearings, two relate to a“world-leading response” tospills on land and sea,including management,mitigation and containment.The province also wants toensure “a fair share of thescal and economic benets”owing from the project,commensurate with theproject’s risks.Intervenor statusThe news heartens Reus,who now chairs theCollaborative Group ofLandowners Aected byPipelines, an intervenor in thecurrent hearing thatrepresents approximately 80landowners with more than 60kilometres of pipeline crossingtheir properties. Its submissionwas scheduled to be heard bythe National Energy Board onJanuary 26.Reus isn’t opposed to thepipeline per se but he wantsto see landownerscompensated fairly forallowing access to their land.Reus has advocated for aroyalty to farmers tied to thevolume of bitumen pumpedthrough the portion of thepipeline crossing theirproperties.“We aren’t against thepipeline but Kinder Morganhas to come to their senses.We want to be a partner,”Reus told Country Life in BC inJanuary.Collaborate with stakeholdersIt’s the same message hefeels the province has givenKinder Morgan, which shouldencourage the company tocollaborate with stakeholders.“The province also left thedoor open to them: ‘Guys, wearen’t happy with you but doit better,’” he said. The briefprepared by Reus’ groupaddresses various concerns,including soil compaction andcrop damage, as well as safetyand decommissioning issues.The submission alsorequests a form ofcompensation related to theacreage required for thepipeline as well as the volumethe pipeline transports.(Peter) Reus has advocated for a royaltyto farmers tied to the volume ofbitumen pumped through the portionof thepipeline crossing their properties.Farmer group isn’t opposed to pipeline expansionas lobbying is underway for fair compensation• Model 225 has oil bath, back-to-back tapered roller bearings mounted in heavy ductile cast housing, c/w floating duo-cone seal. 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Country Life in BC • February 201632Ranchers may need to lower their expectations this yearHigh prices for beef in the supermarket have resulted in lower demand and a softening of prices forproducers. With beef production levels in the US expected to increase 5% this year, the high returnsfrom the last couple of years may be a thing of the past. 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Pmple, by psruceodpror ed f ed.ust.sroducer, by p 1:hP -866-398w 398- emeltBP@cat V:ilam E8482mthbp./vac.bc.nemelttac.www ac.bc.neLet rkemaonioseb ement pl you imelphusstrke - rds ndatadriven son- ty safed foormfa carlmani a&ty curiiose ement forrds , yy,e car .CIDC Check-offBCID Fund9WorkBeef atCheck-offCheck-offCIDC 9Ch9f9heck-of9at9W9Beef 9ork9WoFundCI-D FundBCID Producer Check-Off Supports Beef Industry Projects.www.cattlefund.net | 1-877-688-2333As the winter winds downand spring looms, bull saledates black out mostweekends on the calendarfrom late January to April. Ifyou are a cow/calf operatordesperate for a wintergetaway, you can always goon a bull buying expedition(although the destination willnot likely feature warmth andsunshine) and mark it in theaccount book as a businessexpense. It still costs youmoney but as a justiablecost of business, eases themind.What kind of prices are yougoing to have to pay? Whatcan you aord to pay? Whereare we going, industry wise?Good questions, all ofwhich make one wish theyowned a high-level, fullyfunctional crystal ball. Thoseof us who have been unableto procure such a foolproof-tool will have to make do withone or more of the followingtools: stubborn persistence inthe face of all things; gutinstinct, or the projections ofone of the many industryanalysts who study(theoretically) everyconceivable fact and come upwith a hypothetical possibilityor prediction. It’s all in whoyou trust.One voice I heed is that oflong-time acquaintance Anne(Dunford) Wasko who hasbeen a cattle marketanalyst in our industryfor many years. Justhow many years, Irefuse to enumerate onthe grounds that it maydate us both! A fewyears ago, Anne made alifestyle change that madeher one of us in every sensewhen she became a full-timerancher with her husband inEastend, SK.Now, Anne speaks a wholenew dialect in the cattle-industry lingo. So, when shespeaks as ananalyst/producer, it may bedoubly worth a listen. In arecent article for Beef in BCregarding business riskmanagement, Anne noted bydenition, risk managementmeans to protect equity andsecure prots by hedgingagainst market changes. Hardto argue that, but what doesone to do to put that conceptinto practice? A start, perhaps, is to lowerby PETER MITHAMDOUGLAS LAKE – DouglasLake Cattle Co. has picked uptwo of the Chilcotin’s oldestranches from Riske CreekCattle Co. through anexchange of shares.The Cotton and Deer Parkranches, established 150 yearsago in the country west ofWilliams Lake, join Alkali LakeRanch – the province’s oldestranch – and James Cattle Co.at Dog Creek among DouglasLake’s holdings in the north-central Interior.Market MusingsLIZ TWANexpectations. Do not surgeforward into 2016 expectingthe high market prices of thelast two years areautomatically a given. Beefdemand has taken a hit. Salesin the retail market place aredropping because of highprices. Anne cautions, “Don’tforget how the “perfectstorm” of 2014 came about:smaller supplies of beef, pork(PEDv) and poultry, strongexport markets and verystrong demand as a result.”Her research shows that tothis point, US beef productionlevels are predicted to riseabout 5% in 2016. So, too, ispork (a further 1% after a 2015increase of 8%); poultry, anextra 2% above 2015’s 4% risein production. If you fail to seethe relevance, realize this. Likeit or not, Canadian beefproduction is inextricablylinked to US pricing levels.Simply put, our southernneighbours set the prices dueto their sheer size. Their beefindustry dwarfs ours and withour reliance on the crossborder meat trade, we can’taord to dier.Douglas Lake expandsThe latest sale coincideswith the retirement of GrantHuman, a former owner ofRiske Creek. Details regardingthe o-market deal have notbeen disclosed.Douglas Lake is owned byColorado’s Stanley Kroenke,who paid US$68.5 million forthe ranch in 2003. Kroenke’spurchase ushered in a periodof stability for Douglas Lake,which was threatened withbeing carved up bycompeting purchasers.Kroenke’s acquisitions overthe past decade have insteadboosted Douglas Lake’s statusas the largest working ranch inCanada, with more than220,000 deeded acres, grazingrights to 350,000 acres ofCrown land, and a herd of20,000 animals.Steve Brewer will manageCotton and Deer Park forDouglas Lake, whichcontinues under themanagement of ranch veteranJoe Gardner.
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 33by RONDA PAYNEVINELAND STATION, ON –BC-based growers will gainplenty of ideas, which oftentranslate into prots, if theyget to know the work beingdone in Ontario by theVineland Research InnovationCentre. Programs like theexploration of specic ethnicvegetables, the breeding ofdisease resistant greenhousetomatoes and thedevelopment of a modern toolto make wine in an ancientway, all have direct benets tothe local agriculture industry. “We’re about what we callreal results,” says Vineland’sCEO, Dr. Jim Brandle.Those real results are thesame things BC farmers andproducers are after: acres inthe eld and shelves in thegrocery store, according toBrandle.It’s often a lengthy processto get to the results thatdetermine success or failure ofan agricultural project. Anyonewho has waited for a pesticidelabel addition or a promisedblueberry bush varietyunderstands the time testingcan take. Yet, Vinelandmitigates some of the waitingby applying three speciccomponents to each projectundertaken: a valid consumerconcept, good science andscience partners and businesspartners. “We need business partnersto deliver those innovations tothe market,” he explains.Getting things to themarket can be an extensiveprocess on its own. Knowingthat growers who areconsidering a new crop orprocessing opportunity don’thave the time to do all theresearch into marketopportunities, Vineland getsstarted by integrating businesspartners before growers areon board. This means the teams at thecentre work to provideinformation to potentialgrowers while they also workto create contacts andconnections in the supplychain. Take a look at the numberof ethnic-oriented food storesand ethnic sections inconventional stores and it’sobvious the tastes of newimmigrants aren’t satisedwith typical Canadian fare.Because of diverse tastes, theVineland Research InnovationCentre is exploring themarkets for, and growingpractices of, okra and Indianeggplant in an ethnicvegetable project. “Those are two vegetablesthat we are introducing,” hesays. “We are trying to buildResearch hopes tobring real resultswith ethnic cropsacreage and the supply chain[for them].”Western greenhousegrowers will be interested inVineland’s exploration ofgreenhouse tomato varietiesthat naturally have diseaseresistance. To determine thebest varieties, teams atVineland are mixing trial anderror with advancedinnovation.“Part of it is veryconventional – the plantbreeding part,” Brandle says.“Then there is the high techpart of DNA sequencing. Weare trying to create diseaseresistant tomato varieties andto create tomato varietiesfaster. We introduce variabilityinto a tomato plant and selectthe particular plants with theDNA makeup with theresistance we are looking for.”Disease-resistant tomatoplants represent cost savingsto growers through areduction in spraying, areduction in yields lost todisease and plant loss due tothe grower’s own trials ofvarieties. Brandle notes it’sabout nding the right tomatofor a specic need or diseasepressure.For BC wineries andvineyards, a small, controlledgrape drying chamber will beof interest. The device is inbeta-use for Appassimentostyle wine – a century-oldItalian grape drying techniquefor more avor andcomplexity. This smaller,portable unit eliminates theconcerns of cross-contamination of pests anddiseases from dierentvarieties of grapes duringdrying.“We built a machine to dothe drying,” Brandle says.“There is complete control andit’s a patented process. Itallows for top quality and aminimum of disease. There’sreal results here,” notedBrandle. “It’s actually solvingthe problem.”Full meal deal. Dr Jim Brandle of Vineland Research Innovation Centre in Ontario says his companynot only trials new varieties, it researches market potential then follows up with creating a supplychain for them. (Photo courtesy of VRIC)HELPING B.C.’S AGRICULTURE & AGRI-FOOD INDUSTRIES ENHANCE COMPETITIVENESS AND PROFITABILITYPROGRAM FUNDING PROVIDED BYAt IAF, we work with B.C’.s agriculture and agri-food industry to invest in projects that have the potential to transform ideas into solutions. Contact us today about funding opportunities. T 250.356.1662E funding@iafbc.ca W iafbc.ca
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February 2016 • Country Life in BC 35by PETER MITHAMVICTORIA – Cider makers are hopingto create a distinct new identity forthemselves as a growing number ofland-based cideries using local fruitchallenge commercial producers formarket share.BC’s craft cider renaissance ociallybegan with the licensing of MerridaleCiderworks on Vancouver Island in1990, expanded with the launch ofSaanichton’s Sea Cider in 2007, andnow includes a dozen producers fromVictoria to Vernon. The revival hashelped renew orchards and stirredinterest in heritage varieties of fruitonce considered unsaleable.“We’ve had a three-fold increase inland-based cideries,” says ChrisSchmidt, principal of Tod Creek CraftCider near Victoria and BC’srepresentative on the Northwest CiderAssociation, which helped organizethe rst-ever BC Cider Week this pastOctober. “Now we have 13 or 14 land-based cidermakers.”BC regulations license cideries asland-based wineries producing “afermented alcoholic beverage madefrom 100% BC apples or pears.” Suchestate cideries (as opposed tocommercial producers) must use fruitgrown within BC and have at least twoacres of orchard that provides at least25% of the fruit used in their ciders.Additional fruit or juice may comefrom other land-based cideries, but itmust not come from a commercialcider maker. (Commercial cideriesreceive a separate license that allowsthem, like commercial wineries, topurchase juice from outside theprovince; in BC, the most commonsources are suppliers in Washingtonstate’s Yakima Valley.)Schmidt says craft cideries in BCtypically produce less than 40,000litres a year, making them smalloperations. The sales, however, areadding up.Within the rst nine months of2015, BC Liquor Stores had sold $13.2million worth of BC cider – a 21.6%increase over 2014.The growth in the sector hassparked a push for greaterorganization. While it was easy for acouple of names to wave cider’sbanner a decade ago, there are nowcalls for a formal identity, betterdenitions and a greaterunderstanding of the sector’scontribution.A study by Royal Roads Universitystudent Eric Douglas in 2014 called forcreation of an industry association aswell as “a quality assurance and origindesignation for BC craft ciders (that)would be useful and meaningful toboth producers and consumers” andguide “consumers towards domesticcraft products, while aiding themarketing eorts of BC businesses.”The points aren’t lost on Schmidt.“We are trying to quantify what‘craft cider’ means,” he said, notingthat a BC craft cider association wouldhelp give substance to the eort. “Thegeneral rule of thumb is craft cider is90% to 95% apple juice.”Janet Docherty, co-owner ofMerridale, supports plans for the newassociation, which is on track forcreation early in 2016. Merridale hasbeen a member of the NorthwestBC craft cider producers ready to band togetherRevival in cider has helped renew orchardsand stir interest in heritage fruit varietiesEligibility Requirements• Schedule 2 Highways, Schedule 1 Highways, and Railway Corridors.Secondary (sideroad) paved routes may also be considered.• Must be a livestock producer.• Fence must be part of an existing fencing system to contain livestock.Application forms available at:http://www.cattlemen.bc.ca/fencing.htmCall TOLL FREE 1.866.398.2848 to have an application mailed to you.Application DeadlineAugust 31, 2016 for consideration for the 2017 construction year.NOW accepting applications for theProvincial Livestock Fencing Programalong travel corridorsProvincial Livestock Fencing ProgramMerridale Ciderworks is the granddaddy of a blossoming craft cider industry in BC.There are now 13 or 14 cider makers in BC, all producing their beverages from 100%BC apples or pairs and generating $13.2 million in sales through BC Liquor Stores inthe rst nine months of last year. (Photo courtesy of Merridale Ciderworks)Please see “TIME” page 36www.tubeline.ca 1.888.856.6613For better management and spreading performance of poultry litter, Nitro spreaders can be equipped with an optional poultry litter beater assembly. The interchangeable quick-drop beater system allows operators to conveniently switch between the vertical or poultry beater assemblies offering flexibility to both producers and custom operators.Contact your Tubeline dealer today and find out how Nitro Spreaders can help you put litter in its place.
Country Life in BC • February 201636Cider Association since itsformation but with growingproduction in BC, the time hascome for a provincialorganization.“There’s that many more ofus now and we have toaddress our issues … how weinteract with government andhow we interact with variousagricultural-based initiatives,”she says.Merridale, with its own12.5-acre orchard of ciderapples that include traditionalvarieties such as Chisel Jerseyand Dabinett – the largestplanting of cider apples inCanada – remains as much agrower as a processor of fruit.“There has been anincrease in cider apples andthere is more people startingto grow them,” she says. “Thisdesire to have local, torecognize that it’s importantto buy close to home … theyounger generation comingup, they’re really demandingthat. They demand anexperience and they demandto know what their productsare, which is really awesomebecause it’s really supportiveof agriculture.”It not only keeps land inproduction, it allowsproducers to be less reliant onone segment of the marketfor their fruit. While somevarieties of eating apples haveseen prices below the cost ofproduction, the cider varietiessee good demand with someattracting a loyal following atfarmers’ markets. Cider addsvalue to the product, too,allowing growers to dependnot just on consumers, butconnoisseurs.It all adds up to growersbeing able to see more valuefrom their eorts, somethingBC Tree Fruits recognizedwhen it launched its BrokenLadder brand of cider lastyear. The move capitalized onits established position as apurveyor of fresh fruit whiletapping into cider’spopularity.The move was also similarto that of some of the majorbrewers who have sought toride the wave of enthusiasmfor craft beer with their ownoerings – somethingobservers say can only helpthe small, land-based cideriesand the farms supportingthem. “It still seems very much inthe early stages [in BC]. Iwould look at it as morewhere it was in the Northwestsay, three, four years ago.Small volume, but inching up,”says David Watkins, director ofsales and marketing forFruitSmart Inc. in Grandview,WA, which supplies juice to ahandful of commercialcideries in Canada. “It will grow much aspremium coee has grown,”he says, optimistically. “Youneed a big guy there thatdoes a lot of things, but youneed a lot of small guys to getit out there and buildawareness.”That’s where thecommercial cideries can play arole, breaking ground whilesmaller producers cultivatethe following that makesgood on cider’s potential.“The category is growing sofast, and a lot of it is growingmainly because they eachhave their own little marketand building that awareness,and it starts to multiply uponitself,” he says.Graham BoltonFCC Senior Relationship ManagerMeet GrahamIn 12 years at FCC, Graham’s helped hundreds of Canadian producers build their dreams. Like everyone on your FCC team, Graham knows your industry and he’ll get to know you.1-800-387-3232 fcc.caAgriculture is our way of life tooTIME TO ORGANIZE From page 35New servicelinks farmersto ag ministryby DAVID SCHMIDTVICTORIA – BC farmers andranchers now have one-stopaccess to the BC Ministry ofAgriculture.Last summer, the ministrylaunched AgriService BC – awebsite, email address and atoll-free phone line whichanyone can use to contact theministry for any reason.BCMA coast regionalmanager Orlando Schmidtsays AgriService BC wascreated after focus groupsindicated they wanted asimple, straightforwardwebsite, regionally-specicinformation and the ability tocontact the right person evenwhen they don’t know whothe right person is.While most callers arelooking for specicinformation, 10-20% arecomplaint calls. Schmidt says the ministrytries to use non-regulatoryapproaches to resolve issues,thereby hopefully avoidingappeals to the Farm IndustryReview Board or other costlylitigation. Although the Rightto Farm Act protects farmersand ranchers from complaintswhen they are followingnormal farm practices, henotes what’s normal is“changing all the time.”Practices which might havebeen normal a generation oreven a decade ago may nolonger t the denition.View the new website at[www2.gov.bc.ca/agriservicebc].
still stands today. In 1853, itwas purchased by Englishexpatriate Sir John LoganCampbell and his partners,who leased out the land forgrazing. Considered the fatherof the city of Auckland,Campbell became its mayor in1901. That year, he decidedthe farm needed to bepreserved for futuregenerations and “donated” itto the city. Although theCampbell family stillby DAVID SCHMIDTAUCKLAND, NZ – The term“urban agriculture” hasbecome popular in the pastdecade. For most people, itconjures up visions of smallmarket gardens or a fewbackyard chickens.Imagine, instead, if urbanagriculture meant acommercial herd of cows anda ock of sheep roamingthrough Stanley Park. That isthe vision of urban agricultureyou get in Auckland, NewZealand’s largest city.The Auckland naturallandscape is dominated byOne Tree Hill, a former “pa,” (aMaori fortication). Located inthe centre of the city, OneTree Hill and its surroundingundulating lands make upCornwall Park. Like any largeurban park, the 130-hectareproperty’s amenities include acafé, picnic areas completewith gas and wood (rewoodsupplied) barbecues, achildren’s playground, time-worn terraces like theRangitoto and Kauri Steps,archery and athletic elds anda bandstand. There’s even anobservatory and a memorialobelisk at the summit of OneTree Hill. And the entire park isintersected by a series ofbeautiful tree-lined drives andwalkways.Sounds typical.Privately-own farmWhat is not typical is thatthe park also includes anursery and a wool shed, bothstill in use. That’s becauseCornwall Park is still aprivately-owned farm! It wasestablished in the 1820’s. Afarmhouse, named AcaciaCottage, was built in 1841 andFebruary 2016 • Country Life in BC 37Urban agriculture takes on a whole new meaning in New Zealandtechnically owns the property,he established the CornwallPark Trust Board to look afterthe property in perpetuity.“We completed our rst100-year plan in 2012 and arenow onto our second 100-year plan,” says farm managerPeter Maxwell, who lives onsite and uses a dilapidatedfarm truck to drive around thefarm on a daily basis.The farm currently grazesabout 600 Texel cross ewesand 56 Simmental brood cowsbut has been used for potatoand other crop production inthe past.“We encourage people toSheep graze contentedly in Cornwall Park, a near-200-year-old farm in the middle of Auckland. (DavidSchmidt photos)New Zealand is an islandcountry in the southwesternPacific Ocean. The countrygeographically comprises twomain landmasses – that of theNorth and South Island andmany smaller islands. NewZealand is situated some 1,500kilometres (900 mi) east ofAustralia across the TasmanSea. It has an area of 267,710km2(103,738 mi2), making itslightly smaller than Japan anda little larger than the UnitedKingdom. It was one of the lastlands to be settled by humans.During its long isolation, NewZealand developed a distinctivebiodiversity of animal and plantlife. The capital city isWellington, while its mostpopulous city is Auckland.Associate Editor David Schmidt recently returned from the 2015International Federation of Agriculture Journalists conferenceheld in New Zealand. On the 3-week tour he visited diverseagricultural operations in the country.Over the next few months, Country Life in BC will present a seriesof feature articles from his experiences.Please see “URBAN” page 38INVEST IN QUALITY®MASTER, MANAGER, AND CHALLENGER ROLL-OVER PLOWSIf your tillage practices require burying all trash or cover crops, Kuhn’s broadline of modern, high-capacity plows can help meet your plowing needs.Call your local dealer today to learn how a Kuhn roll-over plow can help you get the job done.2 to 12 bottomsBURY EVERYTHING!Matsqui Ag-RepairAbbotsford, BC604-826-3281Noble Tractor & EquipmentArmstrong, BC250-546-3141Noble Tractor & EquipmentKamloops, BC250-851-3101Huber Farm EquipmentPrince George, BC250-560-5431
Country Life in BC • February 201638view the sheep and the cowsbut we urge them not to gettoo close,” Maxwell says. He notes the farm getsabout four million visitors peryear which does create itschallenges but says peopleare generally respectful of theanimals and the property,resulting in little vandalism.“It’s actually easier thanmanaging the large (6,000+ewes) farms I used tomanage,” he states, adding hiswife appreciates living in thecity rather than on theisolated ranches he used tolook after. “It’s a semi-retirement for us.”OpportunitiesJust as in BC, farming onthe urban edge in NewZealand has its challenges. Butit also oers opportunities notavailable to agriculture inmore rural areas. In additionto growing over 200 hectaresof apples, kiwifruit, hops andboysenberries, HorticultureNew Zealand president JulianRaine owns Oaklands Farm inNelson, a 460-hectare farmwhich includes dairy and beefherds and a managed forest.“Our operation is located inthe middle of a town of 55,000so we have to be a goodneighbour,” Raine says.Claiming environmentalistshave done a good job ofdenigrating the dairyindustry,” Raine says he isdoing everything he can to“demystify what we do.” Infact he encourages people tocome out to watch the dailymilking.“We milk our herd of 200Fresian, Ayrshire and Kiwi-cross cows in a 22-cow rotaryparlour once a day at 9 am,”he says. He admits once a daymilking reduces productivitybut claims it improves milkquality, noting his milkaverages 4.5-5% butterfat and3.7-4% protein and has anaverage somatic cell count ofunder 50,000.To add value, Raine hasinvested in European raw milkvending machines. He nowURBAN/RURAL CHALLENGES From page 37This doesn’t just look like a park-like setting for this herd of Simmentals, it is a park in the centre ofAuckland, NZ.has two vending machines onthe corner of his farm andseveral more in town. Localconsumers can come to theself-serve vending machineswhere they can obtainreusable glass bottles and llor rell them at will.Cream off the topAlthough Europeans usethe vending machines to sellraw milk, Oakland’s milk ispasteurized to minimize foodsafety issues. However, it isnot homogenized, Rainenoting “a lot of our customerslike being able to take thecream o the top.”His contract with Fonterralimits his direct sales to 20% ofhis production (about 10,000litres per month to about1,500 customers) but at aretail cost of $2.50 per litre(about Cdn$2), that 20%translates to 80% of his milkrevenue.Grand Champions $10,000+BC Ministry of AgricultureBC Cranberry Marketing CommissionBC Dairy AssociationBC Egg Marketing BoardBC Greenhouse Growers’ AssociationBC Hothouse Foods Inc.BC Potato & Vegetable Growers’ AssociationBC Turkey Marketing Board BC Youth in Agriculture FoundationBill & Sandra Zylmans/W&A Farms Inc.Canadian Western BankJohn van DongenSave-on-FoodsOverwaitea FoodsCooper’s FoodsPriceSmart FoodsSaputo Dairy Products Canada G.P.Champions $5,000+BC Chicken Growers’ AssociationEcotex Healthcare Linen Service Inc.Farm Credit CanadaKen Forcier CGA Inc. RBC FoundationBlue Ribbon Partners $2,500+Atchelitz Women’s Institute BC Tree Fruits Gerry Kasten Lindsay & Lindsay Babineau Sydney MasseyRed Ribbon Partners $1,000+BC Provincial Employee Community Service FundDr. Norma Senn Harker’s OrganicsSarah & David RyallWalter & Elsie GoerzenWhite Ribbon Partners $500+Bill WeismillerC. Botkin Enterprises Ltd.Doug & Sheila RogersDouglas & Margaret Sampson/Semiahmoo SuolksHR ArchitectsPat TonnGreen Ribbon Partners $50+Emma SweeneyGolden View Farm Ltd.Henry & Grace WiensHermani + Sorrentino DesignKatherine WebsterSpecial GiftsAlpine Garden ClubB&B Contracting Ltd.Delta Farmers InstituteDonna & Steven JackTogether we are making a dierence for agriculture.Julian Raine demonstrates the self-serve milk vending machine atthe corner of Oaklands Farm in Motueka, a suburb of Nelson, NZ.
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 39 Check out www.bchereford.ca for a Hereford breeder near you BCHA Secretary Janice Tapp 250-699-6466 BCHA PresidentMurray Gore 604-582-3499 February 20, 2016 —21st Annual ProducƟon Sale, Pine BuƩe Ranch, BC Livestock Co-Op Kamloops, March 26, 2016 — 43rd Annual Dawson Creek All Breeds Bull Sale, VJV AucƟon Mart Dawson Creek April 9, 2016 — 41st Annual Vanderhoof All Breeds Bull Sale, BC Livestock Co-op Vanderhoof April 14&15, 2016 — 79th Annual Williams Lake Bull Show & Sale, BC Livestock Co-op Williams Lake also on sale Rite-Mins 16:16 Beef Mineral Supplementwhen you present this ad.$5 off!Rite-Lix cattle tubs untilDEC31stCountry West Supply All of your equine and livestock feed needs available! Chilliwack 1-877-37358 // Armstong 1-250-546-9174 www.countrywestsupply.comFit for framingHelene Letnick, the wife of BC agriculture minister Norm Letnick, proudly displays the paintingshe created for her husband and that now resides on the wall behind his desk at his oce inVictoria. (Photo courtesy of Norm Letnick, MLA, Minister of Agriculture)In a somewhat ironic startto a relatively new year, I’mdoing a lot of looking back.Between exhortations fromsources as diverse as TheNational and our churchpulpit, the message is clear:“Let’s look forward to whatthe new year holds.” Having said that, and indirect opposition to all thatgreat advice and best wishes,I’ve spent the last number ofweeks looking back. Here’show it all started.As I prepared to write thiscolumn, I thought of howfarming has changed over theyears. Why not start atFebruary 1943, I thought?After all, that’s the year I wasborn.February 1943 was quitethe year. Within those twelvemonths, pre-sliced bread wasbanned in order to reducebakeries’ demand for metalparts; Adolph Hitler’s MeinKampf was published in theUSA and General Eisenhowerwas appointed SupremeCommander of the AlliedForces. On a lighter note,Frank Sinatra made his radiodebut and the Rodger &Hammerstein musical“Oklahoma” opened onBroadway.Midway through World WarII, the ration book was part ofeveryday life. Through thosewartime years, a vigorouscampaign aimed at promotingnational nutrition wasintroduced as well asindividual controls on theprice, production anddistribution of everyday foods. Mom passed away a fewyears ago but another journeyback in time began for me thispast week. In sorting outboxes long neglected, I cameacross more than adozen of her diaries.Reading them hasbeen a journeyfraught withemotion: laughter atmy brother’sanniversary gift to myparents (a garbage can), tearsat the untold back story ofother family events andreminders of siblings’engagements, marriages andfrequent travels.Mom and I, as well asseveral of my brothers andcousins, spent summersworking at the cannery in NewWestminster. In 1965, Momnoted she’d been working tenhour days watching asparagustravel down a moving beltwhen workers were toldthey’d been given a raise from$1.37 to $1.43 per hour. Bigbucks were coming in! Thereno mention of overtime pay,though. I remember Momtalking about those thingsbut, like so many of hergeneration, they survived andmoved forward.Looking back cansometimes be the greatestincentive to moving forward,though. As I’ve perused thosejournals, I was struck by thepoignancy of the everyday.While she recorded suchevents as election results,assassination of politicalleaders and the shockingsuicides of friends we’d neverimaged would take their ownlives, those devastating entrieswere far surpassed bycommon, ordinary things. Forexample, one note reads,“Federal constitutional issuessettled; dishwasherconnected”. For me, it gaveday-to-day living a greaterplace of prominence in thescheme of things. It’s notalways the big things thatmakes the biggest dierence.Above all, this journeybackwards made me realizehow deeply she loved and inturn, how greatly she wasloved – and isn’t that whatFebruary purportedly is allabout? Yes, say many; no, saysat least one skeptic namedRandeep Hooda. Februarydays, he says, are a marketinggimmick because lovehappens every day. That brings me back tofarming, marketing andrevenue stream, no matterwhat month of the year.Hopefully, this one February“sweet” is applicable for atleast one person who readsthis column:[www.farmgrants.ca].You may also be interestedto know that the Februarybirth ower is the violet, asymbol of watchfulness,loyalty and faithfulness. Theother ower of the month, theprimrose, is intended to letsomeone you know you can’tlive without them. Holdingowers in hand andresolutions in heart, let’s lookforward to what the rest of theyear holds.I close with a quote by SuseOrman: “No one’s everachieved nancial tness witha January resolution that’sabandoned by February.”A Wannabe FarmerLINDA WEGNERLooking back tomove forward
When we left off last time,Merv Devaney continuedworking magic on his latestrube, Kenneth Henderson. Thefun began as Devaney emptiedhis trailer of the four youngcalves into Henderson’sdriveway, and one of the calvespromptly bit his thumb. RuralRedemption (part 69)continues ...Kenneth explained thesorry state of his soiledtrousers to Deborah.“I had an accidentunloading the calves.”“What calves?”“The calves out in the barn.We need to turn this placeinto a real farm so we aregoing into the veal business. Igot four calves thisafternoon.”“We don’t know anythingabout the veal business, forheaven’s sake.”“We don’t need to knowabout it. I know all I need to,”said Kenneth defensively.“Great! So you’re quittingyour job to stay home and goveal farming then?”“Don’t get your shirt in aknot, Deborah,” said Kenneth.“You won’t have to haveanything to do with it. I’llteach Ashley and Christopherhow to look after them.”“Fine,” said Deborah. “You’llneed to wash your pants owith the hose outside beforeyou put them in the washer.” The rst calf startedbawling out in the barn.Duchess of Fairlawn’s earsperked inquisitively. The restof the calves joined thechorus.“They sound like theymight be hungry,” saidDeborah.“I don’t see how they couldpossibly be hungry already,”said Kenneth. “They’ve onlybeen here for 45 minutes.”The calves bawled non-stop for the next hour.“What time do the kids gethome from school?” askedKenneth.“Just after four, but neitherone of them is comingstraight home. Ashley’sgoing to clean horsestalls at Fitzpatrick’s andChristopher is going toa 4-H meeting.” Kenneth shed outthe plaid hat and jacketand the Carhart overalls hehadn’t worn since day theynailed all of the NoTrespassing signs to the fencelast spring. He pulled on a pairof gumboots and some stylishthermal gloves and headedfor the barn. Duchess bolted past him inthe doorway and sprinted oto investigate the uproar. Bythe time Kenneth arrived,Duchess was barkingdoggedly at the pen ofHolsteins. He unfolded the top of themilk replacer bag that MervDevaney left behind andpeered inside. There was alarge plastic cup at thebottom. Kenneth reached inand scooped out a cupful ofpowder. He snied it andwrinkled his nose. There wereno instructions anywhere onthe bag but if he recalledcorrectly, Devaney said to giveone cup to each calf. Kenneth told Duchess toshut up and cursed herroundly as he slipped into thestall. The calves stoppedbawling as Kenneth steppedgingerly toward them holdingthe cup in front of him. Duchess was back in fullcry. The three smaller calvesbolted and began sprintingaround the perimeter of thestall. Kenneth stretched hishand toward the twitchingnose of the biggest calf. Thecalf snied a few times thentipped its head back andstarted sucking the side of thecup. Remembering the thumb-sucking lesson from thecalves’ arrival and painfullyaware of their razor sharpteeth, Kenneth stuck hisgloved thumb into the calf’smouth. Once the calf lockedon to his thumb, he began tosprinkle milk replacer into theside of its mouth. It seemed astupidly clumsy way to feedthem but he supposed hewould get the hang of it in aday or two. The calves racing aroundthe stall had accelerated tothe point that they looked likecircus daredevils ridingmotorcycles up the walls of awire cage. Duchess urgedthem on. The calf that was feedinghad grown impatient with theslow progress of his dinnerand gave Kenneth a mightybunt. The oury contents ofthe cup shot all the way to theCountry Life in BC • February 201640The WoodshedChroniclesBOB COLLINSThere’s no business like the veal business for an unwary Hendersonbrim of Kenneth’s hat, thendrifted down over his face,neck and the bib of hisoveralls. He started blinkingand sneezing. He pulled his soggy thumbout of the calf’s mouth andtried to wipe the milk replacerout of his eyes. The saliva onthe glove turned the powderto paste and blinded himcompletely. Kenneth was ounderingaround the stall sneezing andswearing. The running calveshad reached a speed thatthreatened to send them intoorbit and Duchess had goneabsolutely barking mad. Deprived of Kenneth’sthumb, the big calf beganstalking him around the stall.He zeroed in on thepowdered overalls just asKenneth fumbled for the bolton the stall door. The bolt slidat the precise instant the calfsent Kenneth sprawling facerst into the bedding. The bibof his overalls landed deadcentre on a mound of thesame veal business by-product that he had hosedout of his trouser leg an hourearlier. The calf hovered over himdesperately frisking his headand neck for more milkreplacer. The door to the stallswung open as Kenneth felland Duchess entered the frayin full cry. She did two lapswith the calves before they allscrambled madly through thedoor and ran o bawling andbarking in all directions. Straddled and pinned bythe big calf nursing furiouslyon his left ear, Kenneth startedcalling for help.Deborah’s rst inkling thatsomething was amiss was thesight of Duchess racing pastthe kitchen window with alittle black and white calf inhot pursuit. She ran to thedoor to call the dog and heardher husband’s mued criesfor help. She pushed Newt’snumber as she slid her bootson.“Newt, this is Deborah.Kenneth’s in trouble at thebarn. Can you come rightaway?” There was a little panic inher voice. Newt said he’d beright over.Just as Deborah wasrunning for the barn, Ednaturned into the driveway todrop Ashley o. Duchess and the calveswere running straight forthem but veered o andheaded toward the garden.Deborah motioned franticallyfor them to follow her.“What on earth is going onhere?” asked Edna.Before she could move,Newt wheeled in behind herand stuck his head out thewindow.“Trouble in the barn.” By the time Edna, Ashleyand Newt arrived in Tiny’sbarn, Kenneth Henderson wasstruggling to his feet whileDeborah held the calf at baywith a garden rake. Newt andAshley steered Kenneth out ofthe stall and Edna side-trackedthe calf until Deborah was outas well. “Tried to kill me,” mumbledKenneth.Newt asked Deborah whatwas going on and she toldhim all she knew was that he’dacquired four calves so hecould start a veal businessand, as far as she knew, he’dcome out to feed them. Edna spotted the bag ofmilk replacer and recruitedAshley to help her round upthe calves. She showed Ashleythe cupboard in the little shopwhere Tiny kept the four pintplastic bottles and the rubbernipples for feeding calves. Shesent Ashley to get Duchesswhile she mixed the milkreplacer. Five minutes later,they were leading threenursing calves back towardthe barn. A small car wheeled intothe driveway and followedthem. In the barn, Newt wasshaking his head in disbeliefas Kenneth Hendersonrecounted the wholeescapade.“You mean to say it neverdawned on you that you hadto mix the milk replacer withwarm water?” asked Newt.“There weren’t anyinstructions. Devaney just saidto give them a cup of replacertwice a day.”Kenneth Henderson wassight to behold. There was bigmanure bull’s eye on the bibof his overalls, his face wassmeared with milk replacerand his hair was sticking outin cow-licks every which way.Edna and Ashley walkedthe calves into the barn. A cardoor slammed in the yard.“Yoo-hoo, it’s HarrietMurray from the paper.”Kenneth’s eyes widened. “What’s that nosey oldwitch after?”“She’s here to interview meabout playing Daisy Mae inthe spring musical,” saidDeborah.Before anyone couldanswer her, Harriet Murrayappeared in the barn door.Her eyes locked on KennethHenderson and she poppedthe lens cover o her camera. “Well, Mr. Henderson. Bythe looks of things, you’ve gotquite a story to tell. Care tomake a comment?”To be continued ...“We get great response from all over BC with Country Life.”Gordon NobleNoble Tractor & Equipment Ltd. ArmstrongAdvertising that WORKS!Advertising InquiriesCathy Glover 604.328.3814cathyglover@telus.netwith Advertisingthat WORKS!Helping youGROW YOURBUSINESSCOUNTRYLifein BCThe agricultural news sourcein British Columbia since 1915
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 41A 1913 Gaar-ScottAlberta Special ownedby George Homan ofSurrey (left), and RayMarshall’s 1947 JohnDeere are regulars at theCountry Car Show atOtter Co-op.(Ronda Payne photos)Tony Greaves will be missedby DAVID SCHMIDTSURREY – The Canadian poultry industry lost one of itsstaunchest supporters with the passing of Tony Greaves inSurrey, January 2, after a four-month battle with cancer. Greaves was born in Leeds, England, June. 13, 1936. Hedecided to make agriculture his career after makingconstant visits to a farm down the road during hischildhood. After a two-year course at Seale HayneAgricultural College, Greaves decided to go to work inCanada in 1957 as part of around-the-world trip. Henever left.After a few years as ahired hand on an Albertafarm and at the OliverRandom Sample TestStation, he became rst achick salesman for, thenmanager of, the PrairiePoultry and Dairy Hatcheryin Regina. In 1962, he metand married his wife,Claudia, and began a life-long aliation with thepoultry industry. Whilemanaging the hatchery, hejoined the SaskatchewanHatchery Associationexecutive, serving aspresident in 1965 andsecretary-treasurer from 1967-74. He was also president ofthe Canadian Hatchery Federation in 1973.In 1972, he became the part-time secretary-manager ofthe Saskatchewan Chicken Marketing Board. Three yearslater, he became general manager of a Yorkton poultryprocessing plant the board had purchased.Greaves had also been writing for Canada Poultrymanon the side and when the poultry industry bought thepublication, he was asked to become its editor andpublisher.He moved to BC in 1983 to take over the magazine,running it until his retirement in 1998. He continued towrite for the magazine, renamed Canadian Poultry,another ve years and also contributed occasional articlesto Country Life in BC over the past 15 years.After moving to BC, Greaves joined the BC Farm WritersAssociation, acting as its treasurer for over 20 years andhelping organize several national farm writer conferences.He was made a life member of the BCFWA in 2012.Tony is survived by his wife, Claudia, two sons, adaughter, ve grandchildren and ve greatgrandchildren.Tony Greavesby RONDA PAYNEALDERGROVE – Theorganizers of the 4th annualCountry Car Show at OtterCo-op in Aldergrove areushering in their own era ofsteam by inviting all steam-powered vehicles to theSunday, April 24 event. Thisyear’s show is namedCelebrating the Era of Steamand steam powered farmvehicles such as tractors arewelcome to register for theshow free of charge. Put on co-operatively by theCentral Fraser Valley Chapter ofthe Vintage Car Club of Canadaand Otter Co-op, the show hastraditionally attracted anumber of agriculturally-minded individuals with a 1947crank-start John Deere on handlast year and a 1913 Gaar-ScottAlberta Special steam tractor atboth the 2014 and 2015 shows. Along with car information,attendees to the 2016 show areexpected to pick up a healthydose of farming backgroundwith the open call to steamvehicles. The show includes prizedraws, music, a burger and hotdog sale along with the co-op’s$3.99 full breakfast. All steam powered vehiclesare eligible for the freeregistration but exhibitors mustregister early to ensure space.Contact show chairman JohnJackman at 604/996-5646 formore information.Full steam ahead!February 12-13, 2016 Cowichan Exhibition ParkOn behalf of the Islands Agriculture Show Society we would like to thank the exhibitors, the delegatesand the volunteers for being part of the 2016 show and a very special thank you to our corporate sponsors.We look forward to seeing you all at the 2017 Show.Save the date! FEBRUARY 2017 | PORT ALBERNIwww.iashow.ca
Country Life in BC • February 201642I’m sure it’s no accident that heart month and Valentine’sDay are both in February, since they both feature the samesymbol. Not many apples are heart-shaped, and it’s applemonth, too.At this time of year, apples are one of just a few local fruitsthat are available fresh, although there are lots of healthyfrozen fruits, such asberries, that are grownlocally.Apples are also asource of phytonutrientsand antioxidants, breand vitamin C, plus othervitamins and minerals – and so are berries.And, we grow lots of both apples and berries in the orchardsand berry patches of BC.Everyone who cooks is conscious of that desire to createmeals which are not only healthy and nutritious, but alsoappealing to those they love. Local fruits of all kinds are key tothat, along with local vegetables, herbs, meats, poultry and sh.We’re so lucky in BC to have the most diverse agriculturaleconomy in Canada. It allows us to most-easily create mealsthat are completely local, featuring simple, delicious foodproducts that haven’t travelled halfway around to world to getto us.That means they’re also fresher, more avourful and likelycontain better nutrition than the imported options from faraway.It’s why we tend to focus on cooking with fresh, localingredients. In the process, we support our neighbours whogrew and packaged this food, as well as our own health andwell-being.Stimulate the local economy and make good use of theeorts of your neighbours by selecting local products to feedyour family and friends.Jude’s KitchenJUDIE STEEVESThese healthy mun/cupcakes are made without our, so are gluten-free, and they’re anexcellent source of bre and protein, as well as vitamins and minerals. There’s no fat in themeither! If you are celiac, ensure your rolled oats have been processed in a facility where they don’tcome in contact with wheat products.2 c. (500 ml) rolled oats 1/4 tsp. (1 ml) nutmeg 1/4 c. (60 ml) unsweetened applesauce1/4 c. (60 ml) packed brown sugar 1/4 tsp. (1 ml) salt 1 apple1 tsp. (5 ml) baking powder 4 egg whites 1/4 c. (60 ml) raisins1 tsp. (5 ml) cinnamon 1 1/2 c. (425 ml) milk 1/4 c. (60 ml) tiny dark chocolate chipsPreheat oven to 350 F.Grease 12-cup mun tin with an oil spray.Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. (rst six ingredients)Separate eggs, refrigerating the yolks for another use, and putting the whites in a medium-sized bowl.Add milk and applesauce and beat together well.Add wet ingredients to dry and mix well.Core and chop a large apple and add to the mix, along with raisins and chocolate chips. (Youmay substitute more raisins or a few nuts, but the chocolate is very good in these).Divide mixture amongst the 12 mun cups and bake for 35 minutes or so, until they’re setand browned.Let cool for 10 minutes or so before removing each carefully from the mun cups.Delicious served warm, but also good cold.Makes 12.Fruit for heartsApple Oaties: delicious and nutritious. (Judie Steeves photo)Please see “BLUEBERRY” page 43I was worried they’d find somethingMammograms save lives. Make an appointment, not an excuse. Get expert advice and share your stories atgohave1.comApple OatiesSUBSCRIBE TODAY!Please mail to1120 East 13th Ave Vancouver, BC V5T 2M1 604.871.0001The agricultural news source inBritish Columbia since 1915COUNTRYLifeYin BCNAMEADDRESSCITYPOSTAL CODETEL EMAIL(Prices include GST | Cheque or money order only please)PLEASE SEND A ____ YEAR GIFT SUBSCRIPTION FROM TO:NAME:ADDRESS:CITY: POSTAL CODE:o NEW o RENEWAL | o 1 YEAR ($18.90) o 2 YEAR ($33.60) o 3 YEAR ($37.80) Join thousands of BC farmers who turn to Country Life in BC every monthto find out what (and who!) is making news in BC agriculture and how itmay affect their farms and agri-businesses!NEWS & INFORMATION YOU (& YOUR FRIENDS) NEED!www.countrylifeinbc.comSUBSCRIBE TODAY!
February 2016 • Country Life in BC 43This is very tasty and would be a lovely surprise for your favourite Valentine. It also featuresthe outstanding avour of locally-grown berries, frozen so we can still enjoy that taste of summereven when the snow lies deep outside.Blueberry Frozen Yogurt:1 c. (250 ml) blueberries 1 c. (250 ml) low-fat plain yogurt 2 tbsp. (30 ml) sugarPuree fresh or frozen blueberries in a blender, then add yogurt and a bit of sugar, if you like.Pour into the frozen bowl of your ice cream maker and follow the equipment's instructions.Serve immediately, remove to a tub for storage in the freezer, or remove in serving-sizedportions with a spoon or ice cream scoop to a baking sheet to freeze individually.It does get quite hard, so you'll have to remove it from the freezer a few minutes beforeserving. Makes about a cup.Chocolate Coating:2 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate 1 tbsp. (15 ml) crushed pecans, walnuts or almondsBumbleberry Sauce:1/2 c. 125 ml) mixed berries 2 tbsp. (30 ml) brown sugar squish of lemon juicePrepare frozen yogurt, using an ice cream maker. Set servings onto a baking sheet with an icecream scoop so they’re all ready to drizzle in chocolate once frozen hard.At that point, they can be stored in a freezer bag until needed and served alone, orembellished with chocolate, or a drizzle of berry glaze or sauce.Melt chocolate in the microwave on medium power for two minutes in a small pitcher or ameasuring cup with a spout, stirring until it’s all melted. Remove two frozen yogurt balls from thefreezer and set onto a piece of wax paper on a small plate.Immediately, drizzle generously with the melted chocolate and sprinkle with chopped nuts;then return to the freezer on the plate.Prepare Bumbleberry Sauce by combining a mixture of fresh or frozen BC berries, such asraspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries or black currants in a small pot with the sugarand a squish of lemon juice, over medium heat.Bring to a bubble and simmer until the berries are tender and can be squished into a sauce inthe pot, then reduce the sauce by about a third. This will take 20 minutes or so in all.Spoon a little of the berry sauce over the bottom of each of your dessert dishes and top withthe chocolate-covered frozen yogurt. Prepare a few minutes before serving and let the frozenyogurt soften slightly in the fridge. Serves 4 or so.CLASSIFIEDDEADLINE FOR MARCH 2016 ISSUE: FEBRUARY 2025 words or less, minimum $10 plus GST • Each additional word: $0.25DISPLAY CLASSIFIED: $20 plus GST per column inch1120 East 13th Avenue, Vancouver V5T 2M1Phone: 604/871-0001 • Fax: 604/871-0003E-mail: countrylifeinbc@shaw.caWeb: www.countrylifeinbc.comNEW/USED EQUIPMENTLOOKING FOR A JOB?NEED EMPLOYEES?WWW. AGRI-LABOURPOOL.COM604-823-6222SINCE 1974CASH FOR BATTERIESDON’T THROW AWAYTHOSE OLD BATTERIESTHEY ARE WORTH MONEY!We recycle all types of batteries, lead acid toforklift industrials ... and the best part is wepay you cash on the spot.Will buy yourscrap forklifts, too!David at 778/668-4890Quick Cash 4 BatteriesELITE PEMBERTON SEED POTATOESCERTIFIED ORGANIC AND BIODYNAMIC ,$125 per 50lb box, $100 on orders over 10boxes, plus shipping: Yukon Gold, Sieglinde,Red Chieftan, Cal White, Gemstar Russet,Russian Blue, Ulla/Rinegold Russet. 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Big and midsize squares. Call250/567-3287.Heavy duty oil field pipe bale feeders. Feedsavers, single round bale feeders outsidemeasurement is 8’x8.5’ Double round balefeeder measurement is 15’x8’. Silage bunkfeeders. Prices start at $900. Also DrillPipe 2 3/8” or 2 7/8” by appr. 30’ long.Call Dan 250/308-9218 Coldstream, BCCATTLE AND HORSE FEEDERSFOR SALENEWPOLYETHYLENETANKSof all shapes & sizes for septic and waterstorage. Ideal for irrigation, hydroponics,washdown, lazy wells, rain water, truckbox, fertizilizer mixing & spraying.Call1-800-661-4473for closest distributor.Web: [www.premierplastics.com]Manufactured in Delta byPremier Plastics Inc.Quality PrivacyCedar Hedging For SaleEmerald, ExcelsaMENTION THIS AD &RECEIVE 10%OFF YOUR ORDERFREE LOCAL DELIVERY ONORDERS OF 25 OR MORE CEDARS• Discounts for large orders available• We have all sizes 3’ +Installation services availableWholesale/Retail604/217-2886www.fraservalleycedars.comFOR SALEFOR SALEFOR SALENAME ____________________________________________OLD ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________________PHONE ____________________________________________NEW ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________PHONE ____________________________________________COUNTRYLifein BCCanada Post will not deliver your Country Life in BCif they change your postal code, your street nameand/or address. If your address changes, please fillout the form below and mail or fax it to us, or useemail. Thank you!1120 East 13th AveVancouver, B.C. V5T 2M1Email: countrylifeinbc@shaw.caPhone 604/871-0001 • Fax: 604/871-0003Feb 16CHANGE OFADDRESS?Lola!
Introducing Kubota’s All New M-6Join the expanding Kubota family and experience what quality built and precision made mean to your farm. See your dealer for more information on our new hay tool line and be ‘Kubota ready’ this fall.s .EWMOWERCONDITIONERSs $OUBLEROTORRAKESANDTEDDERSs !NDOURNEW"63#3UPER#UT SILAGEBALERWITHTHREEVARIABLEBALEDENSITY OPTIONSkubota.caJoin the expanding Kubota family and experience whatLimited time only.See your dealer for details.Pre-Sellprogram in effect!ABBOTSFORD AVENUE MACHINERY CORP. 1521 Sumas Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604/864-2665 COURTENAY NORTH ISLAND TRACTOR LTD. 3663 South Island Hwy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250/334-0801 CRESTON KEMLEE EQUIPMENT LTD. N.W. Boulevard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250/428-2254DAWSON CREEK DOUGLAS LAKE EQUIPMENT 11508-8th Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250/782-5281DUNCAN ISLAND TRACTOR & SUPPLY LTD. 4650 Trans Canada Hwy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250/746-1755 KAMLOOPS DOUGLAS LAKE EQUIPMENT 706 Carrier Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250/851-2044KELOWNA AVENUE MACHINERY CORP. 1090 Stevens Road Hwy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250/769-8700 OLIVER GERARD’S EQUIPMENT LTD. 97 South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250/498-2524PRINCE GEORGE HUBER EQUIPMENT Upper Mud River Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250/560-5431 QUESNEL DOUGLAS LAKE EQUIPMENT Highway 97 North . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250/991-0406 VERNON AVENUE MACHINERY CORP. 7155 Meadowlark Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250/545-3355 Country Life in BC • February 201644spring.SSVSKID STEERSARRIVING SOON