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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. 3Trade Blueberry producers challenged by Asian markets 13Safety Ag Safety Week is March 13-19 – be careful out there 34Organics Canadian standards receive major overhaul 40Lifein BCThe agricultural news source inBritish Columbia since 1915Vol. 102 No. 3 • March 2016Province ups ministry budget; land commission benefitsby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – BC cole crop and potatogrowers are looking for options after theprovince’s last remaining processor indicatedit will no longer process most vegetables.“Lucerne Foods has been mandated to(reduce) our vegetable pack and (increase) ourblueberry pack and our retail packaging,”Lucerne’s agricultural supervisor John Quappsaid in a February 1 email sent to all growersand interested persons.Lucerne’s Abbotsford processing plant hadbeen a division of Canada Safeway butbecame part of Sobey’s when the Ontario-based supermarket chain acquired Safewaylast year. At the end of January, it was sold toNature’s Touch Frozen Foods of Quebec,Canada’s largest retail packer of frozen fruit.Since Lucerne had already been supplyingNature’s Touch with packaged fruit, Quappsays “it was a logical next step for them topurchase us,” calling it a “very good t … theyare on the East Coast and we are on the WestCoast.”He says the purchase “provides ouremployees and our growers alike somecondence in the future,” noting Nature’sTech has both domestic and internationalretail sales.Lucerne general manager Travis Drew saystheir vegetable processing had alreadydecreased “quite a bit” over the years. Eventhough vegetables still represented about halfPlease see “TOO MUCH” page 2YCOUNTRYAnother FV processor packs it inby DAVID SCHMIDTVICTORIA – The BC AgricultureCouncil has come out in support ofwhat BC Minister of Agriculture NormLetnick calls a “fantastic” provincialbudget for agriculture. BCACexecutive director Reg Ens is lesseusive but does call it “stable andsafe. There aren’t really any negatives.”The agriculture ministry’s budgetwas set at $81.472 million in operatingexpenses and $1.168 million in capitalexpenditures. Although just $1.577million more than the 2015-16agriculture budget (which ends March31) it does fulll the promise of anincrease which nance minister MikeDe Jong made at the Mainland MilkProducers annual meeting in January.Most of the increase goes to theAgricultural Land Commission which isreceiving an additional $1.1 million.Former Delta SouthMLA andparliamentarysecretary foragriculture ValRoddick continues tobe an enthusiasticsupporter of theindustry, picking upone of FCC’sAgriculture MoreThan Ever T-shirts atthe Pacic AgricultureShow in January.(Cathy Glover photo)TruebelieverPlease see “PST” page 2Increased ALC fundingto improve efficiencies;ag council says“better than nothing”IRRIGATION LTD1-888-675-7999www.watertecna.comPROVINCE WIDE DELIVERYPROVINCE WIDE DELIVERYGrowing morewith less waterFREE PTO PUMPSee our ad on page 23for details!1-888-770-7333Quality Seeds ... where quality counts!See inside for our 2016SEED GUIDE
TOO MUCH FOR FRESH MARKET TO ABSORB From page 1PST EXEMPTION LIST EXPANDED From page 1Country Life in BC • March 20162“This is 33% more for theALC’s base budget,” Letnicknotes, saying the increasedfunding will increase thespeed of ALC’s decision-making, help it improve itsrelationship with localgovernments and allow it tohire additional complianceand enforcement sta. “We think it’s a good thingthey’re funding complianceand enforcement,” Ens says.The PST exemption list forbonade farmers has beenexpanded to includetelescopic handlers (forhandling forage, hay, manureand pallets), skid steers andpolycarbonate greenhouses.The government alsoannounced it will establish acommittee to review the PSTsystem.BCAC welcomes the reviewbut is disappointed a return toHST has been ruled out.“An HST-like system hasbeen our policy since beforeHST was brought in,” Ensstates.BCAC also welcomes thenew non-refundable 25% taxcredit for farmers andcorporations who donate foodto food banks, schools andother non-prots. Letnick saysthe Ministry of Finance is stillworking out such programdetails as which products areeligible and how, or even if,the value of donations madeby associations (such asMMP’s $100,000 donation ofmilk to Fraser Valley foodbanks) can be passed throughto producers.The budget also continuesfunding for the school fruitand vegetable nutritionprogram and extends the BuyLocal program for anotheryear at $2 million.“The $6 million we put intothe program over the lastthree years generated $9million in matching industryfunding so I’m hoping this willbring total Buy Localspending up to $20 million bythe end of this year,” Letnicksays.Long term and inclusiveWhile Ens calls the money“better than nothing,” BCACcontinues to ask governmentfor “a more strategic, long-term and inclusive approachto support the growth of theentire agriculture and agri-foods sector, not justindividual operations.”The throne speech alsoannounced plans to expandthe “Buy Local, Grow Local”program, and Letnick hopesto launch a pilot project thissummer, or at the very latest,next summer. If a project doesgo ahead this summer, it willbe reported on at the BCConference on Food Security,which was announced in thethrone speech and will beheld at the Capri Hotel inKelowna in November. Letnicksays the conference’sobjective is to “ensure wecontinue our great success inagrifood and move forwardon food supply security.”The Minister’s AgrifoodAdvisory Committee isworking with ministry sta todevelop the conferenceagenda and Letnick expectsdetails to be nalized by lateMarch or early April.BCAC chair Stan VanderWaal says the budget “doesnot include everythingneeded to secure the long-term sustainability ofagriculture in in ourprovince,” but calls it a“positive step.” BC Fruit GrowersAssociation general managerGlen Lucas and BCCattlemen’s Associationgeneral manager Kevin Boonare pleased the governmenthas responded to BCAC’srequest to include climateadaptation and emergencyresponse planning in thebudget. “Intense summer droughtsand intense winter oodinghas become the new normal.The associated costs are notsustainable for farmingfamilies, which is why fundingfor long-term planning andadaptation is critical,” Lucassays.Boon noted last summer’swildres devastated entireranches and destroyedkilometers of livestockfencing. “The provincialgovernment’s investment inwildre management mirrorsactual need so I look forwardto seeing the funds put togood use,” he said.of the fresh throughput, henotes it represented only 5%of Lucerne’s packagingbusiness.Drew says Nature Techintends to increase berryprocessing “three to fourtimes” but will not abandonvegetables altogether. “Wewill continue to processrhubarb and there’s a goodpossibility we’ll still be doingpeas.”Exactly what and howmuch Lucerne will processthis year won’t be known forcertain until the BC VegetableMarketing Commission holdsits negotiations for peas,beans, broccoli, cauliowerand Brussels sprouts in lateFebruary and early March. BC Cole Crop GrowersAssociation manager MikeWallis said Lucerne’s decisionaects eight growers andabout 650-700 acres ofproduct. While he expectssome to try to sell moreproduct into the fresh market,which is not regulated, Walliswonders how much more thefresh market can take.Grower options are “slim,”admits BCVMC generalmanager Andre Solymosi.While BC Frozen Foods hasbeen taking some of the cropin recent years, it has notbeen a major player in thepast.He believes there is anopportunity for BC FrozenFoods and/or someone elseto step up to ll the voidsince “there is a demand forlocal product.”However, Wallis does nothold out much hope, sayingsome growers have alreadyput their harvesters up forsale. One grower who appearsto have seen the writing onthe wall is Bill Shoker ofShoker Farms. Shoker used togrow over 2,000 acres ofprimarily sprouts and othercole crops for Lucerne butsold its sprouts harvester afew years ago, cut its acreageback to under 1,000 and nowgrows only blueberries andrhubarb. “Lucerne is still going totake our berries and rhubarbso their decision will notaect us,” Shoker said.Rotation cropsBC Fresh president MurrayDriediger says his growers’largest concern is losing someof the crops which potatogrowers use as rotation crops.(Potatoes should only begrown on a eld once everythree years.)He notes beans, peas andcole crops are good rotationcrops for root vegetables,saying if Lucerne continues toprocess peas “it will help.”He expects some growersto try to expand their freshmarket sales but says that isfraught with danger if there isno processor to take thesurplus and byproduct.“When you don’t have aprocessing backstop, it’s like atrapeze act without a safetynet,” Driediger says.“Within my lifetime, I havewatched seven pretty strongnational processors disappearfrom the province,” he addsruefully. “It’s sad when youreect on the opportunitiesthat were there.”Ag minister Norm LetnickCASE IH TM200FIELD CULTIVATOR, 26.5’ WW,REAR HYD HITCH KIT $39,950JOHN DEERE 512 DISK RIPPER7 SHANKS, OFFSET DISKS, CLEANUNIT $22,500GENIE 842 TELEHANDLERPALLET FORKS, 1610 HOURS$55,950’96 KUBOTA L235025 HP, LB400 LDR, 540 PTO, TURF TIRES $8,95006 NH TM1554WD, AC, HEAT, 850TL SELF LEVELINGLDR, 5200 HRS $59,950VOLVO L50B WHEEL LOADER1725 HRS, BKT/FORKS, GOOD TIRES,$39,9502008 CASE IH PUMA 195 16SP PWRSHIFT, LX770 LDR,NICE TIRES, $120,000FarmersEquip.com888-855-4981LYNDEN, WAPRICES IN US DOLLARS#22554$120,000$120,000#23278$8,950$8,950#22791 $59,950$59,950#20050 $39,950$39,950#22558$39,950$39,950#22535$22,500$22,500#15525$55,950$55,950www.tractorparts4sale.caABBOTSFORD, BCBus. 604/807-2391Fax. 604/854-6708 email: sales@tractorparts4sale.caWe accept Interact, Visa and Mastercard CLAAS 740T SIX BASKET TEDDER, MANUAL FOLD, EXC COND ...... 7,500JOHN DEERE 5500 4X4, LOADER, 83 HP, FWD/REV, OPEN STATION, LOADER ATTACH INCLUDED............................................................... 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March 2016 • Country Life in BC 3Agriculture shinesin ag gala spotlightBCAC chair Stan Vander Waal,left, and Doug Grimson, right,from HUB Insurance, presentedBC rancher and FRISP managerLee Hesketh with the BCAgriculture Council’s Excellencein Agriculture LeadershipAward at the annual AgricultureGala, January 27.(Cathy Glover photo)by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – The awardskeep piling up for Lee Heskethand the Farmland-RiparianInterface StewardshipProgram (FRISP) he managesas a one-man show.During the January 27 BCAg Gala, the BC AgricultureCouncil gave Hesketh itsExcellence in AgricultureLeadership Award. The annualaward recognizes “highstandards of leadership andinnovation.” In 2009, Hesketh receivedthe Doreen Wright Awardfrom the Fraser Basin Council.In 2012, the Hesketh family’sranch in Lumby, Silver Hills,where Hesketh hosts anannual Finding CommonGround workshop, receivedthe BC Cattlemen’sAssociation EnvironmentalStewardship Award, and in2014, Canada’s premiers gaveFRISP its Excellence in WaterStewardship Award.The BCCA established FRISPwith a shoestring budget overa dozen years ago andcontracted Hesketh to helpranchers improvemanagement of riparian areason their ranches. “I was hired on a temporarybasis and I’m still temporary,”the ever-humble Hesketh said.Champions of agWith a theme of“Champions of Agriculture,”the Ag Gala also recognized2016 BC Outstanding YoungFarmers Brian and Jewel Paulsof Chilliwack and gave time inits program for the BCAgriculture in the ClassroomFoundation to present its2015 Outstanding TeacherAward to Patricia Regan of SirCharles Tupper Secondary inVancouver.Regan has been using suchAITC resources as Spud ‘n’Tubs, Take A Bite of BC andthe BC School Fruit andVegetable Nutritional Programin her home economics,tourism and culinary artsclasses to teach studentsabout locally-grown BCproducts.AgSafe BC executivedirector Wendy Bennett usedthe Ag Gala to promote a newAgSafety Champ award theassociation will be presentingfor the rst time at next year’sAg Gala.She encouraged farmersand ranchers to submit theirphotos and tips on farm safetyand nominate a farmer orrancher for the new award.Bennett noted farmfatalities have been reducedalmost 50% over the past 10years but said industry can doeven better. She called thenew campaign an attempt to“put safety back in yourhands.”As usual, the Ag Galaattracted a full house,including a large contingentof local and provincialpoliticians. Signaling that anelection is not that far away,there were as many NDP asLiberal MLA’s in attendance.The NDP contingent includedboth NDP agriculture criticLana Popham and NDP leaderJohn Horgan.BC Minister of AgricultureNorm Letnick, who wasattending his third Ag Gala asagriculture minister, led theLiberal contingent. He pointedout agrifood is now thenumber two manufacturingsector in the province. Totalagrifood output in 2015increased 5.9% over 2014,after a 3.5% increase in 2014.“Our momentum is great,”Letnick said, noting the jobnow is to “encourage BC’ers tobuy more local BC product.”That means buildinggreater trust with consumers,says BCAC chair StanVanderwal. Because “people are morecurious about how their foodis grown,” Vanderwal saysBCAC intends to increase itscommunication withconsumers this year. “It’s timeto tell our story.” 3399 DAVISON ROAD, VERNON | 134.48 acres on 2 titles. Currently agricultural zoned property. Adjacent to Turtle Mtn. Estates this is an excellent investment property, with theapprox. 25 acres designated RH-1, RH-2, P-2 and park with the balance agriculture. Older 4 bed/2bath rancher, 90'x 272' indoor arena, 35x80 hay shed, 68x80 shop. Land has a gentle slopewhich offers great valley and lake views. Serviced with municipal water, this property has muchto offer. MLS® 10109816 $3,300,000Downtown 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”www.OkLandBuyers.caINVEST IN QUALITY®Matsqui Ag-RepairAbbotsford, BC604-826-3281Noble Tractor & EquipmentArmstrong, BC250-546-3141Noble Tractor & EquipmentKamloops, BC250-851-3101Huber Farm EquipmentPrince George, BC250-560-5431KuhnNorthAmerica.comPurchase a select new Kuhn VB round baler, then cut the price further with a Round Up the Savings coupon! Visit your local dealer for details and to receive your coupon. Offer ends May 31, 2016
The United Nation’s Framework Convention onClimate Change treaty was negotiated at theEarth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The treatybegan the process of coming to grips with risinglevels of atmospheric greenhouse gasses (GHG),most notably carbon dioxide (CO2). The treaty did not set GHG limits or suggestenforcement mechanisms. It came into effect in1994 and its signatories have been meetingannually since 1995. These meetings havespawned numerous protocols and agreements –most notably the Kyoto Protocol in 1995, theCancun Agreements in 2010, the DohaAmendment in 2012 and the Paris Agreement inDecember 2015. Good intentions and rhetoricnotwithstanding, thus far the process has donelittle more than set targets that cannot or will notbe achieved.Atmospheric CO2The majority consensus of climate sciencesuggests that 350 ppm of atmospheric CO2 is thelevel necessary to avoid climate change. At theRio Summit in 1992, atmospheric CO2 was 355ppm. Three months ago in Paris, it was nearing402 parts per million (ppm). Climate reality is hitting home and thedesirability of 350 ppm has been replaced by thepossibility of 450 ppm by 2050. That is the levelthat climate scientists say must be met if overallglobal warming is to be limited to 2 degrees Cand catastrophic climate change avoided. GHG’s are currently increasing at more thantwo ppm every year and climbing on a rocket-shiptrajectory. What if we blow right past 450 ppm?One school of thought suggests we will do justthat and wind up hitting 550 ppm and a sixdegree temperature rise before the end of thecentury. Archaeologically, we are living in the HoloceneEpoch, which began with the end of the last iceage 11,700 years ago. But history might re-locateus to the first years of the Arthropocene Age, thetime when human activity significantly changedthe geologic record. Different viewsThough most geologists say there is insufficientevidence to support the Arthropocene, otherscientists point to the detectable global spread ofnuclear-related radioactivity as the start of a newage of man starting in 1950. Others date theArthropocene to the Industrial Revolution inBritain and the dawn of widespread fossil fuelextraction. We are, perhaps, very humanly pretentious toassign such importance to the rise and possiblefall of our own short-lived species. Two hundredthousand years is, after all, little more than a blipon the four billion year history of the planet. Earthhas seen many more catastrophes than whatevermankind might conjure by cranking theatmospheric CO2 level past the five or sixhundred ppm level. Five hundred million yearsago in the Cambrian period, atmospheric CO2 was6,000 ppm; two hundred million years ago at thebeginning of the Jurassic Period, it was 1,200 to1,500 ppm. By the Miocene Epoch 20 million yearsago, widespread forests had lowered atmosphericCO2 to 100 ppm. So, CO2 levels have been manytimes higher in the past and have come downnaturally. There is no reason to believe that theywould not do so again. Problematic for humans isthe pace of change. Hyper-extractive It might well take nature several million yearsto bring back 200 ppm atmospheric CO2. Thereality is over the entire history of our species,CO2 has fluctuated between 180 and 280 ppm. Ithas never approached 400 ppm – until now. We are rapidly moving beyond the point atwhich there is any hope of averting eventualclimate calamity. Certainly, the situation calls formuch, much more than the foot-dragginginnuendo and procrastination of the past quartercentury. Any potential for a soft climate landinghas been squandered and it is delusional tobelieve we can keep burning all of the carbonconcentrated in the remains of those Mioceneforests and send it into the atmosphere so we cansustain a hyper-extractive consumer-centricsociety. We are here because we have evolved in asuitable and largely stable environment and weabuse it at our own peril. Climate engineers talk a good story aboutputting mirrors in orbit or pumping sulphur intothe upper atmosphere to turn the sky grey (quiteliterally smoke and mirrors) and Richard Bransonwants to colonize Mars. The real solution is to heed nature and reality.We will all need to start very soon or theArthropocene may be the shortest Age of all.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 “D’oh!” 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. 3March 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 GSTIt’s not nice to fool Mother NatureThe Back 40BOB COLLINSCountry Life in BC • March 20164One shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, yet last month’s provincialbudget is rather sway-backed when it comes to carrying agriculture.The province champions agriculture as a key economic sector, one that’scritical to growing the province’s exports across the Pacific and around theworld.Securing access to China for premium BC fruit, the repeal of contentiousCountry of Origin Labeling (COOL) rules for beef and pork, and striking theTrans-Pacific Partnership are achievements that the province has cheered asit seeks to boost the total value of the province’s agri-food sector to $15billion by 2020 from $12.3 billion in 2014.To that end, it’s increased the operating budget for the province’sagriculture ministry – long one of the least-funded agriculture ministries inCanada – to $81.5 million in expenditures.That’s just $1.6 million more than the previous year’s budget – a 1.9%increase.By comparison, the standard increase that landlords in the province areallowed to charge tenants is 2.9%, based on a formula of the annualinflation rate plus 2% – a more generous raise than provincial staffers willsee.Small wonder even the BC Agriculture Council bit its lip in praising theincrease, expressing gratitude while saying it isn’t enough for the sector’slong-term sustainability.But wait, perhaps the key lies in where the money is flowing.The province has marked most of the added funds for the AgriculturalLand Commission, under fire on several fronts for being over-worked,under-resourced, out of touch or simply powerless (at least where PortMetro Vancouver is concerned).One can’t argue with funding designed to protect farmland and ensureit’s used for food production, but that leaves just $477,000-odd to supportthe research, extension and support services which growers need in orderto grow and sell their product.That’s a role government seems set to let industry continue playing.Letnick congratulates industry for its fine work in ponying up $9 millionover the last three years for Buy Local programming, matching governmentfunding of just $6 million.With that kind of effort, Letnick hopes Buy Local funding will total $20million this fiscal year – again, largely thanks to industry commitments.Provincial agriculture funding has increased, sure – but much of it linkedto industry’s support of itself.Rather like US presidential hopeful Donald Trump saying he’ll build a walland get Mexico to pay for it, Victoria is telling agriculture it’s here to help.But what’s it got to give?Agriculture is fundamental to domestic food security, a matter that’smuch in the public interest as this winter’s spike in produce prices madeclear.It’s time Victoria dedicated more money not just to laying the groundrules for agriculture, but to the researchers and extension workers who helpfarmers stay competitive at home and abroad.Budget emphasizes agriculture’s contribution
Whenever the subject of organic agriculturesurfaces in a discussion about modern farming, the“yabuts” start owing fast and sometimes, furiously.Ya but organic farmers don’t produce as much asconventional farmers do so if everyone wentorganic, there would be shortages, more pressureon land and higher food prices. And so it goes.Those yabuts are rooted in a certain ideologyabout agriculture that is deeply entrenched inpractice, policyand even ourlanguage – a viewthat organicagriculture is anoutdated andinecient farmingsystem that romanticizes the good old days.John P. Reganold and Jonathon M. Wachter,authors of a newly released report from theWashington State University (WSU), trace it back toformer US agriculture secretary Earl Butz – the sameguy who encouraged farmers in the early 1970s togrow fencerow to fencerow.“Before we go back to organic agriculture in thiscountry, somebody must decide which 50 millionAmericans we are going to let starve or go hungry,“Butz reportedly said in 1971.40 years of science analyzedThis latest study, Organic Agriculture in the 21stCentury, appears in the February issue of the journalNature Plants. Reganold, a WSU professor of soilscience and agro-ecology, and doctoral candidateWachter, analyzed 40 years of science comparingorganic and conventional agriculture against fourmetrics of sustainability as identied by the NationalAcademy of Sciences: productivity, economics,environment and community well-being.Organic production systems compare favourablyon three out of the four.The analysis challenges conventional thinking inthe ongoing debate over how agriculture can bestmeet the needs of the world’s growing populationwithout destroying the planet.It’s not ideological to say that organic farmingsystems yield fewer bushels per acre. That’s a fact.The WSU report found organic farming systemsyield on average eight to 25% less than chemicallybased systems. But it is a fact of diminishingsignicance as that gap closes thanks to better seed,growing conditions and management.The ideology lies in the assumptions that thepursuit of high-yield agriculture will “feed the world”and that it will reduce the pressure on the world’sremaining undeveloped lands. In reality, thatpressure continues at a relentless pace through highprices and low.There is also a certain ideology in the languagedescribing conventional farming as “modern” andorganic as about “going back.” While organicproduction systems don’t use the chemicalproduction aids developed over the past 50 years orso, today’s organic farmers know far more aboutmanaging biological systems than theirgrandparents did.There are environmental costs to crop inputssuch as nitrogen that aren’t fully accounted for inthe price of food. Cash strapped governmentslooking for ways to mitigate and adapt to climatechange are starting to notice.The research into organic and perennial croppingsystems could provide answers to conventionalfarmers, too. The evidence shows the organic modeldelivers healthier soil with better water-holdingcapacity, uses less energy, and emits fewergreenhouse gases. The study cites “some evidence”it produces more nutritious food, too, although thatremains hotly debated.As for the argument,“ya but organic foods costmore,” that’s absolutely true. Where it getsideological is debating whether that’s a good or badthing.Demand continues to growConsumers vote with their dollars. The WSU studynoted sales of organic foods and beveragesincreased ve fold to US$72 billion between 1999and 2013 and they are expected to double again by2018. Demand continues to grow faster than theavailable supply.The fact that there is a growing subset of theconsuming public that is willing to pay more to eatshould be celebrated in agriculture, not scorned.That’s not to say organic is for everyone. Norshould this editorial be misconstrued as promotingthis system over others.There are barriers to entry into organic farming,beginning with the three years of transition before aperson can collect those premiums. It requires adierent mindset and is more labour intensive.Existing farm policy tends to support the status quo.But as a business proposition, it’s a legitimateone, especially in an era when society is looking foragriculture to be part of a sustainable solutioninstead of being part of the problem.Farm organizations have been lobbyinggovernments for more than a decade for policiesthat reward farmers for delivering environmentalgoods and services. Organic farmers are alreadybeing rewarded – through the marketplace.Laura Rance is editor of Manitoba Co-Operator.Organic growers have more than ideology on their sideMarch 2016 • Country Life in BC 5ViewpointLAURA RANCEwww.patonauctions.comMOVE IN DAYS: TUESDAY, APRIL 26 TO THURSDAY, APRIL 28 9 AM TO 5 PM, FRIDAY, APRIL 29 9 AM TIL 11 AM ONLYCALL US FOR HONEST and REPUTABLE AUCTION SERVICESIAN PATON | 604.644.3497ian@patonauctions.comPROFESSIONAL LIVESTOCK & FARM EQUIPMENT AUCTION SERVICES & APPRAISALS... specializing in on-site farm dispersalsI. 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Country Life in BC • March 20166Editor:(Re: The real truth aboutGMOs and why we need them,Page 5, February 2016)It is my opinion thateducation is essential to drawvalid conclusions. The SuzukiFoundation concludes thesafety of GMOs is unprovenand further research must bedone in connecting GMOs withhealth concerns and damageto the environment. Somethingmust be wrong if the scienticcommunity is questioning thevalue of GMOs.My argument is with Round-Up Ready and insecticideproducing crops. Round-Upwas once thought to be safe,have a short half-life and havelittle eect on soil ora andmycorrhizae. This has beenrefuted in Scientic Reports byJ.G. Zaller et al. As these crops decompose,are there any eects onmigratory birds? In the past,malathion use caused the neardemise our Bald Eagle.Currently, blueberry farmersare using poison to controlindigenous rodents which arefood for raptors. Rodenttunnels are homes for honeybees. Poisoning the rodentsultimately disrupts the naturalbalance.Monsanto is not a farmerbut the poster child for GMOcompanies. Solving worldnutrition may not lie withGMOs. Canada’s four GMOcrops (corn, sugar beet, soyand canola) are neithernutritionally or strategicallyessential in solving worldhunger. A more logicalMore research needed: GMOsLettersEditor:Re: Battle Brewing as Port Eyes Farm Land, February 2016 I would suggest that it is all ne and dandy for MinisterLetnick to say “the normal rules will apply” as and whenPort Metro Vancouver develops its agricultural properties.The fact is that the Port doesn’t have to follow the normalprovincial rules.Further, its president, Mr. Silvester, has clearly indicatedthe Port has “supremacy” and will not hesitate to exerciseits jurisdiction. It is my rmly held belief that unless the agriculturalcommunity actively and cohesively ghts the constructionof Terminal 2 at Deltaport with every means at its disposal,we will soon see the end to a viable agricultural industry inDelta. Richmond Mayor (Malcolm) Brodie should besupported wholeheartedly if we are to protect these vital,rich and productive lands of the Fraser Delta.Vicki Huntington, MLADelta SouthFarm community mustfight Deltaport expansionEditor:We have now received oursecond issue of Country Lifein BC and our whole family isenjoying it.As we are farmers, thereare articles in the paper thatinterest all of us. Thank you!The February issue has anarticle called The real truthabout GMOs and why we needthem. It is an awesomearticle about GMOs. I wouldlove to post this article onFacebook and possibly thelocal paper. Jo Anne DelichteColdstreamNew subscriber likes GMO articlePANORAMIC 25.6Abbotsford Location Ɇ6XPDV:D\$EERWVIRUGKelowna Location Ɇ6WHYHQV5G.HORZQDVernon Location Ɇ0HDGRZODUN5G9HUQRQwww.avenuemachinery.caYOUR OFFICIAL MERLO DEALER:3$125$0,&&6+' 08/7,)$50(5&/$66,&2THE ULTIMATEINCREASE YOUR PROFITS:MORE PRECISIONMORE PRODUCTIVITYMORE VERSATILITYLESS FUEL MERLO CTIONIN ARLOEMVEROCDIS THECTIONRLOVER TIMAULLT TEAAT INCREASE YMOREMORE OFITS:OUR PRINCREASE YCISIONPREMORETILITYASSAVERRSODUCTIVITYPRMORE CISIONTILITYODUCTIVITY OUR OFFICIAL MERLYFUELSLESMORE O DEALER:OUR OFFICIAL MERLFUELTILITYASSAVERRSMORE TILITY enuemacv.awwwionternon LocaVVeiont LocawnaeloKord LocaAbbotsf .cayhinerenuemacQRQUH9G5NUDOZRGDH0ɆionDQZROH.G5VQHYHW6ɆionWREE$\D:VDPX6Ɇtionord Loca QGURIVW Lots of Equipment& Parts SpecialsOPENHOUSEABBOTSFORD MARCH 11-12VERNON APRIL 1910 til 3approach to globalmalnutrition lies withproviding clean water and thestudy of indigenous foodsources and fauna.In dealing with GMO seeds,the farmer may not save theseeds. This is the last thing adeveloping country needs. Theconventional farmer has nolegal protection against GMOcrop cross pollination.Monsanto, therefore, may havelegal claim to the conventionalfarmer’s crop. The organicfarmer faces added risk oflosing organic certication.With regard to pesticide use inorganic farming, ConsumerReport found organic produceto have substantially lowerlevels of pesticides.Currently, GMO alfalfa isbeing marketed in Canada. Theconcern here is therelationship between the leafcutting bee and alfalfapollination. If the bee’s habitatis destroyed, there will be noseed production. Farmers areat the mercy of marketingpractices as productpamphlets and readingmaterial only give positivebenets.Jacqueline M.J. ReznickAbbotsfordWe can’t bee-lieve what we did!In our February issue, on pages 10 and 11, we used the incorrect photoswith their corresponding stories. The honey bee pictured on page 10should have appeared with the cutline on page 11, which credits themwith nearly $16.5 million in retail sales, while the bumble bee shouldhave run with the story on page 10. We apologize for the oversight.
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 7by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – By allaccounts, the 2016 PacicAgriculture Show was the bestever.“We had over 800 peopleattending the openingreception alone,” notes tradeshow co-ordinator JimShepard.Over 8,000 people pouredinto Abbotsford’s Tradex,January 28-30, to view thedisplays from a record numberof exhibitors in the 18thannual show. That included915 people who also took inall or part of the HorticultureGrowers Short Course, whichtook place all three days, 150people who attended theDairy Expo Thursday morningand 125 people who signedup for the Agriculture andMunicipal Biogas ForumThursday and Friday.“The grower numbers andtrade show attendance wereboth up this year,” reportsGrowers Short Course co-ordinator Sandy Dunn.While Saturday alwaysdraws a lot of children as wellas adults, there also seemed tobe more children inattendance on Thursday andFriday.“It’s not many placesparents can take their kidswith them when the parentsare doing business and thekids will still have fun,”Shepard states.This year’s audience skewedyounger than in previous yearsbut it was not just because ofthe kids.“A number of exhibitorsnoted there were a lot moreyounger farmers,” Shepardsays. “We saw a lot of peoplein their mid-20’s and early 30’swho we didn’t see in the past.”He notes young farmershave grown up withcomputers and smartphones,making them not only moretech-savvy but moreinterested in all the newtechnology on display.“We are trying to attractexhibitors with interesting andinnovative products thatenhance agriculture,” Shepardsays. Attendance, exhibitor records broken at agriculture showAbove and left, it’s allabout relationships,and the Pacic AgShow provided lots ofopportunities tonetwork with agri-businesses – and eachother.(Randy Giesbrechtphotos)Sometimes a good nap is just what the doctor ordered, even at theag show. (Peter Wilding photo)44725 Yale Road West • Chilliwack • Ph: 800.242.9737 • 604.792.130121869 56th Avenue • Langley • Ph: 800.665.9060 • 604.533.0048VENTURI AIR SPRAYERS3-POINT AND TRAILER MOUNTOur Venturi Air Sprayers produce high air velocities that shear the liquid to 50 micron fog sized droplets, which penetrate and cling to all areas of the plant foliage.The above blueberry/raspberry heads have 3 zone penetration whether on a 3-point hitch sprayer or trailer sprayer. The simple, unique design of our sprayers insures easy calibration and low maintenance.T55AE-800 W/BLUEBERRY HEAD SHOWNP50S W/BLUEBERRY HEAD
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March 2016 • Country Life in BC 9REQUIREMENTS From page 8by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – Farmersand ranchers who completean Environmental Farm Plan(EFP) can receive up to$70,000 in Best ManagementPractices (BMP) funding toimprove water management,BC Ministry of Agriculture(BCMA) resource managementmanager Geo Hughes-Gamestold a well-attendedagriculture watermanagement session at thePacic Agriculture Show inAbbotsford, January 29.BMP funding can be used toimprove storm water or wellwater management, improvedrainage or install a weatherstation. However, farmers whoreceive funding for a weatherstation must provide the datait collects to[www.Farmwest.com].Farmwest is part of a growingCanada-wide network ofweather stations, about 100 ofwhich are in BC.Funding is also available forirrigation improvements if theimprovements, such asreplacing a wheel line with alow-pressure pivot irrigationsystem, increase irrigationeciency by at least 15%. Farmers and ranchers canalso receive up to 100%funding to complete a riparianmanagement plan (RMP). Theplan helps them determinewhere to site buildings, how tobest water livestock, designpastures and provide winter-feeding to minimize theimpact on riparian areas.Once an RMP is completed,funding is available for suchthings as controlling uplandinvasive weeds and buildingerosion control structures.Even if they do notcomplete a formal EFP or RMP,farmers can garner manyuseful tips from the irrigationand drainage guides andirrigation system assessmentguide available on the BCMAwebsite. BCMA regional resourcespecialist Andrew Petersennoted the cheapest way toimprove irrigation eciency isto repair leaks and replaceworn nozzles.Having done that, theyshould only irrigate to actualcrop requirements, “notdates.” Farmers in the Fraser Valleyand Okanagan can get helpdoing that by using theirrigation schedulingcalculator on the IrrigationAssociation of BC website.Reducing water usage iscritical, says BCMA wastemanagement engineerMichael Schwalb, notingdroughts are likely to becomemore frequent and moresevere in future.He urges farmers to not justreduce water usage butreclaim it. “Recycle waterwhich would otherwise bewaste,” he says, adding there isa specic BMP fundingparameter for reclaimingwater. Examples includerecirculating water ingreenhouses, already commonin BC vegetable greenhouses,and using dairy wash water toush a barn. While one Deltadairy farm is treating itsmanure with reverse osmosisallowing the uid to reachdrinking water standards,Schwalb admits it is “probablynot cost-eective.” Instead, heencourages municipalities totreat euent for use inirrigation, which is alreadybeing done in Vernon andCranbrook, saying it “oers areal opportunity where there’sa large urban interface.” Petersen reminded farmersthe Fish Protection Act putsthem in a backseat to shduring a drought. That rstoccurred in 2009 whenranchers were stopped fromdrawing water from the UpperNicola River. In 2010, atChimney Lake, governmentsuspended all water licencesissued after 1937. Last year, 50FPA orders were issued on theColdwater River. However,they only aected sixproducers as the rest werealready dry.“Producers were withoutwater for 27-28 days,” Petersensaid.Before the Department ofFisheries and Oceans issues anorder, it must consider itsimpact on agriculture andPetersen insists they havebeen more than fair. Althoughorders can be issued whenstreamows drop below 500litres per second, he notes theColdwater orders weren’tapplied until the ow droppedto 250 litres per second.While Petersen and Schwalbtalked about drought, BCMAenvironmental agrologist MarkRaymond discussed theopposite scenario – too muchwater, such as during a freshet.To prepare for thateventuality, chemicals shouldbe stored above ood levelsand wellheads protected witha surface seal. When in dangerof a ood, farmers shouldreduce the volume in theirmanure pit and develop arelocation plan for theirlivestock. To help, the BCMAoers emergency planningfactsheets and emergencymanagement guides for dairy,beef, hogs and other livestock.So what is the weathergoing to be?Environment Canada (EC)meteorologist David Jonessays there is no simple answer.“Looking forward isextremely challenging,” hetold the group. Whilemeteorologists can provide ageneral indicator of the futureclimate, predicting theweather is much morecomplicated.Besides, meteorologists relyon “means” in their forecastsbut those can be extremelymisleading. It’s the old story ofputting one foot in ice andanother in boiling water. The“mean” is comfortable but tryconvincing either foot.Still some sources are morereliable than others. Jones saysthe best is [spotwx.com],which allows users to drilldown to their specic location. “When I started, the modelhad a 200 km resolution whichwas not very helpful but it isnow down to a 2.5 kmresolution,” he notes.He says EC has developed amountain weather forecast site[avalanche.ca/weather] to helppeople avoid potentialavalanches and is now trying toadapt it for other user groupssuch as agriculture. In future, itmay provide more accuratepredictions of spring freshets,summer and fall droughts aswell as such information aswhen to make hay. Funding available to improve water managementof the line. Although it hasbeen the practice to considerenvironmental ow needswhen issuing new licences,that is now a requirementinstead of a recommendation.People drilling new wells willhave to ensure it is done rightby hiring a certied contractor.Well pits will be restricted andsetbacks developed to protectexisting users.Andrew PetersenMark Raymondmeridianeq.comMERIDIAN EQUIPMENT CO., INC.5946 Guide Meridian, BELLINGHAM, WAPH. 360.398.2141 • email: meridianeq@msn.comTRACTORS • TRUCKS • IMPLEMENTSFARM EQUIPMENTAUCTIONSATURDAY, MARCH 19Spring ConsignmentSpring Consignmentwww.islandtractors.comUSED EQUIPMENTNH FP230 W/ 27P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,500TAARUP 338 MOWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,500NH 1037 BALE WAGON. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,500NH 565 SM SQ BALER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,500KUBOTA 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 B1700 700 HRS, LDR, 48” TILLER, FORKS, SPRAYER 13,500JD 2305 600 HRS, 2010, LDR/54” MOWER DECK . . . . . . $14,200NH TS100 7800 HRS, TIGER BOOM MWR, FLAIL HEAD $24,500NEW INVENTORYNH T5.115 CAB, MFWD, LDR READY, 24X24 TRANS . . . 75,000NH H7320 9’ 2” DISCBINE (ONE LEFT). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25,000NH BC5070 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 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wants the province tosupport the sector by buyingat least 30% BC products forits hospitals and other foodrequirements.“Hospitals alone spend $50million per year on food. Thisis a huge opportunity for BCagriculture,” she says. Under her plan, BCprocessors would be able tobid on contracts to supplythe hospitals as long as theyuse 100% BC products. Shebelieves this would create abase market for localproducers and lead toexpansion of the processingsector in the province.Finally, she intends torevive the Buy BC program.The program was introducedby the last NDP governmentbut “cancelled for partisanreasons” when the Liberalstook over.Although the Liberalsrecently introduced a BuyLocal program, she says itsscope is more limited thanthe previous Buy BC program.Country Life in BC • March 201610We buy and sell premium horse & dairy hay in small or large bales.We also buy & sell replacement dairy cows.www.tnthay.comCall Gary 604.316.3244717+D\&DWWOH6DOHVplace your hayorder onlineORDERNOWBe ready for calving with MASTERFEEDS proven mineral programCountry West Supply All of your equine and livestock feed needs available! Chilliwack 1-877-37358 // Armstong 1-250-546-9174www.countrywestsupply.comby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – BC Minister of Agriculture Norm Letnickhas introduced the Food and Agricultural ProductsClassication Act, which consolidates and replaces theFood Products Standards Act, Agri-food Choice andQuality Act and Agricultural Produce Grading Act. Unlikethe three existing acts which only cover land-basedagricultural products, the new act will also include sh andseafood. The primary purpose of Bill 11 is to modernize the threeacts and deliver on Letnick’s promise to provide theregulatory framework to ensure all food and beverageproducts marketed as “organic” in BC are certied undereither a provincial or national certication program by2018.The new act would ensure the term “organic” wouldhave the same denition for products produced and soldonly within the province as it does for products shippedout-of-province or imported from out-of-province.The new act will also allow the expansion of name-appellations to all areas and products, subject to anindustry plebiscite. Currently, name-appelations may onlybe applied to products within the VQA (Vintners QualityAlliance) system. New food classificationincludes fish, seafoodby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – Promotingagriculture is all aboutmarketing the stories, saysNDP agriculture critic LanaPopham.“You have to speak to thestomach of the consumerbefore you can talk to themabout the rancher in theCariboo,” she told BC FarmWriters at their annualmeeting in Abbotsford,January 29.Popham was first electedto the Legislature in 2009,intent on fixing the problemsshe encountered as a smalllot certified organic farmer inSaanich. “I’m committed tobettering agriculture,” shesays, noting her dream jobwould be to be Minister ofAgriculture.After failing to get theLiberals to agree to revive theStanding Committee onAgriculture, she created herown Opposition StandingCommittee on Agricultureand spent last spring touringand holding public hearingsthroughout the province. Sheexpects to hold a secondround of public hearings thisspring.The committee tabled itsfirst report in mid-December,the same day BC Minister ofAgriculture Norm Letnickreleased the government’supdated Strategic GrowthPlan for agriculture.While not entirelydenigrating Letnick’s plan,Popham says taking the twodocuments together providesa “better” roadmap for theindustry’s future.She says her plan foragriculture is “evolving” anduses a three-prongedapproach: “Grow BC, Feed BC,Buy BC.”Based on the dirtGrow BC becauseeverything is based aroundthe dirt. While people arestarting to say the rightthings, “I don’t think we’redoing them yet.” She isparticularly critical of recentchanges to the AgriculturalLand Reserve, saying the newrules “set us up to lose ourfood producing lands.”Feed BC because sheby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – The BC MilkMarketing Board (BCMMB) hasconrmed what Jim Byrnepredicted at the Mainland MilkProducers annual meeting inIncrease in BC dairy quota confirmedLana PophamPopham aims for dream job as ag ministerJanuary. The board has issueda 2% prorate quota increaseeective February 1. Likeprevious quota issues, it issubject to the 10/10/10 LIFOformula, meaning anyproducers who sell all or partof their quota within the nextyear will lose all of the latestallocation.The BCMMB has alsoannounced it will soon stopleaving pickup slips at a dairywhen milk is picked up. Ratherthan replace the deterioratinghandheld equipment which milktruck drivers have been using,the board is switching to newGPS-equipped mobile devices.Not not only does the newsystem (which will be used inat least ve Canadianprovinces), provide signicantenhancements but the BCMMBsays it will result in “signicantcost savings.”
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 11Lisa Aylard of Stonehaven Farm and Pat Deakin, the City of PortAlberni economic development manager and vice-president of theIslands Agriculture Show board of directors, welcomed visitors tothe Alberni-Clayquot Regional District booth at the IAS trade showat Cowichan Exhibition Park in Duncan. The Alberni Valley will behosting the show in 2017. (Lindsay Chung photo)by LINDSAY CHUNGDUNCAN – With this year’sIslands Agriculture Show (IAS)being considered anothersuccess, organizers are alreadyexcited to bring the tradeshow and conference to PortAlberni for the rst time in2017.This year’s IslandsAgriculture Show, February 12-13 at the Cowichan ExhibitionPark in Duncan, featured atrade show with 67 exhibitorsand two days of conferencesessions that looked atconsumer behaviour, markettrends and innovation,business fundamentals, watermanagement and newopportunities for farmers. Aswell, the show hosted a sold-out water storage farm tour,February 11, which visited adairy, vineyard, hobby farmand mixed vegetable andlivestock operation to examinehow they store water.Following the tour, a panelsession looked at the design,construction, operation andmaintenance involved inundertaking a water storageproject. “It’s all about educating thepublic and providing a venuefor farmers to network,” saysIAS manager Shari Paterson. “Ithink the show was a hugesuccess.”The show was busy bothdays. On Friday, 791 schoolchildren from the CowichanValley visited the show.Paterson says they probablyhad the most sold-outconference sessions in thehistory of the show andIsland ag show business-friendlyREASON 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. 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 shakerALEXANDER KNIVESVERTICAL KNIVESSIX REASONS WHY OUR SQUARE-CUT AUGER RESISTS SORTING:www.JAYLOR.com | 800.809.8224SIX REASONS WHY OUR SQUARE-CUT AUGER RESISTS SORTING:REASON 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. 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 SORseveral of the sessions werestanding room only.“The most important thingto us is how the vendors sawthe show, and all the vendors Ijust spoke to were thrilled.One equipment dealer hassold six tractors. Oneinsurance agent said he isbooked up for two months. Acompany from California cameup and said it’s the best showthey’ve ever attended; theysaid it feels like a realcommunity here with all thedisplays and the dairyclassroom. They said it was thebiggest crowd they hadwatching their displays ... If theshow was a success for thevendors, it was a success forus.”by LINDSAY CHUNGDUNCAN – This was the fth Islands Agriculture Showand the fourth time the show has been hosted in theCowichan Valley.IAS past president Kathy Lachman recalls how theCowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD)’s economicdevelopment division initially brought togetherstakeholders from all over Vancouver Island and created aworking group to create an Island-wide agriculture show. “The timing was right; the CVRD was looking to do anag show because it was in our ag plan and the IslandsForage Committee was looking at folding their operationsbecause they were just nding it too much. So, they kindof combined forces with us,” she says. The IAS board of directors is made up ofrepresentatives from all over Vancouver Island, and theintention is to move the show around allowing morepeople to have the opportunity to take part, explainsLachman. Last year, IAS moved to the Comox Valley afterthree years in the Cowichan Valley.“We wanted to make sure everybody on VancouverIsland had an opportunity to experience the show. Soevery second year, we’re moving the show around. Wecan’t do it every year because the logistics are justoverwhelming.”Lachman says the IAS will take place in Port Alberni in2017 then return to the Cowichan Valley the next year,then to another community in 2019. The rotation alsoallows more communities to highlight the farms andproducers in their region. “Farming groups kind of cometogether to support the show so we had the farmers’institute, we had the farmers’ market folks, we had alldierent kinds of agriculture community groups cometogether to support the show,” said Lachman.In 2017, the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District willhost the IAS February 3-4 at the Glenwood Centre and FairGrounds in Port Alberni.Ag show on the moveTRACTOR & EQUIPMENT LTD.KAMLOOPS580 Chilcotin Road250/851-3101TOLL FREE 1-888-851-3101ARMSTRONG4193 Noble Road250/546-3141TOLL FREE 1-800-661-3141NOBLECASE 2290 1980, 128 HP, CAB, NO 3 PT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,500CASE IH 885 1987, 72 HP, 4X4, CAB LDR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,500CASE IH 4694 1986, 219 PTO HP, DUALS 1000 PTO, 4 REMOTES . . 25,500NH TS115A, DELUXE 2004, 95 HP, CAB 4X4, LDR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,800NH 3045 45 HP, 4X4, CAB, LDR, LIKE NEW ONLY 120 HOURS . . . . . . 36,500KUBOTA B21 13.5 HP, 4X4, ROLLBAR, LOADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,500KUBOTA M5700 2003, 52PTO HP, CAB,4X4, LDR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,500WHITE 6065 63 PTO HP, 4X4, ROPS, ALO 640 LDR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,500JD 3130 80 HP, 2X4, CANOPY, JD 148 LOADER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13,500CASE IH 8820 WINDROWER, 1995, C/W 21” DRAPER HEAD . . . . . . . 24,000CASE IH DCX101 10’4”, 2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,900CASE IH 8312 1997, 12’ CUT, SWIVEL HITCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,500CASE IH DC 92 9’2” CUT, 2 TO CHOOSE FROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,500 | 21,000CASE IH 8309 1995, 9’2” CUT ROLLER CONDITIONER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,900NH 1411 2003, 10’4” CUT, RUBBER ROLLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,900JD 920 1995, 9’9”, CUT, ROLLER CONDITIONER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,500JD 925 2000, 9’9” CUT, FLAIL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,500HESSTON 1160 12’ HYDROSWING, 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,950HESSTON 1320 2000, 9’2” CUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,900KUHN GA7932 ROTARY TWIN RAKE, NEW IN 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,000RECON 300 2012, PULL TYPE HAY CONDITIONER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,800 CASE IH SBX540 Q-TURN, HYD DENSITY, EXTENSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,000NH BR7090 2012, 5’X6”, TWINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,500JD 456 2000, 4’X5’ SILAGE SPECIAL, TWINE & WRAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,900www.nobletractor.comWELCOME SPRING!
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February 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 RanchBCLBCL2016Equipment SalesMAY 7WILLIAMS LAKEMAY 15KAMLOOPSMarch 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 & SaleMarch 2016 • Country Life in BC 13Tapping into Asian blueberry market jam-packed with challengesby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – It is taking alot longer than expected toget into China and Korea butBC Blueberry Councilexecutive director DebbieEtsell continues to push theirpotential as export markets forBC blueberries. Although MOU’s with Chinaand Korea were signed lastSeptember, protocols are stillbeing nalized, she toldgrowers at the PacicAgriculture Show, January 30.“China is a growing marketfor blueberries,” she says,pointing out Chilean blueberryexports to China haveincreased from just 200 tonnesin 2012 to 4,000 tonnes lastyear.Not only does China’s 1.4billion population make it amassive potential market butBC already has a built-inadvantage over many of itscompetitors.“China already knowsVancouver. That’s a marketingadvantage we don’t have towork on,” Etsell says.Korea may not have ashuge a population but alsooers potential. It has limitedlocal production so must lookto imports to sate its growingappetite for blueberries.“Koreans eat a lot of fruitand they love smoothies,”Etsell says, noting the demandfor blueberries hasskyrocketed since they werefeatured on a popular local TVshow.In fact, says Californiablueberry marketingconsultant Tom Payne, SouthKorea is now the largest frozenblueberry market for the US.“There has been over 100%growth in our Korean marketsince 2010 and it has nowsurpassed Japan,” he says,noting Japan remains thelargest fresh market, takingover half of the US freshmarket blueberry exports.Packers interested inexploiting the opportunities inthe Far East must meet Chinaand Korea’s phytosanitaryrequirements. Each countrysets its own requirements butit is the Canadian FoodInspection Agency whichissues the export certicates,says CFIA horticultureprogram specialist BarbaraPeterson.Growers and packersneeded to apply to the CFIAby mid-February to beconsidered. Both the packingplant and the eld(s) theirberries come from need to beregistered with CFIA on anannual basis and growers andpackers need to sign aompliance agreement with theCFIA.To qualify to export toChina and Korea, packinghouses need to be GAP-certied, have pest exclusiondevices (such as insect screensor automatic doors) in place,provide complete producttraceability to the eld, handleapproved fruit separately, useforced air cooling and test forSWD. The packing line canhave automated equipmentbut must also include trainedhand sorting to ensure allcontaminants are removed.The plant must also provideCFIA inspectors with adedicated work area as theymust be present whenshipments are being wrapped.Growers must maintaincomplete pesticide andmonitoring records and hire athird-party IPM consultant todo the monitoring. Earlyseason IPM must becompleted by the rst week ofMay.BC Ministry of Agricultureberry specialist CarolynTeasdale said the IPMconsultant needs to provideeld maps and monitor for allpests of concern, includingSWD, mummy berry, cherry andcranberry fruit worm, rhagoletis,leaf rollers (Korea) and fruit rot(China). There is a 2% limit onmummy berries and a 5% limiton leafrollers. They also need tolook for blueberry maggots buthopefully won’t nd any asthere is zero tolerance for thepest.“If we nd blueberrymaggot, the program getssuspended,” Peterson stressed.The IPM consultant mustmonitor elds weekly frompink tip to the end of theharvest and need to inspect atleast one to two plants peracre, with a minimum of 12plants per eld. First found in BC blueberryelds ve years ago, cherryfruit worms have now spreadthroughout the Fraser Valley,with the highest populationsin Ladner and Port Coquitlam.BCMA entomologist TracyHueppelsheuser told growersto set at least one trap per 20acres, and start searching foreggs as soon as they trap atleast six moths. That was thecase in 10 of the 28 elds theBCMA monitored for cherryfruit worm last year.“Start a spray program assoon as you nd eggs,” shesaid.Teasdale says cranberry fruitworm has become a majorpest in other blueberry areasbut has to date only beenfound in a few selectedcranberry elds in BC. Even though the conditionsthese markets impose may beonerous for growers andpackers, Payne says they have“no choice” but to pursuethese markets.“We have a billion poundsof blueberries to move.” A 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.BC Ministry ofAgriculture berryspecialist CarolynTeasdale,Canadian FoodInspection Agencyhorticultureprogram specialistBarbara Petersonand BC BlueberryCouncil executivedirector DebbieEtsell.(David Schmidtphoto)To qualify to export to China and Korea, packinghouses need to be GAP‑certified, have pest exclusiondevices (such as insect screens or automatic doors)in place, provide complete product traceability tothe field, handle approved fruit separately,and use forced air cooling and test for SWD.
Country Life in BC • March 201614by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – TheMexican consulate is pullingback some of the services ithas provided to the SeasonalAgricultural Workers Program.In a mid-January letter to allparticipating employers, theconsulate announced itintends to stop assisting withprocessing the Labour MarketImpact Assessment (LMIA) andmeeting workers at the airportwhen they arrive.To obtain SAWP workers,employers must rst submit anLMIA to Service Canadadetailing the workers required,the tasks they will beperforming and amount theywill be paid. Once an LMIA wasapproved, it has beenforwarded to the consulatewhich would translate andreformat the requisition toMexican Ministry of Labourspecications. When workers arrive at theVancouver Airport, a consulaterepresentative would meetthem in the airport’s securearea to assist their processingby the Canadian BorderServices Agency.The consulate in Vancouverhas been providing theseservices at no charge to BCemployers but has not beenoering the same services inother Canadian provinces.To ll the gap, the BCAgriculture Council is revivingthe Western AgriculturalLabour Initiative (WALI) andcontracting Mi Terra Holidaysto provide some of thoseservices.WALI was formed tocoordinate the program whenSAWP was introduced to BCbut has been largely dormantin the past decade. It is still aBCAC subcommittee but BCACexecutive director Reg Ensexpects the council will nowmake it a stand-alonecompany.Under the new system,approved LMIA’s will go toWALI, which will forward themtoMi Terra for translating andreformatting. While that takescare of the LMIA issue, Ensadmits meeting workers at theairport is a more delicatesituation. While Mi Terra iswilling to meet the workers,the CBSA is reluctant to allowprivate individuals into theairport’s secure area.“Mexico was the onlyconsulate allowed into theMexican consulate withdraws services: SAWPby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – The federal government hasexpanded the list of designated regions wherelivestock farmers and ranchers can get taxdeferrals for 2015 as a result of last year’sdroughts. Livestock tax deferral allows producers inprescribed regions who are facing feedshortages to defer a portion of their 2015 saleproceeds of breeding livestock until the nextyear. The cost of replacing the animals in thenext year osets the deferred income, therebyreducing the tax burden associated with theoriginal sale. Eligible producers can request thetax deferral when ling their 2015 income taxreturns.“Extreme weather created diculties forWestern Canada’s livestock industry lastsummer. Tax deferrals can help producersreduce their losses and focus on rebuildingtheir herds for the coming year,” agricultureand agrifood minister Lawrence MacAulay said.A preliminary list of drought-aectedregions was released last July and updated inearly February. BC areas which have been added includecensus divisions A to G in the Bulkley-Nechako,Cariboo census subdivisions A, B, C, D, F, H andI, census subdivisions C to F in the Columbia-Shuswap, Kitimat-Stikine census subdivision B,North Okanagan census subdivision F andcensus subdivisions A, B, L, O and P inThompson-Nicola.Drought prompts tax deferralsThe measure of success.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.casecure area,” Ens notes. Although a Mi Terraemployee was once allowedinto the secure area, he saysCBSA does not want it tobecome a common practice asit would set a dangerousprecedent. Instead, Mi Terrahas been meeting the workersas they exit the secure areaand in the process havedeveloped a good relationshipwith CBSA’s front counter sta.“CBSA sta know they cancount on Mi Terra forassistance if needed,” Ens says.The Mexican consulate hasset a deadline of April 1 for thenew arrangements and Enshopes WALI and Mi Terra willbe ready to take over wellbefore that.“Hopefully, it will beseamless for employers,” hesays. It may be seamless but it willno longer be free although thefees have not yet been set.There is also anotherchange in SAWP procedures,that involving the issuance ofCanadian social insurancenumbers to new workers. Inthe past the CBSA had beenissuing SIN’s to workers uponarrival at the airport but havestopped doing that. Instead,workers must now appear inperson at a Service Canadaoce to obtain their SIN. “We have developed aprotocol with SC for handling abusload of non-Englishspeaking workers and it’sworking well,” Ens says.
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 15by JUDIE STEEVESKELOWNA – A number ofindustry awards wereannounced and presentedduring the 127th annualconvention of the BC FruitGrowers Association in lateJanuary.Brian and DorothyWitzke, applegrowers who live inKelowna, were madelife members of theassociation.Both have beeninvolved in theindustry for decades,with Brian working inhorticulture andDorothy on thebusiness side offarming.He was part of the initialvisit to Europe, learning abouthigh density plantingtechniques for apples, whileDorothy participated inaccounting forums andworkshops for growers. Aswell, Brian has been adelegate to the BCFGAconventions and member ofthe province’s Tree FruitProduction InsuranceAdvisory Committee, whileDorothy was involved in theBC Farm Women’s Network,reported BCFGA generalmanager Glen Lucas.Today, the family isinvolved in replanting, withthe involvement of their sonin the business.Also named life memberswere Wilf and Sally Mennell ofCawston, who were away inEurope promoting theAmbrosia apple at FruitLogistica, a unique globalevent for the produceindustry which attracted70,000 trade visitors from 130countries – a new attendancerecord.The Mennells are bestknown as discoverersof the Ambrosiaapple, which grew asa chance seedling intheir orchard. Theyrealized the potentialand have beentireless supportersand promoters of thenew variety, investingtime and resources inmarketing the brand.Although he alsowasn’t available to receive it,Kamlesh Parmar of Kelownawas also named a BCFGA lifemember for his work as adirector of the BC Tree FruitCo-op and for expanding hisacreage of high density appleplantings. He was also activefor many years as a delegateto the BCFGA conventions.Award of mericAn award of Merit waspresented to scientist CherylHampson who retires this yearfrom her post as plant breederat the Summerland Researchand Development Centre.Crossing and selecting newvarieties of tree fruits is a long-term project, and her focusand consistency “have beengood for lling the pipelinewith many promising newvarieties, as well asLong time orchardists recognized by their industryRetiring Summerland scientist Cheryl Hampson, Country Life writer Tom Walker also honouredcompleting the work onvarieties released during hertenure, such as the Aurora,Golden Gala, Nicola and Salishapples and the Starblush andSuite Note cherries,”commented Lucas.“She has played animportant role in thecontinuity of the apple andcherry breeding program,” henoted.The BCFGA Press Awardwas won this year by TomWalker, who writes for CountryLife in BC, as well as WesternProducer and local Okanaganmedia on topics such asgenetically-engineered applesand the Columbia RiverTreaty.Tom WalkerBCFGA executive member Denise MacDonald, far left, presents an award of merit to retiring scientistCheryl Hampson, while apple growers Brian and Dorothy Witzke admire a commemorative plaquepresented along with a lifetime membership to the BCFGA. (Judie Steeves photo)Roll-over protective structures (ROPS) and seatbelts save livesWe’re working with you to make sure all farmers go home safe. For resources and videos on safe equipment operation, visit worksafebc.com/agriculture.
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March 2016 • Country Life in BC 17by JUDIE STEEVESKELOWNA – Incumbentpresident Fred Steele ofKelowna was re-elected tohead up the BC Fruit GrowersAssociation at a livelyconvention in Kelowna in lateJanuary, marking the 127thannual meeting of theproducer group.Nearly 200 growersattended and registered tovote in the fourth contestbetween Vernon grower JeetDukhia and Steele. About 500growers are members of theassociation.Dukhia beat out Steele in2013, but was defeated byhim in 2014 and 2015.BCFGA general managerGlen Lucas promiseddelegates he would bring in aproposal for a multi-year termfor president to providestability for the organizationgoing forward.Elected by acclamation tothe executive were:incumbent vice-presidentPinder Dhaliwal along withRavinder Bains, Deep Brar andPeter Simonsen from thesouth and Surjit Nagra,Sukhdev Goraya and TonyNijjar from the north.In his pre-election speech,Steele promised growers hewould work together with allsectors in the industry for thebenet of growers and oeredan optimistic vision of theindustry’s future. Optimism,he said, has a tendency tobring about “good things.”He also said he is workingon improvements to theproduction insuranceprogram to better protectcherry growers and he isworking on permitting bareground to be included in thegovernment’s replantprogram which is designed toassist growers with the highcost of putting in new trees toreplace older, less-protablevarieties.That program has beenover-subscribed in its rst twoyears but last year, the BCFGAwas successful in having somemoney moved from theseventh year of the programto add to the rst year.Summerland VarietiesCorporation also providedfunds to help ensure moreeligible growers were able toparticipate. In the end, onlythree growers who appliedwere not funded, reportedLucas.Agriculture ministry applespecialist Carl Withlerreported to delegates that atotal of 200 acres werereplanted in the rst year, 80%to apples and 15% to cherries.Surprise developmentThe new general managerof the SVC also addresseddelegates. Frank Kappelretired recently from his postbreeding new cherry varietiesat the Summerland Researchand Development Centre andtold delegates that sales ofcider apples have been asurprise development thisyear for the corporation.“We’re the only supplier ofsuch apples for the craft ciderindustry,” he noted.As well, the plant varietyrights management companyowned by the BCFGA isenhancing its eorts toprotect the interests of varietyowners. Those owners expecta return on their investmentso SVC has to enforce varietyrights in order to continue toattract new variety owners, heexplained.He also noted rights to thepopular Ambrosia apple, achance discovery bySimilkameen orchardists Wilfand Sally Mennell, expired lastyear, meaning trees buddedor grafted last year still have apatent. He also said the USpatent on Ambrosia, whichhas limited the number ofplantings in that country,expires in 2017. Growers fear there could bean explosion in plantings ofthat variety after that, which islikely to impact the highreturns currently enjoyed byAmbrosia growers here.Growers were warned it’simportant they learn to growthe best quality Ambrosias inorder to compete.Ambrosia growers arebeing asked this spring tovote in favour of approving alevy to allow marketing of thebrand in order that premiumpricing can continue.Kappel said the SVC boardhas okayed hiring a marketingand business person to workpart of the time with Ambrosiaas long as there is growersupport for the continuedlevy.Third term for Steele asBC fruit growers presidentExpiry of patent rights could increase competition for Ambrosia growersProudly 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. Products may be sold Canada-wide and in international markets. FVOPA ensures an efficient, professional certification process for all farm, processing and handling operations. Inspectors are lOlA trained and qualified making FVOPA a leading Certification Agency.Message 604-607-1655Email: admin@fvopa.cawww.fvopa.caPhone 604-789-7586P.O. Box 18591Delta, BC V4K 4V7Phone: 778-434-3070 Admin cell: 604-789-7586PO Box 19052 Email: admin@fvopa.caDelta, BC V4L2P8 www.fvopa.caDefending his position of BCFGA president, Fred Steele places hisvoter card in the ballot box at the BCFGA convention in Kelowna,January 31. (Judie Steeves photo)Consistant spreading.Quality forage.“Serving British Columbia proudly since 1946”MachineryLimitedROLLINSRChilliwack – 1.800.242.9737, 44725 Yale Road WLangley – 1.800.665.9060, 21869, 56th Avenue2 YEAR FACTORY WARRANTY ON ALL EQUIPMENTHIT 8.91 Tedder Asymmetric tines sweep up all of the crop Patented MULTITAST system oers unrivalled ground following Robust DYNATECH Rotors designed for dicult conditions Even spread thanks to high tine to rotor ratio
Country Life in BC • March 201618by JUDIE STEEVESKELOWNA – Agri-tourism within the AgriculturalLand Reserve and genetically modified applieswere hot topics at the BC Fruit Growers Associationconvention in January.Among the guest speakers was Kim Grout, theAgricultural Land Commission’s new chiefexecutive officer, who told delegates she grew upin a farm family, noting she is an agrologist as wellas a planner, with experience in civic governmentin Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Abbotsford.She responded to questions from growers aboutthe role of agri-tourism on ALR land, noting thecommission is working to clarify the regulations.What’s important, she said, is to understand theimpact the agri-tourism component is having onthe validity of farming: is it just to augment activefarming on the parcel?Farms with RV parks on themKelowna grower Sam Di Maria said there used tobe six farms with RV parks on them within a shorttractor ride of his orchard; of those, four no longerhave fruit trees on them, even though they’re inthe ALR. “They’re pseudo-farms,” he said.“It doesn’t take long for the land-owner torealize the farm doesn’t makethe money the RV businessmakes. He keeps it green toretain his tax classification butthe intention is beingsubverted,” he said.He was quick to note hewas not referring to cideriesor meaderies, which arerelated to farming.“I have an issue with theincome being mentioned,” said delegate AmarjitLalli. “If I’m actively farming, I’ll never make moremoney than in agritourism and I don’t see why thatshould be a problem as long as we protect thefarm and it’s being farmed, and I’m making a living.We shouldn’t be using words like augmenting orsubsidizing farming,” he added.The comment period on a discussion paper onagritourism on ALR land released last fall by theprovincial agriculture ministry ended January 15.Legislative changes are expected this spring.Grout also told delegates data is now online sopeople can apply and track their requests online,and they’re working to digitize historic data aswell.Efforts are also being made to reduce processingtime and to keep everyone informed, she said.Compliance and monitoring is being enhancedand more resources requested from the provincialgovernment. Instead of two officers, she said theyneed five or six.Mandatory labellingControversy also erupted at the conventionregarding the advent of genetically-modifiedapples. In the end, delegates passed a resolutioncalling for government to de-register the Arcticapple (a genetically-modified product recentlyapproved by the federal government) and place amoratorium on future GE tree fruit pendingscientific research and trade and consumerimpacts, and that growers not be compensated forde-registration if those apples were planted afterNovember 10, 2015.They also approved a resolution calling formandatory labelling of genetically-modified fruitsand vegetables.A perennial resolution regarding damagesustained in orchards by deer was also approved,calling on senior governments to address thegrowth in urban deer populations and the damageincurred by agriculture. It was also resolved thatthe association request nuisance deer huntingpermits be available in the Okanagan to helpcontrol populations.by SUSAN MCIVERSUMMERLAND – FrankKappel has been named thenew general manager of theSummerlandVarietiesCorporation.Kappel served asinterim generalmanager for sixmonths prior to hisappointment,eective lastNovember.In addition to anationalperspective, Kappelbrings an internationalreputation as a scientist and along association with SVC tohis new position.Raised on a fruit farm inNiagara-on-the Lake, ON,Kappel earned a PhD inhorticultural science from theUniversity of Guelph.Upon graduation, heworked as a horticulturist inOntario, including on a pearbreeding program.Subsequently, Kappel wasthe lead scientist on thesweet cherry breedingprogram at the Pacic Agri-Food Research Centre inSummerland which released anumber of successful cultivarsnow being grown around theworld.Comparing his duties asgeneral manager to those asscientist, Kappel says, “Here itis business. SVC is interestedin growers making money.”Kappel has been wasinvolved with SVC as a plantbreeder since itsinception in 1993.Owned by theBC Fruit Growers’Association, SVCcommercializesfruit varieties bothdomestically andinternationally bymanagingintellectualproperty rights andsupporting productdevelopment and testing.SVC works collaborativelywith industry partners in 15countries.The corporation alsooperates a virus-freebudwood orchard andprovides extension services.Kappel’s goals includecontinuing the developmentof SVC’s test orchard in Oliver,increasing eorts to promotefruit brands and working withoverseas partners who wantto expand their plantings ofSVC licensed varieties whileensuring that Canadiangrowers are not impacted.Reecting on thechallenging, multifacetednature of his position, Kappelsays, “In the end it’s all aboutpeople and dealing with themfairly.”Kappel takes the helm ofSummerland Varieties CorpKim GroutFrank KappelDEALER INFO AREAAfA fA fA fA funnunnunnunnnnny ty ty ty ty tyhinhinhinhinhing hg hg hg hg happappappappappensensensensenswhwhwhwhwhen en en en enenyouyouyouyouyouotetetetetest st st st sstdridridridridridve ve ve vevea Ka Ka KaKa KKIOTIOTIOTOTIOTIOTIOTIIIIII®®®®WUDWUDWUDWUDWUDFWRFWRFWRFWRFWRUIUIUIUIUIRURURURURUWKHWKHWKHWKHWKHȴUȴUȴUȴUȴUVWVWVWVWVWWLPWLPWLPWLPWLPHHHHH$O$O$O$O$OOWOWOWOWOWKRVKRVKRVKRVKRVRVHWHWHWHWHWWKRXKRXKRXKRXKRXRXJKWJKWJKWJKWJKWV\V\V\V\V\RXRXRXRXRXKDGKDGKDGKDGKDGDERDERDERDERDERXWXWXWXWXWEX\EX\EX\EX\EX\LQJLQJLQJLQJLQJDQDQDQDQDQRWKRWKRWKRWKRWKHUHUHUHUHUEUDEUDEUDEUDEUDQGQGQGQGQGSHSHSHSHSHUKDUKDUKDUKDUKDSVSVSVSVSVRQHRQHRQHRQHRQHPRPRPRPRPRUHUHUHUHUHHȊIDȊIDȊIDȊIDIDPRXPRXPRXPRXPRXVȋVȋVȋVȋVȋȋGLVGLVGLVGLVGLVDSSDSSDSSDSSDSSHDUHDUHDUHDUHDU$$$$$QGQGQGQGQGVXGVXGVXGVXGVXGGHQGHQGHQGHQGHQO\O\O\O\O\WKWKWKWKWKHRHRHRHRHRQO\QO\QO\QO\QO\WUWUWUWUUDFWDFWDFWDFWDFWRURURUU\RX\RX\RX\RX\RXȇOOȇOOȇOOȇOOOOHYHYHYHYHYHUHUHUHUHUEX\EX\EX\EX\EX\LVLVLVLVDDDDD.,2.,2.,22.,27,7,7,7,7,© 20© 20© 20©20©2015 15 1551515 KIOTKIOTKIOTKIOTKIOTIIIIITraTraTraraTractorctorctorctortorComComComComCompanypanypanypanypanya Da Da Da DaDivisivisivisivisivisioniononionionof Dof Dof Dof Dof Daedoaedoaedoaedoaedng-Ung-Ung-Ung-Ung-USA, SA, SA, SA, SA, Inc.Inc.Inc.Inc.IncKioti.comPX Serieschangeyourmind.powerThetoYOUR BC KIOTI DEALERSABBOTSFORD Matsqui Ag Repair ................... 604-826-3281 www.matsquiagrepair.comVERNON Timberstar Tractor ................... 250-545-5441 www.timberstar.caDUNCAN Harbour City Equipment .......... 778-422-3376 www.harbourequipment.comPRINCE GEORGE Northern Acreage Supply Ltd... 250-596-2273 www.northernacreage.caAgri-tourism conflicts, non-browning apple debated at AGMLand commission CEO says legislative changes this spring will address agri-tourism issues
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 19by EMILY BULMERSMITHERS – Counting yourchickens has never beeneasier and the participants ofthe “Technologies for SmallFarm Businesses” workshoplearned there is an app forthat – and just about anythingelse you want to track on afarm. The winter workshopshowed producers the toolsavailable to track livestockneeds and vet appointments,nances, as well as how toreach customers throughsocial media and onlinemarketplaces such as Kijiji.The workshop tour madestops in Terrace, Smithers, FortSt James, Vanderhoof, PrinceGeorge and Dunster. Workshop facilitatorDiandra Oliver shared herexperience as co-founder ofHome Sweet Home Grocery, anow fully-online foodenterprise based in PrinceGeorge. Using technologytransformed Oliver’s approachto business and now she isteaching others how it isdone. “We started with astorefront in 2014 and closedour storefront in June 2015.We wanted to free up time toparticipate in economicdevelopment projects andfound that owning astorefront was a real barrier toworking in the communitybecause we were sitting in thestore. We also found that ...most people had access to acell phone or internet andthat they could connect withus online,” Oliver says. Since many of theircustomers were alreadyconnecting to the businessonline, making the switchfrom storefront to onlineordering and delivery was asmooth transition. “For the amount (ofbusiness) that we docompared to before, it is moreprotable for us to be online.It is the best business modelfor us and using technologycreates opportunities fordoing business in new wayswith very little overhead.” A large part of theworkshop was a self-assessment process in whichparticipants evaluated theirneeds and current technologyknow-how. Taking intoaccount internet access, cellservice, wi capability andcomfort with mobile deviceswas also part of the process. “Use technology that workswithin your current capabilityand price range and usesomething that matches yourcell/wireless access,” Oliversays. “Take a useful approach.” Program demosOliver used examples todemonstrate the types ofprograms available. “‘Farm at Hand’ is a freemulti-platform farmmanagement tool that tracksall your farm inputs. You canmap your farm, track youroutputs and manage farmmachinery. “‘Pick Up the Milk’ is a freetask management tool that iseasy to use. You can sendyourself or other workers onthe farm reminders ... andtrack the amount of work ittakes you to do certain tasks.It is integrated into Outlook orGoogle Calendars so it is alsoeasy to track and share thingslike vet appointments.” Oliver also discussed on-farm traceability for certainThere’s anapp for thatFarm meets technology in workshop seriesproducts and howspreadsheets can be used tohelp keep track of on farmprocesses. The workshops were wellreceived and participantsresponded enthusiastically tothe new information. “(The workshops) wentreally well... There is a widerange of technology, needsand access. I did a lot oftrouble shooting and in-depthplanning with the participantsThey all have dierenttechnology needs becausethey have so many dierentbusinesses.” Oliver was also able totailor the workshops on thespot. “The workshops wereheavier on branding andsocial media than I expected.Participants were reallyinterested in export marketsout of the region and how toreach customers throughFacebook and Kijiji. Asfarming and the northerneconomy changes, producersin agriculture have a lot ofpositive opportunity to buildmarkets, build brands, reachcustomers, learn new thingsand try new ways of doingbusiness for themselves. It wasgreat to be able to share myexperiences.”The workshop was madeavailable through Beyond theMarket. Oliver’s blog post ontechnology as well as a link tothe assessment tool isavailable at[http://beyondthemarket.ca/category/announcements/].Check their website[http://beyondthemarket.ca/events/] for upcomingworkshops.Facilitator Diandra Oliver, sitting right, introduced central interior farmers to a variety of apps andtechnology available to enhance their farm operations. (Emily Bulmer photo)The 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.www.canadianorganicfeeds.comFOR QUALITYCERTIFIEDORGANICFEEDS FOR BAGGED or BULK ORDERS:Darren JansenGeneral Manager604/794-3701organicfeeds@gmail.comCUSTOM ORDERSCertified to Canadian National Standards
If farm debt is keeping you awake at night, it’s OK to ask for help.Financial counselling or mediation may be the solution.The Farm Debt Mediation Service helps farmers overcome nancial difculties by offering nancial counselling and mediation services.This free and condential service helps Canadian farmers get their debt repayment back on track. Financial advisors and qualied mediators help nd a mutually acceptable repayment arrangement between farmers and their creditors.For more information on how the Farm Debt Mediation Service can help you: Call: 1-866-452-5556 Visit: www.agr.gc.ca/fdmsCountry Life in BC • March 201620
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 21Biosolids, manure applications continue to stir Interior controversyActivists claim biosolids are an “odiferous smoothie of everything cities pour down their drains”by PETER MITHAMSUMMERLAND – Residentsof several Interior communitiesare raising a stink over thepotential health threats fromsoil amendments derived fromboth bovine and humansources.They’re not keen on thedung deals, which aremuddying the waters ofneighbourliness inSpallumcheen and Clinton.Biosolids – in plainlanguage, a processed form ofmunicipal sewage generatedduring waste water treatment– have long been used as a soilamendment and are deemednon-toxic.However, the rich darkmatter has struck fear intoseveral communitiesthroughout the Interior,including Peachland andVernon, which are skeptical ofgovernment assurances thatthe substance isn’t harmful.Directors of the CapitalRegional District have had anoutright ban on the use ofbiosolids since 2012.The province encouragesprecautions on the o-chancepathogens remain even afterprocessing, something thatunsettles activists such asAmanda Bourgeois of Friendsof the Nicola Valley.“We’re not convinced we’rebeing given the truth aboutthe safety of it,” Bourgeois toldthe Vancouver Sun in January,following a spill of biosolidsheading from an Okanagantreatment facility to the OKCattle Co. ranch near Clinton.Bourgeois said the provincehas failed to provide safetyreports on biosolids,something that has fuelledspeculation that the substanceisn’t, in fact, safe.Indeed, activists wereconcerned enough topurchase advertising space inCountry Life in BC this pastJanuary claiming that biosolidsare “an odiferous smoothie ofeverything cities pour downtheir drains.”The Canadian WaterNetwork supported a two-yearstudy led by Gordon Price, anassistant professor ofagriculture at DalhousieUniversity, and backed by theNova Scotia and Ontariogovernments to studybiosolids and their impact. The researchers have yet toissue their report but it aims toprovide “an understanding ofpotential long-termenvironmental impactsassociated with alkalinestabilized biosolids” and to“inform the development ofgovernment policies onbiosolids management inagriculture, as well as foodsafety monitoring.”While the US EnvironmentalProtection Agency continuesto review its standards, mostrecently examining thepresence of pharmaceuticalresidues in sewage, it has longmaintained that “whenproperly treated andprocessed, sewage sludgebecomes biosolids; thenutrient-rich organic materialsresulting from the treatmentof domestic sewage in awastewater treatment facility.”The agency happilymaintains that biosolids are acost-eective fertilizer thatimproves and maintainsproductive soils andstimulates plant growth.However, it notes: “Eectivesewage sludge and biosolidsmanagement options helpensure that useful materialsare recycled on land andharmful materials are notreleased to water bodies.”It’s water that’s at the heartof the other running battleover soil amendments in theInterior. Interior Health Authorityocials have received a formalrequest to impose amoratorium on the HS Jansendairy farm’s practice ofspreading liquid manure on itselds.The elds sit above anaquifer serving the SteeleSprings Water District, whichsupplies approximately 160people. The farm is home to1,000 head of dairy cattle.Residents have been ghtingfor protection of the aquifer,which has seen nitrate levelsspike since the farm moved in.The farm was told lastspring to not spray euentfollowing concern by the localwater district regarding nitratelevels. That moratorium lastedfor the 2015 growing seasonand aimed to allow the districttime to seek funding for acomprehensive study of theaquifer and possible methodsof addressing contamination.Two aquifers supplying thewater district have frequentlytested positive for nitrates atrates surpassing twice themaximum allowable limit fordrinking water of 10 parts permillion (ppm).This prompted the InteriorHealth Authority to impose a“do not drink” order on thewater district in March 2014and since then, nitrate levelshave uctuated between 10.4and 12.7 ppm. Nitrate levelsincreased to 13.5 ppm inDecember 2015 before settlingback to 12.8 ppm in January.This has prompted Victorialaw student Rachel Gutmanand legal director CalvinSandborn of theEnvironmental Law Centre atthe University of Victoria to askthe Interior Health Authority toplace a moratorium on liquidmanure spreading at theJansen farm after years ofwater quality advisories.Gutman and Sandborn alsoallege that the province wasslow to disclose informationregarding contamination ofthe aquifer, and have led acomplaint with the province’sInformation and PrivacyCommissioner on the groundsthat the government’sconduct violated lawsrequiring disclosure ofinformation deemed to be inthe public interest.While there have been nomajor illnesses, let alonefatalities, attributed tocontamination of the SteeleSprings water supply, thesituation is likely to up thepressure on government toprovide stronger assurancesand protections for groundwater and drinking watersupplies.Interior Health Authorityocials had not yet decidedon a course of action asCountry Life in BC went topress.ProfessionalServiceswww.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 GUARANTEEDDustinStadnykCPA, CAChrisHendersonCPA, CANathalieMerrillCPA, CMATOLL FREE 1-888-818-FARM | www.farmtax.caExpert farm taxation advice:• Purchase and sale of farms• Transfer of farms to children• Government subsidy programs• Preparation of farm tax returns• Use of $1,000,000 Capital Gains ExemptionsApproved consultants for Government funding through BC Farm Business Advisory Services ProgramARMSTRONG 250-546-8665 | LUMBY 250-547-2118 | ENDERBY 250-838-7337The researchers have yet to issue their reportbut it aims to provide “an understanding ofpotential long‑term environmental impactsassociated with alkaline stabilized biosolids” ...
Country Life in BC • March 201622Over the past few years, there seems to have beenan uptick in the population of rats in the FraserValley. Having never seen rats in the Columbia Valleyarea southof CultusLake,Chilliwack,where wehave livedfor over 20years, therodents appeared some two or three years ago andbecame enough of a nuisance in our barn that baittrapping became the only eective deterrent. Apparently, we’re not alone. Neighbours have hadto deal with them and the local feed supply store isconstantly running out of traps and bait ascommercial dairy and chicken farmers also try tocontrol rat numbers. Clearly, hot summers andwarmer than normal winters are allowing the rodentsto survive and thrive. And they breed like, well, rats. But how bad is the rat problem?“I get this question all the time,” says ChelseaHimsworth, leader, Veterinary Science andDiagnostics, Animal Health Centre, BC Ministry ofAgriculture. “We have no idea how widespread theyare. All evidence is based on anecdotes; what peoplereport to others. We don’t have any sort of municipalor regional tracking program. “Not only are we not going out to trap them, wearen’t recording data. We will have to start to do this.Without it, we can’t gauge whether we have aproblem and whether it is increasing (or) decreasing.If you don’t have the data, you don’t know if you areRat explosion should be a concern for farmersFraser Valley poultry producers at risk as wild rodents could threaten flock healthResearchMARGARET EVANSBlue Means Powerwww.LEMKEN.caThe new ZIRKON 12 power harrow from LEMKEN gives farmers a superior alternative to cultivators. Even when the tractor’s not moving, the PTO-driven ZIRKON 12 continuously works the soil with power-driven tines that can transform a rutted, uneven field into a perfectly prepared seedbed in one pass. Like all LEMKEN products, the German-engineered ZIRKON 12 provides lasting durability and precision-crafted components that provide smooth and virtually silent operation.The ZIRKON 12 offers:Q A variety of options and configurations to fit your tillage needsQ 12 different models including a working width of 4.5mQ Hydraulic depth adjustment from the tractor cabQ Fast, easy change of rotational direction Q Optional quick-change tinesQ Adjustable rotation speed from 330 to 440 rpmQ Optional LEMKEN seed drill attachment for one-pass tillage and seeding(604) 864-2273www.caliberequipment.ca(250) 938-0076Rats are likea sponge forE.coli – theydon’t suerill eectsbut they arecarriers andthat shouldbe cause forconcernamongfarmers.(File photo)having any eect with intervention.”Rats, of course, have been an unwelcomecompanion of the human race for hundreds of years.They’re smart. They’re adaptable. They takeadvantage of creature comforts. A barn with warmth,shelter, grain and pellet droppings and plenty ofwater is reason enough to move in. But they post health dangers. In a recentUniversity of British Columbia study, it was foundthat rats absorb pathogens from their localenvironment, then spread them. The researchers studied the feces of rats caught atan Abbotsford poultry farm and found they allcarried avian pathogenic E. coli, a bacteria capable ofcausing disease in chickens and, potentially, humans.And more than one quarter of the rats were carryingmulti-drug resistant strains of the bacteria. Himsworth, who is leader of the Vancouver RatPlease see “HEALTH” page 23
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 23HEALTH RISKS UNDERESTIMATED From page 22by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – Chicken growers can expect togrow a lot more chicken this summer.BC’s production for period A-136 (March 20-May14) is at 110.58% of their quota and BC ChickenMarketing Board (BCCMB) general manager BillVanderspek expects those high numbers tocontinue.“We expect to be at 5% over base for (the summerproduction periods),” he told the BC ChickenGrowers Association meeting in Abbotsford, January25. Unfortunately, growers will be producing thatchicken for a lower price. The live price for period A-135 (January 24-March 19) dropped by almost threecents per kg for mainstream chicken and 11 centsper kg for organic chicken.The BC price is set by a Farm Industry ReviewBoard-mandated formula based on the Ontario price.Since Ontario changed its pricing formula to includean allowance for eciencies of scale which itssupervisory board believes growers realize whentheir production increases, the BC live price hasdropped almost ve cents per kg. That is “not sustainable for BC in the long run,”insists BCCGA president Ravi Bathe. While the BCCGAis trying to get FIRB to agree on a change, headmitted “it’s a long process.”BCCMB manager of strategic initiatives andanalysis Cheryl Davie attributes the increaseddemand for BC chicken to an improving economy, alower Canadian dollar, border closures during theavian inuenza outbreak in the US and a successfulChicken growers can raise more birds for less moneyOranya Farms withdraws its FIRB appeal; membership flocks to first afternoon meetingProject, is lead author of theresearch paper ‘Avian pathogenicand antibiotic resistant E. coli inwild rats’ which will appear in theJournal of Wildlife Diseases lastApril. One sobering fact of theresearch is that the level of healththreats that rats pose has beenunderestimated. “Animals are reservoirs fordiseases like E. coli,” says Himsworth.“Rats carry E. coli. Some E. coli haveparticular genetic elements thatallow them to cause disease or beresistant to antibiotics, and they areharmful to agricultural animals suchas chickens.”She says the pathogen doesnot originate in the rats. Therodents enter an environment andabsorb the E. coli and are then asource of infection in the future. “At rst glance, it seems to be alower risk as the rats are cominginto an environment clean, if youwill,” she says. “But it’s actually ahigher risk as they have thissponge capacity and it massivelyincreases the number of potentialorganisms they can carry.”As much as rats act as apathogenic sponge soaking upbacteria from the environment,they don’t actually get sick fromthe organisms.“Because of something wedon’t understand yet, the rats cancarry the organisms but do notget sick. They are carriers. Ratsthat look the healthiest are themost likely to carry organisms thatcan cause disease in other animalsand so, just by looking at them,you can’t tell if they are carryingsomething dangerous.”That makes ock protectionespecially dicult for poultryfarmers. Once a ock has gone tomarket, the barn is thoroughlycleaned before the next ockcomes in. But if the rat infestationcontinues, then no amount ofcleaning will get rid of thepotential for infection for thesubsequent birds – which is whyrat infestations must be takenseriously.“On a personal level, deal withthe rat infestation, hire a pestcontrol professional and nd outhow to get rid of them, preventthem, get on top of them,” saysHimsworth. “I argue for a co-ordinated approach, too, as towhere they are a threat. Producergroups could track infestationsand nd out what factors areworking, not working and whatthe best practices are.” The rat problem must betackled with an educated,scientic approach that alsoinvolves programs and controls atthe municipal level.retail campaign.“The amount of chicken sold in BC depends onthe relative price in Washington and borderclosures,” she told growers,noting BC sales were upmore than 140,000 kg permonth when the border wasclosed for chicken.“That’s equivalent to 200birds per farm per cycle,”Davie said.She also credited theChicken Squad campaignwhich had growers tellingtheir story to consumers in12 supermarkets lastsummer.While that increasedconsumer trust, she admitsthe increase was short-lived.“We saw a decline in trust in December due to AI.Consumers worry about it,” Davie said. “We still havea lot of work to do.”The association is hoping its two Poultry in Motiondemonstration trailers will do some of that work forthem. It has hired a co-ordinator and dropped allfees to make the trailers available at more schoolsand events.“We hope to reach 75 schools in the Fraser Valleyand Vancouver Island and 25-30 in the Interior,”association directors stated. The board also announced Oranya Farms haswithdrawn its FIRB appeal after the board amendedits organic chicken policy to give growers more timeto obtain mainstream quota for their organicproduction.Some organic producers had been using specialtyquota to produce organic chicken but the boardrecently said specialty quota could only be used togrow Silkies and Taiwanese chicken. Growers nowhave until 2020 to obtain sucient mainstreamquota (on a sliding scale) for their production. For the rst time, the BCCGA meeting was held inthe afternoon in hopes of attracting a larger growerturnout. 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Items may not be exactly as shown, accessories & attachments cost extra. Taxes, set-up, delivery, freight, and preparation charges not included. Prices are based on the US exchange are subject to change. A documentation fee of up to $250 will be applied on all finance offerings. Additional fees may apply. Programs and prices subject to change without notice, at any time, see dealer for full details on Green Fever offers, Some restrictions apply. *Offer valid from February 1, 201 6 until March 30, 2016 . Financing on approved John Deere Financial credit only. 0% APR purchase financing for 60 months on new John Deere 1 Series Sub-Compact Utility Tractors. Representative Amount Financed: $10,000, at 0% APR, monthly payment is $166.67 for 60 months, total obligation is $10,000, cost of borrowing is $0. Monthly payments/cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed/down payment. MSRP cash price based on highest priced product in series: $14,696 (includes $50 documentation fee). Cost of borrowing based on Representative Amount Financed not MSRP cash price. Minimum finance amount may be required; representative amount does not guarantee offer applies. Charge for amounts past due is 24% per annum. Maximum Cash Discount Offer cannot be combined with advertised financing. * Attachments and implements sold separately. Some conditions may apply. See your participating dealer for details. Offer subject to availability and may be discontinued or modified. Taxes, set-up, delivery, freight and preparation charges not included. 0% APR purchase financing for 4 years on new John Deere Select Hay Tools. Down payment may be required. Representative Amount Financed: $50,000, at 0% APR, semi-annual payment is $6,250 for 4 years, total obligation is $50,000, cost of borrowing is $0. Semi-annual payments/ cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed/ down payment. MSRP cash price based on highest priced product in series: $75,087 (includes $50 documentation fee). Cost of borrowing based on Representative Amount Financed not MSRP cash price. Offer valid from February 1, 2016 to February 29, 2016. Minimum finance amount may be required; representative amount does not guarantee offer applies. The charge for amounts past due is 24% per annum. Financing on approved John Deere Financial credit only. See dealer for details. Limited time offer which may not be combined with other offers. Discounts or other incentives may be available for cash purchases. By selecting the purchase financing offer, consumers may be foregoing such discounts and incentives which may result in a higher effective interest rate. SALE $19,398$296/monthRetail $23,344 /1025R- -Ask us about the New John Deere 6- Year Power Train Warranty On 1-4 Series Tractors24.2HP Hydrostatic Transmission / 4WD / Powerful Tier 4-compliant diesel engine/ New, easy-lift hood with dual gas-charged lift struts / Equipped with John Deere H120Quick Release Loader / Folding ROPS / Cruise Control / 0% Financing for 60 MonthsBorn to work within your budget/ 6 models from 45 to 100HP/ 2wd or 4wd, Open Station or Cab/ 3 Transmission options / JohnDeere Loaders, a perfect match5E SERIES 3 Transmission options / JohnDeere Loaders, a perfect match0% FOR 60 MTHSor Deduct $4200 Off Cash Pricebe exactly as shown, accessories & attachments cost extra. Taxes, set-up, delivery, freight, and preparation charges not included. Prices are based on the US exchange are subject to change. A documentation fee of up to $250 will be applied on all finance offerings. Additional fees may apply. Programs and Series Sub-Compact Utility Tractors. Representative Amount Financed: $10,000, at 0% APR, monthly payment is $166.67 for 60 months, total obligation is $10,000, cost of borrowing is $0. Monthly payments/cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed/down payment. MSRP cash price based onm. Maximum Cash Discount Offer cannot be combined with advertised financing. * Attachments and implements sold separately. Some conditions may apply. See your participating dealer for details. Offer subject to availability and may be discontinued or modified. Taxes, set-up, delivery, freight and preparatpayments/ cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed/ down payment. MSRP cash price based on highest priced product in series: $75,087 (includes $50 documentation fee). Cost of borrowing based on Representative Amount Financed not MSRP cash price. Offer valid from February 1, 2016h other offers. Discounts or other incentives may be available for cash purchases. By selecting the purchase financing offer, consumers may be foregoing such discounts and incentives which may result in a higher effective interest rate. GET A COUPON FOR $500 OFF THE PURCHASE OF ANY NEW 1-6 SERIES TRACTOR!Chilliwack & Langley LocationsFEB 29TH TO MAR 6, 2016Kelowna & Kamloops LocationsAPR 4 TO 10, 2016Enter to win a John Deere 2025R Compact Tractor with H130 Loader and 62D Mid-Mower Deck.DPORRSV.HORZQD&KLOOLZDFN/DQJOH\Bring the family down for a BBQ in Support of 4H and some fun activities! There will be food, prizes, PLUS a bouncy castle, Face painting and a photobooth on site. OUR CHILLIWACK GRAND OPENING IS MARCH 5TH AND YOU’RE INVITED!BBQ & Activites go 11am-3pm! 44158 Progress Way ChilliwackMarch 2016 • Country Life in BC 25
by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – Biogas hasthe potential to produce 3%of Canada’s natural gassupply, Canadian BiogasAssociation (CBA) executivedirector Jennifer Green toldthe 2016 Agricultural andMunicipal Biogas Forum inAbbotsford, January 28. Shenotes agriculture alone couldproduce up to 1.6 millioncubic metres of gas per year.The CBA detailed thebenets of biogas productionin the Canadian Biogas Studyit released in 2013. The studyis intended to help provincesdevelop biogas productionpolicies. The CBA has alsodeveloped farm-to-fuel guidesto help individual producersdecide whether to add biogasproduction to their farm.Only two BC farms havedone that to date. Theprovince’s rst agriculture-based anaerobic digester (AD)Country Life in BC • March 201626Biogas spinoffs could be beneficial to ag, environmentbegan operation onSumas Prairie aboutve years ago. Lastyear, Seabreeze Farmsin Delta red up BC’ssecond digester, usingmanure from its 350milking cow herd andcooking fats and oils.The AD “is only onepiece of the equation,”says Chris Bush, whobuilt the Sumas PrairieAD. Bush is nowoperations manager ofAbbotsford’s TridentProcesses which hasdeveloped a nutrient recoverysystem for the AD’s digestate(waste). The system removesthe bre and nutrients fromthe digestate and treats theremaining wastewater.Fibre is conditioned forreuse as bedding in the barns,leaving only 4% solids in theremaining wastewater. Asecond press removes most ofthe water, creating a “sludge”with double the solidscontent and 85-90% of thephosphate, 54% of thenitrogen and 17% of thepotassium. Polymers are usedto concentrate the sludge,complete with its nutrients,into a “cake” which contains25% solids.The cake can then bepelletized and sold o-farm asa nutrient-rich fertilizer, acritical option as the numberof animals on today’s largedairy farms often producemore nutrients than the farmcan use.The remaining wastewater,which Langley environmentalfarm plan advisor andconsultant Dave Melnychukcalls a “digestate tea,”contains very few nutrients.Tests show the Seabreezedairy slurry generally contains0.25% nitrogen, 0.05%phosphorus and 0.21%potassium. After thewastewater goes through theTrident process, the resultingtea contains only 0.16%nitrogen, less than 0.01%phosphorus and 0.12%potassium. In contrast, thebedding contains 0.40%nitrogen, 0.13% phosphorusand 0.11% potassium whilethe cake contains 0.68%nitrogen, 0.22% phosphorusand 0.12% potassium.Melnychuk has begun athree-year trial to ndout how corn andgrass respond toapplication of the teaand determine thebest application rates.He believes the teaoers tremendouspotential for farmers asit still includes somenitrogen but almostno phosphorus.“Farmers may nothave enough nitrogenbut too muchphosphorus in their elds,” hepoints out.After applying the tea tocorn at low, medium and highrates, Melnychuk said eventhe low application rateproduced a wet yield of 29tonnes per hectare, higherthan the 25-28 tonne averagein BC elds.“We are very pleased withthe initial results,” he said,noting there was lessphosphorus in both the cornand grass elds at the end ofthe season than at thebeginning.“If we can validate that forthe next two years, it providesan option for phosphate richsoils,” he says.The Trident process is oneway of removing excessphosphorus from dairy slurry.University of BC civilengineering professor VictorLo has spent the past fewyears researching the use of amicrowave-enhancedadvanced oxidation processto reduce the solids in themanure and crystallize struvitewhich is 95% purephosphorus.“Microwave technology isthe only way to reduce solidsby 85%,” Lo says, adding oncethe solids are broken down,nutrients can be capturedmore easily. “This reduces the amountof disposable solids andnumber of nutrients whichneed to be applied to theland,” Lo says.Unlike the Trident process,which processes digestateafter it comes out of an AD,Lo’s system processes themanure and other organicwaste before it goes into anAD.“This reduces theprocessing time in the AD,” Lostates.He is now buildingdemonstration units andconducting feasibility studiesat both the UBC DairyEducation & Research Centrein Agassiz and the JamesWastewater TreatmentProgram in Abbotsford.He admits the system hashigh capital and operatingcosts and may therefore notbe a money maker for farmersbut may help solve some ofthe environmental issuesfarmers and waste treatmentplants are facing.Dave MelnychukJennifer Greenwww.tjequipmentllc.com360-815-1597LYNDEN, WAALL PRICES IN US FUNDS2003 JD 8120 MFWD, 208 HP, 7755HRS, PWRSHIFT, 4 REMOTES,540/1000 PTO. $78,000NEW POTTINGER HIT 10.11 TEDDER,10 BASKET, 35'8" WORKING WIDTH$22,0002010 JD 8270R MFWD, 270 HP,POWERSHIFT, 4 REMOTES $79,0001988 DEUTZ ALLIS 6250W/455R LOADER, 54 HP, 4WD, 6140HOURS $10,300SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION OF BCFor more info, contact secretary Reanne Sanford250.249.5332 reanne@krssimmentals.caSIMMENTALS DELIVERMORE POUNDS PER DAYMORE POUNDS = MORE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET!Want more MONEYCHOOSESIMMENTAL BULLSTHIS SPRING!Want more MONEYfor your BEEF?
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 27Diverse Canadian population drives crop diversityby PETER MITHAMABBOTSFORD –Greenhouses seeking todiversify beyond tomatoes,peppers and cucumbers maywant to consider eggplant asCanada’s population – andpalate – becomes morecosmopolitan.While traditional auberginesare falling behind in thegrocery aisle, the inux ofimmigrants in recent decadesis focusing attention on howto secure reliable supplies ofvarieties common in Asia, suchas Chinese long and Indianround eggplant.South Asia and Chinaaccount for the two largestvisible minority groups inCanada as a whole, at 4.8%and 4% of the population,respectively. Southeast Asiaaccounts for 0.9% of thepopulation.Of course, theconcentration in some parts ofthe country is higher; inVancouver, Southeast and EastAsian peoples represent 29.7%of the population while SouthAsian ethnicities account for11.1%.These minorities are majorconsumers of eggplant,helping drive sales of non-Italian varieties from 18 millionkilograms in 2011 to 25 millionkilograms in 2014 – a 32%increase.South Asians are the largestconsumers, accounting for twokilograms per capita each year.Chinese diners consume 1.4kilograms each, split equallybetween Chinese long andIndian round varieties.Canadians, by contrast,consume just 250 grams total.Dr. Viliam Zvalo, a researchscientist studying vegetableproduction systems at theVineland Innovation andResearch Centre in Vineland,Ontario, said growers wouldbe wise to pay attention to thetrend.“By 2030, this market couldbe worth 50 million kilograms,”he told growers at the PacicAgriculture Show inAbbotsford this past January.“There’s two million newCanadians by 2020 ... and mostof the immigrants coming toCanada, those two million, arecoming from South andSoutheast Asia.”Shifting culinary practicesaccompany these changingdemographics. By someestimates, non-Italian varietiesaccount for 25% of theeggplant market, andrepresent its fastest growingsegment at that.“The Chinese long eggplantcan be cooked directly andthat ts the modern lifestyle,”Zvalo said. “So consumers,once they’ve tried the Chineselong eggplant, they will stickto it. They will not go back tothe traditional eggplant unlessthey are making eggplantparmigiana.”Not up to snuffUnfortunately, much of theChinese and Indian eggplantcurrently available in Canadaisn’t up to snu.Approximately 85% of theworld’s eggplant is producedin elds across Asia but it’shighly perishable. Canada’ssupply typically comes fromthe Caribbean but by the timeit reaches stores (not tomention consumers), it’sstarting to deteriorate“Oftentimes, the quality isquite compromised,” Zvalosaid. “So there’s quite a bit ofinterest from the consumersand also from the retailers tohave a locally producedChinese long and Indian roundeggplant.”The size, shape and colour,are all importantcharacteristics in gettingconsumers to buy in.Chinese long eggplantshould have a bright purplecolour and dark green calyx.It’s typically upwards of a footlong and three to vecentimetres in diameter.Indian eggplant is darkpurple, almost black, and istypically ve to sevencentimetres long and three tove centimetres wide. Unlikelong eggplant, it must be rm.Variety screening trialstaking place in the new state-of-the art-greenhouse atVineland will help identifywhich varieties might workwell in Canadian greenhouses.The research is receiving inputfrom retailers who regularlyvisit the facility to view andtaste the various varieties.“We believe the eggplant isan opportunity,” Zvalo said,but noted that feedback fromretailers is critical. “There’sreally no point for us to begrowing crops if there’s nomarket for it.”Eight varieties testedDuring 2015, eight varietiesof Chinese long and twovarieties of Indian roundeggplant were tested; halfDr Villiam Zvalo from Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario displays a box of Chineselong (left and right) and Indian round eggplant varieties he feels has market potential for Canadiangreenhouse growers. (File photo courtesy of VRC)See “EGGPLANT” page 28MAXIMUM RESIDUE INCORPORATIONINVEST IN QUALITY®Matsqui Ag-RepairAbbotsford, BC604-826-3281Noble Tractor & EquipmentArmstrong, BC250-546-3141Noble Tractor & EquipmentKamloops, BC250-851-3101Huber Farm EquipmentPrince George, BC250-560-5431EL POWER TILLERS SECONDARY TILLAGEr*GCX[FWV[EJCKPQTCNNIGCTFTKXGHQTOCZKOWOTGNKCDKNKV[r/WNVKRNGTQVQTQRVKQPUHQTEQWPVNGUUQRGTCVKQPUr8CTKQWUFGRVJEQPVTQNQRVKQPUHQTFKHHGTGPVUQKNUCPFCRRNKECVKQPUsYQTMKPIYKFVJUKuhnNorthAmerica.com
Country Life in BC • March 201628Annual price tag of invasive species for Canadian ag: $50 millionEGGPLANT STUDIES From page 27by DAVID SCHMIDTRICHMOND – The InvasiveSpecies Council of BC (ISCBC)was formed just over a decadeago to attempt to put thebrakes on the spread ofinvasive pests in the province.It originally targeted onlyplants but has since expandedits mandate to include animals.Environment and ClimateChange Canada (EECC)national biodiversity policymanager Kelly Torck says theimpact continues to increaseeven though no new invasivepests were established inCanada in 2012-13. Between2009 and 2013, ECCCdeveloped 47 intervention ormanagement plans to dealwith invasives which alreadyexist.Task force establishedLast year, federal andprovincial environmentministers took the next step,establishing an invasivespecies task force to nd waysto strengthen the policyframework, improveleadership, co-ordination andcollaboration among agenciesand develop strategicpartnerships. The task forcewill begin consultations inMarch and providerecommendations at this fall’senvironment ministers’meeting.“The task force is arecognition that invasivespecies remain a challenge,”Torck told the ISCBC annualforum in Richmond, February3.Canadian Food InspectionAgency (CFIA) invasive alienspecies and domesticprograms ocer Kristina Pauktold the forum the CFIAcurrently regulates 20 invasiveplant species and may soonadd more. She notes CFIA hasupdated its PIO (potentiallyinjurious organisms) program. “If you want to bringsomething into Canada (forbiofuel production, research,biocontrol or other reasons),apply for an import permit. If arisk assessment hasn’t alreadybeen done, it will promptsome action,” she said.The program seems tocontrol conventionalimporters but is having lesssuccess with those involved inE-commerce. “E-commerce is dicult tocontrol,” Pauk admits, sayingthe CFIA is working with theUS, Australia and New Zealandto educate Canadian importersand exporters.The best way to manageinvasive species, which costagriculture $50 million peryear, is to get rid of thembefore they get tooestablished. That is the aim ofthe Early Detection RapidResponse program, says BeckyBrown, who was an invasiveplants specialist with the BCMinistry of Agriculture andnow lls the same role withthe Ministry of Forests, Landsand Natural ResourceOperations.The EDRR program hasidentied 45 candidate speciesand is currently working on 16species in 121 sites. Brownhopes that number willincrease as a result of the EDRRBoot Camps, now heldannually in conjunction withthe ISCBC forum.“We need activesurveillance so we aretargeting interest groups, suchas range managers, who mightrecognize alien species.”Before beginning anyeradication program, peopleneed to “take a long, hard lookat each site,” cautions LisaJarrett of Dow Chemical. Theyshould consider the siteenvironment, whether it is awildlife habitat area, in or nearwater and what legislationand/or regulations may coverthe intended action.Assessments neededSix months to a year after asite has been treated, peopleshould return to assess what’schanged. She referred to anexample in the southernInterior where diuseknotweed was eliminated onlyto have silver cinquefoil,another invasive, move in.ISCBC executive directorGail Wallin, who co-chairs theCanadian Council on InvasiveSpecies, said public interest ininvasive species is increasing.“I did 18 media interviews(during the forum),” she noted.“If people are talking aboutinvasives, that’s okay.”The ISCBC passed motionsremoving the distinctionbetween regular and alternatedirectors and reducing thetotal number of directors overtime. They took the rst stepby only electing three people(Dave Holden, Nadia Chan andVal Miller) to replace the four(David Borth, JamieRichardson, Carolyn Richmanand Tom Wells) who aredeparting. were grown on their own rootsand half were grafted, with thegrafted plants performingbest. Density of the plantingswas 2.3 plants per squaremetre, with two stems perplant – below the three stemscommon in commercialproduction.The variety Long Purpleshowed best in the initial trials.“[It] perfectly met therequirements of retail for thecolour, for the green calyx, forthe shape. When grafted, therewas 85% increase in yield,”Zvalo reported.Yields were also good,exceeding the threshold of 10kilograms per square metre setfor viability.“Right now, there’s no othervariety that we know of thatwould provide similar yieldpotential and quality,” Zvalosaid of Long Purple.However, the Japanesevariety Orient Express – a darkburgundy fruit with purplecalyx – attracted interest fromretailers as an intermediatevariety between Italiantraditional varieties and thenew oerings.“This variety actually had alot of interest, and the retailersare thinking this is the kind ofeggplant they can move thetraditional eggplantconsumers into,” he said. “It’s avery good yielding variety.”The coming year will seefour varieties each of Indianround and Chinese longeggplant grown on sixdierent rootstocks. A furtherdozen varieties are underobservation for potential trialin the future.Indian round varieties willreceive particular attentionthis year as trials last yearsuggested the need formanagement separate fromChinese long varieties.“We’ve since talked to themajor seed suppliers and gotsome new varieties in the mix,so I think we should havesome interesting data in a yearfrom now,” Zvalo said.Kristina PaulExec Director Gail WallinBritish 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.CALL FOR AN ESTIMATELARRY604.209.5523TROY604.209.5524 TRI-WAYFARMSLASER LEVELLING LTD.IMPROVEDDRAINAGEUNIFORMGERMINATIONUNIFORMIRRIGATIONFAST ,ACCURATESURVEYINGINCREASECROPYIELDS We service all ofSouthern BC
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 29Stories by PETER MITHAMINVERMERE – A landmarkconservation covenant willsee close to 11,200 acres ofgrassland in the ColumbiaValley protected for futuregenerations.Bob and Barb Shaunessy ofthe SRL-K2 Ranch on the westside of Windemere Lake nearInvermere registered acovenant in January that willprotect the ranch, which hasbeen in operation since 1898.The oldest working ranchin the Columbia Valley, poorforest management practicesresulted in its degradation bythe time the Shaunessys –who also own the SalterCreek Ranch – acquired it in2003. Riparian zones on theproperty were particularlyaffected, with significantsilting up of the watercoursesoccurring as a result ofloggers’ practices.Shaunessy, who enjoysshing as much as he enjoysranching, wanted to reversethe damage and putmeasures in place that wouldenhance the ranch as a whole.With approximately 9,500acres still actively used asrangeland, he constructedfences around 1,000 acres toensure that cattle wouldn’tadd their own damage to thatof the loggers.His long-term vision for theland resulted in theconservation covenant whichis held by the NatureConservancy of Canada, oneof the largest land holders inthe Southern Interior.“We have been committedto restoring and conservingthis land,” Shaunessy saidwhen the covenant wasannounced on January 20.“We are delighted that ourpartnership with the NatureConservancy of Canadameans that this property willremain intact over the longterm.”The covenant was madepossible with the generousfinancial support by variousagencies, including theColumbia Basin Trust, theRegional District of EastKootenay as well as thefederal government’s NaturalAreas Conservation Program.However, it’s the long-range thinking of theShaunessys that allowed thevarious parties to cometogether for the long-termprotection of the land, whichalso serves as a recreationalarea for a host of non-motorized activities.Situated adjacent toWindermere Lake ProvincialPark and other conservationareas, the ranch serves as acorridor for various largeanimals such as grizzly bear,elk and the deer. Thecovenant will ensure itcontinues to do so as aunified whole, protected fromsubdivision anddevelopment.The initiative also showshow large tracts of land canbe conserved whilerespecting current uses, a keyissue in discussions regardinga potential national parkreserve in the SouthOkanagan.Speaking to Country Life inBC last fall, rancher MarkQuadevlieg of the SouthernInterior Stockmen’sAssociation noted the NatureConservancy is one of thebiggest landholders in theSouthern Okanagan. Pairedwith various provincialconservation areas whichallow ranching to continue,the agreements it has struckprovide a voluntaryframework that allows somepre-existing activities tocontinue as part of thecharacter of a site whileprotecting it from furtherdevelopment.The more restrictiveprovisions a national parkimposes are too heavy-handed in the workinglandscape of BC.“It just isn’t the rightvehicle for the area,”Quadevlieg said.A 60-day public commentperiod on plans for the SouthOkanagan concluded onOctober 12, 2015. Accordingto the province, BC Parks wasset to review the feedbackover the winter and post aconsultation report alongwith final recommendationsin early 2016.Columbia Valley ranchlandprotected by covenantNature Conservancy has become one ofthe largest land holders in BC’s southern InteriorConservation covenants are legally bindingagreements registered on title of a property to conserveland or features on that property.They have been developed as a means of protectingecologically sensitive lands of all types, including riparianareas. Unlike restrictive covenants, conservation covenantsare entered into voluntarily and allow landowners topermanently preserve natural features of their propertywhile still retaining ownership and use. Also unlikerestrictive covenants, conservation covenants can beheld by designated conservation organizations or landtrusts, as well as local governments.Conservation covenants can trigger some property taxreductions for landowners in jurisdictions that offer thisas an incentive. However, conservation covenants canhave significant initial costs for both the organizationthat will be holding the covenant and landowner – forlegal and administrative assistance in setting them up.Therefore, for a variety of reasons, both conservationorganizations and landowners are selective indetermining whether a conservation covenant isdesirable on a given property. Source: www.gov.bc.caWhat areconservation covenants?Use a SHORTHORN Bull and increase marbling, carcass value,docility and feed efciency of your feeder calves ...and welcome to the land of OPPORTUNITY!ContactPresident: Gary Wood 604-536-2800Secretary: Brett Lawrason 604-823-4004www.AgSafeBC.caTRAINING EQUALSPRODUCTIVITYwww.AgSafeBC.caTRAINING EQUALSPRODUCTIVITYwww.AgSafeBC.caTRAINING EQUALSPRODUCTIVITYClimate Calculators on Farmwest:• Ammonia Loss from Manure • Growing Degree Days• Corn Heat Units • Pest Degree Days (codling moth & other insects)• Evapotranspiration • T-SumMONDAYS 11 AM STARTSLAUGHTER, FEEDER & MISC LIVESTOCKWEDNESDAYS 1 PM START DAIRY & SLAUGHTERYOUR COMPLETE MARKETING OUTLETABBOTSFORD • 604/864-2381 • 604/855-7895McCLARYSTOCKYARDS LTD.BC’s best cow market for over 40 years!34559 MCCLARY AVENUE . ABBOTSFORDCheck our website for Spring Feeder Sale dateswww.mcclarystockyards.cafor Brookwyn FarmsTHURSDAY, MARCH 10 . 12 PMDAIRY DISPERSAL SALE
Country Life in BC • March 201630Robert, Karen and Brian Dale of Dale Jerseys in Mission show o their bright, airy new barn and DeLaval roboticmilker during the BC Dairy Expo Farm Tour. (David Schmidt photo)Robots milkers showcased during annual dairy tourby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – A decade ago, robotic milkerswere a rarity in BC. Now there are robotic milkers ondozens upon dozens of BC dairy farms and more arebeing installed every day.Farmers had a chance to see and compare milkersfrom three of the four manufacturers with robots inBC during the 2016 BC dairy tour, January 27.Brothers Gene and Grant Sache of West RiverFarm in Rosedale chose to go with the marketleader, Lely, when building a new facility for their130-cow milking herd. Their new 6-row sand-bedded barn includes three Lely Astronaut robots.After using the robots for about four months, theyare extremely pleased with their decision.“There’s nothing I would change,” Gene says.The Saches say the Lely’s not only “penciled outbetter” than any of the alternatives, but haveresulted in steadily increasing milk production. Theherd averages three times per day milking withsome heifers, which are kept in their own group,milking up to four times per day.“We’ve seen a big production increase in thatgroup,” Gene says. One-person operationWith their herd of registered Jerseys strainingtheir barn and their long-time milker retiring, Robertand Karen Dale decided to turn their farm into aone-person operation. That meant building a newlarger drive-through barn with two robotic milkers.They opted for the DeLaval VMS (voluntary milkingsystem) from J & D Dairy Service, citing dealer loyaltyand support as chief reasons.“We have dealt with (J & D) for years and theirservice has been impeccable,” Robert says, addinghe likes the smaller robotic arm and the fact thesystem washes the teats before each milking.“Jerseys are lower to the ground so a smaller arm isbetter for them.”The new barn was designed to maximize cowcomfort. Instead of continuing to use pasture mats,they put in gel mats. They also installed a draindown the centre of the alley to minimize urinebuildup.“We want to see happy cows,” Robert states. AndPlease see “QUICK” page 31Top-notch seeds!OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS British Columbia / EvergroGurnaib Gill Fraser Valley gurnaib.gill@cpsagu.ca 604 835-3124Balkar Gill Fraser Valley balkar.gill@cpsagu.ca 604 825-0366Terry Stevens Vancouver Island terry.stevens@cpsagu.ca 604 883-5361Ben Yurkiw Fraser Valley and BC Interior ben.yurkiw@cpsagu.ca 604 830-9295OntarioWarren Peacock wp@norseco.com 519 426-1131 | 519 426-6156ManitobaGilliane Bisson gbisson@norseco.com 514 295-7202Maritimes Yves Thibault, agr. yt@norseco.com 418 660-1498 | 418 666-8947Customer service order@norseco.com 800 561-9693 | 800 567-4594Martin DeslauriersSales Manager Vegetable Division mdeslauriers@norseco.com 438 989-4863norseco.com
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 31to ensure they get a goodlook at those cows, they putelevated walkways around theperimeter of the barn.Although they had onlybeen using the new barn androbots for eight days prior tothe open house, initial resultsare encouraging.Herd reduced“The first few days werevery stressful as we trainedthe cows but they settled inquickly,” the Dales say.Somatic cell counts havealready dropped and theyexpect production toincrease, allowing them toreduce their herd from the 90plus cows they currently milk.The newest robotic milkerin BC is the GEA MI-one.Pacific Dairy Centre installedthe first such unit at BileenaHolsteins in Agassiz and BillKlop, and his son Alexcouldn’t be happier.The double box unit has acapacity of 110 cows, enoughto handle the 100 cows theKlops were milking whenthey started using it inOctober 2015. Production hasincreased so much they nowmilk just 83 cows. “It’s all about producingmore with less. Less cowsmeans less problems and lessmanure,” Alex says.Improved qualityHe notes milk quality hasimproved dramatically.Somatic cell counts droppedfrom 150,000 in the parlourto just 60,000 with the robotsand the plate count is usuallyunder 10,000. Doing more with less is thekey to the MI-”one” systemand indeed what gives thesystem its name.The double-box unitmeans a single computer andcontrol unit handles bothrobots and each robot doesall its milking tasks with asingle arm. Before it begins tomilk the cow, the systemshoots a gust of water and airthrough the cup to clean theteats. After each milking, theunit disinfects itself with ahydrogen peroxide solution.“The only thing that hitsthe cow is the teat cup,” Alexexplains.Each teat is treatedindividually. Not only doesthe system remove each cupindividually when thatquarter is finished milking,but it tests the conductivityof the milk in each quarterand can divert a singlequarter if necessary. Discarded milk“If you have an infection inonly one quarter, you don’thave to discard all the milk,”Alex notes.The Klops also use the CowScout heat detection system,which results in a 70% catchon first breeding,” and theBunk Time system whichregisters when they areeating.“It’s very handy with thefresh cows. When ketosis hits,we can see it very quickly,”Alex notes.All that technology may beoverwhelming to some,including Bill, but Alex isconvinced it has improvedherd management.“The key is to use all theinformation the systemprovides,” he says.QUICK TO SETTLE From page 30Milking can be a relaxing exercise when you have robotic milkers to do it for you. Just ask Gene, left,and Grant Sache of West River Farm in Rosedale. The two brothers recently moved their herd into anew barn with three Lely robots. (David Schmidt photos)Bill, left, and Alex Klop of Bileena Holsteins in Agassiz were proud to show o BC’s rst GEA MI-onedouble box robotic milking system during the BC Dairy Expo Farm Tour.604.556.7477DUNCAN5410 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%Sweet Smell of SpringNEW LOCATION Check out www.bchereford.ca for a Hereford breeder near you March 26, 2016—43rd Annual Dawson Creek All Breeds Bull Sale April 9, 2016 — 41st Annual Vanderhoof All Breeds Bull Sale April 14 & 15, 2016 — 79th Annual Williams Lake Bull Show & Sale BCHA Secretary Janice Tapp 250-699-6466 BCHA President Murray Gore 604-582-3499
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March 2016 • Country Life in BC 33by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – In ourgrandparents’ or, even insome cases our parents’ day,dairy cows were housed instanchion barns andmonitored individually. Asdairies moved into freestallhousing and parlour milking,farmers started managingcows in groups. To bettermanage health challengesand meet increasingconsumer demands for animalwell-being and traceability,farmers need to go back tomonitoring cows individually,says University of Kentuckydairy extension specialistJerey Bewley.Technology is making thatpossible, he told farmers atthe BC Dairy Expo inAbbotsford, January 28. Thatcomes in the form of sensorswhich allow cows to “talk tous in a dierent way. We’reasking them to bring us data. Sensors have the potentialto improve health and well-being through earlydetection,” Bewley said.Technology has come along way in the last decade.Lely, GEA, DeLaval and CellSense all oer systems tomeasure changes in somaticcell counts and provide earlydetection of mastitis. Bewleyparticularly praised theDeLaval Herd Navigator,which is already in use onseveral BC dairy farms but hasnot yet made its way into theUS, calling it “amazingtechnology.” He believes the dairyindustry is “just at thebeginning” of usingtechnology, saying systems tomeasure feeding time,rumination time, lying timeand other factors are still intheir infancy.Estrus detection is alreadywell-developed, Bewley sayingtoday’s heat detectiontechnologies (and there aremany to choose from) pick upheats “better than humans.When it comes to conceptionrates, you can do just as wellwith activity monitoring aswith synchronization.”University of BC assistantprofessor of animalreproduction Ronaldo Cerriagrees, sort of. Becausetoday’s high-producing milkcows come into heat less andhave lower signs of heat,farmers started using timed AI“but it didn’t improveconception rates.”His research shows heatdetection software doesn’timprove conception rates butdoesn’t make them worseeither. Cerri says using acombination of activitymonitoring andsynchronization oers thebest results.Six questionsBefore investing in newtechnology, Bewley saysfarmers should ask sixquestions:Does it explain a biologicalprocess?Can the data be translatedinto meaningful action?Is it cost-eective? Forexample, heat detectionsystems have huge economicbenets while healthdetection systems have lesseconomic benets.Is it exible, robust andreliable? What happens whenthere is a system outage, heasks.Is it simple to operate andsolution-focussed?Is the information readilyavailable for use? Farmersshould know what they willdo with the data once theyget it or there is no point ingetting it.If we could talkto the animals ...Dairy specialist Jerey Bewley, from the University of Kentucky, advised producers at the BC DairyExpo in January to ask (and answer) six questions before investing in new technology for their farms.(Photo courtesy of University of Kentucky)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 MEATSTechnology for monitoring cowsbrings relevant data in a timely mannerHe told farmers not to bethe rst to use a particulartechnology as they then haveto work out all the inevitablekinks themselves. Nor shouldthey be the last to use it.“If you’re using the sameCIDC Check-offBCID Fund9WorkBeef atCheck-offCheck-offCIDC 9Ch9f9heck-of9at9W9Beef 9ork9WoFundCI-D FundBCID Producer Check-Off Supports Beef Industry Projects.www.cattlefund.net | 1-877-688-2333technology nine years fromnow, you’re using the wrongtechnology.”Most important, farmersshould not expect systems tobe a cure-all.“Technologies are not areplacement for badmanagement,” Bewleystressed.Tractor safety trainingfor all farmers in BC, at no cost!www.AgSafeBC.caAgSafeFORMERLY FARSHATRAINING CO-SPONSORED BY“Canadian Agricuural Safety Week”March 13-19, 2016Book today!Call: 1.877.533.1789 Contact@AgSafeBC.caNEWS & INFORMATIONYOU NEED to GROW!SUBSCRIBE TODAYSEE PAGE 46 FOR DETAILSThe agricultural news source inBritish Columbia since 1915COUNTRYLifein BC
Country Life in BC • March 201634Farm safetyis all aboutreducing riskby PETER MITHAMABBOTSFORD – During theannual industry dinner thatprecedes the PacicAgriculture Show, BCagriculture minister NormLetnick congratulated theprovince’s farmers onemerging from 2015 withouta single farm fatality, a rareaccomplishment in the risk-laden world of foodproduction.But within days of theminister speaking,WorkSafeBC reported thesector’s rst incident of 2016when an orchard workertumbled from the seventhstep of a nine-foot ladderwhile pruning pears andfractured several ribs.While livestock operationsremained the riskiest venturesto be in, the injuries sustainedby the seasonal agriculturalworkers underscores the risksthat workers across theindustry face every day as amatter of course.Risks remain the sameWhile farming has becomea popular career choice formany young people, the risksthat come with the eldremain the same. Althoughtechnology has made manyjobs safer, the enduringdangers of slips, falls andasphyxiation from the releaseof gases are ever present. (InDecember 2015, WorkSafeBCrecorded a “close call” whenan ammonia release occurredin the compressor room of apoultry facility; fortunately, asafe evacuation followed andno one was injured.)But if the dangers are old-school, young farmers cominginto the sector are moreattuned to the risks andconscious of aligning theirwork environments with theirown priorities.This was abundantly clearat the Pacic AgricultureShow where several speakersspoke to the need forproduction arrangements thatPlease see “ROUTINES” page 35 > wrap bales of hay/straw or haylage/sileage>High speed vertical wrapping ring>15 knife chopper unit >3 belt bale chamber with endless belts Safety rst. Thecrew from BCLivestock – (left toright) DonnyHeighes, KennyAllison, farm-ownerAllan Smith, KyleBaron and TysonSilverson – installeda brand new Hi-Hogsqueeze and chuteset-up funded inpart by CASA’s Backto Ag program thatwill allow Smith andhis daughter,Devon, to managetheir Angus herd.(Cathy Gloverphoto)www.AgSafeBC.caWORKER SAFETYSHOULD BE YOURTOP PRIORITY are ergonomically correct, notjust because it’s healthier butbecause it reects howworkers themselves want tobe treated.Just as many orchardistsare devising productionsystems that avoid the needfor ladders, producers such asChris Thoreau made comfort apriority when he devised asystem for producingmicrogreens at his small-scaleurban farm in Vancouver’sStrathcona neighbourhood.Sure, he took somechances early on; in onenotable example, he used amachete to harvest greensbecause it delivered an evencut. However, a close callmade him realize the bladethat worked so eciently onhis crop could cut both waysand raise someuncomfortable questions ifWorkSafeBC ever had toinvestigate an incident.The machete was sheathedbut the production systemremained within reach ofworkers.“Having a comfortableworking environment wasreally important,” he said ofthe system of benchesdevised in 2008 for what’snow known as the VancouverFood Pedalers Co-operative.While the criteria mightseem unorthodox to large-scale operators, Thoreauenvisioned a farm that wouldbe fairly compact and allowhim to maintain relativelynormal working hours. Healso wanted to avoid physicalhardship.The vision led to aproduction system that sawgreens sprouted andharvested on waist-highbenches. Canopies shelteredthe growing greens, as well asworkers, from the elements.While the system isn’twithout its risks, the workingenvironment reducesbending and is easier on thebodies of those tending theplants. A subsequentexpansion to a used shippingcontainer saw similarprinciples guide developmentof the new production space.Second natureSimilarly, but on a muchlarger scale, Lydia Ryall ofCropthorne Farm in Delta –who was named BC
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 35ROUTINES From page 34Outstanding Young Farmer in2014 – told growers at thePacic Agriculture Show lastyear that her 10-acre farm hasmade worker comfort andsafety second nature.Ryall’s vegetable farm hascollated its practices in amanual based on one in useat New York’s Roxbury Farm.The manual not only setsexpectations for workers, itestablishes a routine thatmakes handling practices amatter of course, reducing thepotential for variation, and inturn, risk.Bins used for produce, forexample, are a standard size –30 pounds – so that everyonehas a common denition of“bin” and there’s reducedstress on the workers.According to Ryall, 30 poundsis what workers seemcomfortable lifting on arepeated basis.Key variablesStill, livestock are likely toremain among the keyvariables when it comes tofarm safety.Just like humans, they’reliving creatures withpersonalities of their own.This in itself is a risk factor.However, having the rightequipment can help make itsafer to handle livestock.A serious farm accident inlate 2014 put Devon Smith,the daughter of Country Life inBC’s Cathy Glover, in thehospital for nearly twomonths.Smith slipped and fellagainst a PTO shaft driving apost hole auger, and after anextensive and heroic recoveryhas resumed handling thefamily’s Angus herd. But herexperience isn’t one sheCall WaterTec Today and Get Your Free Estimate !vern@watertecna.com kristen.weir@watertecna.comMECHANIZED IRRIGATIONGrowing More With Less Water CENTER PIVOTS, LINEARS, CORNERSToll Free in Canada 1-855-398-7757 www.AgSafeBC.caROPS & SEAT BELTSSAVE LIVES!INCREASED SPEED AND DURABILITYNOW THAT’S SMART.Two new center-pivot Discbine® disc mower-conditioner models—13’ and 16’3” models—use larger discs to speed through tough crop conditions and the new, best-in-class WideDry™ 125-inch-wide conditioning system is 22% wider than previous models for more uniform conditioning and faster drydown. The smartest feature of all? The peace-of-mind protection you get with the exclusive three-year MowMax™ II cutterbar warranty.• MowMax™ II disc cutterbar with larger discs, heavier gears and interconnecting shafts • Smoother transition of crop from cutterbar to conditioner • Exclusive ShockPRO™ hubs protect cutterbar components• Choice of chevron rubber rolls, steel rolls or LeaningEdge™ fl ails© 2014 CNH Industrial America LLC. All rights reserved. New Holland is a trademark registered in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affi liates.MachineryLimitedROLLINSRCHILLIWACK • 1.800.242.9737 | 44725 Yale Road West • 604.792.1301LANGLEY • 1.800.665.9060 | 21869 - 56th Avenue • 604.533.0048BC Minister ofAgriculture NormLetnick and Overwaitea-Save-On Foods producemanager Mike Olsonjoined local studentsand BC Agriculture inthe Classroomrepresentatives tocelebrate 10 years ofthe BC School Fruit andVegetable NutritionalProgram. The programnow delivers weeklysnacks to over 1,400schools throughout theprovince.(David Schmidt photo)Celebrating 10 years Canada’s Verified Beef Production Program Ph: 1-866-398-2848 Email: VBP@cattlemen.bc.ca www.cattlemen.bc.ca/vbp.htm Simple. Practical. Trusted. Developed for producers, by producers. Let us help you implement market-driven standards for on-farm food safety, biosecurity & animal care. wants to repeat – whetherfencing, or dealing withlivestock.A grant through the Backto Ag program of theCanadian Agricultural SafetyAssociation (CASA) allowedSmith and her father, Allan, toinstall a cattle-handlingsystem from Calgary-basedHi-Hog Farm & RanchEquipment Ltd.The 53-foot system willallow the Smiths to processcattle safely and eciently,with less risk of being injured.The system includes asqueeze, chute and tub thatlimits the contact herdsmenhave with cattle, keepingthem out of harm’s way.Less stressful“It’s a permanent, solidassembly so we’re notmoving panels or havingcattle trying to duck out fromus. It’s less stressful on thecattle and on us,” says Devon. CASA’s Back to Ag programoers farmers grants of up to$10,000 for adaptivetechnology that allows themto get back to the work theylove after suering a seriousinjury. The grants provideyear-round protection forfarmers, underscoring the factthat farm safety is a dailyconcern.
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BC research is alsocomparing dierentpollination, nutritional andirrigation regimens andcollecting data on a largenumber of new andestablished varieties, includingsome from the Grygleski familyof Wisconsin.“This is our rst chance tocompare their varieties withvarieties coming out of theRutgers breeding program,”Patten says.Researchers are looking atwhen a particular varietyblooms as that aects thetiming of sprays and whenbees are needed. Although growers needbees to pollinate thecranberries, honeybees are notvery good at it.“Cranberries don’t producemuch nectar so they don’tparticularly like it,” says OceanSpray agricultural scientist DanSchiauer. He notes a owerneeds at least eight tetrads ofpollen to produce a cranberryand most honeybees onlyleave about seven tetradsbehind. They do much better ifthey “shake” the plant but only3% of honeybees do that. Hesays the only reasonhoneybees actually do the jobis because of “sheer numbers.”Better are leafcutter (alfalfa)bees. Although small, theydrop about 18 tetrads per visitwhich Shiauer calls“adequate.” Leafcutter beesby DAVID SCHMIDTRICHMOND – Last year was“a tremendous year” for thenew BC Cranberry ResearchFarm, the farm’s co-director,Todd May, told growers at theannual Cranberry Congress inRichmond, February 2.Last year was the rst yearthey were able to collectharvest and post-harvest data,but the farm has beencollecting phenology andenvironmental data since therst plantings in 2013. “We will use the samemethodology year after yearso you can compare data,”research director Kim Pattensaid, noting “we can try thingsyou can’t do on a productivefarm.” The horticulture extensionspecialist for Washington StateUniversity-Long Beach, Pattendirects research in BC,Washington and Oregon,maximizing research dollarsand allowing datacomparisons from fourresearch sites. His varietal comparisonsshow Pilgrim, an old varietynot grown in BC, is “still verycompetitive.” Among the newvarieties, his best hope isWelker, which consistently hasthe highest yield in the PacicNorthwest. Haines, anothernew variety, also showspromise. It has performed wellin BC and Oregon but not inWashington.Fruit rot causesUniversity of Massachusettsand WSU professor emeritusFrank Caruso is using themultiple research sites todetermine which fungi causefruit rot. In BC, that includesblack rot, blotch rot, berryspeckle, yellow rot, white rot,bitter rot, end rot, viscid rot,penicillium and physalospora. Fruit rot is growers’ biggestproblem, says RutgersUniversity associate professorof caneberry pathology PeterOudemans.“Fruit rot explains 63% ofthe variation in yields betweenelds,” he says, claimingeconomic losses from fruit rotcan reach over half a milliondollars on a 130 acre eld. In 2014 and 2015, a projectled by BC Ministry ofAgriculture plant pathologistSiva Sabaratnam sampled 28commercial elds to get ahandle on the extent of theproblem. Testing foundpathogens in all regions withblack rot, blotch rot and earlyrot the most prevalent atharvest. His team will spendthe next two years evaluatingfungicides and developingeective managementoptions.March 2016 • Country Life in BC 37International research crucial to cranberry growersare also in short supplyalthough some beekeepersare starting to mass rear them.582 tetrads per visitHe says the ideal pollinatoris the bumblebee which has along enough reach to get tothe bottom of the ower andaverages 58.2 tetrads per visit.As a result, he says it willbecome increasinglyimportant to keepbumblebees alive.As an added advantage,University of the Fraser Valleyinstructor Renee Prasad notesbumblebees continue to workduring inclement weather(and there’s a lot in BC) whenhoneybees won’t. Sherecommends growers create a“bumblebee garden” to attractand keep bumblebees neartheir elds and has created ademonstration bumblebeegarden to show growers whatshe’s talking about anddetermine which plantsshould be in it. “My goal is to focus onperennial plants which requirelittle attention (she only gaveher garden an application ofYou can’t harvest a cranberry crop like this without bees and Island grower Je Hamilton saysbumblebees are his rst choice as primary pollinators. (Tom Walker le photo)KuhnNorthAmerica.comINVEST IN QUALITY®MatsquiAg-RepairAbbotsford, BC604-826-3281Noble Tractor & EquipmentArmstrong, BC250-546-3141 Noble Tractor & EquipmentKamloops, BC250-851-3101Visit your localKuhn KnightDealer today!Purchase a select new Kuhn Knight spreader, then cut the price further with a Spread ‘N Save coupon. Visit your local dealer for details and to receive your coupon. Offer ends May 31, 2016Please see “SPRAY” page 38
Country Life in BC • March 201638SPRAY PROTOCOLS From page 371.866.567.4162Cuts 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 rimgranular fertilizer in earlyspring and one watering inearly August),” Prasad said.Initial results indicateheather and rhododendronsattract the most bumblebeeswith the rst showing up asearly as February. Whileattractive to bumblebees, shedoes not recommendblueberries and rosemary asthey are not drought-tolerant.She also recommends the useof grasses, rocks and logs toprovide nesting areas for thebumblebees.Although Prasad considersbumblebees “insurance”pollinators, they are the rstchoice for Courtenaycranberry grower JeHamilton.“I use bumblebees as myprimary pollinators andhoneybees as secondarypollinators,” he said.Because bees are soimportant, growers should beextremely careful withneonicotinoidsprays, which cankill the bees.Schiauer notesAdmire is eectivein controllingcranberry rootworm but shouldonly be used afterbloom since it is aneonicotonoid.Growers shouldalso limit its use asresidues (8-11 partsper billion) can appear for atleast three years.25 parts per billion okay“The Food and DrugAdministration says less than25 parts per billion isacceptable,” he notes, adding“I hope this means the FDAwill continue to allow itbecause it’s very important tous.”Obtaining maximumresidue limits (MRL) for thechemicals growers want to useis one of the chiefactivities of theCranberry Institute,says CI chair JohnWilson. He notesthey were recentlysuccessful in againgetting an MRL forBravo in Europe,meaning growerswho export toEurope can use it.However, Codex(which sets baseMRL’s for the world) hasrejected the institute’s data soif Europe follows Codex’s lead,it could be on its way outagain. Denitely on its way out isDiazinon, which Canadiangrowers will not be able to useafter this year.Some products may beused in one country but notanother. Exirel is one example.It has an MRL in Canada butnone in the US, eectivelynixing its use on anycranberries grown in orexported to the US. Quincloraeis another example. Permittedin the US, it has no MRL inCanada so cannot be usedhere.Since only BC allows the useof Movento to controlcranberry tipworm, Oudemanshas been researchingalternatives, nding that twoapplications of Sevin providegood control. He is alsolooking at “soft” chemistries tocontrol reworm. While mostdon’t work well, he saysAltacore provides almost 100%control.Cranberry field declineChemicals are useful whenyou know what the pest ordisease is. What if you don’t?Oudemans, KwantlenPolytechnic Universityprofessor of sustainableagriculture and food systemsRebecca Harbut and Universityof BC professor emeritus LesLavkulich are workingtogether to determine what’scausing cranberry eld decline(CFD). CFD manifests itself as“dead patches” where theroots have disappeared.“This is one of the mostcomplicated problems I’veseen in cranberries,”Oudemans said. “It just seemsto appear out of nowhere.” “Nothing has come out ofprevious research eorts toidentify a cause,” Harbutadded.They are using infraredphotography to identify hotspots and potential hot spotsand analyzing soil coresamples from aected areasand neighbouring unaectedareas.Lavkulich believesanaerobic soils starve the rootsof oxygen, causing CFD. “Weneed to rethink how wemanage peat soils becausetheir characteristics changeover time.”Growers examine cranberry roots during the BC CranberryCongress in Richmond, February 2. (David Schmidt photo)Les Lavkulich
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 39by LINDSAY CHUNGDUNCAN - Barrie Redl andhis family own and operateRedl Ranch in 150 Mile House.They direct market Redl'sHome-Grown Beef. Theircattle are raised withoutantibiotics, pesticides,herbicides, growth implants,added hormones, animal by-products or medicated feeds,nor are the cattle fed corn orgrain. They also are part of theVeried Beef Production (VBP)program and during apresentation at the IslandsAgriculture Show in February,VBP's BC co-ordinator,Annette Moore, used RedlRanch as an example of howVBP can give producers thecondence to back up theirmarketing claims.Redl Ranch sells its beefdirect to customers and at sixlocations in the Fraser Valley.Moore says Redl Ranch has abinder full of photos whichshows all aspects of life ontheir farm, and customershave access to all theirrecords. This helps them tellthe story behind theirmarketing claims and showshow they do what they saythey do. “He says you get everythingfrom the Vancouver yuppie tothe grandma who’s veryconcerned about antibioticsbecause she’s on certaindrugs and is fearful, and hetells her everything,” saidMoore, whose presentationfocused on marketing claimssuch as “no hormones” and“no antibiotics.” “They may not recognizethe [VBP] logo but knowingit’s there and that they see it,Redl says brings a level ofcondence that you can’t buy.He’s only been on theprogram a short while andhe’s noticed a big dierencealready.”VBP is a national on-farmfood safety programdeveloped by the CanadianCattlemen’s Association. Notall producers are antibiotic orhormone free and theprogram recognizes that. Whatthe program does is verify theprocess farmers are practising.Record keeping is key.“All the VBP program isdoing is providing you thetools to enable you to makethose claims morecondently,” she said. “Itenables you to have atransparent program that youown and you have the abilityto show if someone wants toquestion you ... because it isan unbiased third-partyauditor who comes and viewsyour practices.” There are varying levels of“no hormones” and “noantibiotics” – from no, notever in the animal’s lifetime toroutine vaccinations. Whichlevel you practice depends onwho is buying your beef. “There are varying levels,and the key is to know whoyou marketing to,” saidMoore. “Don’t take it lightly ifyou’re going to be makingthose claims.”VBP is one of severalauditable programs available(100% BC Beef, CanadaOrganic and SPCA Certiedare others) and they all helpproducers substantiate theirclaims. The programs examinefarming practices, on-siteconditions and recordkeeping. This way, they canback up the claims thatparticipants are, for example,hormone-free. Over an eight-year period, VBP provides anon-site review, three recordassessments and asksproducers to do self-declarations.“We primarily focus on on-farm food safety, so things likeantibiotic use and application,and pesticides,” said Moore.“You’re certainly allowed touse those products but we askthat you use them accordingto the label or on the advice ofa veterinarian so you havesubstantiation on the claimsyou’re making and that they’rerecognized and testedthrough that.”Important factors for beingable to prove the level ofhormones or antibiotics aproducer does or doesn’t useinclude excellent biosecuritylevels, a solid herd health plan,knowledge of risks, foragemanagement, reliance ongood-quality feed andnutrition, water access andquality, and maintenance ofanimal health.Through programs like VBP,record keeping is key becausethat provides a heads-upwhen something needs to bedealt with.“You catch trends a lotfaster and the quicker you canidentify a problem, segregateit and clean and get themgoing, the less chance it willspread through the rest of theherd,” said Moore. “If the goalVerification program is a good marketing toolRecord keeping, third party audits provide incentive to practice what you preachEligibility 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 ProgramVALLEY¿FARM¿DRAINAGE31205 DEWDNEY TRUNK RD. MISSION Phone: 604/462-7213www.valleyfarmdrainage.com Fax: 604/462-7215Open Trenching • Trenchless • Sub-IrrigationLaser Equipped • Irrigation Mainlinesdrainage isour specialtyThe face of the Veried Beef Program in BC, Annette Moore saysthe program helps producers identify (and x) problems quicker.(Cathy Glover photo)Market Musingswill return in April.www.AgSafeBC.ca#AgSafetyChampFARMERS HELPING FARMERSNominate yours today at is no antibiotics and nohormones, then your healthmanagement plan becomesparamount. “The level of managementthat is out there in theindustry now has far and awayexceeded what I saw at thebeginning of my career. Overtime, we’ve really improvedour management practicesand the application of[antibiotics] is far less than weused to use. But at the sametime, though, stu does gothrough and things happen.”
by PETER MITHAMABBOTSFORD – BC organicgrowers have a whole newset of ground rules this yearthanks to recent changes tothe Canadian OrganicStandards.A series of webinars inFebruary briefed growers onthe changes but thoseattending the PacificAgriculture Show inAbbotsford at the end ofJanuary received an overviewfrom Susan Smith, theprovince’s organic specialist.Key changes includeupdates to the principles ofsound organic systems aswell as production systems,and occurred following fourmeetings of a 45-membertechnical committee heldbetween December 2013 andMay 2015.Originally adopted in2006, the standard hadaccumulated a list of 400changes over the pastdecade as well as severalanswers from the committeecharged with interpretingthe standard. While thestandard must be reviewedonce every five years, thesheer volume of work facingregulators since 2006 haddelayed a comprehensivereview until 2013.The recent changes markthe first general overhaul ofthe standard since 2006 andaddress vague wording inthe original, bring Canada’sstandard in line with those inthe US and Europe andprovide a streamlinedstandard for theindustry inCanada thatreflects howthe industryhas evolvedand grownover thepast decade.Ground rulesThe groundrules for productionsystems now require plasticmulches to bebiodegradeable if growersintend to leave them in theground, for example. Thismeans the plastic itself mustbe a resin that’s producedentirely with organic contentrather than petrochemicals.While this makes sense, it’snow a legal requirement.Acceptablematerials arelisted within thestandard.But if therules formulches havetightened,Smith saidgrowers havebeen given extraflexibility withrespect to fishfertilizers. Previousrestrictions have been liftedgiving growers greaterleeway in soil amendments.Similarly, better wordingclarifies the rules regardingbio-char, a stable form ofcarbon typically producedfrom biomass via pyrolysis,and the use of anaerobicdigestate.Country Life in BC • March 201640Canadian organic standards given an overhaulThe changes took effectNovember 25, 2015 butgrowers have a year toimplement them. In the caseof plastic mulches, growershave an exemption from therules until January 2017,allowing them to use anyremaining supplies of non-compliant plastic mulch inthe 2016 growing season.Organic labellingChanges to the nationalstandards – which are set forreview in another five years –come on the heels of theprovince’s announcementlast fall regarding thelabelling of produce fromorganic farms.Certified organic productswill enjoy provincialprotection beginning inautumn 2018, when theprovince will restrict the useof “certified organic” to thoseproducts that have receivedaccreditation through arecognized federal orprovincial organization. OnFebruary 15, BC agricultureminister Norm Letnickintroduced the legislationthat will allow the protectionto be put in place.While federal regulationsgovern those productsmoving between provinces,there has been nothinggoverning products soldsolely within BC. The changepromises to give consumerspeace of mind when they seeproduce labelled as organicat the grocery store, localfarm markets and roadsidestands.96 farms in transitionApproximately 564 farmsare certified organic throughthe BC Certified Organicprogram, managed by theCertified OrganicAssociations of BC (COABC).An additional 96 farms arecurrently in transition toorganic status.The most recent report forthe Canadian Organic TradeAssociation estimated thatorganic food and beveragesales in BC totaled $662million in 2012 and aregrowing by 11% a year. Thiswould put organic food andbeverage sales in BC on trackto top $1 billion in sales in2016.www.AgSafeBC.ca#AgSafetyChampFARMERS HELPING FARMERSNominate yours today at
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 41by TOM WALKERSUMMERLAND – You can’tjudge an apple by its color,but you can judge it by its skin(or at least by how much lightpasses through the skin).Scientists and apple industrypersonnel in the Okanaganare working together to renea hand held device thatmeasures apple ripeness.The DA meter is an Italianinvention that is able to tellthe level of chlorophyll in anapple peel. “Chlorophyll concentrationis an indicator of how ripe theapple is inside,” says Dr. PeterToivonen, a research scientistwith Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Summerland.“It doesn’t matter what colorthe apple is, the DA meteronly measures thechlorophyll.”LED lights from the metergo into the apple and a sensormeasures how much lightreects back out – the “DA” orDelta Absorbance. Theinstrument is portable, easy touse, reliable and, so far, anexcellent predictor of howwell an apple performs duringlong-term storage.“That’s really what thepacking house wants toknow,” says Toivonen. “Arethese apples going to hold upto storage?” They don’t wantto nd out in February thatthe apples are starting tobreak down.Apples problematicThe DA meter wasdeveloped originally to testthe ripeness of peaches. Therehas been some work donewith pears but collectinggood data for apples has beenproblematic. Someresearchers gave up.Fortunately, Toivonen did hisPhD using light basedinstrumentation. “I could get a handle onwhat the issues were quitequickly after I started,” saysToivonen. He has installed a shroudthat blocks out surroundinglight for a more accuratereading, developed protocolsfor testing and over the lastsix years collected data tovalidate the instrument’saccuracy. “I don’t want to say togrowers “use this” until weknow that it works everytime,” said Toivonen. “We are using it in the eldalmost in tandem with theresearch being developed,”says Charlotte Leaming, a eldservices sta person for theBC Tree Fruits Co-operative.Tweaking neededLeaming says the softwareon the machine needs sometweaking.“Right now we can’t usegrower numbers as thesample ID; we have to recordthat somewhere else,” shesays. “If it could record thegrower number, the DAaverage and the variety, thatwould be helpful.” Currently, the industrymeasures the level of starch totell the ripeness of an apple. Asample of apples is taken froman orchard and brought to acentral location. They aresliced in half and soaked in aniodine solution. The starch inthe apple absorbs the iodineand starchy areas turn darkwhile sugars that haveconverted from the starch asthe apple ripens do notdarken. After several minutes,the coloration is compared toa standard chart. The lesscoloured the apple, the riper itis.Starch tests can take severaldays, the apples are destroyedFinding the perfect ripeness12:6(59,1*7+()5$6(59$//(<:H·YHEHHQSURXGO\IDPLO\RZQHGDQGRSHUDWHGVLQFHRSHQLQJLQ$QGZLWKWZREOHQGLQJSODQWVZH·UHRQHRI%&·VODUJHVWGLVWULEXWRUVRIJUDQXODUOLTXLGDQGIROLDUIHUWLOL]HUV2XUEX\LQJSRZHUDQGSUR[LPLW\WRWKH)UDVHU9DOOH\PDNHVXVWKHORJLFDOFKRLFHIRUWUXFNORDGVKLSPHQWV2.$1$*$1)(57,/,=(5/7'in the process and it can be asubjective measure. “Each person sees adierent thing while the DAmeter gives you a number,”says Toivonen. Leaming says sampling theapples on the tree was theinitial attraction. Clearer picture“The non-destruct reallyhelps. You are likely to takemore samples and have aclearer picture of thedierence between one endof the block and the other,”she says. “And it is easier tocheck more often to see howquickly the apples arematuring.”And the starch test is notalways accurate. “In our studies in the lastfour years with Ambrosiaspecically, we are ndingthat some years the starchvalue may not be a goodindicator of storage quality,”Toivonen says. Ambrosia demands a quickand accurate measure ofripeness. The high value applehas an average pickingwindow of ten days but someyears, that can be as short asve days. “You have to be fast onyour feet and the DA meterallows you to make decisionsfaster,” said Toivonen. “Ambrosia maturity is veryimportant so that they bothtaste good and keep well,”says Leaming. “It is important to havethose superlative qualitiespreserved,” echoes Toivonen.“That’s why people are buyingthose apples; they are notcommodity apples, they arepremium apples.”Leaming says BC Tree Fruitshas purchased two meters at$4,000, one each for the northand south Okanagan. That’sone of the benets of workingwith the packing house,Leaming points out. “Field services sta go outand measure the maturity of agrower’s fruit and makeharvest recommendations.”Research scientist Dr Peter Toivonen has been working with BC’sfruit industry to ne tune a DA meter than can accurately determinewhen apples are ready to be harvested. (Tom Walker photo)Sign Up Today! Sign Up Today! Sign Up Today! 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Country Life in BC • March 201642by PETER MITHAMABBOTSFORD – Greenhouse strawberriesare commonplace in Asia, which has promptedone US researcher to suggest growers couldbe cashing in on o-season sales with the fruitin North America.“I thought that strawberry cannot be grownin an open eld because, living in Tokyo,strawberry is a greenhouse crop,” Dr. ChieriKubota, a Japanese-born professor in theSchool of Plant Sciences at the University ofArizona, told growers attending the PacicAgriculture Show in Abbotsford this pastJanuary.But in North America, greenhouses are theexception to eld production. While somegrowers use tunnels to enhance growingconditions in the eld, hothouse production isan opportunity to oer an alternative supply toCalifornia, where growers have been hit hardby labour shortages and drought.Japanese and Dutch growers typicallyharvest seven kilograms of berries per squaremetre and Kubota feels the crop has potentialin North America. Growers in Mexico areentering the business, a sign growers in the USand Canada should get ready.“We started this program about six yearsago, knowing that we need something else,other than tomato, cucumber, lettuce in thegreenhouse,” Kubota said. “Strawberry is awidely grown greenhouse crop in Asiancountries and also in European countries.”Good timingGreenhouse berry production focused onmaximizing the value of the end crop dependson timing, just as with poinsettias.The cycle begins in May with thepreparation of plant material, followed bytransplanting of young plants to the actualproduction system. Harvest begins inNovember, just in time for the holiday seasonwhen local supplies are shortest and availablefruit commands the highest price. The seasonends with crop termination in April.“You have to look at what’s available in whattiming and, depending on the varieties, thelimitations need to be considered,” Kubotasaid, emphasizing the need to select varietiesthat will hit the market at the right time.Day-neutral and short-day (June-bearing)varieties are both available for greenhouseproduction but both have issues that requireattention.Day-neutral varieties, for example, tend tobear in a cyclical pattern, with a barren periodbetween crops. Short-day varieties bear well,but require time-consuming, labour-intensivemanagement to keep owering and harvest ontrack during the critical 90-day growth periodculminating in rst harvest. Without properattention, the plants will mature slowly andgrowers will miss the majority of the holidayseason.Kubota recommends growing new plantsfrom misted runners. Grown in greenhouses,they’re free from outside contaminants andaccustomed to the greenhouse environment.The young plants are transplanted to raisedBerries offer diversification opportunityStrawberries grown in greenhouses are commonplace in Japan and Europe and a Japanese-bornprofessor in Arizona says North American growers should take a serious look at the marketopportunities strawberries under glass can bring. (File photo)Albion leads the packStrawberries grown for the US marketshould achieve a Brix level of sevendegrees or more. To date, few varietieshave delivered this in greenhouse trials,together with the size US consumersdesire.The leader was one of the mostpopular varieties in BC: Albion. It’s a day-neutral variety that produces large fruit tothe tune of eight kilograms a squaremetre and checks in at eight degrees Brix.Nyoko, an older Japanese variety, hadsmall fruit and lower yields butexceptional avour with a Brix reading of10 degrees.Plant management is painful, however,so Dr. Chieri Kubota, a professor in theSchool of Plant Sciences at the Universityof Arizona, continues to look for a short-day match to Albion.“Albion is good, but I’d like to have ashort-day variety also having a goodavour, good size, and okay yield,” she said.Please see “STRAWBERRY” page 47Be ready for anything.Quality Pre-Owned Tractors & EquipmentBOBCAT BACKHOE, SKID ST MNT CALLBOBCAT S650 SKID STEER . . . . . . 32,000CASE MAXUM 120 PRO W/LDR . . 72,500GASPARDO PLANTER 4 ROW . . . 35,000JCB 409 WHEEL LOADER . . . . . . . 45,000JD 7810 CAB, LDR, 4WD . . . . . . . . 90,000KUBOTA L2350 4WD . . . . . . . . . . . . CALLKVERNELAND 3 BOTTOM PLOWS . 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March 2016 • Country Life in BC 43BROWN PLATE ROTATOR® FOR HIGHEST UNIFORMITY1/2” & 3/4” IMPACTREPLACEMENTSTHE ORIGINALBIG GUN® NEW! R3030 PIVOT ROTATOR®& 3NV NOZZLE irrigation technology for the futurenelsonirrigation.com®FIND YOUR CROP SPECIFIC WATER APPLICATION SOLUTION. Nelson Irrigation offers a complete line of products for a variety of applications — finding the right one is easy. By answering a few simple questions you can lock in on the product that is right for you. If quality and performance are what you expect the answer is simple. BUY AMERICAN — CHOOSE NELSON.®END OF PIVOT SOLUTIONS — NEW! R55, R75 & DELTA P FOR SRNV100 O3000 ORBITORLOW PRESSURESMALL DROPLETSFeral livestock are creating challenges for BC farmers and ranchers; some could even pose healthrisks. (File photo)by PETER MITHAMWILLIAMS LAKE – Two yearsafter the province allowedferal pigs to be killed “anytime, anywhere,” the animalscontinue to spread.The Invasive SpeciesCouncil of BC reports theemergence of populations inthe Peace as well as southernVancouver Island, a fact thattroubles the council’sexecutive director, Gail Wallin.“If they are breeding, thepopulation could explode,”she told the Vancouver Sunprior to the council’s annualmeeting in early February.She pointed to the Caribooregion, long a hot bed for feralwildlife, as a cautionary tale.“We thought we had a fewpigs in one area but in talkingto ranchers we now think wehave more pigs in theChilcotin than we thought,”she said.Freedom foundA swinish multitude hasalready established itself in thewilds of the Kootenays; theLower Mainland and SouthOkanagan may also harborpopulations. The population inthe Kootenays has been tracedto a handful of farm animalsthat sought freedom – andfound it – in 2007.But these are no Babes inthe woods: the rooting of pigsdestroys cropland and thenatural environment andboosts disease risks in farmelds. (Feral pigs were amongthe potential sources of E. coliO157:H7 that tainted spinachin California in 2006, sparkinga major recall. While neverconclusively linked to thecontamination, the pigs’presence underscored the riskferal livestock present farmers.)Pigs aren’t the rst ferallivestock to attract attention inthe Interior.This winter saw free-rangehorses make the news when aPenticton woman intervenedto administer veterinary careto one of them.First Nations brandsWhile government sourcesclaim that many of the horsesare owned by members of thePenticton Indian Band, theanimals are among the morethan 600 horses that call theSouth Okanagan home. Whilesome trace their lineages backto the Spanish, othersundoubtedly have morerecent roots, as the FirstNations brands on someattest.However, horses have alsobeen fair game for ranchers inthe Chilcotin; in 2005, sixanimals belonging to a herd ofup to 200 animals in theBrittany Triangle, southwest ofWilliams Lake, were shot.The situation, like theincident in Penticton thiswinter, underscored thechallenges facing ocialstrying to keep out invasivespecies while respecting thosethat have become naturalized.Some like to see thebrighter side of things,suggesting that horses andpigs are as fair game for localpredators as for gun-totinghumans.“It could take pressure odomestic livestock,” notedDavid Williams, executivedirector and president ofFriends of the Nemaiah Valley,a Victoria-based group thatsupports the preservation ofthe horses, in conversationwith Country Life in BC adecade ago. “[The horses]provide prey biomass forpredator species so it helpssustain the main predatorswhich are the mostthreatened species in BC …Grizzlies and wolves andmountain lions.”But the stealthy pigs seemto be keeping a hoof ahead ofpredators, and that raises thespectre for those concernedwith invasive species that theycould be as economicallydamaging as starlings –another foreign introduction –or rabbits, the cuddly rodentssynonymous with prolicbreeding habits.Coyotes can’t keep upRabbits are voraciousherbivores that have been aproblem in the LowerMainland where coyoteshaven’t been able to keepthem in check. They’re also aproblem on southernVancouver Island wherethey’re a well-known sightaround the University ofVictoria campus.However, as various rabbitrescue operators make clear,BC’s legion of feral pigs just the tip of wildlife woesthe best way to prevent Flopsyand Mopsy from becoming aproblem is to not release theminto the wild in the rst place.The same holds true fordomestic dogs, a regularscourge of Vancouver Islandsheep farmers.BC’s wild pigs have left thesty, however, and there’s nogetting them back in.However, livestock owners cantake pains to secure theiranimals and prevent anyfurther additions to BC’s feralmenagerie.1/3 BILLION PEOPLE LIVE IN ABSOLUTE POVERTY841 MILLION PEOPLE ARE CHRONICALLY UNDERNOURISHED7 MILLION CHILDREN DIE EACH YEAR DUE TO MALNUTRITIONBe someone thatMakes a Difference!Donate a DAIRY or BEEF animal, TOOLS, TOYS orGIFT CERTIFICATESand mark your calendars & plan toattend this very specialfundraising event!Free lunch courtesy of RBC Financial GroupDonuts & coffee provided by Hi-Pro FeedsTo confirm your donation, call:Rob Brandsma . . . . . . . . . . . 604-834-4435Bob Brandsma . . . . . . . . . . . 604-855-8016Pete Brandsma . . . . . . . . . . 604-996-3141John Bruinsma . . . . . . . . . . . 604-835-0297Matt Dykshoorn . . . . . . . . . 604-768-0131Sheri Kampman . . . . . . . . . 604-302-4462Dave Martens . . . . . . . . . . . 778-982-3267Casey Pruim . . . . . . . . . . . . 778-242-2620Donations of cash & proceeds from cattle will be given a charitable donation receipt from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank.The Canadian government (through CIDA) will contribute4:1 with matching grants on all donations.canadianfoodgrainsbankabbotsfordauctionemail: brandsma.rob@gmail.comMAKE A DIFFERENCE SALETHURSDAY, MARCH 24 • 10 amMcClary Stockyards, AbbotsfordJoin the Farmers of BC and the Canadian Foodgrains Bankand experience the rewards of working together to make a difference. Proceeds from this year’s auction will go to support those whomhave been displaced from their homes due to conflict in Syria.Last year, this sale raised over $160,000 for South Sudan refugees!MAKE A DIFFERENCE SALETHURSDAY, MARCH 24 • 10 amMcClary Stockyards, Abbotsford
Country Life in BC • March 201644When we left o last time,poetic justice had somehowbeen served when Hendersonwas bitten by a calf andsplattered with manure on therst day of his venture into theveal business. At that moment,the local busybody journalistshowed up. Rural Redemption(part 70) continues ...Deborah tried to sidetrackHarriet Murray.“Mrs. Murray, you’re hereabout the Spring Musical. Let’sgo to the house and discuss itover a cup of tea.”“All in good time, dearie. I’dbe interested to know what’shappened here.”Harriet sized up KennethHenderson: there was abandage on his thumb, a calfmanure bull’s eye on his chestand he looked like he’d beenmugged. “How’d you injure yourthumb, Mr. Henderson?”“That’s no business ofyours.”“No man is an island, hon.Do you know you’ve gotmanure all over your overalls?”“Of course I know it.Everyone here knows it. Whatare you getting at?”“So it’s not a secret then, ifeverybody already knows. I’mjust curious how you’vemanaged to smearmanure all overyourself?”“I didn’t smear it allover myself; I fell downin the stall.” “Tripped, did you?”“No, I didn’t bloody trip. Iwas attacked by the damnedbig calf!”Now we’re gettingsomewhere, thought Harriet.In a matter of minutes, she’dbadgered enough details outof Kenneth Henderson topiece together a plausiblestory. Deborah put her footdown when Harriet tried totake a picture of Kenneth inthe barn and suggested it wastime to discuss the musical.Kenneth Henderson wasfront page news for the fourthtime in a year when the papercame out the followingThursday. LOCAL MANINJURED IN VEAL CALFDEBACLE: Wife excited to singin spring. Ordinarily, the story wouldhave been grist for the generalstore coee club crowd forweeks but it went virtuallyunnoticed. Deborah droppedinto the store on Thursdaymorning to pick up a jug ofmilk she didn’t really need. Shewas curious to see how badlythe calf incident had beenmisconstrued. The parkingspaces in the store parking lotwere taken and there werecars along the road as well. Allof the tables in Lon’s CoeeCorner were full and peoplewere standing in the aisles.The room was abuzz withconversation. Deborah stood looking overthe crowd, wondering if it hadanything to do with the newsof Kenneth’s veal calfmisfortune. Lois spoke to herfrom behind the counter.“Morning, Deborah. Helpyourself to coee.”Deborah spied the headlinein the newspaper rack. “What’s going on?”“You haven’t heard then?Cec Montgomery passed lastnight.”“Eunice’s Cec?”“Yeah. Most of the oldguard have dropped by toremember him and startorganizing the funeral.”“I’m so sorry.”“No need to be. He lived along and happy life. He wasborn and raised here and livedhis whole life among friends.He was a bachelor until he wasway into his forties, then hemet Eunice and they’ve beenin love for 45 years. He was athome, happy and clear-headed right ‘til the end.Everyone’s sad for Eunice butthey’re all here celebrating thelife Cec’s had and you won’tnd one among them that’ssorry for it. Did you know him?”“No, but Gladdie introducedme to Eunice and we’vecrossed paths several times.”Lois nodded. “Gladdie was there whenCec passed. She’s still withEunice now. Gladdie knew Cechis whole life and it was herthat lit a re under him allthose years ago when Eunicerst showed up.”Lois chuckled at hermemory. “It was at the hippy dancethey had to raise money for anew roof for the hall. You’llprobably hear all about it ifyou stick around for a while.”“Is there anything I coulddo?”“We should know whatneeds doing shortly. DougMcLeod’s been there all nightwith Eunice and Gladdie andhe’s going to come by in a halfhour or so. We’ll get some ideaof what Eunice wants then.”“Doug McLeod was there?”“Yes. Doug worked for Cecfor years when he was a kid.Right up until he left forcollege. Cec probably wouldhave quit the pigs years beforeif it wasn’t for Doug. Cec andEunice kind of treated Douglike the son they never had andhe’s always stayed close andlooked after things for them.”Lois excused herself andput more coee on to brew.Deborah poured herself a cupand found a quiet corner nearthe pet food. She thoughtabout Doug McLeod and howshe’d caught his eye at theriver in the summer, and howustered she was when hesurprised her in Tiny’s shop inthe fall and how she’d feltwhen they sang together atthe Community Hall CoeeHouse, and the unsettlinganticipation that knotted herstomach whenever shethought of singing with him inthe spring musical. She tried toexplain it away as nerves, butit was more than that. She looked at the room fullof people comespontaneously to the generalstore to support one anotheras they mourned andremembered one of their own.She felt Tiny Olsen’s presence. The word communityowered in new meaning andtears gathered in her eyes.To be continued ...The WoodshedChroniclesBOB COLLINSDeborah is touched as the community remembers one of its ownwww.oyfbc.comJennifer Woike, Chair Karen Thiessen . Derek Janzen Suzanne Cuthbert . Al Timms . Chris Brown Nomination Chair: Steve Saccomano 2016 OYF winners Jewel & Brian Pauls, Chilliwack2016 OutstandingBC AND YUKON REGIONYOUNG FARMERS BRIAN & JEWEL PAULSThank youto our many sponsorsfor their continuedsupport for theOutstanding YoungFarmer ProgramCongratulations & best wishes to Brian & Jewel as they represent BCin Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmer national program later this yearBC OYF is pleased to host the national OYF competition in Penticton in 20172015 SPONSORSGOLDFarm Credit CanadaSILVER Clearbrook Grain BC Broiler Hatching Egg Commission Insure wealth MEDIA SPONSOR Country Life in BC INDUSTRY SPONSOR BMOBLACKKNIGHT PHOTOWhen your business is a little off the beaten path, it is essential to keep your name in front ofyour customers. What we like most about advertising in Country Life in BC– aside fromknowing it is read by our customers all over the province – is that we can provide just a bit ofinformation and they take that and come up with a great ad each and every issue. So we canconcentrate on other things – like selling tractors and hay equipment!Mike Van Der WalAdvertising that WORKS!“A greatad eachand everyissue”Mike Van Der WalHelping youGROW YOURBUSINESSCOUNTRYLifein BCAdvertising InquiriesCathy Glover604.328.3814cathyglover@telus.netThe agricultural news sourcein British Columbia since 1915
Last month, our communityChamber of Commercecelebrated its annual HorizonBusiness Awards, an eventthat’s been going on for 20plus years. Since moving herein 2003, I think I’ve attendedeach of these special eveningsand although I’ve alwaysenjoyed them, this year’s galaseemed a bit more specialthan usual. I can’t completelyexplain why but there seemedto be a fresh wave ofenthusiasm in the room. Some of the factors Ibelieve are contributing tothis rising tide of interest inthe business communityinclude an inux of youngpeople with new andinnovative ideas and a strongand growing emphasis onlocal food production. It wasexciting to see a number ofawards handed out to peopleI’ve not seen on the podiumbefore.Of special interest to mewas the number of agbusinesses nominated for anaward. From local farmersraising and selling chickensand eggs to hydroponicallygrown lettuce, it is evidentthis community appreciatesand supports local foodproduction.A bright spot discoveredOn a dierent note but onethat’s directly related toagriculture, I was saddened tohear of the high rate of childpoverty in our neck of thewoods, yet in the midst of itall, I also discovered a brightspot. I sit on a planningcommittee dedicated toaddressing social issues in ourcommunity and I wasparticularly interested in agroup discussion dedicated toaddressing causes andpossible or partial solutions tothat need. Withoutdiminishing the trauma andstruggle of living below thepoverty line (I know whereof Ispeak – I grew up living in thatcategory), I was heartened tohear that one of the reasonsfor our higher than usualrating was that there are somelocal residents who havechosen to have one parentopt out of outsideemployment in order to raisetheir children and to work theland. That decision may haveput them in a decit nancialposition but at the same time,their children are benetingfrom their parental input andenjoying meals prepared fromthe family garden. While noteveryone has the luxury ofsuch a choice, I applaud thosewho avail themselves of theopportunity when it’s a viableoption. Mitchell Bros win!But I digress. As awardswere handed out in variouscategories, new businessesand their owners garneredrecognition for their uniqueskills, innovativenessand superior productquality. It did myheart good to seethe excitement andenthusiasmdemonstrated byand for each winner.Then came the nalpresentation: … ”The winnerof the Business of the Yearaward goes to … drum roll …Mitchell Bros. Merchants.” The place resounded withexcitement. This family-owned grocery store,complete with original woodoors, has been in businesssince 1946. Peter Mitchell,owner, has been it’s managersince 1981. To me thatmoment cemented theimportance and strength ofbusinesses that have carriedon in spite of everyimaginable challenge. Overthe years, they’ve employedlocal residents, supportedcommunity projects andprovided retail and hospitalityoutlets for those of us livingin this geographically-isolatedpart of the West Coast. My thoughts moved on tothose sometimes forgottenbut dedicated individuals whoestablished and served(sometimes, continue toserve) in volunteer and non-prot organizations in our –and in your – town. There will always be theneed for new members andnew ideas (things otherwisevision and mission would getpretty stale) but no matterhow great the need for thoseelements, let’s never lose ourappreciation for those whohave laid foundations,persevered and keptlamplights burningthroughout the years.As one generation offarmer passes the torch to thenext and as consumers re-discover the power of localfood sustainability, everyonebenets. That’s cause for greatcelebration, business awardsor not.Celebrating thepassing of the torchMarch 2016 • Country Life in BC 45A Wannabe FarmerLINDA WEGNERALDERBROVE200-3350 260th Street1-800-337-8399CLOVERDALE17982 Hwy 101-800-363-9993WEST KELOWNA1725 Byland Road1-877-322-2382www.sunrisetrailersales.com3 Locations – Call Toll FreeSundowner Aluminum Stock TrailersGooseneck or Bumper Pull0 DOWN FINANCING OACTrails West HOT SHOT!Gooseneck or Bumper PullALDERGROVEFREESPARE WHEELS& TIRES WITHTHIS ADFROM $9,499 or O DOWN/$225 MO OACFROM $9,499 or O DOWN/$225 MO OAC20’ FROM $23,999 or O DOWN/$324 MO OAC20’ FROM $23,999 or O DOWN/$324 MO OACAquaponic growers honouredby LINDA WEGNERPOWELL RIVER – SunshineCoast Aquaponics, arelatively new start-upspecializing inaquaponically-grown freshgreens, has won one of thePowell River Chamber ofCommerce’s top awards. This year, elevennominees in the agriculturecategory representedoperations ranging from apopular annual publicationthat celebrates localagriculture to family-ownedoperations such as FunkyBeets Farm. Other nomineesincluded several localgarden shops, a feed storeand a number of area-basedgrowers and retailers. At7300 square feet, SunshineCoast Aquaponics is thelargest commercialaquaponics operation in BC.The chamber introducedthe agricultural award to itsHorizon Business Awards in2013 in response to agrowing number of requests.Since then, the number andtype of food productionnominees has steadilyincreased. For the sta at HomeGrown, the endorsementwas appreciated.“It was nice to get anomination recognizingwhat Home Grown does forBusiness partners and brothers-in-law Don Nahorney, left, andJe Keir, of Sunshine Coast Aquaponics, were honoured by thePowell River Chamber of Commerce last month. (Photocourtesy of Powell River Peak)the ag community.Communication is a hugechallenge for growersbecause they’re usually sobusy growing stu, it’sdicult for them to promotewhat they do. Our little nichemagazine helps ll that voidand it tells their stories to thecommunity. Plus, it tellsresidents where they can getlocal food,” says Powell RiverLiving associate publisherSean Percy.Jim Keir, from SunshineCoast Aquaponics, sayswinning the award was“humbling. “It was also appreciatedand honouring in that thetown can see the uniquenessof this growing style,” headds. “It felt really felt goodand validating of ourforesight into growing[hydroponically].”
SUBSCRIBE 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)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!Country Life in BC • March 201646Finally, spring’s bounty of produce is making its way ontoour plates with a variety of greens, maybe the rst few youngpeas and lots of other locally-grown vegetables available toinspire us to put fresh, local, healthy meals on the table.A quick tour of the local farmers’ market is enough to make afood lover swoon after the sameness of winter’s local fare. Nowwe have a range of freshfoods from spinach anda wide variety oflettuces, to baby peasand asparagus and othersprouts.It’s a grand time ofyear to enjoy eating healthy, with all the makings for varioussalads fresh and full of avour and lots of baby vegetablescalling out to be eaten throughout the day.As winter draws to a close, and the spring equinox March 19heralds a new season, the hours of light are much longer thanthey were deep in winter and the temperatures a bit moremoderate, so it seems appropriate to begin lightening up ourfood as well.I must admit I’m getting a little tired of dried, frozen andcanned food – and even stored squashes and apples. I’m readyto have some produce that’s fresh right from the eld.Check the chive patch and see if any have sprouted yet.They’re usually one of the rst herbs to emerge in spring andwith their fresh, delicate onion-y avour, they perk up all sortsof dishes.Along with your green beer March 17, serve a big greendinner salad, whether it’s a huge bowl full of various freshgreens topped with slivers of lean chicken, seafood or steak, ora more-substantial salad such as the one below, served withfresh, local seafood.March this year closes with Easter crammed in there as well,and a great way to use up some of those ham leftovers is thisvery-comforting casserole of ham and spuds stued withcheese and spinach and onions as well. It’s a favourite aroundour house.This is very tasty and can very easily be varied according to what’s available and what yourfamily likes. It’s a meal in one dish so very convenient. It’s a terric way to get another familymeal from the roasted ham you served at Easter. Can be doubled to ll more tummies.1/2 lb. (227 g) ham 1 c. (250 ml) cheese salt and pepper, to taste1 onion 1 tbsp. (15 ml) butter 1/2 c. (125 ml) milk1 large russet potato 1 tbsp. (15 ml) our dash of Worcestershire sauce2 c. (500 ml) spinach Pinch of paprikaPre-heat oven to 350 F.Chop ham into half-inch dice; thinly slice onion, scrubbed potatoes and fresh spinach; andgrate cheddar or other cheese of your choice.Lightly spray a casserole dish with oil and arrange one-third of the potato slices on the bottomof the dish, followed by half the onions, half the spinach and ham and a third of the cheese.Sprinkle half of the bits of the butter over it, then half the our and a little paprika, salt andpepper.Repeat with another third of the potato slices, the remainder of the onions, half the remainingcheese and the rest of the spinach and ham.Finish o the bits of butter and the our and a little more paprika, salt and pepper.Top with the remaining potato slices and top with the rest of the cheese.Combine the milk and Worcestershire sauce and pour over the top.Bake, covered, for about 30 minutes, then remove the lid and cook until the potatoes aretender, about 20 or 25 minutes longer.Serves 2-3.Jude’s KitchenJUDIE STEEVESBring on spring!Potatoes, ham and spinach casserole has something for all tastes. (Judie Steeves photo)Please see “DENʼS” page 43I was worried they’d find somethingMammograms save lives. Make an appointment, not an excuse. Get expert advice and share your stories atgohave1.comHam, Spinach & Spud Casserole
March 2016 • Country Life in BC 47Crisp and fresh, lean and light, this salad is perfect for a lighter meal and it’s very exible. Makeit as a dressed salad over big salad leaves, or a mix of greens or lettuce or wrap it up in a lettuceleaf or a tortilla for a st-food dinner. Pair this with the CedarCreek 2014 Pinot Gris, which isdelicious with seafood.2 green onions 1 tbsp. (15 ml) mayonnaise Sea salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste1 stalk of celery 1 tbsp. (15 ml) cream cheese 1/4 lb. (120 g) crab or shrimp2 tbsp. (30 ml) fresh parsley 1/2 tsp. (2 ml) lemon juice 2 tbsp. (30 ml) fresh raw peasMince green onions, celery and parsley. Combine mayonnaise, cream cheese, lemon juice andparsley until well-mixed in a medium-sized bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.Mix in the green onions, celery and parsley and then gently fold in the crab meat, shrimp orother seafood and most of the peas. Garnish with a few of the fresh, raw green peas or someparsley. Serves 2.DENʼS SEAFOOD SALAD From page 46STRAWBERRY GROWERS NEED TO BE COST CONSCIOUS From page 42troughs, similar to what some growers in theLower Mainland use to prevent their plants fromgetting wet feet. Similarly, the troughs provide amore amenable and forgiving environment forthe roots in greenhouse systems while providinga more ergonomic environment for workers.Kubota recommends two litres of substrate toaccommodate strawberries’ extensive rootsystems.“Root zone environment for strawberries isvery important. They are so sensitive toeverything, but particularly [the] root zoneenvironment,” Kubota saidA pH of 5.5 to 6.5 is ideal, while nitrogen andpotassium requirements are smaller than fortomatoes and other greenhouse crops.Above ground, the daytime air temperatureshould be in the range of 18 to 24 degreesCelsius, while the night-time air temperatureshould be approximately 10 to 13 degreesCelsius.“This is for the owers, the size, and also forthe sugar accumulation,” Kubota said. “If youwant very avourful strawberries, you’ve got tolook at the [night-time] temperature.”Humidity, as in other crops, is critical toensure plant and fruit quality, and avoid burn atthe leaf tips and calyx. Kubota devised an under-the-trough system that maintains an ambientenvironment around the plants.“It seems to work really well, except the timewe are heating a lot,” she said. “So now we aretrying to develop a strategy that even works thenights we have to heat from the beginning ofthe night.”Production costsSince strawberries in North America don’tcommand the prices seen in Asia, growers needto be cost-conscious when managing their crop.Kubota said production costs in her testgreenhouse are approximately US$3.81 perplant, with one plant per square foot. The break-even price given an average yield of ninekilograms per square metre (1.84 pounds persquare foot) is about US$2.59 a pound.“You need to sell much higher than this,obviously,” she told growers. “If you have tocompete with California, you need to create avery niche market – local, niche, avour-driven,quality-driven market.”Additional information on greenhousestrawberry production is available at[www.cals.arizona.edu/strawberry].NAME ____________________________________________OLD ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________________PHONE ____________________________________________NEW ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________PHONE ____________________________________________COUNTRYLifein BCCanada Post will not deliver yourCountry Life in BC if they changeyour postal code, your street nameand/or address. If your addresschanges, please fill out the formbelow and mail or fax it to us, oruse email.Thank you!1120 East 13th AveVancouver, B.C. V5T 2M1Email: countrylifeinbc@shaw.caPhone 604/871-0001 • Fax: 604/871-0003Mar 16CHANGEOFADDRESS?Lola!NEW POLYETHYLENETANKSof all shapes & sizes for septic and waterstorage. Ideal for irrigation, hydroponics,washdown, lazy wells, rain water, truckbox, fertizilizer mixing & spraying.Call 1-800-661-4473for closest distributor.Web: [www.premierplastics.com]Manufactured in Delta byPremier Plastics Inc.CLASSIFIEDDEADLINE FOR APRIL 2016 ISSUE: MARCH 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 EQUIPMENTCASH 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 BatteriesFOR SALECORN SILAGE FOR SALEDELIVERY AVAILABLEFOB CURTIS FARM, ARMSTRONG PRICE DEPENDS ON VOLUMEPHONE TED 250/260-0009OR PHONE TXT DAVID250/308-8121EZEE-ONFRONT END LOADERS#125 Hi-Lift, c/w 8’ bucket, $4,000#90 c/w Q/A 7’ bucket& Q/A bale spike, $3,500Both are in excellent condition.Call 250/567-2607(Vanderhoof)HAY FOR SALE, ALFALFA AND ALFALFAgrass mix. Big and midsize squares. Call250/567-3287.LIVESTOCKLOOKING FOR A JOB?NEED EMPLOYEES?www.agri-labourpool.com604-823-6222SINCE 1974EMPLOYMENTREGISTERED BLACK ANGUS HEIFERS -show stock. In September we bought twohigh-end calves from Remitall Farms, AB,for $4,000 ea. to start an elite herd.Unfortunatley, we now must sell them.Sired by “Prospector” and “Cudlobe 5S.”From very special dams. we farm inSaanich. Please make an offer. Phone250/652-4148.FURTHER REDUCTION IN FLOCK SIZE after36 years of specializing in PB Dorsets, andwhite and coloured Romneys. All maturesare registered, but can sell without papers:lambs as requested. Genetically selected fordesirable qualities - production, correctconformation, and detailed attention tohealth. Discount on 3 or more head. Forlarger numbers may be able to help arrangetransport. Call 604/462-9465.EQUIPMENT DISPERSAL:OVERUM HD 3 BOTTOM PLOW, springtrip bottoms skimmers coulters $3,000;IRRIGATION PACKAGE w/Perkins 4 cyldiesel with pump on trailer, pipe wagonwith 11 5” pipes, & 24 4” pipes, complete$5,000.CARRARO 110/400 IRRIGATION REEL,w/Nelson 150 gun, 9 HP Honda, goodcondition, $12,500.TWO BADGER 16’ TANDEM AXLE silagewagons, w/roofs, shop stored, excellentcondition, $6,500 ea.16’ DUTCH CAST CHAIN HARROW, good,$950.Call Tony 604/850-4718.Toll Free 1-888-357-0011www.ultra-kelp.comULTRA-KELPTMCelebrating 30 YearsServing Western Canadian Agriculture100% NaturalAnimal Feed Supplement& FertilizerFlack’s BakerviewKelp Products IncPritchard, BCHeavy 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 SALEThese feeders maintain their value!DeBOER’S USEDTRACTORS & EQUIPMENTGRINDROD, BCJD 6400 MFWD w/ldr 29,500JD 6400 mfwd cab sl ldr 49,000JD 6410 mfwd cab sl ldr 54,000JD 4240 cab 3pt hitch 18,500JD 1120 dsl ldr rb canopy SOLDJD 220 disk 19 ft W center fold 14,500JD 220 disk 20 ft W center foldnew blades 16,500JD 2130 diesel, 66 HP 10,500Kvernland 4X16 plow 3 pt 3,250JD 1830 diesel, with loader 10,500JD 7400 MFWD c/w cab, 3 pt, ldrwith grapple, new frt & rear tires 64,000Ed DeBoer • 250/838-7362cell 250/833-6699Curt DeBoer • 250/838-9612cell 250/804-6147
Country Life in BC • March 201648The New M7 offers superior hydraulics and sophisticated control to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Kubota’s V6108 engine delivers 168, 148, or 128 HP (3 models).THE KUBOTA M7COMING SOON Power is the key to superior tractor performance, and the M7 has plenty of power. But when a particularly tough job demands even more power, the M7 activates its Power Boost, and the engine instantly delivers more power to let you finish what you started.CLEAN, DEPENDABLE, FUEL-EFFICIENT POWER— AND PLENTY OF IT.Your BC Kubota Dealers ...ABBOTSFORD AVENUE MACHINERY CORP 604/864-2665 COURTENAY NORTH ISLAND TRACTOR 250/334-0801 CRESTON KEMLEE EQUIPMENT LTD 250/428-2254DAWSON CREEK DOUGLAS LAKE EQUIPMENT 250/782-5281DUNCAN ISLAND TRACTOR & SUPPLY LTD 250/746-1755 KAMLOOPS DOUGLAS LAKE EQUIPMENT 250/851-2044KELOWNA AVENUE MACHINERY CORP 250/769-8700 OLIVER GERARD’S EQUIPMENT LTD 250/498-2524PRINCE GEORGE HUBER EQUIPMENT 250/560-5431 QUESNEL DOUGLAS LAKE EQUIPMENT 250/991-0406 VERNON AVENUE MACHINERY CORP 250/545-3355