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This fall’s debate in Parliament over theTrans-Pacic Partnership (TPP) is the rightthing to do, but federal agriculture ministerLawrence MacAulay is keen on the benets heexpects the deal to deliver.“We have committed to an open debate inthe House of Commons and then a vote; that’sjust fair,” MacAulay told the Greater VancouverBoard of Trade during a presentation inSeptember.However, he told the crowd of businesspeople that he expects great benets to owfrom Canada’s pending free trade agreementswith countries on both the Pacic Rim throughthe TPP as well as across the Atlantic in Europe,where Canada has negotiated theComprehensive Economic and TradeAgreement (CETA).“It’s a great opportunity, and I expect thatthings will progress quite well in that area,”MacAulay said regarding CETA.Negotiations on the TPP completed daysbefore last October’s election and devised aformula by which dairy and poultry farmerscede market share to imports. The agreementfuelled high emotions in some segments of theagricultural community, but MacAulay has asense that producers largely support thearrangement.“I’ve heard farmers and business peopleright across the country – I’ve heard very littleopposition to TPP, I can tell you,” he said.“We’re not sure just how it will all play out. …[but] it provides a great opportunity for theagricultural sector, and a lot of other sectors,too.”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. 10Passages New publisher/editor for County Life in BC 5Water Linda Allison publishes guide for groundwater licences 9Dairy Industry leaders rebuff mainstream media story 15Lifein BCThe agricultural news source inBritish Columbia since 1915October 2016 • Vol. 102 No. 10Feds champion overseas trade dealsYCOUNTRYStories by PETER MITHAMVANCOUVER – Lower Mainland farmland could besacriced to ensure agri-food exports can move to marketquickly and eciently, federal agriculture ministerLawrence MacAulay told Country Life in BC.“We do not want to lose agricultural land but it’s nogood producing products that you can’t move, either,”MacAulay said, answering a question from Country Life inBC following a presentation to Greater Vancouver Board ofTrade members on September 12. “So it’s one way or theother – the port in Vancouver has to be ecient to movethe products to market. The Asian market is a big market,only going to get larger, and we want to be there.”MacAulay was in Vancouver as part of a tour of WesternCanada that stretched from Saskatchewan grainelds to acraft brewery on Vancouver Island.Opportunities to boost agri-food exports guredprominently in his West Coast itinerary, with an address tothe Greater Vancouver Board of Trade and anendorsement of the new catalogue of export-ready agri-food products BC has published with funding fromSenior level of gov’t has the rightto exclude BC farms from land reserve1-888-770-7333Quality Seeds ... where quality counts!COVER CROPSAVAILABLE!Growing more with less waterwww.watertecna.comWIN A TRIP TO VEGAS!WIN A TRIP TO VEGAS!Contact Your WaterTec Sales Rep To Enter Today!1.888.675.7999Port developmenttrumps BC agriculture:federal minister MacAulayPlease see “TRUMP” page 2Hoggingthe limelightMonica Romeyn ofFraser Valley Beefand Swine sold her2016 grandchampion markethog project toGeorey andCatherine Kieft atthe annual PNE 4-Haction for $5.25 apound, well abovethe $4.10 average.Do the math and at275 lbs, that’s a$1443.75 return oninvestment! Aninstitution in BCagriculture since1910, this year’s fairhosted some 450 4-Hmembers fromacross BC and the4-H action grosseda whopping$299,652.52.(Photo courtesy ofthe PNE)
Growing Forward 2.But the thrust of his remarks focused onVancouver’s port facilities and the launch padthose provide for Asia-bound products.“We have to make sure that they can handlethe products as fast as they possibly can and aseciently as they possibly can,” he said. MacAulay’s comments won’t sit well withmunicipalities such as Richmond or localfarmland advocates who have challenged thePort of Vancouver’s plans to tap local farmlandfor port-related uses.Yet the port, as a federal entity, holds thetrump card: while it has pledged to leexclusion applications to remove protectedfarmland from the province’s Agricultural LandReserve, it’s under no obligation to do so as anarm of the senior level of government.“I don’t think we would be bound [by theAgricultural Land Commission],” RobinSilvester, president and CEO of the portauthority, said earlier this year. “We havesupremacy.”Site Economics Ltd. prepared a report forthe port authority in October 2015 thatestimates port activities will requireapproximately 2,700 acres by 2030. Thedemand could cost Delta alone 1,500 acres ofproductive farmland, according to the DeltaFarmers’ Institute.Agriculture is “almost meaningless”Silvester believes local agriculture is “almostmeaningless” when it comes to local foodsecurity but that stance is at odds withMacAulay’s message to the Greater VancouverBoard of Trade.Responding to a question from the audienceregarding organic production, MacAulay saidhis job is to ensure farmers in Canada arecapturing local markets before venturing intoexports.“There are products that we aren’tproducing enough of, and I want to help youproduce those products so that you receive thebenet,” he told his audience, which includedvery few farmers. “My responsibility is to helpyou, and I want to do it.”TRUMP CARD From page 1Country Life in BC • October 20162New catalogue highlights export-ready productsby PETER MITHAMVANCOUVER – With theprovince’s agri-food exportssurging, BC agricultureminister Norm Letnickunveiled a glossy newcatalogue of export-readyagri-food products on theVancouver waterfront onSeptember 12.Accompanied by federalagriculture ministerLawrence MacAulay, Letnicksaid the publication aims tofamiliarize overseas buyerswith the range of BCproducts available to them.The genesis of the project,which Letnick described as a“labour of love,” was hisinability during a trademission in 2014 to namemore than a couple ofproducts buyers in Chinacould order then and therefor local markets.China No. 2China (including HongKong) is the second-biggestimporter of BC agri-foodproducts after the US,importing $406 millionworth of products in 2015.Letnick said the cataloguewill help expand theprovince’s exports to Chinaas well as countries aroundthe Pacific Rim, includingSouth Korea, India andelsewhere.BC exported $3.5 billionworth of agriculturalproducts to 150 countries in2015, a 23% increase over2014.The growth of agri-foodexports has been a brightspot in BC’s internationaltrade portfolio, outpacingtraditionally strong sectorssuch as forestry and mining.Over 600 productsOf the more than 600products Letnick said areavailable for export, the topfive are farmed salmon ($411million), food for processing($294 million), blueberries($218 million), baked goods($159 million) andmushrooms ($131 million).The other $2.3 billionworth of exports includes arange of processedproducts, which representthe majority of offerings inthe catalogue.Just 16 of the nearly 100companies featured in thecatalogue are primaryproducers of meat, fruit andvegetables. Letnick couldn’tpin a value to thecontribution export marketsmake to farm gate receipts,which approached $3.1billion last year.However, Letnick saidgrowing agri-food sales athome and abroad areputting more money intofarmers’ pockets.The province’s agriculturesector enjoyed a net cashincome last year of $440million and even incomeafter depreciation, waspositive at $65.3 millionafter nine years of red ink.BC Minister ofAgriculture NormLetnick, far left,and federalMinister ofAgriculture andAgri-FoodLawrenceMacAulay usedthe Vancouverwaterfrontbackdrop atCanada Place tolaunch theprovincialministry’s newcatalogue ofexport-readyagri-food productslast month.(Photo courtesy ofBCMA)BC agri-food export growthhas outpaced forestry and miningmeridianeq.comMERIDIAN EQUIPMENT CO., INC.5946 Guide Meridian, BELLINGHAM, WAPH. 360.398.2141 • email: meridianeq@msn.comTRACTORS • TRUCKS • IMPLEMENTSFARM EQUIPMENTAUCTIONSATURDAY, OCTOBER 15Fall ConsignmentFall Consignmentwww.tractorparts4sale.caABBOTSFORD, BCBus. 604/807-2391Fax. 604/854-6708 email: sales@tractorparts4sale.caWe accept Interact, Visa and Mastercard NH 1432 CENTRE PIVOT, 13 FT, CUT FLAIL COND. 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October 2016 • Country Life in BC 3US herd expansion delivers skidding cattle marketsby DAVID SCHMIDTVERNON – Cattle priceshave seen “quite thecorrection” in 2016, GatewayLivestock cattle market analystAnne Wasko told the BCAssociation of Cattle Feeders(BCACF) annual meeting inVernon, September 9, warningthe small group of feedlotoperators her presentation “isnot going to be good news.”She noted the Alberta pricefor fed cattle was just $134.00per cwt during the last week ofAugust, a 25% drop from theyear previous. And the newswent downhill from there. Theprice of feeder steers hasdropped 35%, 600-poundsteers dropped 40% and cowsdropped 30% from a yearearlier. Wholesale prices arealso dropping, but not asmuch as cattle prices, with thewholesale price of AAAcutouts down 18% from a yearearlier. Retail prices, however,have yet to reect the lowerproducer and wholesaleprices. As a result, packer andretailer margins are increasingwhile those for producers aredecreasing.Wasko says expansion inthe US is solely to blame.“The US cow inventory is upby two million cows this year,”she said. “So much has comeon so much quicker thananyone expected.” Given that the entireCanadian beef herd numbersless than four million cows,that’s a huge increase for themarket to swallow. Althoughthe overall Canadian cowinventory hasn’t changedmuch in the past year, BC isbucking the trend. BC’sinventory is up 4% this yearand now numbers over200,000 cows, the largest totalsince 2010.Despite that, Canadianproduction continues toincrease, due largely to ever-increasing carcass weights.Production is up 9% from bothfed and non-fed cattle.“We are running at recordcarcass weights after last year’srecord carcass weights,” Waskosaid. “More animals and largeranimals equals more product.”That is putting a strain onprocessor capacity.Exacerbating that is a lack ofworkers, particularly in thisprovince. BC AbattoirsAssociation (BCAA) executivedirector Nova Woodbury saysBC’s 65 provincially-licencedabattoirs are short about 250workers. The BCAA is starting a10-week no-cost trainingprogram for new workers inKamloops in October, but itwill not make much of a dentas it will only train 10 peopleper session.“We will have a secondprogram in March and hope toroll it out across the provincein the future,” Woodbury said.Feedlots also have a workershortage, BCACF presidentAugust Bremer said, notingthe Seasonal AgriculturalWorkers Program “doesn’twork for us since we feed year-round.”Wasko does not expect aturnaround anytime soon.Just the opposite. Sheexpects US beef productionto increase 5% this year,another 4% next year and hitan all-time high in 2018. Withmore domestic beef availablein the US, there has been lessdemand for Canadian cattle,resulting in a 40% decreasein exports of Canadian feedercattle to the US. All this leads her to predicteven lower prices next year.“The present market suggestsa 35% decrease in feedercattle prices.”One factor driving the USproduction increase is the biggrain crops.“The US is projecting arecord 15 billion bushel corncrop this year,” Waskoreported, saying low US grainprices mean Western Canadano longer has the cheapestfeed cost to gain ratio.A glut in production makesthe Veried Beef Programmore important than ever,says BC VBP programco-ordinator Annette Moore.VBP began as an on-farm foodsafety program in 2005 andhas just been expanded intothe VBP+ program to includenew animal care, health ofanimals (biosecurity) andenvironmental stewardshipcomponents to meetconsumer and buyer concernsin those areas.“Restaurants are makingclaims and want theassurances we are living up tothose claims,” Moore says.She accuses producers ofhaving a case of “head-in-the-sand-itis. The CanadianCattlemen Association says wehave it but we don’t haveenough people on it.”That isbecause,unlikesimilarprogramsin thesupply-managedsector, theprogramremainsvoluntary.Even though 1,000 BCpeople, representing about750 operations, have beentrained in the VBP program,only 123 BC operations haveactually joined. Only 77 arecurrently active and another16 are waiting for audits,Moore reported.Although it costs $100,000per year to run the program inBC, the training is providedfree of charge and the cost tojoin the program is still only$100 per year. However, thatcould change as governmentfunding is set to end in twoyears.“We have had 13 years offunding,” Moore notes.The lack of participation iscausing some buyers toconsider implementing theirown programs, which couldcome at a greater cost andforce greater requirements onproducers. Fortunately, Mooresays, major buyers are workingwith the Canadian Roundtablefor Sustainable Beef todevelop an “enablingframework to verify the goodyou’re already doing.” Shenotes McDonald’s has beensponsoring a veriedsustainable beef pilot projectfor the past three years. Basedon the VBP+ requirements, theproject has already conducted183 on-site verications inWestern Canada. Moore stresses VBP+ is “notabout premiums,” rather it’sabout providing assurance tothe public. She urgesproducers to learn about theprogram, take the training, dothe record-keeping (includingimplementing any requiredpractices they are not alreadydoing), then register for andmaintain the program.“If you want the program togo across Canada, you have tojoin it.”Anne WaskoAnnette Moore“We are running at record carcass weightsafter last yearʼs record carcass weights. Moreanimals and larger animals equal more product.”Gateway Livestock cattle market analyst Anne Wasko604.556.7477DUNCAN5410 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%•Livestock Feed•Fertilizer• Grass Seed• Pet Food & Accessories• Fencing• Farm Hardware• Chemicals. . . . and a whole lot moreDoes your water well needa License?The new BC Water Sustainability Act (WSA)came into effect in BC in 2016. All groundwaterwells used for any purpose other than singlefamily use require a license under the WSA.Avoid the application fee by licensing beforeMarch 1 2017.If you have questions we can help.250-585-0802 (Direct)1-844-585-0802 (Toll Free)wsa@waterlineresources.comVancouver, Nanaimo, Victoria, Calgarywww.waterlineresources.comGrowth south of the border has resulted in a 40% decrease in exports of Canadian feeder cattle to the United States
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 “Mr Hanky” 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. 10October 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 GSTCountry Life in BC • October 20164Most farmers know you need landto produce food you can export.But during his recent visit toVancouver, federal agriculture ministerLawrence MacAulay seemed so keenon overseas trade opportunities thatthe fact fell o his radar.Questioned by Country Life in BCduring a media scrum after addressingthe Greater Vancouver Board of Tradelast month, he made clear thatCanada’s farmers need access toforeign markets for their products.While declaring his tour ofVancouver port facilities “someinteresting,” the PEI Member ofParliament didn’t appear to have beenbriefed on the port’s designs onhundreds of acres of local farmland. Hewasn’t aware of how much agriculturalland might be at risk even as the porthas estimated its requirements overthe next decade at 2,700 acres. “We donot want to lose agricultural land, butit’s no good producing products thatyou can’t move, either. So it’s one wayor the other,” he said.While he told board of trademembers he was all for Canada’s foodsecurity, the idea that the potatoes,berries and greenhouse vegetablesgrown in BC might nd a home in localmarkets wasn’t part of the day’smessage.Combined with Ottawa’sendorsement of the Site C powerproject, which will create an 83-kilometre-long reservoir and submergethousands of acres of farmland, and itssupport of the Trans-PacicPartnership, developing internationalmarkets is fundamental to the sunnyways Prime Minister Trudeau promises– clouding its ostensible support forlocal growers.One of the hurdles the Liberalsfaced while campaigning a year agowas the widespread perception of theparty being the voice of an urban elitethat shops at farmers markets butwould most likely squeal like a pig if itstepped in some stray nutrients (to usethe polite term from EnvironmentalFarm Plans).Trudeau Jr has regained for Canadaa large measure of the internationalgoodwill lost during the Harper years.But the impromptu photos thatbring new meaning to his father’s quip,“just watch me,” seldom take place infarmyards. Producers hoping to catchhim in BC would need to look nofurther than up the Grouse Grind,surng in Tono or performing a two-step for the crowds in a parade.The challenges of getting PrairieJust watch himThe dangers of being distracted in a connnected worldgrain to port have been acute in recentyears, but the cost of getting wheat towater shouldn’t be the loss of BCfarms.BC farmers face enough challengeswithout the federal agriculture ministertelling them they’ve got to suck up yetanother development for their owngood. That runs counter to his pledgeto support local opportunities for localfarmers, and jeopardizes the $3.5billion worth of BC agri-food exportsMacAualy says he wants to increase.A year into his term, Trudeau hasn’tfaced the challenges that made hisfather one of the country’s mostcolourful prime ministers. The photoops haven’t included a pirouette or theso-called Salmon Arm salute to joblessprotestors, or anything that could bemistaken for “fuddle duddle.”With ministers like MacAulay tellingBC farmers that overseas marketscome rst, he doesn’t have to.On June 1, the Motor Vehicle Act was amended toincrease the penalties for the use of a hand heldelectronic device while operating a motor vehicle.The ne for a distracted driving violation ticket isnow $368, four driver’s license penalty points and a$175 ICBC Driver’s Penalty Point Premium. That’s atotal of $543 for a rst infraction. A second infractionwithin a year will add up to another $886. These are hefty nes but the really scary numbersare out there on the roads and highways: 20% of BCdrivers admit to using hand held electronic deviceswhile driving; the visual awareness of a driver usinga cell phone decreases by 50%, and 27% of all BC carcrash fatalities involve distracted driving.Summer of 1967Distracted driving isn’t new and it is not theexclusive domain of drivers on cell phones. It usedto be referred to as undue care and attention. Iremember seeing a classic example of it on WestFourth Avenue in Vancouver in the summer of 1967when a young man gazing sidelong at an especiallyattractive pedestrian drove his Impala into the rearend of a Mercury waiting to make a left turn.Fortunately, it all unfolded in slow motion and therewere no serious injuries. There will always be a certain number ofdaydreamers behind the wheel, absorbed in theirthoughts and not paying proper attention to whatthey are doing, but it is hard to imagine that theirnumbers would come anywhere close to the 20% ofdrivers who admit to using electronic devices whilethey are driving. Some even profess to be good at it.Kind of like the intoxicated driver who believes thatthe alcohol in their system actually makes themmore competent.Of added concern is the total number of alldrivers who have some sort of active device withthem and are literally accidents waiting to happen.Cell phones and tablets are now ubiquitous. It isnearly impossible to be in any public space withoutbeing surrounded by people absorbed with a handheld something-or-other. Even if they’re not activelyusing, few seem able to resist the beep or chimethat might announce another tweet from amillionaire sports celebrity or someone who likedtheir Facebook photo of yesterday’s lunch. To be fair, it’s not all so mundane. There areendless examples of the business and professionalbenets of the wireless world, but you have towonder at what point all of that connectednesscrosses the line from practical to pointless. In thecase of distracted drivers, it goes beyond pointlessto outright dangerous. The list is endlessWireless distraction isn’t a phenomenon restrictedto time spent behind the wheel of an automobile. Itis a condition that can aect any human activity.Distracted pedestrians, distracted parents, distractedstudents, distracted employees – the list is endless.Increasingly, people are leading distracted lives.Today’s children have been born into a wirelessworld and few of them will escape a distractedchildhood. As memorable as the distracted driver Isaw in Vancouver in 1967 are the six and seven yearolds I witnessed this summer taking seles ofthemselves on a playground slide. It seemed muchtoo serious to count as play in the traditional senseof the word. There were no delighted squeals andthe rush to climb back up and go again wasreplaced by silent examination of the content justcreated: the unbridled exuberance of playing on theslide replaced by the distraction of an image ofthemselves taking a picture of themselves sitting onthe slide. Shared onto the internet, those imagesbecome a distraction for others. As our world becomes increasingly wireless andconnected, the same peril faces us all: the moreconnected, the more distracted. Eventually youcross the line from being distracted to being Adistraction. For the kid’s sakes, we really should beaiming higher.The Back 40BOB COLLINS
Time and tideOctober 2016 • Country Life in BC 5observations on rural life, Bobhas entertained readers foryears with his WoodshedChronicles. At the same time,his monthly page four Back 40column has raised the level ofdiscourse with his valuableinsights on farming.The current nucleus ofwriters consisting of RondaPayne, Tom Walker, TamaraLeigh and Peter Mitham needto be recognized.Special mention must alsobe made here for PeterMitham. He began writing forthis paper over a decade agoand with his quiet reliability,has provided us with solidreporting and understandingof agriculture issues.And not to forget Lisa Beallewho toiled behind thescences, making sure all thesubscription info was kept upto date Thank you.Now for the important newsand a big thank you: CathyGlover will be taking over thereins eective with theNovember edition. She hascontributed to Country Life inBC for over 20 years, workingin sales, marketing andeditorial. Her network ofrelationships within theagricultural sector in thisprovince has allowed us tothrive and shine. Her expertiseand determination will bringrenewed energy. More thanever, BC agriculture needs anindependent and trustworthynews publication. There is noquestion that Cathy will carryon Country Life in BC’s proudtradition. I leave this paper incapable, skilled and trustyhands.Which brings me to DavidSchmidt. After more than 30years with the paper, his namehas become synonymous withthe Country Life in BC brand. Ihave jested with him for yearsthat he has forgotten moreabout agriculture than I couldever know. But it is no joke.Considered the dean of BCfarm writers, his shrewd issueanalysis and ability to get tothe core of the story is secondto none. For decades hisreporting has assured thevalidity of this publication.Last, but certainly not least,I thank my wife, Linda, withoutwhom none of this could havebeen possible. Her thoughtfulsuggestions, creativity anduninching support havemade this journey ascompelling as the desintation.-30-From the days when I rstcut my teeth in the publishingbusiness while working on myhigh school newspaper backin the 1960s, we were told byour sta supervisor to put thenotation “-30-” at the end of astory. Nobody really cared verymuch as to the why andwherefore; we were all tooyoung and excited to beworking on a newspaper togive a hoot.Jump to the present, andone day while proofreading afew months ago, the -30-seemed to jump o the pageat me, so I nally decided todetermine the origin of thatnotation that had been part ofmy life for almost a halfcentury. About time.According to Webster’sNew World Dictionary ofMedia and Communications,“the symbol may have comefrom the use by telegraphersof three X’s, also the Romannumeral for 30, to signify theend of a dispatch. The rstpress dispatches fromAmerican Civil War battleeldsended with -30-, by then thestandard signo. The symbolalso may have stood for theamount of time during whichreporters were allowed to usethe military-controlledtelegraph lines during the CivilWar. The “30” at the end of thedispatch told telegraphers atthe receiving end that thedispatch was completed andthat time was up.”Indeed, now my time atCountry Life in BC is up, too.Time and tide have takentheir toll, and the time is rightfor me (and for Country Life InBC) to make a graceful exitfrom this 102 year-oldpublication.However, it’s not easyto walk away fromsomething that youreally love.When I rst answeredan ad and was hired onat this paper in 1996, itwas, bluntly, a job – nothingmore. But then, after monthsand years of immersion in thebusiness of farm media, themore I read, the moreinteresting it became. Afterliving in the city my whole life,who knew such a vast farmpress existed – a new world ofagricultural information,politics, innovation and history?Naturally, when theopportunity arose in early2000 to take over the helm ofthe paper from ailingpublisher Malcolm Young, itwas a no-brainer – damn thetorpedoes, full speed ahead!At that juncture in time,(without trying to be overlydramatic), this paper was onthe precipice, in danger ofdying an ignoble death. Ibelieved this newspaper didn’twarrant going out with awhimper – that thispublication deserved to berevitalized and become evenmore relevant to the farmingcommunity. Readership faithhad been rattled andadvertisers were quietlyseeking greener pastures. So, by rolling up my sleeves(and rolling out thechequebook), I embarked on avery remarkable adventure.The survival of the paperwas rather dicey at rst, but itweathered the storm, thanksin large part to thecontributions of DavidSchmidt and Cathy Glover.The bottom line is that thereader must have a strongreason to be drawn to anewspaper. Therefore,credibility is crucial. In turn,this condence convincesadvertisers to speak to theircustomers through the paper;a self-perpetuating cycle. Therefore, I thank you, theloyal readers and the hundredsof advertisers, who allowedCountry Life in BC into theirhomes to inform, raisechallenging questions, provideinsights and at times, entertain.To achieve this, there havebeen many talented peoplewho have graced these pages,far too many to be mentionedin this space.However, I would like toexpress my thanks to ourcurrent core crop of writers,contributors and columnists. Iwill start with the latter: LauraRance, Liz Twan, LindaWegner, Jo Sleigh, JudieSteeves, Margaret Evans andBob Collins.Special mention must bemade for Bob. He came to thepublication around 20 yearsago and is still going strong.With his sly, Mark Twain-likeThe Final WordPETER WILDING156 acre dairy farm. 100'x170' drive-thru freestall barn with 120 stalls. 2x4 herringbonemilk parlor. Several good outbuildings incl calf/heifer housing, newer twin bay44'x120'x10'H covered concrete bunker silo plus hay storage. Approx 150 acres cultivated; most irrigated. Very picturesque farm w/older home & mobile. Minutes fromArmstrong. Adjoining 160 acre farm for sale as well. MLS® 10100266, $2,900,000www.oklandbuyers.comwww.OkLandBuyers.caDowntown 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”1095 DEEP CREEK ROAD, ENDERBY1095 DEEP CREEK ROAD, ENDERBYTractor safety trainingfor all farmers in BC, at no cost!www.AgSafeBC.caAgSafeFORMERLY FARSHABook today!Call: 1.877.533.1789 Contact@AgSafeBC.caTRAINING CO-SPONSORED BYCOUNTRYThe agricultural news source inBritish Columbia since 1915LifeYin BCWhen Peter Wilding bought Country Life in BC in 2000, it was struggling. But with Peter’s leadership, an institution in BC agriculture has flourished. While it’s hard to imagine the paper without Peter’s touch, I am honoured and genuinely excited to be Country Life in BC’s new publisher. Together with our core group of writers, we pledge to continue keeping you informed on what (and who) is making news in BC agriculture and we’re looking forward to growing our reach beyond print to ensure Country Life in BC remains the leading source of agricultural news in British Columbia for years to come. Congratulations, Peter (and the Mrs.), on your retirement. You’ve left pretty big boots to fill!Cathy GloverCountry Life in BCpublisher@countrylifeinbc.comSWEET IRON PHOTOGRAPHYNew beginningsNew beginnings
Country Life in BC • October 20166by DAVID SCHMIDTDELTA – The BC potatovariety trial keeps gettingmore popular every year. Over170 people registered for thisyear’s eld day, held atReynalda Farms in Delta,August 24.In addition to dozens oflocal growers, packers,wholesalers and retailers, thisyear’s eld day attractedvisitors from Europe, PrinceEdward Island, New Brunswick,Saskatchewan, Alberta andWashington. Visitors got tocompare over 100 potatovarieties, including named andnumbered varieties sourcedfrom Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s potatobreeding program and seedsuppliers across Canada.There is good reason for theinterest, says BC Potato &Vegetable Growers Associationpresident Bill Zylmans.“This is the only trial wherepotatoes are grown undercommercial conditions,” hepoints out.Each year, one local groweroers up a small section of hispotato acreage for the trial.Trial co-ordinator HeatherMeberg of ES Cropconsultplants the trial varieties in theeld, then asks the grower totreat them exactly the same asthe rest of the eld. In thisyear’s case, that meantplanting them in a eld whichhad chicken manure appliedthe previous fall andcommercial fertilizer added inthe spring. No irrigation wasused during the growingAnnual potato variety trialtakes on international flavour“Ideal year” has Delta farmers expecting near-record levelsseason.By the eld day, the plantshad been growing for 104days. For the eld day, 10plants of each variety weredug up and the resultingpotatoes piled in the eld,giving visitors a chance tocompare yields, shape andother characteristics.Replicated trialsAbout 40 varieties weregrown as demonstrations, butthe rest were grown inreplicated trials allowingMeberg to generate resultsdata, and give the potatoes tolocal teaching kitchens forstudents to assess eachvariety’s taste and cooking orbaking characteristics.Hugh Reynolds of ReynaldaFarms says shape and colourare the most importantattributes, noting people inthe store choose potatoes“because of what they looklike. They want a brown russet,a red potato that’s red and notpink and a yellow potato thathas a truly yellow esh.Hugh Reynoldsof ReynaldaFarmsdiscussespotatogenetics withvisitors to theBC potatovariety trialseld day at hisfarm in Delta,August 24.(DavidSchmidtphotos)Please see “IMOLA” page 7The annual BC potato variety trials eld day at Reynalda Farms inDelta was a popular event, attracting growers and other industryreps from across Canada and the northwestern US.Quality Pre-Owned Tractors & EquipmentBOBCAT BACKHOE, SKID ST MNT CALLBOBCAT S130 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,500BOBCAT S570 LOW HOURS . . . COMINGCLAAS 660 HYDRO RAKE . . . . . . . . . 6,500FELLA RAKE SINGLE ROTOR . . . . . . 3,500FORD 4610 4WD, LDR . . . . . . . . . . . . CALLGASPARDO PLANTER 4 ROW . . . 35,000JCB 409 WHEEL LOADER . . . . . . . 45,000JD 7810 CAB, LDR, 4WD . . . . . . . . 90,000KUBOTA L3010 W/LDR, LOW HRS 17,500KVERNELAND 4032 MOWER . . . . . 16,000KVERNELAND 3 BOTTOM PLOWS . CALLKVERNELAND 12’ FR.MT MOWER . CALLMASCHIO 4000 PWR HARROW . . .14,000MASSEY 4608 4X4 W/LDR . . . . . . . 47,500MILL CREEK 57 SPREADER . . . . . . . CALLNEW HOLLAND TM150 . . . . . . . . . 47,000SUNFLOWER 7232 23 FT HARROW 17,500TYCROP DUMPBOX . . . . . . . . . . . . . CALLVan Der Wal Equipment (1989) Ltd.23390 RIVER ROAD, MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2W 1B6604/463-3681 | vanderwaleq.comWe service all makes!Perfect working climate.Ideal for tight spaces.• Hydrostatic four-wheel drive and articulated steering• The tilting driver's cab provides optimum service access• Strong lifting and biting forces• Wide range of attachmentsWL52 WHEEL LOADERIdeal for frequent materialhandling and manyloading cycles.EZ28 COMPACT EXCAVATO R• Zero tail swing for working in tight and confined spaces.• Easy access & operator comfort in one of the largest operator stations in this class.• Superior traction in wet conditions • Excellent all around visibility providesa clear view to the attachments andthe entire working area.• Universal skid steer attachmentmounting plate WL36 WHEEL LOADEREND OF SEASONBLOWOUTPower to burn.
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 7o% FINANCING O.A.C.SALE EVENTSTARTS SEPT 1 ENDSOCT 31CALL TOTEST DRIVEME TODAY!AVENUEMACHINERY.CAABBOTSFORD1521 Sumas Way1-888-283-3276KELOWNA 1090 Stevens Rd. 1-800-680-0233VERNON7155 Meadowlark Rd.1-800-551-6411ROCK CREEK3335 Highway 31-250-446-2311WATCH FOR OUR FALL FLYER“For some yellow varieties,the best you can say is thatthey are ‘not white’,” he states.Reynolds has been growingpotatoes for close to half acentury and has changed hisvarieties over the years inresponse to changingconsumer preferences andimproved varieties.“I used to grow Norchipwhite potatoes but had tochange after Weston wantedlong white instead of roundwhite potatoes,” he says byway of example.Although Reynaldacurrently grows about 60 acresof Alta Cross white, Chieftainred and Satina yellowpotatoes, that will change asthe farm plans to switch itsyellow variety to Imola.Reynolds believes Imola, oneof the newer varieties in thetrial, oers a more consistentshape, colour and yield andcould command a better pricein the market. He is alsoconsidering Teton as a newrusset variety.Rotation crops neededIt is not just the potatoeswhich are changing. Sincepotatoes can only be grown ina eld once every three years,growers need rotation cropsfor the other two years. In thedistant past, Reynalda grewseed crops but had to stopafter the nearby Reifel birdsanctuary was established.“The birds would come andeat the seeds so we couldn’tgrow them anymore,”Reynolds explains.This year, his rotationalcrops included 60 acres ofpeas and 75 acres of beans.Peas and beans have beenpopular rotational crops forDelta growers in the past butthat has changed as LucerneFoods decided to stop buyingthem after being purchased byNature Fresh.“Lucerne went from buying1,000 acres of peas last year tobuying just 100 acres oforganic peas this year,”Reynolds notes.He hopes the onlyremaining processor, BCFrozen, will take his peas andbeans this year but notes theyonly have the capacity toprocess 15 acres per day whichcould leave some growerswithout a market this year.Hopefully, that will be osetby better returns from thepotatoes, as this is shaping upto be a banner year.Cull rate down“It’s been an old-fashionedsummer. We got an early start,had lots of heat early and therains came at the right time,”Zylmans says. “I don’t seeanyone feeling negative. Ourcull rate will be down andIMOLA UNDER CONSIDERATION From page 6quality will be up.”Reynolds is equallyoptimistic. “I expect the price to befair,” he says, noting Europehad “terrible growingconditions” and poor weatherconditions in much of the restof Canada and the US couldreduce their yields by 5%. As aresult, “we won’t be oodedby US potatoes.”In contrast, yields in Deltaare expected to reach near-record levels.“This has been an idealyear,” says InvestmentAgriculture Foundation chairKen Bates, who operatesTecarte Farms with his twobrothers. “We expect to get 30tonnes per acre from ourKennebecs,” he says, noting anormal yield is 18-25 tonnesper acre.That’s a lotta bull! A bull owned by Copper T Ranch of Fraser Lake, Tlell Bennett ET 3B, tooksupreme champion at the 50th anniversary Beef Show at the Nechako Valley Exhibition inAugust. 104 head of cattle were exhibited, including eight entries for the commercial pen of threeheifers class won by Luke Meuhlen of Vanderhoof. The fair also hosted a Hereford, Angus and AllOther Breeds show. (Photo courtesy of Lois Crosby)
Country Life in BC • October 20168BUTLER FARM EQUIPMENT LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FORT ST JOHN 250-785-1800DOUGLAS LAKE EQUIPMENT LIMITED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KAMLOOPS 250-851-2044 | DAWSON CREEK 250-782-5281 Toll Free 1-800-553-7482FARMCO SALES LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KELOWNA 250-765-8266GRASSLAND EQUIPMENT LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WILLIAMS LAKE 250-392-4024 | VANDERHOOF 250-567-4446HORNBY EQUIPMENT ACP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ARMSTRONG 250-546-3033ROLLINS MACHINERY LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHILLIWACK 604-792-1301 | LANGLEY 604-533-0048 TOLL FREE 1-800-242-9737PERFECT FIT.PERFECT FEEL. PERFECT SPEED.A NEW WORLD DEMANDS NEW HOLLAND. T5 Series tractors are the perfect fit for the many jobs on dairy, livestock and mixed farms—and the perfect fit for your family. These deluxe, high-powered tractors are a blend of everything you want—the power to handle your toughest jobs, the ability to work effectively in tight places and the ease and comfort your family craves. C^bWaZVcYZVhnidbVcZjkZgYjZidXdbeVXiYZh^\c9ZajmZK^h^dcK^ZlXVW[dgjai^bViZk^h^W^a^inVcYXdb[dgi-ejh]"WjiidcedlZgh]^[ihl^i]djiVbZX]Vc^XVaaZkZggVc\Zh]^[iLearn more about these 93 to 99 PTO HP tractors at www.newholland.com/na© 2016 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 affiliates. “Equipped For A New World” is a trademark in the United States and many other countries, owned by or licensed to CNH Industrial N.V., its subsidiaries or affiliates.GRASSLAND EQUIPMENT LTD.SERVING THE CARIBOO REGION FOR OVER 30 YEARSWILLIAMS LAKE 208 N. Broadway 250.392-4024 • VANDERHOOF 951 Hwy 16 West 250.567-4446
they continue to have thesame 16 directors, the twoorganizations were split earlierthis year.“It used to all be underCanada Beef but that was notacceptable to Farm ProductsCouncil of Canada,” Allisonexplains.Now the agency has its owngeneral manager, MelindaGerman, and is responsible forensuring use of the nationalchecko funds complies withthe federal acts and thedirection of each province. “Melinda is now working toensure service agreements arein place with each province,”Allison says.That is key since eachprovince species how muchof their levy goes towardmarketing and how much toresearch. BC has beenallocating 90¢ to marketingand 10¢ to research but thatcould change with the higherlevy.“We will discuss the ratio atour fall CIDC meeting,” Allisonsays.Promotion and marketingdollars are funneled intoCanada Beef while researchfunds are distributed by theBeef Cattle Research Council(BCRC).Because all beef-producingprovinces approved the $1national levy, the agencycould also apply it to importedbeef, bringing an additional $1million into the coers.However, Ontario and Quebechave yet to approve thehigher levy. Until they do,there will be no increase in thelevy on imported product,even if BC and other provincesstart paying the higher rate.Allison says the increasedlevy is necessary to implementthe national beef strategyadopted in 2015. The strategyhas four goals:• Connectivity – increasesynergies within industry andmake positive connectionswith consumers andgovernment.• Productivity – increaseproduction eciency by 15%by 2020.• Competitiveness – reducecost disadvantages by 7% by2020.• Beef demand – increasecarcass cutout value by 15%by 2020.By leveraging their funds,Canada Beef and the BCRC areable to get a $14 value out ofeach checko dollar.Allison says Canada Beefhas developed a Canadianbrand and is focused onpromoting the brand bothinside and outside Canada.“Food service, packers andretailers have really embracedthe brand,” she says, addingrestaurants like Tim Horton’sand McDonald’s are now alsoasking to use it. “We haven’thad that before.”October 2016 • Country Life in BC 9by DAVID SCHMIDTVERNON – BC Cattlemen’sAssociation water sub-committee chair Linda Allisonsays she was “embarrassed”by the well-licensing seminarat this spring’s BCCA annualmeeting. Intended to helpranchers with the licensingrequirements of the newWater Stewardship Act, theseminar instead made theprocess appear even moredicult than it is.Rather than stew about it,Allison, who has representedranching interests during thedevelopment of the act forthe past 10 years, didsomething about it.“I went home and wentthrough the process ofregistering my own wells,”she says. Her experience ledher to condense the 82-pagehelp document provided atthe seminar into a much moreuser-friendly eight-pageguide titled Helpful Hints whenapply for an existinggroundwater (well) licence.“The guide goes throughwhat you actually need anddoesn’t include things youdon’t need to do,” she told BCcattle feeders at their annualmeeting in Vernon,September 9.Allison’s guide opens witha one and a half page listingof the documents andinformation a registrant willrequire, detailing where andhow to obtain them.Step-by-step instructionsIt describes how to accessthe water licensing website,includes likely responses tomany of the questions beingasked and provides concisestep-by-step instructions onhow to provide requestedinformation and use theavailable tools. At theconclusion of each step,Allison includes a reminder to“save your application.”Saving regularly can avoid alot of potential frustrationlater, she points out.Regardless of when anexisting well is registered, thegovernment is charging for itswater usage from March 16,2016. Delaying registration istherefore not advisable as itwill only result in a largerinitial usage bill. Besides, thefree well registration periodwill expire March 1, 2017.The guide is availablethrough the BCCA oce[www.cattlemen.bc.ca] or1-877-888-2333. As well, theNew guide simplifies well licensingBCCA will be holdingworkshops throughout theprovince this fall and winterto assist producers.Although the governmenthas nalized the licensing,rates and many othercomponents of the new act,some issues remain. Ofprimary concern to the cattlesector are issues surroundingstock watering on private andpublic land.“The Ministry ofEnvironment is nowdeveloping an intentionspaper and once it is released,we will have a commentperiod,” Allison said.Check-off fee increase will boost BC, nat’l beef programsby DAVID SCHMIDTVERNON – An increase inthe BC beef checko from $3to $5 per head can go aheadafter the BC Association ofCattle Feeders approved it attheir annual meeting inVernon, September 9.The increase includes a 50¢increase in the provincialchecko (from $2 to $2.50)and a $1.50 increase in thenational checko (from $1 to$2.50).The others three membersof the BC Cattle IndustryDevelopment Council (CIDC) –the BC Cattlemen’sAssociation, BC Breeders andFeeders Association and BCDairy Association – allpreviously approved theincrease.Since the BC Cattle IndustryDevelopment Fund matchesthe checko, the $5 levy willmake $10 available forprovincial and national beefpromotion, marketing andresearch programs.The national portion of thechecko is mandatory but theprovincial portion isrefundable. Despite that, lessthan 1% of sellers ask for arefund and CIDC chair LindaAllison, a Princeton rancher,does not expect that tochange with the levy increase.The CIDC must now sendthe provincial government aletter conrming approval ofthe new rate by all parties. Thiswill allow government tochange the legislationenabling the increase. Allisonhopes that occurs before theend of the year so the newlevy can be in place by nextspring. In addition to chairing CIDC,Allison has just been electedchair of Canada Beef and theCanadian Beef Cattle Research,Market Development andPromotion Agency. AlthoughWIN A TRIP TO VEGAS!Fall | Winter Booking ProgramProof of Qualifying Purchase Required; Some Restrictions Apply.www.watertecna.comLangley 1.888.675.7999 Williams Lake 1.855.398.7757Contact Your WaterTec Sales Rep To Enter Today!Diesel & PTO Pumps | PVC & Aluminum Pipe | Hard Hose Irrigation Reels | CentER Pivots
Country Life in BC • October 201610Increasing interestin low heat unit cornby DAVID SCHMIDTMATSQUI – When assessinghow good a corn variety is,measure the tonnes of drymatter it produces. That is thekey number, Alexis Arthur toldgrowers attending the corntrials eld day at Rose GateFarms in Matsqui, September14.She said well-timed rain hasresulted in a better corn cropthan last year.“I expect higher tonnageand feed value this year,”Arthur says.One dairyman who grewhundreds of acres of cornconrmed that. While cobs aresmaller, the overall crop ismuch better.“Last year, our yields wereabout seven tonnes per acrebelow normal. This year, weare getting about threetonnes per acre more thannormal. That’s a 10 tonne peracre turnaround in one year,”he said.The trials eld day was oneof four Pacic Ag Bag hosted,with others held on SumasPrairie, Vancouver Island andEnderby. The Matsqui plotincluded over a dozencommercial varieties fromPride Seeds and ThunderSeeds and at least that manyexperimental varieties.Short supplyArthur admits not allgrowers got the seed theywanted this year as some ofthe Pride varieties were inshort supply but says she isworking with Pride to ensurethat does not happen againnext year.Although many of theexperimental varieties lookedgood, as all forage corn didthis year, Arthur said theywould likely result in only oneor two new varieties beingreleased. While mostcommercial varieties havebeen genetically modied tomake them Round-Up Readyand many are also resistant tocorn borer and armyworms,experimental varieties do nothave those added genes.Arthur notes there is no pointadding those traits until acompany is condent thevariety is worth releasing.Don’t spend the extra $Although just about all butorganic growers use RoundUpReady forage corn seed,Arthur advised growers not tospend the extra money formulti-trait seeds since cornREASON 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 SORContact your local dealer for a demo today:AVENUE MACHINERY CORPAbbotsford 604.864.2665Vernon 250.545.3355www.AgSafeBC.caWORKER SAFETYSHOULD BE YOURTOP PRIORITY borer, armyworms and similarpests are not issues in BC.Since weather is becomingmore and more unpredictable,Arthur says breeders areputting more eort intogetting more out of low heatunit corn. She says Thunderhas been quite successful indeveloping good low heatunit corn, pointing toTH4126RR as an example. Itrequires only 2250 heat unitsyet looked almost as tall withcobs similar to varietiesrequiring many more heatunits.TH4578RR, rated at just2200 heat units, is anotherpopular variety in BC. Arthurnotes it oers good springvigour and its cobs ll out tothe end. As a result, manyManitoba growers are evenusing it as a grain corn. This was not a year growersneeded a low heat unit cornbut many recent years havebeen. To ensure they always get acrop, Arthur advises growersto hedge their bets byplanting a mix of both lowand higher heat unit varieties.She also encourages them totrial dierent varieties in theirown elds before makinglarge purchases. What maylook good in a trial may notwork as well in a grower’sspecic situation.Alexis Arthur of Pacic Ag Bag describes corn varieties from Thunder Seed and Pride Seed during thecorn eld day at Rose Gate Farms in Abbotsford, September 14. (David Schmidt photo)Graham BoltonFCC Senior Relationship ManagerAgriculture is our way of life tooMeet Graham In 12 years at FCC, Graham’s helped hundreds of Canadian producers build their dreams. Like everyone on your FCC team, Graham knows your industry and he’ll get to know you.1-800-387-3232 fcc.ca
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 11PNE auction nets near record proceeds for agby DAVID SCHMIDTVANCOUVER – Normally held in thepicturesque environs of the MomijiGardens, inclement weather forced thePacic National Exhibition to move itsannual Evening for Agriculture indoors,September 1.The rain outside did not dampen theenthusiasm of over 100 guestsassembled inside the Pacic Room ofthe Pacic Coliseum. Furious biddingresulted in proceeds of over $20,000 forthe live auction conducted by Deltaauctioneer Ian Paton, a member of thePNE Agricultural Advisory Committee. Add almost $13,000 more from thesilent auction and the sale ofpotentially prize-winning toy farmanimals and the total raised reached anear-record level of more than $34,000. “Staggering” supportPNE agriculture manager ChristieKerr said the evening receiveda “staggering amount” ofsupport from sponsors,noting the 15 packages in thelive auction and 45 items inthe silent auction were themost they have ever oered.The BC Youth in AgricultureFoundation receives themoney, using it to providescholarships for BC youthpursuing agriculturaleducation and grants foragricultural-related youthprograms.This year, such perennialgrant recipients as the BC 4-HAmbassador Program and theAgriculture in the ClassroomFoundation were joined byseveral new recipients. Mostprominent was the Fair RootsMini-School. Set to begin this schoolyear, the mini-school is apartnership between theDelta School District andKwantlen PolytechnicUniversity and supported bylocal farmers and agriculturalindustry members, includingPaton, Emma Lea Farms,Westcoast Seeds and theDelta Farmland and WildlifeTrust.30 studentsThe program is a regularcourse elective that will seeup to 30 students grow cropson an eight acre site at theformer Boundary Bay schoolsite. The students will visit thesite twice a week to plan,plant, nurture and eventuallyharvest the crops.“Many of our students haveno idea what it takes toproduce their food and thisprogram will take them out ofthe classroom and give themsome hands-on experience,”explains Delta School Districtprincipal Brooke Moore, whowas on hand at the auction toaccept a $10,000 donationfrom the BCYIAF.BC Youth inAgricultureFoundationchair BobBrandsma,left, andtreasurerRoger Gill,right, presenta cheque for$9,000 toBrooke Mooreto support theDelta SchoolDistrict’s newFair RootsMini-School.(DavidSchmidtphoto)1.866.567.4162Silage Blades from 10-14 Feet.Designed for front wheel assist tractors the HLA Silage Blade features heavy duty construction to help you push and pile silage into your bunker. For long lasting performance in the toughest conditions HLA Silage Blades are equipped with two 3 x 16 angle cylinders and a reversible cutting edge.A 24” guard sits upon the 34” mould board providing an overall blade height of 58” to pile silage.Visit www.hlaattachments.com for more information.www.hlaattachents.com www.horstwagons.comHorst Wagons manufactures a variety of running gear to meet the needs of farmers across the country. Providing a wide range of capacities in 4, 6, and 8 wheel configurations, and tandem axle trailer chasis. For more information on these or our innovative ROAD FLEX Suspension contact your nearest dealer.
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October 2016 • Country Life in BC 13Small farmers resilient in the face of penny-pinchingInvestment Ag releases impact assessmentby PETER MITHAMVANCOUVER –Thanksgiving is a time whenwe’re supposed to be gratefulfor the abundance of foodfrom local farms and the factthat no one needs to gohungry in Canada.But hand-in-hand with thelove for all foods local hasbeen rising awareness of thecost of food and the fact that ifwe put our money – and notjust food – where our mouthis, the household grocery bill ischewing up a lot more than itused to.According to the Universityof Guelph’s Food Institute, theaverage household saw itsgrocery bills increase 4.1% in2015, and a further increase of2% to 4% is expected this year.The university published areport this summer suggestingthat consumers were cuttingback on purchases of freshproduce to combat the pricehikes.Statistics Canada, however,reports a more modestincrease of just 3% between2010 and 2014. Prices in BC –where a Kwantlen PolytechnicUniversity report for Vancitypointed to the potential forincreases of 25% to 50% in thecost of imported produce by2021 – households actuallyspent 7.1% less over the sameperiod.Put in real numbers, thatworks out to $110.21 perhousehold each week, or $44 aperson.Average spendingWith a budget like that,chances are the averageperson isn’t making a habit ofshopping at the local farmer’smarket. A report in 2012 forthe BC Association of FarmersMarkets pegged the averagespending of market patrons at$28.81 a week, more than halfthe average person’s grocerybill.The numbers look a littlebetter if the spending isspread over the average 2.5-person household, but withmany fruits and vegetablesselling for $2 a pound and up,at least double whatsupermarkets charge for thesame items, it’s easy to seehow buying local can quicklyadd up.Further $1 millionSmall wonder the provincerecently allocated a further $1million to the “nutritioncoupon” program that giveslow-income families, pregnantwomen and seniors $15 worthof coupons to spend atfarmers’ markets each week.While the program helpsapproximately 10,000 people ayear, up to 20 times as manyare in some level of need.According to Food BanksCanada, 100,086 people in BCaccessed food banks in 2015,up 2.8% from 2014. Twice asmany again are probablynding it tough to stay fed,according to Valerie Tarasuk, anutritional sciences professorat the University of Toronto.She points out that food bankscan’t meet everyone’s needs,and most people who areunderfed make do by goingwithout.Sylvain Charlebois, anadvisor to the Food Institute inGuelph, underscores this pointby pointing to the haves – “thefoodies, the organic lovers andfan of local products” – andthe have-nots, who struggle tomake ends meet.“The have-nots … are notnecessarily the poor andsocially inept,” he wrote earlierthis year. “They may have losttheir jobs, recently run intonancial diculties or trying toraise children during aseparation. They may even beworking two or three jobs atonce.”They don’t have time toqueue at food banks andwhen faced with higher foodprices, Charlebois says they’returning to Wal-Mart andCostco. These big-box retailershave the clout to securequantity discounts and thescale to move huge volumesat a prot.“What Wal-Mart and Costcoare doing resonates with thehave-nots,” Charlebois says.“They are capitalizing on thatsegment of the market whomust watch every cent theyspend.”This in turn puts pressureon other food retailers to cutcosts, resulting in pushbackagainst suppliers and,ultimately, farmers. While thebig grocers are featuring morelocal products in response tothe trend-setting haves,farmers are poised to take iton the chin as pricing drops toserve the have-nots.True cost of farmingThe premium people arewilling to pay for localproducts at farmers’ markets –often touted as the true costof farming – is more likely theextra margin smaller farmersneed.The good news in all thispenny-pinching is found in theStatistics Canada numbersmentioned earlier: despite thefear-mongering, the averagegrocery bill in BC has fallen inrecent years even as farmers’markets have seen increasedtrac.People are nding a way togive the farmers they know abit more money throughdirect sales, even as the largerlocal producers feed the needsof those who depend oncheaper oerings.by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – The Investment AgricultureFoundation of BC invested over $145 million inBC agriculture during its rst 18 years, resultingin an economic impact of over $350 million.So says an Impact Assessment reportcommissioned by IAF to mark its 20thanniversary. Released in mid-September, thereport indicates that every dollar invested byIAF results in an economic impact of $1.85.The report states the Growing Forward 2:Canada-BC Agri-Innovation program hasgenerated signicant advances in promotionof agricultural technologies and tools.It has enabled producers and processors toadapt and utilize new technologies in theirproduction systems. Funding for the Buy Localprogram has given local agriculturalprocessors “a more powerful and condentpresence in domestic and internationalmarkets.”It has also resulted in new jobs, IAF sayingeach stakeholder reported at least one newhire because of the IAF funding.In its rst 20 years, IAF has deliveredgovernment funding to more than 1,700projects across British Columbia.“This report demonstrates the impact thatcollaboration between senior levels ofgovernment and the agriculture industries canhave. By working together, BC’s agriculture iscompetitive locally and internationally,advancing with the latest technologies andtools, and creating jobs in our province," IAFchair Ken Bates said.12:6(59,1*7+()5$6(59$//(<:H·YHEHHQSURXGO\IDPLO\RZQHGDQGRSHUDWHGVLQFHRSHQLQJLQ$QGZLWKWZREOHQGLQJSODQWVZH·UHRQHRI%&·VODUJHVWGLVWULEXWRUVRIJUDQXODUOLTXLGDQGIROLDUIHUWLOL]HUV2XUEX\LQJSRZHUDQGSUR[LPLW\WRWKH)UDVHU9DOOH\PDNHVXVWKHORJLFDOFKRLFHIRUWUXFNORDGVKLSPHQWV2.$1$*$1)(57,/,=(5/7'You can call on yourBMO Agri-Specialist to help yougrow your business.IAIN SUTHERLAND, P.AgAGRICULTURE MANAGER604-504-4978604-751-0292iain.sutherland@bmo.comSTEVE SACCOMANOSENIOR AGRICULTURE MANAGER604-504-4976604-703-5161steve.saccomano@bmo.comLYNN LASHUK, P.AgAGRICULTURE MANAGER250-979-7827lynn.lashuk@bmo.comDIANE MURPHYVICE PRESIDENT, AGRICULTURE604-504-4980604-302-8784diane2.murphy@bmo.comABBOTSFORDRandy Lam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604-504-4626Rick Tilitzky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604-504-4970Satpal Gill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604-504-4975Greg Ksinan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604-504-4647CHILLIWACKCarlie Fleenor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604-793-7256David Fuerst . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604-793-7274CLOVERDALEIgor Koblizka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604-574-6885John Howard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604-574-6855Philip Kunz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604-574-6878COURTENAYCaroline Neumann . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-703-5330DUNCANRyan Wettlaufer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-715-2705HANEY / PITT MEADOWSAngie Edmonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 604-466-3551NORTH OKANAGANTeri Kopp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-838-5820KELOWNAShelley Holitzki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-979-1078CRESTON / CRANBROOKChristine Dayman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-426-1179PRINCE GEORGE / NORTHAnte Cirko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-612-3030QUESNEL Robin Madison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-565-8699WILLIAMS LAKEDarlene Campbell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250-305-6828Financing the future of agriculture. 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Country Life in BC • October 201614by PETER MITHAMABBOTSFORD – Farm CreditCanada is advising BC farmersto plan carefully to avoidnancial trouble as liquidity inthe province’s agriculturesector drops.“Overall, Canadian farmersare in a strong position toservice short-termobligations,” the federalagricultural lender states in itsrecent Outlook for Farm Assetsand Debt report, released inearly September.Producers had, on average,assets worth 2.38 times thevalue of their immediateobligations in 2015.But not everyone did.“The current ratio is nearingone in Newfoundland (1.01),Nova Scotia (1.06) and BritishColumbia (1.26) – whichsuggests careful planningmust be exercised, especiallyif production issues arise in2016,” FCC said.FCC points to real estate asplaying a critical role in farmnances, possibly allowingproducers to carry more debtthan they can service shouldnancial trouble hit.It reports that the debt-to-asset ratio is about 14% in BC,versus 15.5% for Canada as awhole. The average consumeris carrying debts worth 17.1%of their total assets.“Provinces that hold a highpercentage of total assets inland … have seen the ratio ofdebt to asset decline the mostin recent years,” the reportstates.However, in BC the ratiobucked that trend, climbingfrom the long-term average ofabout 12.6%.This may be due to risingreal estate values, aphenomenon Country Life inBC has reported on severaltimes over the past decade.Since 2006, real estate hasaccounted for 90% or more oftotal farm capital in BC; in2015, it represented 91.3% offarm capital. Put in real terms,that’s a staggering $35 billionout of a total capital base of$38.3 billion.While farm debts increased5.7% in 2015 over 2014,BC farmers on watch list as on-hand assets dropFarm Credit Canada report says prudenceand flexibility needed to manage debt ratioslightly faster than farmcapital, the actual numbersshow that farmers hadnothing to worry about. Debtsincreased by approximately$350 million, while the realestate anchoring those debtsrose by $1.4 billion, or fourtimes as much.Yet with debts accountingProfessionalServicesView 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 250-838-7337www.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?www.agri-jobs.ca | Phone 604-823-6222 | Email info@agri-jobs.cafor a greater percentage of BCfarm assets, FCC isn’t about tolet farmers rest easy – and ithas backing from the peoplecharged with monitoring thenancial health of thecountry’s farms.Agriculture and Agri-foodCanada forecasts BC net farmincome to be in the red thisyear even as total farmrevenues post new records.Statistics Canada reportsthat farmgate sales in BCapproached $3.1 billion lastyear, while overall agri-foodsales topped $13 billion in2015. The biggest chunk ofthose revenues is from value-added products, at $9.1billion.BC agriculture ministerNorm Letnick says the recordgures have put BC farmers ina strong nancial position,one that will only strengthenas the province’s agri-foodexports increase.Nevertheless, federalforecasts call for slightly lowerfarmgate revenues in 2016,driven in part by lower pricesfor grains, oil seeds andlivestock. Pushback frommajor retailers such as LoblawCompanies Ltd., whichapplied a discount of 1.45% tosuppliers’ invoices beginningin September, will likely have aknock-on eect on growers.“The balance sheet ofagriculture is healthy, butcould face some challenges asfarm income attens and landappreciation slows,” FCCstates. “It remains prudent foragricultural operations to beexible enough to amendbusiness plans.”BC net farm income remains negativeNet farm income in British Columbia, 1981-2016 ($000s)
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 15Dairy leaders aresaying mainstreammedia is blowingdairy audit failuresout of proportion.(Cathy Glover lephoto)by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – Dairyindustry leaders say recentanimal care audits on BCfarms indicate the newprogram is working, ratherthan the failure of farmers tocare for their animals.In a front-page story inmid-September, The Provinceand Vancouver Sun usedFreedom-of-Informationdocuments to show that over25% of 73 farms had failedtheir initial animal careaudits.The situation is not as badas the story suggests, insistsBC Dairy Association (BCDA)president Dave Taylor.“If the inspector wrote onecorrective action, even aminor one, it’s a fail,” henotes, pointing out the auditis a brand new program andfarmers are just learning whatall the requirements are.The program is based onthe 2009 Code of Practice forthe Care and Handling ofDairy Cattle. In September2014, the BC Milk MarketingBoard (BCMMB) made thecode mandatory on BC dairyfarms, with the samepenalties as apply to the non-compliance with theCanadian Quality Milkprogram.Non-compliance punishedFarmers who are non-compliant and fail to takecorrective action would losetheir quality bonus andincentive days, receive nonew quota, and be barredfrom making credit transfersor using the quota exchange.“If we were to find asuspected case of animalcruelty, we would refer it tothe BC SPCA. Once it’sconfirmed, we wouldsuspend milk pickup. If it isnot corrected, we couldcancel the licence,” saysBCMMB general managerBob Ingratta.Taylor, whose farm wasamong the 73 audited farms,called the audit a thoroughprocess. “They were at myfarm for over an hour. Theystarted with the calf housingand went up from there. Theylooked at everything.”Although his farm passedwith flying colours, “I knowother excellent farmers whohad to make some correctiveaction and they did.”BCDA executive directorDave Eto says the fact noteveryone passed the initialaudit shows the integrity ofthe program. “We raised thebar high. If everyonecomplied the first-timearound, we would be asked ifthe standards were too low.We’re learning and we’recomplying. Farmers want tocontinuously improve.”Right now, dairy farmersare actually being subjectedto two separate audits. Whilethe audits referred to in themedia story were done byBCMMB’s independentinspectors, the BCDA is alsoconducting audits as part ofthe Dairy Farmers of Canada(DFC) ProAction Initiative(PAI).And more inspectionsAnimal care was includedin PAI in November 2015, andthe BCDA started doinginspections this year. To mid-September, the BCDA hadperformed 170 animal careinspections and expects tohit 250 farms by the end of2016. The remaining 250farms will be audited in 2017.DFC has been trainingHolstein Canada classifiers totake over the animal careassessments beginning inOctober.Ingratta says both auditprograms use the ProActionworkbook, which is based onthe Code of Practice, and willbe merged “as soon aspossible.” While DFC will dothe audits, Ingratta says theBCMMB will maintainresponsibility for ensuringcompliance. “I would hope consumerswould see this as a credibleregulatory program. It’sworking and not everyonewill pass the first time,”Ingratta says.Taylor says it’s all aboutmaintaining public trust. Headmits stories like the one inThe Province and VancouverSun do not help but says“that’s just the reality. We’reso distant from the consumerand who are they going tobelieve? We’re just going tokeep going down a path.”Public trust a priorityBC Agriculture Councilexecutive director Reg Ensagrees. The BCAC has mademaintaining and increasingpublic trust in farmers apriority and has to take thegood with the bad.“I heard one person say‘you will never out-communicate Hollywood,’and that’s true. All we can dois make sure we’re doing theright thing and testing it.That way we can tell people,this is the improvement wehave made,” he says.Ens notes the dairyprogram was only introducedin 2014 and had its firstinspections in 2015.“Let’s see what 2016 and2017 look like before we passjudgment.”Mainstream media isn’t telling the whole story: dairy auditsPROGLIDEF3100 MOWERShot At: Nicomekl Farms, Surrey BCNEW ON THE LOT 3FACEBOOK.COM/MATSQUIAGREPAIR@MATSQUIAG@MATSQUIAGREPAIRYOUTUBE.COM/MATSQUIAGREPAIRMATSQUIAGREPAIR.COM34856 Harris RdAbbotsford BC V3G 1R7604-826-32813D Ground Tracking Technology: The integrated suspension allows the mowing unit to move completely independently from the front linkage. This guarantees the best possible pattern of movement of the mower unit by allowing the cutter bar to immediately respond in an up and down, or left and right motion to changes in ground conditions.Other Great Features: -All gearbox drive -Fast fit blades-2 speed gearbox -Suspension right to left
16Country Life in BC • October 2016
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 17by PETER MITHAMABBOTSFORD – Producersin Washington State want theBC government to pay closerattention to the impact urbandevelopment and farmingpractices have across theFraser River delta, fromLangley to Lynden.Writing to Governor JayInslee, the Ag Water Board ofWhatcom County said the sixwatershed improvementdistricts it represents haveworked to maintain localstreams in a way that servesthe interests of both sh andfarmers.Unfortunately, the boardalleges that activities north ofthe border are workingagainst those eorts,exacerbating the problems ofWhatcom County farmers.“We have seen several ofour trans-boundary streamsdried up due to dams inBritish Columbia,” states theletter, signed by potatofarmer Scott Bedlington, chairof the Ag Water Board. “Werequest you to bring this issueto the attention of the BritishColumbia government, theBC-WashingtonEnvironmental Co-operationCouncil and the InternationalJoint Commission whichaddresses trans-boundaryconcerns.”December 2015 letterThe letter follows aDecember 2015 plea by theWashington Department ofAgriculture for BC to clean upits act with respect to fecalcoliform in Perry HomesteadBrook and Pepin Creek.The two streams aretributaries of Bertrand Creekand Fishtrap Creek inWhatcom County, which feedinto Portage Bay – whereshellsh harvesting by thenative Lummi has beenlargely closed due to highcoliform counts since late2014.“Calculations estimatenearly a 90% reduction isneeded in bacteria loads inBertrand Creek at the border,while an approximately 40%to 60% reduction in loadsappears necessary in FishtrapCreek,” state ocialsreported.Now it’s time for BCGerald Baron,spokesperson for countyfarmers, said that groupmembers have done theirpart now it’s time for BC totake action.“There are many partnersand moving parts to this,” hesaid. “You can’t solve thewater quality and the watersupply issues by onlyaddressing farmers. It involvesour city, county and, in ourcase, it also involves ourCanadian neighbours.”Co-operation is particularlycritical because WhatcomCounty farmers faceaccusations that they’re beingirresponsible. To counter theallegations, the Ag WaterBoard joined forces in June2015 with the WhatcomCounty Dairy Federation toform Whatcom FamilyFarmers, an advocacy grouprepresenting nearly 400commercial farmers andabout 1,000 small-scaleWhatcom County farmers look to BC producers for co-operationfarmers.The new group hasdocumented the success ofnutrient managementregimes on local farmers andthe work done to improvelocal watercourses.But it’s a dierent storynorth of the border.While municipalities andfarmers spend tens ofthousands every year in ditchmaintenance, surface watercontinues to harbour bacteria.Urban design practicesEven though bettermanagement of the 2.8million cubic metres ofmanure Fraser Valley livestockproduce each year has beenhelpful, urban designpractices that increase stormwater run o haveexacerbated the problem.“Urban areas are majorValley Auction Ltd., Armstrong BC Valley Auction Ltd., Armstrong BC VJV Dawson Creek, Dawson Creek BC VJV Dawson Creek, Dawson Creek BC B.C. Livestock Producers Co-Op Association, Kamloops BC B.C. Livestock Producers Co-Op Association, Kamloops BC Okanagan Falls Stockyard, Okanagon Falls BC Vanderhoof Auction Market Ltd., Vanderhoof BCWilliams Lake Stockyards, Williams Lake BC Thursday, October 23, 2014Thursday, November 6, 2014Monday, September 22, 2014Monday, October 20, 2014Tuesday, October 21, 2014Tuesday, October 28, 2014Monday, October 27, 2014Friday, October 24, 2014Wednesday, October 22, 2014RANCHER ENDORSED CALF SALESBC Livestock, Okanagan Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday, October 17BC Livestock, Kamloops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tuesday, October 18BC Livestock, Williams Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wednesday, October 19BC Livestock, Williams Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thursday, October 20BC Livestock, Vanderhoof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday, October 21VJV Dawson Creek Auction, Dawson Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Friday, October 21BC Livestock, Williams Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Saturday, October 22BC Livestock, Okanagan Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Monday, October 24BC Livestock, Kamloops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tuesday, October 25For further info, visit the BC Angus Association online, find our board and members at: www.bcangus.caBC Angus Association, 600 Bailey Road, Chase, BC V0E 1M1Tom deWaal President 250-960-0022 | Jill Savage Secretary 250-679-2813contributors of fecal coliformcontamination,” the WhatcomFamily Farmers note inresearch documents. “Thepercentage of paved anddeveloped areas in theCanadian portion of theBertrand watershed has morethan doubled in the past 50years, and the pavedpercentage of Fishtrapwatershed in Canada is evenhigher, at double that of theBertrand.”The water only becomesdirtier after passing throughLynden, thanks to a frothymix of leakage from agingwastewater infrastructure, petdroppings and wildlife thatboosts stormwater bacteria.Similar concerns exist inBC, where contamination ofthe Abbotsford-Sumas aquiferhas been a concern fordecades. Reduced ows inWater quality issues south of the Canada/US border have Washington farming groups lobbying theirstate capital to pressure ocials north of the border to urge BC farmers to clean up their act. (File photo)Washington producers blame contaminationon urban, rural issues north of the borderSee “RESOURCES” page 18
Country Life in BC • October 201618RESOURCES LACKING From page 17Perry Homestead Brook have alsofactored into decisions by theprovince’s environmentalassessment board againstapplications for water storagelicenses in the area.Yet the concerns of Whatcomfarmers regarding these long-standing issues don’t seem to haveregistered.BC Ministry of Agriculture stawere unable to say whether or notDecember’s letter from theWashington State Department ofAgriculture was being acted on.BC Agriculture Council executivedirector Reg Ens said there’s ameasure of internationalco-operation through the BC-Washington EnvironmentalCo-operation Council, but that hisorganization hasn’t been in touchwith farm organizations in the US.“I don’t have enough resources tochase everything,” he said. “This is anintergovernmental discussion at thispoint. We’ll just continue workingwith the people we are working withto look at what our best practices onfarms are and make sure we’re tryingto implement those best practices asmuch as we can here.”Horse countryMany properties in the area ofPerry Homestead Brook areequestrian operations, and Ens notedthat the past three years have seengreater eorts to encouragemembers of Horse Council BC – oneof the BCAC’s constituentorganizations – to developenvironmental farm plans.“[We’re] encouraging them to doenvironmental farm plans in thatarea because a lot of small farms canactually create the same problem asone larger farm,” Ens said.However, no one from HCBCresponded to a call for comment onthe allegations of damming andwater contamination.Common practices neededBaron says that the farmers herepresents would like to seeproducers on both sides of theborder working together to protectthe environment fundamental to thepursuits of both. Common practiceswould also help protect farmers onboth sides of the border againstcharges from conservation groupsthat claim farmers aren’t doing theirpart to protect the environment. “[Whatcom] farmers are not tryingto point any ngers at anyindividuals over there or evenfarming in general,” he said, referringto BC farmers. “The point is thatfarmers are under a lot of pressure inWhatcom County relating to waterissues, both water quality and wateraccess into the streams. With thesethings coming at us, we need to nda way to respond.Levi DeWitt, 8, was delighting fairgoers as he walked around the IPE dairy barnwith his heifer calf, Gertie, from the family dairy during this year’s fair inArmstrong. Levi is a pre-clubber with the Eagle Valley 4-H Club out of Sicamous.(Cathy Glover photo) Young ambassadorThe measure of success.604-864-227334511 VYE ROAD ABBOTSFORDSTORE HOURSMONDAY-FRIDAY, 8-5 SATURDAY 8 TIL 12JD 250 SKID STEERNEW TIRES 12-16.5 $18,500CLAAS PU 380GRASS PICK UP12.5’ WIDTH $4,900UNIFARM CW4404 BASKET3 PT HITCH TEDDER $3,900NH H7550 MID PIVOT MOWER CONDITIONER13’ CUTTING WIDTH $26,900 CLAAS 3900TC MOWER CONDITIONER, 12.5’ CUTTING WIDTH $29,900JD 7450 PRODRIVE SPFH4X4 KP, 10' GRASS PU, 676 6 ROW CORNHEADCALL FOR PRICING.Pre-ownedTractors &Equipmentwww.caliberequipment.ca
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 19Hank Markgraf, grower services manager at BC Tree Fruits, andMelissa Tesche, acting general manager of the Okanagan KootenaySterile Insect Release Program, log into the Decision Aide System, apest management tool developed by the University of Washingtonnewly acquired to support BC fruit tree growers. (Tom Walker photo)by TOM WALKERKELOWNA – A collaborativeeort across the tree fruitindustry has brought a web-based program to BC that willhelp fruit growers with theirpest management practices. The Decision Aid System(DAS) is a computer-modelingprogram developed by theUniversity of Washington tosupport that state’s fruitindustry. DAS links real timeweather data and forecastingwith pest, disease andhorticulture models torecommend the timing andtype of intervention strategiesthat growers can use for pestmanagement. “It really speaks to the co-operation across theindustry that we have beenable to bring in this program injust ten months,” says MelissaTesche, acting generalmanager of the Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect ReleaseProgram (SIR). The idea came fromOkanagan stakeholdermeetings of the Climate ActionInitiative begun in December2015. “Pest management was seenas the number two issue forclimate adaptation, behindwater,” explains Tesche. “I took a look at what Ithought the eects of climatechange on pest managementwould be and looked at howother people had addressedthe problem and found thisWashington system. DAS wasreferred to as the Cadillac ofdecision-aid systems,” saysTesche. “When I spoke withindustry leaders, we realizedthat it could work throughcollaboration, each individualgroup putting in their ownpart.”The BC Fruit GrowersAssociation, BC Tree FruitsCo-op and their eld servicesta, grape growers, cattlemen,private consultants, as well aspersonnel from Agricultureand Agri-Food Canada and theBC Ministry of Agricultureworked together.“All these parts cametogether in less than a year,”she says.When an operator logs intothe DAS (it’s tablet and cellphone friendly) and theysearch a particular pest, ascreen comes up with real timedata on weather, degree days,current conditions/stages of the pest andrecommended practices atthat stage. A list ofinterventions can be broughtup, including recommendedsprays (both conventional andorganic) and their timing, aswell as a description of howthose interventions will aectbenecials in the orchard. Theprogram incorporates weatherforecasts to make predictionsto highlight issues that may becoming in the next week or so. Tesche says adapting theWashington tool makes a lot ofsense. “First of all, we are getting amodel that is the closest to ourown Okanagan climate,” shepoints out. Indeed, BC TreeFruits eld serviceshorticulturist LyndsayHainstock has an account andhas been using informationfrom Oroville, Washington, justacross the border fromOsoyoos, to help her advisegrowers. The University ofWashington has been buildingand operating the programsince 2008. “They have full timeprogrammers on the projectand are constantly xing bugsand updating the website tomake it grower friendly,” saysTesche. “We’ve been able tobuy a yearly subscription thatallows us to access their stawithout having to becomeexperts in the programourselves.” “We will have to adapt it toCanadian and BC models andpractices,” Tesche point out.First o, BC weather stationswill need to be linked into thesystem.“We are going to use themodels that are in there, butwe need to have our Canadianscientists and industrypersonnel look at them andmake sure they hold true forthis area,” she adds.Managementrecommendations from the BCTree Fruits’ Production Guidewill be uploaded. Interventionrecommendations will have tocorrespond with Canadianregulations. “Some of the chemicalproducts from the US are notapproved for use in Canada,”Tesche notes.Funding of $90,000 will beprovided by a Climate ActionCommittee grant as one of theprojects for the Okanagan.That money will go towardscreating and testing aCanadian version. BC willprovide the data and DASprogrammers will work toadapt the system.“The SIR board saw thevalue of this project to supportour codling moth program andthey have agreed to fund thesubscription costs for the nextthree years, which are around$40,000 US each year,” saysTesche. “And they’ll providesome money for adapting themodel to Canadian standards.”“We hope to have a versionavailable for initial beta testingwith a small group of growersand personnel sometimeduring the 2017 growingseason.”Pest management strategies about to get easierAdapting Washington web-based program for BC farmers2017 Tree Fruit Replant ProgramBC FRUIT GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION1-800-619-9022 (ext 1)email: info@bcfga.comwww.bcfga.com2017 Tree Fruit Replant ProgramANNOUNCEMENT:Application forms and the updated requirements of the 2017 Tree FruitReplant Program are now available on the BCFGA website, www.bcfga.com, andon the BC Ministry of Agriculture website, http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/treefruit-replant-program.Project applications (along with the required Replant Plan) will bereceived between August 1 and October 31, 2016. Please avoid the lastminute rush and get your application in early.An horticultural advisor is required to help prepare and sign individualapplications for the 2017 Tree Fruit Replant Program. The followinginformation will be provided to assist growers in completing applications.a. A list of qualied advisors.b. Information on project grading.c. Program operational policies.d. A series of reports on replanting and variety performanceand selection are available and should be referenced whenpreparing a Tree Fruit Replant Program Application.The Tree Fruit Replant Program provides funding for quality projects.Applications will be rated by a committee of horticultural experts. Therating of individual applications will be based on meeting the programrequirements and on the quality of the Replant Plan. Projects will beplaced in order of rating for projects, and the top-rated projects will beapproved until all funding is utilized.The Tree Fruit Replant Program is a 7 year, $9.4 millionprogram, funded by the Province of BC.COMMITTED TO AGRICULTURE in the FRASER VALLEYwww.rollinsmachinery.caTRACTORSNH TL90 – CNS621 – CAB, LDR, 4WD, REBUILT MOTOR ......... 38,900NH TN65D 2003, LDR, 4WD, 5500 HRS, X-MUNICIPAL, COMING IN ................................................................... 18,500NH WORKMASTER 55 4WD, NO LDR, 155 HRS, LIKE NEW ... 23,500FORD 6640 – U30091................................................................. 14,900.00KUBOTA L4630 – U30107..........................................................19,800.00FORD 545A – U31132 – 2WD-LOADER-INDUSTRIAL.......13,300.00NH L170 SKIDSTEER – U31143.................................................16,500.00NH TZ25DA – U31086 – 4WD-LOADER-25HP ....................13,900.00QUALITY USED EQUIPMENTHESSTON 4570 SQ BALER, 1/4 TURN CHUTE, GOOD CONDITION – U31291 ........................................................... 9,950CAT IT24 WHEEL LOADER, 9000 HRS, BUCKET W/GRAPPLE, GOODCONDITION (CNS615) ....................................................................... 24,000NH 278 BALER, 1975, FIELD READY ........................................ 6,500.00MF 1051 ROTARY CUTTER, 1996, GOOD CONDITION .......... 700.00KUHN/KNIGHT 5127 MIXER WAGON; SINGLE VERTICAL SCREW – U31246 .................................... 17,900.00NDE 1502 FEED PROCESSOR; FAIR COND. 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Country Life in BC • October 201620A study by researchers atthe University of BritishColumbia has identied thegenes responsible for thetough bres in the stem of theax plant, a bane of manyCanadian ax farmers duringharvest. The ndings open up thepotential for geneticallyengineering some of thattoughness out and relievingthe excessive wear and tear onfarm equipment that costshundreds of hours andthousands of dollars to dealwith. Further research mayalso provide farmers withmore economic opportunitiesfrom the ax waste material. “Flax is the only major cropthat makes bast bres in itsstem,” says Dr. MichaelDeyholos, professor and headof biology at the UBC’sOkanagan campus. “Bast bresare a special type of cellarranged in bundles just underthe stem surface and they areremarkably strong. They arestronger than steel, on thebasis of their weight. Flax bastbres have been used to makelinen textiles for thousands ofyears. Some ax varieties havebeen selected because theymake lots of oil-rich seeds butall varieties contain at leastsome bast bres. “In North America, we onlygrow the seed-type varietiesso the strong bres are anuisance to linseed farmersbecause they can easilybecome woundaround the axles androtors of farmequipment, causingdamage including redue to the friction ofthe machinery on thebound bers. InEurope [where they] growbre ax, the bast bres aregraded on things like theirlength, neness and colour.” Deyholos and his formergraduate student at theUniversity of Alberta dissectedthousands of the plants’ stemsto identify which genes in theplant’s make-up wereresponsible for its uniquegrowth. “We are learning that theprocess of making a bast breis quite dierent from makinga wood bre,” explainsDeyholos. “Even though bothare rich in cellulose, thecellulose is arranged in a veryunique way in the bast bre,which is what gives it so muchstrength.To make this specialcellulose, the bast bre rstbuilds a scaold that thecellulose is organized on. Thewhole process requires theprecisely timed activity ofseveral hundred genes (but)we really know the functionsof maybe only half of thesegenes.”Even so, Deyholos saysweakening something in plantgenetics is almost alwayseasier than strengthening it,therefore reducing thestrength of the bres will be arelatively easy challenge.“We have already proventhat if we get rid of just one ofthe genes that makes thescaold, we can reduce thestrength of the bres. We arenow working on nding a fewnon-GMO variants with weakerbres that we can test in theeld.”While they cannot eliminatethe bre completely, theyUBC research bringingflax fibre facts to the foreThey may be awfully pretty but they’re tough as nails. UBC research scientists are studying the genesof ax plants to see if there is a way to mitigate the damage their inner tough bres have onmachinery during harvest. (File photo)believe they can reduce theirstrength to a degree to makethe plant easier for farmers tomanage. “We will make a variety thathas, say, a 15% strengthreduction, another that has30% reduction, and anotherthan has 50% reduction andgive them all to breeders totest which one works best.”According to the FlaxCouncil of Canada, Canada isamong the largest axproducers in the world. Theblue-owered plant cropgrows on the prairies andCanada’s brown ax seed, withits omega-3 fatty acid, is aconsumer favourite. Accordingto StatsCan, in 2014/2015,Canada produced 816,000tonnes of the plant andexported 633,000 tonnes ofaxseed, 56% of which went toChina and 23% to Europe. “The ax we grow is of thelinseed-type [which] does havebast bre but not as much andnot as high quality as the bre-type ax grown in Europe,”says Deyholos. “[In addition],we don't have the facilities orclimate to harvest ax bres inthe way it has been donetraditionally. Because of this,there isn't a market for theCanadian linseed straw. Therewas a small market for some ofthe straw in making cigarettepapers, but I think this markethas dried up.”Deyholos believes, however,that through some geneticmodication and possibly newmachinery, linseed ax brecan be used as a replacementfor glass in breglass-likecomposite materials. Fibreglass is made fromglass bres embedded in asynthetic resin and the bresprovide strength to theSee “LESS” page 21KuhnNorthAmerica.comINVEST IN QUALITY®VertiSpread® Vertical BeatersSPREADS TOUGH MATERIALS QUICKLY AND EVENLYPS 150 AND 160 PROSPREAD® APRON BOX SPREADER• Horizontal, VertiSpread® and AccuSpread® discharge options• Variable discharge rate control for more precise nutrient placement• Sturdy construction and heavy-duty apron for long service life500 & 600 heaped cu. ft. capacitiesAccuSpread® Spinner DischargeMatsquiAg-RepairAbbotsford, BC604-826-3281Noble Tractor & EquipmentArmstrong, BC250-546-3141 Noble Tractor & EquipmentKamloops, BC250-851-3101Visit your localKuhn KnightDealer today!Visit our website or your local dealer for details! Offer Ends: November 30, 2016UP TO $1,750 OFF SELECT NEW SPREADERSResearchMARGARET EVANS
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 21LESS ABRASIVE From page 20Turkey board, growerscelebrate 50 yearsby DAVID SCHMIDTLANGLEY – The BC TurkeyMarketing Board (BCTMB)celebrated its 50th anniversaryat a luncheon in Langley,September 8, and at least oneperson in the audience wasthere at the very beginning.Ron Heppell, one of thefounders of the board, notedhis family, which is still activein the turkey industry, raisedtheir rst 150 turkeys in 1942.“My dad and uncle made somuch money that year, theyeach got 500 turkey poults thenext year,” he recounted.The turkeys wereslaughtered and plucked butnot eviscerated, then sold as“New York dressed” atWoodwards, then a majorVancouver food store.Those heady days did notlast. Prices dropped andHeppell recalls that one year,his family actually had to payback some of the money theyhad received after the retailersclaimed they had been unableto sell all the Christmasturkeys.By the 1960’s, PancoPoultry had moved in tobecome the area’s majorturkey processor andwholesaler. While Heppellcredits Panco for building thelocal industry, he claims “theyalso wanted to own it. Theywere building 11 turkey farmswhich led us to form theturkey board in 1966.”Heppell noted the industryhas come a long way in thedecades since, with none ofthe volatility of those earlyyears.“As I see how smoothlythings are going now, I thankthe guys who went before.”Surrey-Cloverdale MLA andMinister of Children & FamilyDevelopment StephanieCadieux representedagriculture minister NormLetnick at the luncheon. Shenoted that for the turkeyindustry and agriculture ingeneral to have a sustainablefuture, the industry needsyoung farmers and youngleaders.“I encourage the olderfarmers who can remember1966 to pass on yourmemories,” she said.50 years’ highlightsCurrent BCTMB directorShawn Heppell recountedhighlights of the board’s 50-year history, noting growersproduced less than 16,000pounds (7,300 kg) evisceratedweight in the board’s rst year.By comparison, BC producedover 20 million kgs of turkey inthe past year.The group included twoformer producer-board chairs:Ron Heppell and JimPennington; and all three ofthe appointed chairs: RonCharles, Ralph Payne and PhilHochstein.Growers also welcomedback two of their long-termemployees: Colyn Welsh, theBCTMB general manager from1976 to 2006, and LindaBeckstead, the administrativesecretary from 1989 to 2009. Past and present members of the BC Turkey Marketing Board gathered to celebrate the board’s 50thanniversary in Langley, September 15. Front, left to right are Shawn Heppell, one of the foundingmembers Ron Heppell and Jim Pennington, chair in the 1980’s; Rear, from left to right, Vic Redekop,current chair Phil Hochstein, Les Burm, the board’s rst appointed chair Ron Charles, and former chairRalph Payne. (David Schmidt photo)material. Natural bres are lessdense than glass, he says, soyou can get strongercomposites with less totalweight. Natural bres are lessabrasive, potentially lessexpensive and moresustainable than glass. “We are currently workingwith the CompositesInnovation Centre (CIC) inManitoba and David Levin(University of Manitoba) on aproject funded by GenomeCanada to try to do this,” hesays. “The really interestingthing is that while my focus ison replacing glass with naturalbres, David's focus is onreplacing the synthetic resinsof breglass with renewable,biodegradable bioresins. Sowe hope to be able to replacebreglass with moresustainable biomaterials in thenear future.”The breglass project is oneof several ongoing inDeyholos’ lab. His research wasrecently published in thejournal Frontiers of PlantScience.by CAM FORTEMSKAMLOOPS – One name,two fairs, two locations.Two rival agriculturalgroups both claim they are therightful home to the ProvincialWinter Fair – and one is suingthe other, claiming its name,logo and organization wasripped o by a newcomer witha name designed to confusethe public.Kamloops ExhibitionAssociation (KXA), which tracesits roots to 1895, led a lawsuitin BC Supreme Court againstthe Provincial Winter FairSociety and seven people.Six of them are formerorganizers with the KXA’s ownWinter Fair committee, while aseventh is a formerbookkeeper for the KXA.At the same time as thelawsuit is ongoing, the twogroups continued to plan forthe competing events,September 23-26. TheKamloops fair was held at theCircle Creek Ranch while theBarriere fair continued at thecommunity's fall fair grounds,where it has been held since2011.The lawsuit claims thecompeting Provincial WinterFair Society was formed inMarch by the seven peoplenamed in the lawsuit andbegan using the name, formsand logo in its marketing.“The defendants havecaused confusion andmisrepresented theirconnection with the plainti’sProvincial Winter Fair innumerous ways,” reads thestatement of claim.The event is an opportunityfor 4-H members to showcaseand sell everything fromrabbits to lambs and calves.It was started by the KXA in1939 and remained for sevendecades one of the signatureevents in a city built on anagricultural economy. Afterthe KXA lost its home atMount Paul Industrial Park, itmoved the fair to the NorthThompson Agriplex in Barrierein 2011. Its long-term goal wasto return to Kamloops once anagricultural complex wasdeveloped.A BC Supreme Court judgedeclined to place an injunctionthat would have halted theBarriere fair. The two sides arescheduled to go to a full trialnext year.Fair fight over unfair tacticsTERANOVA POWER HARROW, 3M, 1000 PTO W/OPTION OF 540 PTO BAR PACKER, LEVELLING BAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,000CASE 895A LOADER, 4X4, 75 HP, 2500 HRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,500MCHALE R5 BALE HANDLERS 2 MOVING ARMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FROM $2800DEUTZ AGROPLUS 87 SELF LEV. LDR, 4X4, OPEN STAT 1300 HRS, 85 HP . . . . . $38,500HIGHLINE 6000T BALE PROCESSOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,000JCB 170 SKID STEER. NEW TIRES. 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Country Life in BC 23
by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD –PrairieCoast Equipment haslaunched a new charityprogram to support kids inits dealership areas.They created the GreenApron Project, PCE’s officialcharity arm, launching theproject by serving pancakebreakfasts by donation atseven of its nine dealershipsin early to mid-September.“We have always had aheart for charity,” says PCEmarketing co-ordinatorCelina Frisson.For the past three years,company staff had beengoing to Mexico to buildhomes there but recentlydecided “we wanted to focusmore on our local areas.”That led the company toCountry Life in BC • October 201624Charity helps students to be hungry for knowledge, not foodFeds invest in FV dairy innovationcreate the Green ApronProject. PCE has committedto raising $300,000 andcontributing 5,000 volunteerhours over the next threeyears. PCE has a three-yearagreement with theBreakfast Club of Canadawhich will use the funds toprovide breakfasts atapproved schools. As theirvolunteer commitment, PCEstaff will go to schools beingsupported and help themmake breakfasts beforecoming to work.Fulfilling missionFrisson says food was thecompelling reason for theproject. “We want our kidshungry for knowledge, nothungry for food. Our primaryobjective is to fulfill ourmission of Feeding OurCommunities.” Initial response from PCEcustomers and friends hasbeen encouraging, withFrisson reporting the firstfour launch events raisedabout $1,500.On an ongoing basis, PCEwill be selling John Deerelunch kits for $5 in all of theirstores, with proceeds goingto the Green Apron Project.Chilliwack MLA John Martin (without an apron) joined sta of Prairie Coast Equipment in Chilliwack,September 10, for the launch of PCE’s Green Apron Project. PCE has pledged to raise $300,000 forschool breakfast programs in its dealership areas over the next three years. (David Schmidt photo) & V¶¶VDGGDDQD& %GHLIILLUULH99H IHH% & V¶¶VDGGDDQD&Producti %GHLIILLUULH99Haon ProgrraProductimpleSied fopvelDe IHH%am ustrTTrcal. ctiar. Pmple, by psruceodpror ed f ed.ust.sroducer, by p 1:hP -866-398w 398- emeltBP@cat V:ilam E8482mthbp./vac.bc.nemelttac.www ac.bc.neLet rkemaonioseb ement pl you imelphusstrke - rds ndatadriven son- ty safed foormfa carlmani a&ty curiiose ement forrds , yy,e car .CALL FOR AN ESTIMATELARRY604.209.5523TROY604.209.5524 TRI-WAYFARMSLASER LEVELLING LTD.IMPROVEDDRAINAGEUNIFORMGERMINATIONUNIFORMIRRIGATIONFAST ,ACCURATESURVEYINGINCREASECROPYIELDS We service all ofSouthern BCby DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – FederalMinister of Agriculture andAgri-Food LawrenceMacAulay has made one ofthe largest-ever governmentinvestments in the BCagrifood sector.MacAulay was at VitalusNutrition in Abbotsford,September 9, to announce aninvestment of $10 million tohelp the companycommercialize a value-addedprebiotic.The investment is beingmade through the ve-year$698 million Growing Forward2 AgriInnovation Program.Supporting health“This investment is a greatexample of governmentworking with industry tointroduce new food productsthat support the health ofCanadians and that increasethe competitiveness ofCanada’s agriculture sector.This innovative technologywill help the industry stay onthe cutting edge and capturenew markets for dairyingredients here in Canadaand around the world,”MacAulay said.Vitalus built Canada’s rstmilk protein concentrateplant in 2005 and has sincebecome a leading supplier ofcustomized dairy ingredientsto the food, beverage andnutraceutical industries.It recently developed aproprietary technology toextract GOS (galactooligosaccharides) from milkpermeate.Vitalus president PeterVanderpol described theprebiotic’s attributes at therecent meeting of theInternational Association ofMilk Control Agencies, sayingit can withstand heat andfreezing, making it ideal forenhancing the nutritionalcharacteristics of infantformulations, dairy productsand beverages, fruit drinksand fruit preparations.Transforming by-productIn its media releaseannouncing the investment,Agriculture and Agri-foodCanada said “commercializingthis new ingredient will helpthe dairy industry transform acurrently unused by-productinto a value-added functionalfood product.”Vanderpol said thegovernment’s nancialsupport “has been key in thedevelopment of VITAGOS™.”The new prebiotic is alsoexpected to benet fromfavourable pricing introducedas part of the Canadian milkindustry’s new IngredientsStrategy.www.AgSafeBC.caWORKER SAFETYSHOULD BE YOURTOP PRIORITY www.AgSafeBC.caWORKER SAFETYSHOULD BE YOURTOP PRIORITY www.AgSafeBC.caWORKER SAFETYSHOULD BE YOURTOP PRIORITY PCE commits to raising $300K
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 25Stories by PETER MITHAMOLIVER – Despite fears ofbeing slammed by anotherearly vintage, Okanagan grapegrowers were bracing for anonslaught of red grapes asCountry Life in BC went topress.Many growers who pickedwhite varieties in August werethankful for some breathingroom and the prospect ofsome fruitful hang-time fortheir red varieties.“The acid and pH are rightwhere you want them,” saidLarry Gerelus, principal ofStag’s Hollow Winery andVineyard in Okanagan Falls.Gerelus sources grapesfrom vineyards in Naramata,Okanagan Falls and Osoyoos.The vineyards yield grapes forelegant Grenache andTempranillo wines. Thecomposition of this year’s fruitpromises more of the same assugar levels remain in stepwith the physiologicalripeness of the grapes.Grapes are physicallymature at veraison, whichoccurred in July, positioningthem for the home stretch inAugust and September whenphenolic componentsdevelop to a point where thegrapes are considered ripe forthe picking.This year’s warm weatherkicked them to veraison early,while hits of cool, dampweather tempered thedevelopment of the avourswinemakers and consumersprize. This has kept sugars incheck while acids haven’tdropped out as in other years.“We’re getting somesurprising avours,” Gerelussaid.Earliest everLariana Cellars, whichclaims to be the southernmostwinery in the Okanagan with alocation nestled up againstthe border on 2nd Avenue inOsoyoos, had completed itsViognier harvest bySeptember 7. This was theearliest Viognier harvest everfor owners Dan Scott whooperates the winery and itsve-acre estate vineyard withPick early, pick oftenGrape growers going “gangbusters” as annual harvest picks uphis wife, Carol.Scott said he hopes the redgrapes he uses for his redblends will hang on until atthe end of September, givinghim some breathing space.Poised to hang onThat’s likely, in the opinionof Graham Pierce, winemakerat Black Hills Estate Winery onthe Black Sage benchopposite Oliver.Pierce was expecting topick Chardonnay grapes inmid-September, while redvarieties such as Merlot,Cabernet Sauvignon andSyrah, were poised to hang ona little longer.With temperatures notexpected to exceed the mid20s, Pierce believes the grapesshould respond well, with themajor risk being an early frostas October progresses. (Mostlong-term forecasts don’tforesee that happening.)“[It’s] where you get a lot ofthat really good avordevelopment,” he said.Back in Okanagan Falls,Roland Kruger of Wild GooseVineyards said “fruit is lookingfantastic.”The growing season madefor little disease pressure, andpests weren’t a problem,either. The fruit is clean andBC boosts minimum wageTubeline Bale Boss Processors provide consistent shredding of your large square bales. With optionsfor loader mount and trailed units the Bale Boss line of processors has the right model for your application.^Bale BOSS 1 ^Bale BOSS 2 ^Bale BOSS 4Contact Tubeline for more information or to find a dealer near you.Proudly certifying Producers and Processorswithin BC and Alberta.FVOPA provides year round certification services compliant with the Canadian Organic Standards (CAN/CGSB) and in accordance with the BC Certified Organic ISO 17065 recognized program. 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.caWhile good weather has grape growers breathing a sigh ofrelief, orchardists continue to scramble as the same weather hashanded them a bountiful crop of fruit.Cherries came on strong this summer thanks to a blast ofearly-season heat, then storms had them scrambling to pull othe crop to avoid split fruit. Peaches and other stone fruit soonfollowed.Now, apple growers are competing for workers as their fruitarrives early. Many varieties are coming on two weeks earlierthan usual, and a mid-season increase in the minimum wage isadding to the pressure on growers.The timing is “awkward,” according to the BC Fruit GrowersAssociation.The new wage of $10.85 applies to all workers, both hourlyand piece-rate pickers. However, vacation pay of 4% is includedin piece rates whereas it is additional to the hourly wage.The increase of 40 cents per hour is a prelude to a furtherincrease in September 2017 to at least $11.25. The move isdesigned to lift BC’s minimum wage from the lowest in Canadato something closer to the average. However, BC’s cost of livingstill ranks among the highest in the country, thanks largely tohousing costs.Like other commodities in the Okanagan this summer, the grapeharvest is also ahead of schedule. (Cathy Glover le photo)coming in steadily from bothits estate vineyard andcontract growers.“We’re ecstatic that grapesare coming in when theyshould be,” he said. “It’sgangbusters from here on in.”BC vineyards yielded 32,848tons of grapes in 2015. Goodgrowing conditions and newplantings could push thatnorth of 35,000 this year.
Country Life in BC • October 201626by KATHY MICHAELSKELOWNA – The Okanaganmay soon have a one-stopshop in the north end wherelocal foodies can shop andfarmers will sell their wares. “We formed the OkanaganFood Hub Co-Operative inMarch,” says Wolf Wesle ofGreen Croft Gardens and aregular contributer to theKelowna Farmers and CraftersMarket.“Geographically, the co-opcovers the area from SalmonArm to the border in theSouth Okanagan, and thecentre is in Kelowna. And nowwe have been approached bya developer that has abuilding and location andthey think a co-op would gowell there.”Wesle is currently stayingmum on the address but saysit will be in the North Endneighbourhood of Kelowna. His cautious approach insharing a potential location isbecause the last time Kelownaseemed poised to have a foodco-op, chaos ensued. Nearly three years ago, aplan for a Granville Island-typemarket at the old BC Tree Fruitpackinghouse was proposed.As some made a push for theKelowna Farmers and Craftersmarket to relocate to theNorth End, relationshipsfractured and volunteerboards rose and fell. In theend, the developer behind themarket plan never followedthrough and the status quowas maintained. It was upheaval that Weslewas right in the middle of. “The current co-op hasgrown out of that disastrousending,” says Wesle. “Themistake we made was weassumed that everybodywants to grow their businessand that just isn’t so … butthere are a lot of farmers whond that two markets aren’tenough anymore.”Many of those farmers havealready joined the co-op andthey will likely continue theirrelationship with the farmersmarket. Wesle stressed this ismeant to augment what’salready available and there’smore than enoughopportunities for bothventures to exist. Studiessuggest farmers markets onlyaccount for one-and-a-halfper cent of all grocery dollarsspent in a community. And on the developer sideof the equation, Wesle saysthe new proposal is morerealistic. “It’s smaller. The building atthis point is a large buildingKelowna food hubgetting closer to realitywith a large outdoor portionthat goes with it,” he explains.“We will not be using all of thebuilding and we will belooking for other interestedparties to move in.”Some examples that havebeen discussed are a shstore, or coee roasters andbakery. To get to that point,though, the co op needs toraise enough support andmoney to gain access tofederal grant funds. The co-op board is workingwith a consultancy group whohas done farmers market workwith Kamloops and Vancouverfarmers markets and has aplan in place. Once everything is up andrunning, the board will hire amanager to run the store.At a meeting held inSeptember, 30 peopleattended and expressed adesire to be shareholder.Another meeting is scheduledfor mid December. Kathy Michaels writes for theKelowna Capital NewsChef Trevor Randle and Delta Secondary School student were dishing up pancakes made betterwith fresh, local blueberries from the Agriculture in the Classroom exhibit at the 11th annualDay at the Farm on Westham Island, September 10. The popular event, designed to spread theword about the importance of local agriculture and to raise awareness about its relationship towildlife conservation, set a new attendance record this year with over 4,250 guests gettingacquainted with agriculture at the Ellis family farm. (Photo courtesy of AITC)Breakfast on the farmCIDC Check-offBCID Fund9WorkBeef atCheck-offBC’s best cow market for over 57 years!BCs best cow market for over 57 yyears!McCLARYSTOCKYARDS LTD.McCLARYSTOCKYARDS LTD.www.mcclarystockyards.caLIVESTOCK SALESLIVESTOCK SALES34559 McClary Avenue, Abbotsford604.864.2381 | 604.855.7895McClary’s Your Complete Livestock Marketing Outlet.MONDAYS 11AM STARTSLAUGHTER. FEEDER & MISC LIVESTOCKWEDNESDAYS 1PM START - DAIRY & SLAUGHTERVisit our website for marketing info & sale updates.CKFEEDER SALEMonday|October 17
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 27by DAVID SCHMIDTALDERGROVE – A different day. A differentjudge. A different result.A week after being named the supremechampion female at the Interior ProvincialExhibition beef show, GH Uptown Destiny did noteven make it into the championship round at theWest Coast Hereford Club Mark of ExcellenceShow at North Bluff Farms in Aldergrove,September 10.This was West Coast’s fourth-annual MOE showand it is catching on with exhibitors, who brought31 entries into the ring compared to only 20 in theHereford classes at the IPE. This does not diminishDestiny’s IPE placing. To earn the supremechampionship, she not only had to win theHereford championship but become theconsensus favourite among the three judgescomparing the champions of all the beef breeds atthe IPE.Grand champ Sharden Yolinda 1YAt Aldergrove, judge Blaine Brost of Albertaawarded the female senior and grandchampionships to Sharden Yolinda 1Y, a five-year-old cow shown by Ed Conroy and Murray Gore ofKootenay Polled Herefords. In earning the awards,Yolinda was undoubtedly helped by her 2016 bullcalf, Kootenay 001A Anodyne 10D. The strappingyoung bull was an easy victor in the bull calf classand named the reserve grand champion bull. Theonly bull to beat him was CCR 950 Barcode 38B, atwo-year-old shown by Copper Creek Ranch ofPrinceton. In this case, the pair duplicated theirpositions at the IPE Hereford show with Barcodethe grand champion and Anodyne in reserve.FV Hereford MOE show growing in popularityThe championships were a fitting sendoff forConroy, as the well-loved and well-respectedHereford breeder (and former agricultureminister) is being forced to retire due to healthissues.For his reserve champion female, Brost chosethe first-place yearling heifer, SF 7X Constance 1C,shown by Smith Farms of Abbotsford.Named the reserve senior champion female wasMcLennan Creek 66X Nadine 12A, shown byMcLennan Creek Herefords of Abbotsford.Although North Bluff didn’t earn anychampionship banners, the farm was named theshow’s premier breeder and exhibitor.“I guess it helps to show a lot of cattle,” ownerVic Redekop quipped.Going out on top! Health issues are forcing Ed Conroy (behind the cow) of Kootenay Polled Herefords in Castlegarto retire but he is going out on top. Judge Blaine Brost of Alberta selected KPH’s ve-year-old cow, ShardenYolinda 1Y, as the grand champion female at the West Coast Hereford Club MOE show in Aldergrove, September10. Leading the cow is co-owner Murray Gore while Mitchell Krause is leading her bull calf, Kootenay 001AAnodyne 10D, separately named the show’s reserve champion bull. (David Schmidt photo)0% FOR 36 MONTHS1.19% FOR 48 MONTHS1.99% FOR 60 MONTHSFor a limited time, take advantage of this exceptional offer.Get the LEMKEN equipment you need today – It’s easy!Finance any new LEMKEN machine at great rates today and start using Strategic Tillage to improve your farm’s bottom line.Please visit www.lemken.ca or contact your LEMKEN dealer for more information.OFFER ENDS OCTOBER 31, 2016Terms and conditions:• This promotion is valid for all new LEMKEN equipment.• Available on terms of 36 month at 0% or 48 month at 1.19% or 60 month at 1.99%• Semi-annual or monthly payments only.• Minimum transaction of $10,000.00.• Minimum 15% down payment required.• Promotion valid from September 1 to October 31, 2016. All applications must be received by this date.• Promotion available through authorized Canadian dealers only.• Cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offers with DLL.Blue Means FreedomZIRKON(604) 864-2273www.caliberequipment.ca(250) 938-0076www.vdmachinery.cawww.LEMKEN.ca
*Offer valid from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 on select new models of machines manufactured by Caterpillar Inc. Building Construction Products Division. Offer available only at participating Cat dealers. Flexible payment terms available. Offer is available to customers in the USA and Canada only and cannot be combined with any other offers. Financing and published rate are subject to credit approval through Cat Financial. Offer subject to machine availability. Machines sold in Canada by authorized dealers are priced in Canadian dollars and the price may take into account the exchange rate of Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars. Models shown here do not necessarily reflect the exact model and configuration to which the promotion applies. Payments are based on a finance lease with 60 monthly payments and $0 down. Payments do not include taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, document fees, inspections, additional options, or attachments. Final machine prices are subject to change. The Equipment Protection Plan (EPP) applies to select models and is provided through Cat Financial for use at participating Cat dealers. Offer may change without prior notice and additional terms and conditions may apply. Contact your Cat dealer for details.ALL BUSINESS LEASE$0 DOWN / $568 mo. / 60 months + NO COST Equipment Protection Plan1-888-Finning346-6464Finning.cang464FinningALL BUSINESS.PART STREET FIGHTER. PART SCULPTOR.INESS LEASE(FUBO"MM#VTJOFTT-FBTFBOEQVUSVHHFESFMJBCMF$BU¥DPNQBDUNBDIJOFTUPXPSLGPSZPVCountry Life in BC • October 201628
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 29by DAVID SCHMIDTARMSTRONG – While other dairy shows continue to struggle,the Interior Provincial Exhibition open dairy show continues toexpand.Judge William Wikkerink of Duncan had 62 Holstein and 48Jersey calves, heifers and cows to choose from for his grandchampions, August 31. While the Jersey numbers were identicalto 2015, there were 14 more animals in the Holstein show thanthe previous year.IPE president Thys Haambuckers of Glorybound Holsteins inEnderby proved his worth in the show ring as Wikkerink choseTriple S Diamond Jamal, a mature cow shown by Gloryboundand Triple S Farms, as the grand champion Jersey. DiamondJamal was also named the BMO Jersey Supercow, whichrecognizes both production and performance in the show ring,giving the Haambuckers family a $500 bonus. Earning reservegrand champion honours was three-year-old Starcrest OTAfricka, shown by Jim and Kirsty McAvoy of Starcrest Farms inArmstrong.Triple S/Glorybound also earned the premier exhibitor bannerin the Jersey show. Named the premier breeder was the oldestexhibitor in the show, Don Hendrickson of Enderby, proving hehas not lost a step after more than 65 years of showing andbreeding outstanding Jersey cattle.Shadynook’s Jersey stringDave Vander Spoel of Shadynook Farms in Enderby does nothave Hendrickson’s storied history but is quickly assembling ashow-winning Jersey string. He earned both the junior andreserve junior championship banners, topping the eld with hisjunior yearling, Ciaquato-Rh Premier Quivver and placingsecond with his summer yearling, Winterplace Premier Glitter.To prove the days when show cattle were not necessarilyhigh-producing cows are long gone, the grand championHolstein was also the winner of the Scotiabank HolsteinSupercow competition, which also carries a $500 bonus.Those awards went to Hamming Windbrook Darlina, a four-year-old cow shown by Hamming Holsteins in Vernon. The grandchampionship was a repeat win for Darlina, as she was also thegrand champion of last year’s IPE Holstein show. The Hammingfamily easily claimed the premier Holstein exhibitor banner afteralso taking both the reserve and reserve junior championships.Springbend Reginald Drum Roll was named the junior championwhile Hamming Solomon Clarissa stood right beside her in boththe junior championship and the senior calf class. The reserve grand championship went to SunnyhomeDempsey Roxy, a junior three-year-old shown by the Carlsonfamily of Sunnyhome Farms in Salmon Arm. Sunnyhome wasalso the Holstein show’s premier breeder.Glorybound Holsteins takes honours at IPE dairyGrand champions of the 2016 Jersey show at the IPE are, from left, judge WilliamWikkerink, Allyson and Ashley McAvoy, Kirsty McAvoy (Starcrest) with reservechampion Starcrest of Africka and Travis Haambuckers on the halter of grandchampion Jersey Triple S Diamond Jamal. (Gary Booy photos)IPE grand champion Holstein cow Hamming Windbrook Darlina, bred and owned byHamming Holsteins of Vernon, also took home the coveted overall supremechampion banner. From left to right are Dave Hamming, judge William Wikkerink,Mike Haambuckers and Brian Hamming. (Photos courtesy of BC Holstein News)
Country Life in BC • October 201630by TOM WALKEROLIVER – As you come up to Southern PlusFeedlots on the Oliver east bench, heat loving redgrapes line one side of the road. Across the way, fewsigns remain of the once thriving feedlot. Instead ofthe sounds of cattle, you hear the loud crack of anair gun that scares away grape-stealing starlings. That gunshot announces the end of a cattleindustry institution in the Okanagan. Southern PlusFeedlots shipped its last animals in July and anauction in early September sold every last piece ofequipment, the barn, the hay in that barn and eventhe cement blocks that made up the silage pit.“This is the best pocket of grape growing land inBC,” says long time owner Bill Freding. He says theBlack Sage bench is perfect for the CabernetSauvignon and Syrah varieties he grows in his 50acre vineyard. Bill has sold his feedlot and vineyard to wineindustry giant Mission Hill. “When I heard that Chinese investors werelooking to buy vineyards in the South Okanagan, Iknew it was a good time to sell,” he quips. But that wasn’t always the case. When Bill and his wife, Darlene, bought the landand feedlot from the receiver in 1988, it was with theintention of building a cattle feeding business.Interest rates were coming o record highs, thegrape industry in the Okanagan was in shambles,the exisitng feedlot was in receivership and Bill hada ranching background, a degree in agricultureeconomics and animal nutrition.“I was born into the cattle business,” Bill pointsout. “My great grandfather was John Fall Allison, oneof the rst ranchers in this neck of the woods.”End of an era as Okanagan feedlot packs it inHe started ranching in 1976 after university andfollowing several years of leasing land, he andDarlene had bought a ranch in the Cariboo. Bill wasworking for the Farm Credit Review Board and hiswife was cooking in logging camps so they couldaord to nance the ranch. “We sold out in the Cariboo and got this place for20 cents on the dollar.” It had been operating as the Southern InteriorBeef Corporation – a failed eort of a group of about20 ranchers who had put up money and receivedgovernment support to get the industry going inthe Okanagan.Bill built a successful feedlot, leasing formerNow that the last of the cattle operation has been dispersed by auction, Bill Freding is nally ready to retire. Fordecades, he and wife Darlene have been an institution in cattle circles in the South Okanagan, owning andoperating Southern Plus Feedlot that, during its heyday, had upwards of 7500 head in its pens. (Tom Walker photo)Please see “PLONK” page 31“We provide safe, qualityfood to the consumer.We can be honestand transparent becausethere’s nothing to hide.”Ravi Bathe, Agvocate Poultry and Berry ProducerLearn more at AgMoreThanEver.ca.Be somebody who does something. Be an agvocate.
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 31PLONK WINE From page 30vineyards that had pulled outtheir hybrid grapes(remember “plonk” wine?) thatwould not stand up to post-NAFTA competition fromAmerican vinifera wineries. “We leased 500 acres ofland for just over what theywere paying in taxes and wegrew corn on it for our silage,”recalls Bill. “We had to pull outthe wires and posts so wecould get equipment in towork the land.” “This is the best climate fornishing beef in Canada,” hepoints out. “The warm winterssupport a high feed eciencyand the dry air keeps theanimal’s feet dry.” By 2000, they had built upan Angus brand to supply thePacic Northwest, with some7500 cows in the pens. “We were shipping animalsback and forth across theborder. At one point, 60% ofour cattle were from the US.We would nish them hereand ship them back to thestates to be slaughtered. Wewere grading 95% choice withthe genetics we were using.”But BSE struck in 2003 andovernight the border closed. “We lost $2 million in twoweeks,” recalls Bill. “Some ofour loaded trucks were at theborder and we had to bringthem all back.”Prices went from $1.20 to25 cents a pound. Cows sent to Alberta“We had these fat cows wewere holding on to, hopingthe border would open again.The local abattoir was taking20 a week but with 2,000 cowssitting here, that’s a lot ofweeks. We sent them toAlberta.” “We had to sell some of ourland,” Bill recalls. They plantedthe vineyard and leased someof the land to wineries.“The return on grapes hasgone up steadily, but not forbeef,” Bill says. They rebuilt the“Okanagan’s Finest” brandthat was sold locally, nishedwww.bchereford.ca BCHA President Murray Gore 604-582-3499 BCHA Secretary Janice Tapp 250-699-6466 Residual Feed Efficiency Research 1350 Hereford bulls tested in past 4 years PROVEN FEED EFFICIENCY We aim to help your boƩom line! about 1,000 head, and keptthree to four thousand overthe winter, but it was neverthe same. Their ability to growfeed was curtailed when thelocal First Nation built a racetrack on land they hadpreviously leased. “The area is going to missour payroll. We employed atleast 12 people over thewinter months,” Bill pointsout. “I think there is a nichemarket in BC for a locally-nished specialty product,such as hormone and anti-biotic free,” he says. “There’s asegment out there that wantsto buy it, but you would haveto have land.”The feedlot lands will becompletely reclaimed andMission Hill will plant moregrapes. But the cattle legacywill remain for a while longeryet. “We are composting thebedding and manure mix leftbehind by the cattle andselling it to the vineyards,” hesays with an ironic chuckle. “Itwill add organic matter to thesandy soils.”He’s moving on to ten acresof land north of Oliver. “I’ll still put up some hayuntil I get tired of it,” Bill says.In the tradition of retirement from the cattle sector, Bill Freding’s Southern Plus Feedlot was host to awell-attended dispersal auction at the yard south of Oliver, September 10. (Tom Walker photo)by DAVID SCHMIDTABBOTSFORD – A farmer’sjob is not just to feed theworld but to tell and teachthe world what he does, saysAbbotsford chicken and berrygrower Ravi Bathe, the pastpresident of the BC ChickenGrowers Association.His family grows about750,000 chickens annuallyand has 150 acres ofraspberries and blueberries inthis province and another 225acres of berries just across theUS border in WhatcomCounty.“This is our livelihood andthere’s too much at stake forus not to be involved,” Bathesays in explaining why he isan “agvocate.” He denes thatas someone willing torepresent farming to thegeneral public and engagethem in discussion of it.Initiated by Farm CreditCanada, the program’s goal isto retain and even increasepublic trust in farmers and issupported by most nationaland regional agriculturalorganizations.“There’s a lot ofmisconceptions out there andwe need to do a lot more totell everyone the true story,”Bathe says, insisting being anagvocate is very easy to do.“Most people want to talk to afarmer. Most would ratherhear from us than havesomeone else tell them whatwe do.”He says there are countlessopportunities for farmers tobe agvocates – such as talkingto the waitress serving themin a restaurant or the shoppernext to them in asupermarket.“If I see raspberries insomeone’s cart, I could tellthem the variety they haveand why it’s good. They leavehaving more condence inthe product,” he explains.Bathe’s involvement in theChicken Squad movie trailer isa highlight of his ownagvocacy. He recalls watchingthe trailer in a theatre andhaving the person next tohim ask “was that you?”Another time he was walkingdown the street when astranger across the roadyelled out, “Hey! Chickensquad!”Both examples show theChicken Squad campaign is“reaching people and they’reremembering it.”Agvocates aim to increase trust in farmersSeries 225TSWTriple SectionWing DiscSeries 225Single Offset DiscSeries 95Series 275/325Single Offset DiscSeries400/500/600Single Offset DiscSeries 225DOW Flexible Tandem Wing DiscSeries 155 & 155G5/16” x 26” Notched blades10.5” spacing 8’ to 16’ widthSingle Offset Disc1/4”x24” notched blades6’9” to 12’ widths5/16”x26” notched blades - 10.5” spacing3/8”x28”/30” blades - 12” spacing10’ to 16’ widths1/2”x30” notched blades - 13” spacing1/2”x32” notched blades - 14” spacing1/2”x36” notched blades - 17” spacing10’ to 14’ widths5/16”x26”notched blades10.5” spacing 24’to 38’ widths5/16”x26” notchedblades - 10.5” spacing18’ to 24’ widths• 4”x 4”x 3/8” sq. tube fame• 1/4”x24” notched front/smooth rear blades• 6’9”, 8’1”, 9’, 10’ widths
Country Life in BC • October 201632by TOM WALKERKAMLOOPS – You’ve heardit before. “If god had wantedme to walk, he wouldn’t havecreated horses.” Well,ranchers might not be yingthemselves but they may beying unmanned aerialvehicles or drones across theirrange, thanks to the work ofBC and Alberta researchers.Dr. John Church ofThompson Rivers University(TRU) in Kamloops, inpartnership with SouthernAlberta Institute ofTechnology (SAIT) andKingsclere Ranch in Golden,has been awarded a $664,000grant to continue his researchinto using drones in the cattleranching industry.“As Innovation Chair inCattle Industry Sustainability,my job is to nd ways to helpranchers save time andmoney,” says Church. “If I canhelp ranchers better managetheir two biggest assets –their herd and their rangeland– that will go a long way.”“The idea came to me in2013 watching some kidsying a drone on campus.The drone had a camera andthe kids could see what thedrone could see. I askedmyself, ‘How could we usethat in ranching?’”The answer is that dronescan be used in a variety ofways. The Natural Sciencesand Engineering ResearchCouncil (NSERC) grant willallow the group to expandthe drone techniques theyhave been developing overthe last three years.“The drone is simply anaerial platform,” Churchpoints out. “When we put acamera on that platform, wecan do a multitude ofcommon ranch work quicklyand from a central point.” Church says ranchers caneasily use a drone to checkfence lines or irrigationequipment. Drone vs quad“One of my studentresearchers had a fun racerecently between a drone anda quad to go to the end of theeld and check a wateringtrough,” Church chuckles. “Atsophisticated visualequipment.“With an infrared camera,we can spot a cow’s heatsignal even when they areunder the forest canopy,” saysChurch. The drone candiscriminate between a cowand an operating water pumpwhich would also be givingout heat. “With GPS technology onthe drone, we can record theexact location, transfer that toa hand held unit and go outand bring the cow home” “If we have been checkingthe herd with the infrared anda cow doesn’t move throughthe day, or the heat signaldrops, you’d better go outand check if you have apredator problem,” Churchsays. “We could also hover overa feedlot and do the dailycount of the animals,” headds. “And we can take thetemperature of an individualanimal which will indicate itsoverall health.” Mapping rangelandsDr. David Hill, associateprofessor of geography atTRU, is using the new infraredtechnology to maprangelands. “The measurements from amulti-spectral camera canshow the variation inphotosynthetic activity acrossa forage crop for instance,”says Hill. “We hope to be ableto connect that withinformation on crop health,irrigation needs and eveneventually nutrition content.If we apply a treatment, wecan go back and see if it isworking. We also want to beable to look at, say, thecarrying capacity of a eld ormonitor the spread of knapweed across a pasture.” Equipment checkA thermal infrared image ofa eld irrigated with a pivotcan indicate possible leaks.Wet areas on the pivot pathwill show up darker (wettersoil is cooler) and show aneed to check the equipment. Church’s collaboration withSAIT involves their cuttingedge work with RFID tags thatall Canadian cattle must wearfor traceability. An antennaon the drone can potentiallyread a new passive tag fromSAIT up to 40 feet away. “We hope that with activetags that contain a solar chipand a battery, we can extendthat distance further to threeto ve kilometers. Then wecan ID and locate a cow that’sill within the herd or feedlot.Or go out and nd one on therange.”Church says, if they can linkthe tags together through amesh network, if the dronecan nd one cow, they cannd them all.“I’m calling this precisionranching. Precisionagriculture is going like reon the prairies to manage thecrops,” Church points out.“We are the rst group to goafter precision ranching. Iknow this is the future.”80 km an hour, the drone wasback at the operator’s feetbefore the quad rider hadmade it to the trough.”Church has helped hisranching partner, Je Braisherat Kingsclere Ranch, use adrone to herd up to 200 cowcalf pairs 10 kilometers. “They don’t like the windthat the props kick out,” heexplains. “And the drone cango back and forth across theeld so quickly, it can easilynudge the stragglers along.The ranch dogs might befacing retirement.” Line of sight regsEven with the threekilometer range allowedunder “line of sight”regulations from TransportCanada, drones can be usedto check on stock in lessaccessible terrain. “Some ranchers usehelicopters to go out and ndthose cows that don’t comeo the range in the fall, butthat can cost $1,500 an hourso they can’t y for very long,”Church says. “For $1,600, theycan buy a Phantom 4 drone atBest Buy that comes with acamera.”Having an “eye in the sky”to extend the producer’svision is one thing, Churchpoints out, but the realexpansion of the technologycomes when you add moreDrones, drones on the rangeTRU awarded grant to further studies on drones and ranchingThompson Rivers University Cattle Industry Sustainability chair DrJohn Church says drones equipped with cameras and new infraredtechnology are going to at the forefront of what he calls “precisionranching.” He and his partners have just received a sizeable grantto build on the technology. 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October 2016 • Country Life in BC 33by DAVID SCHMIDTARMSTRONG – With smallerfarms looking for smalleranimals and many consumerslooking for smaller cuts ofbeef, Lowline cattle havebecome more popular inrecent years. A smaller versionof the Angus breed, Lowlineshave been recognized as theirown breed and were thefeature breed at the 2016Interior Provincial ExhibitionOpen Beef Show.Judge Dennis Ericson ofAlberta looked at 20 entriesbefore selecting two entriesfrom Big Island Lowlines ofAlberta as his grand championLowlines. He chose Alta PiperBIL 3A as the grand championfemale and Alta Grand SlamBIL 22B as the grandchampion bull. Big Island alsowon the junior female, heifercalf, senior, junior and bull calfchampionships. SilverhillsLowline of Lumby earned allthe reserve femalechampionships while Melanieand Sonja Guttner of PinkMountain took home thereserve bull calfchampionships.Ericson was a busy man atthe IPE as he also judged theHereford and multi-breedshows. The Herefords alsobrought 20 entries into thering with Oakridge Farms inAldergrove and Copper CreekRanch in Princeton earningthe grand championshipbanners. Oakridge took thesenior and female grandchampionship with GHUptown Destiny 25A whileCopper Creek’s CCR 9500Barcode 38B was selected asthe senior and grandchampion bull. Oakridge alsoshowed the champion andreserve champion heifercalves, reserve championyearling heifer, championjunior bull and top breedersherd. Copper Creek alsoshowed the reserve championjunior bull. Smith Farms ofAbbotsford earned thereserve senior and reservegrand champion female andchampion yearling heiferawards.In the multi-breed show,Ericson gave awards to threebreeds: Limousin, Gelbviehand Shorthorn. Pinnacle ViewLimousin of Quesnel toppedthe show, winning the grandand senior femalechampionship with PinnacleBefore He Cheats 23X and thegrand and junior bullchampionship with PinnaclesCrushin It 18C. Pinnacle Viewalso showed the championand reserve champion heifercalves and the rst-placebreeders herd. Gelbviehs fromAlberta’s Keriness CattleCompany received the awardsfor reserve grand championbull, champion bull calf,reserve senior championfemale, reserve championyearling heifer and reservechampion yearling bull. SpadyFarms of Mission took thereserve female grandchampionship with theirchampion Shorthorn yearlingheifer.As usual, Angus was thelargest of the IPE’s individualbreed shows with 36 entriescoming into the show ring.Judge Chad Wilson of Indianachose the champion yearlingheifer PM Tibble 75’15, shownby Poplar Meadows of Topleyas his grand champion femaleand the champion yearlingbull, Justamere South Dakota833C, shown by JustamereRanch of Saskatchewan andStill Meadows Ranch ofAlberta as his grand championbull.Poplar Meadows also tookhome the senior and reservegrand female, reserve yearlingheifer and reserve heifer calfchampionship banners whileJustamere/Still Meadowsadded the reserve grand andreserve bull calfchampionships to theircollection. Shiloh CattleCompany of Alberta took theremaining championships:reserve senior championfemale and champion andreserve champion bull calf.Wilson also judged theSimmental show, the smallestof the individual shows withjust 18 entries in the ring.Earning the female grandchampionship was LGW MsDesigner Label, the seniorchampion female shown byLorne Webster of Abbotsford.Named the grand championbull was KRSS Red Desperado4D, shown by KRS Simmentalsof Quesnel. Webster alsoshowed the reserve seniorchampion female and reservechampion bull. Other awardswent to Chad Valente ofParson (yearling heifer) andRidgeline Cattle ofSaskatchewan (reservechampion heifer calf).Ericson and Wilson werethen joined by Kurtis Reid ofSaskatchewan to select thesupreme champions andjudge the special shows.For the IPE’s supremechampion female, the trioselected GH Uptown Destiny,Oakridge Farms’ championHereford. Named the reservesupreme champion femalewas PM Tibbie 75’15, thechampion Angus femaleshown by Poplar Meadows.The Hereford and Angusbreeds also earned theLowlines emerge as winners at IPE beef showsupreme championships inthe bull classes but this timethe positions were reversed.The supreme championshipwent to the Angus bull,Justamere South Dakota 833C,shown by Justamere/StillMeadows while the reservewent to the championHereford bull, CCR9500Barcode 38B, shown byCopper Creek.The Angus breed alsoproduced the top sire oftomorrow: Red ShilohDefender 6D, shown by ShilohCattle; and the winner of thethree-year Stars of the Futurefuturity class: Summit AngusEline 22B, shown by SealinCreek Ranch in Monte Lake.In the jackpot heifer class,the judging triumvirate choseNimmo Reid Chiquita 4Cshown by Spady Farms as thechampion and PM Tibbie75’15 shown by PoplarMeadows as the reservechampion. In the jackpot steerclass, Hailey Erichuk ofKamloops earned top honourswhile the reserve award wentto Poplar Meadows. Five-year-old Silverhills Razi was the judge’s choice as reserve champion female Lowline at this year’s IPEBeef Show. Breeder Lauri Brundson of Lumby is joined by her husband, Kevin, holding the reservechampion banner, and an Armstrong beef club member Clay, holds Razi’s 2016 heifer calf, SilverhillsCazi. The rst Lowlines arrived in Canada in 1996 and in honour of their 20 year anniversary, IPErecognized them as the feature breed of their beef show for the rst time this year. (Photo courtesy ofSilverhills Lowline Cattle) MK Martin’s Pull Type snowblowers connect to your tractor’s 3PH. The hitch facing design allows you to drive straight forward pulling the hitch instead of backing it into the snow, allowing you to easily guide the blower around objects. 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Well, fancy that!October 2016 • Country Life in BC 35In the western world,religion, culture and feasts canplay a big part in family life,prayers, habits and food. So,too, it is with Muslims.Word was out that highdemand slaughter sheep,lambs and goats in the rsttwo weeks of September wasgoing to result in good marketprices. Indeed, it did.Fraser Valley Auction’sSaturday market report for thelast three weeks of Augustrecorded no entries at all forsheep, lambs or goats butnumbers going through theyard (and their prices)rocketed on the rst twoSaturdays of September asMuslims prepared to celebrateEid al-Adha on September 13.Total numbers goingthrough the sale ring were notpublished but guesstimateshad about 800 head of sheepand goats going through thering on September 3 withmany more again onSeptember 10. A full liner loadof some 400 head came downfrom Dawson Creek. Theimpression was of hundreds ofboth species going throughthe ring, six to 15 head a time.Each pen was sold withinminutes with the next groupready to enter the sales ringimmediately after the sold lothad left. I was told at the sale onSeptember 3, Meadow ValleyMeats, just one abattoir in thevalley, would beslaughtering sheep andgoats all day, every dayuntil the festival. Rams sold between$200.00 and $290.00per head on September3. Ewes garnered $100.00 to$180.00 while lambs reached$90.00 to $330.00. Prices thefollowing weekend weresimilar. The goat sale was much thesame with mature billiesgetting the lion’s share at$120.00 to $450.00 per head.Nannies sold for $90.00 to$270.00, and kids from $40.00to $110.00. Larger andstronger-looking animals tookthe higher prices. Llamas andalpacas were selling for apremium, too.My husband, David,brought four ewes whose timehad come to Meadow Valley at6:30 am on September 12. Heconrmed the impression ofunusually large numbers. Hewas told by a worker theywould be slaughtering fromearly morning to midnight.Cultural holiday createsdemand, good pricesfor sheep and goatsThe visible pens were full.There is another fair-sized barnnearby and he noticed abouteight to 10 white, largemarquees in two rows outside,again all lled. Dan Sandys, from SalmonArm, said the area wasspotlessly clean in accordancewith Muslim teachings. Theanimals were clean and kepton clean, dry bedding withgood hay and clean water, andhe added there was a lot of“high tech stu around.” Wool GatheringsJO SLEIGHPlease see “FEAST” page 36Shea-Lynn Seaman’s 2016 grand champion market lamb project caught the fancy of the PacicNational Exhibition, represented by agriculture manager Christie Kerr and Kalyn Van Horne ,who paid $7.75 per pound (or $1038.50) during the annual 4-H livestock auction, August 22.Shea-Lynn hails from the Langley Lamb and Woolcraft 4-H Club. It’s been a good time to marketlambs. Prices were up across the board, driven in part by the Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adhain mid-September. (Photo courtesy of the PNE)Wilf Smith WILLIAMS LAKE STOCKYARDS250.398.0813Cheryl Newman KAMLOOPS STOCKYARDS250.320.0870DeCody Corbiere VANDERHOOF STOCKYARDS 250.524.0681Al Smith BC WIDE MARKETING 250.570.2143Shawn Carter OK FALLS STOCKYARDS250.490.5809www.bclivestock.bc.ca Join us for SpecialOctober Calf Sale Auctions, we like every chair lled.Visit BCL online for Fall Run Sale Dates and November Bred Cow/Bred Heifer Auctions.wwwwwwwwwwVisitBCLonlineforFFFFFaalllllllllllllRRRunSaleDatesanddNoCUSTOM 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 MEATSVan Der Wal Equipment (1989) Ltd.23390 RIVER ROAD, MAPLE RIDGE, BC V2W 1B6604/463-3681 | vanderwaleq.comVisit our showroom to see more!Our new Massey Ferguson® 4600 Series mid-range tractor combines muscle and maneuverability for loader work. Its power shuttle transmission lets you go forward to reverse and back without clutching. Just another example of how we’re using globalinnovation to help you farm your world. Smooth. Nimble.And downright beastly with H E A V Y lifting.
Country Life in BC • October 201636FEAST OF SACRIFICE From page 35by EMILY BULMERSMITHERS – It was a greatsummer of pulling for CurtisAdamson, an up-and-comingteamster from Smithers.Taking rst place at theBulkley Valley Exhibition, hesays, “It was exciting to win inSmithers – its fun becausefamily is involved. My sisterwas helping me out and therewas lots of family in thecrowd.” In addition to hishometown win, Adamson alsobrought back the GrandChampion title (middleweight division) from theCalgary Stampede thissummer for a 63-inch pull at12,000 pounds. “It was a big show so it waspretty exciting,” he says. Hehas had his team of Belgians,Nip and Doc, together for twoyears. “I work them about six daysa week, for three hours a day.A lot of time and feed goesinto them.” An older man’s sportAdamson has been pullingfor about six years, andentered the competitivearena three years ago. Whenasked about what it’s like tobe one of the youngercompetitors, he says, “It isdenitely an older man'ssport – there’s not a lot ofyoung people. It’s good tolearn lots, and there are lotsof people to look up to.” Adamson is currently backat university working on anengineering degree so thehorses take the winter o athis parents’ farm in ruralSmithers. He plans to starttraining again in the spring.Hometown win forSmithers teamsterby PETER MITHAMABBOTSFORD – The last besthope to halt construction ofthe Site C power project lieswith the federal courts afterthe BC Court of Appealdismissed a request by thePeace Valley Landowners’Association to overturnapproval of the project.Lawyers for the landowners’association argued that four ofthe recommendations laid outby the joint federal-provincialreview panel that examinedthe project were ignored whenthe project received approval.However, the justicesconsidering the appealcountered that therecommendations hadnothing to do with theenvironmental assessment ofthe project, and were thereforeimmaterial to its approval.While the Peace ValleyLandowners Association isdiscussing next steps with itslawyers, the Federal Court ofAppeal is considering a requestfrom the Treaty 8 First Nationsto have the dam stopped.Stewart Phillip, president ofthe Union of BC Indian Chiefs,has lent his support to thecause and in September, theAssembly of First Nationsstepped up with its ownsupport.First Nations received ahearing in federal court onSeptember 13 and are nowawaiting a decision. There’s notimeline for the response butopponents of the project arehoping it comes before thedam reaches a point of no-return – something BC PremierChristy Clark has pledged toachieve before the provincialelection in May 2017.The reservoir associatedwith the Site C dam will ood –depending on who’s talking –as little as 7,413 acres or asmany as 31,528 acres along 83kilometres of the Peace River.Courts consider Site C criticismsCurtis Adamson (far right) assisted by Oren Rosler (left) guides his team of Belgians, Nip (left) and Doc(right), to a rst place nish at the Bulkley Valley Exhibition, August 28. (Emily Bulmer photo)The background for thisdemand is rooted in religionand culture. Eid al-Adha, or the Feast ofSacrice, commemorates theprophet Abraham'swillingness to obey Allah bysacricing his son, Ishmael.According to the Koran, hewas commanded by Allah totake his son to a certain placeand sacrice him. Just beforeAbraham sacriced his son,Allah replaced Ishmael with aram, thus sparing his life.The festival is celebratedby sacricing a ram, lamb orother animal and distributingthe meat in equal parts torelatives, friends and thepoor. The sacricesymbolizes obedience toAllah, and its distribution toothers is an expression ofgenerosity, one of the vepillars of Islam.PUSHING THE LIMITS OFV270 GEN:2Lift Height 130.3"Rated Capacity 2,700 lbs.V330 GEN:2Lift Height 131.2"Rated Capacity 3,300 lbs.Vertical-LiftSKID LOADERSGehl is pushing the limits of innovation and performance once again with the all-new V270 GEN:2 and V330 GEN:2 vertical-lift skid loaders. Add in the V400, the world’s largest skid loader, and you have a robust, vertical-lift product offering designed to meet the specific needs of each operation.gehl.comDEALER INFOV400Lift Height 144"Rated Capacity 4,000 lbs.34511 VYE RD . ABBOTSFORD604/864-2273www.caliberequipment.ca
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 37by TOM WALKERKELOWNA – Robyn Kingjokes that her husband,Richard, really wanted a newchallenge when he switchedtheir 13 acre apple and peachorchard to organic certicationstarting in 2007.“Sometimes I don’t do sowell at that challenge,” hequips back. Richard started moving inthe organic direction when hebecame involved in early trialswith Sterile Insect Release (SIR)technology for codling mothcontrol in the Okanagan in theearly 1990’s. There was a steeplearning curve over the twoyears to qualify for organicstatus, Richard told a recent BCAgrologists eld trip to Bite MeOrganics farm in southeastKelowna. Still, he sees a lot ofadvantages to being anorganic farmer.“I never really liked thechemicals I used inconventional production,”Richard says. “I still spray, butit’s with organic materials,which are much more benign.” He thinks it is much betterfor the environment. “I notice we have a lot morebirds around than we used to,particularly raptors.” He hasbeen working to re-introduceAmerican Kestrels to controlthe starlings that prey on softfruit.The economics are muchbetter for both retail andwholesale sales, Richardexplains. “The organic market is stillvery undersupplied.” Bite Me Organics sells toorganic retailers in Kelowna,Choices and Natures Fare, andsupplies a local organicdelivery service.They make about 10 visitseach summer to the KelownaFarmers Market. “It’s a long day,” says Robyn.“But it is lucrative. And it drawscustomers up to the barn fordirect sales that are oftenlarger orders.” Families will come out andbring their children. “We can get 100 peoplehere on a Saturday,” saysRobyn. Visitors may also cutowers from the housegarden.“We have three distinctgroups on our 350 memberemail list,” says Robyn. “Wehave the young professionalswho can aord it and wanttheir children to eatorganically, we have folks whohave cancer and we haveEuropeans.”Richard says there are alsodownsides to growingorganically. “One of the problems is thatduring the two years forcertication, you must useorganic methods, but youcannot sell for the organicpremium to recoup the extracosts.”And there’s more recordkeeping. “I’ve started a computerdiary to record at the end ofthe day.” “A major problem is thealternate bearing years thatoccur in the apple orchard,”Richard says. There aren’tadequate materials forchemical thinning and it’s justnot practical to do it by hand,he explains. “So our production canreally vary from year to year.”But this summer was anexcellent year for soft fruit, hesays. “We couldn’t keep up withthe picking. We got over30,000 pounds of peachesfrom our acre and a half and1200 pounds from our 25young nectarine trees.” They grow Ambrosia, PinkLady, Fuji, Jonagold, Aurora,Golden Gala and Honeycrispapples on 10 acres. About onethird is sold direct and to localretail while two thirds isIt’s not easy being organicHowever, Okanagan tree fruitgrower prefers the challengeINVEST IN QUALITY®Matsqui Ag-RepairAbbotsford, BC604-826-3281Noble Tractor & EquipmentArmstrong, BC250-546-3141Noble Tractor & EquipmentKamloops, BC250-851-3101Huber Farm EquipmentPrince George, BC250-560-5431KuhnNorthAmerica.comTHE HAY AND TILLAGE TOOL SPECIALISTSKuhn is committed to helping you succeed by building quality machines for mowing, conditioning, tedding, raking, merging and seedbed preparation.Download ourForageXpertapp today toƂPFVJGRGTHGEVtool to optimizeyour harvest! shipped to Cawston ColdStorage, an organic packer inthe Similkameen Valley abouttwo hours away. “We grow some Sunrise forearly local sales and I nd thatwe are picking about a weekahead of our neighbours,” heexplains. “The local marketwants rm, crisp and avorfulapples, but they aren’t asconcerned about colour.” Fujis that are headed toChina, on the other hand, areleft to color up and even have“extenday” plastic groundcovers beneath the trees toreect back the sunlight andripen the fruit more evenly.“Honeycrisp are the hardestapples to grow,” Richard says.They are not strong trees, theyhave thin skin and aresusceptible to bitter pit. “You don’t always see it onthe fruit when you pick it, butit shows up later when they’vebeen in cold storage.” Still,they are hugely popular andgive the best returns for thegrower.Richard has ve Californiavarieties of peaches such asOh Henry and Miranda and, sofar, they have been winterhardy. “I’m betting on climatechange,” he jokes. “The SIR program is veryeective for codling moths,”says Richard. He nds organicsprays are good for leaf rollerand mating disruption worksfor root borer, but he still hasto go through with a coathanger and dig out the grubs.He tried chicken manure forfertilizer, “but its not verypopular with your family oryour neighbours,” and itburned a number of trees thathave not recovered. He likesthe pelletized feather meal heis using now.And the name? “It was one of those crazyideas that came out of sittingaround with friends and aglass of wine,” recalls Robyn.“People remember it.”Bite Me Organics’ Richard King shows o a box of organically-grown peaches to a group ofagrologists who toured his orchard earlier this summer. Although it requires extra work, King says thepersonal satisfaction and nancial premiums make it all worthwhile. (Tom Walker photo)
Country Life in BC • October 201638by TAMARA LEIGHPEMBERTON – ThePemberton Valley may be bestknown for its potatoes, butfarming in the area is quicklydiversifying to serve newmarkets. The idyllic setting andfertile soil is increasingly beingrecognized for its agriculturalpotential and improvementsto the Sea to Sky highwayhave made the three-millionperson market to the south allthat much more accessible. “The valley is still primarily aseed potato growing area, butthere’s a lot more going on.Agri-tourism is a big deal, andour organic industry isgrowing as well,” says AnnaHelmer, president of thePemberton Farmers’ Institute.“We are seeing trends towardscommunity supportedagriculture (CSA), mixedvegetables, market vegetables,berries and hops. It’s generallyon smaller acreages and reallylabour intensive work.”For decades, the PembertonValley’s claim to fame camefrom their virus and disease-free status, but as tissueculture has become thestandard for propagation, themarkets are changing.Speaking to the board of theInvestment AgricultureFoundation during theirannual regional tour in June,elite seed potato grower JohnBeks of Shaw Creek Farmexplained the impact on thesector. “For quite a few years,Pemberton was the only placethat had virus-free anddisease-free status and it waslucrative because people wereafter our stu, so wewere selling a lot moreproduct and had moreseed growers,” saysBeks who is vice-president of the BCCertied Seed PotatoAssociation. “We were sellingto Alberta, Saskatchewan.They are now doing whatwe’re doing, so our market hasdwindled a little bit over theyears.”In recent years, the BCCertied Seed PotatoAssociation has securedfunding to help increaseawareness of the seed potatoindustry locally through theGovernment of BritishColumbia’s Buy Local programand internationally throughthe Canada-BC AgrifoodsExport program funding byGrowing Forward 2.Many of the older seedpotato growers are retiringand the math doesn’t add upfor the next generation to stayin business.“To make a living growingseed potatoes, you have to begrowing around 70 acres peryear and we’re mandated tohave a three year rotation.That means you have to haveaccess to 200 acres to growpotatoes and it’s tough to puttogether,” explains AnnaHelmer, who grows organictable potatoes. “It’s hard toimagine paying $5 million foryour 200-acre farm, buying allthis equipment and thenselling your potatoes for 20cents per pound.”Helmer is the fourthgeneration to take over herfamily’s farm, Helmer Organics.With a focus on farmers’markets in Vancouver, she getsan average price of $2 perpound and grows seven acresof potatoes instead of 70. Theopportunities go far beyondfarmers’ markets.“Almost every restaurant inWhistler has a Pembertonpotato and there’s a marketwaiting to be lled by a washand pack product with aPemberton name attached toit,” she says. “I think it’ssomething about the soil wehave here that produces abetter tasting potato.”Closer to home, PembertonDistillery has developedongoing local demand forpotatoes. The companysources 40,000 tonnes ofPemberton organic potatoesThe changing face of farming in Pembertoneach year to produce theirtrademark vodka.Beyond potatoes, localbusinesses like Whistler-basedCaveman Grocer are lookingfor reliable suppliers of localmeat and produce to meet thegrowing demand. Thecompany delivers fresh andfrozen prepared paleo mealsto customers throughoutVancouver and the LowerMainland and has recentlylaunched a food truck inWhistler.“Everything that we provideis locally sourced, free-range,pasture-raised meats,” saysKara McMaster, co-founder ofCaveman Grocer. “We have anew relationship with a farm inPemberton called LaughingCrow Organics and we’veworked pretty closely withthem over the last year tomake sure they can keep upwith our demand.” One of the biggestchallenges for Pemberton, aswith other regions of BC, iskeeping farmland inproduction. The PembertonFarmers’ Institute is activelypromoting the value ofagriculture to the localeconomy, as well as inensuring the availability oflocally-produced food in thefuture. “Farming is a reallyCountry Wayscelebrating Canada’s 150 yearsReserveyour tickets now!space is limitedSponsorsupport our gala new options availableWednesday January 25, 2017Quality Hotel &Conference Centreproudly sponsored by:See “DIVERSITY” page 39Pemberton seed potato grower John Beks explains tissue cultureto IAF board and sta during a tour of the region earlier thissummer. (Tamara Leigh photo)Less bawling, less wandering and feeding faster for healthier calves. Rite-LixTM Maxi Bloc 14% all natural ƉƌŽƚĞŝŶĨŽƌŵƵůĂƟŽŶĨŽƌĐĂƩůĞǁŝƚŚŚŝŐŚĞƌvitamin and trace mineral requirements. ĚĚĞĚďĞŶĞĮƚƐŽĨŽƌŐĂŶŝĐ͕ĐŚĞůĂƚĞĚƚƌĂĐĞŵŝŶĞƌĂůƐƚŽŚĞůƉƐƚŝŵŵƵŶŝƚLJ͘&ŽƌŵƵůĂƚĞĚĨŽƌĐĂƩůĞĚƵƌŝŶŐĐĂůǀŝŶŐ͕ůĂĐƚĂƟŽŶ͕ƌĞͲďƌĞĞĚŝŶŐ͕ǁĞĂŶŝŶŐ͕ƌĞĐĞŝǀŝŶŐĂŶĚŽƚŚĞƌƉĞƌŝŽĚƐ of stress. AVAILABLE AT MASTERFEEDS DEALERS AND MILL LOCATIONS ACROSS WESTERN CANADA.S AILABLE AT MASTERFEEDSIONSALERS AND MILL LOCATIODAROSS WESTERN CANADAMAXI BLOC
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 39drainage is our specialtyVALLEY FARM DRAINAGE31205 DEWDNEY TRUNK RD, MISSION • Fax 604-462-7215604-462-7213 • www.valleyfarmdrainage.comProudly supporting Canadian industryusing Canadian productLASER EQUIPPED & GPS CONTROLLED TRENCHED AND TRENCHLESS APPLICATIONSSUPPLIERS OF CANADIAN MADE BIG O DRAINAGE TUBINGby FRANYA JEDWABWHISTLER – BC farmersmarkets are playing anincreasing role in helpingproducers grow theirbusinesses. The WhistlerFarmers Market is one suchmarket that is havingexceptional results for a varietyof vendors – from artisancrafters to food crafters andproducers. “The role of farmers marketsproviding the access andpromoting the availability oflocally produced goods is alittle underrated,” WhistlerFarmers Market managerChristopher Quinlan told theInvestment AgricultureFoundation (IAF) board duringa tour of the area earlier thisyear. The Whistler marketexploded after it began 22years back with “three hippieswith some veggies, a tent andthe occasional jeweler.”There are 18 Sundaymarkets in its season with ahigh season beginning in July.It is one of BC’s larger farmersmarkets, hosting up to 94vendors and sprawls throughthe pedestrian village ofWhistler Blackcomb. Potentialimportant diversied part of adiversied economy and localgovernment is starting torealize that as the ups anddowns of the Whistlereconomy come home to roosthere, and we stillhave farmersgoing strongand morefarmers comingin when theycan. It’s prettyobvious thatfarming is agood way todiversify,” saysHelmer. Prices risingWhile landprices are stillsignicantlylower than the Fraser Valley(about $15,000 per acre), theyare still rising as more peoplediscover the spectacularlandscape and recreationalopportunities of the area. “Land prices are increasing;it seems like even in the lastcouple of months, the bubblehas been developing andthose values are being set byfactors other than what theycan produce,” says Helmer. “I know it’s a Shangri-la andpeople want to be here. Iplayed a big role in bringingthem here in the rst place tosee howbeautiful it is,”she says,referring to herrole in startingthe PembertonSlow Food CycleTour. “I guessmy hope iswhen peoplecome here,they’ll say ‘Ohman, I reallywish my foodcame fromhere.’”“Then whenand if food gets too expensivefrom other places, they’ll turnto Pemberton and say ‘okay,we’re ready for all thatamazing food.’ When thathappens I hope we still haveenough people growingmixed vegetables and all theother amazing things that cangrow here so there is more tooer than just seed potatoes.”Whistler farmers’ market supports local growersvenders go through a juriedapplication process and thispast year they had 172applicants. In high season, Whistlergrows from a populationaverage of 10,000 to 55,000.During this time, the marketaverages 5,000 to 7,000 peopleper day. “It provides a phenomenalpoint of touch for all of ourfarmers who provide theirproduce to locals,” saysQuinlan. As a major touristdestination, the marketprovides an opportunity forsmall vendors to showcasetheir products with customersfrom all over the world.Consumers have anopportunity to speak withproducers, try their productsand give instant feedback – avaluable tool for producers asthey develop and rene theiroerings. Outgrown the marketA signicant number oflocal businesses have grownout of the Whistler FarmersMarket, including Nonna Pia’sGourmet, an award-winningproducer of balsamicreductions. Their businessbegan by bringing 1,000bottles to a Christmas market,recounts co-founder chefNorm Strim, who started thecompany with his wife,Natasha, and a bit of help fromtheir children, Georgia andOliver.“Everyone else had backlitbooths and we had a little signthat my four year-old madewith a little Italian ag and onelight shining on it, and wethought ‘Oh no, we’re gonnaget killed.’” From there, they grew theirbusiness at the market and in2014, they made an excitingappearance on CBC’s Dragons’Den and were partnered withby Dave Chilton. This year,Nonna Pia’s produced almost700,000 bottles of product,and next year they plan toproduce one million bottles.Chef Norm credits the supportof the BC Buy Local programwith helping expand theirretail presence in Canada. Theyhave also received supportfrom the Canada-BC AgrifoodsExport program delivered bythe IAF to assist with theirupcoming expansion into theUS. The Whistler villagecommunity is able to rallyaround its local producerswhile giving them a hugeboost with chefs buyingproduce sold at the marketand showcasing it onrestaurant menus includingthe Four Seasons Resort andFairmont Chateau Whistler.“Farmers markets are aphenomenon sweeping acrossBC. New businesses get intofarmers markets to get theexposure and to get that one-on-one touch with theircustomers to help developtheir product and really buildtheir business plan,” assertsQuinlan. “98% of the vendorsthat come to farmers marketsare at that level to buildbusiness and promoteproducts.”DIVERSITY IN FARMING From page 38Anna HelmerThe Whistler Farmers Market has a waiting list of applicantshoping to cash in on local and tourist dollars. (Photo courtesy ofWhistler Farmers Market)
Here come the bandidos!Shelby Edwards, 11, and her 4-H llama project, Stirling, took rst place in a competitivecostume class at this year’s IPE in Armstrong. Shelby is a second year member in the Armstrong4-H Multi Club where she and club members have been practicing showmanship with theirllamas and getting in a little creative time putting together their costumes. Coee, anyone?(Cathy Glover photo)Country Life in BC • October 201640Harvesting whatreally matterswww.AgSafeBC.ca#AgSafetyChampFARMERS HELPING FARMERSNominate yours today at 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.Someone recently postedthis pithy saying on Facebook:“You’re not rich until you havesomething that money can’tbuy.” It got me thinking aboutanother unknown factor (tome, at least) in the matter ofthe pursuit of wealth. I foundit shocking.Like me, I’m sure you’vereceived dozens ofnotications over the yearsinforming that you are eligibleto cash in on millions ofdollars. Between the deaths ofuntold numbers of militarymen, as well as belovedfathers, uncles and who-knows-who-else, the numberof dollars I would havereceived by responding tothese spam emails exceedsmy ability to imagine, letalone count. Why, just thismorning, I was informed intwo separate emails that I waseligible for an inheritance of$100 million; additionally, myname had been drawn in alottery I didn’t even enter andI could collect my luxuryautomobile if I would simplysupply personal informationto these fraudsters who wantme to believe they have mybest interests at heart. Justthink, I would be able tospend lavishly for the rest ofmy life.On a sadder note, I’veheard of many people whoare snared in these traps.When lonely or perhapsdesperate (or greedy) enoughto believe the spiel they’vereceived, they are caught inthe net of deceit.A study by theFinancial FraudResearch Center atStanford University’sCenter on Longevityestimates thatsomewhere around 30 millionAmericans (not countingCanadians!) are sucked intonancial fraud estimated at$40 to $50 billion annually.Even more surprising, to me atleast, is that victims includeolder people, yes, but alsoyounger ones. Educated andundereducated. White-collarand blue-collar. Dumb peopleand smart ones. Check outthis website, along withrelated sites:[http://longevity3.stanford.edu/blog/2012/11/19/scams-schemes-and-swindles-a-review-of-consumer-nancial-fraud-research/].As I said, I found thisinformation shocking,especially since theseschemes are not limited tothe Internet. It also got methinking about the matter ofgenuine riches. Drawing uponthe years I spent living in ruralBC and Saskatchewan, I’vecome to a few generalconclusions: rst, farming orranching isn’t the money bagthat some people think. Yes,there has to be some net gainas they both demand a totalcommitment to hard workand hefty expenses. Next,hard work and nancialinvestment alone don’tguarantee monetary success;there’s the matter of weatherconditions and globaldemand, just to name acouple of factors. For thefarmers I know, genuineriches came from their love ofthe land and of what they doand for the majority, thoseriches also include love offamily, friends andcommunity. I’ve neverfarmed, although I certainlycontinue to grow a lot of ourfood on our property, and Ican attest to the fact thatpotatoes dug from thebackyard soil seem to providean extra measure ofenjoyment.As we celebrateThanksgiving Day this year,once more may our thoughtsbe centred on the good thingswe share in this land. No,things are not always as we’dlike or even as they should beand yes, governmentssometimes seem to beanything but attuned tocurrent needs but, all in all, weare privileged to live in thetrue north strong and free. It’sa place where genuine richesare more easily harvested thanin a lot of places on thisplanet.PS: A word to thefraudsters: if you would spendsome of that impressivewealth learning to spell anduse good grammar, youwouldn’t turn me o soquickly. (Mind you, I stillwouldn’t respond, but I’d bemore impressed with youreorts.)A Wannabe FarmerLINDA WEGNERCIDC Check-offBCID Fund9WorkBeef atCheck-offCheck-offCIDC 9Ch9f9heck-of9at9W9Beef 9ork9WoFundCI-D FundBCID Producer Check-Off Supports Beef Industry Projects.www.cattlefund.net | 1-877-688-2333FOR SALETURNKEY WHOLESALESOIL PACKAGING BUSINESS• With equipment and well establishedcustomer base• Located in the Lower Mainland• Gross sales approx. $375K – 400K per year• Business to move to your location by 2017For further information reply toSoilbusiness4sale@gmail.comAll inquiries will be answered promptly
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 41When we left o last time,Henderson got hiscomeuppance when he realizedthat Janice would be his newboss. While Henderson’s worldseemed to be crashing, Deborahand Doug McLeod beganrehearsing for the springmusical. Rural Redemption (part77) continues ...The spring musical was oto the races. Once wordspread that the rehearsals hadbegun, a steady stream ofwilling – or mildly coerced –participants started signingon. Gladdie auditioned andappraised the talent andwrestled with scene selection.There were musical rehearsalsin Jade Song’s music roomnearly every afternoon butthere was no sign of the rststage rehearsal. Doug McLeoddropped by to see EdnaFitzpatrick.“Have you been seenGladdie lately? I’m a littleworried that this musical isgoing to overwhelm her.”Edna nodded. “I’m glad you dropped by. Iwas going to give you a call.She looked completely wornout when I stopped in to seeher on Tuesday. She’s got herheart set on doing this but Idon’t know if she’s really up totaking on so much of it.”“I’ve got the same feeling.Do you think she might bewilling to let go of some of it?”“Maybe. Leave it with mefor a day or two. I might knowsomeone who would help ifthey were asked.” Coffee?As soon as Doug was gone,Edna picked up the phone. “Val? This is EdnaFitzpatrick. I wonder if I mighttake you up on that cup ofcoee you oered me?”Half an hour later, Ednapulled into Valentine andArnold Zimmer’s driveway.The Zimmer’s had purchasedfour acres of the old Strandplace almost three years agobut hadn’t moved in untiltheir new house was nishedsix months ago. Tyler Koskidesigned it and had overseenthe construction. Edna wascurious to see just what hehad come up with. The housewas modest and unobtrusiveand blended quietly into thelandscape at the end of theStrand’s old orchard – sounlike many of the garishmonstrosities that had sprungup on other places that hadbeen sold to newcomers.Sparks begin to fly with the L’il Abner rehearsalsInside, it was lovely: bigwindows in the right place tolet in the view and sunlight,stunning woodwork cut frombeams re-cycled from one ofthe old buildings that wasbeyond salvation, and nomore walls than bedroom andbathroom modestydemanded. High school dramaEdna rst met Val at themailboxes in the store acouple of weeks beforeChristmas. She’d struck up aconversation and learned thatArnold Zimmer was a retiredphysics professor andVal had spent morethan 20 years teachinghigh school dramaclasses. Theconversation endedwith an invitation tocome by for coee, take a lookat the house and meet Arnie.After a tour of the house, thesubject of Gladdie and thespring musical was broached.“I’ve been dying to see yourhouse but I have to confessanother motive for comingby.”Edna told them about thespring musicals of the pastand how they had dwindledand how Gladdie wanted tomount one last production asa tribute to all of those thathad gone before, and that itwas going to be dedicated tothe memory of their oldfriend, Cec Montgomery. Shetold them that Gladdie’sfriends were worried abouther and she remembered thatVal had been a drama teacherand wondered if she might beinterested in shoulderingsome of the directing?“I’d love to. What is themusical?”“Lil Abner.”“Oh, Lil Abner is such fun.I’ve done it twice before withthe school. What exactly doyou need?”It was quickly determinedthat, Gladdie willing, ValZimmer would becomeco-director of the springmusical and take over thestage direction.”“I’ll even throw in Arnie ifyou still need a Marry’n Samor an Evil Eyed Fleagle.”Arnold Zimmer protested.“Hush, Arnold. It will begood for you. You’ll have achance to meet ourneighbours and it will getyour nose out of your booksfor a while.”Val Zimmer spent twohours with Gladdie thefollowing morning. By mid-afternoon, Gladdie hadrequested all concerned towelcome their new neighbourand stage director.First rehearsalValentine Zimmer leaptquickly and decisively into thebreech. Two days later, shestarted stage rehearsals. Shespoke to Jade, who said thatDaisy and Abner were themost musically ready. Shescheduled their rst rehearsalfor the same evening.Deborah and Doug met Valat the community hall at 7:30.Ready to sing“I know this is short noticebut I wanted to get started assoon as possible. Time alwaysruns out at the other end soanything we can look afternow makes it easier on all ofus in the long run. Jade tellsme that you are both ready tosing so I’d like to run throughthe stage blocking for thenumbers you are doingtogether. There are no sets yetso I’ll mark your spots withchalk. Jade has given me adownload of the music.”Five minutes later, Deborahand Doug sang Mainly You. Val sat with her mouthopen and her eyebrowsraised. “That was incredible! Thereis so much chemistry in yourvoices. So much potential. Butyou can’t sing a love song likethis when you are three feetapart and not even looking atone another. Deborah, I wantyou to stand right in front ofAbner right here on thismark.”She chalked an X on thestage less than a foot in frontfrom Abner’s mark. “Move to this spot and lookup into his eyes while yousing,” she said. “Abner, youonly have eyes for Daisy. Takeher hands while you’resinging and hold thembetween you.”They repeated the number. “So much better, but youare still not committing to thefull potential. You are in loveand you are saying so. You arecommitting to each other;take full advantage of thatpassion. Let’s try it again butthis time, just at the end, letshave Daisy lay her cheek onAbner’s chest and Abner puthis arms around her.” Conflicted emotionsBoth Deborah and Dougwere in a ux of conictedemotions. Doug was stillholding her hands and theywere looking into oneanother’s eyes. “Do you think we canmanage this one more time?”Doug asked in a whisper.Deborah swalloweddicultly and blew the breathfrom her lungs. “In for a penny, in for apound.”Val re-started the music andthey sang it again. At the end,Daisy laid her cheek onAbner’s chest and he wrappedhis right arm around her. Thenlifted her chin with his lefthand, stared briey into hereyes and they kissed.“Bravo!” shouted Val.“Brava! What emotion! Whatpassion! Everyone will see thatyou are in love! 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Country Life in BC • October 201642Mexi weekEat now or freeze for later: enchilada pie. (Judie Steeves photo)Enchilada PieIf your family gets bored with all the regular fare now thatyou’re back in the school routine, try setting aside dierentweeks to feature food from another country, like Mexico. Youcould even wear that old sombrero or pancho to the table ... ormaybe not.To me, these dishes are a comfort food because they alwaysremind me of fall and winter, but actually they’d probably bejust ne in summer as well.They are both great dishes for planning meals from whichthere will be leftovers because both re-heat well. You can easilyfreeze portions of the Enchilada Pie to serve later, or the wholething; and you can freeze extra portions of the meat lling forthe tacos and serve it upas an after-school snack,lunch or dinner atanother time.With meals like these,you can prepare themahead on the weekend, ifyou’re not working onweekends and have more time, then you’re all set for the weekahead. Just thaw and re-heat when everyone’s on the run.Since this is turkey month, why not try making tacos usingthe seasoning mix recipe with chopped-up leftover turkeyinstead of lean ground beef – just re-heating instead ofcooking? You could substitute ground chicken or turkey for thebeef in the pie as well.It’s always a challenge to come up with dierent, nutritiousmeals that everyone in the family will eat for every day of theweek. But take inspiration from other cultures to bring somenew avours into the regular routine and perk up some palates.Stir-fried dishes are terric because they incorporate so manycrispy, colourful vegetables along with a little meat in a singledish. Just pick up a few bottled sauces to add a spoonful at theend for avour.Italian pasta sauces are also fun because you can serve themso many ways: over chicken and penne pasta; meatballs andspaghetti; ground veal patties with mozzarella; on ravioli orother stued pastas; or on a pizza. Try using a whole wheattortilla or pita bread instead of a thick pizza crust if you’re tryingto reduce the bread in your diet. They’re crisp and delicious.Whatever you try in the way of new avours, have anoutdoorsy October and enjoy the colours of the turning leaveson a walk or hike, working up an appetite for a good dinner.Happy Thanksgiving.This is delicious and makes an excellent make-ahead dish to freeze for quick dinners atanother time. I divided one into several servings and froze them separately. It can be made asspicy as you like, by varying the amounts of dierent ingredients or the heat of the salsa. Youcould add a simple salad on the side.1 onion 1 lb. (454 g) lean ground beef 1 tsp. (5 ml) chili powder1 garlic clove 10.6 oz. (300 g) pkg. frozen spinach 1 1/2 tsp. (7 ml) salt2 tomatoes or 14 oz. (398 ml) can black beans 1 1/2 c. (375 ml) salsa7 oz. (213 ml) tomato sauce 1 tbsp. (15 ml) lime juice 7 large whole wheat tortillashalf a green pepper 1 tsp. (5 ml) cuminhalf a red pepper 1 tsp. (5 ml) corianderChop onions (or you may substitute leeks) and mince garlic. Chop tomatoes and peppers.Brown beef, onions and garlic over medium heat in a large frypan.Add thawed spinach, rinsed black beans, peppers, lime juice, spices and sauce. Cook 15minutes or so. Pre-heat oven to 350 F. Cover the bottom of a 9” x 13” pan with tortillas and letthem lap over the pan sides. Top with the beef mixture.Fold the tortillas from the bottom layer over the mixture and top with more tortillas, if needed,to totally enclose the casserole.Top with a similar-sized pan or other weight to keep the tortillas from curling up as they bake.Bake 30 minutes or until bubbling.Serve hot or let cool completely, cut into serving pieces, wrap in foil and freeze. To serve, youmay embellish by topping with salsa and sour cream or Greek style yogurt, and garnishing withcilantro. Serves 8 or so.Made this way, you aren’t serving your family unpronounceable avourings and extra sugar.These tacos are made easily and quickly from scratch using simple ingredients. They’re kind oflike a spicy cheeseburger served in a whole grain soft taco, instead of a big bun. Quite a healthy,simple meal.Taco Seasoning:Simply quadruple all the ingredients for a larger batch and store the extra in a jar in thecupboard. Then it’s quick and easy to spoon out two tablespoons or so for each pound of leanground meat when you feel like a hit of Mexican.1 tbsp. (15 ml) chili powder 1 tsp. (5 ml) sea salt 1/4 tsp. (1 ml) cayenne pepper1 1/2 tsp. (8 ml) cumin powder 1 tsp. (5 ml) ground pepper 1/4 tsp. (1 ml) crushed red pepper akes1 tsp. (5 ml) dried oregano 1/2 tsp. (2 ml) paprikaCombine all the spices and store in an airtight container. Vary the amounts of chili powder,black pepper, cayenne and red pepper akes to your family’s taste for heat.Meat Mixture:1 onion drizzle of oil 1 tbsp. (15 ml) tomato paste1 garlic clove 1 lb. (454 g) lean ground beef 2 tbsp. (30 ml) taco seasoningChop onion and mince garlic. In a medium-sized frypan over medium-high heat, drizzle oiland soften the onion.Add lean ground beef and brown, turning the heat down if it seems to be cooking too fast.Add the garlic, tomato paste and taco seasoning and cook on a lower heat for a few minutes,stirring occasionally.Chopped tomato Chopped lettuce Grated old cheddar cheese Whole wheat tortillasOer the meat mixture, tomato, lettuce and cheddar separately with the tortillas at the table,so everyone can place a dollop of the meat mixture on a tortilla, topped by the cheddar, tomatoand lettuce and roll up the tortilla, tucking in the bottom rst. Serves 2-4.Jude’s KitchenJUDIE STEEVESPlease mail to36 Dale Road, Enderby, BC V0E 1V4604-328-3814The 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!subscriptions@countrylifeinbc.comRONDA PAYNE PHOTO
October 2016 • Country Life in BC 43by DAVID SCHMIDTLANGLEY – Farmers andtheir friends in the agriculturesector seem to spend a lot oftheir summer on local golfcourses. So it’s no surprise thatagricultural associations havedecided to put that interest togood use by having them teeo for charity.The granddaddy ofcharitable golf tournaments isthe annual BC Turkey and EggGolf Tournament. Organizedby the BC Turkey Association(BCTA) and the Fraser ValleyEgg Producers Association.The 13th annual event washeld September 7 atNewlands Golf Course inLangley and brought out closeto 150 golfers and many morefarmers and industry reps tothe dinner and auction whichfollowed the tournament.The tournament is a win-win for all involved. Theproceeds are donated to theUnion Gospel Missions inVancouver’s DowntownEastside and in Mission. Inturn, UGM uses the money tobuy turkey and eggs for theirmeal programs, whichsupports the very producerswho support them.UGM representativesSteven Fike and NicoleRobson were on hand to assistwith the tournament, selling“eggs” with a potential prizepayo of a $1,500 ight withWestjet. Fike also provided histestimony during the dinner,describing how the mealprogram brought him intoUGM, which eventually turnedFarmers tee off for charityhis life around from a life ofdrug addiction and crime.This year’s turkey and eggauction raised over $57,000for the UGM.“This is the best we’ve doneyet,” reported BCTA managerSusan Mallory.A couple of othertournaments are nowfollowing in the turkey andegg tournament’s footsteps. A few years ago, Bank ofMontreal agriculture managerSteve Saccomano began hisSaccomaniacs GolfTournament, subtitledAgriculture for Autism. Thisyear’s tournament was held atthe Westwood Plateau andAcademy Golf Courses inCoquitlam, August 15. While itwas naturally well-populatedby bank sta, Saccomanonotes about 75% of the 200participants were primaryproducers.This was also a verysuccessful event, raising over$50,000 for the Pacic AutismFamily Centre.This year, the BC ChickenGrowers Association and BCHatching Egg Producersjoined the parade, hostingtheir rst-ever charity golftournament at the ChilliwackGolf Course, June 23.For an initial event, it was ahuge success, raising over$40,000 for the Canuck PlaceChildren’s Hospice.A good egg! Dave Jonkman, left, of Jonkman Equipment, boughtpotentially prize-winning “eggs” from Steve Fike and NicoleRobson of the Union Gospel Mission during the annual BC Turkeyand Egg golf tournament in Langley. (David Schmidt photo)CLASSIFIEDDEADLINE FOR NOVEMBER 2016 ISSUE: OCTOBER 1925 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.ca • Web: www.countrylifeinbc.comHAY FOR SALEAPPLES WANTEDFEEDERS FOR SALENEW/USED EQUIPMENTIRRIGATIONWATERTECIRRIGATIONLTD604/882-74051-888-675-7999FOR SALELIVESTOCKNEWPOLYETHYLENETANKSof 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.STEELSTORAGECONTAINERSFOR SALEOR RENTjentonstorage@gmail.com604-534-2775EZEE-ONFRONT ENDLOADERS#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.Call250/567-2607(Vanderhoof)TWO YEAR OLDPB ROMNEY RAMimported from S Oregon, available inOctober. Also, 20 PB white andcoloured Romney lambs, well grown,correct, healthy. Flock selected forease of lambing, prolificacy, andconformation for 35 years. Discounton 3 or more.CallBramblewood Farm604/462-9465WEB HOSTINGCOURTENAY HEREFORDS. FIVE POLLEDHereford bulls for sale. One two yearold/four yearlings. Cow/calf pairs also forsale. 250/334-3252.Host your website with us.PROUD HOST OFwww.countrylifeinbc.comVEGETABLE EQUIPMENT FOR SALE: carrotharvester, drum washer c/w hoist andconveyor, packaging equipment, 5 tondelivery truck and more. For photos andmore info, call David at 250/330-4494.PUREBRED KATAHDIN BRED EWES, 18months old, and purebred Katahdin ewelambs, 7 months old for sale. Phone250/672-5159 or email[jerdonbrown1@gmail.com]FIELD READY EQUIPMENT:NH 1033 BALE WAGON, 104 bales, nicecond, $6,200JD 467 SQUARE BALER, hyd tension, lowbale count, $9,000NH 258 AND 260 V-rake combo $6,000JD 670 RAKE, drawbar pull, wheel drive,$1,800KUHN FC300G DISC MOWER,10’, lowacres, finger conditioners, $12,500NEIMEYER 6-STAR TEDDER, $2,400CLAUS ROUND BALER, $4,9002 JIFFY/CRAWFORD HYDUMPS, 14’$3,200 and $6,500NH CORN HEAD, 8-row, hyd folds to 6 row,Claus model, can be fitted onto JD, $16,000RANSOMES JAGUAR RIDE-ON MOWER4x4, 72”, Kubota diesel, 1200 total hrs,$8,500NORTE CAR/EQUIPMENT TRAILER, 18’tandem, 14,000 lbs GVW, beaver tail,ramps, bumper pull, only 2000 original km,$,5400Abbotsford, call Jim 604/852-6148.Heavy duty oil field pipe bale feeders. Feedsavers, single round bale feeders outsidemeasurement is 8’x8.5’ Double round balefeeder measurement is 15’x8’. Silage bunkfeeders. Prices start at $900. Also DrillPipe 2 3/8” or 2 7/8” by appr. 30’ long.Call Dan 250/308-9218 Coldstream, BCCATTLE AND HORSE FEEDERSFOR SALEThese feeders maintain their value!TIMOTHY HORSE HAY $150/TON, Cow Hay$95/ton at Creston BC, Trucking available.250/428-6453 or 250/428-6520.WANTED: JONAGOLD APPLES, largequantities. Orchard run or cull fruitacceptable. Long term purchase agreementsan option if desired. Don’t rip out thoseproductive trees! Call Rachel 604/308-4805,or e-mail [rsbolongaro@gmail.com].Toll Free 1-888-357-0011www.ultra-kelp.comULTRA-KELPTMCelebrating 30 YearsFor Healthy LivestockAnimal Feed Supplement100% Natural60 Minerals • 12 Vitamins• 21 Amino AcidsFlack’s BakerviewKelp Products Inc, Pritchard, BCDeBOER’S USEDTRACTORS & EQUIPMENTGRINDROD, BCJD 7400 MFWD c/w cab, 3 pt, ldr 64,000JD 6410 MFWD, cab & ldr 54,000JD 6400 MFWD, cab & ldr 49,000JD 6400 MFWD, w/ldr 29,500JD 4240 cab, 3pt hitch 18,500JD 1830 diesel, with loader 10,500NH 1032 bale wagon, 70 cap. 5,500NH 575 baler 10,500JD 220 20’ disc, ctr fold, complete newset of blades 16,500JD 4200 4 bottom rollover plow 6,500JD 450 10’ seed drill w/grassseed attachment 4,950JD AW 14’ tandem disk 2,500KVERNLAND 4x16” 3 pt plow 2,500Ed DeBoer • 250/838-7362cell 250/833-6699Curt DeBoer • 250/838-9612cell 250/804-6147NAME __________________________________________________OLD ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________________________________________NEW ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________________________________PHONE __________________________________________________COUNTRYLifein BCCanada Post will notdeliver your CountryLife in B.C. if theychange your postalcode, your streetname and/or address.If your addresschanges, please fillout the form belowand mail or fax it tous, or use email.Thank you!1120 East 13th AveVancouver, B.C. V5T 2M1Email: countrylifeinbc@shaw.caPhone 604/871-0001 • Fax: 604/871-0003Oct 16CHANGE OF ADDRESS?Lola!
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