Agriculture

The majority of the wool is used for producing clothing or blankets after it’s been cleaned. The wool near the rear is turned into mulch. (Jessica R. Durling/News Bulletin)

For the shear joy: 75-year-old B.C. widow intends keep sheep farm going

Nanaimo woman extolls the holistic benefits of hobby farming in an increasingly urban society

 

Approximately 30 Okanagan fruit growers gathered in front of Kelowna’s Ramada Inn where BC Tree Fruit Cooperative members were meeting on June 5, 2024. (Gary Barnes/Kelowna Capital News)

Okanagan growers continue to squeeze fruit co-op for answers

Growers have several concerns with how the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative conducts business

 

Hundreds braved the rain to show up for the Stronger Together Rally in Osoyoos on May 28, calling for support for the agricultural industry. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)

‘We need to fight’: Farmers rally in Okanagan as BC NDP gather for retreat

The agricultural industry has faced years of climate disasters that have left them stretched thin

 

Quebec provincial police are investigating after an entire herd of about 75 Black Angus cattle were allegedly stolen in the Eastern Townships region last week. A Surete du Quebec emblem is seen on an officer’s uniform in Montreal, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Cattle rustlers make off with entire herd of Quebec cows

About $200,000 worth of livestock represents a good portion of his savings and four years of work

Quebec provincial police are investigating after an entire herd of about 75 Black Angus cattle were allegedly stolen in the Eastern Townships region last week. A Surete du Quebec emblem is seen on an officer’s uniform in Montreal, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Grape growing has become the dominant use of farm land in the Okanagan Valley. Members of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board are questioning the long-term viability of grape growing, following two recent severe cold snaps. (Black Press file photo)

Viability of vineyards questioned in South Okanagan Similkameen

Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen directors ponder practicality of growing grapes

Grape growing has become the dominant use of farm land in the Okanagan Valley. Members of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board are questioning the long-term viability of grape growing, following two recent severe cold snaps. (Black Press file photo)
Mink look out from a pen at a farm near Naestved, Denmark on Friday Nov. 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP

Fraser Valley fur farmers lose lawsuit against B.C. over mink ban

Claims against province for fur farm ban struck by judge

Mink look out from a pen at a farm near Naestved, Denmark on Friday Nov. 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
Winter canola is seen in an undated handout photo at an Ontario farm. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Jennifer Doelman

Climate changing what’s growing on Canadian farms, eaten on Canadian tables

From saffron to bananas, Canada’s food growers are considering their options

Winter canola is seen in an undated handout photo at an Ontario farm. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Jennifer Doelman
Welland Orchard in View Royal is run by the non-profit LifeCycles Project. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Energy ready to burst in Vancouver Island public orchard

Lifecycles land near Victoria cultivates community connections to land, each other

Welland Orchard in View Royal is run by the non-profit LifeCycles Project. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The CanGrow Modular Food Production System by North Vancouver firm Ecoaction Innovative Solutions is seen in this handout photo. The system and a menu devised on its output has won top prize in the Deep Space Food Challenge, hosted by the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, to come up with ways to feed people in space. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ecoation-Saber Miresmailli

B.C. strawberries invade space thanks to NASA food challenge win

North Vancouver firm gets $380,000 thanks to an out-of-this-world menu

The CanGrow Modular Food Production System by North Vancouver firm Ecoaction Innovative Solutions is seen in this handout photo. The system and a menu devised on its output has won top prize in the Deep Space Food Challenge, hosted by the Canadian Space Agency and NASA, to come up with ways to feed people in space. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Ecoation-Saber Miresmailli
A scene from the documentary, “Tea Creek”, about Jacob Beaton’s initiative toward Indigenous-centric agriculture sovereignty, is shot last year in Kitwanga, B.C. (Ryan Dickie)

Reclaiming sovereignty: Northwest B.C. Indigenous food project focus of film

Documentary ‘Tea Creek’ to premier in May at Vancouver ‘s Doxa Film Festival

  • Apr 9, 2024
A scene from the documentary, “Tea Creek”, about Jacob Beaton’s initiative toward Indigenous-centric agriculture sovereignty, is shot last year in Kitwanga, B.C. (Ryan Dickie)
The Spotted Lantern Fly is an invasive species and is considered a danger to the Okanagan fruit and wine industries. (RDCO photo)

Spotted Lantern Fly could eat into Okanagan fruit and wine industries

The fly is not currently in B.C. but it has landed in Ontario

The Spotted Lantern Fly is an invasive species and is considered a danger to the Okanagan fruit and wine industries. (RDCO photo)
FILE - A youngster collects Easter eggs during an egg hunt at Easterfest at the Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Ky., April 8, 2023. In 2024, for the second year in a row consumers have faced sticker shock ahead of Easter and Passover, events in which eggs play prominent roles. (Grace Ramey/Daily News via AP, File)

Eggs going to cost you this Easter thanks to bird flu, weather, inflation

Worldwide egg prices retreating some, but you still should prepare for sticker shock

FILE - A youngster collects Easter eggs during an egg hunt at Easterfest at the Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Ky., April 8, 2023. In 2024, for the second year in a row consumers have faced sticker shock ahead of Easter and Passover, events in which eggs play prominent roles. (Grace Ramey/Daily News via AP, File)
Allan Visser, a third-generation tulip farmer, is interviewed next to Theo the robot, in Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. An artificial intelligence robot is a new high-tech weapon in the battle to root out disease from Dutch tulip fields as they erupt into a riot of springtime color. The robot is replacing a dwindling number of human “sickness spotters” who patrol bulb fields on the lookout for diseased flowers. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

AI robot farmer keeping Dutch tulip fields healthy

Machine checking plants for diseased bulbs and removing them before disease spreads

Allan Visser, a third-generation tulip farmer, is interviewed next to Theo the robot, in Noordwijkerhout, Netherlands, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. An artificial intelligence robot is a new high-tech weapon in the battle to root out disease from Dutch tulip fields as they erupt into a riot of springtime color. The robot is replacing a dwindling number of human “sickness spotters” who patrol bulb fields on the lookout for diseased flowers. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis listens as Werner Stump, vice-president of the BC Cattlemen’s Association speaks Monday (March 18) in Delta, where Alexis joined Premier David Eby in announcing $80 million for a program to help ranchers and farmers improve access to water. (Screencap)

B.C. farmers get up to $80 million to tap into improved water supplies

But low snowpack douses optimism about 2024 with water scarcity challenging ranchers and farmers

Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis listens as Werner Stump, vice-president of the BC Cattlemen’s Association speaks Monday (March 18) in Delta, where Alexis joined Premier David Eby in announcing $80 million for a program to help ranchers and farmers improve access to water. (Screencap)
B.C. fruit and grape growers will receive up to $70 million in provincial money to re-plant crops damaged by January’s cold snap. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. fruit and grape growers get $70M to replant damaged crops

Premier David Eby announced the money Wednesday via stream to wine industry conference in Penticton

B.C. fruit and grape growers will receive up to $70 million in provincial money to re-plant crops damaged by January’s cold snap. (Black Press Media file photo)
British Columbia grain farmer Malcolm Odermatt, shown in a handout photo, says all he can do is pray for rain this spring after repeated droughts sabotaged his harvest last year. Odermatt, who is also the president of the BC Grain Growers Association, has been working with his father since 2012 to farm about 2,000 acres of land in the Peace region of B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Bitter Harvest: Tech helping B.C. grain farmers confront weather woes

‘Old MacDonald went broke’: agriculture looking to science to overcome water woes

British Columbia grain farmer Malcolm Odermatt, shown in a handout photo, says all he can do is pray for rain this spring after repeated droughts sabotaged his harvest last year. Odermatt, who is also the president of the BC Grain Growers Association, has been working with his father since 2012 to farm about 2,000 acres of land in the Peace region of B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO
When it comes to the supply management system for egg, poultry and dairy products, all federal parties appear to see eye-to-eye, despite Canada’s relentless affordability crisis. A cow looks on as it feeds in a dairy farm in Saguenay, Que., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Supply management of meat, eggs, dairy remains a Canadian sacred cow

Analysts skeptical of move off policy despite push for more competition in the food business

When it comes to the supply management system for egg, poultry and dairy products, all federal parties appear to see eye-to-eye, despite Canada’s relentless affordability crisis. A cow looks on as it feeds in a dairy farm in Saguenay, Que., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Rows of fresh cut beef in the coolers of the retail section at the Wight’s Meat Packing facility in Fombell, Pa. is shown on June 16, 2022. Canada’s federal government as well as organizations representing some the nation’s beef producers warn a decision south of the border about “Product of USA” labels on meat, poultry and eggs could disrupt supply chains. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Keith Srakocic

Canada concerned as final rule for ‘Product of USA’ meat labels announced

Officials worried changes could lead to supply chain disruptions

Rows of fresh cut beef in the coolers of the retail section at the Wight’s Meat Packing facility in Fombell, Pa. is shown on June 16, 2022. Canada’s federal government as well as organizations representing some the nation’s beef producers warn a decision south of the border about “Product of USA” labels on meat, poultry and eggs could disrupt supply chains. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Keith Srakocic
Jennifer Deol, the co-owner of There and Back Again Farms, stands near the farm’s peach orchard in Kelowna, B.C., on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. B.C. farmers are predicting at least a 90 per cent loss of this summer’s harvest of fruit including peaches, apricots and nectarines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Hemens

Bitter Harvest: B.C.’s stone fruit farms pivot after deep-freeze devastation

Early signs point to a dismal year for peaches, apricots or nectarines as farmers look for support

Jennifer Deol, the co-owner of There and Back Again Farms, stands near the farm’s peach orchard in Kelowna, B.C., on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. B.C. farmers are predicting at least a 90 per cent loss of this summer’s harvest of fruit including peaches, apricots and nectarines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Hemens
A fire truck is driven through a vineyard while battling a wildfire in Peachland, B.C., on Monday September 10, 2012. Consumers can expect a smaller selection of local vintages hit retail shelves as British Columbia’s wine industry grapples with the fallout of two years’ worth of significant crop losses from cold snaps that followed severe wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bitter Harvest: climate change provides ‘clean slate’ for B.C. wine industry

Signs suggest a limited selection of B.C. wine will hit retail shelves as industry recovers

A fire truck is driven through a vineyard while battling a wildfire in Peachland, B.C., on Monday September 10, 2012. Consumers can expect a smaller selection of local vintages hit retail shelves as British Columbia’s wine industry grapples with the fallout of two years’ worth of significant crop losses from cold snaps that followed severe wildfires. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck