Agriculture

A fruit orchard owned by Sandher Fruit Packers sits in Kelowna, British Columbia, on Feb. 8, 2024. The fruit growing company is developing an orchard near a key wildlife corridor that ribbons around the Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park and Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. (Aaron Hemens/IndigiNews via AP)

Orchard expansion raising concerns about Okanagan wildlife corridor

Fences and agriculture encroaching toward tradition path for elk, deer and other animals

A fruit orchard owned by Sandher Fruit Packers sits in Kelowna, British Columbia, on Feb. 8, 2024. The fruit growing company is developing an orchard near a key wildlife corridor that ribbons around the Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park and Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. (Aaron Hemens/IndigiNews via AP)
Protesting farmers run away from tear gas shells used by the police near Shambhu border that divides northern Punjab and Haryana states, almost 200 kilometers (125 miles) from New Delhi, India, Friday, Feb.16, 2024. Farmers are blocking highways and holding demonstrations in many rural areas in northern India to protest over a range of grievances that have also led tens and thousands to march toward the capital. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Blockades, protests in India, as 1,000s of farmers rally for market protection

Authorities respond with tear gas drops and blocked internet service

Protesting farmers run away from tear gas shells used by the police near Shambhu border that divides northern Punjab and Haryana states, almost 200 kilometers (125 miles) from New Delhi, India, Friday, Feb.16, 2024. Farmers are blocking highways and holding demonstrations in many rural areas in northern India to protest over a range of grievances that have also led tens and thousands to march toward the capital. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)
Temperatures of more than 50 cumulative hours below -20 C in parts of North Okanagan in January have wreaked havoc on fruit crops. (UBCO file photo)

Up to 99% crop loss anticipated in B.C. wine industry cold snap catastrophe

Wine Growers British Columbia report expects 1-3% yields, and most of those in southwestern B.C.

Temperatures of more than 50 cumulative hours below -20 C in parts of North Okanagan in January have wreaked havoc on fruit crops. (UBCO file photo)
Vitamin-rich microgreens are proving a popular crop for new generations of farmers in the North Okanagan-Shuswap. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Popular micro-green superfood takes root, sprouts new farms in B.C. Interior

Nutrient-rich greens can be grown indoors year-round at high speeds and yields

Vitamin-rich microgreens are proving a popular crop for new generations of farmers in the North Okanagan-Shuswap. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Damaged brown buds from the limb of a tree, seen during the inspection at Wloka Farms (Photo by Molly Thurston)

-27 C cold snap wipes out B.C. orchard’s soft fruit supply

Creston’s Wloka Farms suffers a 100 per cent bud loss on soft fruit trees

Damaged brown buds from the limb of a tree, seen during the inspection at Wloka Farms (Photo by Molly Thurston)
Honeybees fly in and out of a bee hive at a Simon Fraser University experimental apiary in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. The recent wild swing in temperatures in British Columbia has raised concerns about the impact on some local animals’ health and, potentially, their survival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C.’s mad temperature swings create concern for bees and cattle

Climate change could have a dramatic impact on some keystone agriculture species

Honeybees fly in and out of a bee hive at a Simon Fraser University experimental apiary in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. The recent wild swing in temperatures in British Columbia has raised concerns about the impact on some local animals’ health and, potentially, their survival. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Canadian farmers could wait months to find out if they’ll owe thousands of dollars for carbon pricing this year as a bill exempting natural gas and propane used on farms awaits its fate. Farmer Randy Spoelstra carries a bale of hay as he works a field in Hamilton, Ont., Wednesday, June 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Canada’s farmers sweating out possibility of big carbon pricing bill

Proposed carve-out bill giving them 8-year exemption still percolating on Parliament Hill

Canadian farmers could wait months to find out if they’ll owe thousands of dollars for carbon pricing this year as a bill exempting natural gas and propane used on farms awaits its fate. Farmer Randy Spoelstra carries a bale of hay as he works a field in Hamilton, Ont., Wednesday, June 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
In this picture taken Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, hops cones are seen during a harvest at a hopfield in Czech Republic. A Fraser Valley hops farm company and its director have been ordered to pay more than $1 million over an alleged fraud that a B.C. Securities Commission panel described as "near to the most serious type of fraud possible in an investment context." THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Petr David Josek

B.C. Securities Commission orders hops farm firm to pay $1M after alleged fraud

Order made against Fraser Valley Hop Farms Inc. and its director, Alexander William Bridges

In this picture taken Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, hops cones are seen during a harvest at a hopfield in Czech Republic. A Fraser Valley hops farm company and its director have been ordered to pay more than $1 million over an alleged fraud that a B.C. Securities Commission panel described as "near to the most serious type of fraud possible in an investment context." THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Petr David Josek
People watch slurry, manure and tyres dumped by farmers at the entrance of the local state administration building, in Agen, southwestern France, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. French farmers have vowed to continue protesting and are maintaining traffic barricades on some of the country’s major roads. The government announced a series of measures Friday but the farmers say these do not fully address their demands. (AP Photo/Fred Scheiber)

Tractors seige Paris as French farmers look to sow more farm-friendly policy

Protesters say producing food should be more lucrative, easier and fairer

People watch slurry, manure and tyres dumped by farmers at the entrance of the local state administration building, in Agen, southwestern France, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. French farmers have vowed to continue protesting and are maintaining traffic barricades on some of the country’s major roads. The government announced a series of measures Friday but the farmers say these do not fully address their demands. (AP Photo/Fred Scheiber)
Water buffalo. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE

By the horns: B.C. farm one of Canada’s few specializing in buffalo dairy

It’s much richer’: Comox Valley’s McClintock’s Farm producing a unique product from a unique animal

Water buffalo. ADOBE STOCK IMAGE
A settlement panel has rejected complaints from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office over how Canada is allocating its dairy import quotas. Dairy cows are seen at a farm Friday, August 31, 2018 in Sainte-Marie-Madelaine Quebec.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Cheering over spilt milk: Canada celebrates win in U.S. dairy dispute

Trade Minister frames latest findings as vindication for Canada’s approach to dairy import quotas

A settlement panel has rejected complaints from the U.S. Trade Representative’s office over how Canada is allocating its dairy import quotas. Dairy cows are seen at a farm Friday, August 31, 2018 in Sainte-Marie-Madelaine Quebec.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Chickens are seen at a poultry farm in Abbotsford, B.C., on Thursday, November 10, 2022. Poultry farmers and wildlife officials in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley are reporting “extremely high” levels of stress and anxiety as the latest avian flu outbreak puts millions of birds at risk.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Avian flu anxiety running high for B.C. poultry farmers

Industry biosecurity program on level “red” — the highest of three levels

Chickens are seen at a poultry farm in Abbotsford, B.C., on Thursday, November 10, 2022. Poultry farmers and wildlife officials in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley are reporting “extremely high” levels of stress and anxiety as the latest avian flu outbreak puts millions of birds at risk.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Canadian Dairy Commission says it’s delaying a planned increase to the farmgate price of milk by three months after calls to pause increases as the food industry grapples with pressure to stabilize food prices. Dairy cows are seen at a farm Friday, August 31, 2018 in Sainte-Marie-Madelaine Quebec. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Milk price hike delayed until May to combat grocery inflation

Canadian Dairy Commission planned farmgate increase of 1.77% pushed back 3 months

The Canadian Dairy Commission says it’s delaying a planned increase to the farmgate price of milk by three months after calls to pause increases as the food industry grapples with pressure to stabilize food prices. Dairy cows are seen at a farm Friday, August 31, 2018 in Sainte-Marie-Madelaine Quebec. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Ranchers and farmers impacted by the 2023 wildfires and drought can receive a total of up $71 million under a joint federal-provincial program. (Photo courtesy oif West River Farm)

B.C.’s farmers, ranchers receive up to $71 million in wildfire, drought relief

Money covers extraordinary expenses caused by wildfires, drought in 2023

Ranchers and farmers impacted by the 2023 wildfires and drought can receive a total of up $71 million under a joint federal-provincial program. (Photo courtesy oif West River Farm)
Kerri van Kooten-Perras’ giant pumpkin “Walter” won big at the Giant Pumpkins B.C. weigh-off, coming in at 1,152 lbs. Photo courtesy Kerri van Kooten-Perras

Meet Walter, British Columbia’s largest pumpkin

Campbell River pumpkin weighed in at 1,152 pounds during the provincial Pumpkin-Weigh Off in Langley

  • Oct 17, 2023
Kerri van Kooten-Perras’ giant pumpkin “Walter” won big at the Giant Pumpkins B.C. weigh-off, coming in at 1,152 lbs. Photo courtesy Kerri van Kooten-Perras
Cannabis seedlings at an Aurora Cannabis facilty in 2017 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Orchids, veggies and beer: Canada’s cannabis producers pivot

Tough market for core product finds firms finding complementary products to smooth the bumps

Cannabis seedlings at an Aurora Cannabis facilty in 2017 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Okanagan Specialty Fruits has opened a new apple processing facility in Moses Lake, Washington. (Okanagan Specialty Fruits image)

Okanagan Specialty Fruits opens facility in Washington State

Summerland-based company developed nonbrowning Arctic apple

Okanagan Specialty Fruits has opened a new apple processing facility in Moses Lake, Washington. (Okanagan Specialty Fruits image)
(File photo)

Hay shortage forcing ranchers to offload cattle in northwest B.C.

Cattle ranchers in Hwy 16 corridor to be economically affected for next 2-3 years

(File photo)
Owner George Dick takes guests on a tour of Dicklands Biogas during the 22nd annual Chilliwack Agriculture Tour on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Biogas plant in Chilliwack becomes largest of its kind in B.C.

Chilliwack farmers worked for years to build plant that spins waste into natural gas, fertilizer

Owner George Dick takes guests on a tour of Dicklands Biogas during the 22nd annual Chilliwack Agriculture Tour on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
B.C. farmers say they’re increasingly concerned about climate change and the impacts of extreme weather on food production in the province. People work on a farm as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle in the distance at Global Container Terminals at Deltaport, in Delta, B.C., on Friday, July 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C.’s agriculture industry at forefront of climate change reality

B.C. producers are still trying to get a clear picture of the damages wrought by the ongoing fires

B.C. farmers say they’re increasingly concerned about climate change and the impacts of extreme weather on food production in the province. People work on a farm as gantry cranes used to load and unload cargo containers from ships sit idle in the distance at Global Container Terminals at Deltaport, in Delta, B.C., on Friday, July 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck