SMITHERS, B.C. — Forage and pasture accounts for 78 percent of British Columbia farmland but it is often an under-appreciated resource. “It is probably our biggest commodity,” said Geneve Jasper of the B.C. ministry of agriculture. “Forages are inextricably linked to major livestock production,” she said at the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting held in […] Read more
Barbara Duckworth
Stories by Barbara Duckworth
Beef consumption up slightly in Canada for second year
Record high beef production is expected in the U.S. and demand is holding, but it’s unclear if the growth is slowing
EDMONTON — Global demand for protein remains strong, but a senior analyst for Canfax said it is becoming harder to predict where beef fits in, with so much of the discussion focussing on meat alternatives. Nevertheless, Canadian beef demand is positive and consumption is up slightly for the second year in a row. “Canadians are […] Read more
Proper emergency plans can save livestock
EDMONTON — Farmers and ranchers must have thorough emergency plans to properly deal with fires or floods that could sweep across their land. Since 2009, Alberta has had three major floods, two major fires and a tuberculosis outbreak. The province averages about 1,000 wildfires each year. “There are enough events happening and if you have […] Read more
B.C. project seeks to clean up manure
Efforts to remove phosphorus and nitrogen from manure are particularly relevant in the Fraser Valley, which is home to 500 dairy farms
VANCOUVER, B.C. — A Vancouver college is looking for new ways to manage manure in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. Working with Muddy River Technologies of Delta, B.C., researchers at Langara College are seeking a cost effective way to prevent soil degradation and water contamination by removing phosphorus, nitrogen and other byproducts from animal manure. The […] Read morePasture mapping app helps make grazing decisions
The program is designed to make it easier to assess forage, determine stocking rates and decide where to put fences and water sources
SMITHERS, B.C. — Christine Su wants to be part of a movement to make a healthy planet. Raised in California, Su wanted to know more about food production and eventually found work on a dairy farm. She was interested in regenerative agriculture, in which integrated approaches are adopted to improve soil health using grazing and […] Read moreOrigin of GM wheat remains a mystery
The wheat found in Alberta doesn’t match any registered commercial variety authorized for sale in Canada, say federal inspectors
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it may never know how a genetically modified wheat appeared in a southern Alberta ditch last summer. A patch of wheat was found on an access road leading to an oil well site, and when a custom applicator noticed the plants were not killed, samples were forwarded to Alberta […] Read more
Northern wines light up B.C.
Fruit winery proving popular, leading to fast growth in new operation in northern part of the province
PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. Northern Lights Estate Winery is leading the way for fruit wines in British Columbia. Conceived by Pat Bell, a former provincial agriculture minister, his tours of Okanagan Valley made him wonder if a northern community could support a winery. Working with his wife and son Doug, the family decided to build the […] Read more
B.C. cattle producers kick in for new checkoff
SMITHERS, B.C. — British Columbia cattle producers will start to pay a $5 checkoff for every animal sold as of July 1. The money will be split with half going to the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-off Agency and the rest staying in B.C. The provincial portion is refundable but little is rebated, said Linda Allison, […] Read more
B.C. ranchers demand coverage for wildlife damage to forage
SMITHERS, B.C.- A British Columbia study on forage production indicated more than 60 percent of ranchers cite wildlife damage as their number one challenge. “Every region cites that a major problem,” said Geneve Jasper of the B.C. Ministry of agriculture. Public hearings and an online survey indicated the problem is growing more severe and hampers […] Read more
Horn tax continues in B.C.
SMITHERS, B.C. British Columbia cattle producers have agreed to continue charging a horn tax. The horn levy of $10 per head of cattle sold with horns is collected and managed by a committee that disperses the funds for special projects. Three projects costing about $7,000 were approved last year, said Linda Allison during the B.C. […] Read more
