SUMMERLAND, B.C. — Success in agriculture for the British Columbia NDP hinges largely on convincing the province’s residents to buy local. “We need to help people understand that choosing fruits and vegetables that are grown at home keep our farmers on the land,” said Colleen Ross, NDP candidate for the May 9 provincial election in […] Read more
Stories by Terry Fries
Apples, cherries off to slow start but no lingering effect
Apple and cherry trees throughout British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley are behind average development this spring, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Fred Steele, president of the British Columbia Fruit Growers’ Association, said the valley’s many microclimates make estimates patchy, but generally the trees are about three weeks behind. “We had blossoms on cherries in […] Read more
Liberals base ag policy on profits
SUMMERLAND, B.C. — When it comes to agricultural policy, the British Columbia Liberal party hangs its re-election hopes on exports combined with a buy-local philosophy. For Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick, it all comes down to ensuring farming is a profitable venture. “The government fully believes that if you want to have a strong agri-food sector, […] Read more
New E. coli test more accurate
Scientists have developed a new testing method that detects all known harmful E. coli strains. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service developed the test to detect bacteria that produce the shiga toxin, which causes diarrhea and disease. Xiaohua He, a molecular biologist with the ARS in Albany, California, said the new […] Read more
Green Party carbon policy points to Cuban experience
What may be the boldest and perhaps the most controversial aspect for agriculture contained in the British Columbia Green Party’s new policy platform isn’t listed under the agriculture part of the platform at all. The party’s climate change plan would progressively increase the carbon tax over four years starting in January 2018 by $10 per […] Read more
Moisture meter targets grain loss in developing world
American researchers have developed a new test to measure moisture in stored grain. While a wide variety of other moisture testers are already on the market, this one is specially designed for its low cost and ease of manufacturing. Paul Armstrong, lead scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Research Service, said the Post […] Read more
B.C. Milk Marketing Board, Saputo wrestle in court
Saputo is asking the court to declare it is entitled to withhold funds over milk delivery issues in 2013 and 2015
SUMMERLAND, B.C. — Montreal-based dairy processor Saputo and the British Columbia Milk Marketing Board are locked in a tug-of-war court battle stemming from two separate deliveries of suspect milk. The milk ultimately proved safe, but in the latest court action, a civil claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court Feb. 6, Saputo wants the court to […] Read more
B.C. land commission clears backlog, hikes fees
An increase in staffing to handle applications and improve response time also came with a new fee schedule
SUMMERLAND, B.C. — British Columbia’s Agriculture Land Commission says it has eliminated its application backlog and greatly improved response times, thanks in part to a $1.1 million budget boost. The announcement from the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture said the commission eliminated a backlog of 185 applications during the last year. It was also able to […] Read moreGov’t supports Buy Local
SUMMERLAND, B.C. — A buy local program designed to support British Columbia agriculture has been given an extra $2 million from the provincial government. The program supports agriculture and food companies that produce products that are grown, harvested and processed in the province. “With stable long-term funding for the Buy Local program, local agrifood companies […] Read more
Flood risk looms for Fraser Valley farming: study
SUMMERLAND, B.C. — A new study raises alarms about potential high agricultural damages should peak water flows on the Fraser River increase as some climate change models predict. A report published by the Fraser Valley Regional District and British Columbia Agriculture and Food Climate Change Initiative calculated flood losses for three scenarios: a flood similar […] Read more
