Agriculture

Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)

RANCH MUSINGS: ‘Ever the optimist’ may be watchword

The winter season ends officially for ranchers when most of the cattle…

  • Jun 4, 2023

 

Participants, including Dawson Spady (right) show their animals at the Cariboo Classic Jr Steer & Heifer last year at the inaugural event. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Double the entries for upcoming 2nd annual Cariboo Classic Jr Steer Heifer

Local youth will be at the BC Livestock Producers Co-op June 2-4

 

Beekeepers tend to hives in 2020. Beekeepers, aquaculturalists and federally licensed marijuana and hemp growers can now apply for special funding to help protect against extreme heat. (Chelsea Thomsen/Special to Black Press)

Province expands extreme weather funding program to include beekeepers, pot growers

Growers can apply for up to $35,000 in cost-sharing program to protect against heat, floods, fire

 

(The Canadian Press)

Tech, sustainability key to attracting young talent to an evolving agriculture sector

Twelve per cent of farms told Statistics Canada they had a succession plan in 2021

(The Canadian Press)
The Abbotsford Farm and Country Market, celebrating its 20th season, opened Saturday at Jubilee Park. It’s one of about 145 markets across the province that are included in the BC Farmers’ Market Trail app. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)

Track down B.C.’s best farmers markets this summer with interactive app

BC Farmers’ Market Trail lists 145 farmers markets in regions across the province

The Abbotsford Farm and Country Market, celebrating its 20th season, opened Saturday at Jubilee Park. It’s one of about 145 markets across the province that are included in the BC Farmers’ Market Trail app. (John Morrow/Abbotsford News)
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)

RANCH MUSINGS: Nurturing soil and protecting water on farmland

There is a symbiotic relationship between deep rooted trees, grasses and forbs

  • May 20, 2023
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)
Goat gouda with spicy peppercorns and sweet red peppers from The Farm House Natural Cheeses. (Photo submitted)
Goat gouda with spicy peppercorns and sweet red peppers from The Farm House Natural Cheeses. (Photo submitted)
From left: Maureen, Emily, Jamie, Daniel and Wayne Ralph. The Ralph family, including daughter Kirstie (not pictured), has worked together to create Victoria Cider Co. (Nicole Crescenzi)

Victoria Cider Co. took a risk making keeved cider, but the results set them apart

A lifelong dream creates prize-winning keeved cider

From left: Maureen, Emily, Jamie, Daniel and Wayne Ralph. The Ralph family, including daughter Kirstie (not pictured), has worked together to create Victoria Cider Co. (Nicole Crescenzi)
The original and still working solar panel system on the Bulkley Canyon Ranch put out 155 kWh each. (Photo submitted)

A couple in New Hazelton “harvests the sun” in a solar panel operated ranch

A life reliant on solar panels is tough, but Laurie Gallant and Bill Crosson have it figured out

The original and still working solar panel system on the Bulkley Canyon Ranch put out 155 kWh each. (Photo submitted)
Head winemaker at O’Rourke Family Estate, Nikki Callaway, shows off her award-winning chardonnay. (Brittany Webster/Black Press)

World-class Okanagan winery wins international accolade

Aromatic, soft, floral wine can’t be compared to other regions of the world

  • May 11, 2023
Head winemaker at O’Rourke Family Estate, Nikki Callaway, shows off her award-winning chardonnay. (Brittany Webster/Black Press)
Hinterland farm. (Caleb Beyers Photography)

Pender Island alpaca, llama sanctuary turns wool into yarn

Avid knitter, Hanahlie Beise, fell in love with alpacas and making yarn

Hinterland farm. (Caleb Beyers Photography)
Amanda Goodman Lee of Swan Valley Honey in Creston (Maddy Prier photo)

Beekeeping brings Creston couple back to their roots

Amanda Goodman Lee, Jeff Lee turn collective dream into thriving multifaceted business

Amanda Goodman Lee of Swan Valley Honey in Creston (Maddy Prier photo)
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Fraser says the government will expand a pilot project to attract more temporary foreign workers to accept jobs in Canada’s agricultural industry for another two years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Pilot program for temporary agricultural workers extended after rocky pandemic start

Two-year extension aimed to address labour shortages in the harvesting and livestock industry

Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Fraser says the government will expand a pilot project to attract more temporary foreign workers to accept jobs in Canada’s agricultural industry for another two years. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)

RANCH MUSINGS: Can we sustain our farming, livelihood activities and still respect beauty of the land?

Building a ranch was a recapitulation of western economic development

  • May 7, 2023
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)
Barry Mader of Pritchard brought two of his Gelbviehs to the Williams Lake Bull Show and Sale. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Producers, buyers, ranchers network at 86th Annual Williams Lake Bull Show and Sale

The event is one of the few consignment sales around, said association chair Bob Gowans

Barry Mader of Pritchard brought two of his Gelbviehs to the Williams Lake Bull Show and Sale. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Pam Abrahamse has been the secretary of the Williams Lake Bull Show and Sale Association for almost 20 years. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

OUR HOMETOWN: Williams Lake Bull Show and Sale secretary a driving force

Pam Abrahamse loves being part of the event each year

Pam Abrahamse has been the secretary of the Williams Lake Bull Show and Sale Association for almost 20 years. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Recyclable ag plastics are compressed into bales for more efficient transportation. (Photo/UFV)

PHOTOS: Kent farmers test out prototype ag plastic compressor

Compressing agriculture plastics into bales makes for easier recycling

Recyclable ag plastics are compressed into bales for more efficient transportation. (Photo/UFV)
Farm fresh eggs from a vending machine? Who would have thought? And, yet, Doug Groenendijk has made it a reality. (Photo by Don Bodger)

B.C. farmer comes out of his shell to sell vending machine eggs

Vancouver Islands’ Doug Groenendijk says timing right to get cracking with a new venture

Farm fresh eggs from a vending machine? Who would have thought? And, yet, Doug Groenendijk has made it a reality. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)

RANCH MUSINGS: Freedom on the range

Today we are experiencing a possible reduction in the ability of the soil to keep up its production

  • Apr 6, 2023
Ranch Musings columnist David Zirnhelt. (File photo)
A gas station displays its prices in Bowmanville, Ont. on Monday Dec. 5, 2022. It will cost many Canadians a bit more to fill gas tanks or heat their houses next month as the national carbon price rises Saturday in the three prairie provinces and Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives

House passes bill creating carve-outs for farmers in Canada’s carbon pricing scheme

Farmers exempted from paying for emissions from natural gas, propane used for certain farm activity

A gas station displays its prices in Bowmanville, Ont. on Monday Dec. 5, 2022. It will cost many Canadians a bit more to fill gas tanks or heat their houses next month as the national carbon price rises Saturday in the three prairie provinces and Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Doug Ives