10


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • FEBRUARY 2017 Carrots to Cattle conference puts focus on profits, innovation


SMITHERS – Smithers Farmers' Institute is set to host another Carrots to Cattle conference on February 17 and 18. This year's conference


Dixon-Warren from Moose Meadows; creative grazing strategies with Lee Hesketh of Silver Hills Ranch; soil fertility with Sandra Burton from the Peace River Forage


Ag Briefs EDITED BY TAMARA LEIGH


is called Increasing Profits Through Innovation. This year offers a full


schedule, with some speakers yet to confirm. Confirmed sessions on Friday, February 17 include a talk on farm tax and succession planning with Chris Henderson, and starting a new operation with Mark Robbins and Greg Taggart. Saturday, February 18 offers a full day of topics including marketing and distribution with Paris Marshall-Smith from the Creston Valley Food Hub; agritourism with Heloise


INCREASE CROP YIELDS


LASER LEVELLING LTD.


TRI-WAY FARMS


We service all of Southern BC


IMPROVED DRAINAGE


UNIFORM GERMINATION


UNIFORM IRRIGATION FAST,


ACCURATE SURVEYING


CALL FOR AN ESTIMATE LARRY


604.209.5523 TROY


604.209.5524


CHOOSE SIMMENTAL BULLS THIS SPRING! SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION of BC


INFO: REANNE SANFORD, SECRETARY 250.249.5332 reanne@krssimmentals.ca www.watertecna.com


Langley 1.888.675.7999 | Williams Lake 1.855.398.7757 Diesel & PTO Pumps | PVC & Aluminum Pipe


Irrigation Reels | VaLLEY CentER Pivots


Association, and an introduction to permaculture with Element Eco Design’s


Gordon Hiebert.


A trade show featuring local agricultural suppliers will run both days.


This years’ conference also includes a gala dinner on Friday evening for producers to network and enjoy entertainment.


Keen to encourage younger participants, the organizing committee has reserved 10 spaces for youth under 25 to attend for free. “The theme is an effort to sharpen the focus on maximizing efficiencies, using community collaboration to solve larger issues such as marketing and distribution that are exacerbated when smaller communities are spread out over a large area, and diversifying to maximize return on investment,” says Megan D’Arcy, one of the organizers.


The conference is


sponsored by the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako and the Smithers Farmers’ Institute, with support from Growing Forward 2. For registration details, go to [smithersfarmersinstitute.com]. Emily Bulmer


CFIA seeks input on transport of livestock


OTTAWA – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is inviting public comment on proposed changes to Health of Animals Act transport regulations.


The proposed changes would reduce the maximum amount of time that animals can be transported without access to food, water and rest. Broiler chickens, for example, can currently be transported for 36 hours; the proposed interval will be 24 hours. Weaned beef and dairy cattle go from 52 hours to 36, while pigs go from 36 down to 28. Definitions for terms such as “unfit” and “compromised” will be clarified. There will training standards for carriers and animal handling practices. About 700 million animals are transported in Canada each year. The majority of that is poultry, but includes cattle, horses, sheep and goats. CFIA estimates about 98% of current shipments are already in compliance with the proposed amendments, but that still means about 14 million animals could potentially suffer during transportation.


CFIA says the existing rules, which were developed in 1977, do not reflect current science regarding the care and handling of animals, do not align with the standards


of Canada’s international trading partners, and are not aligned with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) welfare standards for animals transported by land, air and sea.


“Given the strong public support for preventing the suffering of animals and the risk to human and animal health, this must be addressed,” the CFIA says in background information. Background and the complete list of proposed changes can be found at [http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp- pr/p1/2016/2016-12-03/html/ reg2-eng.php#reg]. Input will be accepted until February 15. Tom Walker


Beirnes joins Summerland Varieties Corp.


SUMMERLAND – Sean Beirnes is the new general manager for Summerland Varieties Corp., overseeing planning, direction and execution of policies, objectives and initiatives. Beirnes joined SVC in mid- December. He most recently managed strategic initiatives for Sun-Rype Products Ltd., including product


development, launches and business process improvements.


Beirnes holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Guelph, a doctorate in law (JD) and MBA from Western University. Beirnes succeeds Frank Kappel, who believes “with the hiring of Sean, SVC is poised to achieve great things in its next chapter."


Beirnes looks forward to furthering the company’s collaboration with the Summerland Research and Development Centre and increasing SVC’s global reach in the coming years. His work will also include protecting


the interests of BC fruit growers, who own the company through the BC Fruit Growers Association.


SVC develops, licenses and manages new varieties of tree fruits and berries domestically and internationally, including plant material developed in the apple, cherry, berry and soft fruits breeding programs of the Summerland Research and Development Centre.


Tom Walker


BC Tree Fruits picks CEO


KELOWNA – BC Tree Fruits Co-operative (BCTF) named Stan Swales its new CEO at the end of November 2016. Swales brings 30 years of industry experience, having started at Okanagan North Growers Co-op in 1985. He spent 20 years at the Winfield packing house, serving in both horticulture and operations.


He subsequently spent 10 years at Growers Supply Co. Ltd., a wholly owned


subsidiary of BCTF, as general manager. He most recently spent a year as a representative for BASF Canada.


“I am thrilled to be back with the co-operative as the new CEO,” Swales said. “I feel I can draw on my experience to help guide our co-operative moving forward.”


Swales follows Alan Tyabji, who left BCTF in October after four years. During that time, the co-op invested $20 million in packing facilities and renegotiated contracts with growers.


BCTF is owned by


approximately 500 grower families throughout the Okanagan, Similkameen and Creston valleys. The co-op receives, stores, packs and sells tree fruits and provides industry support on behalf of its members.


Tom Walker


Growing more with less water.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47