minimize bird predation on crops. They emit an impulse sound that frightens birds away from crops.


“The city’s bylaw is in place to ensure that the use of ABSDs is respectful of other residents. There are a number of dispersal tactics other than propane cannons that growers can use to address the negative effects of starlings on crops and farm operations.


“These include, but are not limited to: activities such as netting, falconry, streamers, hawk kites, ribbons and bird trapping. Preferably ABSDs will be used as a last resort, after other methods of discouraging birds from eating farm produce have been exhausted.”


The bylaws require that cannons be used only between dawn and dusk, except between noon and 3 p.m., with only one per two hectares of fields, and they must be relocated every four days.


Fines for infractions vary from $150 to $10,000 for each occurrence.


“Farmers are well aware of the bylaw,” states Katherine Treloar, director of communications for the City of Abbotsford. She says they receive complaints about the noise from propane cannons every year.


“It’s all on the website,” she responded when asked questions about the bylaw and its impacts, adding, “It’s all within Ministry of Agriculture guidelines.”


Despite the fact use of the cannons to scare away predatory birds and prevent crop damage is a ‘normal farm practice,’ there can be restrictions on how, when and where farmers may use the devices.


“It would be one thing if the farm was in the middle of nowhere, but when it’s adjacent to residential subdivisions there has to be an understanding on both sides of what the other is facing,” comments Letnick.


“We don’t want to see even tougher bylaws,” he adds. “Hopefully there will be fewer issues now that a bylaw is in place.”


Neighbours still have the option of reporting the farm to the Farm Industry Review Board, but it’s expected that independent body will uphold the right of the farmer to continue with ‘normal farm practices,’ and to use the noise cannons to discourage predation on crops from birds. “Farmers have to have respect for their neighbours too,” Letnick commented, adding, “It’s not perfect, but I hope in time other solutions will prove themselves out.” A 2011 report from the FIRB on the conflict regarding audible bird scare devices noted: “The underlying factor in many nuisance conflicts over farm practices is land use planning – balancing farming with urbanization. That said, it is important to note that conflicts can arise for a variety of reasons not necessarily directly related to the farm practice (e.g. poor practices, personal issues, misunderstandings, contrasting needs/desires/lifestyles, cultural barriers, perception of right-in-time priority).”


Are you getting enough?


If your operation would like to receive additional copies of B.C. Berry Grower magazine, just let us know! Provide the names and complete addresses of the recipients and we’ll add them to our mailing list ... at no cost!


E-mail: growersubs@omedia.ca Snail Mail: Suite 515, 22-2475 Dobbin Road, West Kelowna, BC V4T 2E9


12 British Columbia Berry Grower • Fall 2016


B.C. is the third largest producer of blueberries in the world, with more than 800 farms on over 11,000 hectares with the capability of producing over 77 million kilograms of fruit.


Abbotsford’s website notes it is the largest municipality in


B.C. with a total area of 389 square kilometres. Approximately 70 per cent of the land is located within the


Agricultural Land Reserve, making agriculture a significant part of the community.


Abbotsford is one of the most intensively and diversely farmed areas in Canada, supporting a wide range of crop and livestock productions. Agriculture is one of the economic pillars of the city and in many ways defines Abbotsford. The following statistics from the 2011 Census of Agriculture highlight agriculture in Abbotsford: • Total gross farm receipts in 2010 amounted to over $635,000,000.


• 1,282 farms were reported to be in operation in 2011. • Over 7,000 people were reported to be employed on farms in 2011.


• Just over half of all farms in Abbotsford are between 10 and 69 acres in size, while 35 per cent are less than 10 acres. Only one per cent of farms are over 400 acres in size. • The top three crops grown in Abbotsford by total acreage are hay and other fodder crops (34 per cent), fruits, berries and nuts (30 per cent), and corn (18 per cent). • Over 2,500 ha (6,410 acres) are dedicated to blueberry production. Another 1,312 ha (3,242 acres) are used in the cultivation of raspberries.


• 65 per cent of agricultural land in production is farmer- owned.


• Over nine million poultry birds were raised in 2010 (includes those raised for both eggs and meat).


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