26
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • JULY 2018
Committee work pinpoints rancher priorities Association advocating on tenure, emergency management, wildlife issues
by TOM WALKER SMITHERS – Cattle Industry
Development Council chair Linda Allison reminded cattle ranchers that an increased check-off kicks in July 1 and outlined the value of national and provincial programs that the check-off supports during the BC Cattlemen’s Association (BCCA) annual meeting in Smithers June 1-2. “That is the money that enables this association to conduct the good work that they do your behalf,” Allison told delegates. A sustainable forage supply
should be as much of a consideration as cutting permits when it comes to forest management practices, said Mike McConnell, chair of the land stewardship committee. “Logging gets a blank cheque right now,” he said. “There needs to be a process under FRPA (Forest and Range Practices Act) for the district manager to intervene in cutting permits in
consideration of other tenure holders.” McConnell’s committee has
long urged the inclusion of a forage objective in the Forest
British Columbia Profitable & Sustainable
Planning and Practices Regulation with little success. McConnell noted ongoing work in the North Okanagan to develop a sustainable forage supply similar to a sustainable timber supply. “The district manager has made a commitment that their goal is to maintain a continuous forage supply of 90,000 AUMs (animal unit months),” McConnell told delegates. “We are taking this example forward to FLNRORD minister [Doug] Donaldson.”
Wildfire workshops Duncan Barnett, chair of
the livestock industry protection committee, summarized some of the findings of the 12 BCCA and AgSafeBC emergency management workshops held across the province this spring.
Barnett expects a video
version of the presentations to be available online this summer.
“We have taken all the
feedback and discussion from the workshops to create a solidified stance on what our membership feels are the next steps towards proactively creating a safer BC,” he said. CFIA-proposed
amendments to the Health of Animals Act concerning national traceability involve three key pillars, Barnett pointed out, as he reminded ranchers how they can work towards the new regulations that are expected in the spring of 2019. “The tagging that we have been doing for some time goes along with premises ID and movement reporting to make up the traceability system,” explained Barnett. “Some of us may wonder
why we have to do this,” said Barnett, “But it is based on market access and being able to deal with disease outbreaks in our livestock.” While ranchers have been aware of changes in
www.canadianorganicfeeds.com
FOR BAGGED or BULK ORDERS
Accountable & Predictable BCHA Presidents de
John Lewis 25
A Presi en 50-218
ent 18-2537 37
BCHA Secreta Janice Tapp 250
BC BCH tary ary 50-699 9 -9 6466 466 4
Darren Jansen Owner 604.794.3701
organicfeeds@gmail.com Certified by Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd.
traceability requirements for some time, Barnett says 2018 is when hooves hit the trail. Most people learned the value of premises ID during last summer’s wildfires, Barnett noted. Ongoing work with animal tagging aims to make premises ID easier to use and more valuable to producers. “The movement reporting is the big change I am going to encourage you all to pay attention to,” said Barnett. Another issue Barnett
addressed is work to develop federal livestock transportation regulations. Barnett says CFIA
inspectors are reportedly checking animal condition at auction yards and flagging where producers might not be in compliance. “We are encouraging
regional associations to have the CFIA come and speak at your meetings to have you better understand compromised animal policy issues,” he said. “BCCA has also had input into the development of the regulations to ensure that they work for our members, who often have to transport animals over long distances.” Proactive management of elk and deer by the government is a priority noted Renee Ardill, of the environmental stewardship committee. “We are advocating for
Provincial Livestock Fencing Program
A New Highway Fencing Program Has Been Announced
Funding Guidelines will be available soon. View updates at
www.cattlemen.bc.ca/fencing email
fencebc@gmail.com or call 1.866.398.2848
In partnership with:
Our Panorama Feeder Finance Program assists BC Ranchers with cash flow, herd expansion and market opportunities. Call 250.573.3939 or email
pano@bclivestock.bc.ca WILLIAMS LAKE
KAMLOOPS
Patrick Trueman 250.319.3992
Wade McNolty 250.398.0429
OK FALLS
Shawn Carter 250.490.5809
VANDERHOOF
DeCody Corbiere 250.524.0681
PROVINCE WIDE
Al Smith 250.570.2143
prevention and mitigation, including stockyard fencing, so we can keep things out of our stuff, and if necessary, compensation for the stuff that they eat.”
Proudly Supporting BC Ranching Since 1943 - BC Livestock Producers Celebrates 75 Years!
Top Quality August Yearling and Calf Sales.
www.bclivestock.bc.ca
> for news | market information | auction listings | cattle financing py g p
Kamloops JULY 24th
AUGUST 7th , 21st , 28th y
Williams Lake JULY 19th
AUGUST 16th , 30th g
Vanderhoof JULY 20th
AUGUST 10th , 31st
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
