26
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • DECEMBER 2018
BC ranchers face mounting regulations Boon provides update on issues facing cattlemen at regional meeting
by TOM WALKER KAMLOOPS – The
Kamloops Stockmen’s Association new president Ryan Scorgie welcomed 50 members to their semi-annual general meeting where Kevin Boon, general manager of the BC Cattlemen’s Association, gave a review of the summer’s issues. “I know I cover some of the same topics each year when I speak at these events,” quipped Boon. “We are making progress on a number of them.” Boon says the summer’s
fires had less of an impact on industry versus last year’s. “They started out not too
bad. There were some issues around resources to fight them as there were so many across the province and across the country but then, by August, the Nechako and Bulkley became a real concern,” he says. The good news is that the
federal-provincial Agri- Recovery program will run similarly to 2017. There will also be adequate funding. While there was $20 million
allocated last year, just $9.6 million was used. “This year they allocated $5 million and we feel that should be sufficient, however they also said should it be a shortfall they would go back and get more,” Boon says. “The fires probably didn’t
destroy as many fences as last year,” he adds. ”We are still assessing it but the priority still remains first to do the Elephant Hill and the Cariboo from last year. We got around 300 kilometers of range and 100 kilometers of highway fencing done last year, but it will likely take us three years to complete it.”
Boon warned those
working in burnt areasiabout the use of flagging tape. He says there have been several instances of calves eating it. “It plugs up their bellies and they die,” he warns. Two years of fires in BC and
drought conditions across the Prairies is having an impact on hay supplies. “There is certainly a feed
shortage out there,” says Boon. “As a result, we are starting to see the calf markets filling up. … There
has been some heavy price pressure lately.”
While this summer’s
request for an audit of grazing leases by the BC Wildlife Federation will take a number of years before BC’s auditor general ever considers it, it has already tarnished the industry’s social licence. “There is a huge disconnect between reality of cattle on the land and the damage they claim we are doing,” notes a frustrated Boon. “They have really thrown the industry under the bus.” “They are not looking for a financial audit,” says Boon. “They are looking for unrestricted access to all land without having to ask permission.” Boon was referring to
Crown land that cattlemen pay to lease, as well as pay taxes on, and they fence and maintain. The public does have the right of access, but with the rancher’s approval. “It should not be too much
for the rancher to know that someone is out there and that they are taking care,” he
The breed you can trust!
says. “If you have guys coming out and asking to hunt ask them if they are BC Wildlife (Federation) members and talk to them about it.” Boon expects a BC
Supreme Court ruling in December in the dispute between the Douglas Lake Cattle Co. and Merritt-area anglers over access across private lands to fish privately stocked lakes that have been enlarged and maintained by the ranch. “This case can have implications for access to all private lands,” notes Boon. “It could support the Green Party’s ‘right to roam’ efforts.”
Groundwater licensing The final date to apply for a
groundwater well licence is March 1, 2019, Boon reminded the association. “After that it will be
considered a new well and you will lose your [First in time-First in Right],” he says. The new agriculture waste
control regulation continues to be a work in progress. “I don’t think this will have much of an effect on the beef industry but it will have an impact on dairy,” says Boon. However, a requirement for soil sampling may affect the cattle industry in areas where there is high rainfall. “We are going to see some
requirements to do nutrient management plans,” notes Boon. “Mostly, they are in areas with 600 mm or more of rain a year which could include the Prince George and Quesnel areas.” Government is also
delaying the release of the livestock watering
regulations. “They have reopened it
and there are some aspects we are quite concerned with,” says Boon. “They were supposed to harmonize definitions with the ag waste regulations such as defined feeding area and seasonal feeding area and how they relate to access to water.” However, the regulations should not affect ranchers’ ability to access water for animals on range. “It looks like we will be able to construct off-stream watering without a licence, but it is still very unclear.” Boon also has a concern with dugouts. “We thought they were
exempt if they were under 2,500 cubic meters. We are finding if there is a chance they are fed by groundwater, they may need a groundwater licence.” Public comments on the
organic matter recycling intentions paper closed in early November. Boon expects there will be changes to regulations covering land applications of biosolids as well as changes to fees and setback distances. A move by BC agriculture minister Lana Popham to embrace animal welfare issues has caught Boon’s attention. “We don’t need more
regulations,” Boon says. “We are hoping to have our Beef Code of Practice enshrined in the current regulations and if you follow the code of practice then you shouldn’t be challenged. We also hope for some protection against frivolous complaints.”
BCHA President John Lewis (250)218-2537
BCHA Secretary Janice Tapp
250-699-6466 RANCH ON HORSEFLY RIVER FEATURED PROPERTIES
ATURED PROPERTI
1.604.363.8483
FARMREALESTATE.COM
ORGANIC FARM BUSINESS ID#1100747 CHERRYVILLE, BC ID#1100751 HORSEFLY, BC
World class fl y fi shing, hun ng and ranching!!! Property has 10 km of river front, 2,121 Acres of deeded meadows, and 80,000 Acre grazing license. Here you can fi nd an immaculate set of ca le handling facili es as well as two excep onal homes, making this one of the best ranches available in beau ful Bri sh Columbia.
A total of 143 Acres incl. 3 newer homes, a cabin and a large new retail store make this a fantas c package. Most of the land is irrigated with river water rights. Mainly operated as a cheese & an organic beef farm with berry farm/orchard or dairy opportunity. The cheese processing facility has newer equipment and renovated processing areas. It is a state-of-the-art set up. Other facili es include a double 5 herringbone parlor, 3 coveralls with concrete sla ed fl oor, a manure pit & automa c manure scrapers, 74 free stalls, and 2 maternity pens. Lots of possibili es!
ID#1100690 MIDWAY, BC
This turn-key berry opera on has 46 Acres in full berry produc on & 5 Acres planted to trees with lots of room for expansion. Buildings include a Spanish style 1,789 sq bungalow, 2 bed guest home, 12’x48’ heated shop, 16’x32’ greenhouse & more. An extensive line of equipment is also included.
www.desertsales.ca Delivery & Financing Available
LIFESTYLE & BUSINESS
New New
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 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
