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Complete June 2011 issue of the West Coast Farmer as it appeared in print.
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Volume 11 • Issue 2 June, 2011Free rural delivery from Langley to Agassiz
Inside your
• Abbotsford Police believe they are homing in on a group of people responsible for a rash of livestock and fowl thefts throughout the Fraser Valley.
• In 30 plus years of working with berry crops in the Fraser Valley, Berry Specialist Mark Sweeney with the BC Ministry of Agriculture says 2011 has been an unprecedented year.
• Three major reports all point to healthy prospects for the agricultural industry.
• Approximately $200 million in agricultural production is dependent on honey bee pollination every year in this province.
• Roy and Tracy Schurman of Schurstar Dairy have built their new dairy barn for 'cow comfort.'
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After three years of development, the new Dairy Technician Level One course has now graduated its first class. Above: Dr. Dan McDermid (l) and Dr. Melodie Chan stand in front of the class. See story, page 6.
ALRInput sought on mega homes on agri-cultural land.
Page 12
It may sound strange to cast a NO vote on the HST ballot but that is exactly what farmers must do. The wording of the vote means that if you vote YES the HST will cease to exist and BC will revert to the old GST/PST system.
It has been estimated the HST will cost the average BC family $350. However, B.C. Premier Christy Clark unveiled changes that will see the tax rate drop from 12 per cent to 11 per cent in 2012 and to 10 per cent in 2014. Added to that will be a one-time payment of $175.00 to each child under 18 in a family.
As far as the Agriculture sector is concerned the HST benefit is huge, according to BC Agriculture Chair Garnet Etsell.
“When has the government ever come forward to agriculture with a projected $20M financial benefit? That is effectively what they have done with the HST,” says Etsell.
The BCAC has been lobbying for the last ten years to get the govern-ment to change the old PST system which cost Victoria an estimated $30M a year to audit. Now that is gone.
“The basic premise was that food should not be taxed,” noted Etsell. “If you follow that idea down the road, neither should the production of that food be taxed. But that is what was happening with the Provincial Sales Tax (PST). The HST eliminates that.”
Under the old PST system agricul-ture was provided with some conces-sions but it was an antiquated list. It got to the point where small business suppliers were unwilling to provide farmers with tax concessions because they in turn would be audited and if found to be in contravention of the rules, the penalties were huge. While the farmer could still apply directly to Victoria for reconsideration it was a very cumbersome process.
In Etsell’s opinion the old PST tax was not only mind boggling but it was expensive to administer. The Ag industry likes the HST and he would hate to see BC forced to drop
it, and revert back to the old GST/PST system.
Bigger isn’t always betterIn today’s dairy industry, bigger
it seems is better. However Clarence Bisschop whose farm is located on Lickman Road in Chilliwack contra-dicts the trend to larger premises. He has a new basic double six dairy parlour, milks 60 cows, raises all his own young stock and has 25,000kgs of quota which is just fine by him. The Westfalia parlour is equipped with automatic takeoff – milk meters – with pedometers on the cows with automatic ID for tracking the milking process.
Bisschop is not interested in a big-ger herd, although he has not ruled out the idea should his son take over the farm in the future.
“However I expect to get another 15 to 20 years in before that hap-pens,” he says.
Robots
I can recall when Lely introduced their Robotic milker to Chilliwack area farmers a few years ago. There were comments to the effect that Robots were too expensive and would never catch on in the Fraser Valley. Granted their acceptance was slow, but it has now built up to where Robots are now a considered choice for many.
Jake Dick who owns and oper-ates Dicklands Farms in Greendale is in the midst of having five Lely A3 Astronaut milkers installed on his
farm. They should be up and running by next month.
World cattle disease goneDr. John Dick with Greenbelt
Veterinary Services Ltd. in Chilliwack recalls having to learn about rinder-pest while a student at University. Rinderpest was a major cattle dis-ease in Europe, Asia and Africa. It ruined many livestock farmers and unleashed famines that in turn fueled turbulence and war. Stamping it out has been an objective of world ani-mal organizations and they have now succeeded. It is the first time an ani-mal disease has been eradicated in human history. Dr. Dick says the pest was never a problem in Canada.
4-H lotteryNew for 2011 – two BC 4-H
Lotteries, each with a grand prize of a John Deere TX Gator generously donated by Prairie Coast Equipment.
Prairie Coast Equipment and John Deere have a long history of support-ing the 4-H Clubs both locally and internationally. Prairie Coast appre-ciates the hard work, dedication and fun our youth experience with 4H.
“The youth we support and influ-ence today will be our leaders for the future and Prairie Coast is therefore happy to partner with 4H by invest-ing in today’s youth.
The raffle will help raise much needed funding for each of the par-ticipating local clubs as well as the B.C. 4-H Provincial Council.
Tickets are now available from
participating local 4H clubs through-out BC.
Court decisionThe Supreme Court of Canada
sided with the Province of Ontario ruling that the Provincial Agricultural Employees Protection Act, which doesn’t include collective bargaining, does not infringe on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The battle with the United Farm and Commercial Workers union cen-tered around its attempts to union-ize 200 mushroom workers at a Leamington, Ontario farm.
1994 NDP legislation gave collec-tive bargaining rights to farm work-ers for the first time in Ontario.
When the Conservatives came to power they repealed the law in 2001 and the Union took its case to the Supreme Court which ordered Ontario to draft a new law.
The Agricultural Employees Protection Act did not allow collec-tive bargaining so the Union chal-lenged the new act. In 2008 the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled the act violated the charter right to free-dom of association and the Ontario government was ordered to come up with a new law. Ontario then appealed that matter to the Supreme Court.
June is Dairy MonthYou will find several dairy sto-
ries in this edition of West Coast Farmer. The next issue will be out in September.
Fraser Valley’sAgriculturePublication
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3 New ag minister
3 Livestock thefts
6 first graduates
8 Buzz on bees
11 Cow comfort
12 Land use
INDEX
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JUNE, 2011 3
NewsBC ag minister: short on experience, lots of enthusiasmGrant UllyotWest Cost Farmer
Don McRae, who comes from the Comox Valley – one of BC’s prime agricultural areas – says while he has no experience as a government minis-ter, and only a cursory knowledge of the industry, he plans to stick around a long, long time in his new portfolio. That may well be his ambition, but his-tory indicates that Ag Ministers, really don’t stick around for a long time. However, McRae noted in his favor he has plenty of experience in and outside cabinet to call upon. In par-ticular, Steve Thomson, who is highly respected and is very knowledgeable and experienced; John vanDongen who also has a great pedigree and is extremely well regarded in the indus-try, and Ben Stewart who was the Minister prior to his being appointed and is especially well known in the Okanagan and in the wine industry.
“I am trying to go for a record of being the longest serving agriculture minister if that is possible. We are kind of lucky in this ministry with staff who have a lot of experience. So I need to take lessons from all my colleagues and their experiences and see if I can win some battles like the other guy (the late Stan Hagen) who also came from the Comox Valley.”
McRae was a high school teacher and also was a councillor in Courtenay for several years. He believes that the area located in the northern region of Vancouver Island is doing some amazing things in agriculture.
“We have a very diversified agri-culture sector from our farmer’s mar-kets to our value-added products,” says McRae. “In the Comox Valley we have Natural Pastures Cheese and it is not only BC famous but is nationally and internationally famous.
“Before I became ag minister I had become a champion of artisans
in the stores which is another part of value-added agriculture. It is one thing to grow the crops but farmers need to be a diversified as possible and I want to make sure they have the opportunity to not only grow crop on their farms but also see that they can leverage it to a level where they can make a profit. If they can do this, they will encourage others to enter the industry.”
A major objective for McRae is make use of the Provincial Nominee program, where the industry and government work with the federal government to attract farmers from other countries to come to Canada and to BC especially to establish themselves as farmers, particularly in our smaller communities.
“They would take over existing farms, perhaps start a new operation and basically bring with them their expertise and capabilities which can benefit BC agriculture. I would like to
see that program expand. I know it is not cheap to start farming in BC in the Fraser or Comox valleys or in the Okanagan because our land prices
are so high. But if you check out land prices in England, France or Germany or in Asia land prices in Canada are not a major p r o b l e m . Our pris-tine lands and gener-ally mild c l i m a t e
make farming very enjoyable for the most part.”
Another major item of business for the new minister will be dealing with
the review of the Agricultural Land Commission undertaken by the Chair of the Commission, Richard Bullock, from Kelowna. Bullock has already submitted his report and it awaits ministerial action.
Asked about last fall’s extremely wet weather that literally destroyed BC’s potato crop and damaged cole and berry crops, McRae said he thinks about $1.5 million is coming to farm-ers through the Federal Ag Stability program, and close to $5 million in Ag Stability payments will be made once all the accounting is done.
“I talked to federal Agriculture and Agri Food Minister Gerry Ritz who was re-appointed federal agriculture minister in the new Conservative cabinet, to try and get some of those federal hardship dollars to farmers as quickly as possible. It is up to the feds to make this a reality,” says McRae.
B.C.’s new agricul-ture minister Don McRae.
■ Double Duty
Tagteam manure spreaders get the job done in a field on Whatcon Road near Abbotsford. JOHN VAN PUTTEN/ BLACK PRESS
Vikki HopesBlack Press
Abbotsford Police believe they are homing in on a group of people responsible for a rash of livestock and fowl thefts throughout the Fraser Valley.
Const. Ian MacDonald said the Abbosford Police Department’s livestock enforcement offi-cer (LEO) has identified “people of interest” in the thefts of chickens, pigeons, ducks, goats and sheep.
The thefts began last fall at farms in Abbotsford, Langley and Chilliwack. The most recent ones occurred overnight Sunday at a farm in the 500 block of Gladwin Road in Abbotsford, where 325 chickens and eggs were stolen, and on Tuesday in the 33700 block of Vye Road, where tools and $5,000 worth of chickens were lifted.
“We think it’s an organized group of people who have a certain knack for livestock and the
resale of livestock,” MacDonald said.He said the culprits either sell the animals for
slaughter, or through auctions and online sites – avenues through which buyers would not know the creatures were stolen.
He said the thieves are generally targeting smaller operations that might not have as many security measures as larger sites.
As well, they tend to have some “inside knowledge” of the farm. For example, two pigeon farms hit in the last few months were going through transition and nobody was on site.
One was in the process of being sold, and the operator of the other had recently passed away.
The two sites were among three hit in November and February, resulting in the heist of 5,300 pigeons that are sold as meat – known as squab – for $4 to $10 each.
Also this year, close to 20 Boer goats were taken from a property on Downes Road in
Abbotsford on four or five separate occasions.A series of livestock thefts were reported
to the Langley RCMP in March, including 22 lambs, six ducks and 65 chickens from three properties. One of those farms was also targeted in December and had 17 ducks taken.
A farm in Chilliwack was hit in November, when seven pregnant goats – each valued at between $500 and $700 – were stolen. Six of them were later located on a property in Langley.
At the time, Chilliwack RCMP estimated that 60 goats in total had been swiped from the community.
MacDonald said the rash of thefts resulted in the Abbotsford Police creating the LEO, a posi-tion that did not previously exist, and issuing a warning to local farm operators.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to call Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225.
Police believe they have leads on livestock thieves
Boer goats are among the livestock that have been stolen from Fraser Valley farms, starting last fall.
Weather key for berry cropsBy Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer
In 30 plus years of working with berry crops in the Fraser Valley, Berry Specialist Mark Sweeney with the BC Ministry of Agriculture says 2011 has been an unprecedented year.
“I have not seen a year like this before where we are so late into the crop year and have not had any extended period of warm and dry weather. Yes, the blue-berry crop is behind schedule, but I think the guys growing vegetables are having it worse because they haven’t been able to get on their land and get the crop planted.
“Plenty of crops like blueberries are in the ground and they are growing. All are late, but surprisingly look very good. The blueberries are in bloom now and we need more sunshine. We have had a few good days in the past couple weeks which spurred pollination efforts with the bees out in large numbers, so the potential is there for a good crop.
“As we look forward, the absence of
Continued: BERRY/ p5
Continued: McRAE/ p5
4 JUNE, 2011
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Why move towards a national blueberry council?By Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer
There are a variety of trends that could have a posi-tive impact on the Canadian highbush blueberry market if enough resources became available, says Karen Fenske from StratPoint Solutions, who is working on the develop-ment of a National Blueberry Council. Debbie Etsell, Executive Director of the BC Blueberry Council stated that a National Council would facilitate producer prosperity, increase consumer awareness and create equitable contri-butions to foster future pro-grams.
In 2005 BC produced 58 million pounds of highbush blueberries. In 2010 total pro-duction was up to 90 million pounds and by 2013 produc-tion will be over 120 million. Though other provinces pro-duction rates are less, they have almost doubled since 2005.
Over 40% of the highbush blueberries sold in Canada are from importers who do not share the costs of any of the promotion, marketing and research we do. Importers should make equal investments in the cost of building highbush blueberry markets as they do,
and will continue, to benefit from local efforts.
BC produces 94% of all highbush blueberries in Canada. Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia produce most of the remaining 6%. Though the east coast provinces pro-duce primarily wild/lowbush blueberries, there is a growing interest in highbush produc-tion. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba do not produce highbush blueberries. These could be potential markets. With more domestic advertis-ing and promotion Canadians could buy more blueberries.
Consumers need to be informed about where to access healthy products such as highbush blueberries. At the same time food prices have increased and adapting to this change has put added impor-tance on research and inno-
vation if highbush blueberry growers and processors want to remain competitive and profitable. Funds are needed for promotion and value-chain development.
Developing produc-tion methods that have low impacts on the environment and climate change are part of a more competitive indus-try. Value-added products can expand the market and gain value-chain efficiencies. Funds are needed for these types of innovations.
There is a growing acknowl-edgement of the need to improve citizen’s health and health care costs are not sus-tainable. Selling more highbush blueberries is part of the solu-tion.
Fenske added that as part of a National Organization, open communication among all stake holders will result in immediate access to research results to initiate marketing. Growers will have a seat on the National Board and will par-ticipate in the decision mak-ing by providing input into the planning and implementation of Council projects. They will benefit from the research and promotion activities with core money and leveraged funds, which will expand all markets.
Ex. Director Debbie Etsell
JUNE, 2011 5
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®a good strong high pressure ridge in the long range forecast is a concern; however it is cer-tainly not a disaster at this point.”
Sweeney says it will take some heat to improve crop development, but that does not mean extreme heat.
“You can’t suddenly expose the berry crops to high temperatures when they have been growing in cool wet weather. They are not ready for that. It will stress the plants and cause ‘bunch-up’ – where the early varieties of blue-berries (Duke) reach harvest stage at the same time as Bluecrop. That is not good for the fresh market or for the processors as the amount of berries being harvested will exceed the capacity of the packing plants.”
However Sweeney says he is speculating.“We really don’t know what the weather is
going to be like in the month ahead. Right now we are two to three weeks behind. But I recall other years when crop growth has been behind schedule and we caught up with some improved weather.”
The worst case scenario is it might mean that blueberries that would normally be available in the second week of July won’t be available this year until July 20 or later.
Crop pollination has been the main problem for berry growers, according to Sweeney.
“Again everything will hinge on what sort of weather pattern we get, and if I could order up some weather I would say moderate sunshine, an extended high pressure ridge and 25 degrees would be ideal. That is what we really need to get good pollination through to the blueberry crop.
“Honey bees start pollinating blueberries first, then they move on to the raspberry crop
and then to cranberries. The bees should now be starting to wind down on blueberry bloom and they should be gearing up for raspberries. However they are now just really getting going in blueberries.”
Last year was not a banner year for berry producers.
“We did have a poor spring last year also,” says Sweeney. The months of May through June were quite poor. We had some frost dam-age and had some hail damage. So both the blueberry and raspberry harvests did not reach their potential. Right now the BB crop looks to be favorable – I haven’t seen much winter damage.”
Sweeney says that one good thing about the cloudy weather this year is that we didn’t get the frost damage we would normally.
“I haven’t seen much frost damage and if we can get a good pollination period we should surpass the 90-million pounds of blueberries produced last year.”
Sweeney says the disease problem known as SWD (or Spotted Wing Drosophila) which has emerged as a major concern for berry and tree fruit growers is still around, but trap reports indicate that no adult-sized pests have been caught recently.
“We were catching them over the winter and into the spring, but over the past few weeks they have not been out there. Winter is hard on them and as we suspected 99 per cent die off. The stragglers that survive will start to emerge over the coming weeks. They will find each other and start mating and into the summer will lay their eggs and they will build up as we enter another cycle. So we fully expect the SWD to return. The question is when and the other unanswered question is, in what numbers. The traps are out there and we will be watching.”
Raspberry farmer sprays crop in the 29600 block of Huntingdon Rd. last week. With the break in weather farmers were trying to catch up on field work which has been a challenge with the cold wet spring. JOHN VAN PUTTEN/ BLACK PRESS
Berry growers look aheadBERRY from p3
“The other thing I would like to mention is the $4 mil-lion in production and insur-ance claims that have been processed to date as well. So there is some money out there, but I know there are still sev-
eral others waiting and we are going to make sure all our boxes are checked off so that the feds can do their part. I intend to make sure that farm-ers get the financial support they need as quickly as we can. We just need the political will to make it happen.”
McRae says he is not going
to be a sitting minister in Victoria.
“I want to get out and see first hand what our farmers are doing in all areas of the prov-ince and get their feedback.
McRae is even planning on taking his wife and young fam-ily on a agriculture holiday this summer.
McRAE from p3
Looking for fed support
6 JUNE, 2011
News
By Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer
It took more than three years to develop, but the new Dairy Technician Level One course has now graduated its first class. Seventeen persons took in the course, which provided them with classroom and hands-on instruction to qualify them to operate today’s modern milking equipment.
West Coast Farmer first heard about the course a couple years ago from Paris Thomas, who worked in communications for BC Milk Producer’s Association.
Dr. John Dick headed up a three person teaching group from Greenbelt Veterinary Services/DairySMART Management in Chilliwack, which also included Dr. Dan McDermid and Dr. Melodie Chan, while a fourth person Scott Fraser from FARSHA focused on safety issues.
Dick said Greenbelt spent the better part of two years assisting with development of the program and wrote most of the multiple choice questions that were part of the final exam leading to certifica-tion. Dick noted Greenbelt was also involved in writing the cur-riculum for the program.
“We taught them the theoretical part of the course in the new class-room at the UBC Dairy Education
and Research Center in Agassiz. Then we took them into the barns for hands-on instruction and let them do the work. The course is an apprenticeship and the hands-on part is very important.
“We also taught them to watch for problems that could occur; talked about milking equipment and how to clean and maintain it; we focused on potential animal diseases they might encounter; we talked about birthing; discussed cattle hooves and outlined the safety concerns they needed to know about. Dairy farm safety is a broad topic and includes handling of cattle, safe handling of chemicals used for cleaning the milking system and equipment safety."
Dick admits there was a lot of
information to absorb, but he says learning to be a Dairy Technician Level One involves more than just milking cows.
“It is a broad program and it covers all of the dairy farm opera-tions. The dairy farmer is expected to know a little bit about a lot of different things.”
According to Dick, anyone who has completed Grade 10 in high school, has an interest in milk-ing cows can take the program. However applicants must be work-ing on a viable dairy farm and need to have a qualified supervisor.
Carla DeGroot from the BC Milk Producers was the apprenticeship coordinator responsible for insur-ing applicants met all the qualifi-
cations required to enroll for the technical training course.
The technical training took about five weeks and was spread over four sessions. “We started with two weeks in the beginning of November 2010 and then we had a week in January this year, a week in February, and another week at the beginning of March” explained Dick.
In between classroom sessions students went back to their sponsor farms to work.
Dick said the mix of students was very good.
“They were very keen and they definitely asked us hard questions that were not that easy to answer - which was good. As instructors we
enjoyed teaching them.“We also had some sons and
daughters of dairy farmers that took in our program and it was very good for them to get a broader exposure to other things that maybe their par-ents had not have taught them. The remainder were mainly employees on farms.”
All of the graduates are now working to achieve certification which is automatic provided they complete 1,000 hours of work on a dairy farm. Once this is complete, the graduates can opt to enroll in the Level Two program for more train-ing to qualify as a Herdsman.
“Unfortunately however,” says Dick, “that course is at least a year away.”
Meanwhile the next Dairy Technicians Level One Course is tentatively scheduled to start this fall provided all contracts are signed and in place. The proposed schedule would see the course start on Oct. 31 with a couple of weeks in the beginning of November and another week in each of January, February, and March 2012.
Anyone interested in taking the course should contact BC Milk Producers Association ([email protected]) or Greenbelt Veterinary Service in Chilliwack (phone 604 792 1501) or they can find full information on the Dairy Pro BC website as well as the DairySmart website.
First grads from dairy technicians course
It is a broad program and it covers all of the dairy farm operations. The dairy farmer is expected to
know a little bit about a lot of different things ~ Dr. John Dick
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Three major reports all point to healthy pros-pects for the agricultural industry. The reports give a clear snapshot of the state of the sec-tor, portraying a highly complex, integrated and globally-competitive value chain that is an expanding and vibrant part of the Canadian economy.
"We are looking at another bumper year for farm incomes in 2010 thanks to good pric-es, lower input costs and initiatives such as AgriRecovery that helped Prairie farmers deal with weather disasters," said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "It's encouraging to see even higher prices for grains, oilseeds and hogs."
Farm incomes in 2010 are expected to sur-pass the record set two years ago, with 2011 also anticipated to be a good year for Canadian farmers, according to Farm Income Forecast report released today. The 2011 Overview reports that farm incomes in 2009 were at their second highest level in two decades. The aver-age net operating income for Canadian farms in 2010 is expected to peak to more than $50,000, a five per cent jump over 2009 and 31 per cent above the 2005-09 average.
"Our young farmers hold the seeds to future growth and we will continue to work with this dynamic group of entrepreneurs as we tran-sition to a renewed generation of farmers," said Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture) Jean-Pierre Blackburn, who last November launched the first National Future Farmers Network.
The Medium Term Outlook for the next 10 years points to continued high prices for grains and oilseeds leading to dynamic growth in production and exports. Prices for cattle and hogs are expected to increase slightly, offsetting
higher feed costs. This will allow for moderate growth in production and exports for the live-stock sector.
Both the Farm Income Forecast and the Medium Term Outlook reinforce findings in the 2011 edition of the Overview, which indicates a younger generation of farmers on the horizon. The Overview reports that farm operations that are managed solely by farmers between the ages of 18 and 39 tend to be well distributed across farm types, size and province and are likely to have higher profit margins, a higher share of on-farm family income and earn higher gross farm revenues.
For additional information on the outlook of young farmers, please see the recent release of Farm Credit Canada's national Vision Panel survey. The survey showed that more than 80% of producers aged 40 and younger are optimistic about their future prospects and 76% are considering expanding or diversifying their operations.
The complete results of the FCC survey can be found at www.fccvision.ca
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By Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer
Honey bees may be tiny creatures, but their work has a big $200-mil-lion impact on farming in British Columbia. That's why BC Agriculture Minister Don McRae declared Sunday, May 29, as Honey Bee Day in B.C.
Honey bees have been an important part of B.C. agri-culture since they were intro-duced to the Americas by European settlers hundreds of years ago. Today, honey bee colonies remain critical to many of the crops British Columbians rely on for food, such as tree fruits and berries.
Their impact on the BC economy is impressive.
Approximately $200 mil-lion in agricultural produc-tion is dependent on honey bee pollination every year in this province. Across North America that number rises to $16 billion per year. An estimated 30,000 honey bee colonies are contracted to pollinate food crops on B.C. farms every growing season. Pollination activities are worth approximately $2.4 million annually to B.C. beekeepers.
Did you know that bees, as well as butterflies and bats, are responsible for the continued existence of more than seventy percent of the world's flower-ing plant population. From the
production of hybrid canola seed in Southern Alberta to the pollination of blueberries in the BC honey bees are the primary managed pollinator for Canada’s agricultural food production. The pollination efforts of honey bees are esti-mated to contribute in excess of $2.2 billion to Canada’s agricultural economy each year.
Unfortunately habitat destruction and alteration, pesticide use, and pathogen spill-over are contributing to a decrease in the abundance and diversity of wild and managed pollinators. In 2009, the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists reported three consecutive years of wintering losses for honey bees hovering at thirty per cent, twice the normal rate.
In addition to honey bees, there are more than 700 native species of bees that exist in Canada that also have a unique role in the maintenance of the country's biodiversity. They are essential to the reproduc-tive cycles of most flowering plants and thus to the eco-system itself, by supporting plant populations that other animals and birds rely on for food and shelter. If the proper environments don't exist for these bees, they cannot sur-vive to continue pollinating the plants they are uniquely responsible for.
In one sense, bees are very much the same as us; their "neighbourhood" must include a suitable place to live from which they can access food and other requirements over the course of their life span. The loss of this "real estate" and the loss of local biodiversity via mass growing of a single crop, limits areas where diverse bee communi-ties can survive. The loss or reduction of bees and their pollination services sends ripples throughout the entire ecosystem that impact the very sustainability and resil-ience of the landscape.
This concept of provid-ing appropriate habitats can also be applied in many other settings to maintain pollina-tor and plant biodiversity. For example, city planners can integrate green spaces into their layouts, and farmers can enhance or maintain "bee friendly" habitat on their land to promote diverse native bee communities. Incorporating native flowers and plants into a family garden not only looks nice, but can offer nesting opportunities and a source of nectar and pollen for these insects. The future looks promising for Canada’s bee populations thanks to research being done by AAFC scientists and their collaborators. And by being bee-friendly, we can all contribute to biodiversity.
The buzz about beesAgriculture Minister Don McRae declared Sunday, May 29, as Honey Bee Day in B.C.
JENNA HAUCK/ BLACK PRESS
Watch for the next edition of the
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People
By Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer
The BC Dairy Industry has lost one of its fiercest supporters with the passing last month of Jim Waardenburg. I first met Jim at a Fraser Valley Milk Producers AGM back in the late seventies after taking over the farm show on CHWK radio in 1976. He was already entrenched in the FVMPA having been elected to the Board of Directors in 1972 when he nar-rowly defeated long-serving direc-tor and President of the FVMPA H.S. Berry.
A year later, Jim was appointed by Elmer Daum and Geoff Thorpe at the Milk Board to the Market Share Advisory Committee. It was in his capacity as Chair of the MSQ Advisory Committee that Jim became a close working part-ner and friend of Geoff Thorpe. Together they formed a formida-ble team and led this province into 25 years of growth and expansion in the dairy industry.
In 1974, Jim was elected a director of the Dairy Farmers of Canada.
It was in these three posi-tions, Dairyland Director, MSQ Committee member, and Dairy Farmers of Canada Director that Jim rose to become a major force in the BC and Canadian dairy
industry over the next 25 years. There is no doubt that he was one of the most influential players in the Canadian industry during his time.
Jim was born in Holland and came to Canada with his parents and younger brother Albert in August,1953. He was 17 and his first experience with farm work in Canada was not pleasant. He picked beans and blackberries, pruned raspberries, dug potatoes and carrots, and picked brussel sprouts that fall of 1953 – in the cold, wet, muddy Fraser Valley. He hated the work, and was delighted to leave the vegetable fields and start working at an Abbotsford bank. He had only the equiva-lent of a grade 12 education in Holland, but the requirement of the banking job was for “someone who could speak Dutch.”
It was a wonderful opportunity for Jim since he had already taken some basic accounting in Holland.
Over the next 16 years, Jim took courses through the Canadian Bankers’ Association in accounting, commercial law and banking, and had “on-the-job” training in many aspects of the banking business.
While his father and brother grew a dairy herd on various rented farms, Jim was pursuing his banking career, and had been
transferred from the Abbotsford branch to White Rock. In 1957, just before moving to the Smithers branch, he married Phyllis Rolls. The newlyweds spent three happy years in Smithers, enjoying life in the friendly small community. Their first child, Lawrence, was born in 1960. Debbie was born in 1961, and sons Barry and Darryl followed in 1964 and 1968. So in the 1960’s, Jim started on the first of his three loves – family, farm-ing and fishing.
Jim’s career brought him back to the Lower Mainland, where he worked in several branches of the bank in Vancouver and Burnaby, before being transferred to Chilliwack. For two years he was Assistant Manager of the Chilliwack branch, responsible for farm accounts and loans.
In 1968 and 1969, Jim’s dad was contemplating retire-ment from farming. Jim, and his two brothers Albert and Wayne entered into a three-way partnership, and established Waardenburg Brothers Farms Ltd. They started with about 45 cows from their dad’s Nicomen Island farm. Then they bought 200 acres of farm land in Matsqui which had an old 90 stall stanchion barn, an upright silo and three houses (two of which were very old). In 1971, they built a new milking parlour,
loafing barn and a bunker silo, and increased their herd size to about 70 cows. Some years later Jim bought out his two broth-ers and took in two nephews as partners.
But as everyone soon learned, Jim’s future was not going to be long on the farm. There was just no way to keep the banker and the accountant down on the farm.
As was mentioned previously, Jim was elected a director with Dairy Farmers of Canada in 1974, and for two decades he was on the Executive of DFC, becoming President in 1988 for two years.
He was one of the key farm leaders in Canada in the GATT and WTO trade talks. He was well respected by farmers, govern-ment bureaucrats and politicians alike, all over Canada.
Jim Waardenbug was proud to be a farmer, and optimistic about the future of agriculture. An inter-esting line from his president’s address at DFC: “Failure is not in our vocabulary, it is an extended challenge.”
Jim was not only a leader but also a gentleman, a diplomat, a negotiator, a collaborator, a medi-ator, and to many including yours truly, a friend.
(My thanks to John vanDongen for sharing his information.)
Diary industry mourns loss of icon
The Board of Directors of Jersey Canada has announced that Russell Gammon, Executive Secretary of Jersey Canada, has been honoured with a prestigious Distinguished Achievement Award from the World Jersey Cattle Bureau (WJCB). Gammon’s name is added to a noteworthy list of previous winners that includes luminaries such as Anne Perchard from Jersey Island, Calvin Covington and Jim Cavanaugh from the USA and Francis Redelmeier of Canada.
Gammon has been an employee of Jersey Canada since June of 1981. He was named Secretary of the association in November of 1985 and Executive Secretary in March of 1991.
Gammon has traveled to many countries on Jersey business, includ-ing a special fondness for the Island of Jersey, home of the breed, based on six visits to Jersey since 1986. He served the WJCB as Editor of the Bureau's newsletter in the late 1980's and early 1990's as well as Regional Vice-President for North America from 2002 until 2008.
Gammon has now resigned from his position with Jersey Canada having completed 30 years of service to the Association. He is taking on a new role as Jersey Program Manager with the Semex Alliance.
Russ Gammon receives WJCB award
10 JUNE, 2011
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By Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer
Garnet Etsell, Chair of the BC Agriculture Council is an ardent proponent of a long term strategy for the agriculture sector. Canada has managed to be very successful with its ad-hoc policies but what it really needs is a longer term vision, according to Etsell, something that provides targets for the next 15 to 25 years. This idea, he says, was born out of a round table discussion which the CFA (the Canadian Federation of Agriculture) holds annually with all the Provincial and Federal Ag Ministers.
“It happened during a discussion of Business Risk Management programs and it was noted how bad the agriculture sector was doing. And yet there were not any solutions coming for-ward. There wasn’t any vision.
“Someone at that table suggested what agri-culture needed was a sense of direction in terms of where it was going. That was the first thing.
“That same year a bunch of us were back at the WTO (World Trade Organization) at their public forum held in September each year where participating countries and organizations have an opportunity to float their ideas.”
He says they met with the Canadian Ambassador and the trade negotiators and again there wasn’t any clear sense as to what Canada’s role was in terms of agriculture.
Etsell stated that Canada is unique in the world in the sense that it has this balance of trade position which some people scoff at.
“It does make us unique – we protect our domestic sectors – particularly the Supply Managed sectors and at the same time we have a very large exporting component with grain, cattle, and hogs. Maybe because of that bal-anced trade position we don’t want to create flack so we just kind of sit there and drift with the wind. Again no vision.”
It was then decided that what was really needed was to develop a long term vision for agriculture, 15 to 25 years in length.
“What happened in the past,” says Etsell, “is that we have had the federal APF (Agriculture Policy Framework Agreement) which was the first stab at something other than ad-hoc pro-gramming. Now we have Growing Forward and are now in the process of negotiating Growing Forward Two. All of these are five year plans, and in essence what they really are is a budget-ing tool. If you are really going to create a posi-tion for Canada in the world food supply chain and create a vibrant industry you are going to have to do it with more than just five year plan-ning windows. You still do that from a budget-ing point of view. But you can have the longer term plan (or vision) and then fit your 5-year program into that. Then we’ll take the industry somewhere. So that is how the National Food Strategy idea was developed.”
Etsell says Canada is positioned so well in terms of its resource base you really have to step outside Canada and take a look at the world situation.
“We are going to be 9-Billion people by 2050. We’ve got climate change or variability however you prefer to look at it. I think all the experts
agree now that we have a general warming of the planet – so we have areas of the world now that are stressed by a lack of water resources. In Canada we have got one of the highest arable acreages per capita than any other country in the world. In terms of water, land, air quality and capital. We have got resources that really make us the envy of the world. But if we are to take advantage of that, we had better start plan-ning for it. So that is really the basis behind the National Food Strategy.
“For far too long the Federal government has focused on exports to the detriment of our domestic industry. They are not willing to fund promotional programs. From my perspective if you can displace an import that is very effective in improving your GDP as exporting a product out of the country. We need to do both. We need to maximize our consumption of Canadian grown and processed food at home and we need to ensure we are the premium choice for the export market.
As to how strategies get implemented, Etsell explains that it is at the farm level or at the orga-nizational level. He insists that it is Government’s role, whether it be municipal, provincial or fed-eral is to help facilitate and insure an environ-ment is created in which agriculture can thrive.
“It has to be something that all the players in the agriculture sector can agree to. We need to bring outside groups such as the grain growers, canola growers, and cattlemen into the planning process.
“What we want to do is develop a strategy that allows everyone to agree on the objectives that are important to agriculture. And then it is going to be up to each commodity organization as to how they intend to use it. I think we need to step back and critically analyze the objectives we have set out and determine what is it we need to do to meet them – what do we need to change, is it our farm operations, our processing system, or our marketing strategy to improve our position in the marketplace. If we can do these things, we will have taken a major step forward toward developing a long term vision for Canadian agriculture.”
Etsell has stepped down from his position on the CFA Executive. However he continues to be BC’s representative to the CFA.
In stepping down from the CFA Executive Etsell says he hopes to be able to spend more time working on his own farm in Abbotsford.
“We are doing some pretty exciting things on the farm. We are putting in a vineyard to give us some diversification and allow us to grow and produce some pretty good wine for people in the Fraser Valley. We have a land base we want to use and we figure growing wine grapes is better than growing hay in terms of the bottom line.”
He will continue raising turkeys, though he says to some extent you are just a glorified janitor, always cleaning up after them, and it becomes very routine after awhile.
Meanwhile the BCAC is in need of a replace-ment for Christine Koch, who was the Manager for Policy and Member Services. Koch resigned from her position to pursue other interests.
Agriculture industry needs a long term strategy
The Government of Canada is supporting the live-stock industry as it develops a national traceability system. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced an investment of more than $3.7 million to strengthen the Canadian Pork Council’s national swine trace-ability system, bringing the total investment for this initia-tive up to $7 million.
"There is no doubt that a strong traceability system benefits Canadian producers, the value chain and consum-ers alike,” said Minister Ritz. “This investment will help the Canadian Pork Council contin-ue the development of its hog traceability system and give our hog farmers the competi-tive edge they need to access markets around the world.”
The Canadian Pork Council’s traceability system, PigTrace Canada, is designed to track the movement of hogs across the country. Phase 1 of this initiative focused on the creation of a tag distribution system for hogs, while Phase 2 will focus on combining swine movement information into a national centralized database.
Traceability systems for beef and hog producers
JUNE, 2011 11
News
Rational ThinkingAcross1 Seasoned sailor 5 Armada 10 Filly’s father 14 Alpine transport 15 Rustic dwelling 16 Barbershop request 17 Himalayan legend 18 Heavenly hunter 19 Alleviate 20 Motorcycle part 23 Bakery supply 24 Apprehensive 25 Imp 28 Quash 30 Horse course 31 Blazing 33 Recipe amt. 36 Potato farmer, for example 40 Chapter in history 41 Intestinal problem 42 Cast a ballot 43 Can of worms? 44 Like some fruit 46 Surgical instrument 49 Basket material 51 Paving machine 57 Goodyear product 58 Bizarre 59 Emerald Isle 60 Brain wave 61 Feedlot animal 62 One of the Waltons 63 Require 64 Bright 65 Spring purchase
Down1 Eye affl iction 2 Genesis victim 3 After curfew 4 Three-wheeled vehicle 5 Type of arrangement 6 Nocturnal primate 7 Decree
8 They can be infl ated 9 Camping gear 10 Sound system 11 Angry 12 Stair part 13 Manicurist’s board 21 Tetley product 22 Modify 25 Wander 26 Declare 27 Long tale 28 Competes 29 Bit of work 31 Help in a holdup 32 Winter woe 33 Deuces 34 Adam’s third 35 Quarry
37 Pageant topper 38 Rope-a-dope boxer 39 Supervises 43 Use a guillotine 44 Elaborate adornment 45 Luau souvenir 46 Language for pigs? 47 Line to the audience 48 Mall binge 49 Frequently 50 Traffi c stopper 52 Red ink amount 53 Ballet attire 54 Put on the payroll 55 Border lake 56 Tear apart
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By Grant Ullyot West Coast Farmer
Schurstar Dairy on Smith Lane road in Abbotsford, is owned by Roy and Tracy Schurman and is equipped with Boumatic Equipment installed by Valley Dairy Equipment of Chilliwack.
West Coast Farmer talked to Roy about his new dairy oper-ation and asked him where he got the idea of creating a facility that was built for ‘cow comfort’.
He said he had some involve-ment and contact with people at the UBC Dairy Education and Research Center in Agassiz where cow comfort is a prior-ity.
“I even went as far as to talk to Professor Dan Weary about cow comfort and he e-mailed me some helpful information.”
The new barn was com-pleted in 2009, and currently houses about 170 cows, which includes 140 milkers. However the barn can accommodate up to 270 cows, so it has plenty of room for expansion.
“I built for the future,” says Schurman. “In the past our facilities have always been too small. When we started milking back here originally in 1983 we milked from 24 to 36 cows. Now I have a son who is inter-ested in the farm. To get him in we managed to purchase a little more land locally and it was the right time to again. I realized I was growing the herd and not the facility. My heifers are raised on another farm – custom grown – so for me to bring all my heifers home I would have to build a barn for them. Instead of build-
ing a heifer barn I decided the cows are the ones that make money so I was going to make those cows more comfortable. And this barn is all about cow comfort.”
Cow comfort meant putting in bigger stalls; more space per cow in the barn; better airflow; more light and everything to do with cow comfort.
Schurman says deciding on what type of stall they wanted to provide the level of comfort wanted for their cows was one of my biggest struggles.
“In our stalls we have a memory foam mat with a rub-ber top on it covered with a sprinkle of sawdust to keep it dry. A more comfortable sur-face for the cows would have been a deep sawdust bed. But that generates other issues such as mastitis control and the cost of sawdust.
“What I have found after more than a year of having cows in our new barn with their comfort mats, is they are more comfortable than I expected with very few injuries, such as environmental mastitis or hock lesions.
“Basically I have a more happy cow,” says Schurman.
The barn has underground manure storage, the capacity to hold 10 to 12 months of manure.
“The key today,” states Schurman, “is to utilize that manure for fertilizer and to put it on the fields at the cor-rect time of the year. For that you need long term storage for environmental reasons and also for cost benefits.”
The under-barn manure storage has also allowed Schurman to install rubber mats in the alleyways in the
barn.“I wasn’t happy with the
cleanliness of slatted floors and the issues they might have for my cows. I was also not happy with alley scraping barns that scraped up a lot of manure and then having your cows walk-ing through those four to six inches of manure. Because I had to build my barn up a little bit and put my pit underneath the whole barn, I was able to design a floor that allows the manure to go down before there is a build-up in front of the scraper. So the cows are never walking through only two inches of manure. It is actually working better than I first thought. More manure goes down and all that is left is about a foot of solid manure and when the scraper gets to the other end and it falls down into a big slot.”
Schurman keeps his calves in hutches inside the barn where it is dry and warm because he never liked going outside in the rain to feed the calves. “And here on Sumas Prairie we get lots of rain.”
The Shurmans’ have been married for 26 years and have four children. Their oldest son works as a heavy duty mechanic at a local farm equipment dealership and also helps out on the farm. Two daughters are both attending university in Saskatoon. One is taking animal science focusing on ruminant nutrition for dairy cows, while the other girl is taking environmental sciences. Their youngest son is in Grade 11 in Abbotsford. He is the most hands-on of the siblings at this point spending a couple hours after school helping with farm chores.
Roy Schurman still uses a shovel to distribute feed for his cows.
This dairy barn was built for cow comfort
12 JUNE, 2011
News
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Dairy CurtainDairy Curtain
Jeff NagelBlack Press
New regulations proposed by Metro Vancouver would block the building of more giant estate houses that inef-ficiently eat into scarce farmland.
The region is asking the provin-cial agriculture ministry to introduce standardized rules to control the placement and size of the residential footprint of homes in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
While two cities – Delta and Richmond – have local bylaws that impose restrictions, opposition from property owners have prompted other councils such as Pitt Meadows and Surrey to shelve similar efforts.
If the city-by-city patchwork of rules continues, Metro officials say, people wanting to build manor homes on farmland will flock to cities without bylaws, or look further east in the Fraser Valley Regional District.
A staff report warns of growing pressure to develop ALR land by prop-erty owners who want large houses and yards who may have little or no interest in actually farming the land.
A house plunked in the middle of a farm parcel with a long driveway and expansive yard "makes farming more difficult if not impossible," the report says.
Allowing such houses on agricultur-al land may also attract non-farmers.
Once a large estate house is erected, the property becomes prohibitively expensive for many actual farmers.
The new estate home owners may also complain about neighbouring farm smells and sounds, the report suggests, hampering farmers on adja-cent plots.
The province previously signaled its willingness to consider regulations, circulating its own discussion paper on potential options.
The limits proposed by Metro Vancouver would cap an ALR farm's residential footprint at 5,000 square metres for properties eight hectares or more or 2,000 square metres for smaller parcels.
That footprint would have to start no further than 60 metres from the road or property line, ensuring resi-dential uses are close to the edge of the property and can't sprawl far into it.
The main farm house, any second-ary house and any other residential uses – from sheds and workshops to tennis courts and pools – would have
to be within the footprint.House sizes would be capped at 500
square metres for the main house on parcels of at least eight hectares (350 square metres for smaller properties) and 250 square metres for an addi-tional house for farm staff (200 square metres for smaller parcels.)
The house size limits are somewhat looser than Delta's but Metro staff argue individual cities would still be free to pass more restrictive bylaws if they choose.
Richmond only requires a house on agricultural land be within 50 metres of the road or property line. It has no house size or footprint limits specific to farmland.
According to the Metro report, building a very large house worth $2.25 million on a five-acre farm more than triples the property's average cost per acre from $175,000 to $550,000.
Even on a 20-acre parcel, the aver-age value nearly doubles to $212,500
per acre compared to if a small house was built instead.
"This drives up the price of farm-land and makes farmland less afford-able for farmers and less likely to be farmed," the report warns.
The current rules in most of the region let buyers who want an estate lifestyle build their dream home on cheaper ALR land without having to pay the higher price to get the equiv-alent mansion on urban residential-zoned land.
They also get an investment with a potential future windfall if the land can someday be removed from the ALR and subdivided.
Owners who do grow something may even qualify for the lower farm property tax rate, even if they use just a tiny fraction of the land's potential.
The proliferation of farm estate houses has also been flagged by the region as a concern for Metro's future food security.
Farm manor house crackdown urged
The Ministry of Agriculture is invit-ing British Columbians to comment on possible guidelines for residence size and location on properties in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).
The call for public comments fol-lows the distribution of the ministry's discussion paper on the same topic to local governments and stakehold-ers and is part of the process to help develop standards that could be applied by local governments across the province. The consulta-tion includes a survey seeking opin-ions on:• Whether size and location limits should be applied to residences and their amenities in the ALR.• The process in which the standards could be introduced.• Feedback on the discussion paper.
The ALR is a provincial zone in which agriculture is the priority use. Although local governments regu-
late residence size and location limits within their boundaries, not many have specified size and placement requirements for residences specifi-cally within the ALR. As a result of local governments concerns over dif-ferences in regulations among munic-ipalities, Metro Vancouver (formerly the GVRD) asked the Minister of Agriculture to develop a provincial standard that local governments could use.
The survey is open to all British Columbians. Respondents are advised to familiarize themselves with the dis-cussion paper prior to participating in the survey. To read the discussion paper and participate in the survey, visit: www.agf.gov.bc.ca
The survey will be open until July 14, 2011. All comments will be included in the ministry's consider-ation of Metro Vancouver's request for a provincial standard.
Public comment requested on residences in the ALR
If the city-by-city patchwork of rules continues, Metro officials say, peo-ple wanting to build manor homes on farmland will flock to cities with-out bylaws, or look further east in the Fraser Valley Regional District.
JUNE, 2011 13
Opinion
McCLARY STOCKYARDS LTD.REPORT
Sale Days: Monday - Slaughter, Feeder & Misc. Livestock 10:30 AM start. Wednesday: Dairy and Slaughter 1:00 PM start
McCLARY STOCKYARDS LTD. • 34559 McClary Ave, Abbotsford • 604-864-2381w w w. m c c l a r y s t o c k y a r d s . c o m
SLAUGHTER CATTLE (Prices Quoted CWT)Choice Holstein VealChoice Holstein Veal .................................... ....................................(600-700)(600-700) .......................................................................... .......................................................................... $97.00 - 98.00$97.00 - 98.00Holstein Feeder VealHolstein Feeder Veal .................................... ....................................(175-300)(175-300) ........................................................................ ........................................................................ $99.00 - 111.00$99.00 - 111.00Good Beef Type CowsGood Beef Type Cows .................................. ..................................(Exportable)(Exportable) .................................................................... .................................................................... $70.00 - 81.00$70.00 - 81.00Medium Beef Type CowsMedium Beef Type Cows..........................................................(Over 10 Years Old)(Over 10 Years Old) ........................................................ ........................................................ $58.00 - 69.75$58.00 - 69.75Young Cows and HeiferettesYoung Cows and Heiferettes.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... $80.00 - 90.00$80.00 - 90.00Best Holstein CowsBest Holstein Cows ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. $65.00 - 78.50$65.00 - 78.50Medium Holstein CowsMedium Holstein Cows ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... $50.00 - 64.75$50.00 - 64.75Poor Holstein CowsPoor Holstein Cows .................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................. under $49.75under $49.75Holstein HeifersHolstein Heifers ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................ $65.00 - 75.00$65.00 - 75.00Slaughter BullsSlaughter Bulls .............................................. ..............................................(1200-2400)(1200-2400) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $83.00 - 94.00$83.00 - 94.00Good Slaughter LambsGood Slaughter Lambs ................................. .................................(80-100)(80-100) ........................................................................ ........................................................................ $125.00 - 145.00$125.00 - 145.00Good Slaughter GoatsGood Slaughter Goats .................................. ..................................(67 lbs)(67 lbs) ........................................................................... ........................................................................... $50.00 - 210.00$50.00 - 210.00Good Slaughter HorsesGood Slaughter Horses ................................ ................................(800-1200)(800-1200) ........................................................................ ........................................................................ $15.00 - 27.00$15.00 - 27.00
FEEDER CATTLECow CalCow Calf Pairsf Pairs .................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................. $1130.00 - 1200.00 $1130.00 - 1200.00 Beef Type CalvesBeef Type Calves .......................................... ..........................................(200-399)(200-399) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $140.00 - 160.00$140.00 - 160.00Beef Type SteersBeef Type Steers ........................................... ...........................................(400-600)(400-600) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $135.00 - 155.00$135.00 - 155.00Beef Type SteersBeef Type Steers ........................................... ...........................................(600-800)(600-800) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $125.00 - 140.00$125.00 - 140.00Beef Type SteersBeef Type Steers ........................................... ...........................................(800-950)(800-950) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $100.00 - 110.00$100.00 - 110.00Beef Type SteersBeef Type Steers ........................................... ...........................................(1000-1250)(1000-1250) .................................................................. ..................................................................$ 95.00 - 105.00$ 95.00 - 105.00Beef Type HeifersBeef Type Heifers ......................................... .........................................(400-600)(400-600) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $120.00 - 130.00$120.00 - 130.00Beef Type HeifersBeef Type Heifers ......................................... .........................................(600-800)(600-800) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $110.00 - 120.00$110.00 - 120.00Beef Type HeifersBeef Type Heifers ......................................... .........................................(800-950)(800-950) ...................................................................... ......................................................................$ 95.00 - 105.00$ 95.00 - 105.00Beef Type HeifersBeef Type Heifers ......................................... .........................................(1000-1250)(1000-1250) .................................................................. ..................................................................$ 90.00 - 100.00$ 90.00 - 100.00
BABY CALVES (By The $)Started Holstein Bulls (4 Weeks Old+)Started Holstein Bulls (4 Weeks Old+) ............................................................................................... ............................................................................................... $60.00 - 100.00$60.00 - 100.00Good Holstein Bulls (100 lbs+)Good Holstein Bulls (100 lbs+) ............................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................... $35.00 - 55.00$35.00 - 55.00Small Holstein Bulls Small Holstein Bulls .................................................................................................................................. ..................................................................................................................................$ .00 - 20.00$ .00 - 20.00
DAIRY REPLACEMENT - Wednesday(ALL COWS CMT TESTED - HEIFERS VET CHECKED)CHECKED)Good Fresh & 2nd CalversGood Fresh & 2nd Calvers .............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................. $1800.00 - 2400.00$1800.00 - 2400.00Springing Holstein HeifersSpringing Holstein Heifers ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. $1600.00 - 2000.00$1600.00 - 2000.003rd & 4th Lactation Cows3rd & 4th Lactation Cows ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. $900.00 - 1500.00$900.00 - 1500.00Good Open HeifersGood Open Heifers ....................................... .......................................(630 - 800)(630 - 800) .................................................................... .................................................................... $670.00 - 860.00$670.00 - 860.00Good Open HeifersGood Open Heifers ....................................... .......................................(840 - 970)(840 - 970) .................................................................. .................................................................. $990.00 - 1050.00$990.00 - 1050.00
6/11
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6-11
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40 GOOD QUALITY FRESH COWS
Horse and Farm Equipment Auction
June 25th, 2011 - 11:00am9230 Ladner Trunk Road, Delta B.C.www.vandongensporthorsesales.com
Selling: farm equipment, tractor (1-year-old), 4WD with front end loader - 127hp, buggies, carriages, sleighs,
harness, stable and farm buildings, stall parts, partitions, horse equipment, gates, fencing, 6-horse Dutch training mill, round pen, tack, antique furniture,
1/2 mile training track, cover all (approx 70x140’), mobile home, barn wood for repurposing, misc.
Selling: 40 years of breeding Sporthorse Warmbloods. Young prospects to quality broodmares in foal for 2011
and several ready for the show ring.
As produce farmers struggle to get going this spring given
the unusually cold, wet weather, they were likely heartened with the announcement last month by Premier Christy Clark of a $3 mil-lion expansion of the B.C. School Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Program.
The program was created six years ago as a collaborative from ActNow BC with funding from the provincial ministries of health, education, and agricul-ture. Administered through the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, it is dedicated to heightening awareness of healthy eating, increasing consumption of local fruits and vegetables among children, and helping them appre-ciate the healthy advantages of locally grown produce.
Starting this September, the pro-gram will be available to all B.C. public schools and expand from the current 1,172 schools to 1,402 schools, including First Nations schools in the province.
“We’re building on the success of this healthy eating program that has provided fruit and vegetable snacks to students across the prov-ince since 2005,” said Minister of Health Michael de Jong. “B.C. has
the highest youth and adult physi-cal activity rates in the country and this expanded program builds on our commitment to ensure improved access to healthy living supports for children and families in every region of B.C.”
Enrolled schools receive a delivery of fruits and veg-etables once every two weeks for 13 weeks during the school year. The snacks include apples, blueberries, carrots and mini cucumbers and all the produce is
B.C.-grown. The program provides business to 11 different suppliers representing over 400 B.C. grow-ers.
Given that 59 per cent of Canadian children and adolescents consume less than the recom-mended number of fruit and vege-table services per day, this program targets right into the educational value of the benefits of proper eat-ing. Studies have shown that those children between the ages of two and 17 who eat at least five serv-ings of fruits and vegetables a day are substantially less likely to be
overweight or obese.Support for locally grown pro-
duce, and the educational value of helping children understand that concept, comes more sharply into focus given that imported foods from developing countries threaten to put us at greater risk of food-borne diseases. At least, that is the consensus of scientists speaking at the 111th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) in New Orleans May 23rd.
The problem is that develop-ing countries do not generally have the same sanitary standards for production that we enjoy in Canada.
“Importing foods can move diseases from areas where they are indigenous to locations where they are seldom seen or do not exist,” warned Michael Doyle of the University of Georgia.
In a press release issued by the ASM, over 80 per cent of fish and seafood consumed in the U.S. was imported in 2010, much of it com-ing from Asia. But raw domestic sewage and/or livestock manure are frequently used in fish farm-ing in many Asian countries. For instance in Thailand, chicken coops (perhaps 20,000 birds/farm) sit in rows suspended over ponds that
hold shrimp and fish that feed on the waste falling from above.
In China, crops are typically grown on small parcels of land where individual farmers try to maximize production. Excessive amounts of pesticides for produce and antibiotics for fish and shrimp are used. Many of these com-pounds are not approved in North America.
While that image is less than appetizing, Doyle said that con-sumers should not necessarily avoid foods from certain countries since many U.S. (and Canadian) companies import foods only once they have verified that the prod-ucts were produced under strict sanitary conditions.
But that said, Canada came under criticism recently in an editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal for not doing enough to prevent food-borne ill-nesses. Apparently, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Canada rates in the middle of the World Ranking pack for 2010 food safety performance.
However, since the 100-mile diet grabbed the imagination, many British Columbians took the con-
cept to heart and connected the dots between locally grown food, product freshness and enhanced healthy eating. It became a bed-rock value that helped families understand the link right back to the farm.
Not only does the B.C. School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program nurture that value but it complements other initiatives that have been taken to help young people stay healthy. There was the implementation of mandated daily physical activity for students and the establishment of guidelines for food and beverage sales in B.C. schools to eliminate junk food and protect health.
“Over the past six years we have worked hard to grow this program from a pilot of just 10 schools to a strong program that introduces kids from more than 1,100 pub-lic schools around the province to fresh fruits and vegetables on a regular basis,” said Lindsay Babineau, executive director, BC Agriculture in the Classroom. “We are thrilled that through this expansion all students in public and First Nations schools in B.C. will have the opportunity to par-ticipate.”
■ Beyond The Barn
ActNow expansion good news for growers
Margaret
EVANS
JUNE, 2011 14
Business
Crossword Answersfrom page 11
S A L T F L E E T S I R ET B A R L O D G E T R I MY E T I O R I O N E A S EE L E C T R I C S T A R T E R
Y E A S T L E E R YR A S C A L V E T OO V A L A F I R E T S PV E G E T A B L E G R O W E RE R A I L E U S V O T E
B A I T F L E S H YL A S E R O S I E RA S P H A L T F I N I S H E RT I R E O U T R E E I R EI D E A S T E E R E R I NN E E D S U N N Y S E E D
6-11
wcf
COCHRANE & ASSOCIATESCertifi ed General Accountant
604-853-7607
email: [email protected]
By Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer
Realized net farm income amounted to $4.5 billion in 2010, an increase of $1.4 billion (+46.1%) from 2009 as the decline in operating costs outpaced a slight decrease in receipts. The increase in 2010 followed a 16.6% drop in 2009. Realized net income (the difference between a farmer's cash receipts and operating expens-es, minus depreciation plus income in kind) increased in every province except Alberta and New Brunswick. In these two provinces, declines in receipts exceeded declines in expenses.
Farm cash receipts - Farm cash receipts, which include crop and livestock revenues plus program payments, fell 0.2% to $44.4 billion in 2010, the second consecutive annual decline.Market receipts, which include only revenue from the sale of crops and livestock, increased 0.1% to $41.3 billion. A rise in livestock receipts bare-ly offset declining crop receipts.Crop receipts fell 3.3% to $22.4 billion, as wheat (including durum) and barley receipts fell sharply on lower prices and marketings. The weighted average price for most grains and oilseeds was lower in 2010 than in 2009, despite price increases in the latter half of 2010.Increased marketings of oilseeds in 2010 pushed receipts higher for soybeans (+16.5%) and canola (+9.6%).Potato receipts fell 9.0% as a result of lower prices and marketings compared with 2009 levels.Livestock receipts increased 4.5% to $18.9 bil-lion in the wake of higher hog and cattle prices. Hog receipts rose 15.4% on the strength of a 19.1% increase in prices. The average annual price in 2010 was $56.30 per hundredweight, the highest since 2005. Cattle and calf receipts rose 5.0%, again on price increases.Receipts from supply-managed commodities (dairy, poul-try and eggs) slipped 0.1% as a 3.8% drop in poultry more than offset increases in egg (+1.1%) and dairy (+1.4%) receipts. Poultry prices fell for the first time since 2006.Despite higher crop insurance payments in Western Canada, program payments fell 4.7% to $3.1 bil-lion. In 2010, eight provinces posted decreases, with reduced provincial program payments in Quebec significantly contributing to the overall decline.Farm operating expenses
Farm operating expenses fell 4.2% to $34.5 bil-lion, the second consecutive annual decline. Lower fertilizer, feed and pesticides expenses more than offset higher labour and machinery
fuel costs.Fertilizer expenses declined 22.2% in the
wake of lower prices throughout most of 2010. Price decreases were also the major factor in an 11.5% drop in pesticide expenses. However, wet spring conditions in Saskatchewan and, to a lesser extent, in Manitoba led to important reductions in seeded areas and to the reduced use of both of these inputs.
Commercial feed expenses fell 8.5%. Feed prices, as well as cattle and hog inventories, were lower throughout much of 2010. Other factors included a sharp decline in stabilization premiums in Quebec and a 4.9% decrease in interest costs as the period of low interest rates continued in 2010.
Operating expenses fell in all provinces, the largest decrease occurring in Saskatchewan (-9.5%).
When depreciation is included, total farm expenses fell 3.7% to $40.0 billion in 2010.Total net income
Total net income amounted to $2.7 billion in 2010, up $131 million from 2009. The nega-tive impact of falling inventories offset much of the increase in realized net income. Total net income increased in all provinces except Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Total net income adjusts realized net income for changes in farmer-owned inventories of crops and livestock. It represents the return to owner's equity, unpaid labour, and management and risk.
Production losses resulting from reduced seeded acreage in Saskatchewan and Manitoba had a negative impact on on-farm stocks of grains and oilseeds. These lower stocks, com-bined with the continuing decline in cattle inventories, reduced the value of inventories by $1.7 billion.Net value added
Agriculture's net value added rose by $94 mil-lion to $11.0 billion in 2010. A decrease of $1.4 billion in expenses on inputs outweighed a decline of $1.3 billion in the total value of production. Only two provinces, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, recorded decreases in net value added.
Net value added measures agriculture's con-tribution to the national economy's production of goods and services. It is derived by calculating the total value of agricultural sector production, including program payments, and subtracting the related costs of production (expenses on inputs, business taxes and depreciation).
Major improvements tofarm income still not evident
Total net income increased in all provinces except Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
JOHN VAN PUTTEN/ BLACK PRESS
6-11 wcf
15 JUNE, 2011
COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
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PETS
477 PETS5 ADORABLE, loveable kittens. 3 males, 2 females. Very cute. 1st shots. $50. ea. 604-855-3723 AbbyAUSTRALIAN CATTLE dogs, blue-healer puppies, born April 26.,vet checked, 1st shots, working par-ents, $550. Call (604)860-4400Beautiful Golden Retriever Pups-1st shots. Dewormed. Farm Raised. Avail June 4th. $575: 604-463-9841BLACK LAB puppies, 4 M. 2 F. Family raised, ready to go. $350. Phone (604)703-1388. (Chilliwack)BORDER COLLIE pups. 1st shots & worming. Ready to go. Both par-ents to view. $450. 604-782-8571BOXER PUPS, (white) M/F, micro chipped, dewormed, shots, good family dog. 604-463-4602CATS GALORE, TLC has for adoption spayed & neutered adult cats. 604-309-5388 / 604-856-4866GERMAN SHEPHERD pups, family raised, cute, black/tan, dewormed, 1st shots. $600. 778-378-6151.LAB RETRIEVER PUP, yellow, fe-male $400. 1st/2nd shots, de-wormed. (604)702-0217NEED A GOOD HOME for a good dog or a good dog for a good home? We adopt dogs! Call 604-856-3647 or www.856-dogs.comPRESA CANARIO pups, $700-$1200. Black, fawn & brindle. Dad 150lbs, Mom 120lbs. 778-552-1525ROTTI PUPPIES, Male & Female. All shots and dewclaws. $500 each. Ready June 3rd. 604-767-4793Shih-tzu/Pug pups, family raised, 2M, 1F- all black, 1st vet, shots, de-wormed, $375. (604)393-7294
Wanted: 1000 Saints
All animals deserve to have hope for a better tomorrow.
www.1000saints.caWelsh/Terrier pups, p/b, born apr 17, 2F, 1M, vet chek, 1cst shots, dewormed, puppy pad train, par-ents ckc reg. champion bloodlines, ready mid-end June, $1200. To view call (604)852-4669 email:[email protected]
MERCHANDISE FOR SALE
552 GARDEN EQUIPMENT
DEER PROBLEMS? Problem solved! Bobbex Deer repellent available in Canada. Easy, economical, safe. Available at local garden centres. Dealer inquiries welcome. Ask for BOBBEX. www.bobbex.ca
560 MISC. FOR SALECan’t Get Up Your Stairs? Acorn Stairlifts can help. Call Acorn Stair-lifts now! Mention this ad and get 10% off your new Stairlift! Call 1-866-981-5991
566 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS40” High Piano, Henry Herbert by Mason Rich - needs tuning. $500/obo. 604-531-9842
COLLECTORS SAXOPHONESSoprano Buecher Silver 80 yrs old, excellent condition $2500. Baraton Conn $1900. Call 604-534-2997
REAL ESTATE
603 ACREAGE
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! Escape: Tornados, Floods, Hurricanes, Wildfi re, Earthquake, Landslide and Crime. N.IDAHO PEACEFUL COUNTRY CABIN on 30 ac. Get more magic from life. www.Magic-Mountain83858.com
626 HOUSES FOR SALE
EXQUISITE SANCTUARYFabulous 2.26 private acres with creek in beautiful Alberni Valley on Vancouver Island. Enchanting 3600 sq.ft. 4 bed-room, 4 bathroom custom built 1995 home. Outstanding 57x40 shop with own bath-room, lots of parking. Features hardwood, tile throughout, custom cabinetry. Gas fi re-places, stove, heat and hot water; ensuite with soaker tub. Thinking of a life style change? Move to Vancouver Island. Even better, move to Port Alberni, the Salmon Capi-tal of the World!
Visit www.albernihomes4u.ca for more information on this
“one of a kind” property.Asking $649,000
RE/MAX Mid Island RealtyPort Alberni, B.C.John Stilinovic250-724-4725
Toll Free 1-877-723-5660
REAL ESTATE
630 LOTSLAND LIQUIDATION 20 Acres $0 Down, $99/mo. ONLY $12,900 Near Growing El Paso, Texas (2nd safest U.S. City) Owner Financing,NO CREDIT CHECKS! Money Back Guarantee FREE Color Bro-chure 800-755-8953
www.sunsetranches.com
640 RECREATIONAL
NEW PRICE: waterfront prop-erty on beautiful Jim Lake, 0.83-acre with 360 sq ft insu-lated cabin, located near Green Lake/Watch Lake. Rareprivacy, only three lots on thelake, good fi shing for rainbowsto 10 lbs, nice swimming, sur-rounded by crown land. Greattrails for hiking, ATV and snowmobile. Seasonal 10-kmback road access in 4x4 or pick-up. FSBO. $230,000. 250-395-0599.
660 LANGLEY/ALDERGROVEHOMES FOR SALE-SUPER BUYS
www.dannyevans.caHomelife Benchmark Realty Corp. Langley
RENTALS
706 APARTMENT/CONDO7425 Shaw Ave - Sardis, 2 bdrm, 1 bath apt with fridge/stove, patio, coin op laundry in building $725/m avail immed. Ross Fullbrook, Royal Lepage 604-792-0077
TRANSPORTATION
806 ANTIQUES/CLASSICS1986 Chrysler Town Country Woody Wagon, will take saxophone as part trade. $2900. 604-534-2997
812 AUTO SERVICESWANT A VEHICLE But Stressed About Your Credit? We Fund Your Future Not Your Past. Want a Visa? Any Credit, All Accepted. 1-888-593-6095
818 CARS - DOMESTIC1997 BUICK PARK AVE loaded, leather, heated seats new brakes & tires, private. $4900. 778-565-42302000 LASABRE LTD. All options, certifi ed. Grand Touring. pkg. 124K Spotless. $5900 778-565-4334
821 CARS - SPORTS & IMPORTS1998 VOLVO V70 Wagon, maint. up to date. All options you need. 187kms. $5198. (778)241-33152005 HONDA Civic, auto, 2dr, No accidents, great cond. 230kms, lady driven. $5800. (778)855-60372007 HONDA CIVIC 4dr auto sdn loaded v clean BC car 95K $11,900 ST#52 DL#31038 (604)855-06662010 Nissan Versa 4 dr H/B, full load, 38,100km, wholesale 11,995, exc. cond. (604)793-5520 (5961)2010 TOYOTA MATRIX, red, 2000 km, 4 dr, auto, alloy whls, $13,780. Call 778-895-7570 or 604-836-59312011 KIA RIO 5, auto, 11, 000 km, black, Air, cruise, p/w, p/l, htd seats, $8,800 fi rm. Call (604)538-9257.
830 MOTORCYCLES1988 1500 Honda Gold Wing.15,280k. Runs grt, must sell, garage kept, lots of extras $7000 obo (604)316 0528
838 RECREATIONAL/SALE2005 Cougar 29’ slps 6, 2 slides, exc cond.,1994 Citation 28’ slps 6, exc cold. (604)824-7949 / 703-6689
2006 NORTHSHORE 30ft Travel trlr dble 36” slide w/rear bunk beds full load $19,900. 604-819-3803
TRANSPORTATION
838 RECREATIONAL/SALE
2010 Dutchmen classic 27RLS, 17,900. Unit priced below market for quick sale. micro, 3 burner stove, oven, qu bed, blt-in tv, sat., lg elec awning, elec front jack, outside shwer, couch, 2 chairs, lg slide, whl covers, hoses & many extras, storage. Used only 30 days. Call (604)824-2880
845 SCRAP CAR REMOVAL
AAA SCRAP CAR REMOVALMinimum $150 cash for full size vehicles, any cond. 604-518-3673
851 TRUCKS & VANS
1980 CHEV crane truck, 8 ton lift,$7000 obo. Call Doug @ 604-750-0194
1988 Chevrolet 1500. 305 V8. Auto-matic. Very good condition. $3500OBO. 604-853-1352 (Abbotsford)
1993 FORD FLARESIDE s/box, 5spd, 5L, alarm system, $3200 obo Call for info & pics (604)832-0435
1997 RANGER XLT super cab, 4 X 2, 1 owner, loaded, extras. $3,500 obo. Phone (604)463-2507
2001 FORD WINSTAR 7 psgr autoloaded runs good Aircared $2495 ST#83 DL#31038 (604)855-0666
2002 CHEVY ASTRO VAN, A/C,100K, interior like new AirCared,$8300/obo. Call 604-598-0405.
2005 DODGE RAM 1500 cr.cab4X4 auto Hemi 153K sbox $15,900 ST#59 DL#31038 (604)855-0666
2005 FORD F250 Lariat cr. cab prwstrk deisel 4X4 auto lthr $15,900ST#58 DL#31038 (604)855-0666
2006 FORD F350 XLT 4X4 autopwrstrk diesel, cr/cab Lbox $17,900ST#40 DL#31038 (604)855-0666
2007 CHEV Crew cab duramax die-sel 4X4 auto loaded s/box, $20,900 ST#87 DL#31038 (604)855-0666
2007 DODGE CARAVAN 7 psgrauto, loaded, 63K v. clean $9,900 ST#77 DL#31038 (604)855-0666
2007 FORD F250 XLT 4X4 autopwrstrk diesel, qdcab s/box $15,900 ST#89 DL#31038 (604)855-0666
CLASSIFIEDS TO ADVERTISEPHONE: 604-702-5550 OR FAX: 604-702-5542
ummerSummer s ereis here
6-11 wcf
Next issues:Tuesday, September 6thTuesday, December 6th
10 YEARS
The Voice of theB.C. Farmer
16 JUNE, 2011
Abbotsford604.864.9844
Duncan250.715.3711
Kelowna250.765.9765
Kamloops250.374.1932
Langley604.530.4644
Financing Offer valid from May 3, 2011 until August 1, 2011. beIn the event the loan goes into default, the charge for amounts past due is 24% APR. Taxes, set-up, delivery, freight, and preparation charges not included and may increase price or monthly payment(s). Additional fees may be required. Minimum purchase may be required. Valid only at participating dealers. See your dealer for complete details and other financing options. Program subject to change, without notice, at any time. A54*Offer valid only at participating dealers. Offer valid from May 3, 2011 until August 1, 2011 and is subject to John Deere Credit approval. For personal or commercial use. Down payment may be required. A $50 documentation fee may apply. For example, on a new John Deere 5105M Tractor, based on a selling price of $66,977 (Selling price in example is based on MSRP as of 8 April 2011 and may change at any time without notice. Dealer may sell for less), plus a $50 documentation fee, less a down payment of $13,405.40 results in a balance of $53,621.60 to be financed for a maximum of 4 years with 48 monthly payments of $1,117.12, totaling $53,621.76, based on 0.98% APR with a cost of borrowing of $1,050.16 (which includes a foregone cash rebate of $1,000 in order to take advantage of this 0.0% financing offer). In the event the loan goes into default, the charge for amounts past due is 24.0% APR. Taxes, set-up, delivery, freight, and preparation charges not included and may increase price or monthly payment(s). Minimum finance amount may be required. See your dealer for details and other financing options. Program subject to change, without notice, at any time. Additional fees may be required.
rear implements on Compacts are not included in pricing
Cash price does not include freight & PDI
5065M Tractor
825i Gator XUV
3032E Compact Tractor and 305 Loader
4720 Cab Tractor and 400cx Loader
Reg $15,495
SAVE $1498
Sale $13,997
SAVE $3370
Sale$18,997Reg $22,767
Sale $21,790625 Moco Reg $24,837Reg $31,770
Mower Conditioners
Sale $27,5006
Mow
SAVE $4270
SAVE $3000
On Sale NOW!
Reg $52,962 Sale $49,779
SAVE $3183
