Volume 11 • Issue 1 March, 2011Free rural delivery from Langley to Agassiz

This month in

• Health inspectors won’t launch any new crackdown of a controversial Chilliwack dairy farm while its founder pursues a court challenge that aims to legalize consumption of raw milk.

• Fall rains devastated potato and vegetable crops across the Fraser Valley, and now producers face uncertainty about how much the government is going to help them.

• A former model and her husband, a former Vancouver-area bar and restaurant manager have been named the BC & Yukon Outstanding Young Farmers of 2011.

• Federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture met to discuss ways to better foster sustainable market opportunities, paving the way for a stronger economy.

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Tina Maynard of Chilliwack competes in the 19 and over western pleasure class of the Chilliwack Riding Club Schooling Show at Heritage Park in Chilliwack. JENNA HAUCK/ BLACK PRESS

InnovationBakerview Eco Dairy wins excellence award for innovation.

Page 3THE VOICE OF THE B.C. FARMERTHE VOICE OF THE B C FARMER

10 YEARS

The Voice of theB.C. Farmer

This edition of West Coast Farmer marks the start of the eleventh year of publishing what I feel has been a very successful agriculture paper cov-ering primarily the activities of farm-ers in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland, but extending the mandate to include developments on a national and international level where neces-sary. Over those years I have covered an unbelievable number of meetings and other events to create the agri-culture news I felt readers wanted.

One of my first major stories in 2001 was the cancellation of the SE2 project – a gas-fired electri-cal generation plant to be built in Sumas, Washington, by Washington States ‘Environmental Facility Site Evaluation Committee’. Never before had EFSEC ruled against a proposal of this magnitude.

In the last edition of WCF in December 2010, a major story was the collective agreement reached between Sidhu Nurseries in Deroche and its employees, many of whom were migrant workers. It was the first such agreement in Canada.

During the past ten years in my Profile column I’ve interviewed 101 individuals who work in the agricul-tural sector, bringing you their per-sonal stories and highlighting their contributions to agriculture.

I owe a great deal to a lot of peo-ple in the agriculture industry who have given me their cooperation and support over these first ten years. Without it, it would have been impos-sible to publish West Coast Farmer.

I also have had some very talented individuals on staff at the Chilliwack Progress newspaper using their pagination and creative skills to put together a great looking paper.

Pacific Agricultural Show sets a

new standard for excellence

The 13th annual edition of the Pac Ag Show in the Tradex facil-ity at the Abbotsford airport raised the bar again, coming up with a great trade show, BC Dairy Expo,

and Horticultural Short Course. The expanded Tradex center housed almost 250 exhibitors. There was everything from agricultural machin-ery to ag services, crafts, a petting zoo, 4-H and Ag Zone displays.

BC Dairy Expo on the first day of the show had standing room only crowds attending sessions which fea-tured succession expert and coach Elaine Froese. It was a hot topic, and garnered a lot of interest. Over 400 attended the noon barbecue spon-sored by Meyers Norris Penny. And on the Friday, another excellent turn-out for the first ever Agri Energy Forum.

The Horticulture Short Course also drew an overflow turnout for the Spotted Wing Drosophila session. (Look for separate stories on these issues elsewhere in this paper).

BCAC Gala

Bruce Vincent, a third generation logger from Montana was the guest speaker. His no-nonsense plea was heartfelt and convincing – farm-ers and ranchers need to be directly involved in advocating for agricul-ture to preserve the social contract between farmers and the public. He said the public wants to hear agricul-ture’s story because it is a true story and, if told from the heart by the people who have made farming their life’s work, it will be convincing. The

enemy, says Vincent, is not the public – the enemy is misinformation and/or lack of knowledge.

New Holstein Records. Holstein Canada, the country’s largest dairy breed organization, is pleased to report for the second year in a row new records for both animal regis-tration and classification. The breed registered 280,158 Holsteins for a 1.7% increase, while 255,901 dairy cattle were classified, showing a 6.4% growth over 2009.

Dairy producers across Canada continue to experience the value of animal registration and classification in their businesses. It is the high par-ticipation rates that make Canadian dairy genetics highly regarded and second to none in the world.

Beef Cow Numbers drop

The beef cow breeding herd in Canada continues to drop.

Statistics Canada notes in a recent report the number of beef cows in the country as of January 1 is pegged at 4.273 million, a decline of 2.7 per cent from a year earlier. Since the peak back in 2005, the beef cow inventory has dropped over19 per cent.

The biggest decline over those years has been in British Columbia. They’re down 37 per cent. The small-est decline since 2005 has been in Saskatchewan down just over 15 per cent.

Alberta’s cow numbers have declined by 20 per cent, but they still have nearly 40 per cent of the national herd.

Bill C474 defeat

A private members bill C474, intro-duced by BC MP Alex Atamaneko was defeated in a vote in the House of Commons 178 to 98. “It was a bill in support of modified genetics, and the bill is dead,” says Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz.

Ritz also said, “The defeat of Bill C474 is good news for farmers. It is critical that our system remain based in science not in politics. It’s troubling that Liberals and the NDP would not unanimously stand with farmers against this short sighted bill.”

Congratulations to Peter Tuytel and family of Chilliwack who were named Master Breeders by Holstein Canada. The Master Breeder award recognizes the Tuytel’s commitment to excellence in breeding holstein cattle on their Elmbridge Farm in Chilliwack. What is even more inter-esting is the fact that they started early in life to reap the awards the Holstein dairy industry offered. It was their hard work, and their smart deci-sions that led to their being named Master Breeders this year.

They will receive their shield at the National Holstein convention in Halifax in May.

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3 Wet weather woes

3 Innovation award

5 Milk marketing

8 Ag ministers meet

12 Beyond the Barn

13 Energy info

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News 10 YEARS

Farmers face uncertainty about reimbursement for washed-out cropsNeil CorbettBlack Press

Fall rains devastated potato and vegetable crops across the Fraser Valley, and now produc-ers face uncertainty about how much the government is going to help them.

The soggy September was disastrous for many farmers. Peter Schouten of Heppell’s Potato Corp. said they were the worst losses he has seen in 17 years as a farm owner. The largest producer in Abbotsford, he plants 650 acres of pota-toes on Sumas Prairie, and lost about 30 per cent of it, worth about $2 million.

Poinder Bhatti told the news he planted 110 acres of brocco-li, and lost 78 of those, or 400 tons, representing $275,000.

In October, the provincial agriculture ministry announced it had put together a nine-per-son working group to address the losses, but questions remain.

Rob Butler of the B.C. Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, said producers have received money from crop insurance – for those who had it.

The AgriStability program will also reimburse farmers, but that income stabilization, administered by the province, is slow in coming. Some farm-ers need help now to afford to plant this spring.

The AgriRecovery program is a joint federal/provincial pro-gram designed to compensate farmers in the event of natu-ral disasters such as droughts, floods or disease.

It is triggered by the provin-cial government, which then pays 40 per cent of the assis-tance, and the federal govern-ment pays the remaining 60 per cent.

“We’re still pushing for that,” said Butler. “I don’t know why the (provincial) government is reluctant.”

He has received indica-tions that Ottawa is willing to activate AgriRecover, but the province is holding up the process. Butler noted that if Victoria is worried about over-compensating farmers, the AgriRecovery program offers a means for them to claw back funds.

“You can at least become stabilized,” added Butler.

Schouten, who has been working with government officials on the compensation issue, also believes Ottawa would be prepared to accept the situation as disastrous, and help producers.

“I know we have the feds on board,” he said. “We (Heppell’s) need it, and other producers definitely need it.”

While Schouten’s dollar losses may have been among the greatest, other smaller pro-ducers lost their entire crops, and their entire income.

“Some guys never even took the harvester out,” he said.

He noted some farmers don’t have crop insurance, and AgriStability will not come through for up to 18 months.

“Some of them will have to go into their equity,” predicted Schouten.

He believes AgriRecovery is warranted, and would be a sound investment by the prov-ince.

“It’s all money into our economy, and it brings money from the feds.”

Last year, the federal gov-ernment gave a $450-mil-lion package to Prairie farm-ers who had millions of acres wiped out by flooding, primar-ily in Saskatchewan, but also in Alberta and Manitoba.

Estimates are that B.C. pro-ducers would need $30 mil-lion.

The amount needed, and whether AgriRecovery is warranted, are questions that came up at a three-hour meeting with growers and

Inspectors won’t pursue raw milk farm during court battleJeff NagelBlack Press

Health inspectors won’t launch any new crackdown of a controversial Chilliwack dairy farm while its found-er pursues a court challenge that aims to legalize consumption of raw milk.

Alice Jongerden appeared in B.C. Supreme Court Feb. 18 to try to over-turn a March 2010 court order that barred her from producing and pack-aging unpasteurized dairy products.

The court found the previous court action between Jongerden and Fraser Health is concluded and her consti-

tutional challenge should target the provincial government rather than the health authority.

Jongerden’s lawyer, Jason Gratl, has now refiled the challenge against the Attorney General, alleging B.C.’s Public Health Act banning raw milk production as a public health hazard violates her constitutional right to liberty and security of the person and that penalties of up to three years jail and fines of $3 million are far too harsh.

Fraser Health spokesman Roy Thorpe-Dorward said the author-ity will take no further enforcement

action against the current farm oper-ator until Jongerden’s challenge is ultimately decided in court.

“The government’s commitment to back away from aggressive pros-ecutions is a relief for us,” Jongerden said in a statement.

“We now have some breathing room while the courts determine whether Canadians have a right to choose between whole and processed foods.”

Jongerden last fall turned over the operation of her dairy farm to an Ontario raw milk advocate in order to avoid contempt-of-court penalties.

She intends to resume operations as a cow-sharing co-op to supply her 450 Lower Mainland members with raw milk if she’s successful in her challenge.

Farm owners can legally drink the milk of their own cows, so it’s argued a cow share is likewise private con-sumption and not the illegal sale of raw milk to the public.

The farm is currently operating as Our Cows and claims to sell milk-based cosmetics not for human con-sumption.

Advocates claim raw milk is healthier than pasteurized but B.C.

chief medical health officer Dr. Perry Kendall has maintained raw milk can be contaminated with bacteria and poses a serious danger of illness.

“We’re looking forward to cross examination of the chief medical health officer of the province, who has been vocal in his condemnation of fresh milk,” Gratl said.

“We look forward to testing the strength of those convictions.”

Gratl said he believes the current freeze on enforcement action goes beyond the Jongerden farm to other cow-shares and under-the-table raw milk sales elsewhere in B.C.

By Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer

Bill Vanderkooi was selected the recipient of The Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. (IAFBC award given out annually at the BC Ag Council Gala which recognizes Excellence in Innovation in Agriculture.

Vanderkooi is President of Abbotsford’s Bakerview Eco-Dairy and CEO of the Nutriva Group, a multi-faceted group of agri-businesses that focuses on developing and managing whole food value chains.

“This award celebrates the innovators who help B.C.’s agriculture and agri-food industry stay on the cutting edge, for the benefit of all British Columbians,” said IAF chair Stuart Wilson. “We are very pleased to honour Mr. Vanderkooi for his commitment to innovative, envi-ronmentally responsible and sustainable dairy farming practices.”

Bakerview EcoDairy is the first dem-onstration farm of its kind in Canada.

Through the EcoDairy’s interactive tours, the public can access a fully opera-tional dairy farm that showcases a num-ber of innovations, including an on-site anaerobic digester, robotic milker, cow brush, comfort stall systems, lighting and ventilation.

“We appreciate the recognition for the Bakerview EcoDairy’s contribu-tion to innovation and education,” says Vanderkooi. “The EcoDairy promotes technology that integrates cow comfort and sustainability and is uniquely posi-tioned to deliver a valuable experience for the B.C. school students that will help increase exposure to where our food comes from.”

This year for the first time, the IAFBC gave honourable mention to Abbotsford’s Catalyst One On-Farm Anaerobic Digester, a facility currently under development to process manure and other organic waste streams to pro-duce biogas and high quality fertilizer. This project is a first in British Columbia to produce raw biogas that is upgraded to biomethane (a carbon-neutral fuel)

and injected into the existing natural gas system.

“This facility shows that technology and innovation can offer solutions to problems, such as how to deal with organic waste materials,” says Chris Bush, president of Catalyst Power Inc. “It is our hope that B.C. will build on the foundation we provide by progressively developing new solutions.”

Bakerview finally has a new Anaerobic Digester

It was a long time coming, but finally Bakerview Eco Dairy can boast having one of the most advanced anaerobic digesters built and installed by AVTAR located in Charlotte, Vermont. Initially the digester was to have been in place at the start of 2010, but it wasn’t until very late in the year that the digester was installed and is now operating.

Guy Roberts, the AVTAR rep on site agreed the Bakerview digester looks much like a European Bullet train. It is cylindrical with a sloping nose at each end. It is 100 feet long, 10 feet wide and

IAFBC Chair Stuart Wilson (l) presents award to Bill Vanderkooi

Bakerview Eco Dairy wins excellence award for innovation

Continued: INNOVATION/ p6 Continued: EVENT/ p5

MARCH, 2011

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A former model and her husband, a former Vancouver-area bar and restaurant manager have been named the BC & Yukon Outstanding Young Farmers of 2011. Annemarie and Kevin Klippenstein of Klippers Organic Acres in Cawston received the prestigious award from BC Minister of Agriculture Ben Stewart in front of almost 500 people during the annual BC Agriculture Gala in Abbotsford, Jan 26th.

Since acquiring their first five acres in November, 2000, the Klippensteins have steadily expanded their organic orchard and market gar-den and now farm close to 40 acres. Although their intent was to sell everything they pro-duced at Vancouver-area farmers markets, they have now diversified their operation to include value-added fruit products and summer and winter Community Supported Agriculture box programs allowing them to have year-round income. This past year, they also began a gift certificate program which allows consumers to purchase gift certificates at the beginning of the year and exchange them for produce through the season.

A finalist for the OYF award in 2005, 2006 and 2007, Klippers Organic Acres was the first organic farm to have an Environmental Farm Plan and the first to be certified “Salmon Safe.” Kevin is also chair of the new Organic Farming Institute of BC and runs an-farm apprentice-ship program, providing accommodation and training for up to 10 apprentices/year. They

also employ up to eight WWOOF’ers (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) at any given time.

“We feel there’s a need for young farmers and we have a successful model to show them,” Kevin explains.

Klippers harvests more than just vegetables and tree fruits. In 2009, they also began harvest-ing the sun, installing solar panels to power their drying facility and apprentice accommodations.

Runners-up for the 2011 award were Ed and Laura Maljaars of Chilliwack. Together with Ed’s brother Tom and his wife Katrina, the Maljaars operate Starlane Dairy Ltd., one of the first BC farms with a Bedding Master to recycle its dairy manure into reusable bedding for their 145-cow milking herd.

“The OYF program is all about finding people who are bright and forward-thinking and incred-ible ambassadors for agriculture,” says Canadian OYF Eastern vice-president Jack Thomson.

To be eligible for the Outstanding Young Farmer award, farmers must be between 19 and 40 years of age, derive at least two thirds of their income from farming and demonstrate progress in their agriculture careers. Nominees are judged on conservation practices, production history, financial and management practices, and com-munity contributions. Judging the 2011 compe-tition were veterinarian Chris Byra of Greenbelt Veterinary Service, Des Gelz of Ritchie-Smith Feeds and former OYF regional winner Karen Brown.

Kevin and Annemarie Klippenstein (left) with BC Agriculture Minister Ben Stewart.

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Growing Horticulture and Agriculture between Holland and CanadaA special event coordinated by the University of the Fraser Valley and the Consulate-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in conjunction with HAS Den Bosch University (Netherlands).

Wednesday, March 23 at 8:30 a.m.Coast Chilliwack Hotel45920 First Avenue, Chilliwack, B.C.

The University of the Fraser Valley and HAS Den Bosch University will co-sponsor a one-day symposium to encourage partnerships between Holland and Canada, and strengthen the horticulture industry.

Keynote speakers:

Special guest speaker:

Afternoon panel discussion

RSVP to this event at karen.power@ufv.ca before Friday, March 18.

For more information on the symposium, please visit www.ufv.ca/growing

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The BC Agriculture Council’s Award for Excellence in Agriculture this year went to Hans Buchler, considered to have been a driving force behind the BC Wine Grape Council. BC’s wine grape growers and wine sector has benefited greatly from Hans’ vision and leadership. He was instrumental in developing BC’s Enology and Viticulture Conference into the third larg-est in North America. He’s been a major contributor to the National Wine Standards and the Canadian Grape Wine Research Strategy. Hans’ lead-ership in research has resulted in BC wines that meet the expectations of sophisticated consumers while improving the environmental sustainabil-ity of vineyards, thus ensuring the long term health and suc-cess of the BC grape growing sector.

BCAC Chair Garnet Etsell said the Council received many outstanding nominations for

this year’s Leadership Award with the work of Hans Buchler standing out.

Oliver man wins BCAC award

BCAC Chair Garnet Etsell (left) with award winner Hans Buchler

agriculture ministry officials on Jan. 20, said Abbotsford South MLA John van Dongen.

He said the ministry must write a submission to B.C. Agriculture Minister Ben Stewart, and has been asked to do that “as expeditiously as

possible.”Van Dongen said if the agriculture ministry

sees there is “any pain” to producers, then the issue should be submitted to Treasury Board for AgriRecovery funding.

“This is a one-in-90-year event for potato farmers,” said van Dongen.

“It is a catastrophic event.”

EVENT from p3

‘A catastrophic event’

6 MARCH, 2011

NewsExtended Gaits

Across 1 Plum variety 5 Social class 10 Honey maker 13 M.P.’s quarry 14 In progress 15 Legal prefi x 16 Ontario newsmaker of 2000 19 Little butter? 20 Itsy-bitsy 21 Chilled 22 Less forgiving 24 New Mexico’s state fl ower 25 Within reach 26 Bone covering 28 Broadcasts 30 Mountain ridge 31 Victory sign 34 Method for catching bottom

feeders 38 Irate 39 Square dance group, e.g. 40 Creme-fi lled cookie 41 Like some tires 42 Editor’s mark 44 Allegation 46 Carpentry waste 49 Putdowns 50 Fine fi ddle 52 Triumphant cry 53 Chaucer’s collection of stories,

with “The” 56 Circle parts 57 Hitching post? 58 Blind segment 59 Scrooge’s cry 60 Parenting challenges 61 Combustible heap

Down 1 Rubbernecks 2 Anticipate 3 Yellow bloomer 4 Wapiti 5 Calling

6 Subsequently 7 Procrastinator’s promise 8 Theatre award 9 List abbr. 10 Early computer language 11 Author Jong 12 Alleviate 15 Small amount 17 European erupter 18 Awakens 23 Take fi ve 24 Abominable Snowman 26 Released 27 It’s not right 28 PIN requester 29 Author Levin 30 Add to the pot 31 Practically

32 Opposite of WSW 33 Sense of self 35 Alberta lake 36 USSR threat 37 Worked the soil 41 Fruity pastries 42 Nymph pursuers 43 Blockhead 44 “The Nutcracker” lead 45 Midday meal 46 It’s a wrap 47 Fleece 48 One of the senses 49 Sign of healing 50 Competent 51 Remote button 54 Kind of race 55 Nile viper

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22 23 24

25 26 27

28 29 30 31 32 33

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Answers on pg. 14 2-11

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housed in its own building at the rear of Bakerview Eco Dairy.

Roberts says AVTAR started doing research on a very small scale system on a one cow digester.

“It was our prototype. We were able to show that it was successful, including all the principals of pressurizing the gas and mov-ing the manure. Then we got a grant from the state of Vermont to commercialize it and build it up to a larger scale. We installed a pilot system on a farm in Vermont which has been operating and making gas since June 2007. From this we learned what we had to do. So we went back to the drawing board and put all our ideas into development of a commercial system. Bakerview’s is one of the first commercial systems we’ve produced.”

The system takes manure from a pit tank, pre-heats it for four to six hours to get it to the right temperature; then ejects it into the digester by a syringe pump that is mounted on the front end of the digester (in the nosecone).

“It’s specifically designed so we can trap a gas bubble at the top”, explains Roberts. “By pushing manure into the digester at a low level it allows a gas bubble to accumulate across the entire length of the digester. This gas bubble is then pressurized and released as needed to run the generator to produce electricity.”

The first amount of manure that is fed into the digester gets pushed ahead by the next material that pushed in after that, and

it takes about 20 days for the first amount to get pushed out the other end. And in that 20 days it pretty well makes the maximum amount of gas you can get from the manure. The biogas can then be used directly to gen-erate electricity.

Roberts says they use a couple of canisters filled with crushed stone to pull water out to bring the moisture level down, but other methods can be used to pull other com-pounds out of the biogas, such as hydrogen sulphides. Once these are scrubbed out, then the gas can be put directly into a gas pipeline.

Bakerview’s objective is to increase gas production and electricity to meet their demands with manure from their herd supple-mented with manure from other surrounding dairy farms. They are also considering using cheese whey to increase gas production.

The entire operation is computerized. The system can basically take inputs from around the digester, including temperature, pres-sure, float levels and manure levels inside the digester; process that information and help make decisions of what the next step should be – when it’s time to feed, when it’s time to clean things out, and how much mixing should take place. It mostly takes care of itself says Roberts.

Interestingly, the digester is also plugged into the internet, so it can be monitored both locally and anywhere else in North America on the web. This also allows AVTAR to make sure the system is operating the way it should.

Farm's innovation earns recognitionINNOVATION from p3

Jim Byrne, in his first report to members of the Mainland Dairymen’s Association had this to say:

“MSQ has increased over this past year primarily due to butterfat consumption in yogurt, sour cream, and ice cream which increased about 25%. The use of butterfat in cheese alone went up 6% however the overall butterfat consumption dropped by 1.2M kilograms.

“According to National figures up to November 30, 2010, the notable point is the reduction of milk off dairy farms all across Canada and I would like primarily to address the Western Milk Pool pro-ducers.

“In Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta off-farm milk production is lower by 1.69%. When the Western Milk Pool drops below 1.5% and a province is below 2% there is an adjust-ment made. And the credits that represent that reduction are removed from the prov-inces. The Western Milk Pool itself is down 1.5% and any reduction in milk off the farm that results in a further loss to the Western Milk pool will mean a further loss in credits. In the month of December it was anticipated that BC would be down 1.65% which would result in a loss of credits amounting to between 25 and 30 thousand kilograms. Production in BC increased during the month of January and will continue to increase. Our year to date numbers will probably come in at about 1% and by July we will be pretty close to zero.

“You remember that in the months of August, September and October last year we had incentive days. Milk pro-duction during those three months when we had incen-tive days was quite significant but it dropped off dramatically once the incentive days went away.

“So what caused the drop off?

“BC had a quota bump in November of 293,000 kilo-grams which was about 1.22% of the provincial allocation. There was a further increase on Feb, 1 this year, and we issued an organic sleeve of 1.5% on Feb. 1.

“The quota exchange has not been doing the job it was designed to do. And we need to do something to bring quota back to the market at reasonable prices and in reasonable volumes so all producers can take advantage not only of the opportunity to sell quota but also those who want to purchase quota from the exchange. The board made some changes last April and since those changes were implemented there has been a significant reduction in the amount of activity on the quota exchange.

“Because we are having a problem with the amount of quota being offered for sale, the quota exchange commit-tee reviewed the situation and made a request to the FIRB to review the exchanges policies. A letter was sent to the FIRB in December. It is our antici-pation that if we are able to manage the quota exchange for the benefit of producers who want to sell quota, then we will see more quota being offered for sale at a more competitive price.

“One of the significant issues brought up before the Specialty Products Advisory Committee over these last few months is an issue with respect to drop charges. The current system requires that proces-sors who receive organic milk pay an additional drop charge fee, because of the additional cost of moving that specialty milk from the farm to the pro-cessor. In total that amount is about $250,000. We have had numerous requests to move that cost into the provincial transportation cost. Right now that cost is being borne by processors alone who see it as uncompetitive. The Specialty Advisory Board has not taken a position on what to do about this drop charge.

“The wait list for organic producers has been suspend-ed, the reason being that there is a risk of oversupply with Alberta and Saskatchewan starting now to fill some of their own market, market that was being filled by BC. So the last thing we want to do is to start more producers on the specialty program.

“Producers who qualify for the quality bonus of 30 cents per hectoliter must be on the CQM (Canadian Quality Milk) program to get the bonus. If they are not then the bonus is paid to the processor. Acting on a recommendation from the BC Milk Producers Assn. we considered whether or not that money should be returned to processors. And as a result of some other negotiations on how we are going to change the levy in BC we decided that any of those additional funds would not be returned to processors and in fact would be returned to producers. Let me repeat that. Producers who qualify and are on the CQM program and who ship quality milk will get the 30 cents per hectoliter bonus. However we collect more money than we distrib-ute because some producers who are shipping quality milk are not on the CQM program. That amount is just under $300,000 a year. Starting with last month, we are going to start returning all of that money to producers who are on the CQM program every month.

“I’d like to talk about the flexibility of Continuous Daily

MARCH, 2011

British Columbia Broiler Hatching Egg Commission

New Producer Program LotteryNew Producer Program Lottery Accepting Applications

New Producer Program Lottery rules and application forms are available at the BCBHEC website: www.bcbhec.com

Deadline to receive applications: 4:00 pm – Friday April 15, 2011Lottery draw: Monday, April 18, 2011

Email: info@bcbhec.com Phone: 604-850-1854

NEW PRODUCER PROGRAM LOTTERYAccepting Applications

Opportunity for 4 new producers to each be awarded 3,000 units of layer quota tod tifi d i f BC k tproduce certified organic eggs for BC markets.

New Producer Program Lottery rules and application forms are available at the BritishColumbia Egg Marketing Board website: www.bcegg.com or at the Board offices.

Deadline to receive applications: 4:00 pm, Friday, May 27, 2011Lottery draw:Monday, May 30, 2011

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News7 10 YEARS

B.C. Milk Marketing Board chair updates producers

Jim Byrne, chair of the BC Milk Marketing Board

Continued: MILK/ p12

8 MARCH, 2011

You’ve planned for safety, now it’s time for action. Put your safety plan inwriting, share it with others and train your team so everyone learns how towork safe.

Test your knowledge at www.fccfarmsafety.ca and enter to win a safety kit.

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week March 13 – 19

“Working the plan”

Safetymatters

Take the FCC Farm Safety Quiz

10 YEARS

NewsTrade and growth top agriculture ministers agenda

Federal, provincial and ter-ritorial Ministers of Agriculture met to discuss ways to bet-ter foster sustainable market opportunities, paving the way for farmers, producers, pro-cessors and exporters to con-tinue to drive the Canadian economy.

In their continued effort to create more market opportuni-ties, Ministers are preparing to launch 19 pilot projects across Canada, to expand inter-pro-vincial trade in meat. These projects will enhance proces-sors’ ability to sell their safe,

high quality product to more Canadian consumers, in turn increasing market opportuni-ties at the farm gate.

“Breaking down trade bar-riers at home and abroad will yield greater returns for our meat industry and ben-efit all Canadians,” say Federal Minister Gerry Ritz.

In addition to growing the domestic market, collabora-tive efforts continue to expand export opportunities while maintaining support for supply management.

The meeting in Toronto was

BC’s Minister of Agriculture Ben Stewart’s first meeting with his counterparts from across the country.

Stewart says it was a pro-ductive meeting, and he took the opportunity to share BC’s experience, leadership and ideas in meeting the challenges of feeding a global population that will reach nine billion by 2050.

“Agriculture is a globally-competitive industry and the ministers agreed that govern-ment needs to focus on sup-porting strategic projects that

will move our sector into long-term profitability and self-sus-taining growth. While Business Risk Management programs are vital in supporting the sec-tor during times of short-term losses, they aren’t designed to meet multi-year challenges or the need for water supply management, opening mar-kets, attracting and training

young farmers, harmoniz-ing inter-provincial trade and creating profit across value chains. All of these priorities were discussed in planning for a policy framework to take the

place of the Growing Forward Agreement, which ends in 2013.

“To inform this planning, I stressed the need for ongoing stakeholder engagement as we seek out ways government can help industry reinvest in itself through innovation, lessening the reliance on income sup-port.

“I came away from the meeting more confident than ever about B.C.’s agricultural future because I know our uniquely diverse agricultural BC Minister of Agriculture

Ben StewartContinued: ADVANTAGE/ p9

MARCH, 2011 9

PNE 4-H FESTIVALAUGUST 19–23

Over 30 project competitions as well as

provincial programs for judging,

speak and show and educational displays.

Entry deadline: June 30, 2011

SAFEWAY FARM COUNTRYAUGUST 20–SEPTEMBER 5

Come out and experience BC’s remarkably

diverse agriculture industry. Featuring the

crowd-favourite Discovery Farm exhibit!

PACIFIC SPIRIT HORSE SHOWAUGUST 24–SEPTEMBER 5

Competitions in: Amateur Jumping, Cattle Penning

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summertime challenge, The Battle of the Breeds.

Also featuring performances by Hearts of the West!

Entry deadline: July 22, 2011

It’s the Best Part of Summer!Come celebrate at BC’s largest agriculture showcase.

604-251-7788 • agriculture@pne.ca • www.pne.ca

Next issues:Tuesday, June 7thTuesday, September 6thTuesday, December 6th

ProgressThe Chilliwack

10 YEARS

The Voice of theB.C. Farmer

3-11 wcf

News 10 YEARS

sector is ahead of the curve on innovation and leadership. For example, one of the shared priorities across the provinces is implementing cutting-edge food safety and traceability infra-structure and systems. The benefits of having this in place go beyond animal and consumer health; it’s also a key competitive advantage in the marketplace.

“Our producers and processors have recognized that, and are taking advantage of B.C.’s targeted funding, such as the $10-million AgriFlex funding to support innovation and mar-ket development in B.C.’s tree fruit and beef sectors.

“Another example is the B.C. Farm Business Advisory Services Program, which is helping farmers take stock of their finances and bench-mark their performance to develop effective business plans.

“Let’s not forget that B.C. has one of the greatest competitive advantages of all: we are Canada’s Asia-Pacific Gateway, with Japan, China, Hong Kong and South Korea among our top agri-food and seafood trade partners. In the first 10 months of 2010, exports from B.C.’s agri-food and seafood sectors increased over eight per cent. I’m encouraged this trend will continue, as I enquired and was advised that

China is close to completing all the steps needed to open the doors for B.C. to export our beef and cherries.

“Supporting Canada’s next generation of farmers was also part of our discussions. As in any business, young farmers can face many challenges starting out in agriculture. I empha-sized the need to help them get established in the industry, and I believe B.C. has a leadership role here as well. It’s common to hear about

a “food renaissance” taking shape, but in B.C. supporting local foods and getting involved in growing has become second nature. I’ve seen firsthand how the new generation of farmers in B.C. are blending agriculture skills with business

training. For example, our savvy young farmers are using the Internet to sell products, network with local restaurants and integrate their farm with new communities. They’re online, in the field and on the phone, creating the relation-ships that will propel their businesses.

“Government is looking beyond the cur-rent Growing Forward Agreement to the years ahead, and I am confident about B.C.’s competi-tive position and the vision of our agriculture leaders. The Province is actively shaping a solu-tions-oriented policy framework that will foster a resilient, adaptable and sustainable agriculture industry in B.C. and Canada. "

ADVANTAGE from p8

Ag minster talks about the B.C. advantage

Let’s not forget that B.C. has one of the greatest competitive advantages of all: we are Canada’s Asia-Pacific

Gateway

t forget that B C has“

arm Business training For e”

10 MARCH, 2011

Research

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) .......................................................................... .......................................................................... $88.00 - 97.00$88.00 - 97.00Holstein Feeder VealHolstein Feeder Veal .................................... ....................................(175-300)(175-300) ........................................................................ ........................................................................ $90.00 - 107.00$90.00 - 107.00Good Beef Type CowsGood Beef Type Cows .................................. ..................................(Exportable)(Exportable) .................................................................... .................................................................... $65.00 - 76.00$65.00 - 76.00Medium Beef Type CowsMedium Beef Type Cows..........................................................(Over 10 Years Old)(Over 10 Years Old) ........................................................ ........................................................ $55.00 - 64.75$55.00 - 64.75Young Cows and HeiferettesYoung Cows and Heiferettes.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... $70.00 - 80.50$70.00 - 80.50Best Holstein CowsBest Holstein Cows ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................. $60.00 - 73.00$60.00 - 73.00Medium Holstein CowsMedium Holstein Cows ........................................................................................................................... ........................................................................................................................... $45.00 - 54.75$45.00 - 54.75Poor Holstein CowsPoor Holstein Cows .................................................................................................................................. .................................................................................................................................. under $44.75under $44.75Holstein HeifersHolstein Heifers ........................................................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................................ $55.00 - 65.00$55.00 - 65.00Slaughter BullsSlaughter Bulls .............................................. ..............................................(1200-2400)(1200-2400) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $75.00 - 85.50$75.00 - 85.50Good 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 - 210.00EwesEwes ................................................................ ................................................................(119-170)(119-170) .......................................................................... .......................................................................... $39.00 - 70.50$39.00 - 70.50Good Slaughter HorsesGood Slaughter Horses ................................ ................................(800-1200)(800-1200) ........................................................................ ........................................................................ $15.00 - 27.00$15.00 - 27.00

FEEDER CATTLEBeef Type CalvesBeef Type Calves .......................................... ..........................................(200-399)(200-399) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $125.00 - 135.00$125.00 - 135.00Beef Type SteersBeef Type Steers ........................................... ...........................................(400-600)(400-600) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $115.00 - 130.00$115.00 - 130.00Beef Type SteersBeef Type Steers ........................................... ...........................................(600-800)(600-800) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $115.00 - 120.00$115.00 - 120.00Beef 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 - 100.00$ 95.00 - 100.00Beef Type HeifersBeef Type Heifers ......................................... .........................................(400-600)(400-600) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $110.00 - 120.00$110.00 - 120.00Beef Type HeifersBeef Type Heifers ......................................... .........................................(600-800)(600-800) ...................................................................... ...................................................................... $105.00 - 115.00$105.00 - 115.00Beef Type HeifersBeef Type Heifers ......................................... .........................................(800-950)(800-950) ...................................................................... ......................................................................$ 95.00 - 100.00$ 95.00 - 100.00Beef Type HeifersBeef Type Heifers ......................................... .........................................(1000-1250)(1000-1250) ................................................................... ...................................................................$ 86.00 - 90.00$ 86.00 - 90.00

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 - 5.00$ .00 - 5.00

DAIRY REPLACEMENT - Wednesday(ALL COWS CMT TESTED - HEIFERS VET CHECKED)CHECKED)Good Fresh & 2nd CalversGood Fresh & 2nd Calvers .............................................................................................................. .............................................................................................................. $2000.00 - 2400.00$2000.00 - 2400.00Springing Holstein HeifersSpringing Holstein Heifers ............................................................................................................. ............................................................................................................. $1800.00 - 2000.00$1800.00 - 2000.003rd & 4th Lactation Cows3rd & 4th Lactation Cows ................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................. $900.00 - 1600.00$900.00 - 1600.00Good 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

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SATURDAYSATURDAYAPRIL APRIL 99 • • 1010 AM AM

MACHINERYMACHINERY

SALESALE

10 YEARS

By Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer

SWD, or spotted wing drosophila, a winged pest that is currently a threat to B.C. berry and fruit crops is believed to have originated in Hawaii, moved to California and then over the past few years into Oregon, Washington States and now into B.C.

The fact that this insect is a major concern among berry growers in particular was underscored when a standing room only audience attended a presentation on SWD at the recent Horticulture Short Course at the Pacific Ag Show in Abbotsford.

An unprecedented force of entomologists was mobilized in 2010 to research all aspects of this new pest. Among them was Tracy Hueppelsheuser, from the ministry of agricul-ture, who outlined the histo-ry and the techniques being employed currently to eradi-cate this insect.

“While management rec-ommendations for SWD are presently ‘best estimates’ from literature, basic fly biology, and what other regions are doing, B.C. needs data and experience to increase confidence and refine these ‘best estimates’.

“A quick review of best man-

agement practices for SWD include field/farm sanitation and cull management (reduce feeding and breeding sites), and hedgerow management (some wild plants are good SWD hosts). Take an area-wide approach: think beyond your fields, include monitoring with traps to detect SWD presence, use well-timed sprays to control flies – remember that flies plus ripe fruit equals risk. Consider adjusting picking intervals and fruit handling procedures to decrease susceptible fruit and culls."

Hueppelsheuser then went on to talk about the biology of SWD. The male fly has one dark spot on the end of each wing, and is 2-3mm long. The female is a large fruit fly (3mm long) with a serrated oviposi-tor (egg laying organ) which is unique to SWD. She uses this ovipositor to cut through the skin of the fruit and lay her eggs within the fruit. Most other drosophila fruit flies cannot do this and can only lay eggs in damaged or decaying fruit. The eggs, larvae, and pupae of SWD look generally like droso-phila (vinegar) flies; features are not unique. Adult flies are required for species identifica-tion. Infested fruit becomes soft and collapses in the areas where larvae are feeding, and

may remain on the bushes. In smooth skinned fruit like blue-berries, small holes in the skin can be seen where the female cut through to lay eggs. These small holes are not evident in strawberry or raspberry. Fruit can appear bruised or dark in the infested areas.

CFIA climate model predicts up to four generations in south western British Columbia. Larvae and eggs are moved in infested fruit. Larvae do not always remain within fruit to pupate, and can pupate out-side of fruit. Soil and green plant parts are not considered pathways of introduction of the pest.

When does SWD show up in Fraser Valley berry fields?

In order to answer this ques-tion Hueppelsheuser says they used two baits and initiated trapping in early June until mid-September, 2010, in 14 blueberry fields in six blueberry growing regions of BC. There were two fields per region, four traps per field, two with each bait type totalling 56 traps. Scouts checked traps, re-bait-ed, and counted flies weekly.

“SWD was first caught by June 10 in 3 regions. For the first five weeks (June 10-July 9) only 10-15% of traps caught any flies. Of the traps that caught flies, the average num-

ber of flies caught per week was 2-4 during July when fruit damage was first occurring in commercial blueberries

“From July 23 to August 13, over 60% of traps caught SWD flies, and by August 20, over 90% of traps were catch-ing SWD. By July 23, we were catching SWD in all 9 regions. Both baits performed equally: Both baits caught flies start-ing June 10, and there was no clear difference in number of total flies caught by either bait. There was a significant sex ratio bias; we caught up to 80% females from June 10 until August 6. By mid-August, sex ratio was about 50/50 until trapping stopped in mid-Sep-tember. This has implications for monitoring. Scouts need to check for female ovipositors on vinegar flies with no spots, which take more time and requires a lab or a steady hand-held magnifier. If only males with spots are counted, SWD could be underestimated.

How many flies are too many?

Hueppelsheuser stated that based on this trapping study, a starting place for initiating sprays is when 10% or more traps catching SWD, 2-3 SWD flies per trap, and ripening fruit (raspberry, blueberry). The first occurrence of this was in mid

to late June, but only for some fields. For other fields, it was later. She cautions that this is only one year of information and more years of information will be needed to see if this guideline remain consistent.

Hueppelsheuser reported that winter trapping with apple cider vinegar for SWD began in late October until December 31. It resumed again in late January and will continue until next April.

“Trapping commenced on four farms in Delta, Surrey, Langley, and Abbotsford with a history of SWD, two farms with blueberry fields, and two with raspberry fields. There were 6 traps per farm placed on each farm. The locations on each farm were in the hedge-row, within the field (at least 50 m from the edge), and against a building site (East or South fac-ing wall). Traps were checked every 10 days and bait replaced. Males and females were counted and recorded. Results showed trap catches were con-sistently higher in hedgerows than in adjacent field areas or building sites on all farms in October. The magnitude of trap catches varied consider-ably from farm to farm, but fly counts decreased steadily from October 28-December 30.”

Summarizing what they have

learned, she said that hedge-rows and bushes are significant SWD refuges; monitoring with wet traps is a useful tool for determining SWD populations and can help with treatment decisions; there is a relation-ship between trap catches and infestation levels in ripe blue-berry fruit and larvae popula-tions can be efficiently moni-tored for in harvested fruit.

She feels monitoring should also be done in grapes saying, “To date there isn’t a good understanding of SWD impact on grapes. So far however, wine grape damage has not been reported.”

A c c o rd i n g to Hueppelsheuser plans for 2011 call for continued collabora-tion in order to monitor rasp-berry, blueberry, and straw-berry fields with traps and fruit collections. The intention is to start earlier (May), and trap in different fields.

Outreach and awareness activities with industry will con-tinue including updated info-sheets and websites. Events such as industry meetings will be planned for spring and sum-mer. To verify fly identification, or learn how to identify them, contact the BC Ministry of Agriculture, your consultant, or a web identification guide.

Growers need to remain vigilant for SWD

MARCH, 2011 11

News 10 YEARS

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T 250.356.1675

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Program Funding Provided by

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Farm succession planning catching onBy Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer

Developing a will or cre-ating a succession plan has never been high on the agenda for many farmers. For years now, I have borne witness to presentations on this subject. Sometimes they impact the audience, many times though they do not. And that is unfor-tunate, because estate plan-ning and succession planning are vital to anyone, any busi-ness, any person who wants the future transition of their lifetime of work to continue. Farmers invest a lot of time, hard work and money into their operations, so why not take the time to insure that investment for the future.

This year BC Dairy Expo, a part of the Pacific Agriculture Show, focused on succession planning bringing in Elaine Froese from Boisevaine, Manitoba. A certified coach and well known for her advice on how to meet the challenge, she is also an active farmer. Her common sense with her down to earth style of com-municating and asking hard

questions is deeply appreciated by folks who find it hard to ask for help.

Froese says a key prob-lem for farmers is gaining the know-how to start the process that eventually leads to putting together a viable succession plan.

Two prominent dairy farm-ers both admitted during the recent Dairy Tours, that though they were planning on their sons becoming involved with their farms in the future, nei-ther had got around to devel-oping any kind of succession strategy. It wasn’t a case of over-sight; the challenge was

how to get started. And Elaine Froese answered that during her talks at BC Dairy Expo.

Aside from the scheduled sessions at Dairy Expo there was also an extra special ses-sion with Elaine Froese, mainly for young farmers and their wives but open to all inter-ested in attending, in the New Life Church in Abbotsford. The event was funded with financial assistance from the BC Growing Forward Farm Business Management Program.

Organizer Tom Droppo, the dairy specialist with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, was particularly interested to find out how many dairy produc-ers would attend considering they already had more than a half day of programming and three other sessions on a similar topic. He was pleased to see 74 participants at the extra session.

He says what is even more impressive was the fact that 84 per cent of those attending were producers, and in many cases many members from the same farm family. Droppo also

Elaine Froese

Continued: PLANNING/ p14

As this year’s farming season gets underway, there’s an understand-

able wariness in the air as to what the weather will bring. Last year after a cool, wet spring and a hot summer, excessive rain in September (196 per cent above normal and the wettest September since 1969) destroyed much of the Fraser Valley’s root crops. (See story, page 3.)

The worldwide track record of excessive and destruc-tive weather events, some of which are triggered by climate change, are becoming increas-ingly problematic when it comes to agricultural produc-tion, growing enough food to feed the world’s people and facing down a food cost crisis.

In fact, at the annual meeting of the American

Association for the Advancement of Science in February, Professor Nina

Fedoroff at Pennsylvania State University said, “We should ask how we can grow our food with a mini-mum of water, maximum of renewable energy and closest to

where people are living.”According to Fedoroff, who

is an Evan Pugh professor of biology and Willaman profes-sor of life sciences, research-ers need to use all available resources in an integrated approach to put agriculture on

a path to solving the world’s food problems while reduc-ing pollution. And that, she cautions, will mean changes in national and international regulations. In short, thinking outside the box.

“We need to expand our ability to farm on land not considered farmable because it is eroded or desertified, use water not considered suitable for farming because it is waste or salt water,” she said. “We need to adapt current crops to higher temperatures and less water and we need to domes-ticate plants that have evolved to grow at high temperatures and in salty water.”

Farmers in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland can relate to some of that, especially producing food close to urban centres. The irony is that while

it makes sense to produce food close to where people are liv-ing, agricultural folks end up butting heads with the urban development crowd.

A case in point is the Metro Vancouver regional growth strategy that could intensify development pressure on farm-land in the ALR in parts of Langley, southeast Surrey and pockets in Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge. While the strategy forecasts that Metro’s population could grow by some 50 per cent to 3.4 million residents by 2040, proponents need to remember that all these people have to be fed.

Given that only 5 per cent of B.C.’s land is farmable and, of that, only 1 per cent has the best soil with the highest capa-bility of growing crops, it’s not

a brain teaser that protection of arable land is mandatory. The Lower Mainland, south-ern Vancouver Island and the Okanagan have the majority of those high quality soils and the conundrum is that 79 per cent of B.C. residents live next to land responsible for 78 per cent of B.C.’s farm revenues. The province’s agricultural sector provides less than 50 per cent of B.C.’s food requirements. Just to maintain this cur-rent level of food production through to 2025, farmers will need to increase production by 30 per cent over 2001 levels. To do that, they not only need more farmland but another generation of farming technol-ogy. Stuff that takes research outside the box.

As Fedoroff suggested plant domestication, often consid-ered an activity of the ances-tors, is an option for edible wild plants that grow in marginal soils. For instance wild spe-cies of Salicornia, small plants growing on beaches and in salt marshes, are eaten in Europe as a vegetable and its seed con-tains 30 per cent edible oil. One species, sea asparagus, is found along the coast of B.C. and is seasonally harvested.

But for domestication, two things must happen. Plants must acquire traits in what

is called the “domestication syndrome” making the plant worth the labour of cultivation. Traits such as uniform seed germination and ripening allow the crop to be reliably sown, cultivated and harvested. For grains, three important traits are loss of shattering, loss of seed dormancy and an increase in grain size. Shattering is when seeds break off the central stalk at maturity. In wild plants, they would simply scatter and disperse. A domestic crop, though, needs to retain these seeds long enough so that they can be harvested.

Genetically modified plants offer promise but the downside of GM plant development is the staggering amount of money and time needed to comply with government regulations. An example is GM golden rice which produces beta carotene, the precursor to vitamin A. But it has been held up for ten years waiting approval. Rice is the most important staple food for most of the underdevel-oped world where vitamin A deficiency is widespread.

Meeting food needs, utilizing alternative resources, preserv-ing diversity and minimizing pollution are, undoubtedly, among our greatest agricultural challenges.

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Food production: Looking at the big picture

Margaret

EVANS

Milk marketing board chair looks forward

five days and Minus 15 days and everybody started on August 1 with a clean slate. Unfortunately 2010 was a very unusual year. We had terrible weather patterns not only in BC but as you well know right across Canada and certainly within the Western Milk Pool provinces which dropped our production significantly and it hasn’t come back yet. Now we are always waiting for the spring flush, and I don’t know if the spring flush is going to be on time or if it is going to be delayed or whether it is going to be as strong as it has been in the past. But in order for us to manage the amount of milk being delivered under CQM we need to review the flexibil-ity base. So we will continue with the 20 day spread until a review of the situation determines some adjustment.”

MILK from p7

MARCH, 2011 13

News

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News not all positive in Wally Smith’s reportBy Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer

Wally Smith, from Chemainus on Vancouver Island, is the Vice President of the Dairy Farmers of Canada and BC’s representative to the DFC. He was recently speaking to those attending the annual general meeting of the Mainland Dairymen’s Association in Abbotsford.

He said that BC Milk Marketing Board Chair Jim Byrne had stated in his report that the Board at present is faced with the problem of insufficient quota being offered for sale on the quota exchange and, with the help of the quota exchange committee, the Board reviewed the situation and made a request to the FIRB to review the exchanges policies. That decision was supported by the quota exchange committee and a letter was sent to the FIRB in December.

Smith says when FIRB starts to deal with this issue they will come to realize all the pressures that the dairy industry faces are a result of dys-functional policies. “These somehow cripple the ability to operate and manage farms in a way that can provide the system with the require-ments processors need on an on-going basis. I think this is something we have to give serious consideration to.

All best attempts are being made to try and resolve issues and build policy for the future that will allow farmers and producers, especially younger farmers, the ability to move forward and grow their businesses.

But in my world we get a lot of pressure about quota prices being too high, and what to do about that. Market forces will ultimately prevail and certainly when you see the inability of quo-tas to be traded and the fact that we have issues around that we need to be able to address that. Sometimes we have to go the political route, but I am hoping we can deal with this on a board to board basis because it is very important.”

The production issue isn’t just a BC or a Western Milk Pool problem, it extends right across the country with very little quota being traded even in Ontario.

The WTO (World Trade Organization) is starting up again and we have negotiators in both Geneva and Brussels.

“We think that the WTO is launching a last ditch attempt to find resolution, a conclusion”, says Smith. “We’re not sure that is going to hap-pen. We had a meeting in Ottawa at which our negotiator said there is a 15 to 20% chance of success. And I can tell you that the WTO text the way it is written is not likely to change when they make a final agreement.”

Currently the agreement as stipulated is bad for supply management warned Smith, saying it will lower our price; lower our production and will have a huge negative impact on our dairy industry.

“There is not much our negotiators can do at this point – any agreement is going to need a political fix at the last hour and if some of you were around for the Uruguay round in 1995 you know that we operate under what was a last gasp attempt at formulating a resolution that did not support supply management. So anything is possible.”

Smith noted that Canada is also involved in developing a Canadian-European trade agree-ment, a bilateral agreement with the European Union.

“You will recall last year we had issues around an agreement on internal trade as a precursor to talks with Europe. I can tell you that the agree-ment on internal trade has been signed by all agriculture ministers across the country, and it will come into effect in an effort to harmonize regulations. So while we are waiting for new interprovincial trade regulations, and while the WTO languishes in the corner, we are told the Canada-European talks are ahead of schedule and we could well have an agreement in place by the end of the year. All in all it looks pretty good for us”.

Another thing they are dealing with, accord-ing to Smith, is the Trans-Pacific Partnership or the TPP. It is a free trade agreement between Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, the U.S. and Japan. Canada wanted to be part of it, but the other countries rejected our participation because Canada insisted on protection for sup-ply management.

Smith reported that the cheese standards in place last year are being contested by Kraft and Saputo through an appeal process in the courts. He has been told to expect a ruling soon and his confident the federal government will win the day. The appeal was against Ottawa’s ability to introduce regulations that govern the industry.

The DFC V.P. announced that “The Little Blue Cow” has been approved for use as a sym-bol of the high quality standards that go into the production and processing of Canadian dairy products.

“Use of the Blue Cow symbol is going to be good for farmers, good for retailers, and good for processors. The symbol should lead to a higher and greater volume of Canadian milk being processed, and maybe we will also get more attention.”

Some processors, however, are not happy with the wording chosen for the logo - “100% Canadian” which means it is either 100% Canadian milk or 100% Canadian ingredients.

On the subject of National Pooling, Smith said it is an effort by the National body to develop a country wide system for milk pooling.

“There are a whole number of reasons why we need it, and it will be a subject for discussion at the national policy conference this year.”

First ever agri energy forum well attendedBy Grant UllyotWest Coast Farmer

The first ever Agri Energy Forum designed to look at renewable energy technolo-gies and anaerobic digestion attracted a full house for a day long session at this year’s Pacific Agriculture Show.

Put on by the BC Ministry of Agriculture, the BC Bioenergy Network, Farm Credit Canada, and Terasen Gas Co., the event program’s morning session was chaired by Sandy Ferguson, Director of Marketing for the Bioenergy Network; while the afternoon session was chaired

by Matt Dixon, the Renewable Agri Energy Initiative Manager with ARDCorp., the BC Ag Research and Development Corporation.

The 2011 Agri-Energy Forum provided an invaluable opportunity to bring together individuals from across the agricultural sector government, private industry and NGO’s to discuss renewable agri-energy technologies, and the oppor-tunities these technologies present. In total, 200 individu-als attended the Forum, with thirty per cent of these attend-ees identifying themselves as agricultural producers.

During the Agri-Energy

Forum, presenters outlined how renewable agri-energy tech-nologies can help overcome fossil-fuel cost pressures and reduce environmental impacts. More specifically, the presen-tations on renewable energy policies and programs, includ-ing the work being undertaken by the BC Ministry of Energy, BC Hydro and Terasen Gas to encourage renewable energy production throughout BC’s agriculture sector.

On the technology front, presentations from two on-farm anaerobic digestion projects in BC both in the Abbotsford area were outlined

Continued: ENERGY/ p14

Business

Application Deadlines

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Crossword Answersfrom page 6

G A G E C A S T E B E EA W O L A F O O T P A R AW A L K E R T O N C R I S I SK I D T E E N Y O N I C ES T E R N E R Y U C C A

N E A R F L E S HA I R S A R E T E V E ET R O T L I N E F I S H I N GM A D O C T E T O R E O

T U B E D S T E TC L A I M S A W D U S T

S L U R S A M A T I A H AC A N T E R B U R Y T A L E SA R C S A L T A R S L A TB A H T E E N S P Y R E

3-11

wcf

COCHRANE & ASSOCIATESCertifi ed General Accountant

604-853-7607

email: info@cochranecga.comwww.cochranecga.com

14 MARCH, 2011 10 YEARS

points out that close to 60 per cent of the audience com-pleted the survey responses saying that is not only a very high figure, but a credit to all those who did attend.

“And they freely stated their questions and comments which under scored the need for this type of information and thrust within the agriculture sector.”Succession Seminars

To that end, Droppo and company are now busy orga-nizing four seminars that will be held in 4 different locations across BC; Monday, Mar. 28 in Nanaimo at the The Coast Bastion Inn; Tues., Mar. 29 at the DeltaTown & Country Inn; Wed., March 30 in Chilliwack at the Best Western Rainbow

Country Inn; and on Thur. Mar. 31 in Kelowna at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center.

Elaine Froese has been ten-tatively booked to come back to BC to be the feature speaker at each Seminar location.

The target audience will include producers as well as financial/succession planners this time around. The morn-ing session of the Seminar will focus solely on financial/succession planners and com-munications they have with producer clients. Then, in the afternoon the focus will be on producers, and again with the title of Who Wants the Farm and When?

This seminar series is to open to ALL agricultural commodity groups and not just dairy, pork

and poultry. A luncheon will be open to both planners and producers.

Each seminar will start at 9:30 a.m. and be finished by 2:30 p.m.

Preregistration will be required. Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis at each location. Anyone show-ing up and registering the day of the Seminar is not guaran-teed a lunch.

Details for the registration process have not been finalized nor has the pre-registration fee been set, but Tom Droppo says he expects to have full Seminar Program details and Preregistration Information available and posted on the following website by Mar. 1. (http://www.kmwpp.ca/).

Planning for the futurePLANNING from p11

by Chris Bush and Bill Van Der Kooi. Then Mike Raker from Agricultural Energy Consultants, talked about the Vermont (USA) experience, a North American leader in adoption of tech-nologies and tools that show great potential for adoption throughout BC’s farming area.

These include presentations on small-scale wind, geoexchange, biomass boilers, gasifica-tion, and a biomass survey tool and website. Finally the audience heard from some of BC’s financing organizations about the plans, exper-tise and guarantees necessary to access financ-

ing for renewable agri-energy projects, as well as some alternative sources of project financing and their potential pitfalls.

While adoption of renewable agri-energy technologies in BC is still in its infancy, it is through educational events like the Agri-Energy Forum that can access help to build awareness and facilitate adoption of these technologies throughout the agriculture sector.

Judging by the strong interest in renewable energy and anaerobic digestion, it seems certain that another Agri-Energy Forum will be part of the Pacific Agriculture Show & BC Dairy Expo in 2012.

Plugged in to green energyENERGY from p13

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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TRAVEL

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EMPLOYMENT/EDUCATION

115 EDUCATION

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126 FRANCHISEYOUR LOCAL HANDYMAN

Proven turn key franchise opportunityPrime Lower Mainland Areas CALL NOW 778-549-2135

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FLAGGERS NEEDEDIf not certifi ed, training available for

a fee. Call 604-575-3944Stone Construction Company in the Fraser Valley is looking to add 1-3 members to our team. Good hours, good wages and good work environment! Fax resume to: 1-604-823-2394.

EMPLOYMENT/EDUCATION

130 HELP WANTED

An employment service assisting employers and job seekers. Ph: (604)823-6222

www.agri-labourpool.ca

134 HOTEL, RESTAURANT,FOOD SERVICES

MARU SUSHI looking for a F/T Japanese cook (Business Location: 1-45540 Market Way Chilliwack BC V2R 0M5) $17.00 per hour, Com-pletion of high school and min. 3 yrs exp. Cook Cert. and Korean speak-ing an asset,10 days paid vacation, send your resume tosushimaru@hanmail.net

156 SALES

OUTSIDE SALESACR Group, Western Canada’s leader in Rubber and Urethane manufacturing is looking for an outside sales professional for the BC area. The ideal candidate will be familiar with Rubber and Urethane Products for a mining, wood processing and other heavy industries. Extensive travel is required. Good computer skills are essential. Competitive compensation & benefi t package offered.

Fax resume: 604.274.1013 email:twebb@acrgroup-ca.com

SECURITY OFFICER TRAINING B.S.T. classes in Abby.

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PERSONAL SERVICES

173E HEALTH PRODUCTS

ATTENTION DIABETICS with Medicare. Get a FREE Talking Me-ter and diabetic supplies at NO COST, plus FREE home delivery! Best of all, this meter eliminates painful fi nger pricking! Call 888-449-1321

180 EDUCATION/TUTORING

AIRLINES ARE HIRING- Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualifi ed - Housing available. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance (877)818-0783

182 FINANCIAL SERVICES

Own A Home? Need Money?

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Call 604-328-6409 Origin Home Financial PartnersMatt Sadler - www.mattsadler.ca

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

260 ELECTRICAL

#1167 LIC’D, BONDED. BBB Lge & small jobs. Expert trouble shooter, WCB. Low rates 24/7 604-617-1774

HOME/BUSINESS SERVICES

283A HANDYPERSONSRENOVATIONS, painting and more. Please go to www.rcthom-son.buiding.offi celive.com

320 MOVING & STORAGESPARTAN Moving Ltd.

Fast & Reliable. Insured Competitive rates. Wknd Specials.

Call Frank: (604) 435-8240

329 PAINTING & DECORATING

A-TECH Services 604-996-8128Running this ad for 7yrs

PAINT SPECIAL3 rooms for $269, 2 coats(Ceiling & Trim extra) Price incls

Cloverdale Premium quality paint.NO PAYMENT until Job is

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MILANO PAINTING. Int./Ext. Prof. Painters. Free Est. Written Guar. Bonded & Insured. 604-551-6510

338 PLUMBINGASAP PLUMBING & HEATING. Lo-cal cert. service plumber. H/w tanks, boilers, gas, plug drains. Fair rates. Mem.of BBB. 604-220-9228

362 SECURITY/

ALARM SYSTEMS

SAVE UP TO $400 on a pre-existing systembased on 3 year contract.

• 24/7 Alarm monitoring• Medical Alert Services• Service on all makes/models• Bonded & Insured

CENTRAL VACUUMLet us service your

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PETS

456 FEED & HAYHAY FOR SALE. 3rd cut ~ $5 per bale. Round bales $25. Call (604)794-7767

477 PETSBELGIAN MALINOIS 1 Female, 7 months, reg’d, vet ✓, top working bloodlines good watchdog, 1-250-333-8862 weldonbay@gmail.comBERNESE Mtn Dog Puppy. Fe-male. Vet checked & ready for good homes. $800. Lngly. 778-241-5504BLUE HEELER 2 fem. 1 male born Dec 18.10 fi rst shots, dewormed, ready to play $395 (604)826-6964CATS GALORE, TLC has for adoption spayed & neutered adult cats. 604-309-5388 / 604-856-4866

CHINESE SHAR PEI pups. House raised. Well socialized. Vet chek’d., shots. Av. now 604-814-0038. sonjasdogs@yahoo.ca

LAB, PUPS pure bred, no papers. Family raised, vet chk, dewormed. Ready to go $350 (604)793-3307

PETS

477 PETS

KOMONDOR, CKC. (M) 11 weeks, Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. $700. Nice tempera-ment. 604-857-4120

NEED 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.com

NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND pups. Reg’d., micro chipped, 1st shots. Ready mid March. 604-823-2259 mitzvig@hotmail.com

YELLOW LAB pups. 8 weeks old, ready to go. Vet checked, 1st. shots. Parents on site. $500. 604-852-6176 Abbts

MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

530 FARM EQUIPMENT

WANTED: used potato/carrot washer for market garden. Smaller model. 250-395-4042

560 MISC. FOR SALE

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CLASS ADS WORK!CALL 1-866-575-5777

REAL ESTATE

603 ACREAGEOwn 20 AcresOnly $129/mo. $13,900. Near Growing El Paso, Texas (safest city in America!) Low down, no credit checks, owner fi -nancing. Free Map/Pictures. 866-254-7755 www.sunsetranches.com

609 APARTMENT/CONDOSATTENTION INVESTORS!

Top Floor 1 Bedroom, Clean Condo in Chilliwack. Convenient Evans Road Location. Laundry Room, Long Term Tenant, great building with excellent Property Mgmt. Posi-tive Cash Flow Positive. $124,800

Serious Inquiries OnlyCall 604.828.3877

612 BUSINESSES FOR SALEAlaska Goldmine w/camp/equip-ment Known resource, large block, over 40 claims! $1.5M Firm. Seri-ous/capable only! By owner dave.fpsak@hotmail.com FPS,p.o. Box 73087,Fai.AK. 99707

624 FARMS

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630 LOTSARIZONA LAND LIQUIDATION Starting $99/mo., 1 & 2 1/2-Acre ranch lots 1 hour from Tucson Int’l Airport NO CREDIT CHECK. Guar-anteed Financing, Money Back Guarantee. 1-800-631-8164 Code 4001 www.sunsiteslandrush.com

633 MOBILE HOMES & PARKSWHOLESALE FACTORY DIRECT. Manufactured, Modular & Park models. Tremendous savings. Luxurious 1512 sq. ft home including delivery and installation only $ 109,950. Many other plans available. 877-976-3737 or 250-814-3788 www.hbmodular.com

636 MORTGAGES

BANK ON US! Mortgages for purchases, renos, debt con-solidation, foreclosure. Bank rates. Many alternative lending programs.Let Dave Fitzpatrick, your Mortgage Warrior, simpli-fy the process!1-888-711-8818

dave@mountaincitymort-gage.ca

RENTALS

706 APARTMENT/CONDO

Cheam View AptsClean, quiet building

• Insuite storage• Laundry on every fl oor• Heat & hot water incl• Secure underground prkg

1 & 2 BdrmsStarting at $575/m

Ref’s required, no petsCrime-free multi-housing

Call for appt. 604-792-3010or leave message

CHILLIWACK, 45559 Yale, The Vibe. 1 Bdrm, 6 new appl., secure u/g prkg, storage, $700/mo. Avail., now. Ross Fullbrook, Royal Lepage 604-792-0077CHILLIWACK, 45991 Airport Rd. 1 bd ste. $525 + util., Fridge & stove. Avail now. Ross Fullbrook, Royal Lepage 604 792 0077

RENTALS

706 APARTMENT/CONDO

Chilliwack 46030 Princess Ave.

*****************MOVE IN SPECIAL1/2 OFF 1ST MONTH

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Totally renovated from top to bottom.

• 1, 2, 3, Bdrm suites • $600, $700, $800• 5 appliances• Secure building• On-site manager• Small pet negotiable• Must have ref’s

Caretaker (604)799- 2262Ross Fullbrook, Royal Lepage (604)792-0077

CHILLIWACK Camelot

Apartments9197 Mary St.

• 1 & 2 Brms• Heat & water included• Adult oriented• Gated underground pkng.• Close to amenities• Indoor pool• No pets

Starting at $650.00/mo.

Call Jerry - 604-795-3159

Chilliwack. One bedroom plus den near Hazel and Yale Road. In-cludes Washer and Dryer hookup. No pets. $600. Call 604-845-0053.

Need To Place a Rental Ad?

One call is all it takes!The Chilliwack Progress

Classifi ed’s604-702-5552

www.theprogress.com

715 DUPLEXES/4PLEXES

Sardis #3 - 45741 Britton Ave. 3 bd up + 1 bd suite down, 2.5 bath, great parking. $1400/mo. + util., Avail now. Call Ross Fullbrook, Royal Lepage 604 792 0077

736 HOMES FOR RENT

Chilliwack, 3 bdrm upper fl r, spa-cious, 2 bath, n/s, n/p, fenced, $1200/m. Mar 1. (604)798-3125

750 SUITES, LOWER

Chilliwack, walkout 1 bdrm+ fl ex rm. W/D, D/W, F/S, sliding doors to own patio. $750/m incl heat, sewer, wa-ter, elec, garbage. Internet & cable, $25/m. N/s, no partiers, no dogs, cat neg. Mar 1. (604)794-0136

TRANSPORTATION

818 CARS - DOMESTIC

1996 INFINITI I 30, V6, 4 dr. sedan, fully loaded, AirCrd to 2013, Bose Stereo, $3,450 obo. 604-309-4309.

1999 BUICK REGAL G.S. S. roof, leather + heat seats, low K. V6, $4900 obo. private. 604-593-5072

2004 BUICK LASABRE. Loaded, estate sale, new tires/brakes. Pri-vate, $8900 obo. 778-565-1097.

TRANSPORTATION

821 CARS - SPORTS & IMPORTS

1990 TOYOTA TERCEL, 142K, norust, AirCared til April, runs great,nice & clean, $1450. (604)751-0698

2001 ACURA EL 1.7, 4 dr sedan,exc cond, fully loaded w/all options,local, well maint, regular service, noaccid, $7200. (604)807-9145.

2006 HONDA CIVIC 2 door, 5 spdmanual, 80K, red, $6850 fi rm. Call:604-538-9257.

2007 HONDA CIVIC 4dr auto,100Kloaded, leather, spoiler, $9300/obo.778-836-4422 or 604-592-4422.

2009 TOYOTA MATRIX 4/dr autop/w, p/l, AC, cd player, 88K, silver.$9800. Call 604-825-9477.

2011 TOYOTA Camry LE, 7000kms. auto, factory warranty. No ac-cidents. $22,400. 778-869-3265.

845 SCRAP CAR REMOVAL

AAA SCRAP CAR REMOVALMinimum $150 cash for full sizevehicles, any cond. 604-518-3673

SCRAP BATTERIES WANTED Webuy scrap batteries from cars,trucks & heavy equip. $4.00 each.Free pick-up anywhere in BC, Min.10. Toll Free Call:1.877.334.2288

847 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES

2001 BMW 320I, fully loaded, leath-er, auto, AirCared, 142K, $6900.Call 778-552-1462.

851 TRUCKS & VANS

1988 Chevy Cheyenne 1500 p/u,runs well, body good shape, newrad., $1000. Call 604-858-7609

1996 FORD Ranger, ext cab, auto,loaded, V6, runs good. $2200 obo.778-836-4422 or 604-592-4422

1998 Chev 3500 Express van,266,107k, 4 buckets, runningboards, rubber mat, side barndoors, trailer brakes, hitch, manualboat loader. $7500. (604)793-3014

1999 TOYOTA SIENNA CE. 7 passvan, 225K, tow pkg, cruise, ps/pb/plLoaded! $5400. 604-556-9996.

2002 FORD F150 Lariat - 4x4, exc.cond. leather, new tires, local, 160Kno accid., $9888 / 778.861.8355

2003 GMC DUAMAX, auto, extracab, long box, 4x4, 254,000km.$11,000. 604-991-2894

2005 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500, 4dr, auto, diesel, 120 K, GM insp.,$19,500 obo. Call 604-836-5931.

2006 CHEV Uplander, $13,000.69,000K, serviced every 6 mo. byGMC. 604-557-1668 after 8pm

15MARCH, 2011

CLASSIFIEDS TO ADVERTISEPHONE: 604-702-5550 OR FAX: 604-702-5542

10 YEARS

SUPERIOR QUALITY, TRUSTED TRADITION

JOHN DEERE 2320-24HP

Loaders & implements shown not included in price

Promotions listed cannot be combined with any other offers. Prices are suggested retail prices only and are subject to change without notice at any time. Dealer may sell for less. PDI, taxes, setup, delivery, freight and preparation charges not included. Attachments and implements sold separately. See dealer for details Pricing is tractor only, loader not included. Offer valid from Feb. 1, 2011 until March 31, 2011 unless stated otherwise. In 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. A23*Offer valid only at participating dealers. Offer valid from February 1, 2011 until May 2, 2011 and is subject to John Deere Credit approval. For personal or commercial use. A $50 documentation fee may apply. For example, on a new John Deere Model 2520, based on a selling price of $17,157 (Selling price in example is based on MSRP as of 04 February 2011 and may change at any time without notice. Dealer may sell for less) plus a $50 documentation fee, less a down payment of $3,441.40 (up to a 30% down payment is permitted) results in a balance of $13,765.60 to be financed for a maximum of 4 years with 48 monthly payments of $286.78 totaling $13,765.44 based on 0.18% APR with a cost of borrowing of $49.84. In 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). Minimum finance amount may be required. See your dealer for complete details and other financing options. Program subject to change, without notice, at any time. Additional fees may be required.

Abbotsford604.864.9844

Langley604.530.4644

Duncan250.715.3711

Kelowna250.765.9765

Kamloops250.374.1932

www.prairiecoastequipment.com

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Yanmar diesel engine

Starting at

$14,551

Starting at

$14,449

Starting at

$15,884 3TNV88 Yanmar® diesel engine

Starting at

$22,399

Starting at

$31,299 turbocharged diesel engine

Only until March 20, 2011

Starting at

$1,699WCF03.01.11

16 MARCH, 2011 10 YEARS