B.C. dairy industry filling most of its orders, despite impact of floods
A B.C. dairy farmer says the impact of flooding in the province on her industry has been less severe than it could have been, a fact she attributes to farmers pulling together as a community.
Sarah Sache is a dairy farmer in Chilliwack and the vice chair of the BC Dairy Association. She told CTV News Vancouver on Saturday that the devastating flooding in Abbotsford's Sumas Prairie is no longer hampering B.C.'s milk production for commercial consumption.
"The amount that it's affected the production of milk is not as significant as it could've been," Sache said. "In terms of the provincial production, I think we're back to filling all of the food orders that we're receiving, and then about 80 per cent of industrial orders, so that would be for things like cheese and yogurt."
This is despite the fact that farms on Sumas Prairie account for about 14 per cent of all milk production in B.C., according to Sache.
More than 640,000 animals died in the flooding, provincial Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham announced this week. Relatively few of them were cows, however. B.C. farmers lost 628,000 poultry animals, 12,000 hogs and 420 cows, according to Popham.
Despite those figures, the minister shared Friday that 97 per cent of egg-laying chickens and 98 per cent of cows on farms under evacuation orders because of flooding survived.
In the dairy industry, more than 6,000 cows were moved from affected farms to farms outside the flood zone, according to Sache.
Those animals are part of the reason the industry has been able to largely meet the demand for its products. Relocated cows are still producing milk in their temporary homes, Sache said.
"It's just been amazing to see the community come together and the way that everyone has worked to support each other," she said, adding that relocating that many cattle was a challenge.
"It's not ideal, but it's absolutely worth it to make sure that (cows are) safe and comfortable and fed. We're getting through it as an industry, together."
Sache also stressed that the disaster in Abbotsford is far from over. On Friday, residents of the northern part of Sumas Prairie were allowed to return to their homes for the first time since evacuation orders were issued in mid-November.
Other sections of the prairie are still on evacuation orders, and Mayor Henry Braun said Friday that it could be weeks before all of the floodwater is pumped out of the former Sumas Lake and residents of that area are able to return home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.