SIGN UP FOR NEWS ALERTS BY EMAIL AT KAMLOOPSTHISWEEK.COM
ab K A M L O O P S
Kamloops, B.C., Canada X 30 cents at Newsstands
Blazers reflect on nightmare season Page A20
TUESDAY
Tuesday, March 18, 2014 X Volume 27 No. 31
THIS WEEK
The present life Page B2 Thompson River Publications Limited Partnership
Ajax: Blasts not a concern By Cam Fortems
WASN’T THAT A PARTY?
STAFF REPORTER
cam@kamloopsthisweek.com
Ranchers size up the stock at the Saturday, March 15, Angus bull sale at B.C. Livestock Producers Co-operative Association’s auction yard in east Kamloops. Ranchers are getting better prices for their animals after a decade of low prices. Allen Douglas/KTW
WHERE’S THE BEEF PRICES? LOOK UP By Cam Fortems STAFF REPORTER
cam@kamloopsthisweek.com
Ranchers are heading into the spring season ready to reap the highest beef prices seen in three decades — but price shock has yet to hit the meat counter. “This is our slow time, but our sale numbers are up because prices are so high,” said Ken Alison, yard manager at B.C. Livestock Producers Co-operative Association in east Kamloops. “Instead of waiting until fall, they’re selling them now.” A benchmark 600-pound calf is fetching slightly over $2 a pound at auction. Alison said that compares to about $1.55 a pound one year ago. Ranchers “are not rich, they’re getting paid now,” Alison said. Prices are rising due to a combination of global demand and shrinking supply,
particularly in North America, which suffered a decade of low prices and the recent drought in United States. Local rancher Holly Campbell agreed ranchers are thriving with current prices. But, she noted, the price is far from a record high when inflation is included. The cost of goods and services has increased more than 80 per cent since 1987, according to the Bank of Canada’s inflation calculator. “Everything else has gone up in the past 27 years. Cattle prices are climbing up,” she acknowledged. “It’s where it should be.” Campbell’s Buse Creek ranch reduced its herd following discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and crashing prices a decade ago. She said it has no intention to expand and doubts there will be growth in the provincial herd.
“Land prices aren’t going down. Anyone who wants to get into it has to look at input costs,” Jackson said. While cattle prices are high, it has yet to translate into record prices at the grocery till. Cole Mayes, manager at Summit Gourmet Meats in Sahali, said a supplier told him recently prices will move higher because Asian countries are taking supply from competing countries, including Uruguay, New Zealand and Australia. Lack of availability of that product here will cause prices to rise. “In the next while, we’ll be watching our spreadsheets,” Mayes said, noting much of the price of beef is seasonal, with roast cuts higher at this time of year. “As spring comes on and barbecues start up, those barbecue cuts go up.” Ground-beef prices have not yet moved substantially, he said.
5O% OFF ANTI-REFLECTION LENS UPGRADE
Without Anti-Reflective Lenses
WITH ANTI-REFLECTIVE LENSES
KGHM Ajax’s external-affairs manager said reports by two Cherry Creek homeowners of possible blasting-related problems is an issue for New Gold Inc. alone. “I’ll let folks at New Gold address those concerns,” Yves Lacasse said. Following revelations by a ThompsonNicola Regional District board member, New Gold Inc. released information it has received three blastingrelated complaints near its underground New Afton mine about 10 kilometres west of Kamloops. Consultants found no vibration that would cause damage at the first home, while data is being analyzed on a second house. A consulting engineer determined damages were unlikely to be connected to blasting. The third complaint relates to groundwater. New Gold said the Cherry Creek aquifer is distinct from groundwater at the mine site. “We pay close attention, not only to New Gold and other local projects, but all projects happening in the country,” Lacasse said. He noted a consultant stated publicly at
KGHM throws a private party for its supporters and more than 2,000 accepted the invitation. Story, page A3 a meeting last year he expects no blastingrelated impacts at the Ajax site south of Aberdeen due to the distance of at least 1.3 kilometres from any homes. “Based on his expertise and what he’s seen, he said there’s no concerns with blasting and Ajax,” Lacasse said. The households that complained to New Gold are 2.5 and 2.8 kilometres from the New Afton mine, the company said. Mayor Peter Milobar said “no one has proved New Gold has caused damage . . . At this point, their own experts are saying it’s not the problem.” Milobar said he expects the company to report its findings, something it has committed to doing. It will also make a presentation to the TNRD board. The Ministry of Energy and Mines issued a statement saying it has “no record of receiving a complaint” and is not involved in any investigation.
Anti Reflective Lenses reduce glare that causes eye fatigue and helps you see more clearly.
OFFER INCLUDES:
•Any Single Vision Lens •Any Bifocal Lens •Any Progressive Lens
Buy one complete pair of RX glasses (frames & lenses) at regular price of $200.00 or greater before discount and get 5O% OFF the DIFFERENCE of a Anti-Reflective lens upgrade. Hurry offer ends March 31, 2014.
EYES I N T E R N A T I O N A L
331 Victoria Street
Licensed Optician
25O-851-8992
VISION E X A M I N AT I O N S
Free with min.purchase. Call for details! (Not an eye health exam)