Nechako
July 6, 2018
Kootenay
July 6, 2018
Cariboo
Where the gold rush never really ended
The Cariboo is literally the centre of BC’s cattle ranching industry. The region’s rolling plains, the Fraser River, and picturesque plateaus are home to 672 cattle farms producing 23% of the Province’s beef*.
A very short growing season with few frost-free days and moderate rainfall means Cariboo’s river bench soils are perfect for alfalfa, root vegetables, potatoes, and high quality fodder crops to support the area’s livestock. In addition to the predominant cattle farms, there are other farms producing carrots, cabbage, turnips, cauliflower, grains, and an abundance of milk, eggs, and poultry**.
The Cariboo Gold Rush of 1859 laid the groundwork for the region’s settlement and the emergence of its Cowboy culture when the first herd of cattle arrived that spring. Those who came for the gold stayed to raise more cattle, and never left.
*Source: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/agriculture-and-seafood/statistics/census/census-2016/aginbrief_2016_all_province_region_regional_districts.pdf
**Source: Agriculture in the Classroom, Canada. “A Guide to BC Agriculture Resources”. Pg. 12.
