Originally launched by Jerry Strandlund, in response to the BC Dogwood Classic Sale Committee wanting a promotional instrument for the sale, Jerry would soon turn the newspaper over to Barb Souter. Barb nurtured the paper and grew it over 16 years to capture the excitement and vibrancy of the breeder industry while including the most important aspects of our dairy community – the news of family life events – Udder News. When Barb’s own family priorities required her full attention, she passed the pen to Gary and Karen Booy – dairy farmers, creative minds and enterprising business people. For the next 22 years, Gary and Karen would evolve the publication into the modern voice of dairying in BC that we see today! But there comes a time for change… the next chapter of this story began in the summer of 2018, when I picked up the pen and enthusiastically continued to bring forward news and stories that matter to our dairy community.
After much encouragement, we took the growing newspaper across the prairies, bringing much appreciation! In September 2023, the BC Holstein News officially rebranded as the Western Canadian Dairy News to establish the firm intent to remain a western dairy community/farming publication.

The dairy industry is a robust economic driver across all 4 western provinces. Farms continue to increase in size, cow numbers and production over four decades, but their passion for breeding great cows and managing them with utmost care while producing a healthful, hygienic and quality milk for our non-farm neighbours remains as intense as ever.

Dairy farming families care about what they do, who they do it for and remaining true to their calling as stewards of land, air and livestock, as evidenced by the clear objective of Dairy Farmers of Canada to be ‘Net Zero by 2050’.

I grew up dairying with my family on Vancouver Island but left to pursue an agricultural education. I spent my career working with dairy farmers in the genetics field, and what an amazing adventure it was, to serve the hard-working dairy producers of BC, and later, the prairies.

If you’re not familiar with WC Dairy News, take a look at our past issues, or reach out – I’d love to make contact and hear your story. We are the publication that seeks to keep our farming families connected

Whether producers, agribusiness staff, industry stakeholders, or related officials, we are a family – all working together. This industry is special, and it’s my good fortune to have the continued pleasure to work among down-to-earth people and bring their stories to life, with sincerity, optimism and some laughs. Together – we are WC Dairy News.