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Kootenay Boundary Edition
Regional Newsletter - September 2024
Some of the events occurring in the Kootenay Boundary Region this September:
Join Southern Irrigation and the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food at Fossen Bar 7 Ranch in Rock Creek, BC and learn how to best manage a pivot over forage crops and boost yields while conserving water.
EVENT DETAILS
Speakers:
Nigel Pedersen, Southern IrrigationTime: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Address: Fossen Bar 7 Ranch
4985 Highway 3, Rock Creek, BC V0H 1Y0RSVP here: Rock Creek Pivot Field Day - Efficient Pivot Management Practices
QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT THE EVENT
What are the upcoming government programs and initiatives?
How does proper pivot irrigation and maintenance conserve water while boosting yields?
What is a pivot's return on investment?
How is low and high technology involved in pivot irrigation (e.g., sprinklers, AI)?
How to assess systems, replace parts, and detect leaks?
How to schedule irrigation and determine irrigation times?
Join the Kootenay Boundary Farm Advisors for their Small Machines for Market Gardening Field Day. Market gardening is very labour intensive and mechanizing field operations can be a time saver but requires specialized tools to fit the right task. First Light Farm has been researching and trialing how field operations can be mechanized with small equipment and they have an impressive collection of small equipment that they integrate into their day to day operations. Come to this field day to hear from farm owners Jesse and Chris who will share their knowledge and demonstrate the tools in action!
FREE! Register Here
Join Young Agrarians on September 22nd for a full-day farm tour of two innovative Creston farms that have been working hard to reduce their carbon emissions and improve the energy efficiency of their farm infrastructure. This event will include a morning farm tour at Full Circle Farm, a potluck lunch, and an afternoon farm tour of Cartwheel Farm.
More info and registration here: Creston Energy Innovation Farm Tour Tickets, Sun, 22 Sep 2024 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite
Looking for Information on Drought?
Drought levels as of August 28, 2024. The Kootenay Boundary Region has experienced both improved and stabilizing Drought indicators the past week. However some areas, such as the Kettle basin, have maintained drought level 3 as we enter into low flow conditions in September.
Information on provincial drought levels are updated on the B.C. Drought Information Portal on Thursday mornings.
Please see the Drought in Agriculture webpage for resources on dealing with drought https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/agricultural-land-and-environment/water/drought-in-agriculture
Updates on BC Tree Fruits Cooperative
The BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA), the BC Cherry Association (BCCA) and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food formed an emergency table on August 2nd in response to the shutdown of BC Tree Fruits Cooperative. To date, four sub-tables have been created to address critical needs of growers:
- Food Safety: Supporting 2024 individual certifications.
- Grower Finance: Addressing cash flow issues by exploring financial support options.
- Packing and Logistics: Coordinating packing and storage solutions.
- Grower Impact: Engaging with growers to address immediate concerns.
The BCFGA and the Ministry are collaborating to provide weekly apple maturity updates and assist growers in preparing for individual food safety audits, which are now required since the BC Tree Fruits Coop group certification is no longer valid. Access the apple maturity information here and food safety details here. Additionally, the Ministry has compiled a list of available packinghouses and a survey to help growers arrange packing services. These resources are accessible here.
Information for BC Tree Fruits Cooperative Members
To support BC Tree Fruits Cooperative members in finding packing capacity for their fruit, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is collaborating with the BC Tree Fruit Growers Association to identify producer needs and challenges.
For those in need of services provided by a packing house, please complete the Impacted Producer Needs Survey below. Your business information will be provided to the packing houses on the list available on the Ministry’s website for them to follow up with you as they wish. By completing and submitting this survey, neither the Ministry nor the packing houses guarantee that a match or an arrangement can be made.
Rather than complete the online form, producers who wish to speak to a representative can call the AgriService BC Toll Free line at 1-888-221-7141 (hours are M-F 8:30 to 4:30). A ministry representative will collect their information and pass it along to the packers. Upon request, a Punjabi speaking employee can be available to collect the information.
AgriStability Enhancement Program 2024
The Government of British Columbia developed the 2024 BC AgriStability Enhancement Program which offers greater coverage and helps agricultural producers manage income losses due to extreme weather, marketing challenges or natural disaster in 2024.
2024 BC Enhancement Program details:
- Late Participation for AgriStability 2024 ensures you can enroll in the AgriStability program until April 30, 2025.
- The BC Government will pay a higher compensation rate to AgriStability Participants for the 2024 Program Year; BC will top up AgriStability's existing 80% compensation rate to 90% on margin declines greater than 30%; learn How AgriStability Works.
- The higher compensation rate applies to all producers in British Columbia who are enrolled in AgriStability for 2024.
- The B.C. Government will increase the existing AgriStability $3 million payment limit to $6.2 million.
Contact us, dedicated staff are available to assist you with the Enhanced AgriStability Program.
- Visit: AgriStability 2024 - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
- Phone: 1-877-343-2767 toll-free. Support is available in English and Punjabi.
- Email: AgriStability@gov.bc.ca
Email: AgriStability@gov.bc.ca
Business Risk Management Programs
B.C.'s agricultural producers face many business risks that are beyond their control (production losses, severe market volatility, extreme weather events or disasters); the Province’s suite of agricultural insurance and income stability programs can help you manage those risks.
CLIENT EXPERIENCE SURVEY – WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The Ministry is undertaking a project to improve the client service processes related to AgriStability and Production Insurance. Please help us by participating in a short survey about how you learned about our programs and your experience of enrolling.
The survey will be open until September 16, 2024.
Thank you for participating! Your valuable feedback will help us improve the service delivery of these important programs.
UPCOMING PROGRAM DEADLINES:
AgriStability 2024 program year enrollment until April 30, 2025
Production Insurance Application Deadlines for the 2025 Crop Year:
• Berries, Grapes, Flower Bulbs and Strawberry Plants – October 31, 2024
• Tree Fruits and Forage – November 30, 2024
Herd Management and Feed Considerations
As summer transitions into fall weather conditions, herd management and feed considerations are important for winter planning. Effectively monitoring herd health and adjusting feed quality/quantity are critical for making informed management decisions. Balancing these factors can significantly impact both productivity and profitability, especially when considering actions like adjusting herd size and/or feed rations. This article offers strategies for optimizing herd management during challenging conditions such as drought, by focusing on pregnancy testing, early weaning, body condition scoring, and alternative feed sources.
This is the third article in the monthly Livestock Drought Management Article Series. All articles can be found here: Drought articles
Please refer to the BC Drought in Agriculture website for more information, resources and tools on drought for forage crops and irrigation management, livestock management and other topics, as well as financial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by fire and drought.
Second Intake of the B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program – Accepting Applications Now!
The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is live and accepting applications for the second intake until October 6, 2024. The Program provides cost-shared funding to eligible participants to adopt new technologies on-farm to enhance profitability, productivity, and/or efficiency to help alleviate the impacts of labour shortages and rising operational costs. The program is competitive, funding is not guaranteed.
B.C.-based farmers can apply now, and successful recipients will be awarded up to $100,000 to fund projects to adopt innovative technology that can improve labour efficiency. Financial support is provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership, a federal, provincial, and territorial initiative and the program is delivered by Innovate BC. There is up to $2 million available.
To learn more, please visit:
- Information Bulletin: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024AF0036-001338
- B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program website: https://www.innovatebc.ca/programs/bc-on-farm
In case of questions, please contact Innovate BC: integratedmarkets@innovatebc.ca
Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program
The next intake of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program will open on September 9th, 2024.
The program aims to support the competitiveness, resiliency, and innovation of B.C.’s agriculture and food sector through facilitated knowledge and technology transfer.
Funding is available up to $1,500 for expert speakers/presenters at conferences and AGMs, and up to $7,500 for hands-on events focused on skill development (e.g. workshops, field days).
New for this intake: Applications will be adjudicated on a first-come, first-served basis.
For information on eligibility and how to apply, read the Program Guide at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/knowledge-transfer-events.
B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program
Application intake for the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program will be opening on Monday September 9, 2024
The B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program (ABPP) provides funding support for primary agricultural producers and agriculture, food and beverage processors to support informed decision making and ensure business development.
Funding will be available under two streams:
1) Agri-business skills and leadership development
Eligible Activities: Specialized training, courses, registration, fees, and tuition for:
- Business management including topics such as: - Financial analysis - Cash flow management - Human resource management - Cost of production - Benchmarking - Business leadership - Business management conferences
2) Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery
Eligible Activities:
- Development of immediate and long-term recovery plan for businesses that have been impacted by an external event that interrupts the normal production or flow of operations and puts the stability of the business at risk.
- Update or renew a business plan focused on one, or a combination of - Business structures - Business strategy - Cash flow and financial analysis - Human resources - Product development - Production economics - Risk assessment and mitigation - Succession/transition planning - Value added ventures
To find out more, please visit the Ministry’s website https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/agri-business-planning-program
Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program
Stream 3: Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans
Applications for Stream 3 of the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program are open!
Are you a Producer, Improvement District, Local Government, Non-Profit, or Community Group looking to complete an assessment, engineering study or plan before starting a water infrastructure project? You could be eligible for cost-shared funding!
Applications are open until funding is committed.
BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund
The BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF) is accepting applications from BC producers!
This is your chance to apply for cost-shared funding to implement cover cropping, nitrogen management, and rotational grazing.
- Nitrogen Management up to $30,000
- Cover Cropping up to $30,000
- Rotational Grazing up to $20,000
Don’t wait to submit your application – applications are open until funding is committed.
Accommodation For Employees
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food would like to remind producers who have employees living on site, or are providing housing for employees off-site, that the accommodation must abide by the Industrial Camps Regulation. The B.C. Guidelines for Industrial Camps Regulation is a helpful resource that provides guidance, best practices, definitions, and interpretation of the Industrial Camps Regulation.
If you have any questions, please refer to the relevant Health Authority Contacts on the Government of British Columbia's Industrial Camp webpage
In July 2024 the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food launched the AgriService BC Crop and Livestock Reporter Program based on the very successful crop reporting programs in Alberta and Saskatchewan. This program is for any agricultural producer or allied tradesperson who enjoys monitoring agricultural production conditions in their area and would like to be part of a network of people contributing timely, local agricultural intel to raise awareness of growing conditions throughout B.C. and support agricultural information sharing.
Each week from April to November, Reporters will spend about 5 minutes filling out an easy online survey that collects information on rainfall, topsoil moisture conditions, seeding progress, crop development, crop damage, harvest progress, livestock feed and water supplies, and pasture conditions. This information will be used in B.C. by producers, producer organizations, government, and others interested in keeping informed of current agricultural production findings in regions across B.C.
Please visit the program website here: B.C. Crop and Livestock Reporter Program - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca) for more information and to register as a Crop and Livestock Reporter.
Just in time for apple season, BC Food Web’s latest research brief, “Preventing and detecting sunburn on ‘Ambrosia’ apples”, offers actionable insights for addressing sunburn browning. The results of this research can help with rootstock selection and post-harvest sorting 🍎 ☀️
Photo: Hao Xu
Pasture Walks and Field Scouting
Whether you have forage fields or pastures, it is important to get out and walk the land to evaluate what is happening throughout the growing season. A quick look at soil health and moisture, along with plant vigour and productivity can help you evaluate what is going on and make decisions on the next steps. This article provides information on pasture walks and field scouting, along with some guiding questions for forecasting and looking ahead.
This is the second article in the monthly Livestock Drought Management Article Series. All articles can be found here: Drought articles - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
Access to Feed Program
Available to all livestock producers.
A program provided by the BC Cattlemen's Association was created to connect feed suppliers to livestock producers that are in need of feed due to drought.
Submit applications if you have feed available for sale including: type of hay/ quality, bale type & size, equipment to unload, ability to handle a b-train or step-deck delivery, your contact info & location.
Contact hay@cattlemen.bc.ca or 250-306-6277
Don’t miss out on Early Bird Ticket sale!
Farm Management Canada’s Agricultural Excellence Conference
Date: November 19-21, 2024
Location: Abbotsford-Chilliwack
Follow the link below, follow, like and share!
