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Kootenay Boundary Edition
Regional Newsletter
December 2024
Please be advised, the January e-Bulletin will be circulated on Wednesday, January 15.
From our farm to yours, have a safe and happy holiday!
Our December newsletter is a long one - core work was still on the go during government interregnum and there are lots of updates. In this edition of our AgriService Newsletter you'll find:
Recap of events which occurred this fall
- Soil Assessment Field Days
- Cherry Irrigation Workshop
- Water Storage Workshop
Upcoming winter events
- Interpreting soil test results webinars
- BC ACARN Lab to Land workshop
- Southern Interior Horticulture Show
Programs and Funding Opportunities
- Year-end closing of the Beneficial Management Practices Program
- Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program
- Business Risk Management Programs
- Enhanced 2024 AgriStability program
- BC Agriculture and Food Export Program
- Buy BC Partnership Program
- Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program
Resources
- Creston Valley Alternate Water Supply Feasibility Study
- Avian Influenza
- Livestock Management Resources
- New BC Food Web Research Briefs
- Farm Tourism Guide
Soil Assessment Field Days
This October the Ministry of Agriculture and Food hosted three soil assessment field days in the Kootenays. Participants went over the fundamentals of soil sampling with Ahmed Lasisi, the Ministry's provincial soil carbon specialist, and learned about field indicators for soil health from Josh Andrews, the Ministry's provincial nutrient management specialist.
These sessions were a start to ongoing soil education – upcoming webinars with the specialists will go over how to interpret soil test results from the field days.
December 10, 2024 (Forage) & January 21, 2025 (Vegetables and Grains). Online from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon PST.
If you missed these events but have soil sampling questions – please feel free to connect with your Regional Agrologist (Please see the contact information at the end of the newsletter) or check out some of our online resources from the soil team: www.gov.bc.ca/nutrientmanagement
Big thanks to the farmers who hosted the events – Kettle River Farms in Grand Forks, Thibeault Ranch in Cranbrook, and Bent Plow Farm in Blewett. And to the Kootenay Boundary Farm Advisors and Kootenay Livestock Association for helping connect with farmers and promote the field days.
Cherry Irrigation Workshop
A late October workshop in Creston with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Southern Irrigation, and Agriculture and Agrifood Canada featured information on simple technology and practices to increase irrigation efficiency and a dive into ongoing research from Dr. Kirsten Hannam on post-harvest irrigation practices. The workshop was a great opportunity to connect in person with a researcher from the Summerland research station and our participants were able to share how practices in Creston relate to the research.
Find out more about Dr. Hannam and her student’s work: BC Food Web Research Briefs 2023-2024
Agriculture Water Storage and Community Collaboration
On November 21, the Agriculture and Water Initiatives Working Group of the Kettle River Watershed Advisory Council held a workshop for agricultural producers in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS), and Kootenay-Boundary Regional District.
Guest speakers included:
- Chris Ford (Ford Water Solutions Inc) speaking on lessons learned developing community led water management plans with producers in B.C. dealing with chronic drought issues.
- Andrew Bennett (Living Lands Agroecology and Certified Irrigation Designer from Irrigation Industry Association of B.C.) speaking about on-farm water storage options & considerations, calculating water needs, with real farm examples.
- Calvin Beebe (WLRS) presented water storage licensing and regulations around water storage.
The workshop resulted in some good discussions on some of the concerns and priorities for those living in the Kettle river water system. Here are some of the key takeaways.
Keys to effective community collaboration:
- Determine common goals between all stakeholders.
- Clarify roles, capabilities, and responsibilities so potential solutions can be realistically explored.
- Form a community group with a specific goal to create a clear voice to government on the issue and the specific ask
Water storage can be an effective tool for managing water availability with many options. The following are some good resources and reminders:
- Reminder on 12-part series called "Farm Water Fix," which focuses on irrigation efficiency and water management. Farm Water Fix Series (Irrigation) - YouTube
- Start early with planning to access potential funding support. Now is a good time to be engaging with EFP (Environmental Farm Plan – Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC) and water management planners to identify water needs and resources. Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) funding for plans and design funding support closes December 13, 2024 Plans & Designs BMPs – Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC
- Best sources of conserving water for ag use:
- Improve soil storage: Need to know your soil type (British Columbia Soil Information Finder Tool) and farm water needs
- Improve water use efficiency (Check for leaks, pressure and flow discrepancies, and worn equipment)
- Consider dugouts or other water storage options to make use of peak flow times
- Conservation of riparian areas and beaver habitat
- Check out the new Dugout Calculator that has been added to the B.C. Agriculture Water Calculator BC Agriculture Water Calculator or visit our other Drought resources here Drought in agriculture - Province of British Columbia
- For information on water licensing and regulations visit: Water Licences & Approvals - Province of British Columbia
Virtual Workshop
Understanding Your Soil Test Report
Lab to Land
Join us online to connect with researchers, farmers, agrologists, and policymakers from across the province. Grow your network and participate in thought-provoking discussions on adapting to climate change challenges at both farm and landscape scales. This multi-day workshop offers presentations, panels, and networking sessions exploring projects and research that are advancing agricultural resilience:
- January 15: Explore collaborative approaches to drought resilience across the province. Featured projects address adaptation from the farm to watershed level and include research from on-farm management to Indigenous co-governance.
- January 16: Dive into research investigating how soil supports ecological and community resilience. Discuss farmer-led research to evaluate soil management practices and learn about collaborative soil stewardship integrating Western scientific and Indigenous methodologies.
Thanks to funding by the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food and CleanBC the workshop is available at no cost, registration is required.
🗓️📌This virtual workshop is on Jan 15 & 16, 2025, from 9am-12:30pm PST. Registration opens early December. Stay tuned by following @BCFoodWeb on their website www.bcacarn.ca and social media platforms: Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
More details and registration: labtolandbc.eventbrite.ca
Mark your Calendar:
Southern Interior Horticulture Show
The Southern Interior Horticultural Show provides producers the opportunity to network and access the latest information on research, innovation, and farming practices from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts.
The event is delivered by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food in partnership with: B.C. Cherry Assoc., B.C. Fruit Growers’ Assoc., B.C. Grapegrowers’ Assoc., B.C. Wine Grape Council, Wine Growers B.C., Sustainable Winegrowing B.C., Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release, Summerland Varieties Corp., Cross-Commodity Leadership Support Project, and Okanagan Horticultural Advisors’ Group.
REGISTRATION: Early-Bird: $50 + Tax (Ends December 13, 2024, at 5:00pm)
General Admission after December 13, 2024: $75 + Tax
Includes participation in the trade show, evening social event, and all conference sessions
Click here to register: Southern Interior Horticultural Show
Please note: Attendance is offered in person only. Full program details to be posted in December.
Funding for the show is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
If you have any questions, please contact us at sihs@pacegroup.com
or visit our website at: gov.bc.ca/agriconferences
Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program
Applications for Planning, Technical Assessments and Engineered Designs BMP will close Friday December 13th, 2024 at 4:00 PM.
Don’t have time to complete your application? The BMP Plans & Designs category will be accepting applications again in 2025. Sign up for the BMP Newsletter to stay tuned.
Knowledge and Technology
Transfer Program
The last day to apply for the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program is Friday December 13th at 4:00PM.
Thank you to everyone who has already submitted your applications. We had a lot of interest in the program this intake.
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 of up to $7,500 is available for eligible knowledge transfer events.
New for this intake: Applications will be adjudicated on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage interested applicants to submit your application soon.
To apply, visit the program webpage:
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.
Remember - 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 BC Government will increase the existing AgriStability $3 Million dollar payment limit to $6.2 Million dollars
Contact 1 877-343- 2767 (toll free) or email AgriStability@gov.bc.ca
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
B.C. Agriculture and Food Export Program (BCAFE)
Next Intake Opening January 2025
The Ministry is pleased to announce the next intake of the B.C. Agriculture and Food Export Program, an initiative supporting B.C.’s agriculture, food, and beverage exporters in growing their sales, reducing market risks, and building long-term sustainability.
BCAFE offers cost-shared funding for market development activities outside B.C., helping businesses and associations expand, diversify, and sustain their export markets. This program is part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3.5 billion federal-provincial investment in the agriculture and food sector. MNP LLP administers funding on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
Applications open in January 2025.
Buy BC Partnership Program 2025
Save the Date – Buy BC Partnership Program 2025 Intake
Cost shared funding is available for B.C. producers, processors, and industry associations to support local marketing activities that increase consumer awareness and sales of B.C. agriculture, food, and beverage products.
The next application intake for Buy BC Partnership Program funding will open January 6, 2025 to January 27, 2025.
Funding is available under two streams:
- Stream 1: For producers and processors, Buy BC projects are anticipated to start in April 2025 and be completed by September 2025.
- Stream 2: For industry associations, boards, and councils, Buy BC projects are anticipated to start in April 2025 and be completed by March 2026.
Apply for a Buy BC logo license or find out more about Buy BC.
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.
Provide your input on the Creston Valley Alternate Water Supply Feasibility Study
The Regional District of Central Kootenay hosted an info session early November to seek input from farmers and share their work on a high-level study of an alternate supply for irrigation water in the Valley. The materials from the session are now available online on their engagement website.
Regional District staff are keen to hear from farmers in the valley – there is a survey online to provide input. Creston Valley Alternate Water Supply Feasibility Study | Engage RDCK
Highly Pathogenic Avian
Influenza Outbreak
British Columbia is currently experiencing a serious Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak. As the virus arrives with migratory birds, poultry owners should be implementing high biosecurity measures to protect their flock.
Mid November there was a positive detection in a non-commercial poultry flock within the Regional District of Central Kootenay. Isolated cases in non-commercial flocks are often a result of interactions between domestic poultry and wild birds.
To learn more about how to protect you flock and for more information, please visit:
Current disease alerts and events
Avian influenza - Province of British Columbia
Status of ongoing avian influenza response by province
Livestock
Management Updates
- The Livestock Drought Management Guide is now available online, and focuses on livestock feeding, forage crop considerations and economic decisions and includes suggested strategies for producers working through drought conditions. It is applicable to all livestock.
- There are new articles for the Livestock Drought Management Article Series (Drought articles - Province of British Columbia)
Article 4, “Replacement Heifer Target Weights”
Replacement heifer nutrition is tremendously important as it directly affects a heifer’s lifetime reproduction, longevity, productivity and profitability in your herd. In dry years with limited forage supplies, heifer nutrition is a high priority area needing extra attention to minimize potential long-term impacts for your herd. Likewise, in years where precipitation affects harvest timing and/or hay quality it also requires extra attention.
Article 5, “Minerals and Livestock Nutrition”
Mineral nutrition for livestock is a critical part of their diet, affecting health, fertility, production and your bottom line. Supplementation requirements can vary greatly depending on feed types, animal requirements and your operation’s location. Mineral levels influence reproduction and performance / growth, immunity and disease resistance. This article walks you through considerations of how to choose the appropriate mineral for your situation, how to feed it appropriately and how to start to troubleshoot a suspected mineral problem.
New Research Brief
from BC Food Web!
A study conducted outside of Vernon, B.C. found that placing leftover logging debris from timber harvesting in riparian areas deterred livestock from grazing in these areas, leading to better riparian ecosystem health.
Photo: Clayton Bradley
Farm Tourism Guide
A new industry resource on farm tourism in B.C. is now available.
The Farm Tourism Guide is a two page brochure outlining key steps and regulatory requirements to help B.C. farmers interested in diversifying their operations through tourism opportunities.
Follow the link below, follow, like and share!
