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Okanagan 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!
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 needing extra attention to minimize potential long-term impacts for your herd. Nutrition for replacement heifers is also important in years with increased precipitation that may affect harvest timing and/or hay quality.
For heifers to successfully enter the herd they need to grow enough to reach puberty and breed by 13-15 months of age. First calf would be at at 2 years of age, and annually after that. In replacement heifers puberty is related to weight and age, therefore targeted nutrition is vital in ensuring these animals are ready to breed and conceive in time to successfully enter your herd. Early nutrition also carries over to the heifer’s ability to provide adequate milk to raise good calves. Both inadequate nutrition and over-conditioning can impact heifer productivity and reproductive performance.
The article discusses target weight milestones for optimal reproduction in replacement females. For more information:
Virtual Workshop
Understanding Your Soil Test Report
Food Business Planning Workshop
We invite you to join us for our free Food Business Planning Workshop, designed to help food processors learn, develop, and strategically expand their businesses.
This 2 day workshop focuses on:
- Identifying key challenges that hinder growth
- Enhancing the ability to scale through improved business management skills
- Adopting effective management practices and creating a business plan
You will gain access to planning support systems like This Commerce Life and BC Food and Beverage and connect with fellow food and beverage entrepreneurs who have successfully advanced their growth strategies, acquiring valuable expertise to help you compete in your target
markets.
We aim to improve access to business planning resources and foster collaboration across different regions.
- Vancouver, January 13-14, 2025
- Burnaby, January 15-16, 2025
- Victoria, January 20-21, 2025
- Vancouver & Gulf Islands (Virtual), January 22-23, 2025
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
The Southern Interior Horticultural Show is a B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food delivered project organized in partnership with the tree fruit and grape industries. This show offers producers a unique opportunity to get the latest information on research, innovation and farming practices directly from industry experts.
This two-day event will cover a variety of important horticultural topics through extensive speaker sessions, evening networking event and an impressive tradeshow where exhibitors will showcase their products and services supporting the tree fruit and grape industries in B.C.
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:
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.
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.
AgriStability Enhancement Program 2024
The Government of British Columbia has established 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:
• 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.
• Additionally, Late Participation for AgriStability 2024 ensures you can still enroll in the AgriStability program until April 30, 2025.
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
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.
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.
Enhanced Replant Program
Applications are open for the Enhanced Replant Program! Applicants have the opportunity to prepare and draft applications before submission.
Stream 3: Berry Replant and Stream 4: Berry Removal/Renewal submissions open on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 9 AM PT.
Shuswap Watershed Council - Water Quality Grant Program
Intake period is December 1st 2024 - January 31st 2025.
Find the application and program details here: http://www.shuswapwater.ca
Other Programs
Links to some other programs from other agencies that may be of interest that are open for applications:
- Advance Payments Program
The Advance Payments Program is a federal loan guarantee program which provides agricultural producers with easy access to low-cost cash advances.
Under the program, you can access up to $1,000,000 in total advances based on the value of the eligible agricultural products you will produce or that you have in storage. The Government of Canada pays the interest on the first $100,000 of your advance (the first $250,000 for 2024). You make repayments to the advance as you sell the agricultural products, with up to 18 months to fully repay the advance for most commodities (up to 24 months for cattle and bison).
For more information visit: Advance Payments Program
- Agriculture Clean Technology Program: Research and Innovation Stream https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs/agricultural-clean-technology-research-innovation-stream
AgriInvest is a self-managed producer-government savings account designed to help you manage small income declines and make investments to manage risk and improve market income.
Each year, you can deposit up to 100% of your Allowable Net Sales to your AgriInvest account and receive a matching government contribution on 1% of your Allowable Net Sales.
Regional Recruitment and Retention of Veterinary Service Delivery for Food Animals (VET)
Applications open this December! VET supports the recruitment and retention of new veterinarians and registered veterinary technologists (RVT) to practices that deliver veterinary services for food-producing animals.
Funding will be available through two streams: Stream 1: Regional Strategic Planning and Partnerships and Stream 2: Recruitment and Service Expansion.
To learn more about the VET program visit the webpage and sign up for the newsletter to be notified as soon as full program details are available!
Recruitment, Retention and Innovative Skills Program
The Recruitment, Retention and Innovative Skills Training Program (RRIST) applications open this December! RRIST supports industry adopt, implement and scale innovative tools, processes, practices and resources to raise awareness of, attract, retain, and develop people to work in agriculture and food.
Applications will be accepted in a two-step application process, starting with an Expression of Interest (EOI), followed by invitations to complete a full application, if successful.
Cross-Commodity Leadership Support Project - Events Calendar
The Cross-Commodity Leadership Support Project (CCLSP) was launched in 2023 as a pilot forum for the tree fruit and wine grape industries to work together on common challenges and opportunities. The CCLSP maintains a collaborative tree fruit and wine grape calendar which is designed to streamline industry events, help prevent scheduling conflicts and broaden outreach. To view the live calendar or submit events, visit: https://crosscommodity.org/events/
Species at Risk Partnership on Agricultural Land (SARPAL) Applications Are Open
The SARPAL Program is open for applications!
Call the BC Cattlemen's Association office - 1-877-668-2333
or email: sarpal@cattlemen.bc.ca
Looking for Information on Drought?
Please see the Drought in Agriculture webpage
and the B.C. Drought Information Portal
Livestock Drought 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.
- One-on-One support is available: If you have questions and would like to talk with one of the Livestock Drought Management consultants, you are able to book a phone/virtual appointment. Please call 1-877-688-2333 or email drought@cattlemen.bc.ca for assistance (open to all livestock producers).
- 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 needing extra attention to minimize potential long-term impacts for your herd. Nutrition for replacement heifers is also important in years with increased precipitation that may affect harvest timing and/or hay quality.
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.
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.
For more information, please visit:
Current disease alerts and events
Avian influenza - Province of British Columbia
Status of ongoing avian influenza response by province
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
New Research Brief
from BC Food Web!
A study conducted outside of Vernon, BC 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
A study conducted in Delta, BC found that enrolment in agricultural stewardship programs improved on-farm climate mitigation and adaptation. Specifically, farms experienced an increase in soil organic carbon stocks by 60-70% and improved soil water regulation. Agricultural stewardship programs are a great way to drive positive environmental change as they help farmers cover costs associated with adopting management practices such as growing hedgerows and cover crops.
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.
What to Do with Excess Manure?
In certain regions of British Columbia, it may be more difficult to effectively manage surplus manure for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: cost of land, transport costs to distant fields, and increasing quota to meet market demand.
The following factsheet provides guidance on dealing with surplus manure and covers a range of topics such as manure storage, nutrient management, and techniques for converting manure into valuable by-products.
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.
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)
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
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
Emergency Supports Needed
The Emergency Management Branch of the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food creates an annual emergency resources list which is used during emergencies that impact the agriculture sector. The list includes hay & feed suppliers, livestock haulers, and water haulers whose assistance may be needed during emergency events.
If you fit in one or more of these categories, we are encouraging you to contact the Emergency Management Branch at AF.Emergency.Management@gov.bc.ca so that we can have a discussion with you, and add you to our resource list.
We are looking for hay suppliers, livestock haulers, and water haulers throughout the province.
Follow the link below, follow, like and share!
