South Coast Edition

Regional Newsletter - July 2024

WELCOME TO THE SOUTH COAST REGIONAL NEWSLETTER

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is committed to timely, regional communications regarding emergency preparedness for drought and other natural disasters for agriculture producers through the AgriService BC e-Bulletin. 

Information is conveyed through Regional Newsletters as well as Special Bulletins as required. If you wish to stay informed and prepare your agriculture business for emergencies, sign up for the newsletter and select all regions you would like to receive information for. 

Note: If you already receive the Provincial AgriService BC e-Bulletin, be sure to manage your preferences and update your region as this is a new feature. 

We also encourage you to follow us on Facebook. 

Drought Preparedness

Drought Special Bulletins

As part of our efforts to enhance our drought communications, The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is developing Special Bulletins for drought specific information that will be sent separately from the Regional Newsletter on an as needed basis throughout the season. This will include advisories of significant drought level increases, awareness on actions from the Ministry of Water, Lands, and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) (such as Voluntary Reduction Requests, Temporary Protection Orders, or field operations), and other timely drought-related information. You do not have to sign up separately for these Special Bulletins - if you are subscribed to this newsletter, you will receive them. 

Drought Preparedness Drop-in Calls 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food will be holding bi-weekly drop-in calls to provide regular updates on the status of drought in the region and highlight resources available to support producers. The bi-weekly calls will be open to the public and will be held every other Monday from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm. Staff from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will be in attendance to answer questions. 

Upcoming July dates:

Monday, July 15, 2024 - 1:30 to 2:00

Monday, July 29, 2024 - 1:30 to 2:00

Zoom info: 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/64030092631?pwd=cE5wcTN1NFpaR0xVUDU3OU5PRHhmQT09

Dial by your location

+1 778 907 2071 Canada

Meeting ID: 640 3009 2631
Passcode: 123461

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system - https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/u5AtdOmopzksGdWz2HLl-I_vGcoSGar3Sg_E/ics?icsToken=98tyKu-srjgqGt2XthqGR_MIAojCc_TxmHpdjadqhk3NLyweSzzgEeFNAZV-Aovj

Water Management Resources

Learn more about financial assistance for agricultural producers impacted by drought on the Ministry’s Drought in Agriculture webpage. This page also contains key drought resources and information on livestock, crop, and irrigation management during drought. Links to information on flood forecasting, preparedness, and mitigation are found on our Flooding webpage.

Please visit the Ministry’s Drought in agriculture web page to access our library of water management resources for producers.

Autonomous Electric Tractors in Blueberries

Looking for innovative and efficient ways to tackle increasing costs and labour shortages in your blueberry operation? Agri-tech weeding equipment could be a key part of the solution!

To find out more, join Organic BC at Klaassen Farms in Chilliwack on July 15th for a demo of autonomous, electric tractors in blueberry production. Representatives from Rollins Machinery will be on hand to discuss the latest advancements in this technology, and Monarch Tractors will showcase and demonstrate their MK-V tractor, with an opportunity to take it for a test drive! Plus, Q&A, snacks and refreshments.  

This event is free but registration is required. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/autonomous-electric-tractors-in-blueberries-tickets-919102800217

Save the date! 

Farm Management Canada's Agricultural Excellence Conference to empower farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in an ever-changing and increasingly complex business environment. 

Co-hosts: BC Agriculture Council and Canadian Agricultural Safety Association 

Date: November 19-21, 2024 
Location: Abbotsford-Chilliwack 
 
The 2024 Conference theme, Together Towards Tomorrow, will cover a diverse range of farm management topics, including but not limited to: 
• Fostering Economic Resilience and Prosperity 
• Technological Advancements and Digital Transformation 
• Taking Control of On-Farm Risk 
• Utilizing Data Analytics for Farm Decision-Making 
• Navigating Farm Transition Planning 
• Attracting and Retaining Farm Labour 
• Supporting On-Farm Health, Safety and Wellness 
• Climate Adaptation Strategies and Opportunities 
• Policy, Politics and Public Perception 
• Sustainable Farming: Balancing People, Profit, Planet 

FMC https://fmc-gac.com/programs-services/agricultural-excellence-conference/ 
BCAC https://bcac.ca/ 
Canadian Agricultural Safety Association https://casa-acsa.ca/fr/association-canadienne-de-securite-agricole/ 

Optimizing Water and Nutrient Management in Potatoes

BC growers are wanting more data and tools to increase efficiencies in potato production. Irrigation and nutrient management are key components for success. Input costs are reported to be at an all-time high and, more frequently, weather patterns are forcing industry to make more precise and more timely management decisions during the production cycle.

The second year of a multi-year project is underway to continue work that supports growers in adopting new nutrient and soil monitoring practices, and that promotes adoption of best management practices. Led by BC Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, on-farm demonstration trials will be conducted to evaluate fertilizer and irrigation programs in Pemberton, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Irrigation trials will look at practices that improve water use efficiency and increase crop performance and the capacity to thrive under a changing climate. Fertilizer trials will focus on improving nutrient uptake while minimizing effects on the environment by looking at optimizing fertilizer rate, source, placement and timing.

In addition to various farmer-led on-farm demonstration fertilizer and irrigation trials, the BC Potato Variety Trial will continue to be used to further evaluate varietal response to fertility programs. This will be done through tissue testing, soil sampling and multi-depth monitoring of soil moisture through the growing season.

To learn more about an irrigation trial using a solid set system, soil moisture sensors and real-time tissue analysis using Picketa Systems, field days in Delta and Pemberton are scheduled for August and September. Please keep an eye out for dates, places and registration information - to be arriving in your inbox soon - from the organizers including BC Potato & Vegetable Growers Association, E.S. Cropconsult Ltd. and BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

The Optimizing Water and Nutrient Management in BC Potatoes project is led by the BC Potato & Vegetable Growers’ Association and funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program aims to increase the environmental resiliency of agricultural landscapes across Canada by promoting the adoption of beneficial on-farm land use and management practices. Funding for the program is provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Delta Farmland & Wildlife Trust (DFWT) is one of the organizations that is delivering the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program in British Columbia.

The DFWT is a non-profit organization that has promoted the conservation of farmland, soil resources and wildlife habitat in the Fraser River estuary through co-operative land stewardship with local farmers for more than 30 years.

The stewardship programs offered by the DFWT are available to producers in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, and include:
• cover crops after the summer harvest to improve soil quality and prevent winter erosion;
• pollinator-friendly flowering plants and grasses in targeted areas to support biodiversity and improve important food crop pollination;
• perennials in annual crop rotations to improve soil health and provide habitat for wildlife; and
• permanent rows of bushes and plants along field borders to improve biodiversity and sequester carbon.

To find out more about the programs offered by DFWT and intake windows please visit: www.deltafarmland.ca

Launch of the AgriService BC Crop and Livestock Reporter Program

In July 2024 the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food is launching 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 for more information and to register as a Crop and Livestock Reporter!  

B.C. Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food (IACAF) Video Showcase

Last year, we had the privilege of sharing some remarkable stories that the BC Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food (IACAF) requested we create. Here are 3 videos showcasing IACAF & Indigenous farming/gardening within the province. We hired a contractor, Scott Reynolds, Hole Hog Media, Inc. who has produced 3 videos centering on the IACAF Board, Tsawwassen First Nation, and Lytton First Nation. Sharing these firsthand accounts and personal stories is one of the most powerful ways we can highlight the vital work being done by Indigenous communities in providing food for their people.

We have received many requests to share the videos. We have proudly posted the videos on the provincial government YouTube. We are very pleased with the final products! Seeing the impactful work being done is inspiring. Please share far & wide.
 

1. BC Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture & Food (IACAF) Spotlight
IACAF & the Ministry of Agriculture & Food work together to enhance the equitable participation of Indigenous Peoples in the BC agriculture and food sector & support the realization of their food sovereignty objectives. https://youtu.be/vESo5rGol24

2. Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) Farm
C’eliselem is a community led garden located within the Treaty lands of the Tsawwassen First Nation. The farm is supporting the food sovereignty & food security goals of the community, while contributing to the cultural revitalization of the Nation.
https://youtu.be/-Y596x0aiCQ 

3. Lytton First Nation (LFN)/YeKm Food Hub
YeKm Food Hub is an agricultural resource for LFN, supporting local farmers & the LFN community. The project consists of a greenhouse and garden. YeKm is expanding with construction of a storage, processing & preserving facility. The building will include a retail outlet and become a hub for the community.
https://youtu.be/EYUnzANG2zM

Forage Supply Decisions

As we enter July, many producers have already harvested or are gearing up to harvest their first cut. The first cutting makes up a major portion of the entire season’s forage yield and it is important to consider both the yield and the quality. Early data on yield and quality can help inform management decisions throughout the remainder of the season and factors into overall crop profitability. As feed is the largest annual expense of any livestock operation, meeting the nutritional requirements of your herd/flock as cost-effectively as possible is imperative every year. In a dry year, it is even more important.

Three facts to remember when matching forage volume and quality to livestock requirements:

1.       Perennial forage stands have a yield/quality trade-off as  maturity and yield increases, the overall quality decreases. While many producers can approximate quality from stage of growth, the only way to know if you have hit your quality targets is to feed test.

2.       Quality requirements vary depending on the type/class of animal and the timing within their production cycle they are fed. It is generally more economical to try to match harvest timing to their needs. 

3.       Forage testing on dry hay can be done as soon as harvest is completed. With haylage and silage, it is best to wait until it has reached its stable phase and is cured (minimum three to six  weeks).

If the weather affects your first cut harvest timing and the forage is over or under mature, then the quality and volume of what you have harvested can guide your future harvest timing and the quality and volume of your forage/ supplement purchases. It is strongly suggested that you take forage quality tests immediately after harvesting in addition to tracking the volume harvested. 

In addition, consider:

-            Does this volume meet your livestock’s projected needs?

-            Does the quality meet or exceed their needs?

-            Will your next cutting(s) fill any gaps from the first cut?

If you have identified gaps, it can be an opportunity to look at  purchasing forage to fill the gaps early as there is more time to coordinate transportation. For producers with expectation of additional harvests (irrigation), this can be an opportunity to review management decisions to optimize yield. Decisions could include nutrient applications, irrigation, and harvest timing management, as well as consideration towards seeding of an annual crop as emergency forage for harvest or grazing later.

Depending on the gaps identified this may also be the time to have a discussion with an Agrologist with expertise in forage production or livestock nutrition.

Taking a forage sample:

1.       Identify a lot of hay: (same type of forage and harvest timing)

2.       Take a representative sample: (use a bale core tool and sample 15+ bales)

3.       Proper Handling: (label properly, seal within a bag and ship quickly)

4.       Ask for the correct analysis: (depending on livestock type and goals

Further information on determining a uniform “lot” of feed, collecting a proper sample and guidance for testing parameters and labs can be found below:

• Sampling Feed for Analysis – North Dakota State University

Have any additional questions?  Contact AgriService BC

AgriService BC 
1-888-221-7141  
AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca  
www.gov.bc.ca/agriservice

Written by: Mike Witt, Greg Tegart, Jim Forbes

Access to Feed Program

Available to all livestock producers.

A program provided by the BC Cattlemen's Association 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 Preparedness - Is Your Farm Prepared?

As we move into spring freshet and summer wildfire season, we would like to encourage producers and farming operations to review or create their Emergency Preparedness Plans. Creating a plan can help ensure that your operation is prepared in the event of an emergency. 

Industry-specific guides and templates are available to help you plan. 

To assist Indigenous and First Nations communities with planning for the agriculture aspect of emergencies, the Ministry has developed the Emergency Guide to Support Indigenous Farms & Ranches.

Is your farm insurance up to date? A checklist is available to help you prepare to meet with your insurance provider. 

Ensure that your BC Premise Identification information is current, and if you are not registered, please do so, as all farms, including hobby farms are now required to register as of July 1, 2022. Visit the Premise ID Program for more information. 

Flooding and wildfire resources from AgSafe can also help producers build an emergency response plan for agriculture operations in B.C. You can also find information on mental health programs and support. 

Emergency Preparedness is a key step! Keep aware of potential hazards through websites like BC River Forecast Centre and the BC Wildfire Service.

CleanBC Plastics Action Plan and Extended Producer Responsibility Five-Year Action Plan

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy is leading a public engagement process to identify policy approaches for improved management of non-residential packaging, plastic, and paper waste. This work is part of the CleanBC Plastics Action Plan and Extended Producer Responsibility Five-Year Action Plan. Agricultural producers and industry associations are encouraged to review the discussion paper and provide feedback through the engagement website. An info session for the agricultural industry is scheduled for July 16; 11a.m.-12p.m.

Participants can register through: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrfu-srzIqGNFh3r5b_chRrRKLsT5TF6hr

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.

Organic BC Podcast - New Episodes Added!

Have you caught the latest episodes of the Organic BC Podcast? Created for the organic food and farming community in British Columbia and beyond, the podcast features conversations with farmers, eaters, academics, scientists and authors about the philosophy, practice, and politics of organic food. 

Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program

PROGRAM INFORMATION: The Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (AWP) aims to increase adoption of efficient irrigation infrastructure and improve agricultural water supply and management in British Columbia. Through this program, the Government of B.C. seeks to see improvements to stream flows, fish populations and an increased and more sustainable food production. The program goal is to help improve water security in agricultural areas and food security in B.C.

The AWP is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) of B.C. Please refer to the program website for details: iafbc.ca/agriculture-water-infrastructure-program/

• Stream 1 Producer Projects opened for application drafts on June 27, 2024, and opens for applications from July 25, 2024 to August 8, 2024.
• Stream 2 Community Projects Expressions of interest open July 3, 2024 and close on July 24, 2024.
• Stream 3 Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans opened for applications on June 20, 2024.
• Stream 4 Strategic Projects

B.C. Agriculture & Seafood Statistics

The Sector Insights & Corporate Initiatives Unit recently published four new Sector Tables with 2023 data: 

• Greenhouse Vegetables - Area, Production, Value 
• Floriculture - Production and Sales 
• Nursery and Sod - Production 
• Value of Pollination  

As always, you can find and download the data from: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/statistics/agriculture-and-seafood-statistics-publications#sectortables 

BCHPA Introduction to Honey Bee Biology and Apiculture

Enrollment opened in April and is ongoing!

Enhanced Replant Program Update

In March 2024, a new 5-year Enhanced Replant Program was announced, offering up to $70 million in assistance to wine grape, berry, and tree fruit producers to replace current acreage with resilient varieties that meet evolving market demands. The program is expected to launch by September 2024. 
 
This additional funding complements the $15 million provided by the Perennial Crop Renewal Program introduced last spring. The Enhanced Replant Program will be distinct from the Perennial Crop Renewal Program, with unique criteria that reflect the feedback received from the B.C. wine grape, tree fruit, and berry industries. 
 
Leading up to September, Ministry staff and industry associations are working together to shape the program criteria. Market Opportunity Assessments for B.C.’s blueberry, cranberry, cherry, pome fruit, soft fruit, and wine grape industries will inform the program, and a survey will be distributed through the summer to introduce the criteria and gather input directly from producers. We recognize that this coincides directly with the growing season and appreciate your support and contributions as we work towards launching the program in September.

Additional work is underway to address critical information gaps needed to develop planting guidelines for B.C.’s wine grape and raspberry industries. Final reports will be published to the Enhanced Replant Program webpage as they become available.
 
Please visit the program webpage for more information: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/enhanced-replant-program 

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