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South Coast Edition
Regional Newsletter - June 2024
UPDATED EDITION
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.
Special Update: Drought Preparedness
UPDATED! 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 1:30pm to 2:00pm starting June 17th. Staff from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship will be in attendance to answer questions.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/64030092631?pwd=cE5wcTN1NFpaR0xVUDU3OU5PRHhmQT09
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
Learn more about drought in agriculture
Learn more about provincial drought preparation and response
Visit the provincial drought portal for geographic drought level information
Go Global! Growing Your Business Through Trade - Workshop Series
Interested in growing your business beyond B.C.?
COMING SOON: Go Global! Growing Your Business Through Trade - Workshop Series
Please join the B.C. Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation and Export Navigator for a special event series on how British Columbia’s (B.C.) free trade agreements (FTAs) can help you enter new international markets, grow your business, and connect with potential buyers and partners. Come learn more about how exporting can benefit your business, and the export services available to you.
For event details and registration (coming soon!) visit: Upcoming Trade and Investment Events | Trade and Invest BC (britishcolumbia.ca) or contact Kevin.Elliott@gov.bc.ca
Surrey, Friday June 14th, 2024
Comox Valley, June 21st, 2024
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/
Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program
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: https://iafbc.ca/awp
- Stream 1 Producer Projects
- Stream 2 Community Projects
- Stream 3 Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans
- Stream 4 Strategic Projects
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.
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.
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
Buy BC Partnership Program Funding
Cost-shared funding is available for B.C. producers and processors, 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 is open until July 2, 2024. This intake is for projects to be delivered from September 2024 to March 2025.
For more information and application details, visit https://buybcpartnershipprogram.ca
BCHPA Introduction to Honey Bee Biology and Apiculture
Enrollment opened in April and is ongoing!
Re-Evaluation of Lambda-Cyhalothrin Registrations and Maximum Residue Limits
The Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency has made changes to the registered agricultural uses for the pesticide lambda-cyhalothrin (commonly known as "Matador" or "Silencer" products). Cancelled registrations affect the following crops:
Crops for animal FEED uses
Lettuce (field and greenhouse)
Condiment type mustard seeds
Bulb vegetables from revised Crop group 3-07
Oilseeds from revised Crop group 20
except flax seeds, oilseed-type mustard seeds and rapeseed (canola grade only)
Other crops may be affected by changes to maximum residue limits, please review the full information on the decision by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency using the button below.
The Traceability Adoption Program is now open for applications!
The Traceability Adoption Program (TAP) funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is open for applications.
This program is delivered by Investment Agriculture Foundation.
TAP offers up to $20,000 in cost-shared funding to individual food, seafood, and agriculture businesses to implement facility-based traceability practices, systems, infrastructure, and technologies.
Funding is also available to ranchers and abattoirs for up to $3,500 for the purchase of approved livestock tag readers (handheld or panel readers), reader installation, related software, and related training.
Visit Investment Agriculture Foundation for more information or to apply!
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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