Thompson Nicola Edition

Regional Newsletter - August 2024

Drought Update

Drought levels in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek watersheds are now at drought Level 4, higher than the drought level of the major basin they sit within. “Watershed Watch” areas are priority watersheds identified as being at risk of severe low flows due to high water user demand, a history of low flows, and having significant ecological or fisheries value (see image below). Drought levels are updated every Thursday at 9 a.m. on the B.C. Drought Information Portal.

With the Salmon River and Bessette Creek watersheds now at drought Level 4 and worsening water scarcity conditions, the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) is urging water users to maximize voluntary efforts to reduce water use. If drought conditions do not improve and voluntary reduction measures are not enough to restore critical flows and protect fish populations in the Salmon and Bessette watersheds, WLRS will consider issuing Fish Population Protection Orders for some water users (likely large-volume agricultural irrigators and other industrial water users) to temporarily cease diversions in the coming weeks (find out more about temporary protection orders here).

Looking for Information on Drought?

Please see the Drought in Agriculture webpage https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/agricultural-land-and-environment/water/drought-in-agriculture
and the B.C. Drought Information Portal - https://droughtportal.gov.bc.ca/

Provincial drought levels are updated on the B.C. Drought Information Portal on Thursday mornings.

Looking for Information Related to Groundwater Science and Data?

Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program

Start planning ahead and set up an appointment to begin the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) process through Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF).
The Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program is a complimentary program that provides eligible agri-food sector producers with access to consultants (known as EFP Advisors) to assist in the completion of Environmental Farm Plans. The EFP program enhances the capacity of producers to identify opportunities to adapt and respond to emerging environmental, regenerative agriculture, and climate challenges and changing environmental conditions.

The benefits of this program will include:
-Assisting producers in completing new Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs)
-Assisting producers in renewing existing Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs)
-Supporting producers to identify opportunities for funding through the Beneficial Management Practices program

 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: Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (iafbc.ca).

Stream 1 Producer Projects
Stream 2 Community Projects 
Stream 3 Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans
Stream 4 Strategic Projects

Drafts for applications opened June 27, 2024, application submissions are open July 25, 2024, to August 8, 2024. This application is approved based on eligibility of projects submitted between the dates mentioned above.

Landscape Modeling Project in the Bolean and 6-Mile Creek Areas

The BC Cattlemen’s Association (BCCA), supported by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, is initiating a landscape modeling project in the Bolean and 6-Mile Creek areas of the Salmon River Watershed. BCCA contractors will be in the Bolean and 6-Mile Creek areas conducting sampling and survey work from mid-August to the end of September. The work will support evaluation of a modeling tool, focusing on landscape water and testing potential to predict where water might be anticipated to accumulate on the landscape, which in turn can be used to contribute to future planning discussions in the region. 

To collect the necessary data, BCCA contractors (Pantel Environmental Services Inc) will be out in the area starting mid-August and continuing through September. They’ll be surveying stream channel characteristics such as width, depth, flow rate, gradient, as well as streamside plant communities of both Bolean Creek and 6-Mile Creek.  BCCA contractors will be using public roads located throughout the Crown land portion of the area to access sampling points, they will not be accessing private land. 

Watch for the survey crew across the region from August 12 to September 30, 2024.

For further information please contact:  BC Cattlemen’s Association (250) 573-3611

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.

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

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

Agroclimate Impact Reporter

The Government of Canada is collecting AIR reports for AIR for the month of June. To learn more about AIR, follow this link.

To let the Science and Technology Branch of AAFC know what the conditions are like this month in your area, please respond to one of the links below:

English
French

As always, please consider sharing these links with your colleagues and networks.

To view previous Agroclimate Impact maps, follow this link. Or see some of the other resources we produce on the AAFC Weather and Drought home page. Thank you for your participation.

Thank you for your interest in this citizen science project.

Employees Living On Site

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: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/keeping-bc-healthy-safe/industrial-camps.

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.

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

Excess Manure Management

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.

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)

SAVE THE DATE!

Application intake for the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program will be opening SOON.

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 is available under two streams:

1)      Agri-business skills and leadership development

2)      Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery

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#Overview

Assessing Your Soil - Soil Management Workshop: Falkland (North Okanagan)

Efficient Pivot Practices Field Day with Southern Irrigation

Join us at Westwold View Farms in BC and learn the best practices for managing a pivot over forage crops. 

RSVP Deadline: August 9, 2024

EVENT DETAILS

• Speakers: Nigel Pedersen, Southern Irrigation
• Date: August 13, 2024
• Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
• Address: Westwold View Farms Corner of Douglas Lake Road and Back Road, Westwold BC

Farm Management Canada’s Agricultural Excellence Conference

Don’t miss out on Early Bird Ticket sale!
Date: November 19-21, 2024
Location: Abbotsford-Chilliwack

Follow the link below, follow, like and share! 

https://www.facebook.com/AgriService-BC-103287979487810