AgriServiceBC e-Bulletin

JUNE 2024 EDITION 

Regional Newsletters

As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance your experience and tailor our content to better suit your needs, we're excited to announce that the Provincial e-Bulletin will be phasing into Regional Bulletins. Information may include preparedness for drought and other natural disasters as well as local events and other information for agricultural producers.

What does this mean for you? This means that you will receive information specific to your region, ensuring that you're always up-to-date with the latest news and updates from your local ministry representative.

To continue receiving ministry information, we kindly ask you to manage your preferences by navigating to the bottom of this newsletter and select a newsletter in your region (you may select more than one region).

Your continued engagement and support are important to us, and we're committed to providing you with the most relevant and valuable content.

Please update your preferences by September 1 as this provincial bulletin will no longer be in circulation after the August issue.

Business Risk Management Programs

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
 

Traceability Adoption Program

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!

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

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 

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.

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 B.C. 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.

Spring is a great time to increase wildfire resiliency. Take action to reduce the impacts of wildfire on your agriculture business!

The updated Farm & Ranch FireSmart website includes:

• Farm & Ranch Wildfire Plan: Guide & Workbook
• Open Burning Practices for Farmers and Ranchers: Factsheet
• Farm & Ranch FireSmart Assessment: Information & Example Assessment

What’s your Wildfire Plan? Check out the updated website and get prepared.

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. Tree Fruit Acreage and Maturity Report

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has released a new report: 2021 B.C. Tree Fruit Acreage and Maturity Report, as part of its ongoing commitment to B.C.’s tree fruit industry. The report provides data and analysis on the acreage and age of apple and cherry orchards in B.C.’s primary tree fruit growing regions, and how these changed between 2011 and 2021.

Apple acreage declined from a high point in 2015. In 2021, there were over 6,300 acres of land dedicated to apple production across the province. Apple acreage decreased in most regions over the period, and increased only in North Okanagan, one of B.C.’s largest apple-producing regions.

Cherry acreage rose continually over the decade, growing from 2,500 acres in 2011 to over 5,100 acres in 2021. The North and Central Okanagan regions have the youngest cherry orchards in the province, suggesting that their yield per acre will increase over the next 1 to 8 years.

Cover Cropping Information

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food recently launched a publication on cover cropping in B.C. - click here!

Field day last summer Field Day Recap Field Day Video Highlights

Organic BC: Innovative Cover Cropping Series

Organic BC Podcast - New Episodes Added!

BCHPA Introduction to Honey Bee Biology and Apiculture

Enrolment for the BC Honey Producer's Association's new course, Introduction to Honey Bee Biology and Apiculture will remain open year-round!

This self-paced course delves into the complete life cycle of honey bees, exploring their anatomy, physiology, behavior, and ecological significance. It emphasizes the economic importance of bees in agroecosystems and the environment, while also introducing principles of beekeeping such as management techniques and necessary equipment.

This course costs a one-time fee of $250, granting you access to all course materials, interactive class discussion forums, and support from our project lead, Nuria Morfin, along with technical assistance from our IT department.

All proceeds generated from our courses are reinvested back into the BC Honey Producers’ Association, supporting further research initiatives aimed at supporting beekeepers across B.C.

For more information visit our website: https://www.ttp-bchpa.ca/our-courses

BC Vegetable Marketing Commission

The BC Vegetable Marketing Commission oversees the regulation of vegetable production in British Columbia. Previously limited to southern regions, the Commission expanded its jurisdiction province-wide starting January 1, 2024. However, due to inquiries, they're deferring full implementation until January 1, 2026, to consult stakeholders and develop a plan. For more info, visit www.bcveg.com or contact the Commission's General Manager.

Contact BCVMC:
#207 - 15252 32nd Ave
Surrey BC
Canada, V3Z 0R7
Tel: (604) 542-9734
Toll Free in BC: 1-800-663-1461
E-mail: info@bcveg.com

Agricultural Excellence Conference

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

Visit our AgriService B.C. Past Webinars library to view recorded webinars that could support your business.