Peace Edition

Regional Newsletter - July 2024

Water Quality

Drought and high temperatures can cause water quality problems in livestock water sources, increasing the risk of some health problems. Livestock owners should be aware of: 1) High mineral concentrations, 2) Algae growth, 3) Microbial contamination. 

There are a variety of laboratories throughout B.C. (and Canada) that can assess water quality: https://directory.cala.ca. Producers can also purchase conductivity meters to do their own testing for total solids in water. Note that testing for total dissolved solids is a good overall indicator of water quality but doesn't tell which substances are the problem. If conductivity tests are out of normal range, the water can then be tested at a laboratory for specific ions. 

Peace Region Forage Seed Association Summer Tour

BC Grain Producers Association AGM & Soil Compaction Workshop!

Dawson Creek Stock Dog Field Trial

A stock dog field trial is being held in the Dawson Creek area July 19th, 20th, and 21st. Open, Pro-Novice, and Nursery classes all accepted. 2 dog limit per class. 

Contact Dennis or Jean Gellings at gellingsjean@gmail.com for more information. 

Register using the form:

AgLife Network - Connector Training 

Keep it Clean Pre-harvest tips and tools webinar

Keep it Clean is hosting a webinar on July 10 at 11:00 a.m. CDT, featuring timely pre-harvest tips and tools to protect the marketability of Canada’s canola, cereal and pulse crops. During the webinar, experts will discuss proper staging for pre-harvest glyphosate application, the importance of following pre-harvest intervals for crop protection products and scouting for disease.

Register for the zoom webinar by clicking the button below

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 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: Open for application drafts June 27th, 2024. Open for application submissions July 25th-August 8th, 2024
• Stream 2 Community Projects: Expressions of interest accepted from July 3rd-24th, 2024
• Stream 3 Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans - Now open for application submissions until funds are fully committed
• Stream 4 Strategic Projects

BC Land Matching Program

The B.C. Land Matching Program (BCLMP) provides land matching and business support services to new farmers looking for land to farm as well as landowners interested in finding someone to farm their land.

The benefits of land matching are hands on, personalized support services to new farmers and landowners to better understand regulations, evaluate opportunities, access resources, and ultimately find a land match partner.  The program is administered by the Young Agrarians and addresses the significant barrier to land access for those seeking to enter the B.C. agriculture industry.

Visit the Young Agrarians website to learn more and to apply.

Farmland Advantage

Farmland Advantage works with farmers to enhance natural values on their land through a Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) model. These natural values, or ‘Ecosystem services’, are the benefits that a natural environment provides to people. 

Farmland Advantage helps farmers identify the natural values on a farm that can be protected, restored, and enhanced and develops recommendations and plans to preserve them. These plans may include establishing stream setbacks, building strategic fencing, undertaking reforestation, implementing rotational grazing practices on rangeland, thinning and pruning tree stands, or removing debris to reduce wildfire fuels. Once a site is selected and assessed, the prescribed work is completed by Farmland Advantage in partnership with producers and in some cases, restoration partners.

Farmland Advantage provides an annual compensation to farmers based on successful implementation of the project, and ongoing upkeep.

Learn more about the program by clicking the button below

Highway Fencing Program

Application Deadline: AUGUST 31, 2024 for the 2025 construction season

B.C. Peace Pest Update June 15-21  

-Diamondback Moth trap counts remained low, but some damage was noted in fields.

-Other damage was noted in Canola, and may be related to cutworms, salt marsh caterpillar or bertha armyworm, scouting is recommended.

-More grasshopper nymphs were caught this week in more areas as they continue to emerge.  1st and 2nd instar stages were most common, but one adult has already been seen.

-Many predatory insects have been noted in sweeps and observations this week, various parasitic wasps, flies, lacewings and ladybugs. Carabid and Rove beetles were caught in pitfall traps as well; both are beneficial predators.

-Wheat Midge traps were set out at fields to help assess for emergence and presence of this pest around the region.

-Growth Stages using the BBCH Scale were noted for the week as follows: Canola 10-50, Wheat 10-31, and Peas 19-37.

-Growing Degree Days (Based on a May 1 seeding, Base 0°C) provided through the Peace Agri Weather Network are Tower Lake – 574, Rolla - 625, and Prespatou - 561

The B.C. Peace Pest Monitoring Project is a cross-commodity project coordinated by Keith Uloth and the Peace Region Forage Seed Association, with funding also provided by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the BC Climate Action Initiative, and the BC Grain Producers Association. Throughout the growing season, Keith performs in-field pest monitoring and texts out pest updates weekly.  Contact Keith at 250-719-8322 or via email at pest@bcgrain.com to get added to the distribution list or for answers to your pest questions! You can check out the updates on the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pestmonitoring).

Drought Resources

The B.C. Peace and Northern Rockies regions remain at drought levels 3-4 (severity ratings are out of 5). Below is a list of some useful drought resources for producers:

• BC Drought Information Webpage 
• Conservation resources and general information on drought in British Columbia
• Provincial Drought and Water Scarcity Response Plan 
• Summary of Provincial drought levels, indicators, and approach to response
• River Forecast Center 
• Drought in Agriculture Webpage
• BC Drought Information Portal - Click “Access Current Drought Conditions” button and then “Northeast” on the left side to monitor levels specific to your area
• Accounts of suspected unauthorized water use
  • Report suspected unauthorized use to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277 or the online incident portal: https://forms.gov.bc.ca/environment/rapp/

Early list of Livestock Tax Deferral Regions for 2024

This year, the Government of Canada has streamlined the process to identify regions earlier in the growing season, and also instituted a buffer zone to adjacent regions to capture impacted producers on the edges of affected regions.

Also new for 2024 and moving forward, regions that are adjacent to regions that qualify based on weather, climate and production data will also be prescribed. This will ensure that farms within those adjacent regions that may also be experiencing drought or excess moisture conditions can benefit from the Livestock Tax Deferral provision.

Livestock Tax Deferral regions

Learn more about the Livestock Tax Deferral Provision

Read the media release

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

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 Preparedness - Is Your Farm Prepared?

As we move into 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 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, you are encouraged to contact the Emergency Management Branch at AF.Emergency.Management@gov.bc.ca so that they can have a discussion with you, and add you to the emergency resource list. 

We are looking for hay suppliers, livestock haulers, and water haulers throughout the province.

Agroclimate Impact Reporter

The Government of Canada is collecting 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.

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.. Individual reporter identities will be kept completely anonymous. 

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

Follow AgriService BC on Facebook for regular updates on agriculture events, funding opportunities, and information! Use the link below to follow, like and share! 

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