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Peace Edition
Regional Newsletter
January 2025
BC Agriculture Water Calculator
The BC Agriculture Water Calculator helps agriculture water users in BC estimate their irrigation or livestock water use. New as of Fall 2024 also has a Dugout calculator component, which can be used to estimate levels of precipitation on a parcel and can be used to calculate approximate dugout sizing needs based on water demand and rainwater harvest.
Explore this useful tool online here: https://bcwatercalculator.ca/agriculture/welcome
Updated AgriService BC Website
The AgriService BC website has been updated with improved searchability and accessibility features, an events calendar, an educational videos page and more!
AgriService BC connects you to ministry programs, resources, education and events. Find tools and services to help your farm succeed in B.C.
Join the BC Institute of Agrologists for a three-part webinar series and discover the key to successful nitrogen management in agriculture and reclamation. The three-part webinar series will be hosted on Feb 6, 13, & 20 at 12 -1 pm PST.
The final webinar of the series will be on February 10, 2025, from 11:00am-12:00pm MST and focus on bale grazing.
Not all fires are bad fires! Learn to tame the flame!
Peace River Forage Association WEBINAR: Learn how good fire improves pastures from a local producer panel. Discover the transformative power of prescribed fire for land and livestock from local hands-on ranchers and practitioners
Thursday February 13th, 2025 from 6:00pm-7:00pm MST
Join the Peace Country Beef & Forage Association for the Northern Women in Ag Conference, February 20th & 21st in Fairview, Alberta.
See the full agenda or buy tickets on the Eventbrite page
- Tuesday, February 25, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Thursday, February 27, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday, March 6, 2025, 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Webinars will cover introductory, planning, management-practices and case-study information and materials.
Following the webinars, participants can register for one-one-ones to discuss their own ideas, operations or
questions with topic experts.
All webinars will be held via Zoom. No charge for registration. To register please visit the event landing page and follow the registration link. Register for any or all of the sessions in the series.
Expression of Interest for Fire Related Activities
Have an interest in Fire Schools (Wildland Fire training), or Prescribed fire? The Peace River Forage Association of British Columbia wants to hear from you!
Visit their website from November 14, 2024 - February 25, 2025 to select tickets and indicate interest in topics or courses. This will help the association make plans for their 2025 year.
Online Event:
Camera-Guided, Tractor-Mounted Weeding Equipment
On March 3rd, join Organic BC for an engaging online session featuring tractor-mounted, camera-guided weeding equipment! This session is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights, share experiences, and get answers to all your questions about these weeding systems.
Reps from leading manufacturers (Carre, Einbock, Raven Industries and Lemken/Steketee) will present key specs and capabilities
Three farmers will share their firsthand knowledge of how these systems have performed in different farming environments, plus valuable tips for optimizing their use
Take part in an interactive Q&A where you can ask questions directly to the reps and farmers and really dig into the challenges and advantages of this technology
This event is free but registration is required. Save your spot here.
Financial support was provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Canadian Forage Seed Conference
On March 4th and 5th, 2025 forage seed growers, researchers, extension staff and agribusinesses will congregate for the 2025 Canadian Turf and Forage Seed Conference. The conference will be hosted at the Pomeroy Hotel & Conference Centre, Grande Prairie, AB.
Learn more about the conference agenda and register on the Eventbrite Page.
Save The Date!
The BC Grain Producers Association is looking forward to hosting their "Love of Ag" event on March 13th, 2025. Keep an eye on their website as details become available: https://bcgrain.com/
The BC Agriculture and Food Export Program has extended the deadline for applications to 4:00 pm PST, Monday, February 10, 2025.
BCAFE helps B.C. businesses expand and sustain their export markets. It offers cost-shared funding for market development outside B.C. Funding for this program is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
Application Dates: January 6 – February 10, 2025.
Find out more by visiting bcagricultureandfoodexportprogram.ca.
Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program
25/26 BMP Program Details Are Here!
The BMP Program is a cost-share incentive program designed to help farm and ranch operations address risks identified in their Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs).
Applications for the 25/26 BMP Program opened on January 14, 2025, beginning with Planning, Technical Assessments, Engineered Designs, and Water Infrastructure BMPs.
Important Dates and Details
Applicants are encouraged to begin drafting their applications as soon as the application window opens.
This preparation will ensure readiness for submission, including addressing questions, gathering details, and obtaining quotes. Submissions will be accepted between 9:00 am PST and 4:00 pm PST on the designated dates.
Intake Windows by BMP Category
- Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs BMPs
- Applications open: January 14, 2025
- Submissions open: January 14, 2025 (Ongoing until funding is fully committed)
- Water Infrastructure BMPs
- Applications open: January 14, 2025
- Submission window: February 10, 2025 – February 21, 2025
- Biodiversity and Riparian & Grazing BMPs
- Applications open: February 20, 2025
- Submission window: March 13, 2025 – March 20, 2025
- Soil Carbon, Energy & Fuel Efficiency, and Nutrient & Waste Management BMPs
- Applications open: March 4, 2025
- Submission window: March 25, 2025 – April 1, 2025
What’s New for 2025/26?
- "Book a Call" Feature
Starting on the application open date, applicants can book a phone consultation with IAF staff to discuss their BMP application. - EFP Expiry Grace Period
A 6-month grace period is available for EFP renewals in 2025/26 for delays due to circumstances beyond the applicant’s control. Return of the Farm Cap
A $100,000 farm cap applies to most categories, with an exception for Water Infrastructure, which has a $200,000 cap.
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted through the IAF Client Portal.
- Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis according to the schedule.
- Visit www.iafbc.ca/bmp/ to explore opportunities for your farm or ranch.
Subscribe to IAF’s program newsletter or Growing Today to stay informed about the BMP Program.
Don’t Miss Out!
The BMP Program is a multi-year funding opportunity with annual intakes. If you miss this intake, you can apply in the next round.
Prepare early, stay informed, and make the most of the BMP Program to benefit your farm or ranch operation!
Business Risk Management
Programs
Business Risk Management Programs are an important part of a farmer’s overall risk management strategy. AgriStability and Production Insurance work together to provide the best coverage for producers.
AgriStability is a low-cost program that helps farmers manage large income losses. When your income drops because of disaster, poor production, rising costs, or bad market conditions, AgriStability can help.
2024 AgriStability Enhancement
- AgriStability 2024 enrollment deadline extended to April 30, 2025
- up to 75% for early payments (application deadline March 31, 2025)
- increased compensation rate (90% for every dollar of margin decline), and
- increased compensation limit ($6.2 Million)
Upcoming AgriStability deadlines
March 31:
2024 early payment (interim) application deadline
April 30:
- 2024 late participation deadline
- 2024 program fee deadline (with penalty)
2025 program year and fee deadline
Staff are available to answer questions and help with the enrollment process.
Phone: 1-877-343-2767 toll-free. Support is available in English and Punjabi.
Email: AgriStability@gov.bc.ca
Visit: www.gov.bc.ca/AgriStability
Production Insurance helps producers manage their risk of crop losses caused by hail, spring frost, excessive rain, drought, flooding and other extreme weather events. In B.C. Production Insurance is available for Berries, Flower bulbs, Forage, Grain, Grapes, Tree fruit and Vegetables.
Upcoming Production Insurance deadlines
March 31:
- Strawberry crops application and renewal deadline
Vegetables application and renewal deadline
April 30:
- Grain application and renewal deadline
- Silage corn application and renewal deadline
- Forage spring plantings application and renewal deadline
Staff are available to help with the application and renewal process.
Phone: 1-888-332-3352 toll-free
Email: ProductionInsurance.Kelowna@gov.bc.ca
Visit: www.gov.bc.ca/CropInsurance
Forage Cost of Production Calculator
For beef cattle producers, optimizing forage crop production is essential for financial sustainability. However, estimating the costs associated with forage production can be challenging. The new Beef Council Research Council (BCRC) Forage Cost of Production Calculator can provide insightful estimates for cash, depreciation and opportunity costs of growing forage crops.
You can read more about the calculator and how it works on the BCRC Website
Canola Agronomy Tips
The Canola Council of Canada recently shared 9 Agronomy tips to improve canola profits in 2025:
- review the target plant stand
- achieve uniform seed emergence
- choose seed with disease resistance to match threats
- use cost-effective approaches to flea beetle management
- meet crop needs for fertilizer
- control weeds early
- cut when all seeds are firm to roll
- minimize combine loss
- rotate crops to improve yields
Read the full details behind these tips through the Canola Watch newsletter
Test Weight Calculators
Did you know the Canadian Grain Commission has test weight calculators on its website? Producers can use them to convert units of measurement or determine the weight and volume of grain.
Check them out on the Grain Commission website
Uncovering GAP:
New Mini-series from Organic BC
If you’re interested in pursuing GAP certification but are feeling overwhelmed by the process, then be sure to tune into the Organic BC podcast for three brand-new episodes on demystifying this certification! Join us as a BC farmer takes us through her journey to become GAP certified—the process, the expense and the pain points. (And, stay tuned for more information on our in-person field days coming up in early March, featuring mock GAP audits.)
Listen now at: organicbc.org/podcast
Innovative Weed Management
Check out our Innovative Weed Management Series of videos, podcasts, and webinars to learn more about promising developments in weeding technology.
Videos
These videos will be shared through AgriServiceBC shortly – for now you can check them out in our TEAMS folder:
Podcasts
- Controlling Weeds with Electricity in Perennial Systems
- Robot Weeding Tech: A look at some promising options
Past Webinars
- Advancing Weed Control: Agritech weeders in B.C. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmQr-OxgHV0
- Innovative Weed Management: Tackling Thistle and Bindweed in Agriculture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOrNjv4Ihis
Other resources
BC ARM Tool
Want to spread manure this February and March? Use the BC ARM Tool
During the shoulder season, it becomes even more important to plan manure spreading around the changing weather conditions. Make sure manure and its nutrients will stay on the field by assessing the risk of runoff and nutrient loss before you spread using the BC ARM Tool.
For producers in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, the BC ARM Tool can help you complete a risk assessment prior to manure application. Risk assessments must show a ‘Low’ risk of runoff and nutrient loss prior to application under B.C.’s environmental legislation.
The BC ARM Tool uses upcoming precipitation and your current field conditions, such as soil moisture and soil cover, to determine the risk of manure loss after application. Risk assessments should be completed within 24 hours for each field that will receive manure applications.
Try out the BC ARM Tool here: https://agri-nmp-msa.apps.silver.devops.gov.bc.ca/
More info:
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