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Peace Edition
Regional Newsletter
January 2025
Monitoring Stored Grain
A reminder from the Canadian Grain Commission that it is important to monitor grain temperature and keep stored grain cool and dry by regular aeration or by turning it.
High moisture and warm temperatures in grain can result in the growth of insects, fungi and the possible production of mycotoxins.
Learn more about monitoring grain temperature, and grain aeration on the Grains Canada website.
Grain Delivery Declarations: What Producers Should Know (Live Webinar)
Join Alberta Grains, Sask Wheat, SaskBarley, and APAS (Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan) to discuss the differences between statutory and commercial declarations signed by producers.
January 23, 8:30am-10:00am MST
Learn more and register through eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/grain-delivery-declarations-what-producers-should-know-tickets-1113052673509?aff=oddtdtcreator
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.
Beef Cattle Research Council
Winter Webinar Series
This year’s Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) winter webinar series will cover topics focused on improving the health and biosecurity of Canadian beef herds based on practical, science-based information for Canadian beef producers and veterinary teams. Topics include need-to-know information for Foot and Mouth Disease prevention as well as parasite control management.
The first webinar will be held January 15, 2025.
Find more information on the series and to register to attend on the BCRC website.
Lab to Land
This multi-day virtual workshop offers presentations, panels, and networking sessions exploring projects and research that are advancing agricultural resilience:
- January 15: Explore collaborative approaches to drought resilience across the province. Featured projects address adaptation from the farm to watershed level and include research from on-farm management to Indigenous co-governance.
- January 16: Dive into research investigating how soil supports ecological and community resilience. Discuss farmer-led research to evaluate soil management practices and learn about collaborative soil stewardship integrating Western scientific and Indigenous methodologies.
Thanks to funding by the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food and CleanBC the workshop is available at no cost, registration is required.
🗓️📌This virtual workshop is on Jan 15 & 16, 2025, from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm PST. Registration opened early December. Stay tuned by following @BCFoodWeb on their website www.bcacarn.ca and social media platforms: Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
More details and registration: labtolandbc.eventbrite.ca.
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.
Harvest Sample Program
A reminder from the Canadian Grain Commission that producers can still submit samples to the Harvest Sample Program. All samples received by January 31 will be analyzed. If you have already submitted your samples, you can get your results by email or through your online account
Looking to write a business plan for the farm of your dreams?
Join Young Agrarians on Wednesday evenings from January 15 - March 26, 2025, for their Business Bootcamp for New Farmers!
This online, community-based program is open to all new and aspiring farmers looking to write (or rewrite) a business plan for a farm enterprise. It is a great place to explore the viability of your farm dream, figure out your first growing season, or explore adding another enterprise to your current farm.
Young Agrarians has carefully selected an exceptional team of first-generation farmers and business experts to help you get your farm off the ground. During this course, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Write a farm business plan, including creating a financial and marketing strategy
- Gain insights from experts on your farm business
- Get to know others in farm start-up
- Explore ideas and inspiration from your peers
Get set up to access capital
Learn more and register here:
youngagrarians.org/courses/business-bootcamp-for-new-farmers/
Not sure if the Business Bootcamp is right for you?
Reach out to Chantelle at elearning@youngagararians.org
Beneficial Management Practices Program
The Beneficial Management Practices Program (BMP) applications will open on January 14, 2025 for Planning, Technical Assessments & Engineered Designs and Water Infrastructure!
More upcoming BMP category application dates:
- Biodiversity and Riparian & Grazing applications open on February 20, 2025.
- Energy & Fuel Efficiency, Nutrient & Waste Management, and Soil Carbon applications open on March 4, 2025.
All BMP categories now have eligible activity details available! Take a look at www.iafbc.ca/bmp/ to explore the opportunities for your farm or ranch this coming season.
New Program Portal for Northern Development-Applications Open
The Northern Development Initiative Trust has a new online portal for applications, and programs are open in many different funding categories.
Check their website for a list of programs: https://www.northerndevelopment.bc.ca/apply-for-funding/
Of special note: The BC Peace Agriculture Fund from BC Hydro, administered in partnership with Northern Development, is currently open for applications until January 17th, 2025
BC Agriculture and Food Export Funding Program
BC Agriculture and Food Export Funding Program Intake Opened January 6
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 3, 2025.
Find out more by visiting bcagricultureandfoodexportprogram.ca.
Free support for farmland
lease agreements
Young Agrarians offers free lease agreement support for folks currently leasing farmland. This is sometimes an overlooked part of the land matching program.
Young Agrarians can help you protect your farmland or farm business! Your agreement will also be reviewed by a lawyer, all at no cost to you! Reach out to Kiyomi Ito at kiyomi@youngagrarians.org for more information or to get started.
Business Risk Management Programs
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.
UPCOMING PROGRAM DEADLINES:
- Late Participation for 2024 AgriStability until April 30, 2025
- AgriStability 2025 program year enrollment until April 30, 2025
- Production Insurance coverage for 2025:
- Silage corn and forage spring plantings – until April 30, 2025
- Grain and Oilseeds – until April 30, 2025
6 Tips for Managing Cattle in Cold Weather
The Beef Cattle Research Council has tips for managing cattle when the weather drops, read about them on their website along with many other resources for cattle producers: https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/six-tips-for-managing-beef-cattle-in-cold-weather/
The Stewarding Agricultural Watercourses (SAW) Action Plan Publication
The Stewarding Agricultural Watercourses (SAW) project, initiated in 2021, seeks to enable and encourage improved stewardship of agricultural waterways on private land in British Columbia. Phase 1 of the project consisted of engagement with producers, government staff, environmental professionals, and NGO's to gain an understanding of the stewardship barriers facing producers with agricultural watercourses and then develop a plan to address these challenges.
The culmination of the first phase is the Stewarding Agriculture Watercourses Action Plan which is now publicly available. Phase 2 is now underway seeking to implement actions identified in the plan. To read the Action Plan and learn more about the project visit the website.
Exciting updates from the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program (KTTP):
A total of 49 knowledge development and hands on-learning events were approved through the 2024 intake, which closed on December 13th, representing a funding commitment of over $210,000 to the agriculture and food sector. Many events have already been delivered and more are expected to wrap up by Spring 2025!
Here are a few examples of completed events that were supported by the program:
- Annual General Meeting of the Peace River Forage Association of BC: As part of their AGM in December, the Peace River Forage Association brought in an expert speaker to present on prescribed fires. The presentation focused on the effects of fire on soil carbon and microbial activity as well as how ranchers and farmers can be prepared for a wildfire emergency.
- Field Days, organized by the BC Hazelnuts growers Association: Farmers gathered twice in 2024 to explore innovative hazelnut farming practices. The first field day in Black Creek, B.C., included hands-on workshops on soil health, orchard tours showcasing organic practices, and expert insights on becoming Certified Organic. During the second field day in Chilliwack B.C., attendees toured various orchards and learned about soil nutrient management and opportunities for hazelnut value-added products.
- Hands-on Workshop, organized by the Kootenay Milk Producers Association: Instructors from the Western Canadian Certified Hoof Trimmers Association delivered a two-day workshop for dairy producers. This course taught participants how to provide a higher level of animal care and increase their technical skills.
Stay connected with AgriServiceBC for announcements from the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program and future program intakes.
Highly Pathogenic Avian
Influenza Outbreak
British Columbia is currently experiencing a serious Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak. As the virus arrives with migratory birds, poultry owners should be implementing high biosecurity measures to protect their flock.
For more information, please visit:
Current disease alerts and events
Avian influenza - Province of British Columbia
Status of ongoing avian influenza response by province
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