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Kootenay Boundary Edition
Regional Newsletter - August 2024
Regional Wildfire Resources
Wildfire is affecting communities across the Kootenay Boundary region. For those directly affected by wildfire, evacuation alerts, and evacuation orders, local authorities are the first point of contact for responding to an emergency.
In addition to local government social media and voyent alert systems, some relevant points of contact in our region include:
Information from the Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Management:
- Evacuation Order and Alert Page | Regional District of Central Kootenay (rdck.ca)
- Slocan Lake Complex Information Team: BCWS.Slocan.Information@gov.bc.ca
- EOC public enquiry line: 250-352-7701
Information from Golden & Columbia Shuswap Regional District Emergency Management:
Information from the Regional District of East Kootenay:
- Evacuation Alerts & Orders | RDEK
- RDEK Information line at 250-426-2188
Ministry of Agriculture and Food has emergency preparedness information and guides available online. Emergency preparedness for producers - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
During an emergency Premises ID is an invaluable tool for local authorities to understand the impacts and scope of evacuation orders and to facilitate re-entry.
- Register online for Premises ID https://apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ext/pid-ext/
Regional Drought Update
Map showing the provincial drought levels for the Kootenay Boundary region, as of July 31, 2024.
Several areas in the Kootenay Boundary region have been elevated to a drought level 3 where adverse impacts are possible. With the current forecast expect drought conditions to degrade across the southern basins over the next week.
Water Conservation is necessary across all purpose uses. Agricultural users are encouraged to reduce water use wherever practical and utilize storage if so licenced. Water licence holders in watersheds with drought levels at or greater than 3 can expect to receive letters requesting voluntary water use reductions in the mail shortly from the Ministry of Water, Lands, and Resource Stewardship will be initiating a voluntary reduction letter campaign has been initiated for > Drought Level 3 watersheds.
Upcoming Field Days
BC Forage Council with the Kootenay Boundary Farm Advisors are delivering 3 field days this August – depending on location topics discussed will include pasture and forage stand improvements, grazing strategies and equipment.
- August 27: Radium
- August 28: Cranbrook
- August 29: Creston
Register here, and watch for updates on the BC Forage Council’s upcoming events page soon!
Irrigation Efficiency Workshop with Southern Irrigation
- Fossen Bar 7 Ranch in Rock Creek
- Date: TBD around mid-August, contact us for details
- Topic: Forage pivot irrigation
EXPLORING IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY IN BRITISH COLUMBIA (hubspotpagebuilder.com)
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
The BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF) is open for application. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to apply for cost-shared funding!
BCCAF provides funding to help farmers tackle climate change by adopting beneficial managing practices (BMPs) in three specific areas: nitrogen management, cover cropping and rotational grazing.
Applications will be accepted until funding is fully allocated.
Please note:
- Each BMP must be reviewed and approved by a registered professional Agrologist. If an applicant has not consulted with an Agrologist prior to applying the application will undergo additional technical review.
- Applications are accepted through the IAF Client Portal.
- Submitting an application is not a guarantee of funding.
- Applications will undergo an eligibility review.
- Funding is intended to increase new adoption of BMPs, farmers can’t receive funding for a BMP if it’s already in use.
Managing Cherry and Stone Fruit Irrigation
This spring – during field days to discuss impacts from cold damage, visiting tree fruit physiologist Dr Greg Lang noted the importance of controlling tree vigor to prepare for next year’s crop. While scaling back spring fertilizer inputs is an evident option to keep vigor in check, withholding irrigation is another means to reduce vegetative growth.
Recently published research summary from the Okanagan highlights how reducing late season (post-harvest in a year with a crop) irrigation of 30-50% had no negative effects on sweet cherry fruit quality and yield, timing of flower bud development, or flower bud cold hardiness over three years.
- Learn more about this work in the following Research Brief
- BC Food Web Research Briefs 2023-2024
2024 Western Corn Rootworm Monitoring
Beetles of the western corn rootworm were detected in the Creston Valley for the first time in 2023. This year the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is monitoring fields to determine the extent of the spread in the area. The pest has been established in the Fraser Valley since 2016 and was also noted last year in the North Okanagan. For corn growers in other parts of our region – be on the lookout for the distinctive yellow and black striped beetles. If you suspect you have them in your crop – contact your regional agrologist (see the end of this newsletter).
- More information on this pest: Western Corn Rootworm (gov.bc.ca)
New Resources: Ambrosia Fruitlet Sampling
The following instructional videos and factsheet are designed to guide producers and packers on how to carryout apple fruitlet sampling, and make use of the B.C. developed Ambrosia fruitlet nutrient information found at fruit tree nutrition (B.C. Tree Fruit Production Guide). The information includes specific ideal fruitlet nutrient targets for Ambrosia apples and some common disorders that can occur with deficiencies or excesses of particular nutrients.
Fruitlet analysis plays a key role of informing fruit quality decisions in orchards and storage of premium apples, especially for export markets. For example, calcium plays an important role in storage quality of fruit, however, levels in leaf or soil samples are poorly correlated with calcium levels in the fruit.
New Research Briefs from BC Food Web!
- “Don’t forget sunscreen: Protecting tree fruits during extreme heat events”, summarizes research on foliar protectants in the Okanagan Valley. Read the full brief here: https://bcfoodweb.ca/briefs/dont-forget-sunscreen-protecting-tree-fruits-during-extreme-heat-events
Information for BC Tree Fruits Cooperative Members
To support BC Tree Fruits Cooperative members in finding packing capacity for their fruit, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is collaborating with the BC Tree Fruit Growers Association to identify producer needs and challenges.
For those in need of services provided by a packing house, please complete the Impacted Producer Needs Survey below. Your business information will be provided to the packing houses on the list available on the Ministry’s website (please link to this website https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/animals-and-crops/crop-production/tree-fruits/information-for-bc-tree-fruit-cooperative-members) for them to follow up with you as they wish. By completing and submitting this survey, neither the Ministry nor the packing houses guarantee that a match or an arrangement can be made.
· Impacted Producer Needs Survey
Rather than complete the online form, producers who wish to speak to a representative can call the AgriService BC Toll Free line at 1-888-221-7141 (hours are M-F 8:30 to 4:30). A ministry representative will collect their information and pass it along to the packers. Upon request, a Punjabi speaking employee can be available to collect the information.
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 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 3 remains open for applicants seeking cost share funding for Assessments, Engineering Studies or Plans.
This stream will fund assessments, engineering studies, or plans that:
- Are required, often by law, before implementing on-ground infrastructure work.
- Will enhance the understanding of the operational and developmental limitations to the water supplies in the regions and/or watersheds, which enable applicants to determine the appropriate type and scale of infrastructure required to achieve their project goals.
- Will help ensure funding will be allocated to projects that will remain viable, valuable, and resilient into the future under predicted climate change scenarios.
Applications for stream 3 will be accepted first-come, first-served on a continual basis until funding is fully committed.
Accommodation For Employees
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
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.
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)
Heads Up! Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program opening soon!
The objective of the KTTP is to increase the competitiveness, resiliency, and innovation of the British Columbia (B.C.) agriculture and food sector through facilitated knowledge and technology transfer.
The cost-shared reimbursement program is intended to strategically support B.C.’s producers and processors to innovate and adapt to changing environmental, production, and market conditions through practical, applied knowledge and skill development to ensure behaviour change.
The next KTTP intake is expected to open later in 2024. Please check back for updates and announcements.
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
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.
Don’t miss out on Early Bird Ticket sale!
Farm Management Canada’s Agricultural Excellence Conference
Date: November 19-21, 2024
Location: Abbotsford-Chilliwack
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
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