Omineca Edition

Regional Newsletter
April 2025

In this edition...

Events

• April 11: On-Farm Climate Action Fund Producer Info Session (online)
• May 4, 7: Small Flock Poultry Health Workshop

Funding Opportunities

• Rotational Grazing Implementation Funding-Open until April 30th
• Knowledge and Technology Transfer Funding Program-Open until funding is committed
• Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program (Stream 3)-Open until funding is committed

Resources

• Early Season Drought Resources
• Business Advisory Services Now Available through the Province
• Wildfire season planning

And more!

Save the Date:
Small Flock Poultry Health Workshop

Course content includes housing and management, basics of disease, biosecurity, and common diseases.

For more information on the content: Small Flock Poultry Health Manual 

• May 4 – Venue TBD, Prince George
  9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  Register Here
• May 7 – Nechako Seniors Friendship Center, Vanderhoof
  5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  Register Here

2025 Rotational Grazing Implementation Funding

The Canadian Forage & Grassland Association is pleased to announce the upcoming application intake period for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) dedicated to rotational grazing implementation. Producers across Canada can apply for this valuable funding opportunity from April 1 through April 30, 2025.

This program supports farmers in implementing effective rotational grazing systems that can improve soil health, enhance carbon sequestration, and increase overall farm sustainability.

Resources Available:

• Detailed program information and eligibility requirements: https://www.canadianfga.ca/farm-climate-action-fund/
• Grazing plan resources to strengthen your application: https://www.canadianfga.ca/grazing-plan-resources/

Don't miss this opportunity to receive financial support for your rotational grazing implementation. 

On-Farm Climate Action Fund Producer Info Sessions

The Canadian Forage & Grassland Association invites you to join weekly Producer Information Sessions for the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). These helpful sessions are designed to walk you through the application process and provide resources to support your funding application. With the application intake period running from April 1-30, 2025, now is the perfect time to get prepared. Each session runs from 11 AM to 12 PM PT and includes an overview of the application process, resources available on CFGA's website, and a dedicated Q&A period to answer your specific questions.

Upcoming Sessions:

• April 11: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/reg/0fmgUu4vTIGujS6x1wITkg

For more information about CFGA's OFCAF program, visit: https://www.canadianfga.ca/en/projects/ofcaf-funding/

Farm Financial Fluency Training

Offered by Farm Management Canada

Beef Farmers Session - April 14, 15 and 17

Financial literacy is a fundamental starting point for effective farm business management, helping producers understand the direct impact of their business decisions, and opportunities available going forward. Participants will benefit from a deeper understanding of their financial situation and the different options available to remain competitive and take calculated risks for continued success.

Program Delivery:

Each session is delivered virtually over the course of three 2-hour sessions from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM PT coupled with an optional follow-up session with a financial advisor for those seeking additional support. 

Cost: $141.25, includes all three sessions

The 2025 Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program is Open for Applications 

The Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program (KTTP) provides funding to help organizations host activities and events that strengthen B.C.’s agriculture and food sector. The Program reimburses up to 75% of eligible costs for activities under two streams:  

• Stream 1 (up to $1,500 per project) focuses on Knowledge Development activities, such as Inviting Subject Matter Experts to share their knowledge at various events.  
• Stream 2 (up to $7,500 per project) emphasizes Skill Development of food producers and processors through hands-on activities.  

To qualify, applications must show how the activities will transfer knowledge and/or build the skills of agriculture and seafood producers or processors with active operations in B.C.   

Important Dates  

The Program opened on March 19th, 2025, and will stay open until funds are fully committed. Funding will be allocated on a first come, first served basis for all eligible completed applications. Activities must take place between April 16, 2025 - March 1, 2026.  

How to Apply  

1. Download and review the Program Guide (PDF, 506 KB)
2. Get your BCeID – If you don’t have one, register for a free Basic BCeID or Business BCeID at www.bceid.ca.
3. Save your credentials – Keep your BCeID user ID and password safe, as you’ll need them to access your application and to submit your reimbursement claim
4. Select your Stream - Go to the Applicant Portal and scroll down to find application links for Stream 1 and Stream 2
5. Log In – Use your BCeID to access the online application form
6. Use the same BCeID for claims - Reimbursement claims must be submitted 30 days after the project end date

If you need assistance or have any questions, feel free to contact us at Knowledge.Transfer@gov.bc.ca.

 B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program 

The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is accepting applications for its third intake between March 17 - April 28, 2025. Virtual fences and software applications may be considered.

The Program provides cost-shared funding to eligible participants to adopt new technologies on-farm to enhance profitability, productivity, and/or efficiency to help alleviate the impacts of labour shortages and rising operational costs. The program is competitive, and funding is not guaranteed. 
 
B.C.-based farmers can apply, and successful recipients will be awarded up to $100,000 to fund projects to adopt innovative technology that can improve labour efficiency. Financial support is provided under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership, and the program is delivered by Innovate BC.
 
In case of questions, please contact Innovate BC: integratedmarkets@innovatebc.ca 

Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program

Applications for Stream 3 of the Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program are open!

Are you a Producer, Improvement District, Local Government, Non-Profit, or Community Group looking to complete an assessment, engineering study or plan before starting a water infrastructure project? You could be eligible for cost-shared funding!

Applications are open until funding is committed.

FarmCash Applications Open

FarmCash is more than a cash advance; it is a comprehensive cash flow management tool aimed at boosting the long-term profitability of the farm. FarmCash offers marketing flexibility when selling commodities, low-interest savings, risk mitigation during the growing season, and opportunities for making strategic investments.

Insurance and Income Protection 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

AgriStability helps stabilize farm income by managing the risk of large income declines. The AgriStability program is based on the income and expenses of individual farms.  

2024 AgriStability Enhancement

• increased compensation rate to 90% on income declines greater than 30%  
• provides up to 75% for early payments (March 31, 2025 deadline), and 
• increased compensation limit ($6.2 Million) 

Through Late Participation, clients have until April 30, 2025, to enrol in AgriStability's 2024 program year. 

Upcoming AgriStability deadlines 

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: https://www.gov.bc.ca/AgriStability   

Production Insurance

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 British Columbia, Production Insurance is available for

• Forage
• Grains and oilseeds
• Berries
• Flower bulbs
• Grapes
• Tree fruit
• Vegetables 

Upcoming Production Insurance 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 Dawson Creek: ProductionInsurance.DawsonCreek@gov.bc.ca 

Email Fort St John: ProductionInsurance.FtStJohn@gov.bc.ca

Visit: https://www.gov.bc.ca/CropInsurance

Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) Innovation Booster Program 

Start your application for the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) Innovation Booster Program funding! Applications will be accepted between February 24 - March 25, 2025, and July 7 - August 12, 2025. 
 
The Innovation Booster Program is designed to provide flexible and rapid support to Small or Medium Enterprises as they address food innovation challenges or technical hurdles that have created a barrier for achieving their commercialization goals. Learn more about the program eligibility and funding support on the CFIN website. 

Last call for Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) Foodtech Next Program 

Last call for Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN) Foodtech Next Program Funding! Applicants can submit an Expression of Interest between February 24, 2025, - April 7, 2025. The full application deadline is May 26, 2025. 
 
The Foodtech Next Program is a unique funding opportunity for early-stage Canadian technology firms who seek to be part of -- or sell to -- the wider food industry. The program allows companies to demonstrate and pilot their innovation in operational environments to prove their solutions and validate the return on investment for the food sector. Learn more on the CFIN website. 

Early Season Drought Preparedness Tips and Resources

The March 1 snow conditions and water supply bulletin indicates that the provincial snowpack is below normal in many parts of B.C. While it’s still too early to know what the situation may look like this year, it’s never too soon to think about how you can prepare your farm to best cope with changing drought conditions.

• Visit our Drought in Agriculture webpage for current information, resources and tools including: water management considerations, irrigation scheduling and water use calculators, links to current weather data, soil and crop management tips, livestock considerations, and links to relevant programs and financial supports.
  • Producers have until April 30, 2025 to enroll in 2024 BC AgriStability Enhancement Program for the 2024 Program Year!
• Visit the B.C. Drought Information Portal for the latest information on drought levels, groundwater monitoring, streamflow and snow basin indices maps.
• Visit our Agricultural soil and nutrients webpages to learn more about how to manage your soils to reduce drought impacts including how to monitor and maximize soil water retention

Business Advisory Service Offerings

The Province of BC is now offering free business advisory services. 
Business advisory services include: 

• Free one-on-one consultations with expert advisors
• Access to resources designed to help businesses start, grow and thrive
• Guidance on navigating government programs and funding opportunities 

Access Regional Grazing Mentors

The BC Forage Council offers a network of grazing mentors across the province (including two in the Peace Region) with deep roots in their communities, practical understanding of local conditions, and expertise in grazing management planning. 

Why navigate grazing management alone when regional expertise is just a call away?

Contact info@bcforagecouncil.com or visit bcforagecouncil.ca to be connected to a grazing mentor in your region. 

Open Burning Practices for Farmers & Ranchers

Spring clean-up is here! Before lighting that burn pile, ensure you're following safe practices to protect your farm, livestock, and community. Check your local bylaws and regulations and remember to remove any prohibited materials (e.g. treated or painted wood, plastic, rubber, etc.) from the burn pile. Escaped fires can be devastating—check out these guides to burn safely or explore alternatives: 

• Alternatives to Open Burning 
• Open Burning Practices for Farmers & Ranchers

Prepping the drill for stand establishment

Openers with sharp edges and limited wear work better to cut through residue, achieve consistent seed depth and provide the essential separation between seed and fertilizer. These benefits improve seed survival and crop uniformity, which improve the return on investment for seed. 

Seeding tool pre-season inspection 

Exclusive offer for B.C. Farmers! Take a comprehensive approach to managing farm risk. Access your FREE SUBSCRIPTION today!

(valued at $149/year)

AgriShield powered by Farm Management Canada is the only comprehensive risk management platform designed specifically for Canadian farmers. This easy-to-use online tool helps farmers identify, assess, and manage risks across six key areas of their operation—from production and finance to mental health, labour, marketing and climate change. With tailored strategies and resources at your fingertips, AgriShield empowers you to stay ahead of challenges, protect your business, and seize new opportunities

Take control of your farm’s future—start using AgriShield today!
Scan the QR Code or visit  www.fmc-gac.com/agrishield-subscription to subscribe for free!
Use the PASSCODE: BCFarmers

Towards Increased Profits Benchmarks 

Want to know more about commodity-specific returns in different income ranges?  
Then go to the Towards Increased Profits (TIP) website: Towards-Increased-Profits (TIP)

What’s new? The 2022 Program Year Benchmarks are now available (as well as the 2020 & 2021 Program Year Benchmarks).   
This information is what producers file to Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
You now can look up: 

15 Crop Types, including:

• Forage, Grains & Oilseeds
• Potatoes, Tree Fruits, Vegetables (Field & Greenhouse)
• Apples, Berries (Blueberries, Cranberries), Cherries
• Floriculture, Grapes, Mushrooms, Nursery

10 Livestock Categories, including:

• Cattle (Cow/Calf, Feeder), Poultry (Chickens, Layers, Turkeys)
• Apiculture, Dairy, Swine
• Other Livestock

5 Income Ranges:

• $0–50k, $50–100k, $100–500k, $500k–1M, $1M+
• (unless they must be grouped together to obtain a large enough sample size to address privacy concerns). 

Please don’t hesitate to contact Gary Flaten if you have any questions.  

Farmers & Ranchers: Prepare with a Wildfire Plan

• Your local government is your key source of information during emergencies - are you registered to receive their updates? (Regional district, municipality, or First Nation) 
• How will you protect livestock—relocate? Shelter in place? 
• Have you taken steps to reduce the risk of losing critical farm & ranch structures? 

Build your personalized Wildfire Plan today to 

• Share and receive information from key contacts involved in wildfire response 
• Take effective action before and during wildfire 

Reduce risks, protect what matters, and recover when the smoke clears: Farm & Ranch Wildfire Guide & Plan 

Follow the link below, follow, like and share! 

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

Missed the last e-bulletin? Catch-up on previous issues here.