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Looking for Information on Drought?Please see the Drought in Agriculture webpage https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/agricultural-land-and-environment/water/drought-in-agriculture Provincial drought levels are updated on the B.C. Drought Information Portal on Thursday mornings. Looking for Information Related to Groundwater Science and Data? Looking for information related to groundwater science and data? Just in time for apple season, BC Food Web’s latest research brief, “Preventing and detecting sunburn on ‘Ambrosia’ apples”, offers actionable insights for addressing sunburn browning. The results of this research can help with rootstock selection and post-harvest sorting 🍎 ☀️ Updates For BC Tree Fruits Cooperative The BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA), the BC Cherry Association (BCCA) and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food formed an emergency table on August 2nd in response to the shutdown of BC Tree Fruits Cooperative. To date, four sub-tables have been created to address critical needs of growers:
The BCFGA and the Ministry are collaborating to provide weekly apple maturity updates and assist growers in preparing for individual food safety audits, which are now required since the BC Tree Fruits Coop group certification is no longer valid. Access the apple maturity information here and food safety details here. Additionally, the Ministry has compiled a list of available packinghouses and a survey to help growers arrange packing services. These resources are accessible here. AgriStability Enhancement Program 2024 The Government of British Columbia developed the 2024 BC AgriStability Enhancement Program which offers greater coverage and helps agricultural producers manage income losses due to extreme weather, marketing challenges or natural disaster in 2024.
Contact us, dedicated staff are available to assist you with the Enhanced AgriStability Program.
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. Herd Management and Feed Considerations As summer transitions into fall weather conditions, herd management and feed considerations are important for winter planning. Effectively monitoring herd health and adjusting feed quality/quantity are critical for making informed management decisions. Balancing these factors can significantly impact both productivity and profitability, especially when considering actions like adjusting herd size and/or feed rations. This article offers strategies for optimizing herd management during challenging conditions such as drought, by focusing on pregnancy testing, early weaning, body condition scoring, and alternative feed sources. Pasture Walks and Field ScoutingWhether 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. Second Intake of the B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program – Accepting Applications Now! The B.C. On-Farm Technology Adoption Program is open and accepting applications for the second intake until October 6, 2024. 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, funding is not guaranteed.
Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program The next intake of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program will open on September 9th, 2024. For information on eligibility and how to apply, read the Program Guide at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs/knowledge-transfer-events. B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program Application intake for the B.C. Agri-Business Planning Program will be opening on Monday September 9, 2024 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 will be available under two streams: 1) Agri-business skills and leadership development Eligible Activities: Specialized training, courses, registration, fees, and tuition for:
2) Business planning, preparedness, and disaster recovery Eligible Activities:
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 BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund The BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF) is accepting applications from BC producers! This is your chance to apply for cost-shared funding to implement cover cropping, nitrogen management, and rotational grazing.
Don’t wait to submit your application – applications are open until funding is committed. Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) Program Start planning ahead and set up an appointment to begin the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) process through Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF). Agriculture Water Infrastructure ProgramApplications 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! Beneficial Management Practices ProgramConsidering applying for 2025/26 Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) funding? Take the time to review the requirements for the activities you'd like to complete. They may require you to complete a plan, assessment or engineered design. Good news: the Planning, Technical Assessment and Engineered Design BMP category is still open and accepting applications for 2024/25! Applications for the Planning, Technical Assessment and Engineered Design category are ongoing until funding is fully allocated. Landscape Modeling Project in the Bolean and 6-Mile Creek AreasThe BC Cattlemen’s Association (BCCA), supported by the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, is initiating a landscape modeling project in the Bolean and 6-Mile Creek areas of the Salmon River Watershed. BCCA contractors will be in the Bolean and 6-Mile Creek areas conducting sampling and survey work from mid-August to the end of September. The work will support evaluation of a modeling tool, focusing on landscape water and testing potential to predict where water might be anticipated to accumulate on the landscape, which in turn can be used to contribute to future planning discussions in the region. To collect the necessary data, BCCA contractors (Pantel Environmental Services Inc) will be out in the area starting mid-August and continuing through September. They’ll be surveying stream channel characteristics such as width, depth, flow rate, gradient, as well as streamside plant communities of both Bolean Creek and 6-Mile Creek. BCCA contractors will be using public roads located throughout the Crown land portion of the area to access sampling points, they will not be accessing private land. Watch for the survey crew across the region from August 12 to September 30, 2024. For further information please contact: BC Cattlemen’s Association (250) 573-3611 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. Access to Feed Program
Agroclimate Impact Reporter The Agroclimate Impact Reporter (AIR) is open for August reports! Agroclimate Impact Reporter provides producers an opportunity to provide information to AAFC on how weather and climate conditions are impacting your farm. We are interested in the impacts of weather on things like water supplies, feed production, soil moisture conditions and crop stress. The surveys are completely anonymously and the information you share cannot be tied to you or your email address. This information is extremely valuable and provides confirmation and details that are required to assist with various programs and activities of AAFC, including the Canadian Drought Monitor, Livestock Tax Deferral and AgriRecovery. To learn more about AIR, follow this link. To let the AAFC know what the conditions at the start of the season are in your area, please respond to one of the links below: As always, please consider sharing these links with your colleagues and networks. We encourage you to subscribe to this activity to allow you to continue to provide monthly updates on conditions. To become part of our regular network and to receive a reminder to complete the survey each month please send an email to aafc.droughtwatch-guetterlasecheresse.aac@agr.gc.ca with the subject line AIR. Thank you for your interest in this citizen science project. Employees Living On SiteThe 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. Excess Manure ManagementIn certain regions of British Columbia, it may be more difficult to effectively manage surplus manure for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: cost of land, transport costs to distant fields, and increasing quota to meet market demand. The following factsheet provides guidance on dealing with surplus manure and covers a range of topics such as manure storage, nutrient management, and techniques for converting manure into valuable by-products. Farm Management Canada’s Agricultural Excellence ConferenceDon’t miss out on Early Bird Ticket sale! Follow the link below, follow, like and share! |