Hurry up and wait

Ottawa isn’t in a rush to disclose details on various programs designed to support the agriculture sector as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The federal finance department’s latest bi-weekly report on emergency response measures indicates that $453 million in direct support to the farm sector will be available “shortly.” This includes $77.5 million for an emergency processing fund, $50 million for a surplus food purchase program and funding under business risk management programs.

Speaking to media this week, federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau promised that details of the food purchase program will be available in the coming days, while funding to support livestock producers “depends on the provinces.” BC has not announced the allocation of funds to match federal funding, which aims to support producers who have been unable to send animals for processing.

Bibeau said a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers has been deferred until October. Plans for a “Buy Canadian” program under the Food Policy for Canadians announced last summer have been put on hold.

The finance department’s report details $523 million in direct support for the farm sector. This is a miniscule amount of the $152.8 billion in direct support programs Ottawa has announced to date to address COVID-19.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, which represents the BC Agriculture Council at the national level, has asked for at least $2.6 billion.

All told, the federal government has earmarked $686.5 billion for direct and indirect measures to address the impacts of COVID-19.

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4 hours ago

A draft update to the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Beef Cattle is now open for public comment until June 12. The code, one of 14 animal care codes developed and maintained by the National Farm Animal Care Council, is undergoing a routine 10-year review. "Your feedback will help shape the industry's guide to cattle welfare for the next decade," says Canadian Cattle Association policy manager Jessica Radau, urging producers to weigh in. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/58a3u9fz.

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I sat in the webinar yesterday by the Canadian Cattle Association. My initial concern was that this would be another "play" into the government's hands. It has been worked on by people that are actually in the Beef industry from Cow calf to feedlot. The thrust is an update of the 2013 Code of Practice which was reviewed in 2018. The changes are more a move from "left to the producers discretion" to clearer directions regarding pain management, proper transport of animals which are impaired and keeping cattle in in good condition. Much of what is recommended is what producers who care about animal husbandry already do. The important part is to GIVE THEM FEEDBACK good, bad or otherwise. The document is about 60 pages long, and I ran it through CHAT to see what had been changed. It is important to understand that the PUBLIC is invited to comment on the draft not just producers. Think about it... do you really want the public influencing how you manage your cattle. If you think that this is just one of those things, I have been following Bill 22 in Alberta which will grant the SPCA a proactive roll in entering farms and checking on animals. When I asked CHAT how the new bill relates to the Cattle Code, it came back that the Code although not a regulation will be able to be used as a guide by producers for backup in dealing with the SPCA regarding cattle conditions, sick animal handling etc. Take the time.... Go onto the Canadian Cattle Association website and speak to those parts that you wish to input.

1 day ago

According to the BC River Forecast Centre, the Okanagan snowpack stood at just 58% of normal on April 1 — the lowest reading since measurements began in 1980 — raising concerns about drought conditions in the region this summer. The rest of the province sits at 92% of normal.

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2 days ago

At her first AGM as executive director of BC Meats, held Saturday in Abbotsford, Jennifer Busmann spoke about her strong ties to agriculture and her optimism for the organization's future. Busmann has cattle of her own and came to the role with existing relationships with members and the board of directors that helped her feel integrated from the start. She stepped into the position in Februa#BCAg#BCAg ... See MoreSee Less

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4 days ago

Shannon Wiggins of Headwind Farm in North Saanich is this year's Mary Forstbauer Grant recipient from the BC Association of Farmers Markets. The $500 grant will help Wiggins expand her plot at Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture, growing more storage crops to extend her harvest season. Wiggins credits farmers markets with inspiring her own farming journey and commitment to building community through food. Congratulations!

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Wahoo! Congrats Shannon! I love your produce. Can’t wait for the radishes 🫜

Congratulations!

Well done!! 🩷🩷🩷

6 days ago

New farmers can avoid costly mistakes by learning from those who've been there. At a Young Agrarians mixer in Penticton, five BC farmers shared hard-won lessons on pricing, pivoting, relationships and burnout. From coyote losses to business burnout, their message was clear: set prices that reflect true costs, make decisions quickly and don't let farming define your worth. Myrna Stark Leader's story appears in our April e-edition, now available to view online at: tinyurl #BCAg2uw53vvm

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