30 FORAGE


invasive outbreaks.” Most producers also identified a need for more local and relevant research and knowledge transfer. The engagement sessions identified soil health and forage quality as a particular concern. “There was a lack of soil


and growing conditions to produce alfalfa and higher- protein grasses,” says Jasper. “I know that’s certainly an issue in my region, the Cariboo.” Meanwhile, the equine


sector faces challenges finding low-sugar forage. The problems stem from long-term neglect of soil health, says Jasper. “Management techniques, soil testing, and input analysis are not generally adopted and there is not sufficient research and return on investment for dealing with soil health and forage quality issues,” she explains. The forage strategy is also considering what industry, stakeholders and producer groups can do to improve matters. The top area for attention is wildlife, and the


need to balance the public’s love of wildlife and crop production. “One grower at the coast


said we are growing more forage to rear more waterfowl birds,” Jasper says. “He wanted to know how we can fix this.” Producers called for


improving compensation for wildlife damage, as well as managing wildlife numbers through increased hunting and the development of crops unattractive to wildlife.


More land needed


Increasing the availability of land suitable for growing high-protein grasses, with access to water, was the next priority for action. It was suggested that regulations be used to incentivize the productive use of land suitable for forage. Participants called for


more action on invasive plants, pests and diseases. They felt the BC Weed Control Act and its regulations need to be enforced, and increased monitoring of invasive plants was needed.


nfrom pg 29 A number of


recommendations focus on research and knowledge transfer, including the development and trial of forage species and varieties specific to individual regions, as well as research into forage management practices and systems. Producers called for research commitments that could outlive government funding cycles. Government is still


needed, however. BC’s agriculture ministry was urged to undertake research as an impartial source of knowledge with the reach needed to disseminate information to individual regions. A draft plan has just been completed by the Vancouver consulting firm Ference and Co., Jasper notes. It will be submitted to the ministry, which will establish priorities then develop work plans following consultations with stakeholders. There is no schedule for completion. A second phase of the


project will look at forage on Crown land.


Site C fund directors get to work


by PETER MITHAM


FORT ST. JOHN – The money has yet to start flowing, but a 10-member board has been appointed to oversee the Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund. The fund, totalling $20 million, is part of the package


BC Hydro is providing to offset the effects of the Site C dam project, which will flood at least 7,500 acres within the Agricultural Land Reserve west of Fort St. John. The province maintains that just a dozen farms will be affected. “The board has been formed and [BC] Hydro is in the


process of hiring an administrator,” explains Rick Kantz, one of six representatives regional farm organizations and local government put forward as appointees to the board. There’s also one farmer unaffiliated with any organization, and three members at large. Kantz says the board will determine priorities based on the terms of reference for the fund, included in the Agriculture Mitigation and Compensation Plan (ACMP) which says “funds will be used to support enhancement projects that improve agricultural land, productivity or systems.” To be eligible for funding, projects must demonstrate that they will “enhance agricultural lands, operations or agrifoods economic activity in the BC Peace River Region.” Once an administrator is in place to manage the fund,


BC Hydro will release the money and the process of selecting who will receive it will begin. “Hopefully by mid-August we’ll have that in place and


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BC Hereford Association Annual General Meeting Vanderhoof, BC


Aug 17 - 19 52nd Nechako Valley Exhibition, Hereford Mark Of Excellence Show, Vanderhoof, BC


Aug 29 - Sept 2 Sept 8


119th Interior Provincial Exhibition, Hereford Mark Of Excellence Show, Armstrong, BC


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then we can start working on a timeline for rolling out the program and what will be eligible,” Kantz says. “I expect it will be fall 2019 before there’s much money flowing out of that fund.” To protect the principal, the grants awarded in the first


five years will be funded from interest the fund generates. In addition to Kantz, the fund board includes Heather


Fossum (Peace River Forage Association), Howard Goertz (Peace River Regional Cattlemen’s Association), Connie Patterson (BC Breeder and Feeder Association), Blair Hill (Peace Region Forage Seed Association) and Angela Watson, representing the Peace River Regional District. Colin Meek is the designated agricultural producer


while Gene Gladysz, Travis Winnicky and Malcolm Odermatt are members at large. The board held its first meeting May 9, 2018.


BCHA President 250-218-2537


BCHA Secretary 250-699-6466


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • AUGUST 2018


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