Peace Edition Regional Newsletter
July | Feature of the Month: - Pesticide application by drone not yet permitted in B.C.
Flood, Drought, and Wildfire Preparedness: Upcoming Events: Programs and Services: - The Ministry of Agriculture and Food programs and services
Business Risk Management Programs: Resources and Services: | Pesticide application by drone not yet permitted in B.C. | Drone technology is advancing quickly, and this has many people curious about trying drones in B.C. While there have been recent changes at the federal level to allow more pest control products to be applied by drones, pesticide application by drone is currently not allowed in B.C. Understanding the roles: Pesticide application by drone is regulated both federally and provincially. Federally, the operation of drones is regulated by Transport Canada and the application of pesticides by drone is regulated by Health Canada’s Pesticide Regulatory Directorate (PRD), formerly known as the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). Provincially, pesticide application by drones is also regulated by the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Parks. Read more under Resources and Services. | Wildfires are affecting many parts of B.C. As of July 2, 2026, the BC Wildfire Dashboard is reporting: - Warmer weather brings a heightened risk of new fire starts and increased fire behaviour in some areas of the province, including the Chilcotin and Southern Interior.
- Current response includes 84 personnel, 52 aviation, 3 heavy equipment, and 1 structure protection resources.
Stay Informed -
Sign up for local emergency notifications: Check the website of your local government to sign up for local emergency notifications. Your local authority is a key source of information during an emergency, including evacuation alerts and orders, and is responsible for the local Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). - Use the BC Wildfire Service Map: Online or download the app on Apple or Android
- Bookmark EmergencyInfoBC and EmergencyMapBC: Find current and verified updates, safety instructions, and links to official sources during emergencies. Follow EmergencyInfoBC on Facebook and X.
Get Prepared Create a custom Wildfire Plan: Protect livestock: Prepare for wildfire smoke: Reduce wildfire risk to farm buildings: - Wildfires can leave little time to react. Small actions ahead of time can substantially reduce the risk of structures being damaged from wildfires.
- Consider using field-proven FireSmart on your structures and the area within 30 metres of each structure, such as:
- Removing dry leaves, needles, and debris from around and on roofs of buildings
- Moving wood piles, equipment, and other flammable materials away from or into buildings
Learn more about protecting farm and ranch buildings with FireSmart principles. | Peace Region Forage Seed Association Summer Field Tour | When: July 8, 2026, from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (PT) Where: Cecil Lake, B.C Register here | | Livestock Producer Roundtable Webinar | When: July 9, 2026, from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM (PT) Where: Online Register here | | B.C. Grain Producers Field Tour and AGM | When: July 9, 2026, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (PT) Where: Cecil Lake Hall Learn more | | The BC Grain Producers Annual General Meeting is coming up on July 9, 2026, at the Cecil Lake Hall. This year’s AGM is an opportunity to connect with fellow producers, learn about the work BC Grain Producers has been doing on behalf of members, and hear from knowledgeable speakers representing a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise. Whether you’re interested in current industry issues, future opportunities, or simply connecting with others in the grain sector, we encourage you to attend and be part of the conversation as we continue farming for the future. The Honourable Lana Popham, BC Minister of Agriculture and Food, will also be attending, providing members with an opportunity to meet and speak with her. To register, please contact us at hello@bcgrain.com or call 250-785-5774. | Peace Country Beef & Forage Association Field Day | When: July 25, 2026 11:00 AM-4:00 PM (MST) Where: PCBFA Research Farm, Fairview AB | | Bring the whole family out to the PCBFA Research Farm for a day of agriculture, learning, and community. Enjoy guided crop walks, demonstrations, vendor booths, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals. -
- Ag-focused vendor booths
- Demonstrations & crop walks
- Food truck on site
- Free family event
No registration required! | Webinar: Indigenous Agricultural Development Network | When: July 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (PT) Where: Online (Zoom) Join the Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF), and New Relationship Trust (NRT) as they share program streams that align with Indigenous Food Systems and Agriculture Enterprises. Funding for the Indigenous Agriculture Development Network (IADN) is provided by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Register | BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund | The BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund will be open for the second intake of 2026: From July 2 - August 28! Eligible funding programs are: -
Events and Educational Initiatives -
Farming Infrastructure -
Impact and Opportunities Initiative -
Research and Demonstration Initiatives For more information on the application process for the above programs, see the program specific application guides Then apply online through Northern Development. Learn more | Beneficial Management Practices Program – Extreme Weather: Plans & Assessments | Applications are open for Extreme Weather: Plans & Assessments - FireSmart™ BC Farm & Ranch Assessment (Practice Code 3601). This assessment is required to apply for Wildfire Preparedness BMPS (BMP 3602 – 3604) in future program intakes.
- Planning & Design of Fill Pad for Farm Buildings (Practice Code 3704.1). This plan is required to apply for the ‘Fill Pad for Farm Buildings’ (BMP 3704.2) in future program intakes; get ahead and apply now!
Learn more about FireSmart Assessments: https://firesmartbc.ca/farm-and-ranch/ Book a Call:
If helpful, book a 10-minute phone consultation about your application. Prior to booking an appointment, please start your draft application and provide the ID number (similar to: BMP-202425-0####). Submissions are open until August 31, 2026 Learn more The program is delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of B.C. (IAF). Funding is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Additional funding has been provided by Clean B.C. | 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. | Farming has enough uncertainties – while you can’t predict extreme weather, rising costs, or market shifts, you can stabilize your bottom line against severe income drops with AgriStability. Please note: The final deadline to submit your 2025 Statement A (with penalty) has changed to September 30, 2026 (was December 31). Learn How to file your Statement A. We’re here to help make the process as simple as possible. Our AgriStability forms and prices page includes new online forms that make it easier to submit your information, and staff are always available to help. If you need assistance, please contact us at 1-877-343-2767 or AgriStability@gov.bc.ca. Learn more | 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 Berries, Flower bulbs, Grain, Grapes, Tree fruits, and Vegetables. How to Claim Damages: If you have production insurance and damage is suspected, file a Notice of Loss immediately. Each time there is suspected crop damage, a Notice of Loss must be filed. File a Notice of Loss (PDF, 390KB) An insurance adjustor will then inspect the crop to determine the loss. It’s important to not put the crop to another use (like grazing, tilling under, removing, etc.) until an adjustor has visited the farm operation. Need Help? Production Insurance Representatives are available to help with claims, application and renewal process. If you need assistance, please contact us at 1-888-332-3352 or ProductionInsurance.Kelowna@gov.bc.ca Learn more | New soil health assessment tools | Soil health is the foundation of productive agriculture, resilient ecosystems, and environmental and economic sustainability. To help producers monitor soil health and track the impact of soil management practices over time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food has developed two soil health assessment tools: - Soil Health Assessment Protocols (SHAP)
- In-Field Indicators of Soil Health
The two assessment methods are separate tools that serve different purposes but can complement each other. In-field indicators help growers quickly learn more about a field and decide where more detailed testing may be useful. SHAP provides more precise results that can be tracked over time.Producers interested in laboratory assessments of soil health can find out more in the B.C. Soil Health Assessment protocols: Producers interested in in-field measurements of soil health that can be self-assessed can find out more with the B.C. In-Field Indicators of Soil Health Guide and self-assessment videos: | B.C. agriculture and seafood statistics publications | Cariboo silvopasture planning demonstrations | A demonstration focused on planning and evaluating potential silvopasture adoption was initiated in 2015 with two ranches in the Cariboo. The objective was to identify, work through and illustrate some of the planning processes and considerations used within a private land context. The case studies serve as examples highlighting objectives, site conditions, experiences gained and management decisions made at the time. Learn more | Health and wellness in the agriculture industry | Owning a farm business can be very stressful. Farmers, producers, processors, workers and their families face unique challenges that can lead to health and wellness issues. If you are struggling with the impact of these stresses, you are not alone. For information about health, wellness and managing stress please click the button below: Learn more | Organic BC Podcast: Grazing-Based Approaches to Invasive Weed Control | New on the Organic BC Podcast: a two-part miniseries on grazing-based approaches to invasive weed control. Join grazing expert and author Sarah Flack, retired B.C. agrologist Greg Tegart, and B.C. producers as they explore how intensive rotational grazing can help manage invasive weeds, improve pasture health, and support resilient farming systems. Through expert insights and on-farm case studies, this series highlights livestock as a practical tool for effective pasture management. Listen to the first episode here, and the second episode here. Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). | Missed the last e-bulletin? Catch up on previous issue here. | Contact your local Regional Agrologist Brenna Schilds
Email: Brenna.Schilds@gov.bc.ca AgriService BC connects farmers, food processors and new entrants to agricultural services, programs and information that can help them succeed. | | | | | |
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