The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) has some great video on their you-tube channel (BeefResearch) to help producers out during calving.

The videos include: Difficult Calving, Rescusitating Newborn Calves, Handling Colostrum, Spotting Dehydration and Tube Feeding.

Please check them out by following the links.

Difficult Calving:

Rescusitating Newborn Calves:

Handling Colostrum:

Spotting Dehydration:

Tube Feeding:

Do you have any spring livestock feeding, new spring grass or stockpiled grazing photos?

Email them to communications@peaceforage.bc.ca by Saturday April 15th for a chance to be featured on the cover of our upcoming Spring Newsletter.

Establishing legumes in pastures, winter grazing annuals and more with Graeme Finn on March 27th.

Contact Rick 250-845-8549 for info and to RSVP.

Looking for a seasonal position working in applied agricultural research in the Peace Region?

Take a look at the job posting (PRFA Summer Technician Posting – 2023) and contact Nadia Mori at coordinator@peaceforage.bc.ca

Do you have any winter livestock/feeding photos?

Email them to communications@peaceforage.bc.ca by Wednesday January 18th for a chance to be featured on the cover of our upcoming Winter Newsletter.

Congratulations to the eight farm units that were able to reserve a spot for our Holistic Management Course.

After our coordinator (Nadia Mori) was able to drastically reduce the cost to producers, the spots were booked up in a few days.

Instructor Kelly Sidoryk will be teaching the 6 day course over two weekends (Jan 13-15th and Feb 17-19th).  For more information go to peaceforage.bc.ca/event/holistic-management-training-6-day-course/

Join us for Lessons, Legends and Laughter : Celebrating 30 years as an Association.

Attend our Dec 1st Annual General Meeting to receive an

• exclusive 30th Anniversary T-shirt and a
• chance to win a Free ticket (valued at $475) to the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing (Dec 13-15, Edmonton).

For more information and to REGISTER please click here or go to our Events page.

Attend our Dec 1st Annual General Meeting to receive an

• exclusive 30th Anniversary T-shirt and a
• chance to win a Free ticket (valued at $475) to the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing (Dec 13-15, Edmonton).

Join us for Lessons, Legends and Laughter : Celebrating 30 years as an Association.

For more information and to REGISTER please click here or go to our Events page.

The PRFA is providing this Workshop Series to help (1) walk producers through the Advanced Grazing Systems Training and (2) build their Rotational Grazing Plan.

• Both of these are required to apply for On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) funding for rotational grazing that is dispersed by the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA).
• Participants do not need to apply for funding to take this workshop.  It will also be great for folks who just want to (a) learn more about rotational grazing or (b) take the time to finally get their grazing plan down on paper (or computer) and have something in-hand rather than just an idea in their head.

One participant will win a giveaway that is valued at $1,500 (to get a water trough that supports their rotational grazing system).

To Register: please click here.

Location: Dawson Creek

Time: 7-9pm on Tuesday Nov 22nd, 29th and Dec 6th

Open to: PRFA Members.  If you are not a member please consider becoming one (memberships are available online).

The PRFA is providing two Workshop Series to help (1) walk producers through the Advanced Grazing Systems Training and (2) build their Rotational Grazing Plan.

Both (Training and Rotational Grazing Plan) are required to apply for On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) funding for rotational grazing
that is dispersed by the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA).

Tuesdays 7-9pm: Dawson Creek (Nov 22nd, 29th and Dec 6th) and Fort St John (Jan 17th, 23rd and 31st)

Open to PRFA Members.  If you are not a member please consider becoming one (memberships are available online).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION – On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)

On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is a federal fund that was announced in Feb 2022.  It will offer cost-share funding for three project streams: (1) nitrogen management, (2) cover cropping and (3) rotational grazing. Other activities, such as outreach, education and training are also supported.

• • Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA) was selected as a recipient organization to distribute rotational grazing OFCAF funding in the provinces of BC, AB, SK and QC.
  • CFGA will be distributing the OFCAF rotational grazing funding continuously for producers to apply on.  In order to apply producers must complete the Advanced Grazing Systems training and a Rotational Grazing Plan.
  • BC Investment Agriculture (BCIA) was also selected as a recipient organization to distribute (1) nitrogen management, (2) cover cropping and (3) rotational grazing OFCAF funding.  BCIA has designated the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF) to deliver the OFCAF funding.  Applications closed mid Oct for 2022 and will open in June 2023 and September 2023.

The PRFA is providing two Workshop Series to help (1) walk producers through the Advanced Grazing Systems Training and (2) build their Rotational Grazing Plan.

Both (Training and Rotational Grazing Plan) are required to apply for On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) funding for rotational grazing
that is dispersed by the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA).

Tuesdays 7-9pm: Dawson Creek (Nov 22nd, 29th and Dec 6th) and Fort St John (Jan 17th, 23rd and 31st)

Open to PRFA Members.  If you are not a member please consider becoming one (memberships are available online).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION – On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)

On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is a federal fund that was announced in Feb 2022.  It will offer cost-share funding for three project streams: (1) nitrogen management, (2) cover cropping and (3) rotational grazing. Other activities, such as outreach, education and training are also supported.

• • Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA) was selected as a recipient organization to distribute rotational grazing OFCAF funding in the provinces of BC, AB, SK and QC.
  • CFGA will be distributing the OFCAF rotational grazing funding continuously for producers to apply on.  In order to apply producers must complete the Advanced Grazing Systems training and a Rotational Grazing Plan.
  • BC Investment Agriculture (BCIA) was also selected as a recipient organization to distribute (1) nitrogen management, (2) cover cropping and (3) rotational grazing OFCAF funding.  BCIA has designated the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF) to deliver the OFCAF funding.  Applications closed mid Oct for 2022 and will open in June 2023 and September 2023.

Lessons, Legends and Laughter : highlights of and insights into the past 30 years.

By attending our Dec 1st Annual General Meeting you will also receive an

• exclusive 30th Anniversary T-shirt and a
• chance to win a Free ticket (valued at $475) to the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing (Dec 13-15, Edmonton).

For more information and to REGISTER please click here or go to our Events page.

Looking for more info about land access and the B.C. Land Matching Program?  Young Agrarians is hosting an Online Land Forum Nov 14 – 30 with lots of amazing sessions. Learn more and register here: youngagrarians.org/bc-land-forum-2022

Land Forum sessions are for landholders and land seekers, and will cover the following topics:⁠
☀️ Leasing basics and info on farm business planning⁠
☀️ Skills-building in negotiation to support the success of land sharing relationships⁠
☀️ You’ll hear from Land Matchers, farmers and experts from around B.C.⁠

For more information and to register go to peaceforage.bc.ca/event/holistic-management-training-6-day-course/

The PRFA is providing two Workshop Series to help (1) walk producers through the Advanced Grazing Systems Training and (2) build their Rotational Grazing Plan.  Both of these are required to apply for On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) funding for rotational grazing that is dispersed by the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA).

Tuesdays 7-9pm: Dawson Creek (Nov 22nd, 29th and Dec 6th) and Fort St John (Jan 17th, 23rd and 31st)

Open to PRFA Members.  If you are not a member please consider becoming one (memberships are available online).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION – On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)

On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is a federal fund that was announced in Feb 2022.  It will offer cost-share funding for three project streams: (1) nitrogen management, (2) cover cropping and (3) rotational grazing. Other activities, such as outreach, education and training are also supported.

• • Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA) was selected as a recipient organization to distribute rotational grazing OFCAF funding in the provinces of BC, AB, SK and QC.
  • CFGA will be distributing the OFCAF rotational grazing funding continuously for producers to apply on.  In order to apply producers must complete the Advanced Grazing Systems training and a Rotational Grazing Plan.
  • BC Investment Agriculture (BCIA) was also selected as a recipient organization to distribute (1) nitrogen management, (2) cover cropping and (3) rotational grazing OFCAF funding.  BCIA has designated the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF) to deliver the OFCAF funding.  Applications closed mid Oct for 2022 and will open in June 2023 and September 2023.

Attend our Dec 1st Annual General Meeting to find out what the back of our Anniversary T-shirts will say!

You will also receive a

• chance to win a Free ticket (valued at $475) to the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing (Dec 13-15, Edmonton).

Join us for Lessons, Legends and Laughter : Celebrating 30 years as an Association.

For more information and to REGISTER please click here or go to our Events page.

The PRFA is providing two Workshop Series to help (1) walk producers through the Advanced Grazing Systems Training and (2) build their Rotational Grazing Plan.  Both of these are required to apply for On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) funding for rotational grazing that is dispersed by the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA).

Tuesdays 7-9pm: Dawson Creek (Nov 22nd, 29th and Dec 6th) and Fort St John (Jan 17th, 23rd and 31st)

Open to PRFA Members.  If you are not a member please consider becoming one (memberships are available online).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION – On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)

On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is a federal fund that was announced in Feb 2022.  It will offer cost-share funding for three project streams: (1) nitrogen management, (2) cover cropping and (3) rotational grazing. Other activities, such as outreach, education and training are also supported.

• • Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA) was selected as a recipient organization to distribute rotational grazing OFCAF funding in the provinces of BC, AB, SK and QC.
  • CFGA will be distributing the OFCAF rotational grazing funding continuously for producers to apply on.  In order to apply producers must complete the Advanced Grazing Systems training and a Rotational Grazing Plan.
  • BC Investment Agriculture (BCIA) was also selected as a recipient organization to distribute (1) nitrogen management, (2) cover cropping and (3) rotational grazing OFCAF funding.  BCIA has designated the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF) to deliver the OFCAF funding.  Applications closed mid Oct for 2022 and will open in June 2023 and September 2023.

Attend our Dec 1st Annual General Meeting to receive an

• exclusive 30th Anniversary T-shirt and a
• chance to win a Free ticket (valued at $475) to the Western Canada Conference on Soil Health and Grazing (Dec 13-15, Edmonton).

Join us for Lessons, Legends and Laughter : Celebrating 30 years as an Association.

For more information and to REGISTER please click here or go to our Events page.

The PRFA is providing two Workshop Series to help (1) walk producers through the Advanced Grazing Systems Training and (2) build their Rotational Grazing Plan.  Both of these are required to apply for On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) funding for rotational grazing that is dispersed by the Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA).

Tuesdays 7-9pm: Dawson Creek (Nov 22nd, 29th and Dec 6th) and Fort St John (Jan 17th, 23rd and 31st)

Open to PRFA Members.  If you are not a member please consider becoming one (memberships are available online).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION – On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)

On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is a federal fund that was announced in Feb 2022.  It will offer cost-share funding for three project streams: (1) nitrogen management, (2) cover cropping and (3) rotational grazing. Other activities, such as outreach, education and training are also supported.

• • Canadian Forage and Grasslands Association (CFGA) was selected as a recipient organization to distribute rotational grazing OFCAF funding in the provinces of BC, AB, SK and QC.
  • CFGA will be distributing the OFCAF rotational grazing funding continuously for producers to apply on.  In order to apply producers must complete the Advanced Grazing Systems training and a Rotational Grazing Plan.
  • BC Investment Agriculture (BCIA) was also selected as a recipient organization to distribute (1) nitrogen management, (2) cover cropping and (3) rotational grazing OFCAF funding.  BCIA has designated the BC Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (BCCAF) to deliver the OFCAF funding.  Applications closed mid Oct for 2022 and will open in June 2023 and September 2023.

The six day training course will now be held in January & February 2023.

For more details and to register please check out our Events page or Click Here.

We are seeking further funding to reduce the course fee for you.

For more details and to register please check out our Events page or Click Here.

Our August Grazing Management Series “Back to the Basics” wraps up tomorrow.

To learn more about WATERING SYSTEMS  (& to register) click on the link below.

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-watering-systems/

A HUGE THANKYOU  to our series sponsor ARC RESOURCES!!!

Our August Grazing Management Series “Back to the Basics” continues tomorrow.

To learn more about ELECTRIC FENCING  (& to register) click on the link below.

 peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-electrical-fencing/

More information on the remaining session:

Aug 30th: Water Systems, peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-watering-systems/

A HUGE THANKYOU  to our series sponsor ARC RESOURCES!!!

Our August Grazing Management Series “Back to the Basics” continues tomorrow.

To learn more about PASTURE NUTRITION  (& to register) click on the link below.

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-pasture-nutrition/

More information on the remaining 2 sessions:

Aug 23rd: Electric Fencing, peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-electrical-fencing/

Aug 30th: Water Systems, peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-watering-systems/

A HUGE THANKYOU  to our series sponsor ARC RESOURCES!!!

Our August Grazing Management Series “Back to the Basics” kicks off tomorrow.

To learn more about GRAZING RULES & PRINCIPLES  (& to register) click on the link below.

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-grazing-rules-principles/

More information on the remaining 3 sessions:

Aug 16th: Pasture Nutrition, peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-pasture-nutrition/

Aug 23rd: Electric Fencing, peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-electrical-fencing/

Aug 30th: Water Systems, peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-watering-systems/

A HUGE THANKYOU  to our series sponsor ARC RESOURCES!!!

Join us for a series of 4 Tuesdays to learn about Grazing Management with four local ranchers (@ 7-9pm).

Aug 9th: Grazing Rules & Priciples
Aug 16th: Pasture Nutrition
Aug 23rd: Electric Fencing
Aug 30th: Water Systems

To REGISTER: Go to our Events page or click on the links below.   See you there!

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-grazing-rules-principles/

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-pasture-nutrition/

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-electrical-fencing/

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-watering-systems/

A HUGE THANKYOU  to our series sponsor ARC RESOURCES!!!

Starting August 9th, join us for a series of 4 Tuesdays to learn about Grazing Management with four local ranchers (@ 7-9pm).

Aug 9th: Grazing Rules & Priciples
Aug 16th: Pasture Nutrition
Aug 23rd: Electric Fencing
Aug 30th: Water Systems

Please bring your questions.

To REGISTER: Go to our Events page or click on the links below.   See you there!

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-grazing-rules-principles/

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-pasture-nutrition/

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-electrical-fencing/

peaceforage.bc.ca/event/aug-grazing-series-watering-systems/

A HUGE THANKYOU  to our series sponsor ARC RESOURCES!!!

Over 50 producers joined us on June 18th to take in our afternoon field day and scrumptous supper with live entertainment.

Here is an article featuring the FIELD DAY from our Summer Newsletter.

Forage_First_91_2022June_pg 3 4

Quarterly Newsletters direct to your mailbox are one of the benefits of becoming a member. If you are interested please check out our memberships online.

Check out the latest two episodes in the podcast series Knowledge for Resilience in the Peace.

Episode 7: Can Direct Marketing make your Farm more $$, with Darwin Lindford and Michelle Schaeffer

Two Peace Region producers, Darwin Lindford from RC Rafter Holdings and Michell Schaeffer from Whiskey Creek Ranch share some of their successes and challenges with direct marketing. Both operations use regenerative agriculture principles in their land and livestock management, run a range of livestock and are also members of the Small Scale Meat Producer Association.

Episode 8: Unlocking your Soil’s Potential Without Breaking the Bank, with Norm Dueck

Norm has been involved in agriculture in the BC Central Interior, Bulkley Valley, Cariboo, Robson Valley and the BC and AB Peace region since 1999 as a Certified Crop Advisor and consultant for beef, dairy and grain farmers.  Over the years he has gained valuable knowledge working with lime, pulp mill sludge, wood ash and biosolids in on-farm applications as part of an in-depth fertility program. Norm currently lives in the Nechako Valley of Central BC, where he owns 150 acres of land which allows him the opportunity to put into practice some of the things he preaches.

In case you missed our CATTLE MARKET UPDATE: RIDING OUT UNCERTAINTY webinar with Anne Wasko, the webinar recording is on our website and available for members to view for a SHORT TIME (until May4th).
If you are a member, please go to our website and login (by clicking Login at the top of the home page or the blue Member sign-in button).  Then click on the webinars button on the right side of the homepage or go to peaceforage.bc.ca/information/webinars/.

Also, check out our latest podcast with Brenna Grant from Canfax who shares insights on different herd rebuilding strategies following drought.

If you want to become a member go to https://peaceforage.bc.ca/information/membership/ and purchase an Enhanced Membership.  Within a few months only Enhanced and Friends of Forage Members will have access to our Webinar video library.

REGISTER for the webinar at peaceforage.bc.ca/event/cattle-market-update-webinar/

Please try to WATCH the webinar LIVE.
The webinar recording will only be available for TWO weeks  after final editing to PRFA of BC members (due to the time sensitive nature of the information).

FREE for members of PRFA of BC and SP Stockmens and $20 for non-members.

Anne has been a cattle industry market analyst for 30 years and a regular contributor on www.realagriculture.com/

A HUGE THANK-YOU to our webinar sponsor Farm Credit Canada.

Cattle Market Update – Riding out Uncertainty with Anne Wasko, a market analyst for over 30 years with the Canadian cattle and beef industry.
Please register at peaceforage.bc.ca/event/cattle-market-update-webinar/.
FREE for members of the PRFA of BC  and the SP Stockmens Association and $20 for non-members.

Registered participants will receive an email with the webinar zoom link 2 days before the webinar and another 2 hours before the webinar.  If you don’t notice these emails in your inbox, please check your spam folder.

After final editing, the webinar recording will be available to PRFA of BC members on our website peaceforage.bc.ca/information/webinars/ for TWO weeks only (due to the time sensitive nature of the information).

A HUGE THANK-YOU to our webinar sponsor Farm Credit Canada.

In case you missed our VERMICOMPOST at FARM SCALE webinar on Wednesday, the video recording is now on our website and available for members to view.
If you are a member, please go to our website and login (by clicking Login at the top of the home page or the blue Member sign-in button).  Then click on the webinars button on the right side of the homepage or go to peaceforage.bc.ca/information/webinars/.

Check out our latest podcast about a local success story of making outdoor vermicomposting work even with -40 degrees Celsius winter weather! peaceforage.bc.ca/information/podcasts/

If you want to become a member go to https://peaceforage.bc.ca/information/membership/ and purchase an Enhanced Membership.
Within a few months only Enhanced and Friends of Forage Members will have access to our Webinar video library.

Vermicompost at a Farm Scale with Rhonda Sherman, an Extension Solid Waste Specialist in the Horticultural Science Department at NC State University.
Please register at peaceforage.bc.ca/event/vermicompost-webinar/.
FREE for members of the PRFA of BC and $10 for non-members.
Check out more information on Composting & Vermicomposting.

The Profitable Mindset is a podcast helping farmers get the mindset they need to build a profitable farm business.

Charlotte Smith is a Marketing and Mindset Coach for Farmers.   She gives farmers strategies they need to have a farm and life they love.

Checkout episode #102: How this California Farmer Doubled Her Sales to 200K in 2021, or #109: Do This if You’re Afraid Customers Will Leave After a Price Increase

If you graze livestock this group has something for you (especially if you graze rangelands).

GOOD GRAZING MAKES CENT$ was launched February 2022, and aims to provide practical, applicable and economically feasible range management practices which can ultimately improve productivity of the land and the bottom dollar of the ranch through conservation and collaboration between range scientists and ranchers.

They have a Youtube channel.  One video introduces the group and another helps you meet some of the ranchers and range scientists that are involved.

The cross-commodity podcast series shares access to knowledge from researchers, experts and peers, affording more producers the opportunity to adopt production practices they may not otherwise have implemented.  In the first four episodes listen to conversations on (1) Adaptive Grazing Management and Portable Fencing, (2) Mighty Microbes, (3) Common Misconceptions in Agriculture and (4) Key Pest Monitoring in the Peace.

SAVE THE DATE: April 20th at 7pm.
Anne Wasko has been a market analyst for over 30 years focusing on the Canadian cattle and beef industry. She is currently the market analyst for Gateway Livestock Exchange,  and a regular contributor to RealAgriculture.com and RealAg radio on Sirius.  Anne was also the Senior Market Analyst for Canfax for 21 years.
Please register at peaceforage.bc.ca/event/cattle-market-update-webinar/.
FREE for members of the SP Stockmens & PRFA of BC and $20 for non-members.

A HUGE thank you to our webinar sponsor.

SAVE THE DATE: April 13th at noon
Vermicompost at a Farm Scale with Rhonda Sherman, an Extension Solid Waste Specialist in the Horticultural Science Department at NC State University.
Please register at peaceforage.bc.ca/event/vermicompost-webinar/.
FREE for members of the PRFA of BC and $10 for non-members.
Check out more information on Composting & Vermicomposting.

If you missed our FEEDING DURING THE FREEZE webinar last night, the video recording is now on our website and available for members to view.

If you are a member, please go to our website and login (by clicking Login at the top of the home page or the blue Member sign-in button).  Navigate back to the home page and then click on the webinars button on the right side of the homepage.  Alternatively, you can click on Information on the top toolbar and then click on Webinars in the drop down menu.

If you want to become a member go to https://peaceforage.bc.ca/information/membership/ and purchase an Enhanced Membership.
Within a few months only Enhanced and Friends of Forage Members will have access to our Webinar video library.

If you are feeding momma cows check out Barry Yaremcio’s webinar regarding Nutritional Changes in Later Gestation.  This webinar is available to members on our website https://peaceforage.bc.ca.

Members can login (by clicking Login at the top of the home page or the blue Member sign-in button) and then click on the webinars button on the right side of the homepage.  If you want to become a member go to https://peaceforage.bc.ca/product/basic-membership-2022/

Barry also has a couple podcasts on Optimal Cattle Nutrition, which are available for everyone to listen to at https://peaceforage.bc.ca/information/podcasts/

Please join us to hear Catherine Lang (Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist) discuss Winter Feed Management – managing the feed pile with grain and straw in the ration, managing poor quality feeds, safely using “problem” feeds, and understanding a feed test.

Kootenay Boundary Farm Advisors are offering 3 upcoming webinars

1. Indicators of Soil Health – Click here to Register.
2. Seeding Rates and On-Farm Measurements – Click here to Register.
3. Cover Cropping for Forage Systems: Experiences from the Field – Click here to Register.

The BC Peace has 21 automated weather stations.  Information regarding current conditions, forecasts and past weather can be found on the website http://www.bcpeaceweather.com/

Check-out this 3 minute video regarding features of the website https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhfCCAzlPAE&list=PLQCxhsFC64y2opkGpEm7dDF9dOtsL8IlD&index=1

Check-out this 3 minute video regarding forecasts for the BC Peace weather stations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GRfUiwZRK8

Check-out this 4 minute video regarding historical weather data for the BC Peace weather stations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AgKt8wCFCM

The 2021 fall webinar series Tools and Approaches for Adapting to Climate Change, featured four sessions.

1. Managing changing pest pressures. Watch the pests webinar now
2. Monitoring and supporting pollinator populations.  Watch the pollinator webinar now
3. Investigating crop suitability.  Watch the crop suitability webinar now
4. Agricultural water management.  Watch the water webinar now

For more information check out their website:

• changing pest populations
• pollinator populations and crop-climate-pollinator interactions.
• models for on-farm research trials — as weather becomes less predictable
• agricultural water resilience in hotter and drier conditions

At this year’s AGM the Peace River Forage Association of BC (PRFA) welcomed 3 new directors.  Chris Moat, Jody Watson and Brian Gilbert joined the board, and Josh Stobbe returned for another term.  The remaining directors include Kristina Schweitzer, Neil Ward and Shellie English.  Look forward to learning a bit about our new directors in the upcoming Winter Newsletter, which will arrive in member’s mailboxes early February 2022.

Thank you so much to parting directors Bess Legault, Shaun Grant and Jackie Thiessen for your dedication to the association, your efforts to support forage in the Peace and your flexibility in adapting to virtual meetings over the last couple years.

If you are not a member and would like receive our quarterly newsletter, please purchase a Basic Membership and check our website for other benefits to becoming a member.

Peace River Forage Association: Virtual Annual General Meeting

December 1, 2021

6:30 p.m. Peace Living Lab Information Session 

By Monika Benoit &/or Talon Gauthier, Contractor Peace Region Forage Seed Association

 8:00 p.m. AGM Business led by President Neil Ward

For more information please click on the PRFA 2021 AGM Notice-Agenda.

Please pre-register using one of the following options:

1. through website: peaceforage.bc.ca/event/agm-for-the-prfa/
2. by emailing us at: prfaevent@gmail.com
3. by phoning or leaving a message: Heather or Sandra at 250 789 6885

Early this year a Members Feedback Report was published in to 2021 Winter Newsletter.  This report summarized the thoughts of over 100 members regarding how the association has been doing and where the association should focus in the future.  It is a goldmine of information.  Please click here to check out what our members had to say.

The drought conditions and limited forage growth this past growing season are presenting some challenging times for livestock producers.
Tips on page 7 of our 2021 Fall Newsletter may help producers use feeds wisely.
Please also refer to an insert in the newsletter called BCRC Drought Related Resources or find the information on the BCRC website.

To view the entire 2021 Fall Newsletter members can check their mailboxes or click here.  If you are not a member, please JOIN US and click here to become a member.  Once a member you will receive our quarterly newsletters in the mail and have access to our most recent newsletters online.

It’s the time of year when questions come up about winter or spring frost seeding on rejuvenation sites. Julie Robinson compiled a flow chart to assist you in considering 3 key items. Read about it in the recently published in the Forage First Fall 2021 newsletter or try the link here:  Forage_First_88_2021Oct_pg 8 flowchart

This information can also be found on this website under the R & D Project Page, Interseeding to Improve Forage Quality & Quantity at the link here: https://peaceforage.bc.ca/rd-project/interseeding-to-improve-forage-quality-quantity/    Look under Factsheets and Documents.

On October 5th/2021 the PRFA of BC will be showcasing ON-FARM CLIMATE RESILIENCE.
Featuring: The Linford Farm, The Iddy Biddy Farm, Shellie English, Sandra Burton, Jay Woosaree, and many cool forages!

Please call/text Nadia 250-263-8802 to register for this this fun field workshop. $20/person.  Register by Oct 2 (spots are limited).
Click here for more information.

Please checkout the recently broadcasted episodes (1-11) of our podcast series “May the Forage Be With You.”

Featuring topics on forage varieties, cattle marketing, healthy soils & healthy farmers, cattle nutrition, pesky parasites and forages in equine nutrition.

The PRFA of BC proudly presents May the Forage be With You: a weekly podcast series with engaging forage, livestock, soil health and pasture management topics.

Check out our first episode: a chat about ‘Forage Breeding and Forage Varieties’ with Dr. Bill Biligetu.  Dr. Biligetu is a forage breeder and Associate Professor at the University of Saskatchewan. He is also the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture Strategic Research Program Chair in Forage Crop Breeding. Find out more about the latest forage varieties in the works and the five basic questions to consider when you think about establishing a new forage stand.

Our next episode: discusses the How-Tos of Cattle Marketing (Part 1) with Brian Perillat, Manager of Canfax.  Although looking at cattle marketing charts can feel overwhelming, Brian can help you narrow down the key indicators to analyze, depending on the market you are interested in. Like anything, practice makes perfect, and Brian offers some easy first steps that you as a producer can take to get more comfortable with cattle marketing to ultimately capture more profits for your operation.

Please listen once a week, maybe while you eat lunch or cook supper.  You can click on the link and hear the episode on your morning commute. Or you can install the FREE Podbean App (Podcast App & Podcast Player – Podbean) to your phone or tablet, and download the episode ahead of time.  Search for the podcast series “May the Forage be With You” for our episodes. 

It’s going to be interesting, enlightening and fun too! Please come along for the ride.

The PRFA is currently undergoing a redesign of our website with New Harvest Media. While the website may seem static or unchanged for this spring, it is still running and functional while a lot is going on behind the scenes for the redesign. Once transferring all of the existing pages to a new host and testing of the new site is completed, the new website (with its new look) will be live for members. We will of course let you know when our redesigned website is up and running.

Did you know that you can rent water pumps/pipes, a pasture pipeline plough, a plastic mulch spreader, a tree planter and a VREDO zero till drill from the PRFA? Check out the Equipment rentals and services that the PRFA provides.

Thank you to our Events Coordinator Samantha Dilworth for her dedication, resilience and creativity in finding ways to provide events and extension during these Covid times.  Even though the Forage Extension and Mentionship Community Outreach Project is finished we hope there will be an opportunity to work together with Samantha in the future.

A summary of the 2021 Winter webinars are included in the spring 2021 newsletter (Forage First, 86th edition).

Other courses and pasture walks were covered in the winter 2021 and fall 2021 newsletter (Forage First, 85th and 84th editions.

If you don’t get a copy of our newsletter in the mail please join and become a member (click on the blue “Join” button on the home page for details).