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The Lurking Menace of Weeds - Farmers' enemy No. 1
Today more than a billion people in the world are hungry, the result of flawed policies mainly, but also of wars and revolutions and of natural hazards like floods, droughts, pests and diseases compounded, nowadays, by climate change.
But one huge hunger-maker lurks largely unnoticed ...
"Maybe it's because weeds are not very spectacular," says weed expert Ricardo Labrada-Romero. "Droughts, insects and diseases like Swine Flu are attention-grabbers because their effects are dramatic. Weeds are different. They play havoc quietly all year round, year after year."
Consider, he says, the damage caused by one weed alone, Broomrape (Orobanche spp), an aggressive root weed which attacks legumes and vegetables and can not only lead to complete crop failure but also make fields infertile for many years.
Figures clearly show that weeds should be regarded as farmers' natural enemy No. 1. According to a leading environmental research organization, Land Care of New Zealand, they cause some $95 billion a year in lost food production at global level, compared with $85 billion for pathogens, $46 billion for insects and $2.4 billion for vertebrates (excluding humans).
At today's prices, $95 billion translates into some 380 million tonnes of wheat, or more than half of world production expected in 2009. And of those $95 billion, $70 billion are estimated to be lost in poor countries.
Economic losses may be even greater considering that more than half of the time farmers spend in the fields is devoted to weed control, says Labrada-Romero. It follows that if farms are to increase their productivity one of the first things they must do is improve weed management.
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This winter COABC’s Extension Services is offering two morning webinars that will be of interest to livestock producers and bee enthusiasts. Pull a chair up to your computer, pour a coffee and enjoy these informative one hour webinars. You will see a livestreaming video of the presenter, view his/her PowerPoint and have an opportunity to ask questions of the presenter. If you are unable to be present for the webinar, a recording of the webinar will be available for purchase, through our registration page (see below).
Animal welfare is a cornerstone principle for organic farms. Knowing proper livestock handling can make a big difference in animal health. Jane Morrigan, from Integrity Livestock Services, will give practical guidance on humane handling techniques for dairy and beef cattle, pigs and sheep in organic livestock production. Based on the know-how of Dr. Temple Grandin and on down-to–earth application of sound scientific evidence, this webinar will cover relevant natural animal behaviors, the importance of good stockmanship, how to improve livestock handling and how to reduce animal stress. Jane is a sessional lecturer with the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and offers training and consulting on livestock handling.
Colony collapse disorder of bees is a serious and alarming trend that is threatening the livelihood of farmers worldwide. To put the situation into context, Ted Leischner, corresponding CANPOLIN member and conservation volunteer, will discuss what is killing our bees as well as the immediate grassroots actions that farmers can take to assure pollination services, food security and ecological health. There is much that can be done that is quick, convenient and economically feasible but, it will require a shift in perspective. Ted will share his insights on how we can employ the 400 species of native bees that are exquisitely adapted to living here and operate as a complete pollination guild for our ecosystem.
For further information and registration information: http://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/infonews/events.php
The fee for each seminar is $20.00 (incl. GST), student/apprentice rate $10.50 (incl. GST). The deadline for registration is midnight, of the Monday before each seminar.
“in general, manure application on any crops or fields is not advised.”
The T-Sum is a measurement to help decide when to make the first manure application (when T-Sum increases to 200). Warm weather in January in some areas is shown by higher-than-average T-Sum values but they do not indicate that manure application is advisable yet. Monitor the T-sum measurements nearest your location along with grass growth and soil and weather conditions. For more details on T-Sum, please visit Farmwest.com
T-Sum for Abbotsford is 131 (Jan 30, 2010), higher than the 50 year average, indicating suitable manure spreading conditions will start early if temperatures remain average or above average. T-Sum of 200 and higher is one indication of optimal timing for the first fertilizer application on well-established grasses (see farmwest.com). Other indications include signs that crops are starting to grow; some perennial grass and cover crops are showing signs of new growth.
Cariboo Forage Trials located at 4 sites: Williams Lake, Miocene, Soda Creek, Redstone.
Highway 16 Trials - Data from the 6th year of the alfalfa and grass trials in Fort Fraser are now posted.
Wednesday evening, February 3rd starting around 7:30 PM EST: open remarks & presentation of keynote speaker Dr. Lowell Catlett: "Smart is Beautiful - 21st Century Agriculture's Revolution
Thursday morning, February 4th starting around 9:40 AM EST: presentation by Rob Napier: "No Straight Road: how can family farm businesses seize the opportunities from volatility and change?"
Thursday afternoon, February 4th starting around 3:00 PM EST: presentation by Bruce Vincent: "Will Agriculture have the Energy to Embrace the Future?"
Friday afternoon, February 5th starting around 2:30 PM EST: presentation by Bano Mehdi: "How climate change will affect how you, your children, and your grandchildren will manage your farm"
Timing of each live session might differ as delays could occur during the conference.
Please support the BC Forage Council. Membership is only $20 per year, and shows producer support for forage research and education within BC. A strong membership helps the BCFC when making funding applications for forage research projects. BCFC 2010 Membership Form
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A number of species of Orchard Mason Bees are native to North America. They occur in different climatic environments but are particularly well adapted in the northern ranges of blooming fruit trees. The common Blue Orchard Mason Bee, Osmia lignaria is found in the B.C.’s southern Interior and coastal areas. It goes under various names including Blue Orchard Bee, Orchard Mason Bee, Orchard Bee, and Osmia Bee. Orchard Mason bees occur in woodlands and forest edges. They appear in early spring when the first bushes and trees bloom. Cherry, Pear and Apple are particularly attractive but other nectar and pollen sources include Quince, Laburnum spp and blueberry. Osmia bees are fast flyers and display a high bloom visitation rate. Its high activity, even under poor weather conditions, make this insect pollinator particularly attractive for early blooming crops. |
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We will be touring several small farms on southern Vancouver Island and looking at different businesses and marketing opportunities. People will be coming from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California and British Columbia. The tour will be based in Victoria and includes two and a half days of bus tours of various farms. This is your chance to see other businesses and network with other sellers and growers – exchange ideas, find out what works and what doesn't work, and locate new vendors.
More information and registration forms are available on line at www.bccanadadirectfarmmarketing.org or contact Bonnie or Hamish Crawford at bonnieandhamish@shaw.ca
The Pacific Field Corn Association's corn silage hybrid evaluation results are now available. Grown at 3 locations (Abbotsford, Agassiz, and Armstrong), the data shows CHU, relative yield, dry matter, grain & lodging data for 2009 and the long term average.
The federal Income Tax Act allows farmers who sell part of their breeding herd due to drought conditions in designated regions to defer a portion of sale proceeds to the following year.
On March 5th, 2009 the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced that an amendment will be made to the income tax act. These income tax amendments will extend the existing rules that apply to producers in prescribed drought regions to include excess moisture and flood-induced sales of breeding livestock. This new measure will apply to the 2008 and subsequent taxation years. It will permit producers, who dispose of such breeding livestock in a taxation year because of flood or excessive moisture, to exclude a portion of the sale proceeds from their incomes until the following taxation year. As a result, the full amount of the proceeds eligible for the deferral will be available to replenish their herds in the following taxation year.
The Government of Canada has made two Livestock Tax Deferral announcements for 2009, and are currently in the process of collecting information and consulting with various groups for the third and most likely final assessment. For information on the criteria for inclusion and the areas already recommended for Livestock Tax Deferral please refer to the following site: http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/taxdef_e.htm
The following webpage provides economic values of animal manures as fertilizers, based on fertilizer prices in 2008. Note the assumptions. Although some assumptions may not be completely valid for conditions in South Coastal British Columbia (e.g. soil test levels refer to Ontario standards), values can be interpreted as rough estimates. A take-away message is that manures can provide fertilizer value for years after an application (because some manure nitrogen and phosphorus is ‘slowly released’), if the nutrients applied are required by the crop. http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/08-041.htm
December 24, 2009 - The Government of Canada announced today that more livestock producers affected by drought in British Columbia will be eligible for a federal tax deferral.
The tax deferral allows eligible producers in designated areas to defer income tax on the sale of breeding livestock for one year to help replenish breeding stock in the following year. In the case of consecutive years of drought designation, producers may defer sales income to the first year in which the area is no longer designated.
Producers who reduced their breeding herds by at least 15 per cent are eligible. Thirty per cent of income from net sales can be deferred if the herd has been reduced by at least 15 per cent, but less than 30 per cent. Where the herd has been reduced by 30 per cent or more, 90 per cent of income from net sales can be deferred.
Eligible producers will be able to request this deferral when filing their 2009 income tax returns. Livestock producers are advised to contact their local Canada Revenue Agency Tax Services Office for details on the income tax provisions.
The central interior region of British Columbia has experienced very dry conditions since last summer. Fall precipitation was not adequate to recharge soil moisture and combined with an extremely low snow accumulation this past winter, spring soil moisture conditions were poor. Continued dry conditions throughout the spring have resulted in very poor pasture and forage development.
For more information on the drought programs and a list of eligible regions, see the AAFC Drought Watch site at www.agr.gc.ca/drought
In the August 25th 2009 Speech from the Throne, the Government of British Columbia committed to consult British Columbians on "new statutory protections to further safeguard the environment from cosmetic chemical pesticides."
The Ministry of Environment has prepared background information and identified consultation issues for discussion to build understanding about the subject and provide a structure for comments and feedback.
The ministry has posted a Public Consultation Paper on our Cosmetic Use of Pesticides Consultation Forum website http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/ipmp/regs/cosmetic-pesticides/consultation.htm
The website, and links to additional information and related legislation, can also be accessed by clicking on the Cosmetic Use of Pesticide Consultation button on the. Ministry of Environment home page (www.gov.bc.ca/env/).
The Consultation Forum website includes a response form (in on-line and downloadable formats) to seek comments from British Columbians interested in this topic. Comments should be submitted by February 15th 2010.
This project was undertaken to assess the use of corn for late fall – early winter grazing in the East Kootenay. Determining production, nutrient content, ability to withstand snow loads and the economics of grazing corn were questions to be answered by this project.
Guide To Best Management Practices In British Columbia for Cereals, canola, field corn, field peas, grasses and legumes for forage and seed production. The 2008/09 edition of the Field Crop Protection Guide is now available for B.C. producers. Contact your nearest B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands office to obtain a copy. Contents of the Guide are also available off the BCMAL website in PDF* format. Contents:
Introduction
