The B.C. government is continuing to work with the Government of Canada to ensure B.C. ranchers have access to either existing or new programs as part of the overall response to the devastating wildfires in the province’s Interior. The potential impact is severe as B.C. ranchers have an estimated 30,000 animals within the boundaries of the wildfire-affected areas. The number of confirmed livestock injuries and losses is not available yet as the ongoing emergency response continues. Once the information is available, the B.C.

Corn rootworm flight is really taking off this week in Sumas and south Abbotsford and probably elsewhere. There are loads of beetles flying; they are really active in some locations. Corn silks are getting snipped, leaves look bleached out from feeding, and nearby flowers seem to be aggregation places for beetles, in particular, in melon flowers. The beetles seem to like eating red-root pigweed.

Because winter feeding is his largest annual cost, Burns Lake, BC rancher Jon Solecki dreams of extending his grazing season. However, in his harsh, northern climate, the feed value of the forages he routinely grows drops to near zero by mid-fall. In 2015, he decided to test the establishment and productivity of five new-to-him perennial grasses in hopes of finding at least one that would remain nutritious into fall in his growing conditions.

The Pacific Field Corn Association invites you to participate in a survey to assess perceptions of the impacts and risks of climate change on agriculture. Enter a draw for a $50 gift certificate from any business of your choice. TAKE THE SURVEY HERE

Do you want to work in a beautiful landscape to learn about carbon nerutral ranching and land management practices with a focus on innovation, reducing stress on livestock, and financial & environmental sustainability? Apply to Thompson Rivers University.

Students use technology based learning to study from their home ranches or mentor ranches and only drive to campus once a week reducing fuel consumption and carbon footprint. Learning from upwards of 30 farms and ranches in our region allows us to understand the common thread of resilience that runs through the community.

The Pacific Field Corn Association's Silage Corn Hybrid Yield Trials are now complete for 2016. Abbotsford site is seeded early and had 47 entries; Agassiz site is seeded late and had 25 entries; the Interior site had 21 entries. All data tables report the 2016 results and the Long-term average results. 2016 DATA tables.

• Kale as a winter feed source
• Late season grasses as winter feed and the effect of passive fertilization
• Forage quality, yield and maturity rates of 6 alfalfa varieties
• Determine optimum alfalfa seeding rate and seed mix

Kale as a winter feed source. Last year, the farmer grew one variety of kale (late maturing). We found that the kale grew very well and kept its nutritional qualities till late in the season (December 17 – Relative Feed Value of 425).

Pig manure can be turned into an adhesive for use in asphalt as a replacement for petroleum-based products. Swine producers can benefit when they dispose of their manure with the engineers who developed the adhesive technology. Bio-Adhesive Alliance is approximately six month from having the first batch of mass-produced adhesive ready for use, said Elham Fini of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Ultimately, the process ends up a win-win for farmers.