Ministry of Agriculture and Food- 1980 Annual Reh To Colonel the Honourable HENRYP. BELL-IRVING, D.S.O., O.B.E., E.D. Lieutenant-Governor of the Province of British Columbia MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR I have the honour to submit for your consideration the Annual Report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food for the year 1980. B dL&f- James]. Hewitt Minister of Agriculture and Food page one Ministry 0/Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Table of Contents Page Report of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food 5 Organization Chart 6 Ministry Executive and Directors 1980 7 Agriculture Review 8 Policy Development and Planning 12 Executive Officer 13 Information Services Branch 14 Assistant Deputy Minister Field Operations 17 Regional Extension Services 19 Peace River 21 Central 22 Thompson-Cariboo 23 Okanagan-Kootenay 24 South Coastal 25 Specialist and Regulatory Services Dairy 28 D.A.T.E. 30 Engineering 31 Entomology-Plant Pathology 33 Soils 35 Veterinary 36 Youth Development 39 Production Services Apiculture 42 Farmland Resources 43 Field Crops 45 Horticulture 47 Livestock 51 Poultry 54 Assistant Deputy Minis^^P Economics and Marketing Marketing 56 Economics 58 Assistant Deputy Minister Financial Assistance Programs Agriculture and Rural Development 64 Agricultural Credit 67 Crop Insurance 68 Farm Income Insurance 70 Farm Products Finance 71 Property Management 72 It page three Ministry of Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Report of the Deputy Minister ■i'the Honourable James J. Hewitt, IHster of Agriculture and Food t I am pleased to present the 1980 annual report of ISBritish Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and add. This report summarizes activities of your IBstry for the twelve months ending December ,1980. I The year 1980 can be heralded as one in which _:ijor changes took place in the method of deliver- 1 ministry programs and services to farmers; nanges that will improve ministry responsiveness y farmer concerns and lay the foundation for Greats' and capturing new opportunities in the produc- pn and marketing of British Columbia's agri- iltural commodities. J The expanded mandate of the ministry to in- sffle the processing sector of the industry recog- a:es the economic importance of a vibrant and atrepreneurial food processing industry to the 'Jll-being of basic agriculture. The growth poten- ■' I of the industry beyond the farmgate is enorm- i is; the gains can be realized in this sector in the ileseeable future which will help minimize British lrfilumbia's dependence on outside sources of food. I ie ministry is now ready to meet this challenge. I"! The ministry also adopted in 1980 a new regional tfproach to program delivery with the establish- lim of five distinct administrative regions each Wing a full complement of specialists and regional ■jffision staff. I folly expect that this regional 'rtroach, combined with direct farmer involve ment, will ensure a more balanced development of the province's agriculture and food industry. In spite of several adverse economic factors such as escalating interest rates, higher cost of farm inputs and increased capital costs, the overall performance of British Columbia's agriculture and food industry was generally satisfactory. Yields of many crops, particularly apples, were excellent and in some cases surpassed all-time records. In the expanding livestock sector, hog production continued to make impressive gains. Although prices were adversely affected in some instances, ministry insurance programs helped ease the burden on farmers. Numerous ministry programs, projects and demonstrations were diligently carried out by ministry staff across the province to help farmers produce quality foodstuffs at equitable returns. We look forward to meeting the challenges of this new decade. Respectfully submitted, S.B. Peterson Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food page five Minum- ofAgriadatk and FikkI— 1980 Annual Repon Organization Chart AGRICULTURAL LAND COMMISSION BC MARKETING BOARD INFORMATION SERVICES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING DEPUTY MINISTER EXECUTIVE OFFICER ASSISTANT DEPUTY MINISTER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS — ARDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION Faicn Products Finance Management CoccVnawy F ami Finance Programs ASSISTANT DEPUTY MINISTER FIELD OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SPECIALIST 1 REGULATORY SERVICES Veterinary ■ Brands Entomology Plant Pathology *— Youth Development EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PRODUCTION SERVICES H Horticulture Farm Labour F«W Crops Farmland Resources Livestock DHIA Poultry Apiculture REGIONAL EXTENSION SERVICES ASSISTANT DEPUTY MINISTER I ECONOMICS & MARKETING SERVICE DIRECTOR ECONOMICS director! MARKETl Farm Business Management & Regional Economics J Statistics 4 Data Processing Commisiomt Market R*?Jm« DIRECTOR SOUTH COASTAL DIRECTOR OKANAGAN- KOOTENAY DIRECTOR CENTRAL DIRECTOR THOMPSON- CARIBOO DIRECTOR PEACE RIVER page six , IL r Ministry of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Ret ■port Ministry Executive nd )irectors i|80 ^ter Hon. James J. Hewitt ffity Minister S.B.Peterson ssistant Deputy Minister Economics and Marketing Dr. G.A. MacEachern (appointed Sept./80) ssistant Deputy Minister ■financial Assistance Programs I LC. Carne ^tant Deputy Minister Field Operations E.M. King :ecutive Director Finance and Administration r Newman tecutive Director Policy Development and Planning D.M. Matviw Kutive Director Production Services R.L. Wilkinson (retired July/80) M.G. Oswell (appointed Aug./80) cecutive Director Specialist and Regulatory Services R.J. Miller I affinal Director Central R.N. Kohlert (appointed Oct./80) :gional Director Okanagan-Kootenay B.A. Hodge (appointed Oct./80) I:gional Director Peace River B.E. Baehr (appointed Oct./80) I :gional Director Thompson-Cariboo A.N. Isfeld (appointed Oct./80) i :gional Director South Coastal W.E.A. Wickens (appointed Oct./80) j™ulture and Rural Development J.R. Steele jricultural Credit M.K. Thompson pmlture J. Corner liSInsurance P. R. Humphry-Baker liry D.J. Blair lldromics B.A. Hackett Bgjneering T. A. Windt iJtomology-Plant Pathology Dr. H.J. O'Reilly leWtive Officer P.H. Pettyfer Irm Finance Programs (Coordinator) J. E. Hall .InnIncome Insurance F.W. Morton (retired May/80) S. Thomson (appointed Dec/80) il:m Products Finance J-B. Phillips ilmland Resources M.G. Oswell (to Executive Director Production Services, Aug./80) J.D. Anderson (appointed Nov./80) Mi Crops J. V. Zacharias fi^Eulture A. C. Carter formation Services R.A. Sera I'estock J.A. Pelter yirketing D.A. Rugg lultry Dr. H.C. Carlson (appointed July/80) hperty Management B.R. Richardson ij US. R. S. Bertrand i tetinary Dr. R.J. Avery uth Development D.E. Freed page seven Vlinuir? of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Rupun Distribution of Farm Cash Receipts, 1980 Grains & Other Farm oilseeds Cash Receipts 6.3% 4.9% Vegetables 7.6% Poultry & eggs 15.8% c rruits 12.3% $746.5 million Special crops, including floriculure & nursery crops Dairy products 9.4% 23.4% Cattle & calves 16.1% Hogs 4.2% I Table I Distribution of Farm Cash Receipts, 1980, British Columbia ] Smil. per cent Grains and oilseeds 47.7 0.3 Vegetables 56.6 7.6 Fruits 91.6 12.3f Special crops, including floriculture & nursery crops 70.1 9.4 Cattle and calves 120.0 16.1 Hogs 31.1 4.2 Dairy produce 175.0 2 5.4 Poultry and eggs 117.8 15.8 Other (arm cash receipts 36.6 4.9 TOTAL FARM CASH RECEIPTS 746.5 100.0 Source: Statistics Canada, January 1981 page eight f I [980 Agricultural ileview Ministry of Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report arm Cash Receipts Tables I and II) j Imish Columbia's farmers experienced a rela- < /e\y good year in 1980 in terms of both production l id marketing. Farm cash receipts increased to a I cord level of $747 million, 14.4 per cent higher s an in 1979. Field crops cash receipts rose to $47.7 JifMn, a 61 per cent increase over the previous ar. There were impressive increases in all grains, 11 nHularly wheat and barley, due to expanded i reage and higher yields. Cash receipts from fruit les reached an estimated $91.6 million, up by .3 per cent from 1979. All tree fruits except i ernes recorded gains in production volume. Veg- ible receipts increased by 18.1 percent, amarked provement over the previous year's performance. les of nursery stock and greenhouse increased by 1) tier cent. 8 Cash receipts in the livestock and livestock pro- cts sector reached an estimated $464 million, an r.rease of 11.5 per cent from 1979 levels. Hog i es were up by 54 per cent as the industry con- aued to expand under the influence of strong Wand in the United States and Canada. Cash l:ejffi$from dairy products increased by 20.2 per nt to an estimated $ 175 million, due primarily to ,iijj:reases in prices and, to some extent, production. Ji tKe other hand, sales of poultry meat dropped jpewhat, poultry in particular being affected by . jj: availability of pork at reasonable prices. nrm Operating Expenses tfable III) t ThBCost of farm inputs continued to rise in 1980. igregate input costs rose more rapidly than the s^nsumer Price Index (C.P.I.), reflecting an in- !51 million, an increase of 17 per cent over 1979, rereaMe (Vancouver) C.P.I, increased by 11.8 I cent. Among the items that increased signifi- ntly were rent (up by 15.0 per cent), machinery flenses (up by 11.1 per cent), fertilizer and lime )> by 14.5 per cent), feed (up by 27.9 per cent), 'VierJEtop expenses (up by 26.9 per cent) and I erest on farm debt (up by 37.4 per cent). Some relief towards the cost of servicing farm debt was afforded by the Partial Interest Reimbursement Program, which in 1980 paid a record $23.3 million in interest reimbursement benefits to farmers on 1979 loans. Farmland and Number of Farms The area of cultivated farmland in British Columbia increased by 30,000 acres in 1980, to a total of 2,030,000. Associated with the expansion of acreage was the continued increase in farm numbers in the province, while most other provinces were experiencing declines. The total number of agricultural holdings in British Columbia in 1980 grew to 20,800, an increase of 200 over the number recorded in 1979. Food Processing (Table IV) The estimated value of agricultural commodities marketed by British Columbia food and beverage manufacturing firms in the period January - October 1980 was$l,604 million. This represented an increase of 18.1 percent over the $1,358 million estimated for the same period in the previous year. As of July, 1980, there were 609 firms processing food and beverages in British Columbia, an increase of 80 over the total number recorded in 1979. Increases in the number of establishments occurred chiefly in slaughtering and meat processing, feed, dairy, and the flour and breakfast cereal industries. Retail Food Prices British Columbia's retail food prices rose 13.7 per cent in 1980. Major increases occurred in the prices of eggs (up by 18.0 per cent), dairy products (up by 16.2 per cent), and fruits and vegetables (up by 11.7 per cent). The overall increase in British Columbia, however, was below the increase in the national average for all food items. page nine hAmistry of Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Table II British Columbia Farm Cash Receipts, 1979-1980 1979 1980* Per Cent Change Wheat Oats Barley Grain Stabilization Payments Rapeseed Potatoes Fruit Vegetables Floriculture and Nursery Forage Crops Other Crops 5 869 1 233 8 665 1600 12 304 10423 82 307 37 838 37719 3000 21 116 11000 1860 15 600 19 260 11900 91600 44 700 40700 3000 26 380 + 87.4 + 50.9 + 80.0 + 564 + 14 + II + 18.1 + 7.5 + 244 TOTALCROPS 222074 266 000 + 19.8 Cattle and Calves Hogs Sheep and Lambs Dairy Products Poultry Eggs Honey Other Livestock and Products 115 150 20 171 1641 145 583 69 777 46 239 3 838 13 603 120000 31 100 1760 175 000 64400 53 400 3 700 14640 + 4.2 + 54.2 + 20, - 7-j + 15.! - 3 + 7 TOTAL LIVESTOCK AND PRODUCTS 416002 464 000 + 11J Forest Products (farm woodlots) Farm Income Insurance Dairy Supplementary Payments Deficiency Payments 2406 3 885 8 264 7 2 290 5 231 8810 186 - 4.1 + 341 + 6J TOTAL FARM CASH RECEIPTS 652 638 746517 + 14-4 Source: Statistics Canada, January 1981 Preliminary Estimates POgtlCT I f Ministry of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Rept Table III British Columbia Farm Operating Expenses and Depreciation Charges, 1979 - 1980 flaxes Spross farm rent Wages to farm labour Interest on indebtedness Provincial interest reimbursement jNet interest on indebtedness Machinery expenses Fertilizer and lime Other crop expenses Feed ■HEher livestock expenses Repairs to buildings Electricity and telephone Miscellaneous - Thousands of Dollars — 1979 1980* 9 488 11391 71919 101388 8 251 93 137 52 942 19 300 23 954 101 666 20 920 9 763 10 859 29014 10 100 13 100 75 300 139 299 23 299 116 000 58 800 22 100 30 400 130000 18 400 10300 11600 35 400 Per Cent Change + 6.5 + 15.0 + 4.7 + 37.4 + 182.4 + 24.5 + 11.1 + 14.5 + 26.9 + 27.9 - 12.0 + 5.5 + 6.8 + 22.0 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 454 353 531500 + 17.0 Depreciation on buildings Depreciation on machinery 21280 46 693 25 100 53 800 + 18.0 + 15.2 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES AND DEPRECIATION CHARGES 522 326 610400 + 16.9 [j >urce: Statistics Canada, January 1981 Preliminary Estimates j able IV Number of Food and Beverage Industries, British Columbia, 1980 Slaughtering and Meat Processors 106 Poultry Processors 17 Egg Processors 21 Fish Products Industry 100 Fruit and Vegetable Canners, Preservers and Frozen Fruit and Vegetable Processors 67 Dairy Products Industry 42 Flour and Breakfast Cereal Processors 15 Feed Industry 64 u_ Biscuit and Confectionary Manufacturers 16 Nuts 10 Bakeries 39 Sugar and Honey Processors 20 Miscellaneous Food Processors 55 Soft Drink Manufacturers 19 Distilleries 6 Breweries 7 Wineries 5 JANUARY 1981 TOTAL 609 page eleven Mmatry of Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Policy Development and Planning The policy development and planning division is responsible within the ministry for the development, analysis and evaluation of government policies and programs, and development strategies for the agriculture and food industry in the province. Economic Factors 1980 was characterized by significant elements of instability in the national economy, and the division's activities were heavily oriented towards evaluating the impact of these economic factors on British Columbia farmers. Dominating the issues that affected the economic environment of British Columbia farmers were increases in interest rates in Canada to unprecedented levels, following the pattern in the United States; increases in national energy prices and the possibility of fuel shortages; an escalation of land prices as speculation and hedging established new levels of price expectation; and a rise in wage levels. The ability of the government to stabilize the provincial economy is limited owing to the interdependence with other economies, both within and outside Canada. These interdependencies tend to limit the level of assistance that can be extended to farmers and place greater emphasis upon effective planning within the agricultural sector by government. Improved planning should enable the ministry to foresee future problems and ease the adjustment process of farmers, as well as create new opportunities that fanners can profitably exploit. With an eye to its planning responsibilities, the ministry undertook several initiatives in 1980 to improve its capacity to react to emerging opportunities and complexities over the next decade. The ministry's mandate was broadened to include a direct interest in the vast food processing, distribution and retailing sector of B.C. 's food production systems. Economic and marketing services of the ministry were strengthened and regional administration was implemented to provide a strong framework for regional planning and program evaluation. Division Programs The activities of policy development and planning during the year were directed mainly at helping to resolve problems and issues bearing sign i tic - pagcnvelve candy on the British Columbia fanners' operant) costs. Work was also directed toward aidii long-term planning efforts of the ministry major activities can be grouped under the div principal areas of responsibility as follows: i. Policy Development and Analysis - Fed and/or provincial policy proposals with reT to statutory rates on export grain, feed fi assistance, the emergency allocation of e supplies in the event imports are disrupted, economic union of the provinces under I constitution, and the foreign ownership of land were some of the issues studied to d mine their impact on agriculture in the pni vince. Advice was provided to senior manaft j ment or to other ministries and agencies seeldr •' inputs for the development of a province; position. A major activity during the second half of)} 1 year related to the B.C. Hydro Site C Reserwi f project. Staff assisted independent consultaji r (appointed by the Environmental Land 13 f Committee Secretariat) to estimate the size>: the agricultural resource loss resulting from da construction and flooding, and to organizedr- internal ministry working committee to develt' a submission in support of compensation torn i social loss that may be created by the dam. U material was prepared for presentation at publ * hearings to be held by the B.C. Utilities Coi T\ b) Strategic Planning - The ARDSA project > compile regional profiles and develop a pit plan for the Peace River Region was successful completed to the final draft stage. The profiM >. when published, will provide useful sources information to field staff when servicing H - mers; to the general public who seek reliat data at a subprovincial level; and to manag ment in developing strategic plans for the fi newly created administrative regions. The pil plan should help determine appropria methods and procedures for regional ptannir Also, with a view to developing criteria for t evaluation of ministry programs, staff assjs with a sample evaluation of the ALD. gram. r Economic Analysis - Efforts to improve the methodology of analysis and planning included la proposal to construct an agriculturally Briented input-output model of the British Colombia economy. The model should lead to a pnore precise understanding of the inter-rela- Eonships between the various agricultural sub- fectors, and between the agricultural sector as a whole and other industry and service sectors in the provincial economy. It should also be a I highly useful tool for the internal evaluation of (ministry programs, and an aid to the development of strategic plans for regions and com- i modifies. Ministry of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Report d) Interdepartmental Liaison - Policy development and planning provided staff for several inter-ministerial technical committees, notably the planning processes committee; the environment resource land use working committee of the energy project coordinating committee; the working group on socio-economic approaches for allocating Crown land; the cost-benefit working group; the working group on compensation and mitigation of social and environmental impacts; and the emergency supplies allocation program working group. Executive Officer I jffhe executive officer is responsible for the conization of legislative matters within the minimi. In 1980, 51 orders-in-council were processed (i lating to 19 acts. During the 1980 session of the Legislative As- mbly, the following agricultural legislation was . lacted: I Ministry of Agriculture and Food Act, replacing Iffie Ministry of Agriculture Act and allowing an i expanded mandate for the ministry. Iffivestock Act, which updates and consolidates Jtne Animals Act, Livestock Production Act and livestock Act (1979). i Livestock Brand Act, which replaces an out- . dated statute of the same name, i Amendment to the Livestock Protection Act, ■TOich allows regional districts to retain the sec- ctions of the act considered necessary for effective (dog control while exempting them from the remainder of the act. eI The executive officer serves as secretary to the liiitish Columbia Agricultural Aid to Developing LJffiitries Advisory Committee which, during 1980, recommended support for 29 projects and seven disaster operations in 21 countries sponsored by 17 charitable organizations. The executive officer is responsible for the administration of the ministry's policy of financial assistance to many agricultural associations. Under this policy, operating grants were given during 1980 to fair and exhibition associations, the Provincial Women's Institute, district farmers' institutes, and others. As superintendent of fanners' institutes, he provided a liaison between their members and the ministry and organized the annual meeting of the Farmers' Institutes Advisory Board. Additional duties of the executive officer included that of secretary at senior management meetings and secretary to the B.C. Agricultural Services Coordinating Committee. This committee, through direction of six lead committees, maintains a watch on agricultural research, education and extension activities in the province and encourages the organization of seminars, workshops and projects to identify and overcome problems of importance to the agricultural industry. page thirteen Ministry of Agriculture Old Food — 1980 Annual Report Information Services Farmer; in British Columbia continuously look for new ways to produce food of superior quality and at reasonable cost. They are eager to team about cost-saving techniques, marketing innovations or new varieties that will boost yields and provide the consumer with a nourishing, attractive commodity at a reasonable price. The ministry's corps of production and management specialists communicate daily with fanners in a variety of ways: personal contact, articles in the press and on radio, publications, farm demonstrations, seminars, direct-mail newsletters, and so on. The ministry's information services branch plays its major role at this communications stage. Although the ministry/farmer communications link remained as the branch's major informational role in 1980, more effort was directed to informing the public of the significance of a prosperous agriculture and food industry in B.C. During 1980, branch programs were canned out in two distinct areas: 1. Technical information services for farmers, and 2. Public relations projects aimed at rural and urban audiences Technical Information Publications, brochures, pamphlets, factsheets, feature articles for farm press, films and slide-tape presentations were prepared to inform fanners of ministry services or new production techniques that would increase output as well as farm income. Numerous publications were prepared in 1980, one of which was a colour booklet describing the control and damaging effects of knapweed, a noxious weed that threatens the productive use of large tracts of range in B.C. Work also began on an update of the ministry's Agricultural Services Guide booklet which will describe the ministry's reorganization into a regionalized system of program delivery. The 1980 Production Guides, the major series of annual publications published by the ministry, were printed and distributed to producers of greenhouse crops, tree fruits, grapes, mushrooms, vegetables, nursery crops, berries, and field crops. At mid-year, arrangements were made to have the manuscripts typeset onto computerized magnetic disks. This innovation enabled the manuscripts to be reviewed and corrected more quickly and with considerably less chance of error in preparation for the 1981 editions. With the installation in late- 1980 of word processing equipment in the branch's page fourteen Victoria office, necessary text changes in tutqji editions of the Production Guides will result] substantial time savings at the editing and prod stages. The word processing equipment was also uj prepare many of the increasingly popular factshi which include Agrimarket Reporter, Engineers Notes, Farm Business Management, Field Cqj Facts, B.C. Food Markets, Pest Control Notjjs Stock Talk, Soils Notes, Animal Health IntonS) I tion and Poultry Facts. These factsheets were dis tributed to fanners either through the ministry' district and regional offices or direct to farmers on; i commodity mailing list. Numerous feature articles describing new istry projects such as the innovative bird cord devices, pesticide seminars, renewed income insui ance programs, etc. were prepared and sent to th farm media. Several films and slide-tape presentations wer completed on technical topics including th benefits of feed testing, the advantages of tmishin beef on forage rations, irrigation systems, autc mated feeding systems in dairy barns, knapwee control, and the ministry's rangeland reseeder. Advertisements were placed in newspapers an on radio to alert farmers of ministry-sponsorc seminars, deadlines on financial assistance pet grams, new programs and regulations. Public Relations Simultaneous to the announcement in mid-lPc of the ministry's expanded agriculture and fix mandate, a colourful publication entitled "Agt culture and Food - A New Mandate" was printi and distributed to the media, industry and far i community across Canada. The booklet outlim the ministry's commitment to the food procesdi : and marketing segment of the industry beyond tl farmgate. It also described new ministry objectiv within the context of provincial agriculture I , sources to meet more of the province's future ns | needs. A total of 60 news releases were issued durii : 1980 to advise the rural and urban audience current agricultural trends, changes to minisi programs, new staff, and new policies affecting tl agricuIture and food industry. An additional 57 news releases were prepared fu describe projects approved under the federal/pu' vincial ARDSA program. _ i) Ministry of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Report I Audio-visual presentations and feature articles I ere prepared to inform the non-farm audience of le significance of B.C. 's agriculture and food sec- I is Articles were sent to dailies, weeklies and spe- I ill trade magazines such as the New Westminster I'Mumbian, the Financial Post, B.C. Business, and SiBiy others. Revisions were made in the ministry's rood in Perspective" slide-tape presentation to iiffict the ministry's new regional structure. The |B"Prey for Predators" was completed and used I ®ly throughout the province to inform ranchers id the general public of correct predator manage- (erit methods. A slide-tape presentation entitled I tmding a Balance" was started in mid-1980 and will explain the impact and need for the judicious use of pesticides combined with integrated pest control methods in modern agriculture. A 15-minute film interview with a part-time and full-time B.C. farmer was completed for presentation at the annual Canadian Agricultural Extension Council conference in eastern Canada. The film depicted the farmer's view of ministry services related to their part-time and full-time farm operations. A large display depicting the diversity of B.C.'s agriculture industry was designed and installed at the B.C. Ferry terminal at Tsawwassen. I Iggay, titled1 "Our Neighbours in the Country", at the Tsawwassen ferry terminal was aimed at giving urban travellers an appreciation for the p...agrkuliuTe and food industry. page fifteen Ministry o/Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report egional Extension Services. f'S part of the ministry's reorganization in 1980, wprovince was divided into five administrative i|)ns — Peace River, Central, Thompson- w: August. livestock ;•. 3eef, sheep, poultry and dairy numbers remained siilar to those reported inl979 despite soft mar- jk ing conditions. The lack of a strong local market & sheep continued to hinder development of that i ustry. Dairy producers in the North Peace area I a|M increased competition in local markets due to lapsing imports of fluid milk from other parts of i^ province. A similar situation affected local t« dieting of poultry products. :xtension activities for the livestock industry LUIflded farm visits or office consultations, finan- icl management courses presented by the econom- i branch for swine and beef producers and a semi- Ministry o/Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Repon nar and field day on branding presented by the brands division of the veterinary branch. Development of community pastures continued in 1980 with $292,000 of ARDSA funds spent on six of the seven pastures in the Peace. A total of 10,602 head of cattle were pastured during the year, approximately 25 per cent of the total cattle in the region. The Upper Cache coordinated range management plan (C.R.M.P.), estimated to cost $1,750,000 over the next four years with support from ARDSA, commenced in 1980. Proposals for two more community pasture C.R.M.P.s were prepared. The demand for further development of community pastures is expected to increase resulting from a 30 per cent rise in the cost of deeded agricultural land. The Peace River community pasture demonstration project continued into its fourth year with grazing trials, forage nursery demonstrations added to the forage sample analysis, fertilizer trials and demonstration of development techniques. Valuable pasture management and development information has been gathered by field crops branch staff from this project. Honey The Peace River region is the major source of honey produced in the province but a 20 per cent cutback in the number of hives and only average production significantly lowered cash receipts in 1980. The prices for honey remained strong but labour, fuel and package bee costs slowed development. Horticulture Acreage in horticultural crops has decreased by 75 per cent since 1975 largely due to difficulties in marketing locally and the uncertain future of the river benchlands scheduled for flooding by hydroelectric developments. The appointment in 1980 of a horticulturist to serve the Prince George and Peace Regions will be helpful in rejuvenating the industry. Special Activities Extension services staff were involved in a variety of special assignments or activities including the hosting of the B.C. and Alberta Farm Writers Tour, initiation of a dugout-filling pump program with the assistance of the engineering branch, production of broadcasts three times each week on radio stations in Fort St. John and Dawson Creek, organization of a seminar dealing with oil industry- agriculture conflicts and, in cooperation with field crops branch, the first ever field day for farmers in Fort Nelson. Ministry o/ Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Central The Central region, comprised of the agricultural districts of Smithers, Vanderhoof, Prince George and Quesnel, covers a large geographic area with a wide diversity of climatic and soil types. The agricultural industry is expanding with numerous new entrants into the industry. District agriculturists in each district are supported by a staff of regional specialists located in Prince George and by provincial specialists. Field Crops Forage yields were generally good for the Prince George area but of variable quality because of harvest conditions. There was a surplus of hay in the Prince George area. Cereal acreage for grain and silage increased in the Prince George and Robson Valley areas. Field barley was produced and sold locally. Rapeseed growers in the Robson Valley produced an excellent crop for export. At Vanderhoof renewed interest has developed in cereal production primarily for silage. Of 10,000 acres in cereal production, 10 per cent was harvested as grain and the remainder as silage. The grain met about 10 per cent of a keen local market. The wet autumn in the Quesnel area caused deterioration in the hay quality, depending on local circumstances. Verrici/Jium wilt is proving to be a serious disease in alfalfa fields under moist conditions. Cereal acreage may increase due to more land being cleared and the use of cereals as a rotation crop where disease is a problem in alfalfa stands. Knapweed is a key concern of this district and plans are underway to increase the control measures. There were 12 acres of horticultural crops produced in the Quesnel area plus 106 acres of seed potatoes. page moiiyiuit Adverse weather in the Smithers district resu in a disappointing year for forage and cereal pro tion, with yields about 50 per cent of normal. Livestock During the year, 18,000 acres of land in Vanderhoof area were cleared for agricultural fin duction. As a partial result, the 1980 breedir cattle herd increased by an estimated 14.5 per cei (estimated breeding herd of 15,700 animals). Tl new acres should allow further expansion offi beef sector. In the Prince George area the community pa . tures were stocked to capacity. There was a ltee interest in future expansion of some of the p facilities. Ninety per cent of the fanners in£ district reported having some livestock. At Smithers, summer range was a limiting taj to any increase in livestock numbers. Dairy pq tion in the district increased by 8.7 per centfl the previous year. Horticulture The establishment of a vegetable grading ai; packing facility at Telkwa prompted the growinji 150 acres of horticulture crops such as broc® cauliflower, carrots, parsnips and rutabagas[~ proximately $ 10,000 worth of vegetables wen duced in 1980 with indications that there woul 300 acres in production for the 1981 seasoiSi farms from Bums Lake to Terrace. Staff Activities The extension activities of the region are gearu to providing a broad range of support to a devc oping farm population. The district agriculturis conducted office consultations and farm visits. I conjunction with regional staff, demonstratioi were held on topics such as land clearing, livestot management, forage and cereal variety trials, wk control, fertilizer correlation and fertilizer respotis Cooperative extension programs were conduct with the University of British Columbia and tl College of New Caledonia. The close work i ng ret tionship continued with the federal tesearcjp tion at Prince George. ill hompson^Cariboo Ministry o; Agriculture and Food- 1980 Annual Re| The Thompson-Cariboo region, with offices at tnloops and Williams Lake, encompasses a large tion of the province's open rangeland. Beef cat- enterprises comprise about 90 per cent of the ion's agricultural activity and represent about 40 i cent (1976 census) of the provincial beef herd, alfa hay fanning, corn production and fruit and etable enterprises, with the benefit of irrigation, I impute to the area's agriculture industry. \iU Crops Vlthough May to September rainfall was approx- tely 170 per cent of normal, it came too late to enish irrigation reservoirs for the season, fore- some cutback in corn acreage and allowing only :raffirrigation of some ha/ fields. Fortunately, a ij5jst-free season allowed com to mature and to be cut late, resulting in the storage of ade- teKinter feed. vestock )epressed cattle markets and increased produc- ,,| i costs discouraged any increase in the size of the f herd. The co-op sale yards reported a decreased rly volume of 13.5 per cent through the Wil- ,j is Lake yard and four per cent through the y nloops yard. Fewer steers than cows and heifers e sold through the yards; cows and heifers were .ilig to feed yards rather than breeding herds. A j H number of new feed yards were built but the J iber of calves being held for backgrounding did I increase. Horticulture Horticultural production increased slowly and steadily in the Kamloops district. A vineyard has been established at Basque; this producer was also growing field tomatoes and melons. A vegetable seed enterprise was started at Pritchard. Programs In the Williams Lake district, Agricultural Land Development Act funds requested to clear land exceeded funds requested to establish irrigation. In the Kamloops district, the reverse was true. Activities Regional extension services staff continued to provide a high standard of service to agriculture and the community. Individual consultation was popular with clients and staff as indicated by the large number of office visits and farm calls in both districts. In cooperation with other branches, Agriculture Canada Research Station and producer groups, staff members conducted and assisted with trials and demonstrations, designed to evaluate and demonstrate the benefits to their districts of crop varieties, fertilizer response, management practices, irrigation techniques, range seeding and others. The regional extension staff represented the ministry on a number of committees, dealing with resource management regional planning and problem wildlife. ± page twenty-three Ministry 0/Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Report Okanagan-Kootenay The Okanagan-Kootenay region takes in the southeast corner of B.C. and encompasses eight district offices. The regional office is located at Summerland. Tree Fruits Production of apples in the region reached an all-time high of 450 million pounds. Pear and prune yields were up substantially although sizing problems in Bartlett pears caused economic loss. Weather problems caused significant losses in the fresh market for cherry producers; fortunately the cannery market was strong and 48 per cent of the crop was diverted for canning. Over 19 million pounds of peaches and about 7 million pounds of apricots were harvested with good returns. Extensive grower participation in the ministry- sponsored farm income insurance program was expected to help alleviate cash flow problems prevalent among growers. Orchard land prices which averaged $2500- $3000 per acre in 1972 approached $20,000 per acre in 1980. Although beginning fanners suffer hardship, some of the established producers have purchased additional planted acreage or brought new land into production. Production levels are expected to rise with improved cultural techniques, rejuvenation of old plantings and the coming into production of new plantings. Additional controlled atmosphere storage for the crop, partially funded by ARDSA, was expected to help stabilize markets resulting from this increased production. page twenty-four Ministry extension personnel presented grower courses covering topics such as sprayt bration, financial management, pruning; stocks and row spacing, soil sampling and analysis and pesticide application. The chautauqua television program for ttel growers was replaced by a new grower edud program featuring classroom lectures, printed duction guides, on-farm field days, demonsd plots, newsletters and radio broadcasts. The establishment of the B.C. fruit growers1 orchard at Oliver reflects a total industry appi which will, under commercial conditions, rel the latest in production technology. Ministry cials and programs played a major role development. An irrigation scheduling program to optii water use, involving 43 growers and 425 ac production, proved successful and was to bnll animal practitioners. rveral investigational projects were either con- died or initiated during 1980. Some were sup- - xed by VIDO and the B.C. Federation of Ag- i"1§.ture dairy committee funds,, while others either ■r=9lly involved branch funds or were carried out in conjunction with other branches, viz. dairy or under the DATE program. Some of these projects are: 1. Avivan Adenovirus Infection and Egg Drop Syndrome In co-operation with VIDO and with a projected program for one more year, 50 to 100 Avian Adenoviruses from problem flocks showing infertility and egg production drops are being serotyped. These are from Canada-wide sources. 2. Hemorrhagic Enteritis Vaccine A pheasant spleen virus vaccine has been produced for use in turkeys. It is in the final testing stage before being released to the industry. 3. Trace Mineral Salt Mix Attempts are being made to ascertain whether the feeding of a salt-selenium mixture over the winter months will result in a sufficiently high selenium level in the blood of the dam to protect her calves from subsequent deficiency problems. Duplicate samples are being taken before and after the winter range period. Three herds, in each of five geographical regions known to be selenium deficient, are being checked. 4. Bovine Subclinical Mastitis Survey In co-operation with the dairy lab and the B.C. Federation of Agriculture, 11,000 cows in 152 herds resulted in 44,000 CMTs (California Mastitis Test) which detected 11,600 subclinical mastitic quartets. The predominant isolate was Staphylococcus aureus. 5. Bacterin for "Snuffles" in Rabbits In co-operation with the poultry branch, several promising Pasteurella (snuffles) bacterin were tested and evaluated. 6. Salmonella in Calves - Bacterin Studies In co-operation with VIDO, a new live salmonella bacterin was derived and tested in calves and pregnant cows. The vaccine was non-invasive and protected calves which were fed colostrum from treated dams. 7. Selenium-Response Survey In co-operation with the B.C. Artificial Insemination Centre, Milner, the status of selenium and other minerals, i.e. iodine, was determined in herds which were showing a high percentage of repeat breeders. Brand Inspection The new Livestock Brand and Livestock Acts were passed by the Legislature and will be in effect when new regulations, pursuant to these Acts, are passed early in 1981. page thirty-seven Maustty of Agriculture and Food— i960 Annual Report The new Livestock Brand Act will not change the brand inspection procedures now in place. The new Act recognizes current practices involved in the transport of cattle and inspection of brands. The Livestock Act regulates livestock trespass on privately owned land in the unorganized areas of the province. This new Act streamlines procedures related to the establishment of pound districts. It will also require that pound districts be more self administered than is required at the present time. ^*g££~~^& '■>uvesachpopiUationu^^auvelyauease-freedunrig 1980 due to effective control methods, page thirty-eight i There was a two per cent decrease (269,724 to ;4,231) in the total number of inspections made I the brands division during 1980. However, renue increased four per cent ($191,568.15 to |i?9J315.23) mainly due to the increased number t brand registrations that were renewed. Cattle morts from the province decreased 10 per cent (:7,008 in 1979 to 115,681 in 1980). The Cattle bm Act imposes a $2 penalty on owners of cattle [trying horns which are shipped for slaughter or i c: of the province. Collections under this act were Lsistantially less than the previous year i.e. m,352 to $11,088 and in the past two years have lapped from $28,796 which is a 61.5 per cent r uction. Ministry o/Agriculture and Food- 1980 Annual Report Assistance to VIDO The agreement to match dollar for dollar donations from the livestock and poultry industry in British Columbia to the Veterinary Infectious Di eases Organization (VIDO) was continued. VIDO is a privately fonded research organization, located on the campus of the University of Saskatchewar and operates in close cooperation with the Wester College of Veterinary Medicine. During the period covered by this report, the ministry matched donations from the B.C. Egg Marketing Board, Kamloops Stockmen's Association, B.C. Cattlemen's Association and the Thompson Valley Hereford Association, totalling $12,402. Touth Development sfhe three main programs administered by the y th development branch are: 4-H, farm vaca- iB'is and the International Agricultural Exchange -p gram. -H is a personal growth program for young fcpple between the ages of nine and 19 years. The rbnch offers project and resource material in 24 tderent areas of interest to young people. In 1980, p2 clubs enrolled under the direction of 824 vol- il u eer leaders. Some of the more popular projects ■lie: beef, dairy, horse, lamb, clothing and dairy i>git. Participants had the opportunity to develop technical and public speaking skills. 4-H'ers participated in national and international 4-H events, including conferences in Ottawa, Toronto, Washington, D.C. and interprovincial and interstate exchanges. In 1980 the Western Provinces 4-H Seminar was held at the University of Victoria. Forty-eight members from Western Canada participated in an excellent "Your Life/Your Style" program, which focused on fitness, nutrition and attitude toward a healthful life. Another highlight of 1980 was the Shell Canada sponsored Canada-Great Britain 4-H exchange. The British Columbia delegate on this first ever exchange was Ken Keis of Matsqui. nlmth Development Branch Program ii rticipation Statistics 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 ' - j 1 4-H Programs - members - clubs - leaders 3435 243 824 3620 254 825 3576 262 776 3943 267 819 4305 271 840 i Farm Vacations - number of guests - vacation days 529 2645 623 3175 500 2480 400 2125 350 1750 / I.A.E.A. - trainees to B.C. - trainees from B.C. 36 16 33 11 40 11 43 12 41 6 page thirty'nint Ministry o/Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report In June of 1980 the head office of the branch was transferred from Victoria to the ministry's regional office located at Summerland. The B.C. 4-H Foundation experienced good growth in 1980. This 4-H community-initiated self-help project has accumulated over $72,000, the interest from which goes toward the sponsorship of additional 4-H programs. Farm Vacation Programs In 1980, over 500 people enjoyed holidays on farms and ranches throughout B.C. Vacations averaged five days for a total of 2,645 vacation days. The branch prepared a listing of farm vacation hosts and advertised the program, which also provides farmers and ranchers with an additional source of revenue. International Agricultural Exchange Association Program The branch acts as provincial coordinator") this international program in which over | countries participate. Young raral people betwl the ages of 19 and 27 have the opportunity toff and work on a farm or ranch in another country J 1980, 30 trainees from Australia, New Zealand { many European countries were hosted on Brm Columbia farms. Sixteen young people from Bin Columbia travelled to Australia and New Zea in the fall of 1980 to start a six-month prog* there. ^ own ejuliunges are one o/die many acdimes dial 4-H staff, leaders and parents coordinate for die benefit of 4-H members. page forty Ministry 0/Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report \ Apiculture The apiculture branch provides specialist service and advice to honey producers, packers, fruit and seed growers, as well as to government agencies and their staff. Branch work covers three main areas: extension, regulation and applied research. Apiculture branch staff members chair two national committees. One standing committee liaises with industry and professionals to advise the federal animal health division on importation of disease- free honeybee stock. The other committee formulates recommendations concerned with the use of antibiotics and drugs to control bee diseases throughout Canada. Crop Review The total honey crop during 1980 was 1,771 tonnes (3,897,120 lb.) a decrease of 784 tonnes (1,724,800 lb) from the 1979 crop. Active beekeepers in the province numbered 5,426, an increase of 168 from 1979 numbers. Indications are that the number of beekeepers has stabilized after a dramatic increase during the early to mid seventies. Tight money, high interest rates, and rapidly increasing costs of inputs contributed to a slowdown of growth of the apiculture industry. This was dramatically emphasized by cost increases of sugar, containers, fuel, vehicles and beekeeping equipment. Wholesale prices for honey to packers in bulk containers were $1.28 - $1.32/kg ($.58 - $.60/lb.). Farm gate prices of honey were $1.98 - $2.20/kg (.90 - $1.00/lb). Total value of the honey crop was $3,582,000, beeswax - $164,772, pollination rental - $200,000 and pollen - $150,000 for a total of $4,096,772. These figures do not include the total pollination value of honey bees to all food crops which is estimated to be one hundred times1 greater than the value of honey. Honey production from fireweed ranged from 100 pounds plus to zero. Seven years of data is now available on the effects of temperature, altitude, moisture and the production capability of a fire- weed burn over a given number of years. Under the right conditions, fireweed has the potential of producing excellent crops of high quality honey. McGregor, S.E., Insect Pollination of Cultivated Crop Plants, U.S.D. A. Agriculture Handbook No. 496, 1976, p. 6. Branch Programs Extension and Applied Research - For the fiftl j consecutive year, honey producers in British Col. umbia were given financial assistance under th "Beeyard - Bear Protection Incentive Program" 11 compensate for hive damage by bears and subse 1 quent loss of crop. These grants helped honey pre | ducers construct bear-proof electric fences or offie protective devices. Bear predation created losses11 300 hives and honey valued at $34,620, a substar 1 tial decrease from 1979 losses. The use of honeybees by beekeepers to polltnat tree fruits, small fruits, vegetable seed crops, an i clover is an integral part of agricultural crop pit duction. A total of 5,544 hives owned by ber keepers were rented by growers of various crops ft < pollination purposes. The average rental fee w;. $21.84 per hive. The "Bee Breeding and Honeybee Stocklnj provement Project" completed its third year 11 funding under the ministry's DATE program. Th" bee breeding project is designed to make Britis Columbia self-sufficient in the producticSil '*-'T»,VSB«r Apiculture staff closely monitor breeder queens and their progen} in a mat" nuclei e forty-two r ckage bees and honeybee queens which are now Iflaorted from the United States and New Zealand. IKler the program, queens produced in B.C. were I ipped to honey producers in Manitoba for test- Is Results from these comparative tests showed : at hives headed by B.C. queen bees were equal to :, superior in brood area and honey production ■Spared to hives with California packaged bees or I ©wintered Manitoba hives. IA total of 470 queens reared under the branch's ■ ;eding program were selected for testing. Of ji:se, 300 were distributed to beekeeper cooper- airs for replacement and testing. The remainder II re open mated or instramentally inseminated for in in 150 colonies established by the branch for ftnaparative testing and evaluation. c For the second consecutive year, leafcutter bees, U!gachi!e rotundata, were used to pollinate four ■•es of Angus alfalfa for seed. A similar project is Abe undertaken on the Creston flats during 1981 \:h the objective of establishing several pilot al- wa seed growing operations which may encourage aki foster an alfalfa seed industry in British d lumbia. Ministry o/Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Other project work included indoor overwintering of honeybee colonies and selected breeder queens, pollination of strawberries, and testing the effects of the insecticide Ambush (Permethrin) as a bee repellant. In cooperation with Dr. Cam Jay, of the University of Manitoba, studies on honeybee pollination of tree fruits in the Okanagan valley continued fot the second yeat. Regulation - The incidence of American foul- brood disease increased 1.28 percent from 1979 levels to 397 colonies during 1980. The incidence of all other bee diseases was down except for Chalkbrood which increased by 0.43 per cent. Contingency plans ate being developed to deal with any accidental introduction into Canada of the mites Varroa jacobsoni and Acarapis woodi, reported to be present in South America. All provincial and federal bee acts were being reviewed to ensure that legislation exists to deal effectively with any future infestation or outbreak of mites now in Canada. eased beehive equipment and the testing of fumigation effects. Iirmland Resources Lti armland resources emerged as a new branch in Lit 10. Staff of the former development and exten- iriii branch were decentralized into five regional ■ices. mi Tie branch mandate is to deal with all policies, ■igrams and developments of provincial and fed- dp ministries and agencies, regional and munici- ■Df governments and Crown corporations which .tract on the farmland resources of British Colum- irbl The branch also initiates policy development jpw programs which will maintain and enhance the irtsiland resource. Dc id Resources n 'ith the Minister of Agriculture and Food as- ifefing responsibility of the provincial agricultural Us* commission in 1980, the farmland resources ■K ch became responsible for providing the Minis- Iflte'ith administrative services for all reports from I wland commission. The branch also prepares Cultural land reserve appeal applications for 1?r,:ntation by the Minister to the environment .Jfflland use committee. I lit Funding was provided in 1980 for an enhanced agricultural land reserve fine-tuning program. The program involved the start of a detailed soil survey of the eastern coastal plain of Vancouver Island. Soil survey crews mapped about 30,000 hectares in the Duncan-Ladysmith areas in 1980. The program enabled the land commission to enhance their internal fine-tuning program. Technical services are provided by the terrestrial studies branch of the ministry of environment. Land Use Many general land use and resource management policies were reviewed during 1980. The branch was actively involved in review and assessment of these policies. Legislation proposed in 1980 included the Planning Act - A Discussion Paper, the Utilities Act and the Wildlife Act. Major policies introduced were the creation of provincial forests, the Crown land disposition policy and the change in administration of grazing leases and permits. All of these are the statutory responsibility of other page forty-three Ministry of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Report ministries, but their impact on the agricultural sec- tot must be considered. The green zone program continued to be promoted as a means of reducing the conflicts that sometimes occur between farm and non-farm neighbours. The green zone bylaw for swine operations was adopted by two local governments and a bylaw for beef operations by one municipality. Eight other local governments have received presentations on the green zone concept and several have initiated the adoption process. The green zone concept of separation distances is being widely used in the province, often voluntarily by the producer and sometimes at the request of local government. Many land use issues surfaced in 1980 which hi some impact on agriculture. Some of the isstj which the land use analyst dealt with include draj ing the ministry's submission to the Royal Comml sion of Inquiry into uranium mining in British Columbia, reviewing B.C. Hydro's Peace River Site] project, transmission projects of B.C. Hydro, Alaska Highway Gas Pipeline project, several na metal and coal mine development proposals, th! Annacis Island and supporting road system, andthi Parksville-Qualicum Beach bypass. The branch continued to act as the referen] point for ministry regional staff who serve on gional resource management committees, regioi problem wildlife committees and technical plan"} ning committees for regional districts. The brarH develops a provincial perspective whereby region! staff can contribute to land use planning processes including the creation of provincial forests and official settlement plans. Farmland resources staff deal with many other agencies on die best use of agricultural land page/orry-jbur iield Crops Minisn, of Agriculture and Food - 1980 Annual Report i The principal function of the field crops branch if Sincrease the skills of producers in field crop induction and management, range management k;d weed control by conducting applied research Ltd extension programs. The branch also admin- li;rs the Weed Control Act. production of most field crops during 1980 was pd despite adverse climatic conditions in the tsing. Interior and northern areas had a very early, c spring which was offset by above average sum- trr rainfall. Coastal areas had a very cool and wet Ising which inhibited growth until mid-July. Most la is enjoyed a warm, open fall with generally good p vesting conditions. IErage Crop Production otal provincial production was estimated at 230,800 tons of hay equivalent, slightly more in 1979 production. Prices of B.C. produced hay ,n>ed from $80 to $100 per ton depending upon k:ce and quality. Prices of imported alfalfa from WUhington rose to $ 175 per ton for a short period ■owing the Mt. St. Helens eruption but softened it 160 per ton later in the season. 1 he branch conducted numerous fertilizer and ;. ;ety trials of grasses and legumes during the year. k\iajor fertilizer crop correlation study in central •J., was launched with the cooperation of the piistry's soils branch and the B.C. Federation of Jhiculture. Sites have been established at nine onions on two soil types, i x European alfalfa varieties resistant to Verticil- lit wilt were established at five southern interior IPt for evaluation. c replicated trial in Delta to compare six grass- pine mixtures was summarized after three years iJPt ■w *&'■*&?■ £&&?£ of study. While there were no significant differences in yield between simple and complex perennial mixtures in the year after seeding, the best over-all mixtures were those containing orchard- grass as the major species. Another forage trial of wide interest in the Peace River area was the community pasture demonstration project at Sunset Prairie. A large forage nursery has been established and developed pastures are being evaluated for carrying capacity. Various methods of establishing pastures are also being compared. Silage Corn Production Delays in com planting due to poor weather conditions and slow growth during the summer resulted in immature com at harvest. Plantings increased to more than 25,000 acres with average yields of 19 tons of green weight per acre. The branch established demonstration sites of corn hybrids on 25 farms throughout the com producing areas. Recommendations issued annually by the B.C. Com Committee assist growers in the selection of hybrids and cultural techniques. Cereal and Oilseed Production Stronger prices and better marketing conditions for grains resulted in significant acreage increases of spring wheat and barley. Rapeseed production declined by 50 per cent from the previous year. Although most of the grain and rapeseed production was in the Peace River area, acreages of grain increased substantially in the central B.C. and lower mainland regions. Good crops of rapeseed were produced in the McBride district. Estimated 1980 acreage and yields of cereals and rapeseed were as follows: Crop Acres Yield (Bu./acre) Wheat 127,000 39 Oats 56,000 69.6 Barley 200,000 50.5 Rapeseed 132,000 16 idem variety trials v lid. inducted at Ladner as pan of a nine-variety Replicated cereal variety trials were conducted in both the north and south Peace River areas with the cooperation of staff at the Beaverlodge Research Station. Demonstration trials were also conducted by the branch at Fort Nelson, Stikine Valley, McBride, North Okanagan, Smithers, Fort Fraser, Agassiz and Ladner. uu page forty-five Ministry o/Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Potato variety trials at Pemberton were carried out by field crops branch staff during 1980. Forage Seed Production Pedigreed seed acreage which almost doubled in 1979 from 1978, increased to a record 11,767 acres in 1980. While most of this was in the Peace River area, there was increased acreage in other districts such as Vanderhoof, Cariboo, Creston and Ladner. An aerial survey of the Peace River region indicated a total Creeping Red Fescue acreage (pedigreed and common) of 23,720 acres. The very dry spring contributed to a decline in yield to 190 pounds per acre. Prices appeared to strengthen in late 1980. A four-year forage seed evaluation project funded jointly by the B.C. ministry of agriculture and food, Agriculture Canada and the seed trade was launched in the spring of 1980. Replicated trials of species and varieties have been established at Ladnet, Creston, Kamloops, Quesnel and Vanderhoof. A project to demonstrate alfalfa seed production using leafcutter bees was established at Dawson Creek in 1980. Range Development As in previous years, staff were involved in coordinated resource management planning in conjunction with other resource agencies. The range extension/education committee actively promoted the use of the range disc-seeder-packer built by the page forty-six engineering branch and cooperated with the UBC agricultural outreach program in organizing a grazing systems seminar. Monitoring of range seedings following renovations indicated an increase of 100 - 500 per cent in dry matter production depending on range conm- a tion. Range grass variety trials were also established [ at a numbet of locations. Community Pastures A total of 195 users pastured 13,335 head of cattle on 12 community pastures in central BS£ and the Peace River regions. Potatoes Plantings of potatoes in 1980 declined to about 7,500 acres from 9,400 acres in 1979. Poor pricelr. recent years and a reduction in processing contracts contributed to the decline. Much stronger pricejin 1980 reflected the general decline in acreage | throughout North America. As in 1979, BJD. growers captured about 63 per cent of the legal J market. at l The virus-free seed potato project was exparSeaf in 1980. Two greenhouses to enable growers toi propagate their own virus-free cuttings for nucleat^ stock were constructed in the Cariboo Seed Qin-. M I Area in addition to the four greenhouses built the Pemberton Seed Control Area in 1979. ©11 sample shipments of virus-free seed were sent Korea, Sri Lanka and the Philippines in an effort mcrease seed exports. Variety trials were conducted at four locations. jjjeed Control [The ministry continued its financial assistance to (ional district and municipal weed control pro- ims. In 1980, ministry grants of $300,000 gen- ted more than $700,000 of expenditures in 24 illy planned weed control programs, n cooperation with the ministry of forests and Imerous other agencies, the knapweed contain- nt program was continued in an effort to prevent s weed from becoming established in areas where not yet a problem. In an effort to acquaint the BJc of this serious menace to rangeland, many lis were erected in strategic locations, a colorful chure was distributed, and a film on knapweed fproduced for general use. Biological control grams were intensified in an effort to reduce ■fpweed stands. The gall flies which reduce seed ■Suction can now be found in all infestations. •fi eral other bio-control agents released by Ag- Huture Canada were also becoming established. rT; ministry contributed financially for the testing root borer which could be released by 1982. ijcime 45 weed control trials in 17 different crops e conducted in 1980. Branch staff completed a lb-year weed impact study in the Peace River Ret. "Zero-till" trials were intensified in the ce River area with the approval of an ARDSA it under sponsorship of Northern Lights College Ministry 0/Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Repori at Dawson Creek. Results of preliminary work done in 1979 and 1980 indicated a good potential for success of zero-till methods. General Extension Activities Staff members were active in many ministry extension programs including producer meetings, field days and farm tours. Staff members assisted other ministties and agencies in various programs including regional college education programs, ministry of environment pesticide applicators courses, regional weed control advisory committees, etc. They also served on many provincial and national committees such as the B.C. Com Committee, B.C. Forage Crops Advisory Council, B.C. Regional Potato Committee, Canada Export Committee on Weeds, Canadian Seed Growers' Association and many others. Improvements in yields of forage crops i orchardgTass/ryegrass trials at Ladner. brticulture l&ansion in many segments of the horticultural |§try was dramatic during 1980. Its growth was Ited in the combined forces of knowledgeable Rrs, meaningful research and an active horti- Ittal extension program. result of regionalization of ministry field Ifiions, almost half of the branch's staff was kferred to the regional administration. The I culture branch now administers a commodity Ifilist in each of three areas: tree fruits, berries (vegetables. Programs will continue to be pro- |1 to producers in a manner similar to that of Ears. Tree Fruits The industry is currently marketing the largest apple crop in history. North American markets are heavily supplied with apples from a U.S. crop of about 10.8 billion pounds and a Canadian crop of about 1.1 billion pounds. Large crops of sweet cherries, apricots, peaches and pears have been sold at good prices. Unusually large crops of Italian prunes and Tydeman apples resulted in lower prices for these commodities. The 1980 apple crop is estimated to be about 450 million pounds, the largest crop in B.C. history. page forty-seven Ministry of Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Tne J 980 apple crop was believed to be the largest in B. C. history - about 450 million pounds. Three factors that contributed to the record crop were the near perfect fall weather which allowed the fruit to continue sizing up to harvest; the presence of many young bearing trees just reaching their first foil crop in 1980; and the success of cultural improvements in all areas of horticulture. B.C. Tree Fruits has recognized the need for expanded C.A. (controlled atmosphere) storage facilities to extend sales of the apple crop into the later more lucrative marketing season. A C.A. building program will be launched in 1981 which will increase the present holding capacity to 125,000 bins from 95,000 bins. The Anjou pear crop of 17 million pounds was a significant increase over the low 1979 crop. Prices, quality and condition of the crop were good. The Bartlett pear crop of 25 million pounds was below expectations due partly to small size. Many orchardists dissatisfied with the performance of Bartletts removed smaller tree blocks and unprofitable older trees. Peaches showed a good recovery from the effects of the 1978-79 winter freeze. Over 26 million pounds were produced compared to 19 million pounds in 1979. Fruit quality was excellent with exceptionally uniform fruit maturity. Warm spring weather caused apricots to bloom 8 days ahead of 1979. Pollination was excellent. Despite rainy weather, brown rot was held to a poge/orty-eight minimum and fruit quality at harvest excelleni Almost 7 million pounds were harvested. Rainy weather during early July caused extensiv splitting of sweet cherries in areas north of Sfflr merland. As a result, quality was weak with shoi shelf life. Owing to an excellent cannery marks, large volume of cherries was diverted to cannei thus helping to maintain prices. The two-million-pound sour cherry crop was record. The 1980 prune crop of 10.6 million poundm of excellent quality with fruit size much larger ma usual. The plum crop of 438,000 pounds was significant increase over the 1979 crop. Growing and harvesting conditions for the 19! grape crop were relatively poor. As a resultftl crop of about 13,000 tons fell short of forecast! production. Sugar content was also lower tha® pected due to cool weather during grape harvest. It appeared that 1980 Vt'tis vinifera produffit would not exceed 130 tons. Much of the acreage young and should make some impact in 19811, wards the wineries' 10 per cent of crop goal. ■ The Grape Marketing Board was unable to t gotiate a price for the 1980 grape crop with B.1 wineries. As a result, the board set the pricagi maintained the same sugar standard as that in eft for 1979. This price was an average of 21.5 perce higher than the 1979 grape price. Berry Crops r The 1980 strawberry crop of about 15 million knds was almost four million pounds greater than 1979 crop and the largest single crop since 0. However, fruit rot losses were especially high in ply vigorous plantings that were over fertilized, he processors paid 47? per pound for fruit in |0 compared to 45.50 in 1979. he 1980 raspberry crop was the largest evet liuced in the province. The 17.5 million pound p exceeded the previous record of 17.4 million ndsin 1947. The 1980 price for processing fruit, vever, plummeted to an estimated 400 per ind from 920 in 1979. 980 marked the first widespread use of mechani- raspberry harvesters in the province. From a iest three harvesters in 1978 and 11 in 1979, an mated 60 harvesters operated during 1980. the B.C. Raspberry Growers' Association voted Ek the Minister of Agriculture and Food to ude raspberries under the Natural Products Keting Act. A growers' plebiscite on the adop- fcf a Marketing Commission is expected early 981. ipproximately 1,000 acres of new raspberries b planted in 1980, primarily of the Willamette gty. dbert production was good despite rainy spring fcher. The market was exceptionally strong and grower price ranged from 80 - 850 per pound pared to the previous record high price of 600 pound in 1979. be blueberry market was strong with most of trop sold by year end. Prices for the 9.2 million ad crop were expected to finalize at about 500 Bund. ueberry acreage continued to expand in 1980, about 200 acres planted and plans for more Esion in 1981. Plants were again in short sup- 6th a significant number imported from the ■The future of the blueberry industry in B.C. Rs to be good as export demand increases. K. cranberry yields continued to be the high- n the continent. Production was expected to K>ut 15 million pounds with an expected price 0 per pound. The cranberry crop continues to fntrolled by the B.C. Cranberry Marketing B, with the Ocean Spray Cranberry Company tliajor selling agency. The board has allocated : it Iditional 600 acres of cranberries to be planted. 11 Ministry of Agriculture and Food—1980 Annual Report Vegetables Cool, cloudy, wet weathet marked the 1980 vegetable season in the lower mainland area. Crops were planted late, were slow in growth, high in moisture content, lush, difficult to keep free of weeds and more susceptible to insects and diseases than those of the 1979 season. Marketing of cauliflower continued to be a problem. In April 1980, the B.C. Coast Vegetable Marketing Boatd rejected a petition for deregulation of the crop. A vegetable storage seminar was held on March 6 - 7, 1980 to identify optimum practices for handling and storage of vegetables. As a follow-up a ministry committee was appointed to identify storage needs and indicate what type of incentive program was needed to develop storage facilities. Cauliflower, lettuce, onion and spinach variety trials were conducted by the horticulture branch on farms throughout the lower mainland. Market demand for processed cauliflower and broccoli continues to be strong. Production of these crops are expected to increase in 1981. Production in the Interior of B.C. of root crops, cole crops, potatoes and onions was excellent although summer vegetables and asparagus was only fair. The Interior Vegetable Marketing Board and the British Columbia Coast Vegetable Marketing Board amalgamated in July 1980. The newly created British Columbia Vegetable Marketing Commission proposed to establish more orderly marketing of British Columbia vegetables. Because the marketing of summer vegetables was decontrolled in 1980 the British Columbia Interior Summer Vegetable Growers' Association assumed marketing responsibilities. The British Columbia Asparagus Growers' Association actively encouraged asparagus production in the province. The association organized seminars, field days and cooperated with the ministry in launching an asparagus production incentive program. Grower field days and instructional sessions for Okanagan growers dealt with tomato, sweet com and asparagus variety trials; tomato, seedling asparagus and established asparagus herbicide trials; and Spanish onion cultural trials. A tour of all commercial vegetable greenhouses in the southern interior and a presentation of greenhouse culture were conducted in May. page forty-nine Ministry of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Report Mushrooms Expansion in the mushroom industry slowed during 1980. Due to increasing costs and high market value, many farms were offered for sale during the year. The 1980 crop increased by 20 per cent from 1979 production to 17.0 million pounds and had a farm value of $12.2 million. At year end, the branch was studying the growing techniques and potential market for Shiatake Lentinus edodes and Oyster Pleurotus Ostreatus mushrooms in B.C. Both are grown on hardwood logs and sawdust or other lignin containing substrates. The Oyster mushroom appears to be well adapted to our climatic conditions. Mushroom production is expected to increase marginally during 1981 as little new production area will be cropped. Production area should reach 1.95 million square feet by the end of 1982. Nursery Stock The nursery industry continued to expand during 1980 with sales estimated at $25.5 million. Much of the expansion was attributed to out-of-province sales. About 40 per cent of production left the province with 26 per cent to the prairies (Alberta bought the largest volume), 9 per cent to Eastern Canada and 4.5 per cent to the U.S. Conifers continued to be the mainstay of the industry; however, hardy deciduous shrubs and broadleaf evergreens are gaining a good proportion of sales. Short courses on nursery production, co- sponsored by the ministry and educational institutions, were popular among the increasing number of new growers. Fertilizer trials were continued during 1980 to establish rates and formulations of various fertilizers used in container production of nursery stock. Trials for both winter and summer control of weeds in container stock were carried out during 1980. A shortage of nursery stock was common across North America. High labour costs in Europe and the U.S. and a devalued Canadian dollar favoured local production and discouraged imports. Large wholesale growers increased the practice of purchasing stock from small specialized operations. Christmas Trees Christmas tree production became a new specialty for the horticulture branch in 1980. The cultured Douglas fit and Scots pine are the major species grown. Most of the 100 growers are locate in the Fraser Valley. Greenhouse Crops The greenhouse industry continued to expanl British Columbia. Although production revq increased from the previous year, costs of prodiS- tion increased as well. Labour and energy costs weje the dominant factors influencing costs of prodB tion. Cucumber growers improved their management of the crops grown in sawdust, resulting in higB yields. Tomato growers used more hybrid vane» in an effort to obtain higher yields and offset m- creases in production costs. Interest in alternate crops to tomatoes and cucumbers continued with some growers switching to lettuce, Chinese vegetables, green peppers, bunching onions and cole crops. The nutrient film technique (NFT) lettuce project, partially funded under ARDSA, encounter production difficulties. Lettuce productionf terminated for the summer months but was restj in the fall on a smaller scale. Tip-bum, the reason for crop failure in the spring, is not understood and poses a problem for successful cut vation. Nutrition, propagation and varietiesj able for B.C. sunlight patterns are the main a lem areas requiring study. The greenhouse ornamental and bedding a] segment of the industry continued to expandf ticularly in potted plant production. Turn aroj for these crops is fast, giving growers a propoj ately higher cash-flow per unit area. Cultj potted plants also enabled growers to use ta labour saving devices. Holiday pots or the 1 tional flowering plants for any occasion arej grown year round in B.C. Allotment Gardening Procedures for developing allotment gardens in Victoria and Vancouver were made availabl municipal or community groups should they wfl develop their own sites. The horticulture brT continued to operate the allotment gatden proa in Victotia and Vancouver with over 800 plots c by urban dwellers. page fifty 111 ivestock ffiie livestock branch helps producers improve ftuality and performance of their livestock by ttding recording programs and specialist staff o give advice and conduct extension programs Bughout the province. .ei Average prices in 1980 for all classes of beef tie were below 1979 levels. This, coupled with I her inpur costs particularly of feed, reduced net Ijn cash income to the beef producer. The B.C. I estock Marketing Cooperative reported an avet- price of $489 per head for all cattle sold up to end of November, as compared to $548 in 1979 ||M 13 per head in 1978. Itthe total 1980 beef kill in British Columbia at ■pected plants was 65,815 head, up 15.5percent fm the previous year. The Canadian kill was up Iper cent from the previous year. [Tie ARDSA funded beef industry study report ; released in August. The ministry consulted Ministry of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Report with the British Columbia Cattlemen's Association on their views to implement the recommendations in the report. The cow-calf manual produced by the branch's beef cattle specialist was more popular than anticipated with a reprinting needed at year end. Revision of the beef feeding and management guide was almost complete by year end, with the second edition scheduled for printing in early 1981. Beef producers on the record of performance (ROP) program strongly supported the new "herd analysis" supplement provided by the branch. Its main value is the immediacy of useful data for management purposes. The branch, in cooperation with the farm management branch, is also attempting to develop a modified analysis system which could be easily adopted by operators of commercial herds. The beef cattle test station at Tranquille was modified during the year increasing station capacity to 200 head from 130 head. The year closed with 48 producers consigning eight breeds. W rcsue suidy of the B.C. iitvstoclc industry was completed during 1980. Li page fifty-one Ministry of Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report owine Hogs of B.C. origin marketed to the end of December totalled 260,962, up 86.8 per cent over 1979 marketings. Weekly hog slaughter during the last quarter of the year averaged about 6,000 animals. Weighted average price for 100 index hogs was estimated to be about five cents per pound lower than the average of $64.35 per hundredweight during 1979. Low market prices for hogs resulted in payouts to producers under the farm income insurance program during the first three quarters of the year. The major problem facing swine expansion in the province is the increasing difficulty in zoning restrictions. The record of performance (ROP) program concluded the year with 18 subscribers, an increase of four from the previous year. The branch assisted in the analysis of grading reports under the hog quality competition which provides a profile on the quality of pigs from producers who market 400 or more hogs per year. Data collected in 1980 showed that 76 producers each marketed at least 400 hogs during the 1979 season. Average quality of the total marketings of 90,041 hogs improved with 40 per cent indexing between 105 and 114 (based on a measurement of backfat thickness) compared to 35 per cent of similar indexes the previous year. Sheep Prices of good breeding stock were relatively strong compared to general market lamb price. Lamb and sheep of B.C. origin processed through federally and provincially inspected slaughter plants numbered 7,266 head, an increase of 15.7 per cent from the previous year. The B.C. Sheep and Wool Commission commenced sales of fat lambs every two weeks during May to August. These events met with varied success because of variable quality and number of lambs offered. The 3rd Annual Sale of the B.C. Sheep Breeders Cooperative realized an average of $47.96 pet animal, a decrease of $5.71 per head from the previous year. A total of nine B.C. bn ers consigned 34 animals to the first all-Canac sheep classes at an exhibition in Brandon. Sheep from B.C. contributors placed well and sold at goal prices. A survey of lower mainland and Vancouver Island sheep producers indicated that lack of lajil resources and problems with dogs and indigenous predators were likely to limit expansion in the region. Goats For the first time, financial assistance was given to B.C. goat breeders who showed animals at fans outside of British Columbia. B.C. entries placal particularly well at the Northwest Washington Fair at Lynden, Washington, where they won seven firsts, six seconds, one Grand Champion, two Reserve Champions and one Best-in-Show placing. The ministry continued to seek federal assistances) funding animal freight costs to a national goat show in Canada. Dairy Herd Improvement Although the total number of herds on test atffl: year end was 516, down nine from one year earlier, total animals on test increased to 35,608, up 1,616 from the year previous. Average herd size was29 animals, an increase of 4- 7 from one year earlier. Actual average production was 6757 kg of milk and 244 kg of fat, up from the previous year which reported 6650 kg of milk and 240 kg of fat. The 1980 levels of production represented breed class averages of 141 for milk and 137 for butterffi. These levels are expected to exceed all other Hffii averages in Canada. The 1979 survey of enrollees on the DHID program was completed and a detailed report was«- pared. A condensed report was made available to all producers who cooperated in the study. While the survey indicated that most users were generffly satisfied with the program, a number of recffi- mended changes have been incorporated intoBEe herd reports issued to producers. Poultry The poultry branch implements programs and policies designed to provide a specialist extension service to the poultry, egg and rabbit industries in the province. Staff assist producers with cu®"Br production problems and help them to develop node and efficient production units pagefifty-i r Bch members provide advice on government jjrams and new techniques and disseminate in- Sation on research applicable to poultry opera- S. The branch acts as a liaison between produc- piarketing boards, national agencies and other retry associations. Sultry branch staff include specialists in all as- ks of production and diseases of poultry and Sts. The fields of specialty include chicken iler and hatching egg production; egg, turkey, St, waterfowl and game bird production, and Kry health. "he annual poultry conference was held in Sept- ffr 1980 at the Langley Civic Centre. This ference is traditionally organized and con- ted largely by members of the poultry branch ■with the aid of a steering committee from Sent segments of the industry. There was a e turnout for the three separate sessions which myncurrently on the topics of egg, chicken meat ffirkey production. Siltry diseases continued to be a major problem S industry. The concentration of the industry he lower Fraser Valley facilitates the spread of ase organisms. Infectious laryngotracheitis coned to be a problem with several flocks affected ng the year. An increase in Salmonellae mor- y in young chicks toward the end of the year hasized the need for a control program for this nism. Marek's disease resulted in condemna- m four to five per cent in some broiler flocks. 'iiltry Test Station be poultry branch maintains a modern poultry at Abbotsford, B.C. where various experi- tal and demonstrational projects are carried on the production of broilers, layers, turkeys rabbits. ■• |fe station underwent considerable renovations rg the year, including the conversion of the J:y cage house to a rabbit research facility. The J fiery was also updated with the replacement of f£:gg incubators with new units. ■IS following is a summary of projects earned In t the poultry test station during 1980: I K comparison of the performance of four m Bains of fryer chickens. 2A comparison of the performance of broiler >n;hicks hatched from breeder multiplier flocks )f similar age originating from a common fupplier. Hp trials for a comparison of the performance >f four meat strains of chickens marketed as II Pasters. 1L Ministry of Agriculture and Food- 1980 Annual Repori 4. The effect of varying feed regimes on growth fate and "flippers" in broiler chickens. 5. A study of on the farm management practices in British Columbia's poultry meat industry. 6. A project to test the efficacy of an Hemorrhagic Enteritis vaccine produced by the British Columbia veterinary laboratory. 7. A test to determine the feasibility of producing a supply of Hemorrhagic Enteritis vaccine for turkeys. 8. A project to determine by laboratory and field trials the efficacy of various vaccine preparations for rabbit "snuffles". 9. A test of fly strips for fly control in deep pit barns was tested using fly strips. 10. An experiment to test the effect of improper debeaking on both floor and cage reared egg type pullets. 11. A comparison between rearing pullets on the floor and in cages at four different densities. 12. The effect of short intermittent light for raising commercial egg production pullets in cages. 13. Two feed trials on rabbits. Turkey Industry The turkey industry in British Columbia was in a depressed and erratic state in 1980. Problems included a large storage carryover of turkeys in January 1980 and a turkey processing industry that was in disarray for a good part of 1980. Combined with this was an increased supply of chicken to compete with turkey. Turkey marketings were 10.3 per cent below 1979 figures. The total number of day-old birds placed on farms in 1980 were 1.6 million compared to 1.8 million in 1979. The number of poults placed for the heavy bird market decreased by 6.3 per cent while poults placed for the broiler market was 14-5 per cent below the year previous. Producer prices at year-end were 60.%$ per pound for broilers, 61Vz£ for hens and 60%? for toms. This represented price increases during the year of 4 per cent on broilers, 3 per cent on hens and 5 per cent on toms; meanwhile, retail prices of turkey at $1.39 per pound increased by 17 per cent during the year. Waterfowl With a new waterfowl hatchery in Yarrow and a processing plant due to open in 1981, the waterfowl industry in B.C. may become a significant factor in the poultry industry. This processing plant being built with the assistance of an ARDSA grant is also destined to become a custom process facility be- page fifty-three Ministry of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Report cause of the number of back yard flocks and specialty birds such as pheasants, quail, etc. Game bird population increased dramatically over the past year with an estimated 75,000 pheasants being produced on commercial farms. Because this is a gourmet item, production was at the market saturation point. These specialty production industties should flourish with the opening in 1981 of the new processing facility in Abbots- ford. Rabbit Industry The rabbit industry showed steady growth with more growers investing in good facilities to ensure year round production. As in the past however, the processing and marketing segment of this industry was lacking. During the mid-summer, when local production started to increase, storage stocks began to climb because of poor sales. This led to a tie-up of operating capital in the face of rising production costs and little producer income. Many small growers found they could not stay in business. The situation was alleviated slightly during the year by the granting of a guaranteed loan to the processing plant and the assignment of a ministry sales specialist to explore new markets. Broiler Industry Production of chicken meat will be down aH eight million pounds eviscerated weight froirj record 88.7 million pounds in the preceding ye The national provincial quota allotment! 1981 was established at 88 million pounds^, quarterly figures of 20.5, 23.2, and 21.1 millij pounds. Filling this quota would require product! equal to that of 1979. Placement of broiler chicks on farms wajl mated to be down by 7.5 per cent or 2.25 mil birds from the 1979 record high of 30.8 mill Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec F expected to show placement decreases in 19801 national placements averaging three percent I than 1979. The live weight farm price for regular broil averaged 42.45 cents per pound compared to 4 cents in 1979. For the first time, a Vz cent price differential! quoted for July for product produced and markej on Vancouver Island. This was to partly pensate for higher feed costs on Vancouvet Islai Egg Industry- Commercial production of eggs in Canada] creased by 8.1 per cent from the 1979 level. 1 ever, the Canadian Egg Marketing Agency dej oped cutbacks and fowl removal incentivT reduce this large increase. These producticj creases coincided with the 1980 provincial alia tion of quotas and directly affected B.C. product Due to the dramatic increase in feed and ol input costs under the CEMA cost of producj formula, the average weighted price per dozen" to B.C. producers increased from 78.6$ on Jag 5, 1980 to 87. U on November 15, 198 layer allocation as of June was 2,742,040 birds! Canadian total was 21,958,667 layers. The aj number of laying birds in B.C. was about 2.J lion or 95 per cent of the quota allocation wl allows for mortality. Interprovincial movement of shell eggs su mented local supplies with 1.2 million dozen f A eggs from Alberta and Manitoba. Aboui million dozen Grade C eggs from the threefM provinces were imported for further processffl^ Estimated British Columbia ptoduction::(^|] was 63,980,000 dozen eggs. Poultry branch specialists design programs dealing with production o£9 chicken meat, hatching eggs, turkeys, rabbits, waterfowl, and game tj page fifty-four 1 Assistant^ffl Deputy^B Minister^M Economics andw Marketing | Ministry 0/Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Marketing During 1980, the name of the branch was changed from marketing services branch to simply marketing branch with the acceptance of a revised structure within the ministry and the appointment of an assistant deputy minister of economics and marketing services. The branch is primarily concerned with the enhancement of the food and agriculture industry within British Columbia through increased consumer use of B.C. food products. To this end, the branch provides timely market research and analysis, and assists food processors and handlers with product and market development. The marketing branch has five distinct components: administration, market development, food promotion, market research and analysis; and market regulation. Prior to 1980, the market regulation activities relating to the matketing boards and particularly the B.C. Marketing Board were handled outside of this branch. However, a commissioner of market regulation was appointed and is now responsible for the activities related to the Natural Products Marketing Act and the Agricultural Produce Grading Act. The passage of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Act placed additional emphasis on the work of the matketing branch as it relates to the major part of the food industry beyond the farm gate. This act legitimized some of the activities which had been undertaken in past with the food processing and distribution industries and opened the door to a considerable increase in extension work in this area. The market information unit became the market research and analysis unit, more accurately reflecting the complexity of activities being carried out. A research officer was added to this unit in May, 1980 to increase the volume of wotk which could be undertaken. A major amount of the work carried out by the director of this branch involves federal/provincial and industry wide liaison, particularly relating to current marketing problems. The ARDSA program continued to require considerable input, with a further report coming from the market opportunities project outlining significant opportunities for storage of vegetables for offseason sale. The branch coordinated incoming trade missions, including two from China, two from Japan and one from Korea. The branch took part in a major evaluation of available transportation for oversea shipments of live cattle. Solution of the air efifty-i transport problems experienced througfl Canada may provide additional impetus foq major export trade. Market Research and Analysis I Staff updated the B.C. Food and Beverageft. dustry Directory and conducted a study of the nl» surtax procedures and applicability to the various horticultural commodities produced in British Q)|. umbia. During 1980, 23 issues of Agrimarket Repomt were released and 13 issues each of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Report and B.C. Food Markets were produced. B.C. Food Markets has proven to ffla major source of information to media on Hie reasons for food price increases. The second edition of the B.C. Vegetable Marketing Guide was produced during 1980. I A new weekly produce report was begun contaln- ing price information from competing areas of supply, tariff information, f.o.b. information and g&i- eral market information on products in season.« The computer capability added in 1979 proved to be a very effective addition to the marketing branch analysis team. During 1980, the team added two new data bases and was working with commodity groups toward further use of this service. 1 A Victoria chef won top honours for preparing a menu using B. C. jreshmls and vegetables in a pwvince-wide contest co-sponsored by the maikring branch _ [I r Ministry 0/Agriculture and Food - 1980 Annua! Report Application of tariffs and surtax requires consid- ple analysis by this unit as they advise the pro- organizations on application for implementa- h or withdrawal. This activity will continue to •and as the Province becomes responsible for re required analysis in the application of surtax. JTie market research and analysis unit also hand- about 2,800 inquiries for market information 1 analysis from all sectors of agriculture, food cessing, financial, consulting, educational and lernment institutions throughout the country. arket Development New markets and marketing techniques were lored for commodities such as quality fresh ket strawberries and raspberries, milk-fed veal, W products, Nugget potatoes, and Jersey milk j ducts such as yogurt. Assistance was given in : elopment of honey-sweetened jams by Golden ley Limited. A project was begun with Clover- ILettuce in utilization of celery juice. The po- ial for horseradish production and processing in . was discussed with a local packer. Market Ihtial and recommendations for development ■identified for B.C. rabbit producers and for I Nursery Trades Association. A major interna- i al display was produced for the B.C. seed p ito growers to enhance the marketability of gproduct in the United States. >me Economics he branch home economist maintained the dene pment of the quarterly recipe books and an- jj fed hundreds of consumer food enquiries during Ear. ■ promote B.C. food products, the home eco- Bst prepared a monthly press release including oes and a photograph on a B.C. food. The nie economist also conducted a well-received g of school recipe contests co-sponsored by the anks or credit unions as supplemental support Fcurity on loans to fanners 1 partial reimbursement of interest paid by armers on loans from approved lenders to effec- Evely reduce the cost of farm loans Ecentives to farmers to participate in programs •s proclaimed and encouraged by the province n specified areas of B.C. These incentives to armers may take the form of additional reim- ursement of interest paid and/or reimbursement of loan ptincipal payments Erect loans for primary and secondary land levelopment iaranteed Loan Program jittered banks and credit unions of the pro- received support security in the form of a tnment guarantee on 39 loan portfolios in These guarantees totalled $4,675,850. Since when the program was implemented, 302 ntees have been placed amounting to •1341,321. aie claim was made and approved under the ;ii anding guarantee covenants in 1980 for a total f2'6,668. Since inception of the program, 10 iais totalling $406,355 have been paid to banks xedit unions. Partial Interest Reimbursement Program 1980 was a record year for this program from the standpoints of both the number of applications processed and the total dollars distributed to farm operators. Seven thousand two hundred and eighty-six applications were processed resulting in benefits of $23,299,583. This activity represented partial reimbursement of interest costs paid by eligible applicants to approved lenders in 1979. Interest costs for this period were reimbursed to reduce the effective interest rate to approximately 9 per cent at a time when such interest costs soared to an average chartered bank prime rate of 12.77 per cent. The approved lenders in this program are the chartered banks, credit unions, Farm Credit Corporation, Federal Business Development Bank and the Director of the Veterans' Land Act. A total of $50,201,545 in benefits representing a reduction in interest costs has been paid to farm operators of British Columbia since the inception of this program in 1974. Special Programs Grapevine Assistance Program - 1978-79 There are 12 participants in this program who are eligible to receive benefits in the form of a reduction of loan interest costs to 4 per cent for the calendar years 1980-82. Loan interest costs on eligible loans on the basis of $ 1,000 pet acre per year will be reduced to assist such farm operators in jiD.A. loan program helped farmers finance the cost of primary and secondary land development I page sixty-seven Ministry of Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report re-establishing 216 acres of grapevines destroyed ot severely damaged as a result of frost damage in the winter of 1978-79. Projected reimbursement benefits are $ 15-18,000 to be paid in 1981 representing reduction in 1980 interest costs. Asparagus Production Incentive Program This is a new program launched in 1980 to stimulate an increase in the production of asparagus in British Columbia. Financial assistance takes the form of reimbursement of all or a portion of the interest costs paid by the fanner over a four-year crop establishment period on those loans contracted through banks or credit unions. Two appli- cations had been approved for the planting of BO acres to asparagus production, and additional appli- cations were being reviewed by the B.C. AsparajL Growers' Association and staff of this ministry. Agricultural Land Development Act (A.L.D.M There were 643 loan contracts issued through this program in 1980 for a total value of $4,255,680. This popular program to assist farmers in financing costs of primary and secondary ffij development was folly committed to budget limitations through expenditures to date and outstanding contracts by August 1980, after which no further applications were accepted. Crop Insurance The function of the crop insurance branch is to administer the B.C. Crop Insurance Act and the Crop Insurance Stabilization Fund Act. The objectives of the branch are: 1. To reduce the fluctuations in net income of individual producers who suffer crop losses due to weather and other uncontrollable factors. 2. To maintain an effective system for administration of crop insurance programs for selected commodities. 3. To reduce the need for ad hoc assistance programs in crop loss situations. The crop insurance program involves the participation of the farmer and the provincial and federal governments. The farmer and the federal government each contribute 50 per cent of the total cost of the premium involved, while the provincia government contributes the cost of administering the program. The exceptionally wet spring in the Fraser Valle, and Okanagan caused extensive outbreaks of various fungal diseases on blueberries and other cffis. Rainsplitting of cherries was aggravated by brom rot, resulting in the largest indemnity paymentsfoi this crop. Apples cropped heavily. The dry spring in the Cariboo and Peace cause; poor initial forage growth. Harvesting was nam pered by persistent rains. Cereal crops in the Peace did well, but the condi tions caused extensive rapeseed losses for the sec! ond year in succession. Scattered hail storms caused damage to crow it the Peace and in the Okanagan Cherry producers who participated in the crop ij page sixty-eight e program received ins oemniries as a result ofrainspUt and brown rot damage 10 their cherry crap. ■ JLD 1 Ministry of Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report lus of Crop Insurance Fund at March 31, 1980 March 31/79 (Cr) — ._ March 31/80 (Cr) Due from Government of Canada $ $ 190,668.75 Grain program 284,686.25 784,774.05 1 [Tree fruit program 1,877,963.13 2,182,064.56 1 Berry program 344,799.96 416,864.41 Shape program 454,125.07 330,972.20 1 forage program 6,553.83 20,406.44 1 vegetable program 59,319.73 131,329.72 grop Insurance Fund Balance $3,014,340.31 $2,972,985.35 H: This statement shows the actual status of the Crop Insurance Fund as of March 31, 1980 by 1 fiscal year on a cumulative basis. The above figures will not necessarily agree with those of the 1 individual program which are by crop year, as the time periods do not correspond. ftmary of Loss Experience % Loss to Premium 1979 Cumulative Loss experience for all programs 100.62 93.79 Grain program 33.35 108.54 Tree fruit program 90.34 82.35 Berry program 70.04 103.34 1 Grape program 486.01 138.64 Forage program 125.66 117.00 Vegetable program 9.36 7.40 ninistration April 1/78 to March 31/79 April 1/79 to March 31/80 1 Provincial administrative costs $ 541,844 $ 515,239 m Federal government premium contributions $1,577,781 $1,652,464 A Administration cost to federal contributions 34.34% 31.18% .A Administration costs to total coverage 1.78% 1.30% r\ Administraton costs to total claims 22.95% 15.03% page sixty-rtini Ministry of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Report Farm Income Insurance The branch administers the income insurance program comprised of a number of commodity plans which protect producers against income loss due to low market returns or rapid fluctuation in farm cost input prices. Plans for 12 commodities were implemented in the period 1973 to 1977, mostly for a term of five years. Eleven of the 12 original plans have expired and the raspberry plan was to terminate following settlement of producer claims for the 1980 crop year. The total cost to government for all plans in the 1980 calendar year was $5,554,180.55. Two new plans were established in 1980 under the terms and policy of the new farm income insurance agreements for a second generation of plans. The addition of the broiler hatching egg and the beef plans brings the total number of new plans to six; the others are tree fruit, swine, strawberries for processing, and vegetables for processing (peas, beans and com). The broiler hatching egg plan provided coveifl effective January 1, 1979 for 39producers. Thell) plan provided expanded coverage for cow-o yearling and finishing operators effective Januaifl 1980. Beef producers registered in the plan aretl required to pay an advance premium on a perfl basis. Work continued on the development of i- plans for the blueberry, sheep, potato and griH house vegetable commodity groups. At the end of the year, there were 3,372 pat! pants registered in the six new ongoing farmi come plans. The farm income insurance plan continuedt fj a major agricultural policy of the provincial gov. I ment, providing a significant level of protecl from low returns or increasing costs beyond q individual participant's control. The new income insurance plan for beef producers was implemented in 1980 and provides expanded coverage for cow-calf, yearling and finishing operators page seventy ill Ministry of Agriculture and Food — 1980 Annual Report rm Products Finance fie branch is responsible for the implementa- and administration of a varied program of reial assistance under the Farm Product Inly Act to assist in the development and conation of a financially viable secondary proces- jndustry for agricultural production within the jnce. The program can provide financial assist- on the form of grants, loans or loan guarantees Sicultural and food processing firms or orations. kce the start of the program in November financial assistance totalling approximately nillion has been approved for 55 agricultural prises as follows: grantees $28,621,250 in- 8,535,226 Bres 5,511,655 Brest Reimbursement Grants 1,230,714 Kial Assistance Grants 1,904,622 pimodity Assistance Grants 634,112 gnti ve Grants 501,400 rket Promotion Grants 87,040 gibility Studies, Etc. 56,687 $47,082,706 ring 1980, requests fot financial assistance considered for 45 agricultural or food proces- jrganizations. Financial examinations were d out on 28 of the requests and assistance of ximately $2 million approved for 17 of the izations which had submitted proposals. ancial assistance was provided in three cat- si i an aid to a processing firm or oganization in ancial difficulty which had been unable to ;ain.assistance from other sources on reason- e terms and conditions; i an incentive to encourage firms or organiza- ns to develop, modernize or expand proces- g facilities when assistance was not available m any other program; Incouragement for food processors to develop test market new products or develop new Kets. Financial assistance of particular interest during 1980 included the following: British Columbia Turkey Marketing Board, Cloverdale A loan guarantee was made available to enable the board to re-open and operate the Clearbrook poultry processing plant formerly operated by Maplewood Poultry. The company's continuing financial difficulties had forced the closure of the plant, and the plant's processing capacity was urgently needed by the turkey industry while efforts were underway to find a new owner. The operating of the plant prevented serious losses for the turkey growers. The plant was subsequently purchased by Scott Poultry Co-operative Association and, at the end of the year, was again in foil operation under the name of Pan Ready Poultry 1980 Ltd. This company was provided with a loan guarantee to enable it to raise necessary operating capital following the purchase. Royal City Foods Ltd., Burnaby An incentive grant was provided toward the costs of acquiring and installing automated corn husking machinery. The machinery, not in use in any other plant in the province, will ensure the company's competitive position in the marketplace against corn products coming from outside the province where such automated machinery is in use. Sun Dew Foods Ltd., Okanagan Falls Sun Dew Foods received product development and market testing assistance for the development and marketing of fruit nectars of the "European" type not presently being produced anywhere else in North America according to the company. The product is now being successfully marketed and will provide an important use for the Okanagan's cull peaches, peats and apricots for which there was previously no market. During 1980, the branch discontinued providing financial analysis services to the agriculture and rural development branch (ARDA) on proposals submitted under Part IV of the federal/provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Subsidiary Agreement (ARDSA) program. The requirement is now provided by the staff of that branch. Ministry of Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Property Management The programs administered by this branch did not undergo any major changes during 1980; however, some minor adjustments were necessary to allow for the maturing of the relatively new lease program and the initiation of some new minor projects associated with the farm operations program. Lease Program Because of difficulties which arose when negotiating compensation payable to lessees upon the termination of a lease, a new and more detailed policy was developed in cooperation with the provincial agricultural land commission. During the year, 33 lease rental reviews were conducted and, in most cases, good progress in the development of the individual tentant programs was evident, making it possible to increase the rental rates and bring them much closer to those existing in the market place. New leases negotiated numbered 17, of which 11 concerned new properties recently transferred from the ministry of highways to the provincial agricultural land commission. The sharp increase in land and improvemtii values necessitated constant attention; tnist* cupied much of the appraiser's time in assign^ current evaluation figures for the purpose o|6 tablishing new rental rates, property sales, fa ant compensation and insurance coverage. Durit 1980, six options to purchase were exercised, witi two sales completed and the remaining four |k agreements still under negotiation. Revenue coi lected for all property sales completed to dst totalled $1,394,000 with further sales under negt tiation amounting to $888,000. With one excep tion, all sales made to date were to the tetBt involved except the Reahil Property #31 a Kelowna which was sold on the open market.*}; DeClarke Property #28 was offered on the ope: market, but was returned to the lease programme:! no acceptable tenders were received. • M^st New grain storage bins were constructed at the branch's institutional farm at TranquiUe. page seventy-two E I he number of on-site inspection requests di- a ished considerably; the inspection service has n>me more involved with in-depth analysis of l jr applications. The resulting reports have as- Bed a greater degree of importance and an in- Bsed effort is being made to ensure the quality of H submissions. The major on-site inspections Ipleted during 1980 included the Columbia Hey Land Use Study; the Terra Nova Area; Lulu Hid; the Annacis Island Crossing; and the Mun- iiility of Delta (Spetifore) Application. Irm Operations Program moral of 2470 AUMs of grazing was provided by lEast Kootenay Ranches for animals directed to tranches by the grazing division, forest service I the Grasmere, Coal Valley, Tokay Hills, ■raim's Lake and Horse Thief Range Units. Jie range properties underwent further devel- |j|:nt which will increase the future carrying |lity. Data gathered from the 1980 weighing Sum was submitted to Dr. J. Hodges, Uni- gy of British Columbia, for analysis; prelimi- ii figures indicated a two pound per day gain for | trigs. Several demonstration research plots Ministry 0/Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report have been set up at the Steeples Ranch by the ministry's forage specialist at Creston to test grass species and seeding rates for irrigated pastures. The annual field day was held on July 26, 1980 and the foil provincial agricultural land commission toured the ranches on September 24, 1980. After five years of operation, the future role of the ranch properties is being examined in order to establish revised goals for this regional program. Colony and Tranquille Farms continued to fulfill the roles of food production and the provision of a rehabilitation training facility for the associated institutions. In addition, the initiative to cooperatively use the land, physical and animal resources is being actively pursued by the management committees. Several projects have been identified and will be initiated as approved. There is a continuing demand for breeding stock from the dairy cattle, swine and sheep units, with a portion of the sales going for export. The British Columbia Buildings Corporation completed a project to increase the capacity of the British Columbia beef cattle test station at Tranquille Farm. The station now has a maximum capacity of 200 bulls. At year end, the 1980/81 test was underway with 166 bulls participating. ;Jerry near Vernon is the siie of a sewage effluent irrigation project in which field crop variety trails are conducted page seventy-three Ministry of Agriculture and Food — / 980 Annual Report / PEACE RIVER L^ FORT ST. JOHN • ^"^^ DAWSON (1 ^/v CREEK K? CENTRAL N. °l • \ a? SMITHERS X ^A VANDERHOOF* /J\ N PRINCE GEORGEV^ 4 /\ QUESNEL .^^ THOMPSON-CARIBOO • WILLIAMS LAKE ' ' OKANAGAN- KOOTENAY fk I KAMLOOPS COURTENAY J\> "" SOUTH.COASTAL vi '"C ® DUNCAN «|_ 1 C£*l< ..SALMON I* ARM • VERNON • KELOWNA #) SUMMERLAND # CRANBROOK | JPENTICTON * CRESTo|| • OLIVER . ». REGIONAL OFFICES DISTRICT OFFICES HEADQUARTER OFFICE (VICTORIA) page seventy-four Ministry of Agriculture and Food— 1980 Annual Report Ifices of ritish Columbia Ministry igriculture and Food \D OFFICE: Victoria — 808 Douglas Street, Nootka Court, b iling address: Parliament Buildings, Victoria, V8W 2Z7, Phone: 387-5121) itrict Offices otstord: liwack: •erdale: rtenay: ibrook: Bin: son Creek: :an: 5t. John: Kips: r ■on: :e George: gel: on Arm: ners: nerland: i erhoof: lfn: iams Lake: 205-33 780 Laurel Street, V2S 1X4, 859-5281 Engineering Branch, 33832 South Fraser Way, V2S 2C5, 853-6451 Poultry Test Station, 32916 Marshall Road, V2S 1K2, 853-3671 Veterinary Lab, Box 100, V2S4N8, 853-1161 5-8635 Young Road South, V2P4P3, 795-9471 17720-57th Avenue, Surrey, V3S4P9, 576-2911 209-420 Cumberland Road, V9N 5M6, 338-7465 202-135 10th Avenue South, V1C2N1, 489-3521 456 Northwest Boulevard, V0B 1G0, 428-5371 1201-103rd Avenue, V1G4J2, 782-5931 238 Government St., V9L 1A5, 746-6183 201-9711 100th Avenue, V1J 1Y2, 787-1111 162 Oriole Road, V2C4N7, 374-3614 1873 Spall Road, V1Y4R2, 860-3588 Court House, Box 940, V0H 1T0, 498-2420 477 Martin Street, V2A 5L2, 493-2749 Experimental Farm, R.R. #1, V2N 2H8, 963-9685 208-350 Barlow Avenue, V2J 2C1, 992-5591 Samara Building, Box 639, V0E 2T0, 832-2088 Government Building, Box 518, V0J 2N0, 847-4411 Research Station, Box 198, V0H 1Z0, 494-7011 Food Information Services, Marketing Branch, 10344 East Whalley Ring Road, V3T 4H4, 584-7691 Church Avenue, Box 987, V0J 3A0, 567-2563 4607-23rd Street, V1T4K7, 545-1387 540 Borland Streer, V2G 1R8, 392-6261 page seventy-five