Tools for Agriculture

Irrigation System Upgrade Opportunities

Have you completed an Environmental Farm Plan?  If so, the next step may be to create an Irrigation Management Plan with potential access to cost-share support.

Operations Recommendations

• Key Drought Management Tips
  • reducing irrigated acreage
  • delaying irrigation for critical stages
  • retaining crop residues for better water capture
  • scheduling irrigation
• Irrigation Decisions with Limited Water
  • Irrigating a portion of acreage fully will produce as much total yield as irrigating the full acreage partially and can also reduce overhead costs.
• Managing Irrigated Forage Crops during Drought
  • Why plan for drought if you irrigate? Unfortunately, drought can affect irrigated crop production
• Forage Crops and Irrigation Management in Drought Conditions
  • Key Points on forage crops and effective water use.
• Irrigated Alfalfa Management Under Drought Conditions
  • The right management of limited water supplies can mitigate negative impacts of drought on alfalfa yield and quality.
• Alternate Forage Crops When Irrigation Water is Limited
  • When irrigation water is limited due to drought, a decision will have to be made to irrigate all acres with reduced water, or part of the acreage with the full water required, leaving some acres as dryland.
• Irrigation water-saving tips
  • use the right equipment for the type of crop
  • correct operation considerations
  • monitoring soil moisture
  • understanding late summer water requirements for various crops
• Irrigation tips to conserve water on the farm
  • repair leaks in the irrigation system
  • select more efficient irrigation systems
  • apply only as much water as you need
  • use soil moisture monitoring devices and climate information

For a complete list of publications and resources from the BC Ministry of Agriculture, please visit their Drought webpage at: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/emergency/Drought/Drought.htm

Livestock Drought Management Recommendations

• Managing Grazing Lands during Drought
  • plan ahead!
  • early weaning
  • fertilization
  • forage diversification
• Grazing Management Guide
  • Design, implement, and monitor a grazing management guide.

Livestock Watering

• BC Livestock Watering Handbook
  • watering methods
  • operating options
  • water sources
  • quantity requirements
  • quality requirements

• Drought Impacts on Soil Fertility
  • The primary impact of drought on a crop is a reduction in yield. Therefore, if drought is anticipated, you should plan your fertilizer program accordingly
• Tillage, Residue Management and Their Effect on Soil Moisture
  • Learn about tillage practices and crop residue management and how these affect the way water moves into and off of the soil

For a complete list of publications and resources from the BC Ministry of Agriculture, please visit their Drought webpage at: http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/emergency/Drought/Drought.htm

• Climate Calculators

• Farmwest.com
• BC Ministry of Agriculture Drought information
• CVRD Agriculture Water Demand Model
• BC Climate Action Initiative
  • Cowichan Adaptation Strategies plan
  • Cowichan – Integrated Farm Water Planning Pilot