Canada - Alternative Forages for Dairy Production in Water Scarce and Drought Prone Regions

Description

VGN Resources Group Inc. (VGN) will be the Program Administrator for projects under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food's (Ministry) extension programming for environment and climate change.  This RFP and project is administered by VGN on behalf of the Ministry.The agriculture industry has identified knowledge gaps and requested extension support to help the sector adapt to climate change, mitigate GHG emissions, and improve environmental sustainability.  This project will support dairy farmers and forage produces in adapting to climate change through the adoption of low water use crops and beneficial management practices.Forage production is a main component of dairy farms. In water scarce and drought prone regions farmers have struggled to get adequate volumes of forage using current management strategies. The drought of 2023 and the subsequent Temporary Protection Orders placed additional stress on dairy producers to ensure forage needs were met. Access to suitable and sufficient water is critical on dairy farms, especially given the potential for ongoing drought conditions in B.C. Using high water use efficiency crops that are productive and meet nutritional requirements is a high priority.The purpose of this contract is to address an information gap for farmers seeking to identify forages to be grown in areas with limited or no water availability.  This project would be a strategic assessment through research, literature review and connection with industry to identify potential alternative forage crops for dairy production (throughout BC) and determine the availability of seed for those alternative crops. Factors that will be used to determine crop suitability include but are not limited to nutritional values, yields, and water use efficiency.The purpose of this contract is to address an information gap for farmers seeking to identify forages to be grown in areas with limited or no water availability.  This project would be a strategic assessment through research, literature review and connection with industry to identify potential alternative forage crops for dairy production (throughout BC) and determine the availability of seed for those alternative crops. Factors that will be used to determine crop suitability include but are not limited to nutritional values, yields, and water use efficiency.

Opportunity closing date

30 July 2024

Value of contract

to be confirmed