BCCA has gathered resources and information to assist producers in times of drought.
The BC Government has launched a Drought Information Portal this year with up-to date weather, stream flow, drought map and other information throughout the province. Click here to access the BC Drought Information Portal.
In addition there is a general drought resource page with information on effects of drought and water management during drought. Access the Drought Information page here.
In B.C. we use a 4-level Drought Classification to explain the severity and appropriate level of response to drought conditions.
Click here for most up to date drought map of BC.
Links to Resources and Information on Drought Management
British Columbia Drought Information Portal
Livestock Management During Drought (FLNRO)
On-Farm Emergency Preparedness for Beef Producers - Extreme Heat & Drought
River Forecast Centre - Low streamflow bulletins and advisories:http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/lowflow/index.htm
Groundwater levels in provincial observation wells: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/data_searches/obswell/map/obsWells.html
Managing Cow Herds during Drought (University of Nebraska)
The Beef Cattle Research Council has also compiled a comprehensive list of resources on drought which you may have already seen if you subscribe to BCRC's blog. Some of these may be of assistance to B.C. producers; topics include:
Whether in the form of pasture, stored forage, or supplements, feed is the largest variable input cost in cow-calf operations. A big challenge is to feed the cow in a way that meets her current and future nutritional requirements for maintenance, lactation, maintaining a successful pregnancy, giving birth and getting rebred within 80-85 days of calving as cost effectively as possible. This challenge is obviously much greater during drought, when feed is scarce and expensive. Read full article with links to other resources.