Field Vegetables F.A.Q.s

Mon, 2010/03/15 - 2:14am — admin
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Where can I find information on how to start a vegetable farm?

The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands has produced a guide to assist new growers. The guide is called A Guide to Starting a New Farm Enterprise [PDF] and is available on the ministry website. Please check for the latest statistics from BC Agriculture Statistical Information to compliment the guide.

Another good resource is the book Sustainable Vegetable Production from Start-Up to Market. The book is published by the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service at Cornell University, and can be ordered at http://www.nraes.org/publications/nraes104.html. Refer also to the documents in folder 1.1, "Overview and Starting Up," in the production section of this website.

More resources:

  • BC Ministry of Small Business and Revenue

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    Is there any government support available for start-up growers?

    There are several federally and provincially funded programs that provide support for start-up producers. Each program has different aims — some focus on exports, while others focus on research. These programs have strategic priorities and formalized eligibility and application guidelines. And many programs provide services rather than funding.

    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Electronic Information Service
    Provides information on inspection, regulations, industry information, research and technology, and human resources.
    Website: http://www.agr.gc.ca/

    Business Development Bank of Canada
    Provides information on financial products, venture capital, and consulting services.
    Website: http://www.bdc.ca/

    Canada/British Columbia Business Service Centre
    A business resource centre that provides information on starting a new business, entering new markets, accessing government programs and services, taxation, and regulations.
    Phone: 1 800 667-2272
    Fax: 604 775-5520
    Website: http://www.smallbusinessbc.ca/

    Canadian Trade Commissioner Service
    Assists companies to succeed in the global marketplace.
    Website: http://www.infoexport.gc.ca/

    If you are looking for general information on export marketing, financing and logistics, go to Canada Business - Exporting.

    Export Development Corporation
    Provides programs that can assist Canadian exporters to compete in foreign markets
    Website: http://www.edc.ca/

    Farm Credit Canada (FCC)
    The FCC offers innovative products and services to farmers and small- and medium-sized agri-businesses. The family farm has been and will continue to be the main focus of their lending operations. They also support farmer-controlled diversification initiatives and value-added agricultural operations on the farm and beyond the farm gate.
    Website: http://www.fcc-fac.ca/

    Industry Canada
    Provides programs and funding to assist with exporting and research and development.
    Website: http://www.ic.gc.ca/ic_wp-pa.htm/

    Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
    WD offers a network of business professionals to help with business planning and development, accessing capital, export or trade development, selling to government markets, and providing information on government programs and services for which a business may be eligible.
    Website: http://www.wd.gc.ca/

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    I just bought some land - what types of vegetables can I grow?

    There is no quick answer to this question, as there are many options. The most common limitations are soil type, climate, plant hardiness, drainage, access to irrigation and regulation (quotas). You need to ask yourself the following questions about any potential crop:

    1. What are the crop's cultural requirements? Certain crops are easier to grow than others, e.g. more cold hardy, fewer pests and diseases.
    2. What are the crop's perishability and storage requirements? For example, sweet corn is highly perishable, while potatoes are suited to longer-term storage.
    3. What is the crop value and the typical yield? Crops such as cabbage and turnips tend to be low per unit value crops. A crop such as asparagus tends to be a high per unit value crop.
    4. What are the crop's production costs? Some crops are more expensive to produce than others. See the question below about information on production costs.
    5. How will I market the crop? Can I sell as much as I want to whomever I want, or do I have to sell through a designated agency?

    You should also develop a marketing plan to ensure that you can sell what you grow, and to ensure that you can sell the crop at a profit.

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    Where can I find production information?

    The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands publishes the "Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers". The order form for the latest edition is available at http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/fieldvegetable/factsheets.htm or you may contact your local Ministry Office. There is a fee for this publication. The InfoBasket site that you are using lists production information from other sources in Section A: Production and Processing.

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    Are there any quotas for field vegetable crops?

    Many of the high volume fresh and processed vegetable crops are regulated products, and are subject to the regulations of the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission. The Commission supervises a quota system, which comes into effect when the supply of a particular vegetable product exceeds its demand.

    Growers' quotas are based on their average sales over a period of three to five years, depending on the product. For more information on which vegetable crops are regulated, and how to obtain quota, please contact the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission at 604 940-0188, or visit their website at http://www.bcveg.com/.

    The Commission does not regulate crops grown north of the 53rd parallel (Quesnel) but does require that growers selling more than 1 tonne of individual vegetables register with the Commission.

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    How can I market my produce?

    As explained in the question above, the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission regulates certain vegetable crops. If you grow a regulated crop, are south of the 53rd parallel (Quesnel), and are not selling it through a roadside stand, public market or specialty market, you must have quota and sell the crop through a designated sales agency. If you are north of the 53rd parallel (Quesnel) and are selling more than 1 tonne of individual vegetable, you must register with the Commission. Growers of non-regulated vegetables are responsible for finding and servicing their own markets. Product may be sold through brokers, direct to wholesalers, retailers, or through direct market outlets. You should develop a marketing plan, and line up potential buyers before planting a crop.

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    Where can I find cost of production information?

    The Canada/BC Farm Business Management Information Network has developed some "Planning for Profit" enterprise budgets for certain vegetable crops which are available on the ministry's website. The budgets are meant to be examples only, and each grower should calculate their own costs, using the budgets as a guide.

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    Where can I find the current prices of vegetables?

    Depending on the type of vegetable, there are several different sources of prices. The prices of regulated, processed (i.e. frozen) vegetables are set in negotiations with the growers' associations and the processors. The prices of regulated, fresh market vegetables are set by the designated sales agencies. The prices of all other types of vegetables are negotiated between the grower and the buyer.

    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada sponsors "InfoHort", a web site that lists wholesale produce prices for major cities in Canada. These reports are located at Weekly Wholesale Prices Reports. Select the latest weekly report for the most recent prices and then select"Vancouver" (for BC wholesale prices) under "Markets".

    You may also wish to estimate the landed price of American produce that comes across the border, to give you a baseline price for local produce. The Agricultural Marketing Service of the US Department of Agriculture posts the US prices. They are located at http://marketnews.usda.gov/portal/fv. In the menu on the left side of the screen and under the heading “Browse by Commodity, you can select “Commodity” and then select “Vegetables.” You will then need to choose the vegetable of interest. The next screen will offer the choices of “Shipping Point” or “Terminal Market” or “Movement. Select “Shipping Point” and look for the prices from Salinas-Watsonville, California. To convert those prices, multiply them by the current exchange rate, and then add $2.25 for shipping.

    If you go back to the menu on the left side of the screen and under the heading “Browse by Report Type”, choose “Terminal Market,” you then click on “Vegetables” and then “Seattle, Washington” to obtain the Seattle terminal prices. To convert those prices, multiply them by 0.75 (to compensate for wholesale markup), and then multiply again by the current exchange rate.

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