Agriculture Sector

Agriculture continues to be of major importance in the Dawson Creek economy. Thanks to Dawson Creek’s central location in the Peace Region, it is naturally the service and sales centre for the agriculture community. There are more businesses in the City that directly service the agricultural community than any other single industry. That’s no wonder: with more than 2 million acres in production, the Peace Region is the largest agricultural region in British Columbia and home to more than 1,300 farms, producing nearly $200 million worth of product annually.

Farms in the Peace Region enjoy the dual advantages of low land prices and low cost of production. As well, the area surrounding Dawson Creek has excellent growing conditions and proximity to west coast grain terminals is also a significant cost advantage.

Grain & Seed Crops

The dominant annual crops have been the traditional prairie crops: wheat, oats, barley, and canola. Almost 90% of BC’s grain and 95% of BC’s canola are produced in the Peace, as well as 90% of the dry field peas and 95% of forage seeds.

The Peace Region is a prime area for producing exceptional quality grass seeds. As one of Canada’s most northern farming regions, we benefit from long daylight hours during the summer, allowing for the production of crops that require a high number of growing degree days.

Generally favourable rainfall conditions make this region less prone to prolonged droughts often seen elsewhere on the prairies. In fact, unfavourable conditions in other areas have increased the value of local forage and cereal grains. Lower temperatures in winter greatly reduce insect populations, thus limiting the need for pesticides.

Livestock

Abundance of space and quality feed have recently boosted both the hog and the traditional beef cattle industries, with cow/calf production now the largest in BC. Livestock production also includes dairy cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, with a growing diversification into game farming of bison as well as exotic livestock including llama, alpaca, fox, ostrich, emu and wild boar. Areas of potential growth and further diversification include livestock finishing, dairy and eggs and expanded game farming.

Lawrence Meat Packing, a provincially inspected slaughter facility in the region, is located in Dawson Creek. There are also poultry processing plants at the South Peace and Peace View Hutterite Colonies.

Honey

The long summer days are also a benefit to the region’s bee-keepers, sometimes producing as much as three times more honey per hive than elsewhere in the province. Peace honey is renowned for its exceptional flavour.

Organic

The pristine environment in the Peace makes it very suitable for taking advantage of North America’s growing interest in organic crops. A growing number of farms across the Peace bio region are now producing certified organic beef, bison, poultry, hogs, eggs, wheat, barley, herbs, hay, oil seeds, peas, as well as table and seed potatoes.

Agricultural Groups

• Dawson Creek Exhibition Association (Agricultural Fair, Rodeo & Exhibition) 
• BC Grain Producers Association
• BC South Peace River
  Stockmen’s Association 
• Certified Organic Associations of BC
• Peace Region Forage Seed Association
• Peace River Forage Association of BC
• Northern Cohort
• South Peace Feeder Cooperative
• South Peace BC Bred Heifer Cooperative Association
• Sweetwater Parkland Farmers Institute 

Ministry of Agriculture 

1201 103rd Avenue
Dawson Creek BC  V1G 4J2
Toll Free: 1-877-772-2200
Tel: 250 784 2601 
Fax: 250 784-2299

Production Insurance 

Toll Free: 1-877-772-2200
Tel: 250 784-2236
Fax: 250 784-2299