Manitoba’s beekeepers will be getting an insurance break following another year of bad bee losses over the 2024-2025 winter.
Updated numbers from Manitoba Agriculture earlier this year suggested a 43 per cent colony loss rate in the province this year, making it the fourth consecutive year Manitoba’s honey sector has struggled with winter survival.
The Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) now says they will be raising coverage under their 2025 Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance program.
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According to a post on the social media platform X Aug. 27, coverage will now be based on all a beekeeper’s overwinter colonies (up from the previous 90 per cent) multiplied by the survival rate.
Farmers have until Sept. 2 to apply, make changes to or cancel their policy. Once hives have been stored for the winter later this fall, beekeepers have until Dec. 1 to declare their stored colonies to MASC.
Eligible producers must be registered under Manitoba’s Bee Act and be applying for coverage at least 50 colonies. Beekeepers can select a coverage value of either $205 or $310 per colony. New participants will have their policies calculated around Manitoba’s historic survival rate of 66.7 per cent, while those enrolled for two or more years have a rate based on their own experience.
Watch for more on this and more coverage of Manitoba’s beekeeping sector from the Manitoba Co-operator.
