The honey sector wants the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to take another look at rules banning U.S. boxed-bee trade into Canada.

AgriRecovery announced for honey sector

Beekeepers who suffered heavy losses during winter 2021-22 have until Aug. 31 to apply

Manitoba’s beekeepers will be getting funds to rebuild after suffering devastating winter losses last year. An industry push for financial aid bore fruit June 20 when the province and federal government announced the Canada-Manitoba Bee Mortality Assistance Program, provided through AgriRecovery. The program has earmarked up to $7.5 million to ease rebuilding costs, according to

Previous invasions of varroa mite have been successfully eradicated before establishing, but last year the mite managed to spread in Australia’s southeast.

Comment: Australia in unique position to eliminate varroa mite

The parasite is a scourge to the North American honey sector, but Down Under, the pest is still new

Last year, varroa mites reached Australia. The parasites are notorious in beekeeping circles, and an established population would have significant implications for agricultural food security in Australia, as honeybees are vital for the pollination of many crops. But while Australia is the last continent to be invaded by the mite, it has an opportunity to


“They’re still kind of suffering those economic losses a bit and still trying to recoup their numbers.” – Derek Micholson, Manitoba Agriculture.

Beekeepers off to a better start in 2023

Normal bee mortality would be a boon for the beekeeping sector after dismal rates last year

Manitoba’s beekeepers are once again fighting “spring dwindle,” but winter losses are closer to normal compared to last year. “I’m not getting the absolute demoralizing reports from beekeepers,” said Manitoba Beekeepers Association president Ian Steppler. “I think we still have a high winter loss, but not as severe as last year’s.” Why it matters: The

The issue of access to U.S. bees has been frustrating and divisive in Manitoba.

Time for another look at U.S. bees

Industry groups say it’s time to re-evaluate bee imports from the U.S.

Canadian beekeepers are calling on the federal government to re-examine the risks that have blocked U.S. packaged bees from Canada since the 1980s. Honeybee health decline and bee mortality took the stage at an April 26 meeting of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. Representatives from the honey sector presented on

(FatCamera/iStock/Getty Images)

Beekeepers call to reopen cross-border package bee trade

Ten years after the last risk assessment, some say it’s time to re-evaluate

Canadian beekeepers are calling for the federal government to reopen the border to the importation of U.S. package honeybees. Witnesses at a meeting of the House of Commons standing committee on agriculture and agri-food last Wednesday presented recommendations for what the government could do to resolve issues of honeybee health decline and bee mortality. The


A varroa mite feeds on a honeybee during its pupa stage.

New control for varroa mites on the horizon

University of Manitoba researchers look to CO2 to help beat back the parasite

Research at the University of Manitoba involves a promising and inexpensive control for varroa mites in honeybee colonies. Professor Rob Currie, head of the school’s department of entomology, is exploring the use of carbon dioxide to help mitigate mite infestations. The elevator pitch behind the treatment is that varroa mites have a higher sensitivity to

Varroa mites feeding on honeybee pupae.

Control slipping on varroa mites

Anecdotal and small scale studies continue to suggest that a leading varroa mite control product may no longer be enough

The quest to find effective varroa mite control has given producers little respite this year, according to the Manitoba Beekeepers Association. Chair Ian Steppler says producers are once again reporting varroa infestations. “There are producers who are talking about not being able to keep the mite counts down, so that’s the only concern about our

Since 1969, honeybee lifespan in the U.S. has dropped from a median of 34 days to just 18 days.

Comment: Honeybee lifespan could be half what it was 50 years ago: study

A number of factors are likely contributing to this perceived decline

A new paper shows how the lifespan of the adult honeybee appears to have shrunk by nearly 50 per cent in the past 50 years.  The European Red List of Bees suggests nearly one in 10 species of wild bees are facing extinction. Imagine how we would react if human lifespans halved. The equivalent would


The province’s apiarist has heard production numbers as low as 25 pounds of honey per colony and as high as 290 for beekeepers with more than 50 colonies.

Manitoba honey harvest falls short

Last winter’s bee losses come due in honey counts

Last winter gave another sting to the beekeeping sector. Honey yield data in the annual fall survey indicates production was down in 2022, which the sector has blamed on severe winter stock losses. Why it matters: Honey prices remain high but winter losses reported early in 2022 left an unfortunate legacy when it comes to

Rusty patch bumblebees are native bees that are now listed as an endangered species.  
photo: USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab/Creative Commons

Another bad season for bees

Experts explore the reasons for bee population declines -- and ways to mitigate the problem

Beekeepers reported high losses over the winter and experts are exploring the reasons and seeking ways to mitigate future colony declines. Ian Steppler, president of the Manitoba Beekeepers Association, said Manitoba’s losses this year are extremely high. “We’re nearly at a 60 per cent loss right across Manitoba right now, the highest loss in Canada