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

Beekeepers off to a better start in 2023

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

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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.
News

Time for another look at U.S. bees

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

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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)
Livestock

Beekeepers call to reopen cross-border package bee trade

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

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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.
Livestock

New control for varroa mites on the horizon

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

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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.
Livestock

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

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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, Op/Ed

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

A number of factors are likely contributing to this perceived decline

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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.
News

Manitoba honey harvest falls short

Last winter’s bee losses come due in honey counts

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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
Livestock, News, Other livestock

Another bad season for bees

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

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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
“Our intent in the long term is to export a higher volume of our members’ honey as value-added, packed honey to be sold to retailers and distributors, so that we can continue to generate competitive returns for our members.” – Guy Chartier.
News

Expanding markets for Manitoba honey

Upgrades slated to Manitoba honey production and packaging facilities

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After a challenging several months for Manitoba’s beekeepers, it was likely encouraging to hear some good news percolate to the surface. The Manitoba Cooperative Honey Producers Limited (MCHP) is edging a step closer to the upgrade and modernization of its processing and packaging facilities – a move expected to result in expanded markets and new
Outside of varroa mite stress in 2021, the provincial apiarist also noted reports of feed problems in some hives.
Livestock, News

Drought sets stage on bee losses, mite issues

The 2021 drought is the unwanted gift that keeps giving

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Last year’s drought is a likely suspect in Manitoba’s high honeybee losses, and for multiple reasons, apiary experts say. Ian Steppler, chair of the Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association (MBA), says diagnostics are ongoing, but conditions last year — which saw little rain until mid- to late summer, followed by abnormal growth and blooming in fall —

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