Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association Archives - Page 2 of 4

“We tried to address the growing industry — that there were more beekeepers and colonies being operated in Manitoba.” – Rhéal Lafreniére

Ramped-up inspections take aim at bee disease

Beekeepers have been promised at least another two years of the inspections they argue are important for bee health

By Alexis Stockford June 4, 2019

Beekeepers are getting in line for their checkups, and they’re pretty happy about that fact. Manitoba’s honey producers will have at least another two years of hive inspections now that the province has approved a new contract with DLJ Consulting and its team, led by Derek Micholson. The new contract will cover 2019 and 2020,

Crops, Other

More debate yet to come on neonics

Health Canada has satisfied its concern with three neonicotinoid insecticides and pollinator risk, but a decision to protect aquatic insects may yet take those chemistries off the table

By Alexis Stockford May 22, 2019

Health Canada’s April decisions on three neonicotinoid insecticides won’t change much for growers this year — but it also won’t be the last word on the subject. Producers will still have access to most imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam uses following the April 11 ruling. In 2016, the federal government announced plans to phase out imidacloprid

Manitoba’s beekeepers say they saw less winterkill this year, despite frigid temperatures.

Local news, News

Beekeepers dodge winter loss woes

Initial reports hint at good winter survival for Manitoba’s bees

By Alexis Stockford May 13, 2019

Manitoba’s frigid start to 2019 did little to phase the honey industry. The Manitoba Beekeepers Association says most of its members reported good winter survival rates, with the exception of some parts of the Interlake. Why it matters: Manitoba’s honey sector took a hit on winter survival last year, but this year’s numbers look more

Local news, Other

VIDEO: Bees “bee-have” to form bee beard

By Allan Dawson June 22, 2018

Ian Steppler, who runs the honey production part of Steppler Farms, ‘grew’ a bee beard with the help of his assistant, Carrie Martindale, to the delight of 117 beekeepers attending an event put on in co-operation with the Manitoba Beekeepers Association. Video footage recorded June 16, 2018 at Steppler Farms, near Deerwood, Man. Video editing

Manitoba honey producers are pleased they’ll be exempted from labelling standards aimed at unhealthy foods.

News

Health Canada relents on honey label

No alert about sugar content as the regulator recognizes honey as a sweetener

By Ron Friesen February 28, 2018

Canada’s beekeepers are expressing relief after Health Canada last week exempted honey from proposed new mandatory rules for nutritional food package labels. The regulations, if approved, will require pre-packaged products to carry warning labels if they exceed recommended thresholds for sugar, sodium and saturated fat. Food products containing more than 15 per cent of the

Beekeeping is catching on in cities, and enrolment has jumped for a University of Manitoba course for hobby beekeepers.

Livestock, Local news

Training critical for new beekeepers to avoid disease woes

Beekeepers stress the need for industry newcomers to be trained in disease and pest management

By Alexis Stockford June 6, 2017

Manitoba’s honeybee population has recovered from 2013, when a harsh winter saw hives drop almost eight per cent, but commercial apiarists say that growth could have risks if it doesn’t come with disease management training for new beekeepers. “Education is very important in those regards and I think probably one of our largest concerns is

News, Other livestock

App sounds sweet to honey producers’ group

Beekeepers say the BeeConnected app has positive possibilities for their industry, but it’s going to depend a lot on uptake

By Alexis Stockford May 24, 2017

A smartphone app imported from Australia might be the next big tool for beekeepers to manage their sometimes complicated relationship with surrounding farmers. BeeConnected, an app piloted in Manitoba last year and about to make its full-scale national debut, looks to facilitate communication between beekeepers and pesticide users. The app for Apple and Android allows

Local news

Beekeepers on front line of tick invasion

Both rural and urban Manitobans should keep a wary eye out for the blacklegged tick as its territory expands 

By Shannon VanRaes June 10, 2016

If Kateryn Rochon is a little bit weary by mid-afternoon, it’s no wonder. It’s field season for the University of Manitoba entomologist, who has embarked on a joint mission with the Manitoba Beekeepers Association to better understand tick-borne diseases. That means getting up at the crack of dawn to check traps set the night before,

Local news

Beehives to go high tech

A so-called smart beehive could change how apiarists manage their colonies and treat mites

By Shannon VanRaes June 2, 2016

We have smart phones, smart cars and even smart fridges. Now, Allan Campbell is preparing to launch the smart beehive. “We are still in the prototype phase, but we hope to have the first ones out this summer. So far it hasn’t left the lab yet,” said the co-owner of Durston Honey Farms and president

Most bee deaths from neonics in Canada have been in the intensive corn-growing areas of Ontario and Quebec.

Crops

No neonic ban expected in the West

In Ontario, the treatments won't be allowed in 2017 unless a demonstrated need exists

By Jade Markus November 3, 2015

Restrictions on neonicotinoid-based pesticides in Ontario have generated concerns amongst grain farmers in the province, but Manitoba industry participants don’t expect similar policy to move west any time soon. Laws restricting neonicotinoid-pesticide use were introduced in July. The Grain Farmers of Ontario had hoped to enact a stay on the regulations through court proceedings, but

Daily Network News

CFIA looks for feedback on proposed seed potato rule changes

U.S. grains: Soybean futures rise on active Chinese buying

GMO food labelling review opens questions on gene editing

Tag Archives Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association