Beekeeping is now cool. Well, maybe not cool, but it could be more popular than ever in Canada. The University of Manitoba offers a non-credit beekeeping course every winter and for the last three years it’s been packed with students. In fact, overflowing. Rob Currie, a U of M entomologist and a course instructors, said […] Read more
Tag Archives Bees — page 5
VIDEO: One bee doesn’t fit all jobs
The distance a honeybee will fly to gather nectar or pollen is an important factor in crop economics. It dictates the number of hives needed to ensure successful pollination of seed canola crops and also has implications for optimum hive location. Sam Robinson, a PhD student at the University of Calgary, is studying that distance […] Read more
Opinions, studies on neonicotinoids contradictory
Farmers, apiculturists and ag researchers say many studies citing harm to bee populations don’t hold up
Ontario’s plan to restrict neonicotinoid use is on track now that a request to appeal the new regulations was denied, but the debate is far from over. Ontario farmers cannot use the seed treatments on 50 percent of their crops this year and on any of them next year unless they submit crop and soil […] Read more
What’s the buzz about?
BeeConnected is the latest software created to assist farmers with better on-farm practices. It enables communication between beekeepers, sprayer operators and farmers. CropLife Canada and the Canadian Honey Council worked together to develop the free app. It shares information of farm pesticide activities and beehive locations with registered users. The app will provide information through […] Read more
Bee deaths reported low this winter
After years of severe winter losses, Ontario bee colonies look great this spring as the vast majority of hives survived the winter. On Tibor Szabo’s beekeeping operation, near Moffat, Ont., essentially every hive is still alive. “I’m about 99 percent (survival),” said Szabo, Ontario Beekeepers’ Association (OBA) president. Winter losses weren’t quite as low at […] Read more
Leafcutter bees operate in the dark
BROOKS, Alta. — Leafcutter bees are integral to the production of alfalfa seed, but they go unrecognized in national data on pollination related to agriculture. Bee researcher Shelley Hoover of Alberta Agriculture said leafcutters pollinate alfalfa as well as southern Alberta’s valuable seed canola crops, and statistically recognizing their value could leverage research money as it […] Read more
The reasons queen bees are dying sooner
Not long ago, queen bees lasted two to three years before a beekeeper had to replace them. But they’re not living that long any more and beekeepers are asking why. “I don’t know if you get a year and a half any more…. So. What’s going on? Why are the queens not lasting?” asked Bryan […] Read more
Thinking of getting into bees? Here’s what you need to know
This year, Deb Krause hopes to dip her toe into beekeeping The Thorhild, Alta., market gardener wants a colony of bees to pollinate her garden and offer a bit of honey for her Community Supported Agriculture boxes. “I’m hoping it will give an extra boost of pollinators around,” said Krause, who hand pollinates the squash […] Read more
Queen bees dying sooner. Here’s why
Not long ago, queen bees lasted two to three years before a beekeeper had to replace them. But they’re not living that long any more and beekeepers are asking why. “I don’t know if you get a year and a half any more…. So. What’s going on? Why are the queens not lasting?” asked Bryan […] Read more
Ontario beekeepers dispute latest neonic study
A Health Canada study on neonicotinoid seed treatments has irritated beekeepers in Ontario and delighted defenders of the technology. However, it’s probably premature to be outraged or to celebrate because Health Canada will release two more reports on neonicotinoids later this year. The Pest Management Regulatory Agency, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State […] Read more
