The deadline for public comment on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Risk Assessment on the importation of American package bees has now passed. But that hasn’t stopped the considerable commentary from beekeepers who are weighing in on both sides, who alternately find the CFIA “status quo” decision either specious and based on faulty science, or […]
Winning the honey contest makes up for expensive mistakes
As I’ve said many times, Amanda and I are relatively new at beekeeping. We manage to learn new lessons every day. High on this year’s list of mistakes not to make: Don’t use a weak queen bank. It’s hard on both the queens and the pocket book. Don’t steal too much honey. Bees don’t like […]
Canada to keep border closed to U.S. honey bee packages: report
Canadian beekeepers hoping for quick access to cheaper package bees from the United States have had their hopes dented, if not crushed. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has concluded a new risk assessment report that says Canadian apiculture remains exposed to the potential for medication-resistant varroa mites and American Foulbrood, and infestations of small hive […]
How we’re battling wasps and hornets around bee hives
Beekeepers face a dizzying array of pests, diseases and threats to their livestock. We spend an enormous amount of time battling the varroa mite and being on guard for American Foulbrood disease, nosema, small hive beetle and Africanized honey bees. Fortunately in our region of Western Canada we don’t have the last two problems. Yet. […]
Bee deaths rise in Canada as lobbying to open border grows
We’re all waiting patiently for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s risk assessment on cross-border bee imports from the United States. The report, which will look at the level of risk associated with reopening the border to cheaper bee imports from the U.S., is supposedly undergoing peer review among scientists before being released for public comment. […]
Jim Bach, former Washington State apiculturist, passes away
British Columbia beekeepers may remember Jim Bach, once the state apiculturist for Washington. I received word Friday from Paul van Westendorp, B.C.’s provincial apiculturist, that Bach died suddenly this week. Paul reminded me that Jim, for too long a bachelor, had found a common bond with Fran Kay, the B.C. beekeeper dynamo who for a […]
Installing new honey bee queens from B.C.’s best breeders
We’re back right as rain, just as the rain hits. I managed to install new honey bee queens in a number of hives last night, fixing a self-inflicted problem that started when I de-queened the hives as part of an experiment in treating for mites. Stupid me, I then killed almost all of the banked […]
On farm status for beekeepers and tax assessments
There isn’t a day when I am talking to people about bees that they don’t say something like “is it true that honey bees are dying off, or that they are in trouble?” I usually take the time to explain the considerable problems facing beekeepers today: varroa mites, pesticides, monoculture crops and an agriculture industry […]
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Canada’s ban on honey bee imports is folly, says B.C.’s biggest beekeeper
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Our first honey production day, stings and all
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Stainless steel hive tower built in Buffalo, New York
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Canada considering reopening border to U.S. package honey bees
- First reported pesticide poisonings of bees in Ontario in 2013.
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Importation of U.S. Package Bees divisive among Canadian beekeepers
- Winning the honey contest makes up for expensive mistakes
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Canada to keep border closed to U.S. honey bee packages: report
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How we’re battling wasps and hornets around bee hives
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Bee deaths rise in Canada as lobbying to open border grows
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Peter Awram: These packages would be coming from California, ju...
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Delta Beekeeper: Exactly and very well put! One thing I would add i...
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Jeff: Garret: I agree with you whole-heartedly that Cana...
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Miriam Soet: I've certainly enjoyed reading all your posts.......
