Canadian National Bee Diagnostic Centre Opens

Sep 10, 2012

Alberta Home to New Bee Diagnostic Centre

Alberta will now be the home of a new National Bee Diagnostic Centre that will focus on honeybee diagnostics. The facility was made possible through the federal government’s Western Economic Diversification Canada department that seeks to promote the development of the economy in Western Canada. The federal government contributed $1,193,500 to the facility while the Rural Alberta Development Fund provided $925,360 that will go towards the operational costs for the facility over a three year period. The facility is located at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Beaverlodge research farm.

The first of its kind bee diagnostic research centre will focus much of its resources on honeybee mortality rates and causes such as pets, pathogens and parasites. This research is so crucial since honeybees play a vital part in our food system and are responsible for one-third of the food that we eat. According to Statistics Canada there were a total of 7,671 beekeepers across the country that produced 78.1 million pounds of honey. Beyond the study of honeybee diagnostics, the centre will also pursue international trade of honeybees as well as serve as a tremendous resource for beekeepers and will provide free diagnostic services.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.