Beekeepers Facing Extra Feed Costs

Sep 08, 2021

The drought this year had an impact on many Manitoba beekeepers.

Mark Friesen is a beekeeper in the Morden area.

"We are definitely in a situation where this time of year, when there isn't any flowers blooming, that really limits the bees' ability to collect pollen and they need to build up there stores for the winter," he said. "In certain areas, and I'm not saying that's all areas around Morden, we've had quite a bit of a dry stretch, we're going around trying to make sure that they have some supplements to hold on for the winter."

Last week, Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler said that the government is aware of the situation and is reviewing options for support.

"If they do come up with something, that it would be something to supplement our extra feed costs, when we have to go around and feed extra supplement because the bees can't access those flowers that they might have been able to access other years."

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Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.