Manitoba beekeepers get help rebuilding colonies

Manitoba beekeepers will be eligible for $7.5 million in support from the federal and provincial governments to rebuild their colonies following extraordinary losses incurred over the winter of 2021-22, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today.

“Beekeepers and healthy bee populations play a vital role in the sustainable production of many high-value agricultural crops. With support to help overcome this unique sector challenge and recover unexpected colony losses, beekeepers will be better equipped for future growing seasons.” — The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

There are about 115,000 colonies in the province, with 95 per cent of colonies belonging to commercial beekeepers. Manitoba’s honeybee industry experienced high losses over the winter of 2021-22, as did numerous beekeepers across Canada. In Manitoba, 2021-22 winter losses were estimated to be 57 per cent of colonies; normal losses are typically in the range of 30 per cent, Johnson noted.