The Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association will be celebrating its’ 106th Annual Convention in conjunction with Canadian Honey Council (CHC) and the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) Annual Meetings.

2012 CONVENTION THEME: Healthy Environment-Healthy Bees-Healthy Honey

Get Registration Form 2012 

Canadian Beekeeping Convention Presentations agenda

Sponsorship /Tradeshow Forms_2012 (Update: There are no more display tables or spaces available. Sorry for any inconvenience. Refreshment break sponsors & research auction items are welcome!)

Tradeshow setup.takedown inquiries contact David Ostermann at 945-3861 or e-mail david.ostermann@gov.mb.ca

Convention Invitation:

All interested beekeepers and related industry people are invited to come out to hear what is happening in the Beekeeping Industry across Canada and USA. The 2012 Canadian Beekeeping Convention is held in conjunction with the Canadian Honey Council (CHC) and Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) Annual Meetings, and thus should provide an action packed week for all attendees. In addition, CHC will be hosting special meetings earlier in the week for their members and guests.

Tentative Weekly schedule as follows:

Tuesday 24 January 2012 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm): CHC Bee Stock Risk Management Symposium will take place (CHC Directors and invited guests only please).

Wednesday 25 January 2012 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm): CHC Bee Stock Risk Management Symposium continues its second day(CHC Directors and invited guests only please).

Thursday 26 January 2012 (9:00am – 5:00 pm): Members of Canadian Honey Council (CHC) will conduct their 71st Annual General Meeting (Directors and invited guests only please) at all day sessions in Salon A.

Similarly Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) will conduct their Annual General Meeting (Members and Invited guests only please) at all day sessions in Salon C. (Attendees are to book travel and rooms accordingly)

Thursday 26 January 2012 (5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.): Sponsors can set up Tradeshow displays in Foyer or Crystal Ballroom. (for specific access times and room/table location, contact David Ostermann at 945-3861 or e-mail david.ostermann@gov.mb.ca)

Thursday 26 January 2012 (3:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.): Early Arrival Information Desk and Registration for Convention. (Extra lunch tickets $25.00 each/day, Social tickets $50.00 each). Advance  and Regular Fees on Registration form download on link below.

Thursday 26 January 2012 (7:30 p.m.-10:00p.m.): Official Start of 2012 Canadian Beekeeping Convention, with reports from CHC, CAPA, and Federal Government officials in Concert Hall. This session is open to all registered attendees.

Friday 27 January 2012 (8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.): Registration Desk opens at 8:00 a.m. and at 9:00 a.m. the First Full Day of Convention begins in the Crystal Ballroom. Research Symposium and Tradeshow takes place all day (Foyer and Crystal Ballroom). Specific Time , Speakers and other Details to be announced as they become available. Keynote speakers identified below. (Extra lunch tickets $25/day).

Friday 27 January 2012 (6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.): Social Evening consisting of Buffet Banquet, Cash Bar, Awards Ceremony, Research Auction, and Social time for attendees held in the Concert Hall. Tickets $50.00 each.

Saturday 28 January 2012 (8:00 a.m.-4:30p.m.): Registration Desk opens at 8:00 a.m. and at 8:30a.m., the Second and Final Day of Convention begins. Research Symposium (in Crystal Ballroom all day) and Tradeshow (until noon). Speakers and Information will be posted when available. Keynote speakers are identified below. (Extra lunch tickets $25 each)

  RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

 Friday, January 27^th, 2012

 8:00 a.m.      REGISTRATION

 CHAIRPERSON – Allan Campbell

 9:00 a.m.         Opening Remarks – Allan Campbell, MBA President, Dauphin, MB

 9:15 a.m.         A Preliminary Economic Analysis of Honey Bee Mortality and Morbidity Risk Factors and their Financial and Social Costs: A Canadian Case Study – Miriam Bixby, Univ. BC, Vancouver, BC

 9:30 a.m.         Honey Bee Imports Regulations: Managing Risks and Meeting Industry Needs – Medhat Nasr, AARD, Edmonton, AB

 10:00 a.m.       COFFEE

 10:30 a.m.       Distribution of Small Hive Beetle in Ontario and Provincial Response – Paul Kozak, OMAFRA, Guelph, ON

 11:00 a.m.       Life Cycles of SHB in Essex Quarantine Zone and Developing Best Management Practices – Les Eccles, OBA Tech-Transfer Team, Guelph, ON

 11:30 a.m.         The Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida) : Efficiency on In-hive Control – Martine Bernier, Univ. Laval, Québec, QC

 12:00 noon     LUNCH –

 CHAIRPERSON – Murray Lewis

 1:00 p.m.        When Pesticides Interact – Marion Ellis, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA

 1:30 p.m.        Managing Varroa Mites – Keeping it Safe for Bees and Honey – Jerry Hayes, Florida Dept. of Agric. Services, Gainesville, FL, USA

 2:00 p.m.        Next-generation Integrated Pest Management Tools for Beekeeping – Shelley Hoover, AAFC, Beaverlodge AB and Univ. BC

 2:30 p.m.        Effects of Carbon Dioxide and Modified Ventilation on the Mortality of Varroa Mite in Overwintering Colonies – Rasoul Bahreini, U of M, Winnipeg, MB

 3:00 p.m.        COFFEE

 3:30 p.m.        Honey bee population genetics and me vs. we immunity - Amro Zayed, York University, Toronto, ON

4:00 p.m.        Identification and Application of Protein markers for Marker-assisted Selection of VSH and Hygienic Behaviour – Leonard Foster, Univ. BC, Vancouver, BC

 4:30 p.m.        Fall Treatments Against Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) Mitigates Prevalence of Three Harmfull Viruses in Honey Bee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies – Pierre Giovenazzo, Univ. Laval, Québec, QC

 5:00 p.m.        Deformed Wing Viruses (DWV): Can it be Managed? – Suresh Desai, U of M, Winnipeg, MB

 5:30 p.m.        Adjournment   

 7:00 p.m.        Banquet /Research Auction (open bar @ 6:30 pm)

 Saturday, January 28^th, 2012

 8:00 a.m.      REGISTRATION

 CHAIRPERSON – Jake Maendel

 8:30 a.m.         Screening Trial Report: Varroa Mite Control Products – Rob Currie, U of M, Winnipeg, MB

 9:00 a.m.         Testing Soft Chemicals for Varroa Control Under Prairie Conditions – Graham Parsons, SBA, Prince Albert, SK

 9:30 a.m.         Summer and Fall Application of MiteAway Quick Strips in Southern Ontario – Janet Tam, OBA Tech-Transfer Team, Guelph, ON

 10:00 a.m.       COFFEE

10:30 a.m.       Protecting Hawaii’s Bees and Beekeepers – Danielle Downey, Hawaii Dept of Agric, Hilo, HI, USA

 11:00 a.m.       Risk Assessment -Making Pesticide Registration Safer for Bees and Food – Marion Ellis, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA

 11:30 a.m.       Impact of Cranberry Pollination on Honey Bee Colonies and of a Supplementary Feeding During the Pollination – Georges Martin, CRSAD, Deschambault, QC

 12:00 noon     LUNCH –

 CHAIRPERSON – Rhéal Lafrenière

 1:00 p.m.        The Effects of Nosema ceranae on Honey Bee Health – Mike Gobrlish, U of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA

 1:30 p.m.        The Biology, Disinfection and Chemotherapy of Nosema ceranae  – Abdullah Ibrahim, AAFC, Beaverlodge, AB

 2:00 p.m.        Is Nosema ceranae an Emergent and Highly Pathogenic Parasite of Honey Bees in North America? – Ernesto Guzman, U of Guelph, Guelph, ON

 2:30 p.m.        Nosema, Can It Be Managed? – Jerry Hayes, Florida Dept. of Agric. Services, Gainesville, FL, USA

 3:00 p.m.        OPEN Q & A on NOSEMA DISEASE

 3:15 p.m.        COFFEE

 3:30 p.m.        Manitoba Honey and Pollen Residue Survey – Greg Adrian, MAFRI, Winnipeg, MB

 4:00 p.m.        Skunk Bait Evaluation Study – David Ostermann, MAFRI, Winnipeg, MB

 4:30 p.m.        ADJOURNMENT

 Research Symposium  inquiries, please contact  - Rheal.Lafreniere@gov.mb.ca

 See Registration Form for information on Convention Rates and options, plus directions on booking rooms directly with Hotel Fort Garry.

Get Registration Form 2012

Sponsorship is available for Tradeshow participation, Refreshment sponsorship, and/or Research Auction donations. Suppliers of products and/or services for the industry can choose their level of support using the pdf (170MB) file below.

Sponsorship /Tradeshow Forms_2012

The MBA Newsletter is published 4 times per year. To view it, you may use the freely available Adobe Reader program.

Back issues available online in pdf format.

President

Allan Campbell (2012)
RR5 Comp 31, Dauphin, MB, R7N 2T8
(204) 638-6515
Cell (204) 648-3340
Email allan.campbell@durstonhoneyfarms.com

Vice Chairperson

Murray Lewis (2012)
Box 316 Austin MB R0H 0C0
637-2596  
Shop 637-2277
Email: lfarms@mts.net

CHC Director

Bryan Ash (2013)
Box 635, Gilbert Plains, MB, R0L 0X0
(Res) 548-2019 (Bus) 548-2036 Ext 21
Email: flash@mts.net

KAP Director

Gary Momotiuk (2014)
Box 68, Gilbert Plains, MB,  R0L 0X0
638-0099
Email: gdnm@goinet.ca

Executive Member

Bruce Podolsky (2013)
Box 1, Ethlebert, MB, R0L 0T0
742-3555 (Cell) 872-0159
Email: podolski_honey@inetlink.ca

Directors

Earl Dueck (2014)
Box 1292, Steinbach, MB, R5G 1N1
326-1001 (Bus) 855-3165
Email: oaklakehoneyfarms@yahoo.ca

Pierre Faure (2014)
Box 43, Notre Dame Des Lourdes, MB, R0G 1M0
248-2645
E mail:frenchbeefarm@hotmail.com

Terry Karaz (2012)
Box 250, Gladstone, MB, R0J 0T0
385-2923
Email: freddiescollection@yahoo.ca

Gilles Maguet (2013)
Box 652, Ste Rose, MB, R0L 1S0
(Res) 447-2891 (Bus) same
Email: gmaguet@inethome.ca

Jake Maendel (2012)
Box 119, Stonewall, MB, R0C 2Z0
Cell 513-0529
Email: jake@destinyroad.ca

Chris Rempel (2014)
Box 358, Austin, MB, R0H 0C0
637-2397 (Cell) 872-0159
E mail: cdrempel@mts.net

Richard Schau (2013)
RR 5 Comp 118, Dauphin, MB, R7N 2T8
638-7662 (Cell) 572-6999
Email: n/a

Non-Voting Appointees

Secretary/RRAA Representative

Jim Campbell
Box 234, Stonewall, MB, R0C 2Z0
467-5246
Email: mbasecretary@mts.net

BABA Representative

Murray Cox
Box 509, Virden, MB,  R0M 2C0
Phone 855-2437

Treasurer

Hilary Stewart
Box 192, Baldur, MB, R0K 0B0
(Res) 535-2167 (Bus) 535-2324 (Fax) 535-2138
Email: manitobabeekeepers@mts.net

Provincial Apiculture Office

Prov. Apiarist
Rhéal Lafrenière
204-545 University Cres., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5S6
(Bus) 945-4825 (Fax) 945-4327
Email: rheal.lafreniere@gov.mb.ca

Pollination Apiarist
David Ostermann
(Bus) 945-3861
Email: david.ostermann@gov.mb.ca

MBA Committees 2012 (Valid Dec 2011 to Nov 2012)
Manitoba Beekeepers’s Association

Convention/AGM: Chair – Murray Lewis, Bruce Podolsky, Rhéal Lafrenière, Jim Campbell, David Ostermann.

Fee/Levy: Co-Chair-Jake Maendal, Terry Karaz, Chris Rempel, Rhéal Lafrenière, Jim Campbell.

Finance: Chair – Chris Rempel, Earl Dueck, Murray Lewis, Jim Campbell, David Ostermann.

Foreign Worker: Chair-Bruce Podolsky, Bryan Ash, Allan Campbell, Chris Rempel, Pierre Faure, Rhéal Lafrenière.

Food Safety: Chair-Bryan Ash, Gilles Maguet, Bruce Podolsky,

KAP: Chair – Gary Momotiuk, Earl Dueck, Gilles Maguet, Jim Campbell

Newsletter: Chair – Earl Dueck, Jim Campbell, Rhéal Lafrenière, David Ostermann

Nomination: Chair – Murray Lewis, Bryan Ash, Bruce Podolsky, Pierre Faure, Jake Maendel

Pests & Pest Management: Chair – Murray Lewis, Terry Karaz, Richard Schau

Pollination: Chair – Chris Rempel, Pierre Faure, Bruce Podolsky, David Ostermann.

Promotion/Education: Chair – Jake Maendel, Jim Campbell, Earl Dueck, Gilles Maguet, Richard Schau, Rhéal Lafrenière.

Resolution: Chair – Chris Rempel, Bryan Ash, Bruce Podolsky

Research: Chair – Murray Lewis, Gilles Maguet, Bruce Podolsky, Rhéal Lafrenière, (Dr. Rob Currie).

Safety Nets: Chair – Gary Momotiuk, Earl Dueck, Jake Maendel, Terry Karaz, Bruce Podolsky

Stock Replacement: Chair – Bryan Ash, Terry Karaz, Pierre Faure.

See each resolution for its’ status or associated board action.

1. TEMPORARY WORKERS     

 WHEREAS Western Canada has a growing and fundamental need for temporary foreign workers to maintain a healthy honey industry, and 

WHEREAS the Canadian honey industry will not function to its full potential without temporary foreign workers that can be accessed in a timely and forthright manner and,  

WHEREAS recent changes to the Foreign Worker application process are not fully understood by Federal Government staff nor producers,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That MBA encourage CHC to lobby Agriculture and Agri Food Canada (AAFC) and Citizenship & Immigration Canada (CIC) to instruct or train staff to be more supportive of Canadian beekeepers requests for qualified temporary foreign workers, plus streamline the application process.

a) December 8, 2011 this item assigned to Canadian Honey Council for presentation at their January 26, 2012 meeting.

2. MORE PEST TREATMENTS

WHEREAS Manitoba producers continue to face high overwinter losses, and

WHEREAS producers continue to be concerned about the limited number of options for varroa mite and/or virus control,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that MBA continue supporting evaluation of a variety of treatments to address specific needs within the Manitoba environment.

a) December 8, 2011, this item referred to MBA Pest and Pest Management Committee.

3. GROUP FIRE INSURANCE

WHEREAS Manitoba producers infrequently face losses due to fire, and

WHEREAS some insurance companies may be reluctant to follow through on new replacement items lost or damaged in a fire and,

WHEREAS often insurance companies offer economical coverage for members of a group,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that MBA determine if an insurance company could provide a quote on a suitable group policy as a MBA membership benefit.

a) December 8, 2011, this assigned to MBA Safety Net Committee for evaluation of options. Possibility of March 2012 Workshop to evaluate options and current gaps with members of MBA.

4. MULTIPLE EMERGENCY USE PRODUCTS

WHEREAS Manitoba producers may have specific weather or bee pest situations and,

WHEREAS producers may desire more options for treatments deemed easier to use,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that MBA have Canadian Honey Council encourage Pest Management Regulatory Agency to permit multiple Emergency Use Registrations for the Honey Bee Industry.

a) December 8, 2011, item referred to Canadian Honay Council for consideration at their January 27, 2012 meeting.

5. EXPEDITE BEEOLOGICS PRODUCTS

WHEREAS Current Honey Bee virus control research at University of Manitoba appears promising using an “RNAi” technology similar to that of Beeologics and,

WHEREAS Monsanto has recently acquired control of Beeologics,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That MBA approach Canadian Honey Council to encourage Monsanto to expedite availability of Beeologics products used for virus control in the Honey Bee Industry.

a) December 8, 2011, this referred to Canadian Honey Council for consideration at their January 26, 2012 meeting.

6. REMOVE HIVE CAP FOR CHC LEVY

WHEREAS current MBA regulations exempt levy amounts above 1000 colonies and,

WHEREAS Canadian Honey Council hive levy for 2012 will increase to $0.13/colony,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that MBA seek regulation changes to permit applying Canadian Honey Council levy to producers with 1001 or greater colony count.

a) December 8, 2011, this referred to MBA Fee/Levy Committee for action.

b) December 14, 2011, Manitoba Farm Products Marketing Council advised of MBA plan to revise current admin fee regulation in early 2012.

7. APPRECIATION     

WHEREAS: Beekeepers appreciate the inspection program and its assessment of both hobby and commercial operations, and

WHEREAS: Extension Staff support the beekeeping industry through organizing education and research symposiums,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that MBA inform the Manitoba Ag Minister of our appreciation for the work Rhéal and David do for our industry.

a) December 8, 2011, this referred to President Allan Campbell for actioning.

8 APIVAR EUR            

WHEREAS Provinces across Canada, successfully applied for and received approval from Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) for Emergency Use Registration (EUR) of Apivar for the period 1July 2011 to 30 June 2012, and

WHEREAS producers continue to be concerned about the limited number of options for varroa mite control, and require the treatment option that Apivar provides

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that if Apivar is not registered by the expiration date of the EUR by June 30^th, 2012, MBA work with others to seek Emergency Use Registration of Apivar for 2012-2013 season.

a) December 8, 2011, this referred to MBA’s Pest and Pest Management Committee for actioning during 2012.

9 BOARD SIZE

WHEREAS the amount of producers eligible for the MBA board is not changing significantly and,

WHEREAS many eligible members have already served terms on the MBA board,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that MBA determine the feasibility of operating with a 7 member board.

a) December 8, 2011, this referred to Fee/Levy Committee to review MBA bylaws and develop an appropriate plan for presentation at 2012 Annual Meeting for approval.

10 PEST NAMING

WHEREAS additional honey bee pests are becoming more prevalent than in the past and,

WHEREAS there is interest in importing genetics into countries such as Chile,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that MBA support s naming of Asian Mite (Tropilallaps) nationally as a notifiable pest.

a) december 8, 2011, this referred to Pest and Pest Management Committee for discussion with MAFRI staff.

10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Neepawa United Church

475 Mountain Avenue, Neepawa, Manitoba

Directors elected for 3 year terms include Chris Rempel, Earl Dueck, Pierre Faure and Gary Momotiuk.

Elected to fill a 1 year vacancy – Jake Maendel

Summer 2011 newsletter download

The MBA Newsletter is published 4 times per year. To view it, you may use the freely available Adobe Reader program.

Back issues available online in pdf format.

The Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association (MBA) sponsors a yearly Competition for honey producers including an industry promotional element for honey consumers. Typical categories include: Honey, Comb, Frames, Beeswax, Photography and often a Beverage category too! Note the NEW photo category reflecting the 2011 theme “Pure Manitoba Honey – In Many Forms”. Check out the Honey Show Rules and Regulations. The show is usually organized and staffed by members of the Winnipeg area Hobby group (Red River Apiarists Association). To enter, fill out a Honey Show Entry Form.

Location: Centre Court Area, Forks Market, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Theme: Pure Manitoba Honey–In Many Forms

Dates: Friday September 30 thru Sunday October 2, 2011

The 2011 Manitoba Honey Show attracted considerable visitor attention with the theme “Pure Manitoba Honey- in many forms”, along with several new competition entrants.

The 2011 Manitoba Honey Show took place the weekend of September 31- October 2, at the Forks Market, Winnipeg. The purpose of the show continues to be based around interacting with consumers about the benefit of honey bees for pollinating foods we eat plus providing a healthy food, educating consumers on the uses and varieties of honey products, and empowering consumers to communicate directly with local food producers.

As part of the plan to enhance and stimulate conversations with consumers, the Show featured an array of items promoting recent innovations in honey packaging. Colourful signage drew people’s attention to the beneficial uses and conveniences of honey found on store shelves “in many forms”, which range from new aseptic honey dispensor, to snap packs to dried wafers.

Promotion for the show was done via news releases to various Winnipeg area papers plus the Manitoba Co-operator. As a result, the cooperator conducted an interview with Jim Campbell, MBA Secretary and RRAA Executive member on 30 September, who described the purposes of the show and the value of Honey Bees to the pollination and honey economy of Manitoba. 

With a little creativity, the new table setup helped traffic flow while providing adequate access to the Competition area, the Industry space, the Observation Hive, the Product area, and the newly added “Honey Forms” promotion display.

The Honey Competition featured four new entrants for 2011, which provided a welcome sight, creating a good active competition from beginning beekeepers to those with many years under their belt.  Prize winning honey frames attractively capped with beautiful white wax intrigued visitors. In another area photographs highlighted various elements of the Beekeeping industry. A new category for 2011 focused on the theme “Pure Manitoba Honey-In many Forms”. At the educational element showing Honey Throughout the Year, Ken Rowes had jars with different colours reflecting floral source nectar at different times of the season. Thanks to Donna, Ken, Sandra, Barb, Jim and Don for setting up the display, and Charles for bringing material from Bee Maid

Live Bees in the Observation Hive continue to enthrall both young and older visitors, where beekeeper volunteers spent many hours describing the intricacies of hive life. Thanks to staff at U of M, the yellow dot on the thorax of the queen aided viewers in their quest for the queen. Thanks to John Speer, Duane Versluis, Brian & Sandra Smith, Josh Kolesar, Don Gray and Jim Campbell for informing visitors at this station. Conversations often led guests to express their concern for bee losses and the probable causes. Consumers still are interested in obtaining pollination for their garden vegetables and fruit trees. 

Interactive Demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday entertained visitors at the show by drawing attention to the benefits of our industry. Cooking and Extracting demonstrations were conducted periodically during the three-day event. Thanks to John Russell, a trained chef, taking control at the kitchen grill, while Charles Polcyn turned the manual extractor into a honey-making machine.

Meanwhile, the Hourds and Polcyns were kept busy offering samples of products, answering visitor questions, and serving their customers wit various honey and bee related products.

Thanks to the many volunteers helping out, the entrants for the show, MBA financial support, Bee Maid financial donation and equipment loaners. Special appreciation to the Honey Show judges: Sam Barlin, Josh Kolesar, and David Ostermann for judging the competition entries.

What a great weekend for the show! Lots of visitors and the weather was super nice!

The MBA Newsletter is published 4 times per year. To view it, you may use the freely available Adobe Reader program.

Back issues available online in pdf format (approximately 3 meg each).

Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC)

INSURANCE: OVERWINTER BEE MORTALITY INSURANCE PILOT PROGRAM (NEW FOR 2011 !)

Purpose

• This pilot program insures a producer’s bees against non-manageable abnormal wintering losses, including weather-related losses, diseases and pests where there are no adequate means of control.

Eligibility

• A producer who resides and operates an apiary in Manitoba and is registered as a beekeeper under The Bee Act (Manitoba) is eligible for this program.

• Eligible producers must operate a minimum of 50 colonies.

• Strong colonies (placed in either indoor or outdoor storage) and nuclear colonies placed in indoor storage are eligible for coverage.

Coverage

• This program covers losses of strong (7 or more frames of brood) and nuclear (minimum 4 frames of brood) colonies that have suffered abnormal winter losses, or losses due to diseases and/or pests (e.g. Varroa mites, Nosema, viruses) with no means of adequate control.

• Beekeepers may select a low ($100 per colony) or high ($150 per colony) overwinter colony dollar value for coverage.

• A 30% deductible is applied to coverage.

Coverage example :

A beekeeper insures 100 colonies for overwinter storage at the high dollar value.

Coverage = 100 colonies x $150 = $15,000 Deductible = 15,000 x 0.30 = $4,500

In this scenario, the maximum coverage available is $10,500 ($15,000 – $4,500)

Coverage Exceptions

• This program does not insure against any losses resulting from inadequate or improper winter storage, inadequate surveillance, failure to follow normal or recommended beekeeper practices, and theft or vandalism.

Costs

• Premium costs are shared 40% by the beekeeper, 36% by the Government of Canada and 24% by the Province of Manitoba.

Producer share of premiums for 2011 are: Low dollar coverage = $1.79 per colony High dollar coverage = $2.68 per colony

Premium example:

A beekeeper insures 100 colonies for overwinter storage at the high dollar value.

Premium (high dollar value)

= 100 x $2.68 per colony = $268.00

Claims

• If a beekeeper believes they are in a claim position, they must file a claim with MASC on or before May 15.

• After filing a claim, an MASC adjustor will assess the losses that have occurred during the winter storage period.

Claim example:

A beekeeper insures 100 colonies for overwinter storage at the high dollar value. In spring, the beekeeper finds that 44 colonies were lost due to insurable causes.

Claim = dead colonies – deductible

= 44 – 30 = 14

= 14 x $150

= $2100

Compensation Offsets

• If a program participant received a wildlife compensation payment under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Regulation for loss of bees during the winter storage period, this payment may be deducted from any indemnity payable under this program.

Important Dates and Deadlines

August 31 is the last day to apply for this program.

November 30 is the last day to declare and confirm the number of colonies placed in winter storage.

May 15 is the last day to file a claim without a late fee.

May 31 (or 3 days prior to taking action in respect of the management and control of over-winter colonies, whichever comes first) is the last day to file a Declaration of Overwinter Colonies Mortality Report, and file a claim with late claim fees.

For more information contact your local MASC insurance agent or visit masc.mb.ca.

This information sheet contains general information only and does not form part of the Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance Contract between an insured and MASC. In all cases, the Overwinter Bee Mortality Insurance Contract shall prevail.

NOTE: Original “FactSheet” document contains government logos for Canada (Growing Forward) and Manitoba (copied from Fact Sheet and added herein by web admin 21apr2011)

Refer MASC web site for up to date details and information

This is to inform you that there have been recent instances of small hive beetles (SHB) found in shipments of honey bee queens originating from Hawaii.  On April 7, 2011 one live SHB adult was found associated with packaging material associated with queens in Manitoba and SHB early larval instars of SHB were found in queens received in Alberta and Manitoba.  Provincial Apiarists will be working closely with the CFIA and importers to ensure that Hawaiian queens are examined for SHB.  Although there are protocols in place to mitigate the risks of introducing and spreading the SHB from Hawaii, we ask that you take the following steps to ensure that the queens that you have received are free of SHB.

•   Examine the inside and outside of each queen cage and shipping box.
• Pay particular attention to the area between the cage candy and wax paper, the groove along the length of the cage and any crevice or tight space on the cage or in the shipping box.
• Eggs of SHB 2/3 the size of a honey bee egg, white and elongated and typically laid in clusters.
• Larvae of SHB, range in size from a 2 mm to 11 mm in length and white to tan in colour with a dark tan head, forked process at the hind end, and three pairs of legs.
• Adult SHB are 5.5- 5.7mm in length, 3.2 mm in width, dark brown almost black, round, with clubbed antennae (i.e. the last three segments of the antennae larger than the previous ones). The body is covered with hard, short wings (elytra) that don’t cover the full length of body, thereby exposing a small part of the dorsal side of the abdomen.
• An extra safety precaution, you may want to consider:
  • Transfer the queens to new queen cages before introductions to your colonies. Then, old queen cages and all associated packaging material should be incinerated or froze at -18°C for a minimum of 72 hours.
  • Don’t bank queens in shipped cages in a queen bank unless you transfer them to new cages or you inspected them and they were free of SHB larvae.
  • If you store queens in their shipped cages in honey house, place queen cages in a room away from your general storage area to protect hive boxes from infestation by any crawling SHB larvae.

 If you find (or have reason to suspect) a small hive beetle with your shipment of queens, immediately contact the Provincial Apiculturist office (contact information on reverse side).  For pictures of the various life stages of the small hive beetle, please visit the following website:  http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in854

 Rhéal Lafrenière                                     David Ostermann

Provincial Apiarist                                  Pollination Apiarist

945-4825                                                    945-3861

Rheal.Lafreniere@gov.mb.ca                 David.Ostermann@gov.mb.ca