FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where can I find information on treatments for my colonies and other honey bee health and management issues?
A key resource for Manitoba is The Manitoba Honey Bee Health Treatment Guide
How do I become a member of the MBA?
Do I need to be registered with the Province of Manitoba if I own honey bee colonies?
Yes, please find more information here.
What are the MB regulations for the honey bee industry?
Do I need to post contact information in each of my apiaries?
Yes, please see the Manitoba Bee Act. Not only is it the law, but it helps neighbours and farmers contact you to keep you and your bees safe and aware of unwanted incidents such as: pesticide sprays, bear activity or other pests, building relationships with local landowners and rural municipalities.
Does the MBA have any recommendations for appropriate industry stakeholder conduct?
Provincial Statistics
1000 beekeepers – 115,000 colonies
Producing nearly 20 million pounds of honey annually
Provincially the apiculture sector has an economic contribution of $50 million. Canada’s apiculture sector contributes $7 billion in pollination services annually.
Manitoba’s honey bee colony winter morality 10-year average is 27% annually. Aligning almost exactly with the average national annual winter loss reported via the CAPA winter loss survey for the period of 2007-2023.
What type of honey is produced in Manitoba?
Beekeepers primarily produce the following honeys:
| TYPE | COLOUR | TASTE |
|---|---|---|
|
Dandelion |
golden yellow |
candy-like |
|
Clover |
white |
creamy, smooth |
|
Canola |
water white |
mild, buttery |
|
Buckwheat |
amber-brown |
malty, toasted |
|
Sunflower |
yellow-amber |
nutty, tangy |
History of Beekeeping in Manitoba
The MBA was incorporated in 1915. However, the annual convention of Manitoba beekeepers began in 1905.
The University of Manitoba’s beekeeping course has been delivered each year since 1922, making 2025’s course the 103rd offering.
The Manitoba Queen Breeders Association was founded in 2002 (A Brief History of the MQBA)