Chris Maund, Integrated Pest Management Specialist (Entomologist) and Provincial Apiarist for New Brunswick, tells us that winter losses for the province’s beekeepers are significantly down from the last couple of years, averaging around 20-25% for colonies over-wintered outdoors and 15-20% for those indoors.
Please note that these are preliminary averages and the amounts may change as more people are able to inspect their hives.
Yes, it’s been a wet week or 10 days, here in the St. John River Valley of New Brunswick!
A lot of farmers were flooded out, and we’ve yet to see how that situation might set back the crop pollination schedule and the demand for bees.
The River flooded to levels that well exceeded the height of the 2005 flood, but the water rose more slowly than in 1973 (the last “Big One”) and gave some time for people to take precautions. The river level seems to have been dropping in the Fredericton area overnight, and to have stabilized downstream in the Maugervlle / Sheffield area. The experts are saying the worst of the flooding is over, and evacuated families will soon be able to return home. Then, of course, comes the disheartening job of counting up the damage and cleaning up.
So far we’ve had no reports of bee hive losses, although not all beekeepers “got off easy” personally or as farmers — several of the Central Beekeepers live on the fertile agricultural land of the flood plain, and our sympathies are with those who have sustained damage to their homes and properties.
Our thoughts are with those who suffered losses in the flood, and this might be a good place to mention that the Canadian Red Cross has launched an appeal for funds to help the New Brunswick flood victims get back on their feet.
Canadians wishing to help people affected by flooding are encouraged to contribute by donating online, calling 1-800-418-1111 or contacting their local Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Flood Appeal 2008” and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.
Early reports from the bee yards across the province are sounding pretty positive — for once, New Brunswick bees seem to have wintered over quite well, and now that the forage has started to bloom — and once the river water goes back down! — there’s a sense of cautious optimism that the 2008 season might turn out to be a good year for bees.
Please be advised that the semi-annual meeting of the Southeast New Brunswick Beekeepers Association will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008 in the NB Department of Agriculture and Aquaculture Building off Main Street in Sussex, New Brunswick.
Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting will commence at 10:00 a.m. There will be a Panel Discussion and your experts will be there to answer your questions, so have your questions ready! Lunch is on your own, as this seemed to work out well last time. Elections of the Executive for the coming year will also take place at this meeting, and both the SENBBA president and the secretary will be retiring from their positions this year. If you would be willing to put your name forward for a position, please contact Ann Vautour at evangelinemiel@hotmail.com.
Note: Southeast NB Beekeepers Association members are also reminded that their membership fee of $10.00 is due this month.
NOD Apiary Products, the Manufacturer of Mite AwayII, presents a 3-hour (no charge) workshop for beekeepers:
Monday April 14, 2008
1:00 p.m.
Moncton Lions Community Centre
473 St. George Street, Moncton, New Brunswick
Hosted by: Country Fields Beekeeping Supplies
Please RSVP by either calling George or Ruth at 506-387-6804 or email info@countryfields.ca — or just come on out!
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Starting beekeeper in the Fredericton area looking for start-up equipment for a couple of hives, and associated equipment. Call James at 260-2037.
