HONEY BEES
The beekeeping industry has been growing in the past decade, with more than 40,000 honey bee hives now calling Atlantic Canada home. Hives are used for both pollination services (e.g. apple, wild blueberry) and honey production.
To welcome and train the many new beekeepers within the industry, several opportunities have arisen. For example, the Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture (ATTTA), based at Perennia, was formed in April 2016 to provide extension and research services for beekeepers offering pollination services. New courses have been developed, and training opportunities featuring guest speakers have also been created.
Atlantic Canada is known for its delicious, high-quality honey. Honey is marketed directly to consumers as well as sold in bulk. Pollination services provided by honey bees contributes significantly to the wild blueberry industry in the Maritimes.
Innovative research and knowledge transfer is being conducted in Atlantic Canada by the Tech Transfer Team, including optimizing pollination, enhancing overwintering success, better managing pests and diseases, and improving overall bee health. Beekeepers are eager to participate in research trials and continue to move the industry forward.
