Ontario Beekeepers’ Association News

The Wellington County Beekeepers’ Association is generously coordinating the winter wrap program, with proceeds supporting the OBA Tech-Transfer Research Program. In 2007, Jim Coneybeare and Diane Krout of the Wellington County Beekeepers organized the manufacture of these wraps and have made them available to Ontario Beekeepers each year since then.    Order for 2021 are now being taken. The deadline for…

A comprehensive resource for beekeepers, and developed in partnership with OMAFRA and the OBA, with input from the University of Guelph Honey Bee Research Centre and Niagara College, Essential Practices for Beekeepers in Ontario outlines recommended practices to ensure healthy, productive managed honey bees in Ontario. View or download Essential Practices for Beekeepers in Ontario. This document is intended to instruct beekeepers…

 Recently, the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) released a preliminary report on the reported winterloss percentages across Canada. The report shows that Ontario, with early reported information, is showing a winterloss of 17%. British Columbia seems to have experienced higher losses with an initial report of 32% with the Canadian average currently sitting around 23%. See the Preliminary report on Honey Bee Wintering…

The Government of Ontario has moved ahead with increasing the compensation rate for AgriStability from 70 to 80 per cent on the provincial portion. The increased coverage is effective as of the 2020 growing season. The provincial increase to the compensation rate is in addition to the combined federal and provincial support announced on March 25 to remove the reference margin…

Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the honey bee industry are developed by different levels and divisions of government, various organizations, institutions and stakeholders. Content ranging from regulations for pest and disease treatment thresholds to management of colonies during pollination services are included. While in many cases these recommendations are readily available, their authors are varied and the publications are provided…

 The Governments of Canada and Ontario are launching a new targeted beekeeper intake to support and strengthen the health of managed honey bees and Ontario’s beekeeping sector. Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (The Partnership) the new 50 per cent cost share intake opens on June 21, 2021 and will support beekeepers with 10 or more colonies registered with the Provincial Apiarist. Beekeepers…

Every year we like to see how well the bees did over the winter. Please take part in our basic winterloss survey. This survey does not replace the official OMAFRA winterloss survey, which is used for provincial, national and research statistics and purposes, but we do like to see what is happening in Ontario with our members and followers. Participate in…

 Only a few days left until Day 1 of the Spring Meeting. The Spring 2021 Conference will take place Saturday, March 27th & Saturday, April 3rd, 2021. The meeting will begin at 9:30am each day and end around 1:30pm. Everyone Welcome Meeting Information HERE

We are seeking a new Lead Specialist for OBA's world-class Technology-Transfer Program.Position HighlightsEducationGraduate degree or Bachelor of Science, with coursework in apiculture, entomology, biology, and/or agriculture.ExperienceThree years or more of experience working with honey bees. Experience with project management, applied research in the field and experience in laboratory work.KnowledgeThorough knowledge of the business of beekeeping and general beekeeping practices, including honey…