Apiculture – Publications and resources

Colony management and information

Management publications

Recommendations for Management of Honey Bee Pests in Alberta 2018-2019 (PDF, 612 KB)

Beekeeping in Western Canada includes information about getting started in beekeeping, spring management of bees, winter feeding, honey extraction, honey bee health, and marketing your beeswax, pollen and honey crops. Copies of this book may be purchased by:

• Online credit card purchase
• Calling 780-427-0391 (payment made using automated system and telephone keypad)

Honey Bee Diseases & Pests Third Edition

The Small Hive Beetle (a UK National Bee Unit Publication)

Bee Health app

The Bee Health app is based on current scientific knowledge to address honey bee diseases and pests. It is a handy resource to help beekeepers and other users to detect, diagnose, manage and treat honey bee diseases and pests. It includes pictures and treatment options which will aid beekeepers in adopting appropriate pest management practices. Thus, beekeepers can improve bee health and enhance on-farm food safety and biosecurity practices in their operations. Download the Bee Health app.

Beekeeper information

• Beekeeping for Beginners
• Honey Bees and Winterkill
• How to Reduce Bee Poisonings from Pesticides

Provincial apiculturist annual reports

• 2017 (PDF, 270 KB)
• 2016 (PDF, 313 KB)

Economics and surveys

Alberta's industry

• Economics of Beekeeping in Alberta
• Estimated production and value of honey in Alberta and Canada
• Estimation of Potential Economic Losses for the Alberta Beekeeping Industry Due to Winter Losses in 2007 (PDF, 38 KB)

National industry statistics

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: Horticulture sector reports
• CAPA: Annual Colony Loss Reports

Alberta beekeeper annual survey

To address some of the data gaps and information needs of the beekeeping industry in Alberta, each year the Statistics and Data Development Branch conducts a survey of beekeepers in the province. In particular, the survey is used to assist in the generation of provincial and regional estimates for selected honey variables (for example, colony numbers, yield, production).

• Alberta beekeepers’ survey results

Events

Apimondia 2019
Date: September 8 to 12, 2019

Join the International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations in Montreal for a 5-day convention for scientists, technicians and honey traders.

Additional resources

Beekeeping groups/associations

• Alberta Beekeeping Commission (ABC)
• Calgary District Beekeeping Association
• Edmonton District Beekeeping Association
• Grande Prairie Beekeepers Club
• Lethbridge Bee Enthusiasts
• Red Deer & Area Beekeepers Association
• United Beekeepers of Alberta

Federal bodies

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Pest Management Regulatory Agency

Honey bee laboratory testing facilities

• Alberta Agriculture and Forestry Agri-food Laboratory
• National Bee Diagnostic Centre

Other related organizations/websites

Canadian

• Alberta Farmers’ Market Association
• Alberta Honey Producers – Bee Maid Honey
• Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA)
• Canadian Honey Council (CHC)
• Pollinator Partnership Canada
• Seeds of Diversity
• The Canadian Pollination Initiative
• University of Guelph
• University of Manitoba

International

• Apimondia
• Bee Health - eXtension
• Bee Informed
• United States Department of Agriculture
• University of Florida
• University of Minnesota

Contact

To connect with the bee team:

Edmonton

Email: bee@gov.ab.ca
Address:
Crop Diversification Centre North
17507 Fort Road
Edmonton, Alberta T5Y 6H3

Lethbridge

Email: bee@gov.ab.ca

Address:
Lethbridge Research Centre
100, 5401 1 Avenue South
Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4V6