Even across the Atlantic region, each province experiences differences in their beekeeping season. From year to year there are reported differences in regard to provincial winter loss, honey crop, pollination demand, weather patterns, prevalence of pests and diseases, among other items. Continuing with the series of Atlantic industry updates, this week’s blog will provide an overview of the 2024 beekeeping season in Nova Scotia. Be sure to read this week’s blog to learn more about the NS beekeeping season, and the various challenges and successes their industry experienced.
NS Beekeeping Industry Update 2024
This past winter, Nova Scotia experienced higher than their average honey bee winter loss, at 31.6% of colonies. The percent loss of colonies was reported by the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists in their preliminary report on honey bee wintering losses in Canada. This past winter was the highest loss of colonies for the province since 2010 (see graph below). Interestingly, NS is a leading province for low winter loss year after year, and 2024 seems to be an outlier. Although 31.6% loss is higher than normal for the province, this amount is considered near manageable, and it is possible for beekeepers to recover this amount of loss throughout the beekeeping season.
Varroa mites
remain a top reason for colony loss across the nation each year according to
the CAPA winter loss report. This past summer ATTTA conducted a regional Varroa
mite survey which included nine NS commercial beekeepers representing a large
number of the province’s colonies. Samples processed early to mid-season all
had mite levels below 1%, which is below the economic threshold for treatment.
During the late season, samples had mite levels ranging between 0 and 17%,
where approximately 14% of samples were above the economic threshold and
indicated treatment was needed within the apiaries. It is important to understand that
the population of Varroa mites increases throughout the beekeeping season,
which is reflected by the increase in mites sampled between May and September. This
makes early spring monitoring and treatment for Varroa mites crucial because
populations can quickly get well beyond the economic threshold if waiting until
the fall to treat colonies again. If a beekeeper is seeing mites during the
early part of the beekeeping season, then they should be prepared to provide
treatment by fall. Overall, the suggestion from the 2024 survey is that NS
beekeepers are managing mite levels well, and current chemical treatments
available continue to be effective.
Pollination came early this year for many NS beekeepers and blueberry growers. The average temperature in May (based on Halifax Stanfield International Airport weather station) was 11.5◦C, whereas the past 5-year average was 9.9◦C (Government of Canada). Multiple beekeepers and growers report they did not anticipate wild blueberry bloom to occur as early as it did, and there was a significant push to get hives ready and onto blueberry fields quickly. There is still variation in the timing of bloom across the province, but, with changing climate, those involved in pollination should closely monitor the timing of bloom for efficient and timely pollination. Despite this challenge, most beekeepers and growers reported having their hives onto fields in time for bloom this past season.
There
remains good demand for pollinating units in NS. Those who wanted to rent out
honey bees had little or no issue making arrangements with blueberry growers.
As with other Maritime provinces, the pollination demand is also being met
through importing bumble bee quads. This past season there was government
support for those who sent hives to pollination through the Apiculture
Sustainable Growth and Health Program.
Nova Scotia
beekeepers report that the 2024 honey crop is expected to be similar, or
slightly less than last year (2023 = 38.5 lbs. / hive), which is below Nova
Scotia’s 4-year average (48.25 lbs. / hive). The specific data on this year’s crop will be
available from the NSDA to confirm these anecdotal reports. Overall, the reports from beekeepers indicate
a largely variable honey crop across the province generally following the
slight downward trend seen in the past few seasons.
The province
experienced an average fall season. The average temperature in September (based
on Halifax Stanfield International Airport weather station) was 15.8◦C, whereas
the past 5-year average was 15.7◦C (Government of Canada). A warm fall can
present the issue of bees consuming large amounts of their honey stores prior
to winter. To compensate for bees being active when there is minimal forage
available, beekeepers may have to increase feeding. Additionally, the longer
season allows opportunity for varroa mite levels to spike. Beekeepers need to
be vigilant with mite monitoring in fall, and treat when indicated. Oxalic
acids remains a very useful tool for beekeepers to manage mite populations in
the late season.
In preparing
this report, ATTTA has spoken to a range of commercial beekeepers, the NS
Provincial Apiculturist and members of the Nova Scotia Beekeepers’ Association
(NSBA) board. The information provided
enables the ATTTA team to draw some preliminary conclusions on the past
season. The consensus is that the 2024
season was, after a very solid start post-pollination, somewhat disappointing
with just adequate colony performance and a modest honey crop. As additional
summary data becomes available further insights into the 2024 season will be
gained.
Overall,
beekeepers across NS remain optimistic about the 2025 season, as they continue
to prepare hives for the upcoming winter months. Beekeepers report sending
their hives into winter with lots of food stores (both honey and pollen), and
decent sized clusters.
A reminder
that the due date for NS annual beekeeper registration 2025 was November 1,
2024. If you have not already, be sure to register as a beekeeper with the NS
Department of Agriculture for 2025 at the following link: https://novascotia.ca/agri/programs-and-services/industry-protection/documents/beekeeper-registration-renewal.pdf. Beekeeper registration is mandatory
in NS according to the Bee Industry Act.
Connecting with ATTTA Specialists
If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:
visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/
Email abyers@perennia.ca
References
Bee Industry
Act. Bee Industry Regulations. 2017.
Canadian
Association of Professional Apiculturists. Statement on honey bee wintering
losses in Canada 2007-2024.
Government
of Canada. Historical Climate Data.