Over the past month the ATTTA blog series highlighted the unique successes and challenges of the Maritime beekeeping industries for the 2024 season. Continuing with the series of Atlantic industry updates, this week’s blog will provide an overview of the 2024 beekeeping season in Newfoundland and Labrador. 

NL Beekeeping Industry Update 2024

Newfoundland and Labrador has a unique beekeeping industry, with few commercial beekeepers, a short beekeeping season, and it is one of the last locations globally that does not have Varroa mites. Therefore, each year NL experiences differences in honey crop, climate, demand and supply for pollination units, winter loss, and prevalence of pests and diseases, compared to other Maritime provinces.

This past winter NL beekeepers experienced the lowest winter loss of any province in 2024 with an average winter loss at 9.8% 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. Newfoundland has consistently low winter loss which can partly be contributed to the fact the province is Varroa mite free (see graph below).

Comparison of honey bee (Apis mellifera) winter loss in Newfoundland and Labrador over the last 9 years based on the Canadian Association for Professional Apiculturists honey bee winter loss reports.

The number of colony inspections completed by provincial inspectors was approximately doubled from the number completed in 2023. There were no signs of any diseases or pests to report, and the province remains free of Varroa mites, Small Hive beetle, Greater Wax moth, Tracheal mites, and American foulbrood. As mentioned, the lack of diseases and pests within the province helps keep the amount of winter loss low.

So far reports from NL are that the honey crop is similar to that of 2023. Preliminary reports indicate that the province had variation in honey crop between regions and beekeepers for the 2024 season. There are reports of a good honey crop in the central region of Newfoundland. There are also reports that western Newfoundland had a dry summer season which can impact the honey crop. Across the province the fall season was favorable for weather and honey flow. More information and insights are needed to report on the NL honey crop overall.

Unlike other Maritime provinces, the main crop requiring pollination in NL is cranberries. There are reports that multiple NL beekeepers sent their hives to pollinate cranberries this past season, and the cranberry crop was good. Cranberry pollination can be hard on the health and strength of honey bee colonies, but so far NL reports sending bees into winter seemingly strong and healthy.

Overall, beekeepers in NL are finishing up their season nicely. Beekeepers are working towards getting their bees wrapped and are anticipating good overwintering success. In preparing this report, ATTTA contacted the NL Provincial Apiarist, and talked with members of the NL beekeeping association, which allowed the ATTTA team to draw some preliminary conclusions on the past season.

A reminder to all Atlantic beekeepers that it is illegal to import bees and used equipment into NL without a permit from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. It is a main goal of the NL beekeeping industry to keep Varroa out of their province. Currently, NL is one of the last locations globally that does not have Varroa mites present within their industry. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all beekeepers to help NL remain Varroa free. 

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 attta@perennia.ca

References

Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists. Statement on honey bee wintering losses in Canada 2016 - 2024.