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Warmer weather caused by climate change also gives varroa mites more time to reproduce and spread.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mites are really the number one factor and in the other mite populations can be influenced by changes in seasons,\u201d Micholson said.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\tMore on Canada<\/button>More videos<\/button>\n\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWhile beekeepers can treat for mites in the spring, there are few treatments available for use over the winter. Micholson says the mites can also develop resistance to some of the treatments. While beekeepers can usually recover from a 15 to 20 per cent loss by breeding queen bees, anything over 30 per cent is dangerous territory.<\/p>\n
For beekeepers like Michael Clark, whose family has kept bees since 1914, it\u2019s a stressful time. Although he\u2019s confident he\u2019ll have low losses this year as he upped his mite treatments, he doesn\u2019t know what his future in the industry will look like.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would say commercial beekeeping, and I reiterate commercial beekeeping, is becoming non-viable as an industry,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Clark also serves as the Manitoba Beekeepers\u2019 Association Board director. He says fewer beekeepers in the business has a ripple effect on the agricultural sector.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIf we add 15 to 18 per cent to crop yields, that\u2019s a profit ratio that farmers need,\u201d he said. \u201cI think you\u2019ll see quite a few commercial beekeepers potentially go under, which will lead to lower yields for the farmers.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019d like to see government intervention to help the industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government needs to wake up and realize that these heavy losses, as well as with lower crop price, the commercial guys cannot stay in operation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do like to believe that there is hope, or a silver lining or an end. But right now, things are difficult,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Micholson is also hopeful the projected losses don\u2019t materialize, but says even with a good year, Manitoba beekeepers will need several more good years to recoup.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think beekeepers are a real resilient bunch, and they\u2019re still optimistic that we might see some good conditions come the spring,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n<\/section><\/div>\n\n
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