Continuing with the series on early spring management and an outlook on the 2025 beekeeping season across Atlantic Canada, this week’s blog will discuss early season beekeeping trends across Nova Scotia. Although it is early in the Nova Scotia beekeeping season, read this week’s blog to learn the highlights of how NS colonies faired through winter, trends in early spring food stores, and how colonies are building up this spring.

2025 Season Outlook – NS

As the 2025 beekeeping season progresses our team has received anecdotal reports across Nova Scotia of varying winter loss. Some beekeepers within Nova Scotia report unusually high winter loss of colonies, and others have reported average or above average winter loss. It is too early in the season to confirm Nova Scotia’s provincial winter loss, and an official report will be provided later in the season from the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) and from the Nova Scotia provincial apiculturist. That being said, the global beekeeping industry is concerned about beekeeping losses reported from United States. US beekeepers report losing 1.6 million honey bee colonies between June 2024 and March 2025. Commercial beekeepers in that country report losing 62% of their colonies, and hobbyist and sideliner beekeepers report losing 51% and 54%, respectively.

Nova Scotia beekeepers should aim to determine the reason behind colony loss by examining dead outs and potentially seeking laboratory testing to determine if any pests and/or disease were the reason for colony loss. Nova Scotia beekeepers have reported that a few of the contributing causes for winter loss include varroa, shrews and weak colonies in the fall. Again, the official report identifying top reasons for colony loss will be provided by CAPA later this season. The ATTTA team is always willing to assist with pest and disease testing on dead outs, and on live colonies throughout the season. We encourage beekeepers to reach out about testing available.

Beekeepers report that surviving hives are generally in good shape with lots of stores and some evidence of early brood rearing. However, there are varying reports of spring dwindle occurring which may mean variation in hive strength for wild blueberry pollination, and less opportunity for early spring splits.

There was good opportunity for beekeepers to place Apivar® strips in early to mid-March with some warmer days across the province. There was also an opportunity for beekeepers to place pollen patties to help boost brood production.

A reminder to all Nova Scotia beekeepers to continue checking food stores and provide feed when needed until there is an abundance of natural pollen and/or nectar available. Additionally, during the upcoming season it is important that beekeepers in NS are focused on pest and disease monitoring and management. For any questions regarding spring management and pest/disease monitoring and treatment please reach out to the ATTTA team. We wish all Nova Scotia beekeepers a great start to the 2025 season!

Last week (April 11^th and 12^th) the Atlantic Tech Transfer Team for Apiculture attended the Maritime Wild Blueberry Conference in Moncton, NB. This was a joint event between the three Maritime wild blueberry associations: Bleuets New Brunswick Blueberries, Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Wild Blueberry Growers Association. The event was well attended with over 200 representatives from the three Maritime provinces. To learn the highlights of this event read this week’s blog.

Maritime Wild Blueberry Conference 2025 Review

Last Friday and Saturday the three Maritime wild blueberry associations held a joint meeting in Moncton, NB. The first presentation of the event was from Patrick O’Neil (Wild Blueberry Association of North America – WBANA) who provided an overview of WBANA’s activities for the past year. The association has been busy marketing the benefits of wild blueberries on a global scale, and working with various partners to spread that message widely.

Next there was a presentation from Jupia Consultants Inc. entitled “The Future of Agriculture and Food Sustainability” (David Campbell – president and Patricia Seamans – strategist). The Agriculture Alliance of New Brunswick (AANB) commissioned Jupia Consultants to a partner in developing a Strategic Plan for the advancement of the agriculture sector in the province of New Brunswick. This plan laid out a range of actions to develop agricultural in that province.

Stephanie Tuttle (Agri-Commodity Management Association - ACMA) gave an update on the federal Advance Payments Program. The program advances up to 50% of the market value of a product during production, to be repaid as the product is sold. ACMA administers the program in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and nationwide with advances available for various commodities.

Darcy Herauf (Farm Credit Canada AgExpert) discussed the AgExpert Sustainability Tool which tracks both carbon sequestration and carbon emissions on farms, and users can generate a report to share with their financial institution and also identify profitable land management practices of farms.

One of the final presentations of day one was from Massimo Bergamini (Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada - executive director) who discussed some of the challenges and opportunities for wild blueberry growers and other farmers across Canada.

The day wrapped up with a panel discussion from the three Maritime Ministers of Agriculture (Hon. Pat Finnigan – NB Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Hon. Bloyce Thompson – PEI Minster of Agriculture, and Hon. Greg Morrow – NS Minister of Agriculture). The panel discussed some of the greatest challenges facing the wild blueberry industry, including land access, climate change, pollination demand, and cost of production. The Ministers discussed the opportunities for collaboration between the Maritime wild blueberry industries. They discussed both the risks and impacts of recent United States tariffs. Finally, the Ministers discussed the pollination demand of each province and current status of importing and exporting pollinators.

Benny Nabuurs (Prince Edward Island Wild Blueberry Growers Association) leading panel discussion consisting of Hon. Pat Finnigan – NB Minister of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Hon. Bloyce Thompson – PEI Minster of Agriculture, and Hon. Greg Morrow – NS Minister of Agriculture at the Maritime Wild Blueberry Conference 2025 (ATTTA©2025).

Donald Arseneault (Bleuets New Brunswick Blueberries – general manager) concluded day one of the event.

Peter Burgess (Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia - executive director) welcomed everyone to the second day of the event. The first presentation of the day was from Marion Tétégan Simon and Irina Randrianalidera (Valores) discussed restoring wild blueberries using transplanting services, and the various growing conditions required. Additionally, they discussed monitoring research for spotted wing drosophila and blueberry maggot and various tested control products such as Bassidor.

Dr. Scott White (Dalhousie) presented information on water sources used for pesticide applications in wild blueberry production, and the various impacts water quality and characteristics can have on the efficacy of products. Depending on the type of pesticide being used the pH of the water source can have an impact on the product’s efficacy. Continued research is required to identify optimal water sources for various products being used in wild blueberry production.

Kim Lipsett (Agriculture Alliance of New Brunswick) gave an update on the tools available to help address seasonal workforce needs on farms. The AgriNB Job Bank is a comprehensive online platform that connects agricultural employers with job seekers in New Brunswick.

The final presentation of the event was from Paul Kelley (Koppert) who discussed the benefits of using bumble bee quads to meet wild blueberry pollination demand. Paul generally explained the process of bumble bee production, and provided some guidelines for securing and using quad boxes to pollinate.

JoAnn Pineau (Prince Edward Island Wild Blueberry Growers Association) closed the event. This event was a great opportunity for the three maritime industries to network and to share both their challenges and successes within the wild blueberry industry. Despite the many challenges the industry has, the wild blueberry industry is resilient, and it works to produce a quality product for which there is an ongoing demand. Thank you to all members of BNBB, WBPANS, and PEIWBG, who helped organize this great event. Also, thank you to all the sponsors of the event, and to those who work to support the wild blueberry industry.

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

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