Calendar of Events

Apimondia Symposium Quebec 2012 November 16th & 17th. 2012

Breeding healthy bees for tomorrow.

http://www.craaq.qc.ca/le-calendrier-agricole/apimondia-symposium-2012/e/1205

Hotel information will be updated on this web site.

Manitoba will host the 2012 Canadian Beekeeping Annual Convention at the historic Fort Garry Hotel during January 26-28, 2012 in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada.

The Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association will be celebrating its’ 106th Annual Convention in conjunction with Canadian Honey Council (CHC) and the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) Annual Meetings.

2012 CONVENTION THEME: Healthy Environment-Healthy Bees-Healthy Honey

Get Registration Form 2012 - EARLYBIRD DEADLINE DECEMBER 15, 2011

Canadian Beekeeping Convention Symposium agenda

Sponsorship /Tradeshow Forms_2012

Tradeshow setup inquiries contact David Ostermann at 945-3861 or e-mail david.ostermann@gov.mb.ca

Tentative Weekly schedule as follows:

Tuesday 24 January 2012 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm): CHC Bee Stock Risk Management Symposium will take place (CHC Directors and invited guests only please).

Wednesday 25 January 2012 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm): CHC Bee Stock Risk Management Symposium continues its second day(CHC Directors and invited guests only please).

Thursday 26 January 2012 (9:00am – 5:00 pm): Members of Canadian Honey Council (CHC) will conduct their 71st Annual General Meeting (Directors and invited guests only please) at all day sessions in Salon A.

Similarly Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) will conduct their Annual General Meeting (Members and Invited guests only please) at all day sessions in Salon C. (Attendees are to book travel and rooms accordingly)

Thursday 26 January 2012 (5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.): Sponsors can set up Tradeshow displays in Foyer or Crystal Ballroom. (for specific access times and room/table location, contact David Ostermann at 945-3861 or e-mail david.ostermann@gov.mb.ca)

Thursday 26 January 2012 (3:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.): Early Arrival Information Desk and Registration for Convention. (Extra lunch tickets $20 each). Advance and Regular Fees on Registration form download on link below.

Thursday 26 January 2012 (7:30 p.m.-10:00p.m.): Official Start of 2012 Canadian Beekeeping Convention, with reports from CHC, CAPA, and Federal Government officials in Concert Hall. This session is open to all registered attendees.

Friday 27 January 2012 (8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.): Registration Desk opens at 8:00 a.m. and at 9:00 a.m. the First Full Day of Convention begins in the Crystal Ballroom. Research Symposium and Tradeshow takes place all day (Foyer and Crystal Ballroom). Specific Time , Speakers and other Details to be announced as they become available. Keynote speakers identified below. (Extra lunch tickets $20 for non registered guests).

Friday 27 January 2012 (6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.): Social Evening consisting of Buffet Banquet, Cash Bar, Awards Ceremony, Research Auction, and Social time for attendees held in the Concert Hall. Tickets $50.00 each.

Saturday 28 January 2012 (8:00 a.m.-4:30p.m.): Registration Desk opens at 8:00 a.m. and at 8:30a.m., the Second and Final Day of Convention begins. Research Symposium (in Crystal Ballroom all day) and Tradeshow (until noon). Speakers and Information will be posted when available. Keynote speakers are identified below. (Extra lunch tickets for non registered guests $20 each)

RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

Friday, January 27^th, 2012

8:00 a.m. REGISTRATION

9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks – Murray Lewis, MBA President, Austin, MB

9:15 a.m. A Preliminary Economic Analysis of Honey Bee Mortality and Morbidity Risk Factors and their Financial and Social Costs: A Canadian Case Study – Miriam Bixby, Univ. BC, Vancouver, BC

9:30 a.m. Honey Bee Imports Regulations: Managing Risks and Meeting Industry Needs – Medhat Nasr, AARD, Edmonton, AB

10:00 a.m. COFFEE

10:30 a.m. Distribution of Small Hive Beetle in Ontario and Provincial Response – Paul Kozak, OMAFRA, Guelph, ON

11:00 a.m. Life Cycles of SHB in Essex Quarantine Zone and Developing Best Management Practices – Les Eccles, OBA Tech-Transfer Team, Guelph, ON

11:30 a.m. The Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida) : Efficiency on In-hive Control – Martine Bernier, Univ. Laval, Québec, QC

12:00 noon LUNCH –

1:00 p.m. When Pesticides Interact – Marion Ellis, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA

1:30 p.m. Managing Varroa Mites – Keeping it Safe for Bees and Honey – Jerry Hayes, Florida Dept. of Agric. Services, Gainesville, FL, USA

2:00 p.m. Next-generation Integrated Pest Management Tools for Beekeeping – Shelley Hoover, AAFC, Beaverlodge AB and Univ. BC

2:30 p.m. Effects of Carbon Dioxide and Modified Ventilation on the Mortality of Varroa Mite in Overwintering Colonies – Rasoul Bahreini, U of M, Winnipeg, MB

3:00 p.m. COFFEE

3:30 p.m. TBA

4:00 p.m. Identification and Application of Protein markers for Marker-assisted Selection of VSH and Hygienic Behaviour – Leonard Foster, Univ. BC, Vancouver, BC

4:30 p.m. Fall Treatments Against Varroa destructor (Acari: Varroidae) Mitigates Prevalence of Three Harmfull Viruses in Honey Bee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies – Pierre Giovenazzo, Univ. Laval, Québec, QC

5:00 p.m. Deformed Wing Viruses (DWV): Can it be Managed? – Suresh Desai, U of M, Winnipeg, MB

5:30 p.m. Adjournment

7:00 p.m. Banquet /Research Auction (open bar @ 6:30 pm)

Saturday, January 28^th, 2012

8:00 a.m. REGISTRATION

8:30 a.m. Screening Trial Report: Varroa Mite Control Products – Rob Currie, U of M, Winnipeg, MB

9:00 a.m. Testing Soft Chemicals for Varroa Control Under Prairie Conditions – Graham Parsons, SBA, Prince Albert, SK

9:30 a.m. Summer and Fall Application of MiteAway Quick Strips in Southern Ontario – Janet Tam, OBA Tech-Transfer Team, Guelph, ON

10:00 a.m. COFFEE

10:30 a.m. Protecting Hawaii’s Bees and Beekeepers – Danielle Downey, Hawaii Dept of Agric, Hilo, HI, USA

11:00 a.m. Risk Assessment -Making Pesticide Registration Safer for Bees and Food – Marion Ellis, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA

11:30 a.m. Impact of Cranberry Pollination on Honey Bee Colonies and of a Supplementary Feeding During the Pollination – Georges Martin, CRSAD, Deschambault, QC

12:00 noon LUNCH –

1:00 p.m. The Effects of Nosema ceranae on Honey Bee Health – Mike Gobrlish, U of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA

1:30 p.m. The Biology, Disinfection and Chemotherapy of Nosema ceranae – Abdullah Ibrahim, AAFC, Beaverlodge, AB

2:00 p.m. Is Nosema ceranae an Emergent and Highly Pathogenic Parasite of Honey Bees in North America? – Ernesto Guzman, U of Guelph, Guelph, ON

2:30 p.m. Nosema, Can It Be Managed? – Jerry Hayes, Florida Dept. of Agric. Services, Gainesville, FL, USA

3:00 p.m. OPEN Q & A on NOSEMA DISEASE

3:15 p.m. COFFEE

3:30 p.m. Manitoba Honey and Pollen Residue Survey – Greg Adrian, MAFRI, Winnipeg, MB

4:00 p.m. Skunk Bait Evaluation Study – David Ostermann, MAFRI, Winnipeg, MB

4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT

Research Symposium inquiries, please contact - Rheal.Lafreniere@gov.mb.ca

International Bee Health Symposium 2012
Saturday, 24th March, 2012, Citywest Hotel, Dublin, Ireland

A Discounted Early Bird Registration of €50 is available until December 16th

To register for the meeting online, go to www.beehealth2012.ie or contact the Symposium Secretariat directly at beehealth2012@mci-group.com

As the decline in the world honeybee population reaches critical levels, a conference involving the beekeeping community and top level scientists will take place in Dublin next year to discuss how scientific innovations can be applied within the beekeeping sector to halt this decline. In a novel approach, The International Bee Health Symposium will feature roundtable discussions between beekeepers and leading scientists with the aim of transferring knowledge between the two groups, creating practical solutions to dramatically reduce colony loss. Experts are being invited to report briefly on current advances in the field and then participate in roundtable discussions which will be facilitated by the scientists and leading beekeepers.

A number of high profile experts have just been announced. These experts have been chosen not only for their research but also because we know they communicate this very well to beekeepers.

Professor Robert Paxton(Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany) – Nosema
Professor Ingemar Fries (University of Uppsala, Sweden) – Varroa Viruses & Foulbrood
Dr Romée van der Zee (Netherlands Centre for Bee Research, NCB, Netherlands) – Colony Losses
Professor Francis Ratnieks (University of Sussex, UK) - Bee Behaviour & Hygienic Behaviour
Speaker TBC - Veterinary Regulations of Treatments

Exhibition & Sponsorship Opportunities:
A trade exhibition will run throughout the Symposium, giving organisations the opportunity to engage with delegates and contribute to future scientific research. For more details on how to partner the Symposium, please contact the sponsorship and exhibition team at exhibition.dublin@mci-group.com or download the industry prospectus at www.beehealth2012.ie where you will also see a list of confirmed industry partners.

Contact:
Contact the Symposium Secretariat by email at beehealth2012@mci-group.com or telephone: +353 0 (1) 2802641

BC Honey Producers AGM
2011-10-20 to 2011-10-23

BCHPA Annual General Meeting & Educational Workshop October 20-23, 2011. Delta Vancouver Aiport Hotel, Richmond, BC.

Event Website

Alberta Beekeepers AGM
2011-11-07 to 2011-11-09

The AGM of Alberta Beekeepers will be held at the Fantasyland Hotel, 7-9 November.

Event Website

GPRC COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING One Year Certificate Program
2011-11-15 to 2012-02-29

COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING A Unique One-Year Certificate Program PROGRAM DETAILS Start Date: January 9, 2012 Location: Fairview College Campus, Fairview, Alberta 1-888-999-7882 Student Numbers: maximum 12 PROGRAM COSTS Tuition $4500 International ($9000) Application fee: $60 International ($120) Tuition deposit $250 Books & Supplies $500 Auxiliary Fees $800 (course fees, field trips, student health, etc) Living Expenses approximately $5000 (5 months at Fairview College: student residence-500/month + food estimated at $1000/month) Note: it is expected that accommodation will be provided during the summer work experience Anticipated Work Experience Income Students are placed with commercial beekeeping operations for work experience from March through September and paid a salary for their work with an industry salary range of $13.50 to $15.50 per hour. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS The Theory of Apiculture (January/February) BK 101 Basic Apiary & Field Skills 2(0-0-4) 8 weeks; 32 hours This course addresses the practical skills needed for day-to-day commercial beekeeping operations. These include safety, truck & forklift driving and maintenance, loading and tying a truck, preparing brood chambers and assembling supers. BK 110 Technical Woodworking 3(1-0-4.5) 8 weeks; 44 hours This hands-on course is designed to give students basic skills with saws and woodworking equipment used to manufacture beehives and related equipment. BK 122 Introductory Botany 1.5(2-0-1)8 weeks; 24 hours This course is an introduction to the structures and functions of flowering plants, physiology of nectar and pollen, and crops that can be used in honey production. BK 132 Honey Bee Biology 4(4-0-3) 8 weeks; 56 hours This course provides an in-depth study of honey bees, their behavior and anatomy. Honey bee genetics, bee breeding and selection, and the colony will also be covered. BK 133 Introduction to Bee Diseases & Management 1.5 (2-0-1) 8 weeks; 24 hours This is an introduction to microbiology, honey bee diseases and the integrated pest management approach to disease management. BK 134 Hive Management for Honey Production 5(2-0-7.5) 8 weeks; 76 hours This `nuts & bolts' course is a practical introduction to all phases of beekeeping and honey production through the yearly beekeeping cycle. www.gprc.ab.ca March/September Courses: BK 135 Queen Rearing 5(16-0-16) 3 weeks; 96 hours This course examines the theory behind queen rearing, management practices involved in producing queens on a commercial scale, and a substantial field experience component. Course structure: classroom learning (1 week, 32 hours) + field trips/practicum experience (2 weeks of 32 hours each) BK 200 Beekeeping Work Experience 5(0-0-40) 26 weeks; 1,040 hours This is a 26-week paid practical work experience; students are placed with a commercial beekeeping operation. The Business of Beekeeping (October/November) BK 310 Food Safety & Regulations for Beekeepers 1.5(3.5-0-0) 7 weeks; 24.5 hours Course is a study of government regulations, policies, guidelines, standards and certifications that impact honey production, processing, marketing. Includes honey house requirements and hygiene, current issues/trends for food safety and traceability. BK 320 Business of Bees 5(5.5-3-2) 7 weeks; 73.5 hours This course provides an overview of sound business practices in the management of an apiary. Topics include principles and practices for business start-up, budgeting, financial record keeping, computer fundamentals, information management, and resources for honey operations. BK331 Advanced Management Options for Beekeepers 3(2.5-2-2) 7 weeks; 45.5 hours This course is an in-depth study of various contemporary options to increase production, manage bees, or increase value. BK 332 Product Processing, Packaging, and Marketing 4(2-3-1) 7 weeks; 42 hours A look at honey house design, processing methods, value-adding options, packaging, market trends for honey, options for selling honey and honey-related products. BK 333 Processing & Packaging Field Trip 1 (0-0-33) 1 week; 33 hours This course is a week-long field trip to major honey processing and packaging facilities in Alberta. Students will visit various commercial processors, see many packaging and value-adding options, and have the opportunity to discuss processing and packaging with industry leaders. BK 361 Integrated Pest Management 2.5(3-0-2) 7 weeks; 35 hours Focus on the integrated approach to manage pests, diseases, parasites and other threats to bees/colonies and an in-depth study of monitoring, control strategies, and the safe use and handling of chemicals used to maintain hive health. BK 365 Bees and the Environment 1(2-0-0) 7 weeks; 14 hours This course provides a larger context for the practice of beekeeping. Topics include an overview of the industry in Canada, North America and globally, the evolution of beekeeping, the role of bees in the human food link, global issues and trends in beekeeping and the role of beekeepers in advocacy for bees and the environment.

Event Website

OBA Annual General Meeting
2011-11-17 to 2011-11-18

Ontario Beekeepers Association AGM Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview

Event Website

Apimondia 2012
2011-11-22 to 2012-10-31

Apimondia 2012 is now at the Chateau Laurier.

Event Website

American Beekeeping Federation Conference and Trade Show
2012-01-10 to 2012-01-14

Location: Rio All-Suite Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada

Event Website

Canadian Beekeeping Convention, Manitoba Beekeepers AGM/ Canadain Honey Council AGM
2012-01-26 to 2012-01-28

January 26-28., 2012 Fort Garry Hotel Winnipeg

Event Website


Canadian Honey Home Kids & Honey Resources Contact

Calendar of Events Apimondia Symposium Quebec 2012 November 16th & 17th. 2012 Breeding healthy bees for tomorrow. http://www.craaq.qc.ca/le-calendrier-agricole/apimondia-symposium-2012/e/1205 Hotel information will be updated on this web site. Manitoba will host the 2012 Canadian Beekeeping Annual Convention at the historic Fort Garry Hotel during January 26-28, 2012 in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada. The Manitoba Beekeepers’ Association will be celebrating its’ 106th Annual Convention in conjunction with Canadian Honey Council (CHC) and the Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) Annual Meetings. 2012 CONVENTION THEME: Healthy Environment-Healthy Bees-Healthy Honey Get Registration Form 2012 - EARLYBIRD DEADLINE DECEMBER 15, 2011 Canadian Beekeeping Convention Symposium agenda Sponsorship /Tradeshow Forms_2012 Tradeshow setup inquiries contact David Ostermann at 945-3861 or e-mail david.ostermann@gov.mb.ca Tentative Weekly schedule as follows: Tuesday 24 January 2012 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm): CHC Bee Stock Risk Management Symposium will take place (CHC Directors and invited guests only please). Wednesday 25 January 2012 (9:00 am – 5:00 pm): CHC Bee Stock Risk Management Symposium continues its second day(CHC Directors and invited guests only please). Thursday 26 January 2012 (9:00am – 5:00 pm): Members of Canadian Honey Council (CHC) will conduct their 71st Annual General Meeting (Directors and invited guests only please) at all day sessions in Salon A. Similarly Canadian Association of Professional Apiculturists (CAPA) will conduct their Annual General Meeting (Members and Invited guests only please) at all day sessions in Salon C. (Attendees are to book travel and rooms accordingly) Thursday 26 January 2012 (5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.): Sponsors can set up Tradeshow displays in Foyer or Crystal Ballroom. (for specific access times and room/table location, contact David Ostermann at 945-3861 or e-mail david.ostermann@gov.mb.ca) Thursday 26 January 2012 (3:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.): Early Arrival Information Desk and Registration for Convention. (Extra lunch tickets $20 each). Advance and Regular Fees on Registration form download on link below. Thursday 26 January 2012 (7:30 p.m.-10:00p.m.): Official Start of 2012 Canadian Beekeeping Convention, with reports from CHC, CAPA, and Federal Government officials in Concert Hall. This session is open to all registered attendees. Friday 27 January 2012 (8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.): Registration Desk opens at 8:00 a.m. and at 9:00 a.m. the First Full Day of Convention begins in the Crystal Ballroom. Research Symposium and Tradeshow takes place all day (Foyer and Crystal Ballroom). Specific Time , Speakers and other Details to be announced as they become available. Keynote speakers identified below. (Extra lunch tickets $20 for non registered guests). Friday 27 January 2012 (6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.): Social Evening consisting of Buffet Banquet, Cash Bar, Awards Ceremony, Research Auction, and Social time for attendees held in the Concert Hall. Tickets $50.00 each. Saturday 28 January 2012 (8:00 a.m.-4:30p.m.): Registration Desk opens at 8:00 a.m. and at 8:30a.m., the Second and Final Day of Convention begins. Research Symposium (in Crystal Ballroom all day) and Tradeshow (until noon). Speakers and Information will be posted when available. Keynote speakers are identified below. (Extra lunch tickets for non registered guests $20 each) RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM Friday, January 27^th, 2012 8:00 a.m. REGISTRATION 9:00 a.m. Opening Remarks – Murray Lewis, MBA President, Austin, MB 9:15 a.m. A Preliminary Economic Analysis of Honey Bee Mortality and Morbidity Risk Factors and their Financial and Social Costs: A Canadian Case Study – Miriam Bixby, Univ. BC, Vancouver, BC 9:30 a.m. Honey Bee Imports Regulations: Managing Risks and Meeting Industry Needs – Medhat Nasr, AARD, Edmonton, AB 10:00 a.m. COFFEE 10:30 a.m. Distribution of Small Hive Beetle in Ontario and Provincial Response – Paul Kozak, OMAFRA, Guelph, ON 11:00 a.m. Life Cycles of SHB in Essex Quarantine Zone and Developing Best Management Practices – Les Eccles, OBA Tech-Transfer Team, Guelph, ON 11:30 a.m. The Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida) : Efficiency on In-hive Control – Martine Bernier, Univ. Laval, Québec, QC 12:00 noon LUNCH – 1:00 p.m. When Pesticides Interact – Marion Ellis, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA 1:30 p.m. Managing Varroa Mites – Keeping it Safe for Bees and Honey – Jerry Hayes, Florida Dept. of Agric. Services, Gainesville, FL, USA 2:00 p.m. Next-generation Integrated Pest Management Tools for Beekeeping – Shelley Hoover, AAFC, Beaverlodge AB and Univ. BC 2:30 p.m. Effects of Carbon Dioxide and Modified Ventilation on the Mortality of Varroa Mite in Overwintering Colonies – Rasoul Bahreini, U of M, Winnipeg, MB 3:00 p.m. COFFEE 3:30 p.m. TBA 4:00 p.m. Identification and Application of Protein markers for Marker-assisted Selection of VSH and Hygienic Behaviour – Leonard Foster, Univ. BC, Vancouver, BC *4:30 p.m. Fall Treatments Against Varroa destructor* (Acari: Varroidae) Mitigates Prevalence of Three Harmfull Viruses in Honey Bee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies – Pierre Giovenazzo, Univ. Laval, Québec, QC 5:00 p.m. Deformed Wing Viruses (DWV): Can it be Managed? – Suresh Desai, U of M, Winnipeg, MB 5:30 p.m. Adjournment 7:00 p.m. Banquet /Research Auction (open bar @ 6:30 pm) Saturday, January 28^th, 2012 8:00 a.m. REGISTRATION 8:30 a.m. Screening Trial Report: Varroa Mite Control Products – Rob Currie, U of M, Winnipeg, MB 9:00 a.m. Testing Soft Chemicals for Varroa Control Under Prairie Conditions – Graham Parsons, SBA, Prince Albert, SK 9:30 a.m. Summer and Fall Application of MiteAway Quick Strips in Southern Ontario – Janet Tam, OBA Tech-Transfer Team, Guelph, ON 10:00 a.m. COFFEE 10:30 a.m. Protecting Hawaii’s Bees and Beekeepers – Danielle Downey, Hawaii Dept of Agric, Hilo, HI, USA 11:00 a.m. Risk Assessment -Making Pesticide Registration Safer for Bees and Food – Marion Ellis, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE, USA 11:30 a.m. Impact of Cranberry Pollination on Honey Bee Colonies and of a Supplementary Feeding During the Pollination – Georges Martin, CRSAD, Deschambault, QC 12:00 noon LUNCH – 1:00 p.m. The Effects of Nosema ceranae on Honey Bee Health** – Mike Gobrlish, U of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, USA 1:30 p.m. The Biology, Disinfection and Chemotherapy of Nosema ceranae – Abdullah Ibrahim, AAFC, Beaverlodge, AB *2:00 p.m. Is Nosema ceranae* an Emergent and Highly Pathogenic Parasite of Honey Bees in North America? – Ernesto Guzman, U of Guelph, Guelph, ON 2:30 p.m. Nosema, Can It Be Managed? – Jerry Hayes, Florida Dept. of Agric. Services, Gainesville, FL, USA 3:00 p.m. OPEN Q & A on NOSEMA DISEASE 3:15 p.m. COFFEE 3:30 p.m. Manitoba Honey and Pollen Residue Survey – Greg Adrian, MAFRI, Winnipeg, MB 4:00 p.m. Skunk Bait Evaluation Study – David Ostermann, MAFRI, Winnipeg, MB 4:30 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Research Symposium inquiries, please contact - Rheal.Lafreniere@gov.mb.ca** International Bee Health Symposium 2012 Saturday, 24th March, 2012, Citywest Hotel, Dublin, Ireland A Discounted Early Bird Registration of €50 is available until December 16th To register for the meeting online, go to www.beehealth2012.ie or contact the Symposium Secretariat directly at beehealth2012@mci-group.com As the decline in the world honeybee population reaches critical levels, a conference involving the beekeeping community and top level scientists will take place in Dublin next year to discuss how scientific innovations can be applied within the beekeeping sector to halt this decline. In a novel approach, The International Bee Health Symposium will feature roundtable discussions between beekeepers and leading scientists with the aim of transferring knowledge between the two groups, creating practical solutions to dramatically reduce colony loss. Experts are being invited to report briefly on current advances in the field and then participate in roundtable discussions which will be facilitated by the scientists and leading beekeepers. A number of high profile experts have just been announced. These experts have been chosen not only for their research but also because we know they communicate this very well to beekeepers. Professor Robert Paxton(Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany) – Nosema Professor Ingemar Fries (University of Uppsala, Sweden) – Varroa Viruses & Foulbrood Dr Romée van der Zee (Netherlands Centre for Bee Research, NCB, Netherlands) – Colony Losses Professor Francis Ratnieks (University of Sussex, UK) - Bee Behaviour & Hygienic Behaviour Speaker TBC - Veterinary Regulations of Treatments Exhibition & Sponsorship Opportunities: A trade exhibition will run throughout the Symposium, giving organisations the opportunity to engage with delegates and contribute to future scientific research. For more details on how to partner the Symposium, please contact the sponsorship and exhibition team at exhibition.dublin@mci-group.com or download the industry prospectus at www.beehealth2012.ie where you will also see a list of confirmed industry partners. Contact: Contact the Symposium Secretariat by email at beehealth2012@mci-group.com or telephone: +353 0 (1) 2802641 BC Honey Producers AGM 2011-10-20 to 2011-10-23 BCHPA Annual General Meeting & Educational Workshop October 20-23, 2011. Delta Vancouver Aiport Hotel, Richmond, BC. Event Website Alberta Beekeepers AGM 2011-11-07 to 2011-11-09 The AGM of Alberta Beekeepers will be held at the Fantasyland Hotel, 7-9 November. Event Website GPRC COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING One Year Certificate Program 2011-11-15 to 2012-02-29 COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING A Unique One-Year Certificate Program PROGRAM DETAILS Start Date: January 9, 2012 Location: Fairview College Campus, Fairview, Alberta 1-888-999-7882 Student Numbers: maximum 12 PROGRAM COSTS Tuition $4500 International ($9000) Application fee: $60 International ($120) Tuition deposit $250 Books & Supplies $500 Auxiliary Fees $800 (course fees, field trips, student health, etc) Living Expenses approximately $5000 (5 months at Fairview College: student residence-500/month + food estimated at $1000/month) Note: it is expected that accommodation will be provided during the summer work experience Anticipated Work Experience Income Students are placed with commercial beekeeping operations for work experience from March through September and paid a salary for their work with an industry salary range of $13.50 to $15.50 per hour. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS The Theory of Apiculture (January/February) BK 101 Basic Apiary & Field Skills 2(0-0-4) 8 weeks; 32 hours This course addresses the practical skills needed for day-to-day commercial beekeeping operations. These include safety, truck & forklift driving and maintenance, loading and tying a truck, preparing brood chambers and assembling supers. BK 110 Technical Woodworking 3(1-0-4.5) 8 weeks; 44 hours This hands-on course is designed to give students basic skills with saws and woodworking equipment used to manufacture beehives and related equipment. BK 122 Introductory Botany 1.5(2-0-1)8 weeks; 24 hours This course is an introduction to the structures and functions of flowering plants, physiology of nectar and pollen, and crops that can be used in honey production. BK 132 Honey Bee Biology 4(4-0-3) 8 weeks; 56 hours This course provides an in-depth study of honey bees, their behavior and anatomy. Honey bee genetics, bee breeding and selection, and the colony will also be covered. BK 133 Introduction to Bee Diseases & Management 1.5 (2-0-1) 8 weeks; 24 hours This is an introduction to microbiology, honey bee diseases and the integrated pest management approach to disease management. BK 134 Hive Management for Honey Production 5(2-0-7.5) 8 weeks; 76 hours This `nuts & bolts' course is a practical introduction to all phases of beekeeping and honey production through the yearly beekeeping cycle. www.gprc.ab.ca March/September Courses: BK 135 Queen Rearing 5(16-0-16) 3 weeks; 96 hours This course examines the theory behind queen rearing, management practices involved in producing queens on a commercial scale, and a substantial field experience component. Course structure: classroom learning (1 week, 32 hours) + field trips/practicum experience (2 weeks of 32 hours each) BK 200 Beekeeping Work Experience 5(0-0-40) 26 weeks; 1,040 hours This is a 26-week paid practical work experience; students are placed with a commercial beekeeping operation. The Business of Beekeeping (October/November) BK 310 Food Safety & Regulations for Beekeepers 1.5(3.5-0-0) 7 weeks; 24.5 hours Course is a study of government regulations, policies, guidelines, standards and certifications that impact honey production, processing, marketing. Includes honey house requirements and hygiene, current issues/trends for food safety and traceability. BK 320 Business of Bees 5(5.5-3-2) 7 weeks; 73.5 hours This course provides an overview of sound business practices in the management of an apiary. Topics include principles and practices for business start-up, budgeting, financial record keeping, computer fundamentals, information management, and resources for honey operations. BK331 Advanced Management Options for Beekeepers 3(2.5-2-2) 7 weeks; 45.5 hours This course is an in-depth study of various contemporary options to increase production, manage bees, or increase value. BK 332 Product Processing, Packaging, and Marketing 4(2-3-1) 7 weeks; 42 hours A look at honey house design, processing methods, value-adding options, packaging, market trends for honey, options for selling honey and honey-related products. BK 333 Processing & Packaging Field Trip 1 (0-0-33) 1 week; 33 hours This course is a week-long field trip to major honey processing and packaging facilities in Alberta. Students will visit various commercial processors, see many packaging and value-adding options, and have the opportunity to discuss processing and packaging with industry leaders. BK 361 Integrated Pest Management 2.5(3-0-2) 7 weeks; 35 hours Focus on the integrated approach to manage pests, diseases, parasites and other threats to bees/colonies and an in-depth study of monitoring, control strategies, and the safe use and handling of chemicals used to maintain hive health. BK 365 Bees and the Environment 1(2-0-0) 7 weeks; 14 hours This course provides a larger context for the practice of beekeeping. Topics include an overview of the industry in Canada, North America and globally, the evolution of beekeeping, the role of bees in the human food link, global issues and trends in beekeeping and the role of beekeepers in advocacy for bees and the environment. Event Website OBA Annual General Meeting 2011-11-17 to 2011-11-18 Ontario Beekeepers Association AGM Hilton Hotel and Suites Niagara Falls/Fallsview Event Website Apimondia 2012 2011-11-22 to 2012-10-31 Apimondia 2012 is now at the Chateau Laurier. Event Website American Beekeeping Federation Conference and Trade Show 2012-01-10 to 2012-01-14 Location: Rio All-Suite Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada Event Website Canadian Beekeeping Convention, Manitoba Beekeepers AGM/ Canadain Honey Council AGM 2012-01-26 to 2012-01-28 January 26-28., 2012 Fort Garry Hotel Winnipeg Event Website