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2023 Annual Convention
November 16, 2023 - November 17, 2023
Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission Annual Convention
November 16, 17 &18, 2023
AGM – November 17, 2023
Delta Hotels Saskatoon Downtown
A special group rate for members – $169.00/per night
Last day to Book – October 21, 2023 at midnight – Don’t delay book now before the rooms are gone!
Book your group rate for SBDC Annual Convention 2023
To register please fill out the 2023 Registration Form and email it to info@saskbeekeepers.com
If you prefer PDF format click here: 2023 Registration Form
To book with credit card please use the Eventbrite Link
Key Note Speakers
Dr. Thomas Seeley – Emeritus at Cornell University, Cornell New York
Renown biologist, author and is the Horace White Professor in Biology, Department of Neurobiology and Behavior
His scientific work is summarized in 6 books
- Honey bee Ecology (1985) – A study of Adaptation in Social Life
- The Wisdom of the Hive (1995) -The Social Physiology of Honeybee Colonies
- Honeybee Democracy (2010)
- Following the Wild Bees (2016) – The Craft & Science of Beehunting
- The Lives of Bees – The untold story of Honeybee in the Wild
- Piping Hot Bees – (2024) – Boisterous Buzz Runners
In recognition of his scientific work he has been an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the German National Academy of Sciences.
He writes: “These honors are gratifying, but for me the most important prizes by far are the discoveries that I have made about the inner workings of honey bee colonies”
Ron Miksha – Bee Ecologist, University of Calgary, Alberta Director of Western Apiculture Society Calgary,Alberta
Ron graduated with honors in geophysics, and Alberta Director -Western Apiculture Society. He is an accomplished author and has written two books . In Hivelights magazine, Grant Hicks, Alberta representative to CHC, claims “Bad Beekeeping” is the most impressive piece of beekeeping information that has come my way. The book has become influential abroad – the Norwegian heavy metal band Miksha (half the battle) derived its name from the book and its author.
In 2005 with his brother Don and other family members, formed Summit Gardens Honey Farms Ltd. Canada’s largest producer of Honey comb and has a popular “Bad Beekeeping Blog”
Following 10 years of Saskatchewan beekeeping Ron graduated with honors in geophysics, University of Saskatchewan.. Miksha also a contributor to Bee Culture, American Bee Journal, Hivelights
In addition to beekeeping, Ron also works in Earth Science. In 2007 he made two trips to Lima, Peru, South America, for the Canadian International Development Agency to teach aspects of geophysics and wrote “The Mountain Mystery” , a history of plate tectonics theory, in 2014
Ron will address “Does urban beekeeping kill native bees”
Murray Hannigan and Dave Phillips – Hannigan Honey Inc. – Beekeepers Profile
Will share their successful special bee management program in their operation based in Shellbrook, SK. Hannigan Honey has been producing fine Canadian Honey since 1940. There 5000 – plus bee hive are rated as the healthiest and most productive among their peers.
Dr. James Tansey, Provincial Specialist, Insect/Pest Management, Production Technology Crops and Irrigation Branch, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, Regina, SK.
He earned both an M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. His research has included aspects of leafy spurge biological control, mechanisms of cabbage seedpod weevil and cabbage root maggot resistance, and insecticide resistance in, and cultural and chemical control of the Asian citrus psyllid. His doctoral dissertation was nominated for the Governor General Gold Medal Award. He was also a Regulatory Affairs Manager with Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. in Calgary, Alberta.
Dr. Elemir Simko – Professor, Department of Veterinary Pathology Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Since 1998, Elemir has been a faculty member in the department of Veterinary Pathology involved in teaching, diagnostics and research. He established a honeybee health research and teaching program at WCVM. He has received three awards for teaching excellence and two awards for excellence in research.
Dr. Sarah Woods – Associate Professor holds the position of USask – Pollinator Health Research Chair – Department of Veterinary Pathology
Sarah received her DVM from WCVM in 2012. After a few years of practice, she came back to WCVM and completed her PhD (with residency)in honey bee ecotoxicology in 2020. She is co-foundress of the Honeybee research program at WCVM. Her research interest include European Foul Brood disease and pesticide toxicopathology in honey bees.
Geoff Wilson -Provincial Specialist, Apiculture, Government of Saskatchewan
Geoff is based in Prince Albert, SK. His primary roll is to help enhance the beekeeping industry in the province. A combination of working closely with beekeepers, and the rolls of regulation, extension and some research gives Geoff a unique insight to beekeeping issues in the province. Geoff earned his B. Sc. (Agriculture) and M. Sc. (Environmental Biology) from University of Guelph, ON.
Graham Parsons – Pollinator Biosecurity Specialist, Government of Saskatchewan
Graham deals with support of the honey bee industry through regulation, education and extension. As well he supports the alfalfa leafcutter beekeepers of the province. Other aspects of his work include pollination support for crop producers and habitat and management recommendations in support of managed and wild pollinators. Graham was the Lead Researcher for the SBDC from 2011 to 2015, as well as completing his Masters of Science in Entomology studying honey bee disease and overwintering at the University of Manitoba. Graham lives with his wife and two kids near Prince Albert Saskatchewan where he keeps a few honey bee colonies of his own.
Dr. Medhat Nasr – SBDC Adoption Program Lead, Alberta Provincial Apiculturist (Retired)
Medhat has spent decades developing alternatives for mite control, managing miticide resistance, evaluating integrated pest management (IPM) programs, and breeding quality bees. His research program has also focused on developing effective application methods, and registration of formic acid, Oxalic Acid (drenching and sublimation), HopGuard2 and Apivar® for Varroa treatment in Canada. Medhat was the president of CAPA from 2014-2018. He is a member of the “Varroa Resistance and Treatment Team” of Honey Bee Health Coalition-USA. He received numerous awards for his contributions to apiculture in Canada and USA. Medhat earned his B. Sc. and M. Sc. (Entomology) from Cairo University, Egypt. He earned a Ph. D. in Entomology from University of California, Davis, US
A special session on statistics of bee and honey imports and exports including provincial report on honey exports opportunities – more information to follow