NWP's National Bee Diagnostic Centre Receives New RDAR Grant
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025
Patricia Wolf Veiga, Acting Dean of NWP’s Office of Applied Research and Innovation inspecting a honey comb in the NBDC Research Lab.
Northwestern Polytechnic’s National Bee Diagnostic Centre (NBDC) is pleased to announce the receipt of a $195,300 RDAR (Results Driven Agriculture Research) grant geared at protecting honey bees.
Over the next two years, this funding will be used to advance research examining a known parasite risk to honey bee colonies and resistance to common treatments. It is a collaborative research effort that will bring together scientists, beekeepers from across Canada, regulatory agencies, as well as federal and provincial government partners, and will help inform future trade and policy decisions
“Northwestern Polytechnic is proud to contribute our expertise to impactful solutions that will benefit our industries and communities,” says Dr. Vanessa Sheane, NWP President and CEO. “RDAR is a valued partner and great facilitator of applied research projects that continue to shape the agriculture landscape in northern Alberta and beyond.”
According to Statistics Canada, honey production in Canada is valued at $278 million, with beekeepers providing $4 billion to $5.5 billion in additional value through crop and hybrid Canola seed pollination services.
The Polytechnic’s NBDC will be focusing specifically on research to identify miticide resistance in the Varroa destructor mite population.
“Beekeeping and pollination management are vital to the Canadian agricultural economy,” says Patricia Wolf Veiga, Acting Dean of NWP’s Office of Applied Research and Innovation. “This study will provide valuable insights so that the industry has the best tools to combat one of the primary threats to Canadian apiaries.”
The Varroa mite and the viruses it carries are the leading cause of honey bee hive loss. The mite attaches itself to the bees, weakening them, and contributing to colony mortality. “Over the last decade, the preferred method to control Varroa mites has been Amitraz acaricide,” says Wolf Veiga. “However, beekeepers in the US, Europe, and Canada have recently begun to report reduced efficacy.”
Researchers at the NBDC in Beaverlodge will screen Varroa mite populations in Canadian apiaries for genetic mutations associated with acaricide resistance. By working with industry associations, these outcomes will assist beekeepers in making educated decisions to limit and control a mite infestation.
“We’re delighted to partner with RDAR,” says Wolf Veiga. “This project aligns with their mission to advance the competitiveness, profitability, productivity, and sustainability of agriculture in Alberta and will enable NBDC to evaluate solutions to this destructive pest.”
“The Varroa destructor poses a significant threat to the health of honey bees, and therefore, the NBDC’s research is vital to finding a solution to mitigating the threat of this parasite,” said RDAR Vice President of Research, Clinton Dobson. “We look forward to our continued partnership with NBDC in working toward protecting Alberta’s bee colonies.”
