Released on May 29, 2013
The Government of Saskatchewan will proclaim the fourth annual Day of the Honeybee on May 29.
"In addition to the honey they produce, honeybees play a significant role in pollinating forages and crops,” Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said. “This makes honeybees and beekeepers an important part of our agriculture industry.”
Saskatchewan’s apiculture industry has enjoyed several consecutive years of growth. There were 125,000 bee colonies in Saskatchewan in 2012, compared to 95,000 in 2007. In 2012, Saskatchewan’s beekeepers produced 23 million pounds of honey, an increase of approximately 38 per cent from 2007. The value of that honey in national and international markets was just under $40 million, an increase of approximately 100 per cent from 2007.
Various countries around the world have recognized the importance of the honeybee to agriculture and have proclaimed days or weeks in honour of the honeybee. In Canada, the Day of the Honeybee is being recognized by official proclamations by numerous provinces, cities, towns and municipalities.
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For more information, contact:
Cory Kolt
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: cory.kolt@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-0521