Sask. honey business helping bees with pollinator grazing program


SASKATOON –

Sun River Honey is implementing a pollinator grazing program – for every jar of honey sold, they will plant one square foot of pollinator pasture.

“We saw the need when we were beekeepers,” said Aaron Comerford, president of Grandora, Sask. Business.

The bees were in danger and without them much food would not exist. It would also affect most of the animals that depend on it.

Henry Comerford began to create pastures to help improve forage for bees and other pollinators.

“We have three sites and I would say they’re about an acre each so far. What we hope is that this is just the start for these sites, ”Comerford said.

Henry and Sara Comerford started Sun River Honey in 1997 and were primarily beekeepers with primary honey production until a few years ago.

Sun River honey is known today for its sweet, spreadable honey. Most are infused with an additional flavor like cinnamon or chipotle. They offer eight different variations.

With years of beekeeping experience, the family knew they had to give back and that’s when they decided to implement their pollinator grazing program.

“Pollen is the source of protein for honey bees and nectar is their source of carbohydrates, so they need both of the flowers to build up colony populations that help them through the winter,” said Arthur Davis, expert. in bees at the University of Saskatchewan.

“The bees are still under duress. There are a lot of challenges in the beekeeping industry and among them is a very bad mite known as the Varroa mite and it is an ongoing battle for beekeepers in Saskatchewan, across the country and certainly the world. whole, ”said Davis

Davis also added that it’s important for homeowners and gardeners to avoid spraying pesticides when plants are in bloom.

Comerford hopes his program inspires others to get involved and consider planting a variety of plants that bloom at different times of the year in their gardens.

Comerford said the outcome since the start of its pollinator grazing program has been positive.

“We have certainly seen spills of honey arrive in our hives in the spring and fall, when they weren’t before. In our locations, we had not developed pollinator pastures, but there was a stark difference between yards that had pollinator pastures and yards that did not.

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