The beauty of canola, as it spans across the prairies, is not just a sight to behold for us – canola’s stunningly bright flowers are also a paradise for bees.
Not only is the relationship between canola and bees symbiotic, the relationship between a Canadian canola farmer and a beekeeper is also mutually beneficial. Together, they are good for the health of our agroecosystem and our Canadian economy.
Bee health is strong in Western Canada
Concern about the health of our bee population has grown in recent years as we’ve come to realize the impact of climate change on this species and the important role bees play in maintaining the health of our ecosystems. However, you might be surprised to learn the number of honeybees in Canada has reached record levels in the past decade. The number of bee colonies Canada-wide now sits at 829,000 up significantly from 600,000 colonies in the early 2000’s1. And more than 70% of these colonies call Western Canada home1, illustrating how canola has become one of Canada’s most important crops for increasing bee populations.
Canola is an ideal food source for honey bees
Since the development and rapid expansion of canola in Canada, we have learned how beneficial canola has become to bees, and vice versa. Canola provides numerous benefits to bees, including:- An abundant supply of pollen with an ideal mix of amino acids, protein, and fats
- Plentiful nectar found in the plant’s blooms offers a good sugar profile for honey production
- A nutritional balance that helps bees produce excellent honey
- Extended blooming periods that can nourish a colony for up to one month
- Dense flower fields that reduce travel distance, improving foraging efficiency
- A reliable food source that supports bee health throughout Canadian summers
