Rolling the dice for honey bee health
As I made my way to the lecture theatre, a swarm of veterinary students spilled out through the doors, game boards tucked under their arms and dice clutched in their hands.
Animal health research receives cash injection from Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers who are affiliated with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) have been awarded more than $2.46 million in financial support from Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) for livestock-focused research projects in 2025.
Flying beyond the yellow: USask scientists explore honey bees’ diverse foraging habits on Prairies
This summer, I teamed up with honey bee researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) to learn more about the foraging habits of the pollinator species on the Prairies where canola is a dominant source of high quality nectar.
USask scientists explore new ways to protect bees from wily disease
If you haven’t caught up with the latest buzz, a bacterial illness called European foulbrood disease (EFB) is having a devastating impact on honey bee populations across North America.
USask scientists test agent for controlling tiny mite that's a big issue for honey bees
Canadian beekeepers lost a third of their bee hives during the 2022-23 winter due to a “perfect storm” of factors that killed off millions of honey bees across the country.
Probiotics all the buzz as alternative therapies for honey bee disease
When spring rolls around, honey bee farmers open their hives and expect to see a mass of happy buzzing bees.
Does blueberry pollen diet make honey bees more prone to disease?
Did you know that honey bees and humans face similar challenges when it comes to diet and health? Just as people require proper nutrition to stay healthy, bees also need an ample supply of their primary food and protein source — flower-collected pollen.
USask researchers devise strategies for faster disease detection in honey bees
While the rise in antimicrobial resistant pathogens is an issue affecting all species, a team of University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers are focusing their efforts on honey bees — investigating how they can reduce the use of antibiotic drugs for managing disease in the pollinator species.
Saskatchewan ag research funding includes over $2.3 million for WCVM scientists
University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers based at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) received over $2.3 million from Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) for livestock research.
Pollinators, canola and pesticides targeted in USask study
Researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) are evaluating the effects of pesticides on honey bees and other pollinators that subsist on the pollen of canola — Saskatchewan’s top crop.
Blueberry-pollinating bees at risk of developing deadly disease
Honey bees are excellent pollinators for flowering crops, and they’ve greatly benefited Canada’s blueberry growers as well as the country’s economy — Canada is a major exporter of the popular blue fruit.
WCVM hires pollinator health research chair
A new University of Saskatchewan (USask) research chair position at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) will focus on the health of pollinators that play an integral role in global food production and agricultural sustainability.
The tops in teachers
Dr. Elemir Simko (DVM, DVSc,) believes that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.
Science and fellowship at forefront of graduate poster day
The return to an in-person graduate research poster day at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) was a welcome change after two years of online events.
WCVM faculty members receive over $1.75 million for agriculture research
University of Saskatchewan (USask) faculty members at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) have received over $1.75 million from Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) in support of livestock and crop research projects.
Honey bee disease gains ground in B.C. and Saskatchewan
One of the latest projects in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) honey bee health research lab is a tale of two provinces.
WCVM students achieve success at university’s annual research expo
After a cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) Life and Health Sciences Research Expo returned virtually on May 6, 2021.
Habitat loss creates stress for honey bees
While society is coping with the stress related to a pandemic, honey bees and other pollinators are going through another problem — the stress associated with habitat loss.
WCVM student receives bee health research scholarship
Project Apis m., an international bee research organization, has awarded a $10,000 scholarship to Dr. Michael Zabrodski (DVM) of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) for his work in bee health research.
Honey bee health: a backyard perspective
When I look out my kitchen window, I see a peaceful scene with two honey bee colonies buzzing next to my vegetable garden.
Burglar bees help spread of honey bee infection
It may sound like a tall tale, but burglar honey bees raiding nearby hives is contributing to the spread of a disease called American foulbrood (AFB) in Saskatchewan.
European foulbrood 'disease of opportunity'
Although pesticides are important for increasing crop production, they may be interfering with the immunity of an important animal pollinator — the honey bee.
Study focuses on bee world’s royalty
Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) researchers have welcomed female royalty onto campus. But their brush with the upper crust is in a much different class than Meghan Markle or Kate Middleton.
Playing ‘bee’ to study pesticide effects
Pretending to be a honey bee is a lot of work, but researchers at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) have proved they’re up for the challenge.
Saskatchewan invests more than $1.5 million in livestock research
Faculty and researchers based at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) received funding through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) and the Strategic Field Program (SFP) that totalled more than $1.5 million.
Bee health issues keep researchers busy
At the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) a group of veterinary pathologists have devoted their time and attention to the health of the honey bee and their colonies.