A seasoned beekeeper in Alberta is currently testing an insulated hive that he believes could offer a significant advantage to the struggling Canadian beekeeping sector. Sheldon Hill, an educator based three hours southeast of Calgary, is enthusiastic about the potential of an Australian-manufactured product to revolutionize beekeeping practices.
According to Hill, the sensor data indicates that bees can effectively regulate the internal environment of their hive with greater efficiency using the insulated hive. This has led to noticeable benefits such as enhanced colony development and increased honey production. However, Hill acknowledges that the traditional beekeeping industry may be hesitant to embrace such a significant change.
Having worked as a commercial apiarist for thirty years in Porcupine Plain, Sask., Hill transitioned into the role of educator and researcher with the Prairie Rose School Division in southeast Alberta. In collaboration with Medicine Hat College’s Centre for Innovation, Hill is conducting a year-long comparative study between a HiveIQ setup and a conventional wooden hive at Neubauer Farms near Medicine Hat.
While Hill emphasizes the need for further extensive research, he remains hopeful that beekeepers, who are generally cautious about adopting new technologies, will recognize the innovative potential of insulated hives. The HiveIQ, developed by third-generation beekeeper Victor Croker in response to extreme heat conditions in the Australian outback, is now being tested in Alberta by Hill.
The HiveIQ aims to maintain optimal hive temperatures for bees, crucial for activities such as spring buildup and summer honey production. Hill’s efforts have garnered praise from Nathan Reid, the North American operations manager for HiveIQ, who stresses the importance of initiating change in Western Canada through practical demonstrations like Hill’s study.
Despite the promising prospects of insulated hives, some Alberta beekeepers express concerns about the associated costs and the inclination to adhere to traditional beekeeping methods passed down through generations. Commercial beekeeper Lance Dubeau and hobbyists Steven and Simone Dold highlight the financial challenges and sentimental attachments that may hinder the widespread adoption of insulated hives.
While acknowledging the industry’s resistance to change, Hill remains optimistic about the possibility of introducing a Canadian-made solution tailored to local needs. He intends to share his comprehensive findings from the study upon its completion in May next year.
