2024 ABC Conference Agenda

(DRAFT – Subject to change)

Monday, November 18, 2024 – Annual General Meeting
STARTTOPIC DURATION
1.00pmABC Annual General Meeting (closed session – open to Eligible Producers only)4 hours
5.00pmABC Producer Reception1 hour
6.00pm END OF DAY
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 (Conference Day 1)
STARTTOPICSPEAKERDURATION
8.30amWelcome & Opening RemarksABC President5 min
8.35am1 hive to 30,000 - My StoryKEY NOTE: Blake Shook45 min
9.20amBees, heat and droughtDr. Shelley Hoover25 min
9.45amHigh-efficacy protection of honey bee hives observed following trials with amino-acid based solution.Carlos Perea, Terra Vera25 min
10.05amHow Weather and Geographic Locations Shape Honey Bee HealthDr. Renata Labuschagne25 min
10.30amMORNING BREAK30 mins
11.00amPANEL DISCUSSION
Pesticides, bees, & honey… Exploring evolving agricultural practices and how these may be impacting the beekeeping and honey industry.
Moderator: Grace Strom
Panelists:
·         Dr. Judy Wu-Smart
·         Kevin Nixon
·         John Guelly
·         Brittany Lacasse (Crop Life Canada)
45 mins
11.45amBeaverlodge Lab Update: Miticide Trials and AFB Vaccine Testing.Dr. Steve Pernal25 mins
12.10pmLUNCH60 mins
1.10pmThe Past Present and Future of Insurance for ApiariesJesse Cole, AFSC20 mins
1.30pmVarroacide Project Progress Update Dr. Rassol Bahreini25 mins
1.55pmPANEL DISCUSSION
Navigating changing labor/ employment requirements .
Moderator: Dave Tharle
Panelists:
·         Amanda Olthof
·         Rod Scarlett
·         Bianca Parsons (AFPA)
45 mins
2.40pmBeekeeper profileJames Hoetmer20mins
3.00PMAFTERNOON BREAK30 MINS
3.30pmSplits
Spring and fall splits: A step-by-step approach that we’ve honed after making 35,000+ splits each spring.
KEY NOTE: Blake Shook40mins
4.10pmResults of collaborative stock comparison from across Alberta projectDr. Olav Rueppell and Leslie Holmes25mins
4.35pmPANEL DISCUSSION
Measuring the Economic Threshold of Your Operation.
Moderator: Curtis Miedema
Panelists:
·         Rene LaRoque
·         Ryan Hicks
·         Kirk Wilson
·         Ron Greidanus
45mins
5.20pmBREAK – FREE TIME40mins
6:00pmPRESIDENT’S BANQUET | Buy tickets here!
·         Buffet dinner | Toonie Bar
·         Beekeeper of the Year Award Presentation
·         Entertainment
4 hours
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 (Conference Day 2)
STARTTOPICSPEAKERTIME
8.15am DRONES HOCKEY GAME! Bring your gear, open to all guests. Register HERE.
Sponsored by Rogers Lantic
90mins
9.00amHow do the stresses of living in an agricultural landscape impact honey bee health?KEY NOTE: Dr. Judy Wu-Smart30 mins
9.30amBee Health Assurance Team UpdateAli Panasiuk25mins
9.55amSustainable agriculture: evolving trends and consumer behaviorsStephanie Constable45mins
10.40amMORNING BREAK30mins
11.10amPANEL DISCUSSION
Creating value through meaningful Canadian honey labeling standards.
Moderator: Rod Scarlett
Panelists:
·         Ray Bergstra
·         Amber Ozero
·         Peter Awram
·         Bryan Ash
45mins
11.55amA Circular Economy Solution to Plastic Waste in the Beekeeping Industry.Michael Chae, NAIT25mins
12.20pmLUNCH60mins
1.20 pmHoneyTBC25mins
1.45pmUpdate on the 2-year virus / mite treatment studyHeather Broccard-Bell, NOD Global25mins
2.10pmFieldWatch – The best FREE insurance you will ever get!!!Curt Hadley, FieldWatch25mins
2.35pmClosing remarksABC President5mins
2:40pm END