By Curtis Galbraith

“Crucial” funding secured for NBDC

Nov 23, 2018 | 1:36 PM

Some important funding for the National Bee Diagnostic Centre at the Beaverlodge Research Farm has been secured.
 
The $1.75-million over five years allows it to continue as a Technology Access Centre. The money comes from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. 
 
Acting Manager Patricia Wolf-Viega says the money is crucial and covers costs for equipment, staffing, maintenance, and public outreach.
 
“It provides us with funding (so) that we can continue our operations and continue to offer research and diagnostics service, but it will enable us to go beyond research and diagnostics. We can do outreach training and provide opportunities for students and faculty.”
 
She adds this will also give them a chance to “engage staff.”
 
“(It will) provide funding for faculty relief as well as give us (an) opportunity to hire students, (to give them) work experience in our facility.”
 
Wolf-VEGA says GPRC staff have settled into the newly-expanded Centre. An agreement to allow Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada people to move in is still being worked on.
 
People at the Centre at the Beaverlodge are busier than expected with test samples.
 
Wolf-Viega says beekeepers want their hives for diseases.
 
“We do receive some samples here for honeybees, but as well for honey analysis. We do provide some honey analysis and we have been receiving some samples. For us, the winter is the opportunity to catch up in the research.”
 
Honey samples are also checked for things like chemical residues from things like antibiotics.