Dear Subscribers,
We still wait for the gallberry flow to commence here in North Central Florida. This is usually one of our most productive plants for nectar. Florida Holly it is sometimes called, or
inkberry. Usually it is blooming by now, but inclement weather this Spring is surprising everyone. We could have an historic low this evening around 47 degrees F. Most nectar plants need warm weather. Fortunately, there' been much more rain than in past years. It remains a waiting game.
A big story at the moment is that Canadian losses have caused havoc in the prairie provinces and they need bees from somewhere to make up colonies for the impending flow. Ever since the border was closed in 1984 due to tracheal mites, no honey bee imports from the U.S. have been allowed. But this could change as regulators across Canada begin to reassess
the situation. It's not a done deal yet, however, for the eastern provinces are putting up a fight to keep the border closed. Stay tuned.
U.S. Losses are estimated to be averaging over 30 percent, but much higher in small-scale beekeepers according to the Bee Informed Partnership (
BIP).
:
“On average, U.S. beekeepers lost 45.1% of the colonies in their operation during the winter of 2012/2013. This is a 19.8 point or 78.2% increase in the average operational loss compared to the previous winter (2011/2012), which was estimated at 25.3%. The
difference between average loss and total loss is explained by the respondent pool: while a majority of the respondents (95%) were backyard beekeepers, they managed a small fraction of the colonies represented in the survey (6%). For this reason total loss (which
is more heavily influenced by commercial beekeeper losses) is more representative of national losses.”
The The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a comprehensive scientific report on honey bee health. The
report states that there are multiple factors playing a role in honey bee colony declines, including parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure. Readers are again referred to Randy Oliver's assessment found elsewhere in this newsletter.
The power of lobbyists is coming into play as regulators everywhere are looking at the effects of neonicotinoids on honey bees. The situation is playing out most prominently in Europe as
banning these insecticides takes center stage. What happens there is likely to affect other regions.
“...the pesticides industry is lobbying governments hard to try to reach a qualified majority to reject the proposal outright and therefore block the ban. Looking at the first vote, it seems this campaign was particularly successful with small states - Slovakia, Romania, Czech Republic, Austria, Portugal, Hungary, Lithuania, Ireland and Greece - with United Kingdom and Germany not daring to vote against - but not supporting the ban either. The case of Austria, which voted against the ban even though it has been asking for restrictions for the use of these pesticides, is hard to understand. Whose interests will prevail on the second vote?” Interesting that bigger countries like France, Italy and Spain are not mentioned.
Colony collapse disorder (CCD) s now eclipsing the science. It's becoming a
political issue.
Meanwhile in the USA, Randy Oliver writes on his
web site an analysis of what happened to U.S. honey bees last fall. This is worth reading; it got good reviews from Al Summers in Colorado: “ Randy Oliver [Scientific Beekeeping] just came out with an excellent article which examines the current concern (which has been sensationalized in the media) over this year's reported bee losses..and probable reasons for them.
“In reading through the article..you'll note that what's being reported this year..is not different than what beekeepers have reported in years past. You'll also note that the case for the Neonicotinoid pesticides being a major factor..is no stronger than it has been in the past..if that.
"I'd also like to suggest that in following Randy's typically thorough approach..he has listed a quite extensive list of references and links at the end of the article..which support many of his positions. This is what helps to seperate conjecture from fact I suggest. I personally find Randy's articles to be refreshing additions in clarifying what otherwise may seem to be a confusing mix of opinion and supposition."
Joe Traynor in California gives a hearty "amen": “Randy Oliver is a beekeeper/scholar who spent lots of time doing lots of homework... There are many excellent U.S. bee scientists working on honey bee problems, but you'd have to wait quite a while to get a timely, comprehensive report like the one that Randy delivers here.
The American Beekeeping Federation has instituted a new dues structure to take effect July 1, 2013. Fortunately, it is launching a “Renew Now at Today's Rates" campaign starting this month. This gives current members the opportunity to go ahead and lock in the current membership rates for
another year. Members must take advantage of this renewal opportunity by June 30, 2013.
National Pollinator Week is just around the corner (June 20 through 26). Find details at the
Pollinator Partnership and the
National Pollinator Defense Fund. Check out ideas on events that
might be planned
Even the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is getting into the
act.
All this reveals that pollinators are finally getting their due in terms of importance to the environment. See David Greene's
analysis and his estimation of one of the most
important papers written about this subject in the twentieth century. This was one of the first papers to start the conversation that now has become mainstream.
Want to be a journeyman beekeeper? Check out the innovative online apprentice
beekeeping program developed by Dr. Jerry Bromenshenk and colleagues at the University of Montana, Missoula. This is a serious college-level course in the art and science of beekeeping.
I have again selected a few topics
this month with respective links including: Robotic Insect: To Promote Pollination in US, May Support Future Food Supply; Honey constituents up-regulate detoxification and immunity genes in the western honey bee Apis mellifera; Familia de la Apicultura - Beekeeping of Family: ESTRÉS EN LA APICULTURA - STRESS IN BEEKEPING (Spanish and English); Honey Bee Health Through Nutrition Forage Field Day Hosted by Project Apis m. at Capay Ranch, Hamilton City, California; English scientists study Mexican wasps in Texas to find what happened to honeybees; California ‘killer bees’ not only in Hollywood,Honey constituents up-regulate detoxification and immunity genes in the western honey bee Apis mellifera
Amazon.com reports 59 units of
Storey's Guide to Keeping Honey Bees sold from April 8 through May 52013. Most were bought in Portland, OR and Grand Rapids, MI.
As always, see the latest on bee health at
http://www.extension.org/bee_health
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Gleanings from the May 2013 Bee Culture:
Remember that Bee Culture now has a
digital edition.
Jean-Claud B. writes that he's seen evidence that users of
non steroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs are possibly at risk of developing allergy to bee stings. My physician is no fan of these either, urging me to not use them. I know some folks who take these (Ibuprofen, etc.) like popcorn. Roy Hendrickson Chardon, OH thinks many are too cavalier about treating Varroa. John Atwell experiments with dried fruit peels in his smoker. Joe Holland is appalled that teasel, and invasive plant, is being advocated as bee forage. I will be interested to see what he says about s-bombs mentioned elsewhere.
New books for beekeepers can be found at
http://grantgillard.weebly.com/ Doug McCutcheon has written a
history of beekeeping in British Columbia. Also new is
pre-glued seed tape and the world's only
multi-analyte drug residue analyzer.
Editor Flottum reviews his ten rules of modern beekeeping. Read what he says makes everyone a better beekeeper.
Kathy Summers reviews her year with chickens. Read about her developing relationship with her no kidding; feathered friends.
Honey production in 2012 was the
worst in 23 years. The good news is the price is up and rising.
Adam Stearns describes how to make a seed bomb. Read how to deploy the s-bomb and what that might mean. Also get ready for the fallout from folks who might look at this as counter productive. It looks to be a great way to distribute invasive plants.
Lizette Dahlgren discusses varroacide toxicity differences between workers and queens. Read why this is so and the possible reasons.
Clarence Collison and Audrey Sheridan take a closer look at acute bee paralysis virus, now found worldwide in honey bee populations. Read how the virus interacts with Varroa infestation and what it does to honey bees over time.
Jeff Harris continues his “Voice of the South” taking on honey management and Varroa control in Mississippi. Read about hive reversals and why Varroa treatment is different for separate seasons.
Nick Calderone produces a timeline for insect-pollinated crops from 1992 – 2009. Read his analysis and why he concludes honey bee pollination was estimated at $12 billion in 2009. He promises more details in subsequent articles.
David Tarpy looks at Varroa using a James Bond perspective. Read the evidence that “live or let die” colonies are caused by tougher bees or weaker mites and what that might mean for the average beekeeper.
Dan O'Hanlon describes the “History of Appalachian Beekeeping Exhibit” at
Heritage Farm. Read how Cabell Wayne Beekeepers got involved, along with the Future Farmers of America (FFA).
Phil Craft continues his “Ask Phil” column with detailed answers from Washington state and the Carolinas. Read how these places contrast and why beekeepers must adapt beekeeping to local conditons.
Jim Thompson looks at honey jars. Read how there's more than one way to sell honey, mostly done through innovative bottling.
Jack and Toni Blackford suggest making strawberry mead this Spring. Read how this is accomplished. Warning, it's still work and you have to be committed.
Jim Tew describes in detail buying and managing colony splits. Read why he sits bolt upright at night and can't sleep.
Larry Connor takes on a daunting task. Read what he says about what beekeepers might hear and read. He provides a nice check list to help folks make some reasonable judgements.
Ross Contrad provides information on the most critical thing for beekeepers to think about...timing. Regular inspections appear to be the key, but read also about the unusual things that might occur as well.
Toni Burnham in her “Downtown” column provides a good basic idea of how to handle city swarms. Read what to put in your swarm kit to ensure a quality experience.
Connie Krochmal says beekeepers are not the only ones happy to see dandelions in the Spring. Read how these hearty plants have spread and their value to bees and beekeepers.
Ann Harman takes on the fear of being stung. Read what she says to do about one's apiphobic neighbor.
Linda Tillman urges beekeepers and clubs to establish a hive inspection program. Read how this is a good publicity and public relations strategy to engage new beekeepers.
Jessica Lawrence paints a bigger picture than normal when discussing the value of pollination. Read her eclectic list of plants she finds exciting in terms of the value to honey bees.
Michael Johnson and Michael Griggs write that beekeepers might learn something from foresters. In this first article, they set up the idea that factors affecting honey bees also affect trees. In the next article look for a discussion of what that might mean with respect to colony collapse disorder (CCD).
Ed Simon turns his attention to building a swarm box. Read how this compares to other ways of making colony increase.
In all the news that fits, read about the next version of
Apimpondia, to occur September 29 through October 4 in Ukraine; the appearance of Varroa in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada and Sydney, Australia; and the messy Chinese honey situation made worse by Chinese complaining about fake honey in Shanghai. Yikes!
Ed Colby describes how life's little details affected his winter travels to Mexico. Mostly it had to do with being on time. Read how he finally gets it together, mostly due to his partner and sister.
Sincerely,
Malcolm T. Sanford
beeactor@apisenterprises.com
http://apis.shorturl.com
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