Dear Subscribers,
Let's hope the hurricane season is not a big deal this year. A huge
dust storm over Africa appears to be affecting the development of storms, which would seem to be a welcome thing for most Floridians. It finally got really hot in the Sunshine State, with the heat index over 100 several days in a row. This has shut bee colonies down as well as causing our senior softball games to shutdown early. It's certainly time to check food stores to ensure colonies have enough nutrition. Bees may need some stimulation to get them producing brood for winter bees that will be important to get through the coming cold season.
I had a great visit at Archangel Michael Apiaries just south of Gainesville. The local beekeeper monk, Daniel Rodriguez, showed me around, revealing why the apiary is certified via the
naturally-grown brand and the apiary's relationship to
Pangai Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery. One of Father Daniel's heroes is
Brother Adam in spite of the fact that he was a Benedictine of the other church (Roman Catholic). I am intrigued by the Greek Orthodox story with reference to the
great schism of the 11th century. Perhaps I will hear more about this in September during
Apimondia 43 in Ukraine.
Time Magazine has just published it's August 19, 2013 issue with the title: “A World Without Bees.” This has received mixed reviews. Some of those interviewed in depth believe it failed to do an adequate job explaining why honey honey bees are not really facing extinction, the so-called “bee pocalypse.” Unfortunately, those not reading the article fully may be left with the mythology in tact fueling much of the blogosphere, that we all face a “disaster for farmers” and disappearance of our favorite foods, “the price we'll pay if we don't figure out what killing the honeybee.” A little more digging reveals the author's post on his
blog, which I find to be somewhat more nuanced.
All farmers aren't in trouble it seems. A
Catch The Buzz published the following information coming from the
Renewable Fuels Association (RFA): “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today projected that farmers will harvest a record corn crop of 13.76 billion bushels in 2013, up 28 percent from last year and 5 percent larger than the previous record crop. USDA expects that farmers will achieve a national average yield of 154.4 bushels per acre; that would be the third-highest yield on record, despite farmers experiencing one of the slowest, wettest planting seasons on record.
“America’s farmers have again risen to the challenge of producing abundant feed, food, and fuel for consumers around the world. After the disappointment of last year’s drought-stricken crop, farmers have responded by producing what is likely to be the largest crop of all time,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. 'By rapidly adopting new seed and equipment technologies over the past decade, this country’s corn growers have distinguished themselves as the most productive in the world.' ”
Maybe so, but a lot of this corn production may be at the expense of honey bee nutrition. Some consider this monoculture much more problematic than pesticides affecting beekeepers in the corn belt. There's been a lot of emphasis on the plight of one beekeeper who keeps bees in the region .
He was also featured in the Time Magazine piece. Jim Tew in this month's Bee Culture thinks food resources are a growing problem for beekeepers in what is being increasingly called the “
anthropocene.” This “gorilla in the room” has also been the concern of
certain UK researchers.
Bayer has gotten the message it appears about pesticides and honey bees and so a
Catch the Buzz release reveals the Corporation has come up with a more “bee friendly” chemical. The active ingredient is flupyradifurone, and will be marketed under the trade name Sivanto.
So-called “
citizen science” is receiving more attention these days. “From tracking the migration of songbirds to discovering new celestial bodies, amateur scientists may help fill in a need for more researchers. Beyond helping “real” scientists collect data, amateurs are becoming better trained, better equipped, and better prepared to contribute to tomorrow’s breakthroughs.”
Jason Graham has developed a citizens science project at the University of Florida's
Honey Bee Extension and Research Laboratory. The goal is to learn about native solitary bees and wasps, share information, and provide a forum for those interested in participating in the science and art of
native beekeeping. This includes building and monitoring your own
native bee nest site: This project also has a
facebook presence, part of the social media scene. Also check out the
great bee count in California
Bee Culture Magazine is hosting “Miles to Go,” October 5 and 6 in Medina, OH. This first-ever conference of this nature. It will highlight every aspect of migratory beekeeping. "If you move bees for a living, are going to or are thinking about it, this two-day event is for you." Consult the
global calendar to register, call Kim Flottum at 330-725-6677 Ext 3214 or email him at Kim@BeeCulture.com with 'Miles' in the subject line.
Joe Traynor discusses the 2014 outlook on almond pollination in his
July Newsletter. Read why some growers may decide other crops are more profitable in the future.
Yikes! I am hearing from several quarters that the Trans-Pacific Partnership is not about free trade, but really a corporate coup d'etat. Trouble is many folks won't be able to make an informed decision because it will be below their and even congress' radar, being negotiated in secrecy. That's what
Jim Hightower says; he should know if anyone does. See more at
fooddemocracy.org,
Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, and
Citizens Trade Campaign.
The countdown to Apimondia 34 continues. Only a little more than a month to go. Check out
John Phipp's article on the host city published in last month's Bee Culture.
Amazon.com reports 39 units of
Storey's Guide to Keeping Honey Bees were sold from July 8, 2013 – August 4, 2013 . Almost half (12) were sold in the Minneapolis St. Paul area. Makes one wonder why? Any readers in the twin cities.
As always, see the latest on bee health at
http://www.extension.org/bee_health Note the article in this month's Bee Culture on origin of this initiative.
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Gleanings from the August 2013 Bee Culture:
Remember that Bee Culture now has a
digital edition.
Bruce Sabuda, Pinckney, MI installs a package in the dead of winter. Bill Thompkin, Ohio beekeeper, used a solar wax melter and has questions. Bill Bartlett, Leonardtown, MD, stumbled onto nectarless American holly and tulip poplar and wonders why. Roy Hendrickson, Chardon, OH, exorts beekeepers to do everything in one's power to keep honey bees healthy and productive. A consortium of organizations writes to President Obama asking him to avoid a second “silent spring.”
New for the beekeeper, Growing Food In a Hotter, Drier Land http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Food-Hotter-Drier-Land/dp/1603584536 and Rainwater Harvesting and two books on bumblebees are also listed. Finally, check out polystyrene hives at the reinvented Modern Beekeeping USA http://modernbeekeepingusa.com most Europeans are going away from wood for several reasons.
Kathy Summers reflects on deadlines and friends from Medina. Read about a new crop in the garden, kale.
Clarence Collison takes closer look at the sensory nervous system of the honey bee. Read about how this influences hygienic behavior.
Jim Thompson removes bees from buildings. This is a specialized skill and like so much of beekeeping, takes tools, patience and luck.
A. Gary Shilling gives his honey away using innovative labels based on current economic events. Check out among others “Our Bountiful Bees Need No Bailout (2008-2009)."
John Kefuss experiences an earthquake in Chile. Read his observations on both human and honey bee behavior based on this event.
Jim Tew discovers several "elephants" in the middle of his apiary. Read how he is coping with what he sees as an “altered ecosystem.”
Buzz Phillips looks at an observation hive on Case Western Reserves' (Squire Valeeview) Farm. Read about the design process, and how that translated into a public display.
Phil Craft continues to answer questions. This month they are about swarming and sticky boards for Varroa monitoring. Note that Phil is now a
technical adviser for Apivar.
Ed Simon describes how to make creamed honey. Read all the steps and follow them religiously for a superior product.
Marcelaine Lewis recently moved some bees by small aircraft. Read this great adventure; it's how he got into beekeeping.
Ross Conrad declares that our current agricultural system is bankrupt and broken. Read why he says this is so and what beekeepers can do as an alternative to hard chemical control of mites.
Margaret Couvillon asks where bees forage and how do we know. Read about the study at the
Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects (LASI)
Ann Harman is already thinking about winter. Read about requeening and the production of winter bees. It's not too soon to consider this!
Peter Sieling finds a surprise in an old house. Read what happens next and what it has to do with honey bees.
Dewey Caron writes about a massive bumblebee "massacre" in Wilsonville, Oregon. Read about this event and the possible cause, which looks to be a neonicotinoid with the trade name Safari. This is well worth reading, given the controversy over this class of pesticides and its effects on honey bees.
Larry Connor wishes everyone a Happy New Year. Read what he says about getting your bees ready for the colder season.
Toni Burnham urges everyone to get “sweaty and dirty and stung and overjoyed” as a beekeeper. Read her open appeal to the urban hipster population.
In all the news that fits, read the obituary of pioneer beekeeper Elmer Lynn of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, the tariff increase on Chinese honey, and Brushy Mountain Bee Farm's opening of a brand new facility in Wilksboro, NC.
Ed Colby's thumb hurts and he's received a brand new smoker. Read his “Bottom Board” column on how these are related and why he's eagerly looking forward to attending the Colorado beekeepers meeting.
Sincerely,
Malcolm T. Sanford
beeactor@apisenterprises.com
http://apis.shorturl.com
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