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Iowa Honey Producers Association |
The Buzz Newsletter December 2007 |
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(continued from Page 6) Shortly thereafter, Professor M. Baudox, through his research at Tervueren, Brussels, Belgium, concluded that small cell size was detrimental to colony development and productivity. He then proceeded to experiment with foundations of increasingly larger cell size. Subsequently, he demonstrated that adult honey bees were larger when reared in comb with larger cells. Unfortunately, Professor Baudoux was a proponent of the now Disproven Lamarkian theory of evolution which proposed that “…environmental changes cause structural changes in animals and plants by inducing new or increased use of organs or body parts…” and that such changes are inherited. This theory would suggest, for example, that the elongated neck of the giraffe is the result of each generation stretching further for the top branches of trees while feeding. Baudoux believed that he could genetically alter the size of honey bees by providing them with larger than normal cells for brood rearing. So in his research he tested and later advocated the use of oversized cells. (Romans 1:20…”For since the creation of the world Gods invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”… It is a curious thing, this bigger is better. “DO BIGGER HONEY BEES MAKE MORE HONEY?” For many decades, since the first invention of comb foundation by Mehring and the idea by Professor Baudoux that honeybees could be made bigger and improved upon, contrary to the laws of God and Nature, to make more honey, this fact that bigger makes more honey has never truly been proven. Well what happens to bees when they go back to the wild, with no help from man? They go back to the small cell size, and what is the benefit of this. Well small cell bee produce much less pheromones (smell) on the 8th day then bigger bees, and the varroa goes by the smell of that pheromone when it goes into the cell just before it is capped off on the 9th day. On test where they neutralized the smell totally, no mite’s entered the cells. Small cell bees also Hatch out in 20 days instead of 21 day on large bees. Most of the varroa are not fully developed and can’t reproduce. As far as honey production goes, test have presented data, that over a five year production per colony small cell bees produce an average of 11 to 27 lbs. more honey per colony. Now in dollars, (because that’s what most people look at when asked to make a change) at market price of .80 cents per lb. with 100 hives of bees you make…….. 11lbs. x .80 cents x 100 hives =$880.00 more ……NOW MOST BIG BEEKEEPERS HAVE BETWEEN 1000 TO 5500 HUNDRED HIVES OF BEES….. To me with less mites and more honey it’s hard not to think about 4.9 cell foundation We spend around $9.00 per hive on medications (CHEMICALS),( on 100 hives is $900.00 saved) and if we go to 4.9 there will be very little to no use of chemicals. THIS IS SOMETHING WE WILL HAVE TO THINK HARD ON. BUT IT’S NOT REALLY SO EASY, WE ALMOST HAVE TO START OVER BECOUSE ALL OF OUR BEES ARE 5.4 CELL BEES, SO WE WILL HAVE TO REGRESS OR MAKE OUR BEE SMALL, AND THAT WILL BE A LOT OF WORK AND TWO YEARS OF TIME. WE’LL HAVE TO THINK ON THIS ONE… THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ AND LOOK AT THE WEB PAGES, WE HOPE THAT YOU THINK TWICE ABOUT THE FOOD YOU EAT. BEE HAPPY, PAT AND PEGGY These are my thoughts and comments or research done to help us decide what to do!!!!!
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