 |
Iowa Honey Producers Association |
The Buzz Newsletter June 2007 |
 |
|
Bees In Peril The Progressive Farmer America’s bees are in trouble. And that spells big problems for crops that depend on insects for pollination. Beekeepers and researchers blame the varroa mite – nicknamed “vampire mite” because the bloodsucking parasite attacks young and adult honeybees. The mites nearly destroyed the wild honeybee population in the 1990s and are now causing havoc to commercial bee colonies. Some say the vampire mite – along with the small-hive beetle that causes damage from larval feeding – may have reduced the bee population as much as 50% over the past two decades. But the hurt doesn’t stop with beekeepers. Honeybees pollinate more than 90 commercial crops and are a major carrier of pollen for seeded fruits, vegetable crops that grow on vines and forages like alfalfa and clover. Even wild bees that are resistant to the mites are losing numbers, thanks mostly to habitat loss. Bees are responsible for 15 to 30% of the food we eat in the U.S. Now farmers are struggling to get bees for pollination. California almond growers need about 1.4 million colonies of honeybees to pollinate a half million acres of trees. By 2012, that number is expected to swell to 2 million hives as harvest-ready trees come into production. In 2005, pollination demands nationwide outstripped the domestic supply of honeybees. This forced U.S. farmers to import honeybees for the first time since 1992. Pesticides only provide limited control of the mites and beetles. Plus, chemical controls are difficult to use without harming the bee population. Researchers are looking at biological controls that attack the mites but not the bees. They’re also looking at genetic enhancements that may help breed bees so they’re resistant to the parasites. Submitted by Larry Spina
Applesauce – Honey 2 1/2 c. Bisquick Combine first 4 ingredients; make a well in center of mixture. Combine egg, honey, and applesauce; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened. Stir in raisins and walnuts. Spoon batter into two greased and floured 7 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2 1/4 inch loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.
IDALS Grant Awarded May 14, 2007 Donna Brahms Thank you for submitting a grant application to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Specialty Crop Grant Program. After careful consideration by the Grant Approval Committee, I am pleased to announce to you that the Iowa Honey Producers Association’s grant application has been approved in the amount of $4,000. Enclosed with this letter is a Substitute W-9/Vendor Update Form that should be completed and returned to the Accounting Bureau in order to receive your check. If you have any questions about this form, please contact Erinn Sprouse at (515) 281-8611. In addition, the Grant Approval Committee is requiring awardees to submit two reports to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship regarding the progress of the awarded project: one at the six-month mark and a final report at the completion of 12 months. Congratulations and thank you for your contribution to the agricultural community. We are eager to watch your project evolve in the coming months. Best wishes, Bill Northey
|
|
|
 |