Attending the ABF Convention Jan. 13-17, 2009 in Reno, Nevada was interesting, educational, and helpful.  This was our first national convention, so we were interested to meet other beekeepers and to learn about new ways to make our honey operation more successful.

Program topics such as “The New Nosema” and “Reducing Pesticide Damage” were interesting to David while I enjoyed such topics as “From Cappings to Candles” and “Discussions with the EPA and Bayer Crop Science.”

A great deal of research is being done with bees, worldwide.  Topics such as “Mite Resistance” and the “Bee Genome Study” illustrate the importance of continued education concerning bees and their future.

Because we are a small operation, the “Serious Sideliner Symposium,” a separate program for semi-professional beekeepers held concurrently during the convention, was especially helpful for us.  Topics included: “Setting up a Honey House” and “Queen Rearing Essentials”.

We wish to thank the IHPA for the scholarship which helped with expenses.  It was very a very worthwhile conference.  There was a wide range to topics for all levels of beekeeping.  We encourage others to attend the next convention which will be held in January 2010 in Orlando, Florida.

Darlene Hayes

American Beekeeping Federation Convention

2009 Report

By David Hayes, IHPA member

I was fortunate to attend the 66th Convention of the American Beekeeping Federation and Trade Show in Reno, Nevada, 13-17 January, 2009.  Due to weather conditions in Eastern Iowa on 13 January, our travel was delayed so we missed the “Welcome to Reno” reception the first evening.

Previously, I was not a member of the ABF.  At the convention, we met other beekeepers from across the US and Canada, as well as vendors.  I intend to maintain a membership in this association in the future as it truly serves the needs of all beekeepers, no matter the size of the operation.  I recommend a visit to their website:  www.ABFnet.org.

There was no shortage of topics and agendas:  CCD, varroa, stock and queen selection, EPA, research topics, nutrition, pesticides, uses of bees wax, viruses, hive management, nosema, genetics, apitherapy, American Honey Queen competition, etc.

A variety of sessions were available for “Shared Interest Groups:” Commercial Beekeepers, Package Bee & Queen Breeders, Honey Producers-Packers, and Hobbyist/Sideliner Beekeepers.

This article will focus on one very important topic: “A Standard of Identity for Honey.”  Nancy Gentry, public relations coordinator for the Florida State Beekeepers Association, gave details of how to start the process of having all states adopt the Standard of Identity for Honey within our state’s regulations.

Nancy began by noting that the FDA, the federal agency which regulates honey as a “commodity” on the national level, does not have a “standard of identification” for honey.  She, as well as 19 other states presently, is attempting to promote the FDA Revised Codex Standards for Honey.

She noted that there are many products on the market that claim to include “honey” as an ingredient, but have very little, if any honey content in the product. Such products might say: “honey-roasted, honey flavored, honey-like, honey substitute, etc.  Honey that is “adulterated or cut” can not be acceptable. Our foods in the US are threatened by such claims.

Consumers are very aware of the plight of honey bees because of all the CCD publicity.  They are also much more aware of the benefit of natural, healthy foods, such as honey.  Consumers are sympathetic towards the honey industry.  The public will respond to false advertising and non-healthy food additives. If honey is to continue as a   commodity/product which the public believes to be wholesome and pure, then a standard of identity needs to be developed.  Honey is a commodity, just like corn, soybeans, oranges, etc.

The best process to create this standard is on the state level; state by state.  The state agency which is established to do this is the Iowa Department of Agriculture (ADALS), with assistance from the IHPA, Farm Bureau, and the state apiarist, among others.  The time to implement this standard is now!

ABF Convention 2009

“Welcome to Reno”

An address by Zac Browning,  Idaho Falls, Idaho; ABF president

The new Farm Bill has passed Congress, and waits adequate funding.  Provisions relating to beekeeping and honey bee research were significantly enhanced.

Today, feral or wild honey bee colonies in the US are virtually non-existent, and we have 50% less managed honey bee colonies.  Even so, the need for honey bee pollination continues to grow, which is requiring beekeepers to become more mobile to fill the gaps for pollination.

The average beekeeping operation in the US lost 35% of their hives last winter (2008).  There has been a general decline in the strength and quality of bee hives.  Unhealthy bees are poor pollinators and honey producers.

The cost of maintaining a healthy hive has increased, which results in an overall decline in profitability.  There is a myriad of problems and challenges that have added stress to the bees:  varroa and tracheal mites, foreign honey bee diseases/viruses, habitat destruction, stress from migratory demands and disruption, and continued exposure to toxic agrochemicals.

Some 90 different crops in the US depend heavily on honey bees for pollination.  A shortage of bee pollinators ultimately will affect the supply and price of food.

The beekeeping horizon is gray.  It takes bees from both coasts of the US just to fill the pollination contracts in California in early spring.

We need a broad and comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing stress on the hive and mortality due to many known and unknown factors.  Research programs should not be limited by results and findings of profit motivated agrochemical industry scientists.

As research progress is made in the lab it needs to be transferred via extension programs to the field to better enable the beekeeper faced with so many situations.

The beekeepers of America are aging, so it is imperative that we encourage and support younger beekeepers in the future; (IHPA mentor programs are an excellent example! )

We need the support of our Iowa Senators (202-224-3121) and Representatives         (202-225-3121)  in Congress.  Please contact and encourage them to support the beekeepers across the nation.  Our industry and food chain are dependent on support at all levels.

David Hayes