The Buzz Newsletter

October 2007

 

 

Page 3

Greetings from the President of the IHPA

Dear Honey Producers,

Have you been getting as many questions concerning Colony Collapse Disorder as I have? I think it is great that people are asking questions, but they don’t always want to listen to the correct answer. Most of them have a preconceived notion and are positive that they know the answer, not wanting to listen to what I am trying to tell them. If you have read the information about the virus, Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus, that the media has said is the mystery solving conclusion to the honey bee disappearance, you will recall that the researchers are quick to point out that the virus is NOT the total reason behind the Colony Collapse Disorder. It is not the entire problem and is just possibly only one of the things affecting the colonies of honey bees. The researchers don’t even know if beekeepers could afford to treat for the virus or even what to treat it with. As I understand it, this is a stepping stone to work from and to develop other research to narrow down the diagnosis.

I received an e-mail from Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey, to inform us that money has been funded, $4 million, by the USDA for research to be conducted on honey bees and any problems concerning them. There is information elsewhere in this issue for you to read concerning this money.

Maury Wills also informed me that there were 29 applicants for the State Apiarist position. He is going to begin interviewing the candidates and I sincerely hope that by the time you read this, we will have a new State Apiarist. I don’t know when the person will start working as State Apiarist, but at least maybe we will know that one will be in place in the very near future. I am looking forward to being able to tell people when they call for information and questions to contact our State Apiarist. It is not that I don’t like referring people with questions to the correct source, it is just that I don’t feel that I am doing the job justice because I don’t always get the person directed to the right source in a timely manner. I guess what I am saying, I am looking forward to some “expert” answering questions.

I read with great interest an article by James E. Tew in the September issue of BEE CULTURE. It talked about change. I know that we, especially beekeepers, don’t care for change, but I think that James has a great point to make. We should eliminate the word “hobby” from describing a beekeeper. What hobby do you know of that gets federal funding? How can we look like we are a viable industry with the designation of hobby beekeepers? We either have lots of colonies or we have a few colonies. We also need to let the public know that the most important action of a honey bee is pollination, not the end result of honey. Most people associate honey bees with stinging and then with honey. Very few think of or even realize that honey bees help pollinate over 90 different crops. It doesn’t matter if you have a few colonies or many colonies, pollination is being done. James says, “time and again, I have had people say to me, “I am just a hobby beekeeper, I only have three hives. I don’t do it for the money.” Stop feeling that way! Even if you don’t sell the token honey crop, your colonies still pollinate millions of flowers.” He continues on to say, “I don’t honestly expect the concept of being a “hobby beekeeper” to vaporize anytime soon, but the CCD issue has focused a very bright light on our industry. We presently have the attention of people who are not beekeepers but who do eat three meals a day and they want to continue that fundamental luxury. If we want these people’s help, we need to re-consider our own perspective of our beekeeping selves. “Hobby” may be the term we have always used to describe beekeepers with only a few hives, but these reviewers have made me look at the way the term belittles the contribution that our “hobby” industry makes to our society; therefore, provide a meal- be a beekeeper.” Get a copy of BEE CULTURE to read the article, The Passing of the Hobby Beekeeper. It has a lot of thought provoking content.

The United States Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, said in a statement, “ This crisis threatens to wipe out production of crops dependent on bees for pollination. A congressional study said honey bees add about $15 billion a year in value to our food supply. Beekeepers and honey bees are very important to our food supply.

Chelsa helped me at the Drake Market that I attend on Wednesdays. She answered questions about the observation hive that I had with me and she was a great help to me in packing up all of the market items. Thank you Chelsa.

Governor Chet Culver signed a proclamation declaring September as Honey Month in Iowa. The facts included with that proclamation are very revealing. Iowa crops depend on honey bees for pollination. Iowa honey bees depend on Iowa beekeepers to manage them. I will have copies of the proclamation at the Annual Meeting if you would like to have one.

Mike and I are going to try fall re-queening some of our colonies. Usually he tells everyone that he takes care of the bees and I sell the honey. I have to tell you what he did. He left for work one Monday morning and about five minutes later the phone rang. I was extremely happy to hear that he had not remembered to install the queens into the new splits that he made the day before. I was going to have to do it. I did it and didn’t have any trouble, but it sure wasn’t on my agenda for Monday morning before I went to work.

Make sure that you look through your photos to find the perfect ones for the contest at the Annual Meeting to be held in Marshalltown at the Best Western Regency Inn on November 16th and 17th. Dust off those cookbooks to locate your most luscious recipes for the Cooking with honey contest to be held at the Annual Meeting. If you make Mead bring it along also for a new contest this year. Don’t forget to order any supplies from our vendors so that you won’t have to pay freight on the orders. Larry and Brenda from Draper’s Super Bee, Jim from Dadant, Elmer from B & L Plastic Containers, B & B Honey and Joli and Cecil from Heartland Honey (formerly Mid-Con) will be able to bring your needed supplies for you. Remember to book your rooms and most of all, make plans to relax, learn some new things, and enjoy the fellowship and knowledge of other beekeepers. Pat has a great meeting planned. Join us in Marshalltown.

Hope your honey crop was a great one and the weather will hold out to get the needed mite treatments done for the fall and you have time to prepare the colonies for Iowa’s winter weather.
Sincerely,

Donna Brahms, IHPA President