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Over-Wintering Losses Down
Losses of Managed Honey Bee Colonies Dropped To 21.9%
Total losses of managed honey bee colonies in the US dropped for the 2011-2012 over-wintering season. This number is down from the approximately 30% average loss beekeepers had experienced in the 2010-2011 survey. These results are from the latest annual survey conducted by the Bee Informed Partnership, the Apiary Inspectors of America and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). To read more click here. |
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2011 Annual Honey Report
Production of honey in the United States is down 16% from 2010 with 2.49 million colonies producing honey in 2011. Counted in the survey are those honey producers with five or more colonies. North Dakota continues to be the top honey producing state followed by California, South Dakota, Montana and Florida. To read the full report, click here. |
| Forage in California
Dr. Gordon Wardell shows Meg Ribotto and Christi Heintz the Phacelia tanacetifolia he has planted in Kern County. PAm recently met with the landmanager-cooperator to evaluate seed mixes that are good nutritional sources for bees. |
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PAm Funds Midwest Tech Transfer Team
With PAm's funding assistance, the Bee Informed Partnership (BIP) is establishing a 2nd tech-transfer team to help migratory beekeepers in the upper Midwest to monitor colony health, concentrating efforts in North Dakota & Minnesota. The objective of BIP is to reduce colony losses by facilitating communication between beekeepers and researchers. To learn more about BIP, click here. |
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CAP Director cites collaboration with PAm
Keith Delaplane, CAP National Director, submitted a progress report to the USDA as part of their annual renewal process. The educational arm of CAP, in conjunction with PAm, published a Best Management Practices (BMPs) guide for beekeepers. Dr. Delaplane named this guide as one of the highlights of the CAP project. Delaplane says "good bee husbandry" will help with our bee decline. To read the full article "The Managed Pollinator CAP after Three Years: Highlights and Emerging Trends" click here. |
Elearning Modules on PAm Website
PAm has developed and implemented an outreach program of sustainable Best Management Practices (BMPS) for beekeepers. Modules can be accessed online for Nutrition, Varroa Control, Nosema & other areas. Click here to view the modules. These short, fun and educational models are designed for honey bee enthusiasts of all levels. Start learning today! |
Reading Beekeeper's Lament?
If not, NOW is the time to purchase the book. Why? $5 from every  sale will go to PAm to fund honey bee research. This critically acclaimed and national best seller by Hannah Nordhaus can be purchased by clicking on the image. Read about PAm board member John Miller, a 4th generation beekeeper. Ms. Nordhaus is a finalist in Colorado Book Awards - the winner to be announced this June at the Aspen Summer Words Festival. |
Bee Forage Resources
PAm is building honey bee populations by building food resources. We are looking at wildflower mixtures and oilseed crops as a means of providing sustainable nutrition for bees. Click here to view PAm's forage resource page.
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