Leave the gate as you found it, so states the Countryside Code.  If a gate is found open, it should be left open, and if it closed, it should be left closed.  This rule applies to visitors travelling onto or across farms and ranches.  It is an important rule of courtesy. A closed gate can cut livestock off from water. Gates separate livestock for many reasons including breeding, disease management and pest control.

 

For years, the California State Beekeepers Association (CSBA) has been trying to gain access to natural forage on public and privately managed land.  The gate has always been locked.  Now, there seems to be a readiness with the CA Department of Food & Ag, CA Fish & Wildlife and the CA Council of Land Trusts to open up their land for apiary yards. These agencies safeguard and watch over the California landscape.  Now, CSBA has the opportunity to build a strong relationship with these land managers and be co-stewards of California's landscapes.  The gate is almost unlocked; beekeepers are very close to gaining access to natural forage for their honey bees. The key will be the beekeeper adhering to a code of conduct.  Leave behind only footprints, stay on roads, clean up any refuse, use caution with vehicles, and leave the gate exactly as it was found.

 

                                                      Meg Ribotto, Editor

  

PAm's Costco Scholar - a Real Worker Bee

Final apiary shipment numbers aren't in for early 2014, but PAm has some bee data as a result of the recent Pollinator Working Group meeting held at the California Department of Food & Ag (CDFA).  Christi Heintz and Meg Ribotto were asked to participate in a "frank and open discussion with industry, government and NGOs on pollinators" as Duane Schnabel, Branch Chief, stated.  As part of PAm's outreach and education, the CA Border Inspection Stations are a focus of BMPs for beekeepers.  Honey bees are a perishable commodity; expediting the required inspection process of semiloads of bees at the border stations is crucial to keeping colonies alive and healthy for crop pollination.  PAm reports:

• In 2012, there were 3,409 shipments to CA - 91% were found pest-free
• In 2013, there were 3,321 shipments to CA - 94% were found pest-free
• Delays were attributed to weeds, Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) and Small Hive Beetles
• Average delay time for pest-infested shipments was 4 hours or less
• 80% of the shipments were released within 12 hours
• Processing time has improved with Wi-Fi technology, purchase of new laptops and digital imaging equipment
• There are 3 scientists at CDFA that make identifications
• In addition to 3 scientists, there are staff specialists who identify 'novel' species
• Yermo, Needles and Blythe process the most apiary shipments

Despite the drought in CA, the hose bibs that were installed, with funding from CA State Beekeepers Assn., the Almond Board and PAm, were operating.