Project Apis m. (PAm) couldn't be any busier. We are evaluating our fall, 2014, bee forage plantings (photo below).

Our on-going research program, funded by a plethora of individuals and organizations, includes studies on Varroa, viruses, nutrition, pesticides, queen health, and in extension. With Blue Diamond funding, we are working on diagnostics, including objective colony size measurements and field tests for viruses. With Co-Bank and American Farm Credit funding we want to make sure Varroa does NOT have a Happy 30-year Anniversary Party in the U.S. (scientists - see below about our Varroa RFP), with Agro-Chem funding we are planting forage for bees in California, Washington, Idaho, Kansas, and the Dakota's. We are involved in the Honey Bee Health Coalition to influence national policy regarding honey bees and to interact with larger commodity groups and stakeholders on bee health. As if that's not enough, there's a new California workgroup to help pollinators (see block below). Hold onto your hats, this enewsletter just scratches the surface in recent honey bee news worthy of note to you!

Christi Heintz

Executive Director  

Project Apis m. is seeking research on new and innovative Varroa mite control measures. We are seeking proposals from scientists within our known honey bee science community and also scientists outside our usual institutions. We hope to attract entomologists who may be working on mites in other agricultural or livestock areas who are interested in working with honey bees or partnering with bee researchers. Studies may include, but are not limited to, efficacy of novel varroacides, warm weather mite control, and best practices for Varroa control. Proposals are due April 10, 2015. Format for submission can be found here.

A recent text to us from Jackie Park-Burris summed it up simply:

"I just don't see it being that complicated!":

1. Control your Varroa

2. Buy or FIND a good protein source

3. Promote thorough testing of new pesticides and stop tank mixes

4.  And, of course, use good queen stocks!

"How did I do?", she asked, jokingly.  Well, Jackie, you covered succinctly what the experts have been saying:  pests, nutrition, pesticides and breeding.

Jackie is a Northern CA queen breeder (Jackie Park-Burris Queens) and CSBA's Legislative Chair. 

PAm received a $100,000 contribution from CoBank and American AgCredit to continue bee research in the fight against pests and viruses, specifically the Varroa mite.  "For this project, we're not only going to solicit scientists within our normal honey bee research institutions, but we're going to approach entomologists who might be working on other pests, particularly mites in other agricultural or livestock areas," says Christi Heintz, executive director of Project Apis m.  Read the article.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has initiated the "Healthy Pollinator Working Group" to develop strategies for improving pollinator health in California.   The group consists of state, federal, and local agencies, agricultural growers, conservationists, researchers, managed bee keepers, and others concerned with pollinator health. At the first Steering Committee meeting Bob Curtis, Associate Director, Agricultural Affairs, Almond Board of California, said, "It's critically important this workgroup identifies areas CDFA can truly impact and thereby distinguish itself from the multitude of other pollinator workgroups." Hopefully the workgroup's deliverables will include improving access to state lands, clarifying border issues, and furthering emphasis on pesticide applications and registrations as they relate to pollinator health.