>
> > I participated in a field trial last year with a formula that did
> nothing. It gives you a sense that you are "doing something for the bees"
> when you aren't.


Maybe a little harsh, Pete, sorry that your experience left a bad taste in
your mouth : (

The bees don't need us to do anything for them (other than provide safe
forage)--these trials are for the benefit of companies who hope to bring
profitable products to market.  And I don't begrudge them that one bit, so
long as they are honest about it, and might bring a worthwhile product to
market.

I also participated in the same trial as you last season, but to a greater
extent and number of replications.  Yes, the product as formulated did
little, but that discovery led to the manufacturer changing the product to
better its performance.

And since it was clear to me at the end of the brief trial that the
original formulation did not control varroa, I now had alcohol washes of
all the hives, and was able to treat them appropriately in a timely
manner.  For me personally, I was willing to devote a few days worth of
time and effort to help a respected manufacturer of a product to improve
his product, for the eventual benefit of the beekeeping community.


> >Let the sponsors try them on hives they purchased.


The sponsors needn't purchase hives--that's generally a waste of money.
They can rent hives from beekeepers for testing products (I do this
regularly).  In my contract, I include a provision for reparations for
losses due to restrictions placed upon me.  In the case of the
aforementioned trial, I suffered no losses, since I was able to retreat the
hives.  I also provided the test hives free of charge, since I've been
encouraging the manufacturer to improve the product (which I use).

That said, I also get deluged by requests from every peddler of snake oil,
for which I charge for testing.

As far as Pat soliciting citizen scientist beekeepers, I'm all in favor,
provided that the beekeeper ensures that his ass is covered,  that the
trial is well designed, and that no nondisclosure clause is to be signed.
If the manufacturer wants you to donate labor, then you should demand full
rights to the data you collect and and the right to share it transparently.

--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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