Hello All,

Greetings from a warmer place than Missouri
in winter! Chuck'Is fears are of course valid concerns but will not be
enough to stop out of state pollination of California's almond crop.The
almond industry is in dire straits and will persue drstic measures to keep
the crops pollinated if the U.S. beekeeper can not provide the service.
Super mites were created by the worlds failed *long term* methods of varroa
control with chemicals. It is ironic that those beekeepers having the most
trouble with *super varroa* either created the problem in their yards by
use of illegal treatments or using legal treatments against label. Even
using legal chemicals as per label breeds a super varroa.We were warned by
the worlds best beekeeping minds *super varroa* were coming. If your choice
of varroa control is the use of chemicals then rotation of chemicals will
buy time but sooner or later you will see a varroa resistant to the
chemicals you are using. Placing your hives in an area of hives with *super
varroa* will get the problem started in your hives without a doubt.
I was asked to do an article on the pro's & con's of almond pollination
from the commercial beekeepers perspective which might address Chuck's
concerns and give readers of The American Bee Journal insight into almond
pollination. The article will be in the April 2005 issue.
Will be back in Missouri in a few weeks.
Sincerely,
Bob Harrison

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