Hello All,
I have been busy lately so only have had time to read BEE-L. Trying to get
things caught up with getting the bees ready for winter.

I am doing an update  article on the Australian package Bees of Browns Bees
of Australia. The article will be in the December issue of the American Bee
Journal.

I have been provided a list of beekeepers (over 40 )which received packages
from Browns Bees. I have already spoke with a couple and will speak with
most of the rest.

From the current issue of the "Speedy bee" by Troy Fore:
" Why don't all U.S. beekeepers who have Australian bees in their outfits
also have CCD? Some of these beekeepers report the best bees ever this
season"

I have spoke with the Sullivans running 10,000  Australian hives and they
report excellent bees with no out of the ordinary problems and six percent
losses last winter. They have got 4,000 package bees on order for this
season.

I spoke with Dennis Potts and he got Australian packages , did almond
pollination and four other pollination's and then made an average of over
200
pounds of honey each in South Dakota. I leave Sunday to meet with Dennis and
go through hives of this years package bees. Dennis is the nearest beekeeper
which got this year packages to me but Dennis is still a two day drive.

The rep of Browns bees said all the feedback was positive this year.

Dennis Potts is pulling and extracting honey now so will travel to check his
bees for the article. Take pictures.

Possibly visit others as will be stopping at commercial operations in
Nebraska and Minnesota.

I saw many names I was familiar with and some old friends on the list
provided. Two beekeepers which used package bees from Browns Bees this
season were David Hackenberg & Lance Sundberg which I am going to contact
also.

From what I have seen so far it seems the package bees form Australia are
getting a bum rap but will report honestly what the beekeepers say and use
names.

The problem seems to be that if you do not have a need for package bees in
January ( none available other than Australia) then you are dead against the
import regardless.

If you are one of the beekeepers which need those bees to replace deadouts
or get hives up to standards for almonds then you are for the import.

I think its fair to say the bee outfits with the most hives want the
Australian bees and they have got the most to lose from a new pest entering
the country.

Sincerely,
Bob Harrison


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