On Sat, May 19, 2018 at 12:36 PM, [log in to unmask] <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> --------------------------------------------
>
>
> I disagree. I dont think they made any point.   The clam that many lost
> more than 1/2 is pretty dang normal. Without numbers and data i assume the
> are hideing and sensationilizing. Something that group has been doing for a
> while.  Begging for handouts and subsidies.
>
> Greetings all,
>

Very well put Charlie!
Wolf was cried too many times and no one will l be listening especially
after
the upcoming election here in Ontario with the present government
/connected at the hip
to the special interest groups gone. It's a given.

So what happened here.

And I'm no exception to losses greater that I actually expected but only
from one standpoint.
That is, last year with the weather conditions , rain all summer with
nothing coming in, and finally
goldenrod ( in my case) the colonies went into the winter some week and
most with that kind of honey
which as many know crystallizes .  Besides that it's hard on the digestive
system. Some had disentry.
and no it's not nosema.
Further, the winter from December into January especially was exceptionally
cold for too long with minus 27 C
in the first week of January and thereafter
Followed by a brief thaw, yes it was a roller coaster of temps.  I took
boxes of honey off the dead ones and put on some
of the ones still alive but seemingly week.
Then the temps dropped again .
In April some of the ones that so to speak were waving at me in January
were DEAD!

Conclusion after going through all eventually since the cold until recently
didn't allow opening,
was based on the findings.  Starvation!  Two chamber hives, top box full of
Goldenrod honey
and regardless of the cluster size that died,  be it small or very
large---- Starvation!

In my case I'm feeding the weaker ones downsized into singles.
And then there are some that are so strong that money has it , there are
swarm cells in them.
Will be going through all again next week, again weather depending.

Beekeeping.  It's a byproduct of agriculture and it's a crapshoot .
I'm not complaining.
Sill burning old comb.

Walter
littlewolfapiaries.com

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