File item: BUZZ0193.TXT 2/22/93 9:37AM
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Iowa Honey Producers Association (IHPA) Newsletter
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THE BUZZ JANUARY, 1993
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A newsletter published monthly as a cooperative effort by The
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and The Iowa
Honey Producers Association (IHPA), an affiliate member of the
Iowa Horticultural Society. Copy deadline is the 20th of each
month. Your ideas, comments and letters are welcomed and
encouraged.
EDITOR: Bob Cox, State Apiarist, Iowa Dept. of Agriculture,
Wallace Building, Des Monies, IA. 50319 (515) 281-5736
IHPA MEMBERSHIP: Membership dues in the Iowa Honey Producers
Assn. are $5.00/year. For a membership form contact IHPA
Treasurer, Robert Shepherd, 917 N. Iowa in Washington, Iowa 52641
ph.# (319) 653-4888 OR send in the form on page 11 on THE BUZZ.
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BEE LAW AMENDMENTS AND NEW APIARY RULES SLATED FOR 1993
At the December 5th Iowa Honey Producers Board of Directors
meeting a motion passed to recommend proposed rules as well as
some changes in the Bee Law. Senator Richard Vande Hoef from
Harris is sponsoring the bill that would amend the Bee Law in the
1993 state legislative session.
The amendments would modify entrance requirements for
colonies, packages and supers transported into Iowa. Amendments
also deal with the clean-up of diseased, parasite-infested and/or
Africanized bees. Many of the specifics will be spelled out in
the administrative rules instead of the law. The law gives the
state apiarist the authority to regulate diseases, parasites and
Africanized bees, as contrasted to the rules that specify the
procedures and methods used in regulating. The rules can be
changed at any time to adjust to changing conditions.
New and revised rules will be filed. The rules specify the
parasites to be regulated, methods of detection and appropriate
treatment of the Varroa mite and American foulbrood disease. The
option to use an EPA approved chemical treatment for mites is
given and described, that would satisfy requirements for the sale
or interstate transport of bees. An expiration date is specified
for an Iowa certificate of inspection. Additionally, the rules
describe undesirable races of honeybees (Africanized and others)
and a plan of action for dealing with these bees.
Any interested person may make written suggestions or
comments on these proposed rules prior to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday
February 23, 1993. Such written materials should be directed to
Robert L. Cox, State Apiarist, Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewarship, Henry A. Wallace Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319.
DISCOUNT ON NEW EDITION OF THE HIVE AND THE HONEY BEE
Dadant & Sons is offering a special discount on the new
edition of The Hive and the Honey Bee. The regular rate is $36,
but if an association can pool orders, they can offer the new
edition at $27 on quantities of at least 8 and if 24 or more are
ordered the price goes down to $25.65. Walter Clark, secretary
of the state association will take your orders. Contact Walter
at P.O. Box 30008, Des Moines, IA 50310 phone: (515) 253-0525.
IOWA HONEY QUEEN TO COMPETE IN AMERICAN HONEY QUEEN CONTEST
Heather Pomeroy, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. David Pomeroy of
Wayland will be attending the American Honey Queen Contest in
Kansas City January 20-23, 1993 to represent the state of Iowa.
As the Iowa Honey Queen this past year, Heather travelled
around the state promoting honey, honeybees and beekeeping. This
promotion involved attending state and county fairs and
conventions, giving cooking demonstrations, handing out honey
samples, giving school presentations, and giving radio and
television interviews.
At the American Honey Queen Contest, Heather will compete
against at least seven other state honey queens for the 1993
American Queen title. The contestants will be judged on their
poise, personality, public speaking ability, and knowledge of
honey, bees, and beekeeping. If Heather should win the American
Honey Queen title, she will travel around the U.S. for one year,
promoting the honey industry.
Heather's interest in honey and beekeeping began eight years
ago when her mother started keeping bees. Since then, Heather
has become a beekeeper herself, and has enjoyed telling people
about the products and benefits of honeybees. Heather started
helping a local beekeeper promote honey at local events and
eventually became the Iowa State Honey Queen in 1992.
Currently, Heather is attending Messiah College in Grantham,
Pennsylvania, where she is majoring in International Business.
She hopes to get started in a business career where she would
work with people in Spanish speaking countries.
TIME TO REGISTER APIARIES
Please fill out the apiary registration form on page 13 of
THE BUZZ and return it to the state apiarist's office as soon as
possible. Send to: Bob Cox, State Apiarist, Iowa Department of
Agriculture, Wallace Building, Des Moines, IA 50319.
Registration deadline is April 1, 1993.
By registering your beeyard (apiary) locations, pesticide
sprayers will have access to the information used in contacting
you. Remember, they will only contact you if they are applying a
pesticide that is toxic to bees within a two-mile radius of your
apiary. The information will also assist the apiary bureau carry
out inspections. Do not turn the forms in at the county ASCS or
Extension office.
If you keep bees in more than one county, please make
photocopies of the original and fill out a separate sheet for
each county. You should keep a photocopy each year to make it
easier to register the next year.
CHOCOLATE HONEY SAUCE - Bill Van Roekel
4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips 1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp butter or margarine 1/4 cup honey
Melt chocolate with water over low heat in sauce pan. Simmer 3
minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in honey and butter. Beat
hard. Store in airtight container and re-heat but do not boil.
1992 STATE APIARISTS ANNUAL REPORT
The poor honey crop again this year has made 1992 a
challenging year for the Iowa beekeeping community. A bountiful
harvest greatly improves the attitude which in turn seems to make
other problems seem less important.
However, the poor honey crops may force us in the industry
to deal with problems like: parasitic mites, poor locations,
inefficient management decisions, or marketing strategies.
Making adjustments in these areas may put us in a better position
to take advantage of good nectar flows when they do come. Hard
times force a person to change and sometimes change is necessary
for future success.
Iowa's apiary program has two general areas of emphases:
Inspection/Regulatory and Educational/Promotion activities.
Educational/Promotion acitivities ease the inspection/regulatory
workload and both aim at promoting the health of the beekeeping
industry in Iowa.
Inspection/Regulatory
The Apiary Bureau had fewer bee inspection hours with which
to work this season because funds were not available to hire all
four summer inspectors. Bill Eickholt of Cherokee and Mike
O'Hearn of Northboro worked the northwest and southwest areas of
the state, respectively. Tom Schuster of Dubuque covered
northeastern Iowa and Bob Wells, assistant state apiarist, is
responsible for educational programs, inspecting in southeastern
Iowa and assisting in other parts of the state as needed. Bob
Cox, state apiarist, is responsible for the entire apiary
program, the Des Moines office, and inspecting in central and
part of northcentral Iowa. Jean Van Houweling worked parttime as
the secretary for the Apiary Bureau in Des Moines.
State legislators and the Governor's office both proposed
elimination of the Apiary Bureau in 1992, but due to Iowa
beekeepers' strong positive response in support of the Bureau the
Apiary program was left intact. This program exists for Iowa
beekeepers and will only remain as long as beekeepers express
strong support for it.
Inspections were made in 1045 apiaries in 95 Iowa counties
in 1992. These apiaries belonging to 354 beekeepers contained
19,262 colonies of bees. Every colony in the apiary (up to
10/apiary) was examined for brood diseases. In apiaries with 20
or more colonies the brood in only 50% of the colonies was
examined. 20% of the colonies in each apiary were sampled for
Varroa mites. A sample was collected to test for tracheal mite
when requested. Tracheal samples are being processed and
analyzed this winter.
The incidence of Varroa mites has greatly increased in Iowa
in the past four years. In 1989 Varroa was discovered in three
townships in one county in northern Iowa and by 1992 positive
Varroa tests occured in 38 Iowa counties (see figure 1). 13% of
the ether roll tests performed for Varroa mite were positive this
year (see Table 1). Varroa mite is now more commonly found than
American foulbrood disease (see Table 2).
Figure 1. Varroa mite-infested counties in Iowa from 1989 to
1992.
Table 1. Varroa mite infestation in Iowa (ether roll test)
% positive No. of No. of No. of
Year E.R. Test apiaries beekeepers counties
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1989 0 * 6 2 1
1990 <1 * 18 8 7
1991 5 58 18 15
1992 13 136 63 38
* In 1989 and 1990 almost all Varroa mite detections were made
with Apistan strips and sticky boards.
Table 2. Comparison of American foulbrood disease and Varroa mite
infestation in Iowa apiaries in 1992. *percent of E.R. tests pos.
Number of: Examined AFB Varroa
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Colonies 9,742 305 (3.1%) --- (13%)*
Apiaries 1045 78 (7.5%) 136 (13%)
Beekeepers 354 48 (14%) 63 (18%)
Counties 95 38 38
The Varroa mite was most prevalent in the vicinity of
Dubuque and Council Bluffs (see a map of infested apiaries in
Figure 2). 136 of the apiaries (13%) and 63 of the beekeepers
(18%) inspected were infested with Varroa. Beekeepers were
required to treat all infested apiaries with an EPA approved
miticide or depopulate colonies before October 1 this year.
Figure 2. Varroa mite-infested apiaries in each county in Iowa in
1992. "x" denotes counties where Varroa was found in 1991 only.
Varroa-infested colonies that are properly treated will be
healthy and have a reduced chance of spreading Varroa to nearby
apiaries. However, these apiaries will need to be treated
regularly until we have some resistant stocks of bees or some
other way of combating these mites. Miticur plastic miticide
strips were approved by EPA for general use in November. Having
two chemicals with which to treat may reduce the chances of
Varroa developing genetic resistance to these pesticides.
American foulbrood disease was found in 3.1% (305) of the
colonies examined in 1992. These colonies were either treated
with Terramycin or diseased equipment disinfected or a
combination of both. In the case of a beekeeper who did not
clean up the disease, inspectors killed bees if necessary and
burned diseased combs.
Chalkbrood disease was found in 1101 colonies (11%) and less
than 1% of the colonies were infected with European foulbrood.
The beekeeper is provided information about these diseases if
requested, but they are not regulated.
Entry permits were issued for 13,602 colonies of bees and
honey supers. 11,874 colonies came from Texas with the remainder
coming from Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi,
Nebraska and Oklahoma. Certificates of inspection were issued
for colonies moving south for the winter or empty equipment being
sold or moved to other states.
Currently 247 beekeepers have 33,719 colonies in 1859
apiaries registered for pesticide applications notification and
entry permits for migratory beekeepers. We keep records for 3
years and if not re-registered the registrations are dropped off
the list. In February 1992, USDA's Iowa Ag Statistics Service
reported that 92,000 colonies of bees in 1991 produced 5,152,000
pounds of honey (56 lbs./colony average) and is valued at $2.8
million. This compares to 54 pounds per colony in 1990 and an
average of 80 lbs/colony in the last twenty years in Iowa.
Educational/Promotion
The purpose of the education program is to reduce disease
and mite problems and in general, assist beekeepers in operating
more profitable and enjoyable apiaries. This is accomplished by
producing written materials, personal consultations, and public
presentations. Disseminating information about honey and
beekeeping to the general public also is carried out in order to
benefit beekeeping in Iowa.
A series of 22 "Beekeeping Information" sheets was compiled
(or written, if necessary). These are available to send any
person requesting information on a particular subject. A list of
these sheets is available upon request from the State Apiarist's
office. The state apiarist's office also has several videotapes
that one of the inspectors can show to any interested group upon
request.
Twelve monthly issues of Iowa's beekeeping newsletter, THE
BUZZ, were edited and published. The newsletter was sent to
about 1200 persons with an interest in Iowa beekeeping until
September 1992. Starting in September THE BUZZ was only mailed
to individuals who returned the last page from the July or August
BUZZ indicating they would like to continue to recieve the
newsletter. The newsletter is currently sent to about 650
people. This change will save the department of agriculture
several thousand dollars per year in printing and postage costs.
Beekeeping presentations were made at workshops or
beekeepers meetings in Allerton, Ankeny, Clarinda, Davenport,
Huxley, Iowa City, Mt. Pleasant, Newton, Portsmouth, Spencer, and
Waterloo. In 1992 bee talks were given to 46 classes in public
and private schools primarily in the Des Moines area. Interviews
were given with several radio stations and newspapers concerning
bees, honey or beekeeping in Dubuque, Ft. Dodge, Indianola and
Des Moines. Four news releases were sent out to over 400 media
outlets servicing Iowa concerning benefits of honey bees to
agriculture, the honey queen, honey month and the honey crop.
The Apiary Bureau assisted in 25 different educational or
promotional exhibits or projects. These exhibits involved
several seasonal events at the Des Moines Botanical Center, an
FFA trade fair, Farm Bureau Women and Iowa Home Economics
Conventions, Hawkeye Science Fair, Boy Scout Celebration,
Renaissance Fair, State Fair, Honey Month (September)
Celebration, Burger King restaurant, Old Threshers Reunion,
Laplanders Honey Conference, Iowa Products Day, Alternative
Christmas Market, National Young Farmers Institute, Horticulture
Society Holiday Promotion and new IHPA honey bear label.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JANUARY
5-10 American Honey Producers Association Meeting in Houston, TX.
Contact: Dr. Larry Connor in Cheshire, CT at (203) 250-7575
12 Southeast Iowa Beekeepers Meeting 6:30 P.M. at Sirlion
Stockade in Mt. Pleasant, IA. Election of officers.
Contact: Ray Tull (319) 835-5201
20-24 American Beekeeping Federation Convention in Kansas City
Contact: Troy Fore in Jesup, GA at (912) 427-8447 or 4018
BEEKEEPING WORKSHOPS
The Apiary Bureau in cooperation with ISU Extension Service
will be presenting a series of beekeeping workshops around Iowa
this Spring. All workshops will begin with registration at 6:30
p.m. and program lasting until 9:00 p.m. A small registration
fee may be charged at some locations. More information may be
obtained from the local extension office or the State Apiarist's
Office at (515) 281-5736.
The workshops will be held on the following dates and at the
following locations:
FEBRUARY 18 & 25 Cerro Gordo County Extension Office,
2023 S. Federal, Mason City
MARCH 1 & 8 Pottawattamie County Extension Office,
2719 E. Highway 6, Council Bluffs
MARCH 15 & 22 Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Road S.,
Cedar Rapids
APRIL 5 & 12 Putnam Museum, 1717 West 12th, Davenport
AFRICANIZED BEE UPDATE
A 67-year old man was the victim of a bee attack in San
Benito, Texas on November 28, 1992. Health Department officials
and the San Benito Fire Department responded to the call. The
man received over 150 stings and was hospitalized for two days.
A sample of bees from that stinging incident has not been
received by USDA or Texas A&M laboratories. As of December 1,
1992 there have been 112 Africanized bee stinging incidents and
37 European bee stinging incidents reported in Texas since the
Africanized bee arrived in the fall of 1990.
A HONEY OF A VERSE
My son, honey whets the appetite, and so does wisdom!
When you enjoy becoming wise there is hope for you!
A bright future lies ahead!
(Proverbs 24:13 TLB)
IN THE BEEYARD
So much has been written about beekeeping subjects. In my
search for ideas to write about in this space I found some old
yellowed pamphlets given to me some time ago by a beekeeping
friend. They were part of a series of 20 pamphlets on various
subjects, copyrighted in 1920 by G.B. Lewis Company in Watertown,
Wisconsin. Two of the topics were: How to Manage Bees in Spring
and How to Locate Apiaries. Its amazing that these same topics
will still bring about a lively discussion today. On a related
topic, it was some 60 years ago that a working relationship
between Lewis Beeware and Dadant's Foundation began.
At the last Annual meeting the Iowa Honey Producers voted to
support a research project in the amount of $500. Back in 1979
the IHPA helped finance an ISU graduate student's research
project. The student, Judith O'Keefe, investigated the degree to
which honey bees visit soybean fields. Her results were
published in the American Bee Journal in 1981. She tested honey
samples from 48 Iowa counties for soybean pollen and not one
sample was free of soybean pollen. In fact, 100% of the pollen
in the O'Brien county samples was soybean pollen.
- Bob Wells, Asst. State Apiarist
MAKE YOUR HONEY LABLES 'SAY' QUALITY, PURE AND NATURAL
An appealing label can give your honey sales a boost.
According to a label research study sponsored by the National
Honey Board (NHB), however, many honey labels do not motivate a
consumer to purchase. In fact, some common honey label artwork
is veiwed negatively by the typical honey consumer. The study
showed that the three most important attributes to be conveyed on
a honey label are quality, pure and natural.
"Consumers buy honey for its great taste and its downhome
qualities," said Mary Humann, marketing director for the NHB.
Higher purchase interest (19%) was also noted for labels which
included a local address. Local honey was often considered to be
of higher quality and higher purity.
Interestingly, "American" was not associated with higher
purchase interest. They reported "taken in combination with
other findings, this suggests that it may be better to imply
country of origin with local identification or an address rather
than to directly state 'American' on the label."
While the study participants liked the idea of a cute bee or
bear on the label, many responded negatively to realistic bee and
beekeeping images. Producer/packers must remember that the
typical honey buyer is anxious about bees, said Humann.
"When she sees a realistic bee, she thinks of being stung or
insects in her home. It's just not a positive message," Humann
said. One participant in the study said "I've got a thing about
bees -- if I've got to grab that jar, in my mind I'm grabbing
that bee." Another said "I wouldn't buy it with a bee -- I
wouldn't touch it." "I just don't like bugs," said one
participant.
Other images which may lower a consumer's purchase interest
included fruit and honey combs. Flowers and skeps yielded a
neutral response. Cute bees and bears were viewed positively.
The "Honey Nut Cheerios bee" was often cited as a cute bee. One
participant noted that they should be "cute, friendly and happy."
The majority of participants (85%) said that nutritional
information on honey containers is "extremely or very important".
Respondents also said calories per serving is important
information. Consumers also want basic honey storage and use
tips on the label. Information on how to substitute honey for
sugar was also deemed important.
The study was conducted by the Honey Board to coincide with
FDA's new nutritional labeling requirements.
HONEY BOARD OFFERS 1993 HONEY PROMOTION CALENDAR
It's here! The National Honey Board (NHB) announces the
availability of a 1993 calendar. The colorful calendar features
favorite recipes developed by the NHB. Also, dates of key Honey
Board advertising and promotion activities are highlighted so you
can watch for what's new! The Honey Board's activities calendar
can help you plan your own honey promotions.
A special thank you to Dr. Larry Connor of the Beekeeping
Education Service for furnishing many of the beautiful
photographs of bees and some of their favorite nectar sources.
Individuals who have paid an assessment to the NHB in 1992
can order one calendar free of charge. To order your calendar,
write: National Honey Board, 421 21st Ave. #203, Longmont, CO
30501. Or, you may call Tina Tindall at (303) 776-2337.
Additional copies of the calendar are available for $4.00 each.
Supplies are limited, so send in your order soon!
The National Honey Board wishes you a prosperous 1993.
1993 IOWA HONEY PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
MEMBERSHIP DUES:
Iowa Honey Producers Association $ 5.00 $_________
American Honey Producers 1-50 colonies $20.00 $_________
51-500 colonies $75.00 $_________
American Beekeeping Federation-Minimum $20.00 $_________
First time [] Renewal [] (Check one)
SUBSCRIPTIONS:
American Bee Journal One Year $15.60* $11.70 $_________
Two Years $28.96* $21.72 $_________
First time [] Renewal [] (Check one)
Gleanings In Bee Culture One Year $15.00* $11.25 $_________
Two Years $28.00* $21.50 $_________
First time [] Renewal [] (Check one)
QTY BOOKS 1-9 10 or more
____ Large Honey Recipe Book $3.00 $ 2.50 $_________
____ Small Honey Recipe Book $1.00 $ 0.65 $_________
____ Honey Pamphlet $0.03 Same $_________
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TOTAL $_________
*PRICE YOU WOULD PAY FOR MAGAZINE IF YOU DID NOT BELONG TO IHPA
CHECK PAYABLE TO: IOWA HONEY PRODUCERS ASSN.
SEND CHECK TO: Robert E. Shepherd, Jr.
917 N. Iowa
Washington, IA 52353
(319) 653-4888
NAME________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:____________________________________________________________
CITY:____________________STATE_________________ZIP__________________
PHONE(____)_________________________________________________________
NO. OF COLONIES_______________
Submitted by Terry Dahms
President-East Central Iowa Beekeepers
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