Hi All,

I just returned from the Almond Board's Honeybee Seminar, and got a request
from a North Dakota beekeeper for notes.  Here they are:

The general feeling at the meeting was that there was going to be a
substantial shortage of bees this year.  Beekeepers are signing contracts
now at $140-150 for strong hives, but many are holding back to see what the
market does.

The almond growers present (not many) heard this.  Several growers and
brokers asked me for copies of my article to give to other growers.  I asked
Joe Graham to post the second half of the article to the Dadant web site ASAP.

As far as the local beekeepers are concerned, the SHB survey was completed
last week.    7000 colonies were inspected in the southern counties--SHB was
found in 4 counties.  850 colonies were inspected at 725 locations in
northern counties--no SHB were found.  The northern beekeepers and queen
breeders don't want it right away.

The Ag Commissioners feel that the RIFA program is working well.  Get
certification from your state before you leave.

The Ag Commissioners held a meeting about SHB shortly after the conference.
 I don't know the results yet--call Richard Price at 530 538 7381 to find
out.  When they spoke at the seminar (prior to their meeting), Shasta and
Sutter had no tolerance for SHB; Butte, Glenn, and Tehama would not accept
colonies with SHB found at the border.  More southerly counties will accept
with treatment in the county.  CDFA has a 30-day comment period before
statewide rules can be issued.  Lyle Johnson raised hell, saying that that
would be way too late.  He just asked for clear rules, so there wouldn't be
any disputes at the border.  Apparently, everything now is up to the
individual county.

The issue was raised as to the problem of Ag Comm offices only being open
from 8-5.  I suggested that beekeepers could contact the County Ag Comm
prior, and get a clear memorandum of understanding faxed to them in advance,
that they could show at the border bug station.  To our amazement, that idea
fell flat with the State and the Ag Commissioners (I don't know why).  If I
were you, I would still try to get one, with his statement as to what
actions he wants taken if beetles are found.

To change the subject, how about posting (or emailing me) how the bees and
mites are looking in your area?  Any other tidbits of info you can pass on
that would be of interest?

Randy Oliver
California

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