Submitted by Terry Dahms - President
East Central Iowa Beekeepers
internet: [log in to unmask]
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THE BUZZ SEPTEMBER, 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
phone: (515) 281-5736
IHPA MEMBERSHIP: Membership dues in the Iowa Honey Producers
Assn. are $5.00/year. Send to Robert Shepherd, IHPA Treasurer.
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STATE APIARISTS REPORT
What beautiful fall weather we've been having! It is high time
to harvest your honey. Be sure to check a little of your honey for
moisture content before you extract. It should be 18.5% or less or
else it may ferment and be ruined. You may send me a sample in a
sealed plastic container and I'll check it with our refractometer
and give you a call on the results. If the moisture level is too
high then you can place your supers in a small room with a
dehumidifier and/or fan running to dry out the honey.
Anyone moving bees out of the state needs to contact me soon
about getting a Certificate of Inspection. Get your supers off as
soon as possible, so you can treat for the Varroa mite. To gain
entry into most states colonies must test free of Varroa mites or be
treated with an EPA-approved product for a period of time.
It is getting pretty late to benefit from tracheal mite
treatment because brood rearing will cease before too long. Menthol
or any other tracheal mite chemical will only benefit the colony if
there is a lot of brood rearing in progress at the time of
treatment.
In addition to mite treatments, supplemental feeding of your
colonies may be necessary this time of the year. If you remove the
surplus honey early and we have a good fall nectar flow from
goldenrod, spanish needle or asters then you may not need to provide
supplemental feed. Colonies should have 60-90 pounds of honey (not
including the weight of bees, pollen, old dark comb, frames, hive
bodies, bottom board and cover) to get through the winter. A heavy
sugar syrup (2 parts sugar : 1 part hot water), high fructose corn
syrup or frames of honey make the best fall feed. Fumadil-B or
Nosema-X can be added to the syrup this fall to reduce the loss of
bees or spring dwindling due to Nosema disease.
State Fair attendance, the number of apiary exhibits and gross
sales of honey products were down this year due to cool rainy
weather. However, its still the largest event of its kind for
promoting our industry in Iowa. The results of the judging of Apiary
exhibits are reported on page 2. We also rely on the Fair to
generate significant income for the Iowa Honey Producers
Association. We are very concerned about Bob Gott who helped at the
Honey Booth until he became ill and is still in the Intensive Care
Unit at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines at the time of this writing.
1993 IOWA STATE FAIR RESULTS
Sweepstakes Plaque Winner - Lynette Kellogg $213
1st runnerup - David Tull $211
2nd runnerup - Jesse Kellogg $100
3rd runnerup - Tim Laughlin $ 90
4th runnerup - Melissa Laughlin $ 79
Observation Hive Empty Frame
1st Place David Tull 1st Place Melissa Laughlin
2nd Place Jesse Kellogg 2nd Place Ray Tull
3rd Place Brian Powell 3rd Place Tim Laughlin
4th Place Tim Laughlin 4th Place Bill Van Roekel
Cut Comb in Plastic Box White Extracted Honey
1st Place Tom Schuster 1st Place Melissa Laughlin
2nd Place Herman Bickle 2nd Place William Baker
3rd Place David Tull 3rd Place Herman Bickle
4th Place Bill Van Roekel 4th Place Matt Stewart
Amber Extracted Honey Chunk Honey Combination
1st Place Ray Tull 1st Place David Tull
2nd Place David Tull 2nd Place Lynette Kellogg
3rd Place Lynette Kellogg 3rd Place Mike O'Hearn
4th Place Shane Kellogg 4th Place Lanny Buttz
Plain Creamed Honey Frame of Extracting Honey
1st Place Lynette Kellogg 1st Place Tim Laughlin
2nd Place Jesse Kellogg 2nd Place Bill Van Roekel
3rd Place Lanny Buttz 3rd Place Melissa Laughlin
4th Place Bill Van Roekel 4th Place David Tull
Block of Beeswax Beeswax Art (poured-mold)
1st Place Lynette Kellogg 1st Place Maxine Burns
2nd Place Maxine Burns 2nd Place Lynette Kellogg
3rd Place Tim Laughlin 3rd Place Norman Burns
4th Place David Tull 4th Place Jesse Kellogg
Flavored Creamed Honey Handcrafted Beeswax Art
1st Place Lanny Buttz 1st Place Shane Kellogg
2nd Place Lynette Kellogg 2nd Place Lynette Kellogg
3rd Place Jesse Kellogg
Beeswax Candles Window Display
1st Place Jesse Kellogg 1st Place David Tull
2nd Place Maxine Burns 2nd Place Lynette Kellogg
3rd Place Lynette Kellogg
4th Place Tim Laughlin
White Comb Honey White Round Comb Honey
1st Place Stanley Weiser 1st Place David Tull
2nd Place Mike O'Hearn 2nd Place Ray Tull
3rd Place David Tull
HONEY MONTH ACTIVITIES
September is a great time to promote honey and beekeeping in
your local area. Listed below are some Honey Month activities of
which I am aware and are sponsored by Iowa Honey Producers and/or
the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
1. Honey Month Proclamation Signing Ceremony at the Governor's
Office August 31. Newsreleases and photos sent to local newspapers.
2. During September a Honey Month window display will be set up at
the Wallace State Office Building in Des Moines.
3. Honey Month promotional materials used at the Des Moines
Botanical Center's New Cafe all month. Laminated honey posters,
table tents, honey recipes, honey bee coloring books, and honey
provided in squeeze bears.
4. Richard Peterson, beekeeper from Albia will have a honey booth
at Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant September 3-5.
5. Honey squeeze bears, recipe brochures, and honey posters
provided for the Agriculture - Wheel of Fortune game at the Clay
County Fair in Spencer September 11-18.
6. Honey Booth set up on "Celebrate Agriculture" Day at the
National Cattleman's Congress in Waterloo September 18.
7. "A Taste of Honey" Day at the Des Moines Botanical Center
September 25. The American Honey Princess, Heather Pomeroy of
Wayland, Iowa will serve tastes of various types of honey to
visitors at the Botanical Center.
8. Members of the IHPA promotional and honey queen committees are
making a concentrated effort to send newsreleases and get radio and
television interviews to talk about our industry during this month.
DID YOU KNOW....
A group of bees is known as a grist of bees (Colloquial U.S.). -
from the 1954 Webster's New International Dictionary of the English
Language - unabridged. (submitted by Stuart Arey of Cresco, Iowa)
AFRICANIZED BEES IN ARIZONA
At least nine swarms of Africanized honey bees (AHB) have been
detected in southern Arizona between Tuscon and Yuma. The majority
of the AHB swarms were found near the town of Sasabe and
consequently, the area around Sasabe is considered to be generally
infested with AHB. Africanized swarms have also been detected in
Tuscon and 56 miles northeast of Yuma.
USDA/APHIS officials report that the Arizona Department
Agriculture is activating its State Action Plan for AHB. Under this
plan, ADA will require all bees to be certified as free of AHB prior
to movement out of the State. Also as a portion of the plan, the
USDA/APHIS will provide technical support, training, and cooperative
assistance in monitoring the movement of AHB.
HONEY VERSES
"A land flowing with milk and honey" (The Old Testament)
"Bee Udderly Cool" Drink milk and eat honey. (Saw this sign on the
side of a barn in Wisconsin - the editor.)
"THE GREAT MITE PLAGUE OF 1993" (Harry Fulton, MS State Apiarist)
Varroa mites have humbled some beekeepers and again showed us
how little we know and how much more we need research on the
practical aspects of pest management in beekeeping operations.
Based on the unfortunate necessity of learning from experience, it
appears that two treatments (not just one during the fall/winter)
will be necessary to keep Varroa at bay in colonies.
Beekeepers in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida have experienced
a devastating loss of colonies this summer, in spite of having
treated hives in the fall/winter with "Miticur Bee Mite Strips"
according to label directions. In one case, hives were monitored by
using the ether-roll technique and good control was noted. In all
cases, the hives overwintered, built up a good population, and made
a decent spring crop of honey. In July, when beekeepers went to
remove the honey (after inspecting them just 2-3 weeks earlier) they
found a big portion of them dead. The ground in and near the
apiaries was covered with dead bees. The dead and dying hives
contained a tremendous number of Varroa mites crawling on the
frames. Pesticide kills were improbable since there were no crops
in the area and the apiaries were isolated from mosquito spray
programs. The only conclusion based on the evidence is that Varroa
killed them. But how could that have happened the beekeepers
wonder? They were treated in the winter and strips removed in
February. Where did so many mites come from?
The answer is really is not too hard to figure out:
reinfestation! Unless your neighboring beekeepers treat, your hives
will become infested; or maybe you forgot to treat a hive or two.
The first thought that comes to mind is "the treatment didn't do the
job!" But, where hives were monitored, it did reduce Varroa levels!
This all points out that we must take Varroa serious (as the
worst pest to honey bees known in the world). Beekeepers must spend
time visiting apiaries and monitoring Varroa population levels using
the ether-roll or the soapy water technique. Strips must stay in
the hives at least six weeks to get good control because at any one
time only 10% of the mites are outside the brood cells. (Editor's
note: In Iowa, if levels of Varroa exceed 10 mites in a 300-bee
ether-roll test, then another treatment is necessary even if bees
were treated the previous fall or spring.)
FEDERAL DISASTER RELIEF NOTICE (from Dan Cooper, St. Horticulturist)
Follow the procedures listed below for crop losses in 1993:
1. Notify the County ASCS office of failed plantings, prevented
plantings or reduced yields.
2. Application for Disaster Credit may be filed if you have either
a failed or prevented planting. On reduced yields, the harvest will
have to be completed prior to filing for assistance.
3. Gather records. If you sell directly to consumers, it is very
important to keep the sales records. If this is not done, verifying
your losses will be more difficult. If you sell on the wholesale
market, keep warehouse receipts.
4. Those who have lost buildings and equipment in flooded areas,
contact FEMA offices set up and the SBA if you anticipate applying
for disaster loans. This is only for non-crop damage.
MITICUR STRIPS WITHDRAWN FROM THE MARKET
Hoechst-Roussel Agrivet Company is instructing all beekeepers
to stop using Miticur (amitraz) miticide strips packaged in bags of
30 strips as a precautionary measure.
Hoechst-Roussel had requested in January of this year that
beekeepers stop using Miticur strips packaged in bags of 300 strips.
This request was made in response to reports of possible adverse
reactions in bees following application of Miticur.
Hoechst-Roussel is taking the additional precautionary measure
of asking beekeepers not to use strips from bags of 30 strips
because the company's investigations have not identified the cause
of the reactions which allegedly resulted from the 300-strip
package.
A letter from Hoechst-Roussel and a reimbursement form for
unopened packages of 30 have been sent to all beekeepers who are
listed as having bought Miticur miticide in 30-strip packages.
Hoechst-Roussel asks that beekeepers who may have purchased
Miticur on behalf of other apiaries (beekeepers) advise those
apiaries (beekeepers) of this latest precautionary measure from
Hoechst-Roussel.
Beekeepers who have any questions about Miticur packaged in
30-strip bags may call Hoechst-Roussel at 1-800-723-6516. Inquiries
about Miticur strips from packages of 300's should be directed to
NOR-AM Chemical Company at (302) 892-3000.
Hoechst-Roussel Agri-Vet Company is part of the Life Sciences
Group of Hoechst Celanese Corporation of Somerville, N.J., a wholly
owned subsidiary of Hoechst AG of Frankfurt, Germany.
NEW HONEY RECIPE CARDS FOR SCHOOLS
The National Honey Board has developed new bulk honey recipes
for noncommercial foodservice operators such as schools, business
and industry cafeterias and colleges.
The recipes are printed on cards which feature other ideas for
using honey and usage tips. Recipes include Honey-Lemon Butter for
baked fish or chicken, Honey Tomato Sauce for open-faced sandwiches,
a pear and honey dessert and Honey-Orange Peanut Butter Spread.
Recipe cards are available on request from the National Honey
Board.
HONEY BOARD INVITES BEEKEEPERS TO FALL MEETING
The National Honey Board will meet in Phoenix, Arizona on
October 6 - 9. This meeting will include the National Honey Board's
Nominations Committee with representatives from across the country.
The Nominations Committee meets once a year to select new candidates
for the Board.
All interested beekeepers are invited to attend this meeting.
Please contact Tina Tindall at the National Honey Board office (303)
776-2337 to make arrangements.
HONEY BOARD PROMPTS REVISED STANDARDS FOR HONEY EXPORTS
TO MIDDLE EAST
The Gulf Standards for Honey have been revised. The previous
standards were non-tariff trade barriers which restricted entrance
of U.S. honey into the Saudi Arabian market. The new standards
lower the diastase enzyme level from 8 to 3 and increases the
standard for HMF from 40mg/kg to 80 mg/kg.
This revision was initiated following a technical seminar
conducted by the National Honey Board on May 25, 1992. The National
Honey Board, the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service and the Saudi
Arabia Standards Cooperation Program conducted a technical seminar
in Saudi Arabia to deliver information on U.S. honey standards,
quality control and testing procedures. Attendees included Saudi
Arabian government officials, Gulf Cooperation Council country
representatives and key Saudi Arabian trade representatives.
"There was resistance and opposition to changing the standard
from the other major global honey exporters to Saudi Arabia" said
Bob Smith, executive director from the National Honey Board.
"However, Saudi Arabia was anxious to allow quality U.S. honey in
the market." This revision represents expanded opportunities for
U.S. honey exporters to the gulf states, said Smith.
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DADANT BEE SUPPLY DEALER specializing in providing supplies for
the hobbyist and small sideline beekeeper.
AUTUMN APIARIES, INC. - GORDON & BEVERLY POWELL
4012 - 54TH STREET
DES MOINES, IA. 50310
PHONE (515) 278-1762
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(ADVERTISEMENTS)
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
SEPTEMBER
10-11 Laplanders Honey Conference 6:30 p.m. Friday and
Honey-Walnut Classic on Saturday at the Inn of the
Six-toed Cat, Allerton, Iowa.
13 Eastcentral Iowa Beekeepers Assn. meeting 7:00 p.m.
Montgomery Hall at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in
Iowa City.
18 Central Iowa Beekeepers Meeting & Fall Field Day. Noon
until 6:00 p.m. Topics: Overwintering & Disease
Prevention. Evening meal will be catered. More
details coming in the next issue of THE BUZZ.
Honey Booth at the National Cattleman's Congress in
Waterloo, Iowa
23 Scott County Beekeepers Assn. meeting 7:30 p.m. at
Riefes Restaurant, 1417 W. Locust, Davenport
For more info. contact: Jo Whitwood (319) 263-0992.
25 "Taste of Honey" Day at Des Moines Botanical Center
27-28 American Bee Research Conference, College Station, TX
OCTOBER
2 IHPA Honey Queen Committee meeting. 10:00 a.m. at
John & Elaine Johnson home in Ames.
IHPA Board Meeting. 1:00 p.m. at Royal Cafe in Huxley
9 IHPA Fall Field Day 1:00 p.m. at Doug Schmitz's Honey
House in Defiance, Iowa. See map on back cover.
NOVEMBER
5 & 6 Annual Meeting of the Iowa Honey Producers Association
Starlight Village Best Western Motel in Ames, Iowa.
DECEMBER
2-4 Upper Midwest and Minnesota Beekeepers Meeting in
Bloomington, MN. For more details see article in the
August BUZZ or Contact Marla Spivak at (612) 624-4798
or Darrel Rufer at (612) 658-4645.
FOR SALE: 35 Drums of White Honey. Contact: Tim Killeen, Carson,
Iowa (402) 551-0973.
WANTED: Good light honey in 55-gallon drums. Also looking for a
good bee blower. Contact Curtis Barnhart, Monticello, Iowa
Phone: (319) 465-3941.
WANTED: Beekeeper to place colonies on our land in Northwest Iowa
near Manson. Contact: Gayle Moline at Moline Brothers Turkey Farm,
1645 Shelby Avenue, Manson, IA 50563 Phone: (712) 469-2297.
FOR SALE: 2800 colony outfit on pallets in central Iowa. All or
part. Call (515) 332-1042.
WEATHER FACTORS AFFECTING THE HONEY CROP
Weather affects the secretion of nectar and also bee flight.
Correlations between weather factors and honey yields have been
indefinite because the factors are complex and interrelated.
Sugar is manufactured by the action of sunlight on leaves.
(This is the ultimate source of our food, fiber and much of our
power). Healthy, vigorous plants produce more nectar than stunted
plants. Certain plant nutrients influence nectar secretion. With
plenty of moisture available, it appears that maximum hours of
intense sunlight is best for nectar secretion in most important
honey plants. Adequate water available to the plant is correlated
with nectar secretion. The most favorable amount of rain varies
with the soil type.
Temperature has a marked influence on plant growth and nectar
secretion. Honey flow may be influenced by temperature at the time
of flowering and also by the effect of temperature pattern on plant
growth throughout the season. Warm days and cool nights favor
secretion of nectar as long as the nights are not too cool. Scale
records indicate best results in clover areas at the temperatures of
80 to 90 degrees. High humidity makes more dilute nectar but
apparently does not affect the amount of sugar produced. Bees must
do more work to make honey from dilute nectar. Temperatures below
50 degrees or above 100, high wind, rain and threatened storm keep
bees in the hive.
The amount and concentration of nectar influences the number of
bee visits to plants. This in turn affects pollination, for example
bees prefer apple blossoms to pears as apple nectar is more
concentrated. Tests indicate that the breeding of plants for high
nectar secretions has practical possibilities.
(Information compiled by Dewey Caron)
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