Excuse my late reaction but there are my subjective look on beekeeping in
Latvia.
 
There are approximately 150,000 bee colonies  in Latvia. This makes 2.3 colony
per km2 and 1 colony per 17 inhabitants. Local wild bee (Apis mellifera mellifer
a
L.) population is practically disappeared. Latvian beekeepers have no favorite
bee races, it is possible to find in this country all the European bee races. I
prefer Apis mellifera carpatica. These bees have non aggressive colonies and
queens can be easily introduced.
The main trouble for bee colonies is varroa jacobsoni (possible intensified by o
ur
climate). Apistan seems to be effective and easy to use treatment. Recently
government organized bee disease treatment is at development stage.
The territory of Latvia belongs to temperate climate mixed forest zone with high
level of precipitation. Average temperatures: in January -5 C, in July +17 C.
Often there are quick temperature changes making a trouble to beekeepers.
Dadan-Blatt type hives with supers and optional thermo insulation are mostly
used in Latvian beekeeping. Thermo insulation allows to change thermo-
technical parameter of hive from 0.05 to 1 degree per watt. During summer and
autumn  these hives satisfy bee needs, but during winter and spring - no. There
are two beekeeper teams in Latvia: the first winters bees in hives with addition
al
thermo insulation, but the second - without. The first team is winner in cool
winter, the second - in warm, but both have colonies alive.
Honey yield is about 4-14 kg from colony, but beekeepers exploits bees to get
not only honey but also pollen, royal jelly, propolis and bee venom. There are
developed a simple equipment and technology to get bee venom. This
technology can be acquired during one day. The real average venom gain is 4+-
1 g per colony. There are problems with venom realization and during last
season venom producing is collapsed.
A small beekeeper group caries out a research on bee wintering. As surprise for
us we find out that bee fall during winter (91-93, 1oct-1apr) are strictly linea
r. The
higher fall mainly is caused by diseases (varroa mites). The reasons for smaller
fall has no explanation. The controlled hive heating during cold periods of wint
er
gives no noticeable gain.
 
Almars Berzonis