> You can read all about it at:
>
> http://www.ars.usda.gov/sites/monarch/

I think this site should be a must read for all beekeepers. Also the 
research was mostly paid for by big ag. Mainly because the USDA-ARS lacks 
funding for such projects and the end purpose of the research was do get the 
EPA on Oct. 16, 2001 to extend the registration of BT corn. I am very 
familiar with the research as I watched with interest as I have concerns 
over BT pollen and honeybees.

What should be considered as you read the USDA-ARS above site is the fact 
that honeybees in my opinion are more susceptible to problems from BT pollen 
that the Monarch caterpillar. Especially in drought years when no other 
pollen is available. The above research makes a point which may pertain to 
Monarch caterpillars but certainly does not apply to honeybees. The above 
research says the window for pollen problems is around a week for Monarchs 
and is effected by rain. I agree with the rain part but with honey bees 
(especially in drought) the bees gather the pollen all day long and bring 
back to the hive.

The researchers in the research ( also the research presented to the EPA to 
help get the 2001 registration ) tend to only present the hypothesis that 
the pollen does not cause a problem for reasons other than saying the truth 
which is if Monarch caterpillars or honeybee larva are fed mostly on BT 
pollen the pollen can and does cause problems.

In my area BT corn use is most of the corn. Also cattle country. With field 
corn the corn pollen is with the plant for more than a week. Takes 120 days 
for field corn to be ready to combine. Also I see bees in fields after 
combining getting the pollen. A certain amount of the pollen goes into the 
storage bins with the corn. I have a bulk feed bin on my farm and 
unfortunately am forced to feed GMO corn to my livestock ( as I have not 
been able to find a source of non GMO corn other than a long way off organic 
supplier).

When pollen is in short supply the bees visit my livestock feeders picking 
up pollen. At times I get calls from the poultry people abut my bees being a 
nuisance in their corn feeders. I do not believe researchers would argue 
that bees do not pack in corn pollen when other sources are not available as 
about every beekeeper which has been around a chicken feeder in spring has 
seen the bees picking out the pollen dust.

In * my opinion* bees are greater effected by BT corn pollen than Monarch 
butterflies. I am not saying BT corn pollen is the cause of CCD but do 
believe that the BT pollen does raise health concerns for honeybees. The 
reason being that non BT pollen does not harm Monarch caterpillars or bee 
larva and not disputed by researchers (even in the above study) BT pollen 
does.


I lost my best stud animal this year. The vet could not find a problem. I 
lost five of my best breeding stock a few years back. I sent two remains to 
MU for study. The cause of their death was not found. The only thing which 
was told to me was that since BT corn has come into livestock feed more of 
the these cases are happening. Shortened life span.

I recommend the GMO Trilogy sold at health food stores for further reading. 
Especially the documented stories of Farmers in the Midwest seeing livestock 
problems from feeding GMO corn. Enough said!

bob





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