Submitted by Terry Dahms - President East Central Iowa Beekeepers internet: [log in to unmask] ----------------------------------------------------------------- THE BUZZ AUGUST, 1993 ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Fellow Beekeepers, Well the drought of '93 never came, but the floods of '93 are here. I think everyone would have been happy if we would have just gotten a third of the crop we got in '88. The bees have been bringing in some honey between rains, most likely from the white dutch clover. It is really abundant this year. Here in Cambridge, like other places, we have lost entire bee yards in the flood. I received a call the other night that one of my yards with about 15 colonies was entirely gone. A large pond to the east aways had broken out the side and came down right through the middle of my yard. It washed a gorge at least 30 foot deep, 100 foot wide, cutting an entire corn field in half and taking all our hives except one. It is an unbelievable sight. I've never seen anything like it. I talked to some beekeepers in eastern Iowa this week. Some of them are not even going to set up their extracting equipment. Southern Iowa has some honey on their hives. But for the most part there is not much honey out there. The ground is very saturated with water around here, as it probably is all over the state. We're going to have trouble getting into our yards to pull the honey even if the rain stops. And that brings up another point. The honey that is out there on the hive and capped is very wet. If it is left out there too long there is a good chance it will sour. I bring my honey supers in to the honey house and stack them so they are not tightly sealed. I turn every other one the opposite way on the stack to let air circulate. With fans and dehumidifiers going the moisture can be pulled down to 17.5--18 percent. After the moisture is down I then begin extracting. This works quite well. Hopefully the rain will stop soon, things will dry out, and we will yet get some honey off the abundant flowers out there. Even though things aren't going well, we must remember we have so much to be thankful for. -Leroy Kellogg, President IHPA HONEY OF A VERSE Thus may we gather honey from the weed And make a moral of the devil himself. - Shakespeare LAPLANDERS HONEY CONFERENCE Friday, September 10th the Laplanders Honey Conference of southern Iowa and northern Missouri will be held in Allerton, Iowa at the Inn of The Six Toed Cat. Dinner will be held at 6 P.M. and the program starts at 7 P.M. For further details and reservations contact: Ann Garber (515) 872-2119 by Tuesday, Sept. 7th. The following day, Saturday, Sept. 11th at 10 a.m. will be the Honey Walnut Classic on the east portico of the Inn of The Six Toed Cat in Allerton. This is the 3rd year of this popular event. Be sure to visit the "Bee Hive", next door to the Inn, owned by Ann Garber, which includes an extracting plant and gift shop featuring honey products, beeswax candles, etc. All this is a part of the Allerton World's Fair with live entertainment at the Inn and community family fun at the Centennial Bldg. AFRICANIZED HONEY BEE (AHB) UPDATE The first human death in the United States attributed to the Africanized Honey Bee occurred on July 15, 1993, in Starr County, 30 miles north of Rio Grande City, Texas. Mr. Lino Lopez, an 82-year old rancher, tried to destroy a colony of bees that had become established in the walls of his ranch house when the bees attacked him. Apparently he used a torch-like instrument soaked with gasoline and when he introduced the gasoline-soaked rag into the wall opening the bees became angry and attacked him. It is not known with certainty how many stings he received. Mr. Lopez was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The colony was destroyed by a Texas Apiary Inspector. Samples were sent to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Weslaco laboratory, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Harlingen laboratory and ARS Beltsville laboratory for identification. On June 18, a colony of honey bees was detected inside the exterior frame of a house in Tucson, Arizona. The bees allegedly killed a dog, and the property owner was stung six times while trying to free the dog. Later, the sample of the bees was confirmed as Africanized by the Agricultural Research Service Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland. Plant Protection and Quarantine and State cooperators are working with the homeowner to have the colony destroyed. The Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA) is conducting a door-to-door survey of the area. There are 42 swarm traps within the 4 square-mile area surrounding the detection. ADA has intensively trapped along the border of Mexico with 296 traps. On July 9, a swarm of AHB's was intercepted in a trap 2 miles north of Sasabe, Arizona, in Pima County along the Arizona/Mexican border. The swarm was destroyed, and a sample of the bees was sent to the Beltsville bee lab where the sample was confirmed as Africanized. (B. Glen Lee, Richard Backus, Elba Quintero - USDA/APHIS) "A beehive's hum shall soothe my ears". (Sammuel Rogers) STATE APIARISTS REPORT The Flood - What a summer! I have several reports of colonies being washed away or drowned by the flood. Besides that, I believe the torrential rains and abnormally cool weather have spoiled our early summer honey crop in most areas of the state. There should be Federal government disaster relief money for severe honey crop losses, but not for lost bees or the beehives themselves, unless FEMA can be persuaded that our beehives are agricultural buildings. In most cases beehives were carried away downstream or if found, the comb is unusable because of mud and debris in it. After almost two weeks without running water I'm looking forward to having water by tomorrow in our home. This week they started turning off overhead lights at 11:00 a.m. in the capitol complex buildings to conserve electricity. So we are working in the dark except for desk lamps. The only positive side of this disaster is that it makes you more thankful to God for what we do have. State Fair - I am looking forward to a good showing for the apiary exhibit at the State Fair this month. The honey that has been produced is beautiful. Be sure to get your entry blank in to the Fair by the August 9th deadline. The table displays have been remodeled so that we can maintain spots for four entries with less space. The tables are now 5' wide by 7' deep. John Johnson could still use help in the Honey Sales Booth. The booth will only be a success to the degree that beekeepers volunteer to work. Please sign up on the back page of THE BUZZ to come make the fair booth a success. Inspection - So far this inspection season we have found a low level of Varroa mites in many counties. In addition, we are seeing most beekeepers with fewer colonies of bees or in some cases none at all. The replacement package colonies are not developing well, especially if started on foundation. The bright spot in the state appears to be the extreme southern part of the state where a fair honey crop has been made. The remainder of the state is still anxiously awaiting a late honeyflow on alfalfa or soybeans. FIRST UPPER MIDWEST BEEKEEPERS MEETING The Minnesota Honey Producers Association and the University of Minnesota Apiculture program cordially invite all beekeepers in the upper Midwest to attend a winter meeting, December 2-4, 1993, in Minnesota. As most everyone is aware, apiculture research, teaching, and extension programs have been eliminated in many state universities. The problems created by the parasitic mites, Africanized honey bees, and foreign competition for honey prices are moving the beekeeping industry in the direction of increased self-sufficiency and diversification. The hope for the future is to establish regional centers of apicultural research and extension. The University of Minnesota is one such center. Everyone is invited to celebrate the continuance of the apiculture program at the University of Minnesota and to participate in the establishment of a regional program. An open house and tour of the Apiculture facility is planned as well as exciting speakers: Dr. Shimanuki (USDA lab in Beltsville, MD); Sue Cobey (Ohio State University); and Marla Spivak (University of Minnesota). Panel groups composed of beekeepers, state apiarists from the region will discuss the possibility of establishing a USDA Bee Research facility in St. Paul. This is an important meeting; please plan to attend. The meeting will be held December 2-4 in Bloomington, Minnesota (just south of Minneapolis) at the Comfort Inn-Airport. The hotel is located is located very close to the Mall of America (convenient for Christmas shopping!). To reserve a room, you may phone (800) 228-5150. Pre-registration will be required so we can estimate attendance. Look for the pre-registration form in upcoming newsletters and bee journals. For questions, call or write Darrel Rufer, Vice President MN Honey Producers, 3499-75th St. S.W., Waverly, MN 55390; (612) 658-4645; or Marla Spivak, Dept. Entomology, 219 Hodson Hall, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108; (612) 624-4798. HONEY MONTH SIGNING CEREMONY The signing ceremony for the Governor's Honey Month Proclamation will be held August 31st at 10:15 a.m. at the Governor's office in Des Moines. Secretary of Agriculture, Dale M. Cochran has been invited. We would also like to invite interested beekeepers to attend this ceremony. Pictures will be taken and an article will be sent to each local newspaper in the town where participants reside. NATIONAL HONEY BOARD ELECTS NEW OFFICERS The National Honey Board reelected Binford Weaver, Neil Miller and Steve Klein as officers, reelected Dale Bauer as a member and elected Mike Ingalls as a member to the Executive Committee during the Board's annual meeting, held in Denver on June 26. Binford Weaver, a beekeeper and president of Weaver Apiaries in Navasota, Texas, was reelected as chairperson of the National Honey Board. As chairperson, Weaver presides at Honey Board meetings and supervises all Board activities. Neil Miller, president of Miller's Honey Farms, Inc., Blackfoot, Idaho, was reelected as vice chairperson. Steve Klein, a beekeeper from Marshall, Minn., was reelected as secretary/treasurer. Dale Bauer, a beekeeper from Fertile, Minn. and an officer of Sioux Honey Association, was reelected as member of the Executive Committee. Officers and members of the Executive Committee are selected by a majority vote of the 13-member National Honey Board. Prospective members of the National Honey Board are nominated during an annual meeting of industry representatives from state beekeeping organizations. IOWA HONEY PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT (July 1, 1992 to June 30, 1993) Sales of honey and hive products at the Iowa State Fair continues to provide Iowa Beekeepers with a major promotional opportunity. In 1992, the total for gross sales of honey and hive products and honey ice cream (made by Anderson-Erickson Dairy) was $19,473. Net income was $3,138. The Annual Meeting was held November 6 and 7, 1992 in Ankeny. Major topics included: Research on Tracheal Mites by Dr. Bob Danka; Overwintering Bees, Bob Guntren; Honey Bee Project in Minnesota, Dr. Marla Spivak; Queen Rearing, J. Z. Paysen; Honey Bee Pollination for Hire, Fred Rossman and Producing Queens in an Africanized area, Dr. Rick Hellmich. Iowa's State Honey Queen, Heather Pomeroy, daughter of David and Stephanie Pomeroy of Wayland, Iowa was named 1993 American Honey Princess at the American Beekeeping Federation Annual Meeting. She is involved in numerous beekeeping and honey promotional activities nationwide. A strong effort is being made at the national level to entirely eliminate the honey loan/support program. Association board members and other beekeepers contacted our congressmen urging them to support retention of the program. Many beekeepers believe low cost and poor quality, imported honey and the importance of honeybees as pollinators warrants a honey program. Several Association members participated in a signing ceremony with Iowa's Governor Terry Branstad signing a proclamation declaring September 1992 as Honey Month in Iowa. Pictures were taken and used to kick off a month of special promotional activities. The 1993 Spring Field Day was held May 22nd at the Ray Tull Farm near Donnellson. The theme of the field day was spring colony management and queen rearing with an emphasis on the Jenter system of queen rearing. Assistant State Apiarist Bob Wells retired as of June 30, 1993 after serving 18 years in that position. The state association and several local beekeeping organizations honored Bob with retirement parties and plaques. This is the second year for the Iowa Honey Producers as a member of the Iowa Horticultural society. This relationship fosters better communication and a stronger position in legislative matters and is mutually beneficial to beekeepers and the Horticultural Society. During the 1992/1993 winter over 50% of Iowa's honey bee colonies died. Definite causes are not known. Guesses by beekeepers include: no warm weather from November to late March to provide cleansing flights; poor nutritional quality of fall nectar and/or colonies weakened by parasitic mites. As of 1993 tracheal and Varroa mites are wide spread in most sections of the state. Adequate chemicals are available to control Varroa, but not the tracheal mite. The risk of contamination of honey with Ag chemicals is a growing concern. We will continue to advise members on proper use. The Iowa Honey Producers Association contributed $500 to the University of Minnesota Bee Research program and $500 each to the American Beekeeping Federation and The American Honey Producers organizations. The grants are intended to support lobbying efforts in Washington. Iowa Honey Producers Association members participated in a wide array of promotional and educational events and activities. Some examples are: a. Provided honey, cookbooks, and cash awards for participants and winners in State Fair honey division foods competition. b. Financial support for Iowa Agricultural Youth Institute. c. Cooperative effort with other agricultural groups to produce and present educational materials to school children throughout Iowa on a topic entitled "Iowa Kids Love Iowa Food". d. Provided materials for hospitals statewide for food service people to use honey in patient meal preparation. e. Booth at Iowa Home Economics Convention - Spring 1993. f. Hawkeye Science Fair in Des Moines. Provided judge and prize money. g. Booth at Dutch Oven/Black Powder Celebration at Madrid Boy Scout Camp. h. Provided an observation hive and educational assistance for use at State 4-H Educational Center near Madrid. i. Assisted with several events at Des Moines Botanical Center including Honey Days in March and Easter Egg Hunt in April. Used the Honey Bear Mascot and gave away honey candy at the April event. j. Gave out honey samples and printed literature at a Living History Farm event in September 1992. k. Provided educational programs, literature and honey samples to many public school, civic, county conservation, church and other groups throughout Iowa. - Submitted by Leroy Kellogg, President (Prepared for the Proceedings of the Iowa State Horticulture Society's Annual Meeting July 31, 1993.) ***************************************************************** 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 ***************************************************************** FOR SALE: 1-500 beehives and a Fairbanks-Morris scales (Maximum capacity 1000 lbs.) for weighing barrels. Contact: Leon Metz in Hazel Green, WI (608) 568-7601 or 748-4706 FOR SALE: 50 hives of bees and a 50-frame extractor. Without the honey crop $3,000 OR with the honey crop $4,000. CONTACT: Dennis Loghry in Red Oak, IA at (712) 623-5715. FOR SALE: Large Cowen Uncapper $700 Contact: Dick Blake in Shenandoah, IA at (712) 246-3412 FOR SALE: 2-frame galvanized Root Extractor with small stand. Asking $50. Call Phil Ebert in Lynnville, IA at (515) 527-2639. FOR SALE: 20-frame (deeps) or 40-frame (mediums) extractor, chain uncapper, cappings melter, clarifying tank, super lift, honey storage tank, honey pumps, moisture tester, super cart, honey house pallets, 300 - 6 5/8 supers. Contact Ron Silliman in Carlisle at (515) 989-0161 Days or (515) 989-0423 Evenings. FOR SALE: Two 4-frame, basket-type extractors - hand crank $50.00 & motorized $75.00; 50 frame radial-type extractor, galvanized & painted $300.00 Contact: Dennis Loghry, RR 2, Red Oak, IA ph. (712) 623-5715. FOR SALE: 400 two story colonies of bees. Will sell 1 or all. Call Leroy Kellogg (515) 383-4476. CALENDAR OF EVENTS AUGUST 19-29 Iowa State Fair - Apiary Booth on 2nd Floor of the Agriculture Building. Sign-up sheet on last page. 31 Honey Month Proclamation Signing Ceremony 10:15 a.m. in the Governor's Office in the State Capiatol Bldg. 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. 18 Central Iowa Beekeepers Meeting & Fall Field Day. noon until 6:00 p.m. Topics: Overwintering & Disease Prevention. Evening meal will be catered. 25 "Taste of Honey" Day at Des Moines Botanical Center 27-28 American Bee Research Conference, College Station, TX OCTOBER 9 IHPA Fall Field Day 1:00 p.m. at Doug Schmitz's Honey House in Defiance, Iowa. More details later. NOVEMBER 5 & 6 Annual Meeting of the Iowa Honey Producers Association Starlight Village Best Western Motel in Ames, Iowa. 1993 IOWA STATE FAIR WORK SCHEDULE Please indicate the day(s) and time(s) that you are willing to work by writing your name(s). Also, fill in your name, address and phone number at the bottom of the page. THURSDAY, AUGUST 19 TUESDAY, AUGUST 24 9:00-1:30____________________ 9:00-1:30____________________ 1:30-6:00____________________ 1:30-6:00____________________ 6:00-9:00____________________ 6:00-9:00____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ (Handing out samples) (Handing out samples) FRIDAY, AUGUST 20 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25 9:00-1:30____________________ 9:00-1:30____________________ 1:30-6:00____________________ 1:30-6:00____________________ 6:00-9:00____________________ 6:00-9:00____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ (Handing out samples) (Handing out samples) SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 THURSDAY, AUGUST 26 9:00-1:30____________________ 9:00-1:30____________________ 1:30-6:00____________________ 1:30-6:00____________________ 6:00-9:00____________________ 6:00-9:00____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ (Handing out samples) (Handing out samples) SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 FRIDAY, AUGUST 27 9:00-1:30____________________ 9:00-1:30____________________ 1:30-6:00____________________ 1:30-6:00____________________ 6:00-9:00____________________ 6:00-9:00____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ (Handing out samples) (Handing out samples) MONDAY, AUGUST 23 SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 9:00-1:30____________________ 9:00-1:30____________________ 1:30-6:00____________________ 1:30-6:00____________________ 6:00-9:00____________________ 6:00-9:00____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ (Handing out samples) (Handing out samples) NAME:________________________ SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 9:00-1:30____________________ ADDRESS______________________ 1:30-7:00____________________ 10:00-2pm____________________ _____________________________ (Handing out samples) PHONE(_____)_________________ RETURN TO: W. John Johnson RR 4, Squaw Valley Ames, IA 50010