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International teen beekeeping successes

Young beekeeper of the year at the tenth International Meeting of Young Beekeepers in Slovakia was Martin Leahy of Scotland. In tests ranging from honey tasting to grafting larvae, the fifteen-year old beat competitors from 29 teams from all over the world.  Jan Materna of the Czech Republic and Asger Deyn of Denmark came second and third respectively.

In the national team competition, the Czech Republic came first, followed by Slovakia and Germany.

But it wasn’t all serious competition. International friendships, probably for life, were made and visits in and around Banská Bystrica showed just what a beautiful and hospitable country Slovakia is.

Competitors from two countries new to IMYB received special prizes from Vita Bee Health, which is an IMYB sponsor. Laura McDowell of Australia and Rana Behery of Egypt were presented with the fabulous Honey from the Earth by Eric Tourneret.

Next year IMYB will be held in Slovenia, the home of the Carniolan bee, Apis mellifera carniola. New countries wishing to enter should contact Jiri Piza.

 

 

Basingstoke Mayor finds a queen in town

Blandford & Sturminster BKA visit Photo: Zoe McLaren

On 13 July 2019, 18 members of the Blandford & Sturminster BKA (part of Dorset BKA) enjoyed a rare public visit to Vita Bee Health’s apiary in Basingstoke, UK. They were honoured to be joined by the Mayor of Basingstoke Councillor Diane Taylor, and her consort.  An additional special guest was a local boy with learning difficulties who is fascinated by bees.

In groups, visitors were shown the Vita apiary at a town allotment by Paulo Mielgo and learned about how two Basingstoke Beekeepers run it, the Vita trials there, and tips about the application of Vita’s products.  There was also an introduction to Vita’s local and international R&D activities followed by a stimulating Q&A session in Vita’s office.

Basingstoke’s mayor was very impressed by Vita’s activities and proud that such important pollinator work is taking place in her town. Finding a queen in Basingstoke, on her very first visit to an apiary, was a particular thrill!

Clearly Blandford & Sturminster BKA enjoyed their visit: “Very many thanks for a wonderful day. Everyone who came found it instructive, interesting and were most impressed with the very smooth organisation.” A visit such as this “makes me review what I do”.

Early signs of varroa – what happened next

Turlough, Vita Bee Health’s Guest Blogger, writes:

The CO2 varroa test

On 14 February 2019, I reported on the alarming discovery of a very early season heavy varroa drop-down rate (blogpost here).

Three colonies were immediately treated with Apistan and one was left for a short while to acquire a CO2 testing kit to gauge the level of infestation. That colony was then treated with Apistan.

So did the colonies recover?

They certainly did!

They produced a very good spring harvest and on 21 June they were again tested for varroa. The result — just one or two varroa per 200 nurse bees from each colony.

And to double-check, we gave two samples an alcohol wash as well (reluctantly because, unlike the CO2 test, the alcohol kills the bees). That revealed only one more varroa .

Clearly Apistan is still working well in this part of the world.

Research just published this week gives a clue as to why the colony was infested over winter after being remarkably clear of varroa in the autumn. Professor Tom Seeley and David Peck think that late surges in varroa result from healthy colonies robbing varroa-infested colonies and bringing the mites home as passengers.

 

 

Apiguard most successful treatment in Oregon

Overwintering losses of small-scale beekeepers in the state of Oregon, USA, were again very extensive, averaging 48%. Full report here.

In a survey of 416 backyard (hobbyist) beekeepers, Apiguard was recorded as the most effective treatment used (32% colony loss — Figure 22).

Amongst the non-chemical treatments used, only two measures (both designed to reduce drifting) performed better than the average — but only slightly better, 46% loss as opposed to 48% (Figure 21).

Reasons for losses are thought to be complex. The respondents thought varroa was the chief culprit, but queen failure, starvation, and weak colonies were also blamed (Figure 8).

 

 

Jerry Hayes video podcast

In a wide ranging video podcast, Jerry Hayes, Vita Bee Health’s North American VP, talks to Vance Crowe.


Approximate timings:

Starts with Jerry Hayes at 5 mins 40 sec.

5.40 How Jerry moved into beekeeping and a new career

11.40 The arrival of Africanized bees in the USA. Why they have been less fiercesome in the USA than expected

21.00 Honey bees as livestock.  Do we keep bees alive or do bees use us to keep alive?

29.00 Almond pollination in California and migratory beekeeping

34.30 Colony Collapse Disorder — discovery and recovery

39.30 Varroa

44.00 Why is the public so concerned with honey bees? And how can them help them?

51.00 The amazing characteristics of honey bees

1:06:00 The challenges of working for an agribusiness

1:20:20 Working for Vita Bee Health

1:22:00 Vance Crowe and Jerry reflect further on working for an agribusiness

1:25:40 Being disciplined and good habits at work

1:33:35 Pick just one bee book?

1:35:50 Writing the Q&A the American Bee Journal for 35 years

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