Latest News from Project Apis m.
Latest News from Project Apis m.
Visit us on the Web at www.projectapism.org
April 17, 2008 Welcome to the latest edition of the Project Apis m. Newsletter.
What is Project Apis m? A non-profit organization founded in December 2006, Project Apis m is focused on finding practical solutions to beekeepers' challenges by supporting practical, results-oriented in-field research. PAm brings together representatives of the American Honey Producers Association (APHA), the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF), the National Honey Board (NHB), California State Beekeepers Association (CSBA), and California almond farmers. PAm includes representatives from both the pollination and crop production enterprises.
Project Apis m. (PAm) funds Penn State pesticide study
- - At their recent Board meeting on April 3rd, PAm’s Board of
Directors voted in favor of funding the project “Quantifying the exposure and
effect of farmer applied pesticides on East Coast migratory operations
destined for almond pollination” submitted by Dennis vanEngelsdorp and MaryAnn
Frazier. The purpose of this study is twofold: 1) to analyze pesticide
exposure in bees and pesticide residues in pollen of samples taken in the
initial national CCD study, and 2) to establish a centralized cost-sharing
pesticide screening program at Penn State as a service to beekeepers. With
the addition of this study on pesticides, the PAm Board is fully committed to
the multi-dimensional aspects of resolving the current CCD crisis via PAm’s
current funding of studies on bee nutrition, virus detection, practical
beekeeping management, and now pesticide analyses. In addition, PAm
recognizes the significance of focusing research efforts in a geographical
context and the importance of East Coast bees servicing Western pollinated
crops.
Virus detection overcomes second major hurdle - -
First it was losing a potential home at UC Davis, then it was a North Carolina
company challenging a licensing agreement with the US Army, but it now appears
that Biological Virus Screening, Inc. (BVS, Inc.) will finally begin virus
screening of honey bees next week. PAm contributed toward the purchase of
IVDS (Integrated Virus Detection System) equipment now in place in Montana
under the direction of Dave Wick of BVS, Inc, and in association with Dr.
Jerry Bromenshenk (Bee Alert, Inc. and U of Montana). The IVDS equipment
involves a sophisticated detection device engineered by the Army that can
detect virus particles and particle sizes. It will have tremendous value in
assisting with virus screening in honey bees and furthering our knowledge of
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). In addition, it can be used for breeding
purposes to screen out bees with viruses in a breeding program. Please
contact Dave Wick (mrwick@bvs-inc.us) regarding
the protocol for sending in honey bee samples for virus screening.
PAm endorses the concept of a USDA-ARS Lab in
California - - Zac Browning, PAm Board member and currently President of
the American Beekeeping Federation, recently presented the concept of
establishing a USDA-ARS Bee Lab in California to PAm’s Board of Directors.
Based upon the national and even international significance of California’s
pollinated crops and the lack of research support that has been available the
last few years in California, an ARS Bee Lab in the State is a logical step.
Between UC Davis’ recent efforts to build their bee program and also having
permanent USDA-ARS expertise in the state, the necessary infrastructure would
be in place to better service California’s pollinated crops.
Now is the time you can make a difference! --
Make your donation now to Project Apis m, 1750 Dayton Rd., Chico, CA 95928.
Have your growers and/or beekeepers match your contribution of $1/ hive to PAm.
Why PAm? Because PAm funds bee research that is selected and guided by
beekeepers. PAm’s research efforts seek to find practical solutions for
managed colonies. PAm’s funding produces research results that can be
transferred efficiently into the day-to-day practices of beekeepers. PAm is
non-profit and has a low overhead. Click here for more information on PAm’s
research program
http://www.projectapism.org/?action=research
Preliminary study released on colony losses - -
The Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA) and the USDA-ARS Beltsville Honey Bee
Lab have released a preliminary report on colony losses for 2007 – 2008.
Click here to view this report
http://www.projectapism.org/?action=preliminaryresults
Häagen-Dazs Postdoctoral
Research Fellowship in Honey Bee Biology - -
The Department of Entomology, University of
California, Davis, seeks outstanding applicants with a Ph.D. degree in
entomology or related discipline for the Häagen-Dazs Postdoctoral Research
Fellowship in Honey Bee Biology. The deadline for submission has been
extended until the position is filled. (click here
http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/news/postdoctoralfellowship.html).
PAm posts RFP to website - - Guidelines for submitting a proposal to PAm have been posted to PAm’s website. To see the Request for Proposal (RFP) and an overview of the type of research studies PAm is seeking, please visit this link: http://www.projectapism.org/?action=Request%20for%20Proposal
Project Apis m.
1750 Dayton Rd.
Chico, CA 95928