Latest News from Project Apis m.
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September 22, 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 (or PAm) is
focused on finding practical solutions to beekeepers' challenges by supporting
practical, results-oriented in-field research.
- PAm funds
molecular biologist to look at pathogens associated with CCD - - PAm,
now just less than two years old, is funding its tenth research project, and
this will be a landmark study on honey bees. PAm is funding Dr.
Joseph DeRisi, a MacArthur Fellow (the “genius” award) and preeminent
molecular biologist at UCSF’s Mission Bay Campus. The DeRisi Lab will
systematically track bee colonies from a large beekeeping operation
throughout the year to obtain baseline information on pathogens in bees.
Thus, when colonies begin to collapse, failing hives can be compared against
normal hives to determine the causative agent(s). DeRisi will also fully
sequence the Nosema apis and the N. ceranae genomes, allowing
us to discover their vulnerabilities and eventual treatments.
- Results of PAm-funded
trials on colony strength - - PAm’s board of directors has
received results reported on by Dr. Frank Eischen, USDA-ARS, Weslaco, TX, on
pollen collection by various sizes of honey bee colonies, including hives
augmented with Australian packages. Below
please see a graphic representation of the data.
Average daily almond pollen
collected (grams) during Feb - Mar 2007
by colonies of differing strengths and composition
Weight of almond pollen collected
(grams) by colonies of differing
strength and composition during February & March 2007
Colony Type Weight of pollen per day (grams)
_______________________________________________________
US 4-frame 44.6
US 6-frame 50.7
Australian* 73.2
US 4-frame + Australian 4 lb pkg 78.7
US 8-frame 89.6
US 4-frame + US 4-frame united 110.3
US 10-frame 127.9
US 12-frame 148.3
US 14-frame 150.5
________________________________________________________
*Australian colonies established 1 December 2006 with four pound packages.
-
PAm is studying pesticide exposure in East
Coast migratory operations- -
PAm has contributed to a study being conducted at Penn State to
analyze pesticide exposure in bees and pesticide residues in pollen of
samples taken in the initial national CCD study. Further, PAm
contributions will help make pesticide analyses less expensive for
beekeepers. Penn State is establishing a centralized cost-sharing pesticide
screening program to service beekeepers. Full screening for 171 pesticides
will be available at 50% cost to beekeepers. For the sampling procedure and
fees
please
click here
- Were you a 2008 Paramount
beekeeper? Don’t pass up this opportunity! -- If you sent
hives to Paramount Farming Co. orchards, during the 2008 pollination season,
Paramount will generously match your contribution to PAm,
dollar-for-dollar. Write your check to PAm, send it our address
below, and include a note that you were a Paramount beekeeper. “A buck a
hive” becomes two bucks and will go a long way to helping PAm resolve
our many bee challenges. Time is running out to collect for the 2008
season. Do your part, and Paramount will help!
- Take
part in PAm’s research vision! -- Make your donation now to Project
Apis m, 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.
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Got News?
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Donations.
Suggested contribution: A buck a hive -
beekeeper and grower. Write this contribution for research into your pollination
contracts. Send your tax deductible contribution to:
Project Apis m.
1750 Dayton Rd.
Chico, CA 95928