Latest News from Project Apis m.
Visit us on the Web at
www.ProjectApism.org
October 21, 2009
Welcome to the latest edition of the Project
Apis m. Newsletter
What is Project Apis m (PAm)? A
non-profit organization focused on finding practical solutions to beekeepers'
challenges by supporting practical, results-oriented in-field research.
-
Latest almond pricing update posted to
website - - The beekeeping
business and the almond business go hand-in-hand. Visit PAm’s
website for the latest almond pricing and industry update. Go to
www.ProjectApism.org and click on the almond.
- PAm again recipient of a CDFA
Specialty Crop Block Grant - - PAm is a recipient in the most recent
round of funding under the CDFA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. PAm has
been awarded $254,400 in funding over the next 3 years to develop Best
Management Practices for beekeepers. We will be able to reach beekeepers
across the country that come to California to pollinate California crops on
better management practices specifically for pollination services. PAm will
publicize those time-tested alternatives that work, plus the latest in
scientific findings that can help bee operations.
Back in 2007, when PAm’s organization was a mere 6 months old, CDFA had the
confidence in PAm’s leadership to award the young organization $100,000 to
develop mechanisms for the objective assessment of bee health. PAm has
conducted surveys, met with beekeepers across the country, funded research
on bee health, contributed to cost-share programs for beekeepers to evaluate
bee health and will soon publish a directory of analytical labs able to
evaluate honey bee health.
- Central Valley Business Times
interviews PAm - - “PAm is funding studies on virus detection, Nosema
diagnostics, and pesticide exposure to insure an adequate number of healthy
hives available for the $15 billion a year in agricultural cops that are
dependent on pollination services” (Central Valley Business Times, Sept.
30, 2009).
Click here for the article and to listen to the audio
interview.
- Blue Orchard Bees – A threat
to beekeepers or an opportunity? - - Find out if Blue Orchard Bees (BOBs)
are a threat to your pollination services business or an opportunity to
expand your business by including another pollinator species. “Farmers will
always love honey bees first” says UC Extension IPM advisor Carolyn Pickel.
“But the two bees can work together for growers”, she says. On December 7th
in Chico and the same program repeated again December 8th in
Modesto, Pickel, as well as other experts from the UC and from USDA - Logan
Bee Lab will present the workshop entitled: “Using Blue Orchard Bees in
California Almonds”. For a copy of the workshop notice and agenda, please
email Sara Goldman Smith at
srgoldman@ucdavis.edu.
- Montana State Beekeepers
showcase Montana and Washington bee research hubs –-The
Montana State Beekeepers held a successful meeting October 15-17 in
Missoula, ably led by president Nicole Ulibarri (of Planet Green’s “The
Last Beekeeper” fame). Contrary to the made-for-tv documentary, Nicole
is back in the bee business, unable to stay away from the bees, the people
and the business she loves. Ms. Ulibarri treated Montana beekeepers to a
packed agenda and highlights included speakers from research institutions in
Montana and Washington. These two states have a couple of the most
responsive bee labs in the US, thanks to the support of their state
government and their beekeepers. Dr. Jerry Bromenshenk, Dr. Kevin Wanner and
Margaret Lehmann talked about the extensive bee research capabilities at the
University of Montana and Montana State University. Allied partnerships
with Bee Alert Technologies and BVS, Inc in Missoula round out their
research capabilities. Dr. Steve Sheppard and Judy Wu presented bee
research from Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman. These research
hubs are making great strides in better understanding factors affecting bee
health.
- Washington Bee Lab hires Dr.
Timothy Lawrence - - WSU, Pullman has
attracted Dr. Timothy Lawrence, manager of UCD Extension’s Center for Water
and Land Use to the position of Colony Health Extension Associate
where he will work with WSU’s bee diagnostic lab while coordinating
extension and applied research activities under the direction of Dr. Steve
Sheppard. WSU’s diagnostic lab has processed over 3,400 samples for
beekeepers since its inception in 2008. Turn-around time on analytical
results for samples sent to the bee lab is currently less than two weeks.
Prior to his position at UCD, Dr. Lawrence spent 16 years with Ohio State
University Extension. Dr. Lawrence is the husband of UCD’s bee
breeder-geneticist Sue Cobey.
- State Conferences showcase PAm
- - Be sure to attend California State Beekeepers Association meeting
in San Diego November 17-19. Chris Heintz will provide a PAm update, with
Dan Cummings presenting on 2010 almond pollination followed by an almond
pollination panel. Montana State Beekeepers received an almond industry and
PAm update last week in Missoula by Chris Heintz and Idaho Honey Producers
will feature an updated presentation December 4th in Boise. For
more on the CSBA meeting,
click here. For information on the Idaho meeting, contact Nick Noyes at
honeystore@fmtc.com.
-
Almond Conference pollination highlights - -
The annual Almond Industry Conference pollination
session this year will again highlight pollination services to the
industry. This year pollination updates will be presented on Wednesday,
December 9th at the DoubleTree Hotel in Modesto. A presentation
on migratory beekeeping operations, “Bringing Strong Bees to Almonds: A Year
in the Making” will be given by Glenn and Wesley Card. Dr. Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman
will be rolling out the ALMOPOL pollination model, a tool that will help
growers decide on strength and number of hives needed. She will also hold
workshops to provide growers hands-on experience with the model.
Click here for more information on
the almond conference
- Donate
now to PAm! -- Why PAm? Because PAm funds
bee research that is selected and guided by beekeepers. We are suggesting
$1 per colony to support PAm's research efforts that seek to find
practical solutions for managed colonies. Click
here to donate.
If you
sent hives to Paramount Farming Co. orchards during the 2009 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 help resolve our many bee challenges. Do
your part, and Paramount will help!
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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