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| PRESIDENTS LETTER February 1, 2010 First of all let me thank you for the record breaking attendance at the January meeting. We also had an additional 40 something new members to join the club and attend the Beekeepers Class. Please give textbook information to the new beekeepers so they pass the test and are not confused by backyard beekeeping practices. The meeting on February 11 will be at the Farm Bureau office on Hwy 178, Plan to arrive between 6:30 and 7:00 and enjoy refreshments provided by Zoe Carlin. This meeting will be revolving around spring and how the pollen and nectar flow affects the honeybee cluster. This information should assist those of you that are purchasing honeybee packages or nucs for the first time as well as those that have overwintered colonies that will have a tendency to swarm in the early spring. It’s crucial to contact your bee supplier and get the delivery dates that apply to this area which is April to mid May. March is reckless and only experienced beekeepers should try to install packages or nucs in March. If you wait much later than mid May you may have a weaker colony come summer and could require feeding. Researchers that once thought the quality of queens across the US had been contributing to the honeybee decline have now suggested that the genetics of queens in fact are high, very good and most likely those beekeepers experiencing queen problems are overworking queens by pollination practices and are introducing queens into a bad environment. In other words beekeeper error still ranks at the top of the list for failing queens or bad queen acceptance. I’ll try to bring their findings to the meeting. So do your research and don’t be fooled go with a bee supply co. with a good track record. There are many. It is also the time to gather up your equipment and prepare it for use. There are many beekeeping equipment suppliers as well. As I sit here writing to you snow is coming, and although snow is beautiful I know that some of my bees need love, some sunshine and temps above freezing for starters. It’ s hard for the beekeeper to help them when it’s so cold and the bees can’t really help themselves if they can’t fly. The bees shudder and pray for a pollen sandwich and a drink of fresh nectar. Hang on girls we’re only a few weeks away. See you at the meeting. Bee Well, Kerry |