2010 Newsletter Collection Sponsored By:
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
February 2010 Eugene Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
Join us March 12-13 in historic Hannibal for Spring Meeting Jennifer Berry is featured speaker by Sharon Gibbons Please join us for our annual Spring Meeting March 12-13 in Hannibal. We have an exciting agenda planned and we hope that all of our Missouri beekeepers will attend. Remember, communication and learning are the keys to successful beekeeping. This two-day meeting will be held at The Quality Inn & Suites: 120 Lindsey Drive, Hannibal, MO 63401 573-221-4001 The group room rate is $76.00 plus tax for a king or a double. This rate includes a full hot buffet breakfast. Please mention MSBA to get the special rate. The block of rooms will be held for us until Feb. 19th, although the rate will be the same up to the time of the meeting if rooms are available. We had a meeting at this hotel three years ago, and most beekeepers were happy with the accommodations. Once again, member Bernie Andrew is allowing us to tour his honey house, across the border in Illinois. This is currently scheduled for Friday morning. I would also like to see if we could arrange some early spring management classes (with active beehives), weather permitting. If not outside, then in the meeting room. Our main speaker will be Jennifer Berry. She is an Agricultural Research Coordinator at the University of Georgia, College of Agriculture/Entomology. She has a Master’s degree in entomology, and works primarily on bee research projects under Keith Delaplane. Her talks will focus on how we can keep our bees healthy. Some of her most recent publications involve small-cell comb foundation and varroa mites; integrated pest management against Varroa destructor, work with hygienic behavior in cape bees, and apis mellifera in regard to small hive beetle larvae.
More about our speaker: Before launching her career in apiculture, Jennifer Berry lived in Los Angeles as a starving comedian and actress. After realizing that her Hollywood Dream would not come true she decided to return to school and study entomology (it made sense at the time). Her career took another sharp turn when she took a beekeeping course with Dr. Keith Delaplane at the University of Georgia. She was hooked for life. She did her Master’s thesis under his direction and upon graduation immediately received the research coordinator and honey bee lab manager job at the University of Georgia. Jennifer’s research has been published in American Bee Journal, Journal of Apicultural Research, the Annals of the Entomological Society Jennifer Berry of America, and Bee Culture. She
was awarded a silver medal for her website (www.ent.uga.edu/bees) at the 2001 Apimondia Congress in South Africa. Her research over the years has focused on the sub-lethal effects of pesticides on honey bees, an ambitious queen breeding program, and incorporating IPM techniques for mite and beetle control. In 2006 she was the Eastern Apicultural Society president and hosted the annual meeting in Young Harris, Georgia. Jennifer is also a regular columnist for Bee Culture magazine and travels extensively speaking to local, state, national and international beekeeping associations.
Hannibal celebrates Mark Twain “What ought to be done to the man who invented the celebrating of anniversaries? Mere killing would be too light. Anniversaries are very well up to a certain point.” -- Mark Twain Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born November 30, 1835 and died April 21, 1910. The year 2010 marks the 175th anniversary of his birth, the 125th anniversary of Twain’s pinnacle work Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and the 100th anniversary of his death. Join Hannibal in a 365 day celebration of the life of America’s most beloved author. TWAIN2010.org is the go-to site for All Things Mark Twain during the year 2010. From Berkeley, CA to Elmira, NY, from Hannibal, MO to Hartford, CT – and all around the world – we will post events, programs, celebrations, readings, gatherings, clambakes, and all manner of hooplah as it pertains to celebrating the life, legacy and works of Mark Twain. This is a nationwide celebration, and your adventure starts here. Hannibal Convention and Visitors Bureau Toll-free 1-800-TomandHuck or 573-221-2477 www.visithannibal.com
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the President .............. 2
Honey Princess report .......... 9
How bees land ..................... 3 Mechanics are complicated
Cookin’ with honey! .......... 9 Honey apple cake/honey sauce
Spring Meeting agenda ....... 4
Local associations ............ 11
Meeting vendor list ............. 5 Place orders for meeting pickup
Membership application .. 12
Meeting registration form .... 6 Pre-registration due Feb. 28
Directory of officers .......... 13
Honey Queen report ....... 13
Page 2
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
From the President by Scott Moser It seems like we just had the Fall Meeting yesterday, and we are already knocking on the door of the Spring Meeting! Time seems to move faster as I get older. I always thought my Dad was wrong when he was telling me that as a kid, but now I know better! Plans are coming together nicely for the Spring Meeting which is scheduled for March 12-13 in Hannibal. The last time we had a meeting there, it was a great time. Scheduled to speak is Jennifer Berry, who is the Agricultural Research Coordinator at the University of Georgia, College of Agriculture/Entomology. She has a Master’s degree in Entomology, and works under Keith Delaplane. She will be speaking about how to keep our bees healthy and happy. Speaking of flying time, don’t let yourself get behind in your winter chores. Now is the perfect time to pore over the new catalogs, gather orders, organize and clean equipment, and order and assemble new equipment. It is also the perfect time to reach out to new prospective beekeepers in your area, help them get started and show them the ropes. Beekeeping is one of those things that is best learned with the help of others. Many of the local associations are putting on Beginning Beekeeping classes this spring. If you are interested in learning beekeeping, or would like to help with a class, contact your local association for more information. I know Three Rivers, Jefferson County, Missouri Valley and Eastern are all offering beginning classes in the eastern part of Missouri. I am sure many of the other associations around the state are as well. Warm days, which have been mighty few in Missouri this winter, are the opportune time to get out and check your hives. Unless it is above 50 degrees, it isn’t good to do a thorough inspection of the colony, but you should focus on food stores to make sure they have enough feed to make
it through the rest of winter and into spring. It seems like there have been a lot of starving hives out there this year. I hate to admit it, but I have lost several hives already this winter to starvation. When I took off honey last fall, they all appeared to have adequate stores on the colonies, but it stayed warm for so long, many ate what they had stored. Also, mud and rain last fall made it hard for me to get into some yards to check how much they had eaten, so they went without supplemental feeding. I don’t know which is worse, letting them starve, or apologizing to the landowner about the ruts I cut in his fields trying to get to the colonies to feed them. Finally, I have been contacted by several people interested in getting local associations together. Many of them have been south of the Missouri River, but a couple of people north of the river have inquired about beginning clubs. Once again, it is my goal to increase the number of local associations north of the river. I know there are a lot of beekeepers up that way who aren’t served by local associations. Please feel free to contact me and ask how you can go about getting a local association started. It isn’t as difficult as many think it is. It just takes a couple of dedicated people to get the ball rolling. I hope all have had a wonderful start to 2010, with an eye toward the upcoming honey season. Once again, a new year is upon us filled with hope and promise for a bumper honey crop. Start the New Year out right by planning to attend the Spring Meeting. Good Luck in 2010!
February 2010
Page 3
How bees land is more complicated than we may have thought New research could have implications for human flight technology Bee Supply Companies have for years sold a hive stand that had a slanted landing board. When asked why slanted, and why that particular slant, the answer has always been, that’s the way it’s always been. Perhaps there is a better reason. Landing is tricky: Hit the ground too fast and you will crash and burn; too slow and you may stall and fall. Bees manage their approach by monitoring the speed of images moving across their eyes. By slowing so that the speed of the looming landing pad’s image on the retina remains constant, bees manage to control their approach. But what happens in the final few moments before touch down? And how do bees adapt to landing on surfaces ranging from the horizontal to upsidedown ceilings? Flies land on a ceiling by simply grabbing hold with their front legs and somersaulting up as they zip along, but a bee’s approach is more sedate. Mandyam Srinivasan, an electrical engineer from the Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland and the Australian Research Council’s Vision Centre, knew that bees must be doing something different from daredevil flies. Curious to know more, Srinivasan teamed up with Carla Evangelista, Peter Kraft, and Judith Reinhard from the University of Queensland, and Marie Dacke, visiting from Lund University. The team used a high-speed camera to film the instant of touch down on surfaces at various inclinations and published their discoveries in The Journal of Experimental Biology on December 28, 2009 at http://jeb.biologists.org. First the scientists built a platform that could be inclined at any angle from horizontal to inverted (like a ceiling), then they trained bees to land on it and began filming. Having collected movies of the bees landing on surfaces ranging from 0-180 degrees, and every 10-degree inclination between, Evangelista began the painstaking task of manually analysing the bees’ landing strategies, and saw that the bees’ approach could be broken down into three phases. Initially the bees approached from almost any direction and at any speed, however, as they got closer to the platforms, they slowed dramatically, almost hovering, until they were 16mm from the platform when they ground to a complete halt, hovering for anything ranging from 50ms to over 140ms. When the surface was horizontal or inclined slightly, the bees’ hind legs were almost within touching distance of the surface, so it was simply a matter of the bee gently lowering itself and grabbing hold with its rear feet before lowering the rest of the body. However, when the insects were landing on surfaces ranging from vertical to ‘ceilings’, their antennae were closest to the surface during the hover phase. The team saw that the antennae grazed the surface and this contact triggered the bees to reach up with the front legs, grasp hold of the surface and then slowly heave their middle and hind legs up too. ‘We had not expected the antennae to play a role and the fact that there is a mechanical aspect of this is something that we hadn’t thought about,’ admits Srinivasan. Looking at the antennae’s positions, the team realised that in the final stages as the insects approached inverted surfaces, they held their antennae roughly perpendicular to the surface. ‘The bee is able to estimate the slope of the surface to orient correctly the antennae, so it is using its visual system,’ explains Srinivasan. But this is surprising, because the insects are almost completely stationary while hovering and unable to use image movement across the eye to estimate distances. Srinivasan suspects that the bees could be using stereovision over such a short distance, and is keen to test the idea.
Finally the team realised that bees are almost tailor made to land on surfaces inclined at angles of 60 degrees to the horizontal. ‘When bees are flying fast their bodies are horizontal, but when they are flying slowly or hovering their abdomen tilts down so that the tips of the legs and antennae lie in a plane that makes an angle of 60 degrees,’ explains Srinivasan, ‘so the legs and antennae all touch down simultaneously on surfaces inclined at 60 degrees. ‘It seems like they are adapted to land on surfaces tilted to 60 degrees and we are keen to find out whether many flowers have this natural tilt,’ says Srinivasan. Srinivasan is optimistic that he will eventually be able to use his discoveries in the design of novel flight control systems. This article is published in the Journal Of Experimental Biology http:// jeb.biologists.org. Request the full text from kathryn@biologists.com. 12-23-09 Catch the Buzz. This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping
Heartland Honey and Beekeeping Supplies 19201 South Clare Road Spring Hill, KS 66061 913-856-8356 www.heartlandhoney.com
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
2010 Spring Meeting Program (subject to change) Friday, March 12 9:00 am
1st Tour Group, Bernie Andrew’s Honey Farm and State-of-the-Art Honey House
10:00 am
2nd Tour Group, Andrew Honey Farm It’s about 45 minutes driving time to Bernie’s. Maps will be available at hotel, or you can Google his address at 2848 E. 1400th Street, Loraine, IL 62349
????
Execuive Board Meeting: Time and room TBA
9:30-12:00 Setup for vendors in Calypso/Aloha Room 12:00
Registration open
1:00
Setup for Silent Auction in Paradise Room. Joyce Justice is in charge. Please bring items to donate.
1:00-1:15
Welcome and announcements from President Scott Moser
1:15-2:10
Sub-lethal Effects of Miticides on Honey Bees Jennifer Berry
2:15-2:45
Basic Equipment, the Essentials of What you Need and the Choices You’ll Have to Make Presenter TBA
2:45-3:10
Break, visit with vendors
3:15-3:45
TBA
3:50-4:15
NASA and Beekeeping: What’s the Connection? Jennifer Berry
4:20-4:45
Expanding Your Market with Creamed Honey Presenter TBA
6:30 pm
Beekeeper of the Year Banquet, Paradise Room Dinner menu: Grilled Seafood Trio or Roasted Prime Rib of Beef After Dinner Program: Presentation of Beekeeper of the Year Award Beekeeping in Bolivia Jennifer Berry
Saturday, March 13 8:00am
Invocation and Greetings from Rev. Grant Gillard Announcements from President Scott Moser
8:15:8:35
Greetings from Queen Chair Joyce Justice and 2010 Missouri Honey Queen. Bring silent auction items as a donation to support the queen program. Tables set up in prefunction area (outside meeting room).
February 2010
Page 5
2010 Spring Meeting Program (continued) 8:40-9:25
TBA
9:30-10:15 Pros and Cons of Non-traditional Approaches to Varroa Control Jennifer Berry 10:15-10:40 Break and door prize drawings, coffee in breakfast area 10:45-11:15 Newbee Panel: Now that you have had bees for a year or two, put together all the questions you were afraid to ask, and ask our panel of experts. 11:15-11:55 Native Bee Research in Prairie Ecosystems Jennifer Hopwood, Midwest Pollinator Outreach Coordinator 12:00-1:00 Lunch: Paradise Room: Little Taste of Italy Buffet 1:00-2:10
University of Georgia Honey Bee Lab Research Update Jennifer Berry
2:15-2:45
TBA
2:50-3:15
Break, end of Silent Auction. raffle prize drawing
3:15-4:15
Business Meeting, more door prizes
Support our meeting vendors and advertisers As of press time, the following vendors had confirmed plans to attend the meeting. You can save on shipping costs by placing orders ahead of time to be picked up during the meeting. Bee Blessed Bee Hives* Hand-crafted poplar hives 636-274-5009 beeblessed@sbcglobal.net Debbie Carbone and Steve Crawford
Global Patties* Protein patties 573-870-0597 wells.ernie@gmail.com
Dadant and Sons* All beekeeping supplies 888-922-1293 www.dadant.com
Heartland Honey & Beekeeping* Beekeeping/candlemaking supplies 913-856-8356 www.heartlandhoney.com Joli Winer and Cecil Sweeney
Draper’s Super Bee* All beekeeping supplies 402-274-3725 Larry and Brenda Draper
Walter T. Kelley Co.* All beekeeping supplies 800-233-2899 www.kelleybees.com
Femme Osage Apiary Handcrafted woodenware & bee supplies 636-398-5014 Ian and Pam Brown
Walkabout Acres* All beekeeping supplies 573-474-8837 FAX 573-474-5830 walkaboutacres@agristar.net Vera and Art Gelder *See ad in this issue
Missouri State Beekeepers Association Spring 2010 Meeting Registration Form List all names for name tags. List any pertinent info such as Master Beekeeper, Beekeeper of the Year (and which year), name of honey business, etc. NAME_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ ADDRESS____________________________________________________ CITY___________________STATE_________ZIP+4_________________ PHONE________________________E-MAIL ____________________________________________
Pre-registration fees (Registration must be received by FEBRUARY 28, 2010) Member
$22.00 X_____= ___________
Member Family (i.e. husband & wife, father & son etc.) (Must have paid 2010 dues as a family)
$32.00
Non-member (per person)
$30.00 X _____= ___________
___________
Registrations made after FEBRUARY 28, 2010 Member
$25.00 X ______=___________
Non-member (No family discount on late registrations)
$35.00 X ______= ___________
Friday night Beekeeper of the Year Banquet Since it is Lent, we will offer Grilled Seafood Trio or Roasted Prime Rib of Beef; please indicate your choice
FISH x _____ or BEEF x _____
Adult - $22.00 per person Child - $10.00/child under 12
($22.00 x _____) = ($10.00 x _____) =
_______ _______
Saturday lunch: Little Taste of Italy buffet Adult - $13.50/person Child - $7.50/child under 12
($13.50 x _____) = ($ 7.50 x _____) =
_______ _______
Membership 2010 Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Individual: Renewal New Membership 2010 Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Family: Renewal New
$15.00_______ $20.00_______
Queen fund donation
Donation $___________
Meeting fund donation
Donation $___________ Total $___________
Please make checks payable to: Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Send to Pam Brown, 1407 Sneak Rd., Foristell, Mo. 63348 If you pre-register and then cannot attend, your registration fee will be considered a
donation and no refunds will be made. If you pay for meals and we are able to sell them you will be refunded for those. Please note – no receipt will be sent. Checks will be deposited after the meeting.
February 2010
Page 7
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Beee Blessed Bee Hives Expandable Hive Assembled
$150.00
Kit includes: 1 reversible bottom board, 2 full depth 9 5/8 select grade poplar, dovetailed brood boxes with metal rabbits, 2 – 6 5/8 select grade poplar, dovetailed supers with metal rabbits, 1 inner cover and 1 dovetailed, telescoping metal top cover (frames and foundation not included).
All Assembled 9 5/8 Hive Bodies $29.75 (each) 6 5/8 Super (not shown) $19.75 (each) Metal Top Cover & Inner Cover $32.50 Telescoping Metal Top Cover only $24.00 Inner Cover only $9.50 Reversible Bottom Board $19.50 Order now and pick up at Missouri State Beekeepers Meeting in Hannibal Contact Debbie at (636) 274-5009 or email beeblessed@sbcglobal.net. Unassembled pieces also available, call or e mail for prices.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Page 8
Honey Princess Report
A note from the Queen Chair
Greetings Beekeepers,
Needed: Ten clubs to volunteer to make one centerpiece each for the evening banquet at the Spring Meeting in Hannibal. Suggestions include flowers, seeds, etc., that are good pollinators for the bees -let’s have fun with this! Centerpieces will be judged on originality and awarded first, second and third place. Saturday at lunch time they will be auctioned off, with proceeds going to the Queen Fund.
by Lillian-Grace Misko
What an active and cold season we have experienced this winter! Despite the weather in December, I was able to attend the Midwestern Beekeepers Association’s Christmas Dinner. Not only did I get to meet new beekeepers, but I also had the treat of trying all sorts of foods.
by Joyce D. Justice
Please remember also to bring items for the silent auction. See you in Hannibal. Joyce D. Justice
How true it is, beekeepers absolutely know how to cook with honey! Wanting to share, I experimented and brought a new dessert (I love cooking desserts) but I accidentally overcooked it. Thankfully, it still turned out nice and sweet -- just a little crunchy and slightly dark. From that experience, I learned to decrease the temperature by 25 degrees when substituting with honey. Each year since 1962, the Midwestern group has awarded a Beekeeper of the Year. It was my privilege to meet Andy Nowachek, who was awarded the 2009 MBA Beekeeper of the Year and the “Traveling Copper Smoker”. Mr. Nowachek has been a beekeeper and part of the MBA since 2002. He works approximately 20 hives and serves as the Program Director. I have now finished my Honey Brochure, which I am excited to introduce to beekeepers and non-beekeepers. I am looking forward to the flowers and the warm weather as much as the bees! Hope to see each of you at the upcoming events. With care, Lillian-Grace Misko 2010 Honey Princess
WEAVER’S FAMOUS QUEENS And Package Bees
Buckfast & All-American OVER 121 YEARS OF SERVICE THE R WEAVER APIARIES, INC. 16495 C.R. 319, NAVASOTA, TX 77868
Sharon Gibbons is retiring. Son Chris doesn’t want all her stuff. Round section comb supers -- about 20 -- with frames: $20 each 45 gal.stainless water-jacketed tank (Dadant): $1000 3 Kelley Grocer’s tanks (each holds 15 lbs. honey): $200 each Kelley liquifying tank -- holds three buckets: Make offer.
636-394-5395
Honey Princess Lillian-Grace Misko and Midwestern Beekeeper of the Year Andy Nowachek.
sgibbons314@att.net
Phone (936) 825-2333 FAX (936) 825-3642
EMAIL: rweaver@rweaver.com WEBSITE: www.rweaver.com
DRAPER’S SUPER BEE Specializing in:
Bee Pollen Beekeeping Supplies Containers Observation Hives Call for a free pollen sample & supply catalog
FOR SALE: Five-frame nucs, available April 15. Fourwheel drum dolly. Grant Gillard 573-243-6568
(402) 274-3725
February 2010
Page 9 Cookin’ with Honey! by Carrie Sayers
Honey oney Apple Cake with Honey Sauce from Southern Living, September 1999
Cake 1 C Chopped Pecans – divided 2 C Sugar 1 C Vegetable Oil ¼ C HONEY 3 Large Eggs 3 C All-purpose Flour 1 t Baking Soda 1 t Salt 1 t Ground Cinnamon ½ t Ground Nutmeg 1 t Vanilla Extract 3 C Chopped Golden Delicious Apples Ernie Wells, Distributor Ellsinore, MO 573-870-0597 wells.ernie@gmail.com Patties are available for pickup, shipping or delivery to your bee club.
Northern Italian Survivor Stock
Five Frame Nucs
Order Early! Quantities Limited.
For sale in the spring. $100.00 each -- no frame exchange. Will deliver under 200 miles for a fee. If your group buys 30 nucs I will deliver free within 200 miles. Free delivery of 50 nucs within 300 miles, or 100 nucs within 400 miles. Ernie Wells Ellsinore MO 573-429-0222
Method Grease & flour 12 cup Bundt pan; sprinkle bottom of pan with ½ cup pecans – set aside. Beat sugar, oil & honey at medium speed with an electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until just blended. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients. Gradually add to sugar mixture, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in vanilla, remaining ¾ cup pecans and apples. Spoon over pecans in pan. Bake at 350 for 55-60 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack for 15 minutes; remove from pan and place on wire rack over wax paper. Pour ½ cup honey sauce over warm cake. Cool. Heat remaining honey sauce; serve with cake and if desired, ice cream. Honey Sauce -- Yield 1 1/2 Cups 1 C firmly packed brown sugar ½ C butter (preferably unsalted) ½ C HONEY ½ C Milk Bring all ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat, stirring constantly; boil, stirring constantly 2 minutes. Carrie Sayers (www.sayerscatering.com) is a second-year beekeeper in Glendale, MO, and has been cooking with honey for years.
TIP for cooking with honey When substituting honey for sugar in a recipe: For each cup of honey used, reduce any liquid in the recipe by ¼ cup and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Also, if baking, reduce oven temp by 25 degrees to prevent over-browning.
February 2010
Page 11
Local Beekeepers Associations Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 1:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia Contact Art Gelder 573-474-8837 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Contact Don Moore 573-265-8706
Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 3rd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 3rd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Cecil Sweeney, President 913-856-8356
Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Debi Bridgman 573-439-5228
Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association 3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Scenic Regional Library, Union Contact Rodney Angell 573-764-2922 bee143@fidnet.com
Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of each month, 108 Harrison, Farmington Contact Gene Wood 573-431-1436
Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”) 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Monett High School VO-AG Building Robert Sperandio, President 417-235-6959
Southwest Beekeepers Association
1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Herb Spencer 417-472-7743
Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
Can’t find a club near you? Contact President Scott Moser for help getting one started.
THE HAWLEY HONEY COMPANY 220 North Elm Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5956 (After 8 pm 620-365-7919) White clover honey strained in 5-gallon buckets. We will pack it in your jars for an extra fee. Bee Equipment - New and Used - Used Extractors Corn syrup, sugar syrup and SUGAR Bees -- Frames of brood Call for prices. Can deliver to Kansas City, Joplin or Butler, MO
FOR SALE:
PACKAGE BEES For April pickup in Lynnville, Iowa or Hamilton, Illinois. These are 2# and 3# packages from C.F. Koehnen and Sons. Your choice of Italian or Carniolan queens. Carniolan queens will be available separately beginning in mid April. Contact Phil Ebert: 641-527-2639 ehoney37@netins.net
Page 12
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
February 2010
Directory of Officers
Honey Queen Report by Ginny Devine Hello,
Carrie’s Photography
This past weekend I was volunteering at a local nursing home (I am a certified Medical Technologist) when I was introduced to a new product called Medihoney. Medihoney is a new Standardized Antibacterial Honey which is effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria, including antibioticresistant strains. It is used as a wound care dressing and provides an antibacterial barrier for wounds. It is also used in the treatment of pressure ulcers, leg/foot ulcers, surgical wounds, burns, acute and chronic wounds, donor and recipient graft sites, and general first aid. It is used widely among nursing homes because of its fast, effective autolytic debriding action for the removal of slough and necrotic tissues in an antibacterial environment. Medihoney is effective against more than 200 clinical strains and it reduces the risk of infections. This natural product benefits patients because it reduces trauma and pain during dressing changes. This product aids in carious skin conditions including psoriasis, eczema, and burns. It is amazing to see how something that is usually considered as food now has more by-products that are used in our everyday lives. Sincerely, Your 2010 Missouri Honey Queen Ginny
Wanted to buy:
TRADIN’ POST
President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson, MO 63755 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Ken Sona* 314-303-4646 19 McClay Crossing, St. Peters, MO 63376 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Ken Norman 417-669-4452 3634 Shiloh Church Road, Marionville, MO 65705 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City, MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com Southern Director: Marlin Trout 417-830-7749 20445 Lawrence 2070, Ash Grove, MO 65604 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 636-946-5520 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles, MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Sharon Gibbons* 636-394-5395 314 Quinnmoor Dr., Ballwin, MO 63011 sgibbs314@earthlink.net Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-965-4631 643 Pearl Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 314-703-7650 cell editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
To schedule an appearance by our Honey Queen, contact Queen Chair Joyce Justice, whose contact information appears at right.
HONEY
Page 13
2009 honey, St. Louis city/ county area. Must be unheated/unfiltered. Eugene Makovec emakovec@sbcglobal.net 314-703-7650
For sale:
Six drums of light 2009 honey -- $1.65 per lb., possibly lower if you buy all six.
Brian Norris 816-668-9365 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com
Need to buy or sell honey or related products? Contact the editor to post your needs here. Members only.
Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown, MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia, MO 65211 *We need volunteers to fill the positions of Secretary and Program Chair. Please contact Scott Moser or Grant Gillard for information.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
Snowbees spotted in Centerview! Honey Princess Lillian-Grace Misko makes some new friends following a mid-January snowstorm. photo by Cathy Misko
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with “email newsletter� in the subject line. I’ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
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Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
April 2010 Eugene Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
Spring Meeting draws scores to Hannibal Jennifer Berry headlines semi-annual gathering of state’s beekeepers Over one hundred beekeepers flocked to Mark Twain’s hometown in March for the MSBA’s annual Spring Meeting. They gathered to share stories, food and drink; to visit vendors; to learn from experts in the trade; and most of all, to talk about honeybees and beekeeping. The news was not all good. With few exceptions, members talked of significant bee losses this past winter. Some blamed mites, others starvation, and a couple even chalked it up to that mysterious malady, Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). In recent weeks, national news outlets have been filled with similar stories from other parts of the country. Headline speaker Jennifer Berry, Agricultural Research Coordinator at the University of Georgia, College of Agriculture/ Entomology, talked about a study on comb contamination, and it was troubling. While we’ve all been worried about our brood comb, they tested foundation made from cappings wax, and found residues of several miticides, with coumaphos the biggest culprit. We know that wax is transferred from place to place within the hive. But what follows is more disturbing: Mason bee nests also tested positive for these residues, suggesting perhaps that this stuff is somehow being deposited, albeit in miniscule quantities, on flowers for anyone to pick up. Having sworn off plastic foundation several years ago due to the bees’ obvious preference for wax, this writer is now having second thoughts, as virgin plastic is at least free of miticides. Jennifer stated that for purposes of some test colonies, the UGA bee lab suspends wax starter strips at the tops of frames and leaves it to the bees to draw the rest of the comb, so as to minimize these contamination issues. She cautioned, however, that one should be sure that hives are level from side to side; your bees will have no qualms about starting a comb at the top of Frame 10 and finishing at the bottom of Frame 9, if that’s where gravity leads them! Jennifer also spoke about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as a means of controlling mite populations with chemical application as a Erected in 1913, this giant statue of Mark Twain gazes out across the Mississippi River from Hannibal’s scenic Riverview Park. In 2010, the city marks the 175th birthday of Samuel Clemens, the 125th anniversary of Twain’s pinnacle work Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and the 100th anniversary of his death.
last resort. She discussed the following categories of mite control: • Biological: Fungal controls have been tested but further study is needed. Screened • Cultural: bottom boards, drone brood trapping, powdered sugar, brood cycle disruption • Genetic: Hygienic bees • Chemicals: There are good and bad, both in
Jennifer Berry continued on page 4
Egglayers union sets strike vote Mandatory retirement age at issue April 1, 2010 St. Louis, MO Members of the International Sisterhood of Egglayers, Local 1851, are set to vote this month on a strike action against SweetBee Honey Corporation. At issue is SweetBee’s new mandatory retirement age of two years for queen bees. The policy was announced on March 1, and drew an ominous hum of indignation from egglayers across the company’s 1200-hive operation. “It’s completely arbitrary – it’s not even a matter of individual ability,” buzzed Myrtle, a 26-month-old queen who declined to give her last name. “They just assume we’re too old and can no longer do the job.” Myrtle was summarily dismissed as she reached her second continued on page 6
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the President .............. 2 2010 Bee Loss Survey ....... 3 Response needed by April 16 Bee Loss Survey ................... 6 Respond by April 16 Book Review ....................... 7 “The Quest for the Perfect Hive” Queen Chair report ............ 8 Winged Warriors ..................8 Bomb-sniffing bees
Beekeepers of the Year ...... 9 Valerie and Jim Duever Cookin’ with honey! .......... 9 Bran muffins w/goji berries Local associations ............ 11 Membership application .. 12 Honey Princess report ...... 13 Directory of Officers .......... 13 More meeting photos ..... 14
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
From the President by Scott Moser It looks like Spring has finally sprung here in the eastern part of Missouri. The Maples have bloomed, the Forsythia and Daffodils are blooming, a few Dandelions are showing, and the Virginia Bluebell is beginning to bloom as well. It is a good thing too, because it was one of the hardest winters Missouri has seen in a long time. Heavy snow in many parts, record lows several times, and extended periods of cold were the norm rather than the exception. It was also a tough winter for the bees! Winter losses were really high due to the extended cold and poor fall honey crop last year. Many beekeepers were lulled into a sense of false security based on past winters, thinking their bees would be able to make it through this winter like all the rest. In most cases, unless the colony was well fed going into winter, or emergency feeding during the winter was done, many colonies perished. In many cases, I have heard of losses as high as 50%, while normal winter loss usually runs at about 10%. In most cases, the bees were unable to break cluster because of the prolonged cold, and starved inches away from food. Upon inspection beekeepers found the bees head first in the cells, with honey inches away. This is usually a classic sign of starvation. Due to the unusually high losses across the country, and the cold weather across the south, many package, nuc and queen suppliers are feeling the pinch. By early January, shipping dates for queens and packages were already into June. If a beekeeper didn’t order early, many suppliers were sold out. Those waiting until mid-March to order packages were finding it difficult to get bees before mid-June, or possibly at all. The lesson that should be learned from this winter is to have your bees ready for the winter months, and don’t rely on past years as indicators of how much preparation you should give them. Assume all winters are going to be cold and harsh, and get your bees ready. A few weeks ago, the MSBA held its Spring Meeting in Hannibal once again. There was a large turnout of members at the meeting, which was great to see. Jennifer Berry, our guest speaker, did a wonderful job with all of her talks. She discussed a variety of topics, including residual chemicals in the hive, how to keep bees healthy, use of more bee-friendly mite control (including the use of powdered
sugar to control Varroa mites), and the latest information about Colony Collapse Disorder. She is currently working on a method of applying powdered sugar to a colony from the bottom rather than the top of the hive that holds promise in giving us another tool to effectively combat the Varroa mite. Jennifer was asked about the effectiveness of powdered sugar in controlling mites, specifically a study from Florida that indicated that powdered sugar was ineffective against Varroa. She said she respected the work that the researchers did, but felt the study was badly flawed because of several problems that she pointed out. It is her hope that her research will prove that powdered sugar will be an effective tool against the mite. She was a very informative and entertaining speaker, and many members said they would like having her return to speak again. In addition to the meeting, the Banquet was wonderful as well. This year, the MSBA chose Jim and Val Duever as Beekeepers of the Year. Plans are in the works for the Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 meetings. It looks like the Fall Meeting will be held in Cape Girardeau, and the Spring 2011 Meeting in the Springfield/Branson area once again. As many members know, Sharon Gibbons has stepped down from the Program Chairperson position, and Pam Brown has stepped up to take her position. Pam is currently working on the Spring 2011 meeting, and it sounds like it is coming together well. Hope to see you all in Cape this fall.
April 2010
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Help needed with bee loss survey Data important to continuing research The Apiary Inspectors of America and the USDA-ARS Beltsville Bee Research Laboratory are seeking your help in tabulating the winter losses that occurred over the winter of 2009-2010. This continues the AIA/USDA survey efforts from the past three years which has been important in quantifying the losses of honey bees for government, media, and researchers. This year’s survey is faster, easier and does not require your time on the phone. It is all web based and automatic, just fill and click. Please take a few moments to fill out our winter loss survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/beeloss0910 This survey will be conducted until April 16th, 2010. If you have any questions or concerns please email beeloss@gmail. com, or Honeybee.Survey@aphis.usda.gov Thanks in advance for your assistance. Jeff Pettis; USDA-ARS Beltsville Bee Research Laboratory Dennis vanEngelsdorp; Penn State University Jerry Hayes; Florida Department of Agriculture Dewey Caron; University of Delaware and Oregon State University
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
More notes from Spring Meeting continued from page 1 terms of effectiveness and safety.
IPM is used for the following reasons: • • • • •
Decrease chemical treatments Reduce selection pressure (in mites) for chemical resistance Reduce risk (to bees and beekeepers) and reliance on chemicals Reduce risk of environmental contamination Reduce cost
Jennifer mentioned that, while past studies of powdered sugar dusting have been inconclusive, the UGA bee lab has begun a new, two-year study in which treatments begin in January rather than March, hives are dusted from the top down rather than bottom-up, and treatments consist of four dustings, four days apart, rather than the common method of two-week intervals. As for CCD, there was not much to report in the way of answers. Ms. Berry did mention the fact that there have been several previous bee die-offs of note, including “Disappearing Disease” in the 1970s, Isle of Wight Disease in the early 1900s, and a similar phenomenon in the 1860s. Although migratory stress in pollination operations has been blamed by many for this latest malady, a recent study showed similar rates of CCD among migratory and non-migratory enterprises. Of the bee losses that occurred in 2009, Jennifer stated that approximately 30 percent have been attributed to starvation, and only five percent to CCD. Grant Gillard lectured on the causes and prevention of swarming, which he described as “your penalty for successfully bringing a strong colony … into spring”. Still, he said, “Swarming doesn’t just happen…. Bees are reactive,” making swarm preparations several weeks in advance. Therefore, “beekeepers need to be proactive” to head them off.
substance to line their nests), and orchard bees, in addition to the more common ones we see like bumbles, carpenters and, of course, good old Apis mellifera. Jennifer said that 70 percent of native bees are ground-nesting solitary bees, while the other 30 percent nest in tunnels, including the stems of blackberries and raspberries. Amazingly, despite the incredible Jennifer Hopwood diversity of the world’s pollinators, Jennifer said that China, which is the world’s largest apple producer, pollinates 40 percent of that fruit by hand! Of all the fascinating photos she presented, the most memorable may have been the one of an apple grower pollinating apple blossoms with the filter end of a cigarette. State Entomologist Collin Wamsley gave an update on his department’s efforts at surveying the state for the presence of Africanized Honey Bees. The 2010 Missouri AHB Survey offers swarm traps to beekeepers in the southwest part of the state in order to test samples for AHB DNA. A limited number of such samples was returned in 2008-09, with none testing positive for AHB. Africanized bees have yet to be reported in Missouri. Collin also suggested that beekeepers submit bee samples from nuisance hives or suspicious swarms to his office, which he forwards to the Tucson Bee Lab for testing. See page 13 of this newsletter for Collin’s contact information.
Congestion causes swarming, Grant said. But we should not confuse congestion with crowding, which he called simply “bees per volume.... Congestion,” on the other hand, is “the competition for available cell space between incoming nectar and the queen’s need to lay eggs and their need to raise brood.” This condition can be alleviated in various ways: • Buy a queen and make a split. • Add frames of empty comb or foundation, either by adding a box or by swapping for honey frames. • Reverse brood boxes. • Perform a Demaree manipulation as follows: 1. Split colony by moving brood to top box. 2. Keep queen in bottom box. 3. Separate with new brood box between. Jennifer Hopwood, of the Xerces Society (www.xerces.org), gave a wonderful talk on the diversity of pollinators in our world. Over 4000 species of wild bees exist just in the United States. These include sweat bees, mason bees, leafcutters (look for half-moon cutouts in leaves), plaster/polyester bees (secrete a waterproof
President Scott Moser thanks Sharon Gibbons for her dedication as Program Director, a position from which she is stepping down after many years of service. Pam Brown has agreed to take over, and is already lining up speakers for upcoming meetings (see page 9).
April 2010 C
Page 5 A
D
F
G
B A and B, Bernie Andrew shows off equipment and methods at his honey house near Loraine, IL; C, State Entomologist Collin Wamsley talks with Art Gelder; D, Jennifer Berry shows off her new MSBA T-shirt and hat; E, Steve Harris demonstrates some of his swarm-catching equipment; F, Jann Amos plays the role of auctioneer for the benefit of the Queen Fund; G, Yvonne Von Der Ahe and Bob Sears talk to Stephanie Barry about her beekeeping folklore project.
E
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Egglayers strike threatens St. Louis beekeeping operation Queens protest new two-year retirement mandate continued from page 1
anniversary at SweetBee, just weeks after the new policy took effect. She was able to find work in a nearby observation hive, but while she considers herself lucky, she acknowledges that this is a huge demotion for her. “This used to be where old, worn-out queens went to die,” she mused. “I love my hive-mates and am treated well by my keeper, but it’s not the same as running a fullscale production hive. I need to be challenged.” “It’s just not fair,” complained Rosie Romano-Ortis-PetrovaSchultz-Bertolli-Bremer-Maggiano-Boehner-Milosevic-AnderssenBommarito-Yurovich-Hegel, a 22-month-old single mother of 54,371. “I feel like I’m just coming into prime production age. I’ve got a lot of mouths to feed, and now I have to worry about one day being plucked out of my work station like some yellow jacket, and tossed out into the grass … or worse.” SweetBee officials declined to comment for the record, citing ongoing negotiations. But one high-level manager, speaking on condition of anonymity, called it “a matter of simple economics…. It is true that you can’t put a definitive age on productivity,” he said. “But the simple fact is, once they get beyond that two-year point, it’s really hit-or-miss.” And since the union has consistently resisted the idea of its older members submitting to viability testing, he added, “This was our only option.” Another company official concurred. “Close to 50 percent of queens experience significant production declines in their third year, and the worst part is, it’s so unpredictable. You have a queen who looks to be doing a great job, and suddenly she starts producing nothing but drones. It’s very difficult, and very expensive, to replace her when that happens in mid-season.” It is widely acknowledged that queen productivity declines with age, often during the third year and almost always by the fourth. The reasons are complex, but experts agree that the largest issue is a decreasing supply of sperm in the egg-layer’s spermatheca. This organ is supplied on a mating flight within the first two weeks of a queen’s life, and is never replenished. (Sperm is required for fertilization of worker eggs, while unfertilized eggs develop into drones.)
job,” said Myrtle, “but they’re also more nimble than we are, and have extensive flight training to boot.” After mating, the only time a queen would typically leave the hive is in a swarm, when she’s surrounded by a large contingent of workers. The last time the apiculture industry saw open labor strife was in 1962, when the International Union of Drones (DUI) declared a general strike, protesting the industry-wide policy of releasing drones in the autumn months in preparation for the winter dearth period. But the ill-fated strike occurred in late September, at a time when apiaries had little to gain from negotiation with the union. The action was settled within days in a humiliating defeat for the union. In an effort to save face, and in exchange for a promise not to strike the following spring when a work stoppage would have had more serious repercussions, DUI leaders asked for and obtained an unrelated concession -- the free-agent status that their membership enjoys to this day. (Some conspiracy theorists maintain that this was the result the union had in mind at the outset, though most experts agree that drones are just not that intelligent.) Under the free agent policy, drones are allowed to drift from hive to hive as they see fit. It is not uncommon for a drone to leave his home hive in the morning, visit several drone congregation areas during the course of the day and then follow other drones back to a different hive in the evening. In recent years this state of affairs has been blamed in part for the spread of mites and disease conditions between hives, but there has been no serious discussion about amending the policy. As far as the impending strike vote is concerned, most believe the motion will pass easily. “It’s just too much,” said an executive at another apiary. “SweetBee can’t expect this big a change to go uncontested. But (a strike) won’t last long,” he added. “The company certainly can’t do without the queens’ services this time of year. I’m guessing management will cave quickly – if they let them walk out at all.” Meanwhile, Rosie Romano-Ortis-Petrova-Schultz-Bertolli-BremerMaggiano-Boehner-Milosevic-Anderssen-Bommarito-YurovichHegel, the 22-month-old soon-to-be retiree, is busy planning for life after SweetBee. She’s developing a plan for a pheromonemarketing business, and is looking for consulting work.
In previous labor negotiations, management has floated the idea of requiring queens to make additional mating flights, possibly annually, in order to circumvent this supply issue. But while drones have generally supported that proposal, the egglayers’ union •100 sheets coated Plasticell Foundation for 91/8 frames - $80.00 has been vehemently opposed. Some members object on ethical grounds. “It’s just not natural,” •Shallow or Illinois Honey Supers with drawn out comb - $20.00 each said one queen. “No queen in nature has ever •Dadant Bottling Tank 45 gallon-stainless, double water jacket - $1200. been subjected to this ritual more than once, and •30 cases 190 ml Hex Jar with gold lids - $9 per case we shouldn’t have to start now.”
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April 2010
Page 7
Book provides rich hive history by Eugene Makovec With the intensive coverage of CCD in recent years, modern beekeeping methods have endured much criticism, both within the industry and from environmental circles. The gist of much of this criticism is that it is not natural to put bees in boxes of our making, to stifle their natural tendencies, or to transport them all over the countryside and force them to work in locations, and on schedules, of our choosing. So when I obtained a copy of Gene Kritsky’s new book The Quest for the Perfect Hive, I expected an attempt to address at least one of these criticisms of modern beekeeping – that of the “modern” beehive, which is not in fact modern at all, but which has existed in much the same form since 1851, when Lorenzo Langstroth first introduced his movable-frame design, along with its underlying concept of bee-space, to the American market. But Kritsky, as it turns out, expresses no disagreement with Langstroth’s ideas or the fundamentals of his design. (His invention, and the principle of bee space upon which it depends, are not described until chapter 9, and his name does not even appear until page 104.) Nor does the author offer any design proposals of his own. What he does present, and exhaustively so, is a history of mankind’s relationship with the honeybee, complete with descriptions, photos and drawings of hundreds of hive designs over the centuries. The one drawback the author expresses about the Langstroth design is its relative expense compared to prior skep and box hive designs. Once you’ve invested hundreds of dollars on a hive and its accessories, it is difficult to justify spending additional funds investigating novel, incompatible designs. In other words, says Kritsky, the Langstroth hive, while solving many of the problems endemic to previous designs, has essentially stifled innovation in the industry during the century and a half since. This would perhaps be a matter of great pride for Langstroth the inventor, but Langstroth the beekeeper would undoubtably be disappointed in his colleagues in the apiculture industry. Beekeepers are well-known for tinkering around the edges of their equipment and accessories. Someone is always coming up with a new feeder, extractor, smoker or bottom board, and Kritsky devotes a chapter to such “paraphernalia”. But virtually every new development is designed around the same basic design we are all using. We live in what may be considered the golden age of scientific discovery, and the area of honeybee research is no exception. We may also be overdue for a new revolution in hive design, and Gene Kritsky’s comprehensive look at past innovations is a great place to start. The Quest for the Perfect Hive A History of Innovation in Bee Culture by Gene Kritsky Published by Oxford University Press; hardback, 216 pages; $24.95
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Student seeks help with folklore project I am Stephanie Barry, a Truman State University student from St. Louis City. I am writing a paper on beekeepers for my Folklore class. To my knowledge, this is the first time that someone has chosen to study beekeepers in Missouri, so the project is really exciting for me! Collecting information is part of the process, and I am looking for volunteers to participate in interviews or questionnaires. Questions will center around folklore, which is a very broad field that includes stories, jokes, riddles, anecdotes, recipes -- really anything that you share with your apiarist friends. If you have questions or are interested in helping with my project, please contact me ASAP at seb183@truman.edu or 314-7917276.
Page 8
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Winged Warriors Train for Terror, Drug Wars aolnews.com (courtesy of Pam Brown) LONDON (March 28) -- It’s the ultimate honey trap. A British company has successfully trained bees to sniff out explosives, drugs and other hazardous materials, and their winged warriors could soon be on duty at airports, train stations and other potential terrorism or trafficking sites. Honeybees have incredibly sensitive olfactory organs, which they use to help track down their favorite food -- sugary nectar -- in the wild. Realizing that the bugs can be taught to smell much more than just sweet stuff, U.K. firm Inscentinel developed a gadget that harnesses this powerful sense to identify would-be bombers or drug smugglers. And while it takes about six months and $37,000 to train a single sniffer dog (which has a similarly strong sense of smell as the average bee), swarms of honey harvesters can be skilled up in just a few minutes. The British company has figured out how to train bees to detect explosives or drugs by exploiting their desire for nectar.
A note from the Queen Chair by Joyce D. Justice
The Spring Meeting Queen Fund was a success! Our “Flowers for Bees” bees centerpieces really added to the fun of our meeting. They were all so different and really made for some interesting conversations. First Prize Winner: Midwestern Beekeepers Association, Cathy Misko, designer Second Prize Winner: Boone Regional Beekeepers Assoc., Valerie Duever, designer Third Price Winner: Jackson Area Beekeepers, Grant Gillard, designer Honorable Mention: Three Rivers Beekeepers, John and Jane Timmons, designers; Three Rivers Beekeepers, Pam Brown, designer; Beekeepers of the Ozarks, Dave Kayser, designer; Midwestern Beekeepers, Joyce Justice, designer
Inscentinel’s bees are taught to identify suspicious substances using Pavlovian conditioning. (Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov famously taught his dogs to drool whenever they heard a bell, as they thought they were about to be fed.) Up to 500 insects are placed in a special “bee hotel” and exposed to a certain odor -- such as a key ingredient of TNT -- and simultaneously rewarded with a sugary liquid. The process is repeated up to five times, says Mathilde Briens, head of R&D at Inscentinel, by which point “the bees associate the smell with food. So next time they sniff this particular smell, they will stick their tongues out because they expect food.” Once their odorous education is over, the bees are ready for work. Thirty-six bugs are transferred from the bee hotel into a hand-held device that resembles a portable vacuum cleaner and gently strapped down with plastic ties. That loading process is entirely automated, so non-bee experts can operate the machine without getting stung. Once they’re seated in the machine -- called a VASOR (for Volatile Analysis by Specific Olfactory Recognition) -- a fan sucks air past the immobilized bugs’ antennae. If they detect a trace of Semtex, for example, the bees will extend their tongues in hunger, breaking beams of light that run in front of their heads and sending a signal to the VASOR operator. That automatic warning system means that anyone can use the gadget after a few hours of basic training. In contrast, learning how to handle a sniffer dog can take many months. And as the gadget contains 36 bees, all individually testing the atmosphere, the VASOR offers greater accuracy than a single explosives hound’s nose. “It’s almost like having a pack of wellbehaved sniffer dogs,” Briens says. The bees’ conditioning wears off after two weeks unless they’re given repeated sweet treats. So after two days hunting bad guys, the bees are safely reintroduced to their hive. The gadget may sound a little un-bee-lievable, but governmentfunded tests have repeatedly shown that Inscentinel’s bugs are highly effective bomb sniffers. A 2004 study funded by the U.S. military found that trained honeybees could detect lower concentrations of TNT than commercial ion scanners. And a review last summer by Britain’s Home Office noted that the bees achieved better results than a popular hand-held vapor detector. Briens says that the VASOR, which is at an advanced prototype stage, could be in service by next year.
Thank you for your efforts in working on these arrangements and let’s do this again next year and see how creative we become over the year. Hard to beat that first place winner with pollen on the legs of the bees!!
So watch out, terrorists and narco-traffickers: You could be soon be caught out by a real sting operation.
I want to add a very special thank you to 7Cs Winery for their generous donation of the wonderful wine. Everyone wanted that and it added some very good cash to our Queen Fund.
DRAPER’S SUPER BEE
Next, the Silent Auction table was so full of your donations that we were considering adding another table. There were two very honorable mentions on that table. The designer apron by Bonnie Potter was really a hit and had a bidding war. Next was the honey beer that Art Gelder brought. I believe both of these items came from Boone Regional. Your thoughtfulness really does add fun to the table and money to our Queen Fund. Thanks so much.
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April 2010 2009 Beekeepers of the Year Valerie and Jim Duever
Page 9 Cookin’ with Honey! by Carrie Sayers
Honey oney Bran Muffins with Goji Berries (or or whatever dried fruit you like) - Goji influence by Steve Laycock 3 C Bran Flake Cereal 1 C Dried Goji Berries (or raisins, craisins, dried cherries, dried blueberries etc.) 1 C Granulated Sugar 2-1/2 C All-Purpose Flour 1/2 C HONEY 3 t Baking Soda 1/2 T salt 2 C Buttermilk 2 Eggs 1/4 C Vegetable Oil Method Large Bowl: Combine bran flakes, sugar, flour, baking soda, salt and berries of choice. Stir until well mixed. In a separate bowl: Combine buttermilk, eggs, HONEY and vegetable oil until well blended. Stir buttermilk/HONEY mixture into the dry ingredients. Mix well by hand, not mixer. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for up to 3 days. Valerie and Jim Duever, proprietors of Jim & I Farms in Auxvasse, and members of Boone Regional Beekeepers, have been named 2009 Beekeepers of the Year. The award was presented by Art Gelder at the 2010 Spring Meeting in Hannibal.
Upcoming meetings: MSBA Fall Meeting 2010: Cape Girardeau, October 22-23 at the Plaza Convention Center. Featured speakers include David Burns of Long Lane Honey Bee Farms in Illinois (www.honeybeesonline. com), and Michael Palmer, past president of the Vermont Beekeepers Association. MSBA Spring Meeting 2011: Springfield or Branson, date TBA. Featured speakers include Dennis vanEngelsdorp, University of PA, and apitherapy expert Reyah Carlson, (www.reyasbeesness.com). North American Beekeeping Conference: This will be a joint convention between the American Honey Producers Association and the American Beekeeping Federation, in Galveston, Texas, at the San Luis Resort, January 3-9, 2011. Contact AHPA Executive Secretary Jerry Brown at brownhoneyfarms@ hotmail.com if you have any questions. Go to www.sanluisresort.com/ media/docs/meetingfacility.pdf for Convention Center details. Remember to make your reservations SOON as this conference is expected to fill up quickly.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray muffin pans with cooking spray or line with muffin papers. Spoon batter into cups, filling each about 3/4 full. Bake for 22 minutes or until muffins are browned for regular sized, or 10-12 minutes for mini muffins. Rest for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Slather with HONEY butter or absolutely nothing and enjoy a yummy, healthy homemade treat. Carrie Sayers (www.sayerscatering.com) is a beekeeper in Glendale, MO, and has been cooking with honey for years.
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April 2010
Page 11
Local Beekeepers Associations Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 1:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia Contact Art Gelder 573-474-8837 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees�) 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Monett High School VO-AG Building Robert Sperandio, President 417-235-6959
Southwest Beekeepers Association
1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Herb Spencer 417-472-7743
Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
THE HAWLEY HONEY COMPANY 220 North Elm Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5956 (After 8 pm 620-365-7919) White clover honey strained in 5-gallon buckets. We will pack it in your jars for an extra fee. Bee Equipment - New and Used - Used Extractors Corn syrup, sugar syrup and SUGAR Bees -- Frames of brood Call for prices. Can deliver to Kansas City, Joplin or Butler, MO
Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Contact Don Moore 573-265-8706
Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 3rd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 3rd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Cecil Sweeney, President 913-856-8356
Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Debi Bridgman 573-439-5228
Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association 3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Scenic Regional Library, Union Contact Rodney Angell 573-764-2922 bee143@fidnet.com
Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of each month, 108 Harrison, Farmington Contact Gene Wood 573-431-1436
Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
FOR SALE:
PACKAGE BEES For April pickup in Lynnville, IA or Hamilton, IL These are 2# and 3# packages from C.F. Koehnen and Sons. Your choice of Italian or Carniolan queens. Carniolan queens will be available separately beginning in mid April. Contact Phil Ebert: 641-527-2639 ehoney37@netins.net
Page 12
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
April 2010 Honey Princess Report by Lillian-Grace Misko
Looking outside and seeing the flowers in bloom, I am sure that every true beekeeper and I are sharing the same excitement for spring! This was definitely an active winter, but it looks like spring has finally put her foot down to begin. Recently, I visited family in New York City. While I was in New York and upon my brother meeting me, he randomly biked past a Bee Dessert Café and had to take me there. Since we desired to have a taste of New York’s honey, we ordered their special Honey-lemon Crepe and their “Original Honey Cake” which was dipped in chocolate in a round mold with a bee on top. This café had delicious honey-made desserts and was definitely an inspiration for many ideas! Another fun thing that happened pertaining to bees and honey on this trip is that my brother and I found hieroglyphic bee symbols on various Egyptian artifacts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. As if in a competition, we had a blast finding as many bee hieroglyphic symbols as we could. We made such a scene of seeing our first bee hieroglyphic, the security guard approached us and asked what we had found. I then had the opportunity of educating the New York MMA security guard. I explained how the Egyptians viewed bees as gods—or should I say goddesses? In February, I had the privilege of attending the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association Workshop in Fenton, with the comical and expert speaker Gary S. Reuter. I promoted the American Beekeepers Federation (if you have not subscribed, now is a great time) and provided my “Good Friends Munchies”. At the Fenton workshop a lady called my Munchies (recipe found in my brochure) the “Killer Crunch” because she liked it so much! It was delightful meeting so many new beekeepers who were eager to order their first hives. In March, I attended the MSBA Spring Meeting in Hannibal, with featured speaker Jennifer Berry. She shared at the banquet about her experience in Bolivia, the second poorest country, assisting beekeepers with working Africanized honeybees. Her pictures and stories were heart touching. It was enjoyable to see everyone’s home-made table decorations to auction off for the Queen Fund. I am so thankful that I was there for the excitement and to witness their creativity! I also found out that beekeepers even know how to do magic tricks—or at least Bernie Andrew knows how to! At the end of March, I had my first experience in assisting with a lecture at the North Eastern Kansas and Midwestern Missouri Beekeepers Beginner Workshop. By making smoker fuel and demonstrating how to properly smoke bees, I accompanied my mother with her presentation on Smoking and Beekeeping Etiquette to nearly 200 people. I am quite excited about many of the upcoming events that I have been invited to. To name a few, I will be appearing at the Remington Nature Center, Powel Gardens in Kingsville, and the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield. Thank you for your welcoming support and generosity, Lillian
Page 13
Directory of Officers President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson, MO 63755 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Ken Sona* 314-303-4646 19 McClay Crossing, St. Peters, MO 63376 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Ken Norman 417-669-4452 3634 Shiloh Church Road, Marionville, MO 65705 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City, MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com Southern Director: Dave Kayser 417-767-2435 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland, MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 636-946-5520 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles, MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell, MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-965-4631 643 Pearl Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 314-703-7650 cell editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown, MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia, MO 65211 *We need a volunteer to fill the position of Secretary. Please contact Scott Moser or Grant Gillard for information.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
That’s entertainment! Vice president Grant Gillard and Honey Princess Lillian-Grace Misko appeared to have a good time as they announced the winners of the “Flowers for Bees” centerpiece contest during the 2009 Spring Meeting banquet. The centerpeice contest, planned by Queen Chair Joyce Justice, featured entries from local associations around the state. The First Place ribbon went to Midwestern Beekeepers.
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with “email newsletter” in the subject line. I’ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
Business card size Quarter page
$15.00 $35.00
Half page Full page
$50.00 $100.00
Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
June 2010 Eugene Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
Creating a bee pasture
Connie Knudtson
by Howard Thompson
Over the last several years I have been working on developing bee pasture. There are several steps that have to be carried out to obtain a productive field: plant selection, soil preparation, planting and finally tending the plants. The plant options are determined by your location (both physical and growing zone), soil type, farming practices and soil moisture/rainfall. These factors will make some plants more desirable than others, which will affect the taste of your honey. Remember, each plant’s nectar departs a slightly different taste and color to the honey. The best apple cider is made from a mixture of different apples, and honey is no different. Each plant has different nutritional value for bees and different bloom times. In order to have a nectar flow throughout the season, several plants need to be selected. Remember, just because particular seeds are planted, this will not prevent the bees from flying over your pasture to sample other flowers along the edges of the field, which will also affect the taste of the honey. It’s Missouri State Fair time again! Make plans now to attend the fair, and spend a day volunteering at our Honey Booth! See page 6 for details.
There are multiple references available that list plants that will be fancied by bees throughout the season. Not all of the plants that are listed in these references are or can be grown in quantities to have seed available for cultivation without breaking the bank. I have also learned that there are some plants that are only good for one season since they do not reseed themselves easily or are not perennials. I have found that buckwheat, purple tanzy (Phacelia tanacerifolia), borage, rapa and various legumes are relatively easy to grow with good results. For non-legume plants, the bloom order is: rapa (late March/early April), blueberries, purple tanzy and blackberries, with buckwheat and borage blooming from late June to frost. For the legumes I have planted, the bloom order is: crimson clover and hairy vetch (mid April), ladino clover (short white), yellow sweet clover, continued on page 4
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the President .............. 2 State Fair bid sheet ............. 3 Mead makes a comeback ... 5 Missouri State Fair ............. 6 ABF membership benefits .... 7 Upcoming meetings ........... 8 Beekeepers of the Year ..... 9 A bio on Valerie and Jim Duever
Cookin’ with honey! .......... 11 Honey Mojitos Local associations ............ 11 Find a club near you! Membership application .. 12 Honey Princess report ...... 13 Queen Chair report .......... 13 Directory of officers ........ 13
Page 2
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
From the President by Scott Moser Spring has come on with a vengeance in the past few weeks it seems. After the winter that gripped the Midwest this year, spring is a relief. I know the bees are glad to be out and about, because they have really picked up their swarming activity. I read in American Bee Journal that winter losses this year in this part of the country topped seventy percent in many locations. The losses were attributed to the long spell of cold weather that we had this year. The thought was that the bees were unable to take their much needed cleansing flights, and couldn’t even break cluster to move to more honey stores. I heard many beekeepers say that their bees died within easy reach of the honey stores. The information that I read said more beekeepers in the Midwest are thinking about wrapping colonies next winter in an effort to avoid a repeat of this past winter. I know my winter losses were very high, and felt bad thinking it was something I did, or didn’t do, but later found out that more experienced beekeepers had higher than normal losses as well. Due to the high winter losses, package bees and nucs were in very short supply this year. Many beekeepers were disappointed to find that nucs and packages were sold out early, and had to implement other plans in order to get the bees they needed. In fact, replacement queens were sometimes tough to find if you didn’t think ahead and order early. On top of all of this, many beekeepers had poor harvests last fall. To add insult to injury, honey supplies in the Midwest are extremely low. Some beekeepers have resorted to limiting the quantity of honey that they sell to an individual. Hopefully, we will all have a bumper honey crop this year to make up for it all. I think most of us need that this year especially. On a positive note, I have been in contact with several people who are interested in beekeeping, and want to keep a few hives. I always feel that there is room for more beekeepers in Missouri. It gives me
a sense of satisfaction when I speak with someone wanting to get into beekeeping. One thing that is sorely lacking is beekeeping mentors. Beekeeping is one of those things that is better learned through the help of someone more experienced. Those new to beekeeping seem to always feel overwhelmed, and unsure about what to do. They have usually read several publications, and expect it all to go as the books say, but end up frustrated and confused when the bees don’t act like the books say they should. The best tidbit of advice I can give a new beekeeper is to use the books as a reference, not an owner’s manual. You can leave the books out by the hives, but the bees never read them. The books are great as an overview, but you just have to get in there and work the bees. In beekeeping, there is a lot of on the job training. At the next meeting, it will once again be time to nominate and elect officers for the MSBA. If you are interested, or know someone who is interested in serving on the MSBA Executive Board, please consider putting your name in for a position. It is always difficult to recruit people willing to serve on the Executive Board, but without a steady influx of interested people, the Board, and the MSBA itself, would cease to exist. In reality, it doesn’t take much time or experience to serve as an Executive member of the MSBA. You don’t have to be a longtime member, a big beekeeper, or even have had Executive Board experience to help out. All you need is a desire to work to make the MSBA even better. Finally, I want to invite everyone to attend the Fall Meeting in October this year. The meeting will be held in Cape Girardeau, the first time we have held a meeting in that part of the state. Grant Gillard has done a wonderful job setting up the meeting, and should be commended for all his hard work. In addition, Pam Brown has been working hard setting up the spring and fall 2011 meetings. All of them promise to be wonderful meetings, and great destinations. I hope to see all of you there. Happy Beekeeping!
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Page 4
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Creating a pasture for honeybees in Missouri continued from page 1 white sweet clover, birdsfoot trefoil, and finally alfalfa in July to late August. Legumes tend to give a light colored (golden or lighter) honey with a light, almost tasteless flavor. The non-legumes give different honeys. Rapa/canola is a good pollen source that starts blooming at the end of March and may bloom for 4-6 weeks. The honey is light colored but tends to crystallize very easily, which may make it better as a hive starter than as a honey crop. Blueberries bloom mid to late April. They give a medium dark honey that has a floral light taste. Tanzy and borage are both plants the bees can’t get enough of. Tanzy (white to light amber honey) blooms late May to mid June. Borage (medium dark honey with a floral taste) starts about the time the tanzy ends and continues to after frost. With neither tanzy nor borage have I been able to grow a whole field full of plants. Blackberry honey is reported to be white with a floral fruit taste. The blackberries bloom mid May to early July. Buckwheat is a flavor all unto itself. If seeded in early May, the field can be in bloom until the frost but it will be in cycles. The initial seeding will reseed itself so that a buckwheat field can go through 3-4 blooms between initial bloom and frost. The seed will survive winter and start up in the late spring. Appropriately mixing your plants can result in a unique honey while the bees have something to RATE eat throughout the summer and into PLANT @Broadcast fall. Now that you have decided which plants to seed, it is time to talk field preparation. The best option is a field that has been repeatedly cultivated so it is relatively free of grasses and has a pH of around 6.5. Unfortunately this is the exception rather than the rule. To take hard packed old pasture to the desired situation would take at least 3 years of turning over green manure 3 times a year.
Hairy vetch Birdsfoot trefoil Ladino clover Alfalfa Sweet clover Crimson clover Rape Buckwheat
20-25#/A 5-8#/A 1-3#/A (drilled) 15-20#/A 10-15#/A 10-15#/A 5-8#/A (drilled) 36-72#/A
The next option is to burn down the area either chemically or by fire, with the chemical treatment being more effective, and then waiting until the herbicide has done its damage and worn off. Both Select and Poast will selectively kill grasses and leave broadleaf plants alone. The third option to get out a lawnmower and set it very short so that once it cuts you can see dirt. The fourth option can be used in conjunction with the third option or by itself. This requires a tiller, disc or aerator to be run over the desired planting area, but only to a depth of 1-2 inches. The goal is only to create some open soil, not to completely turn over the field. You don’t want to make a second pass after seeding, since there is a very good chance the seeds will be buried too deeply to germinate. The seed needs to be covered only to a soil depth of 2-3 times its diameter. The final preparation technique is actually no preparation other than to cut the grass to a normal to short level in the fall for spring seeding. Obviously, each of these techniques is likely going to give a different success rate. I have tried them all with respectable results
when combined with selective cutting and follow-up spraying to help control competition from the grasses. For planting, drilling the seeds is most effective and requires about 1/4 the seed per acre. Drilling is even effective in sod-covered fields or fields that have plant debris. Unfortunately most of us do not have a field large enough to justify a drill or don’t have access to one. This leaves broadcasting seed. The legumes, tanzy and rapa are all the small size seed so the setting can be the same. Other than the crimson clover, they all can be broadcast in March and April, or in late July to August when the plant normally goes to seed. The tanzy does prefer the warmer soil. Borage, buckwheat and hairy vetch seeds are the size of a peppercorn. I have used hairy vetch, rapa and buckwheat for a fall cover crop. Buckwheat is killed by the frost. The others will winter-over to minimize erosion and set up an early crop the following year. Both borage and buckwheat prefer warmer soils, which means early May. Hairy vetch has the same planting times as the other legumes. I am assuming that most of us will be broadcasting seed. The more debris on the surface, the more seeds will be needed to get an acceptable crop. This can be done all at once. It can also be done by multiple applications, since the legume can be applied to the field from late winter to early spring, which takes advantage of the different weather conditions. Also, seeding at several times may make up for some of the seeds becoming feed.
PLANTING SEASON Feb-Apr and late summer Feb-Apr + late summer Feb-Apr + later summer Spring + late summer Jan-Apr + late summer August + Oct Feb-Apr + later summer May
Once germinated, if the seeds were planted in grasses it will take time for the new plants to be noticed. Grass can also shade out the young plants. This means keeping that area cut short until you start seeing the plants. As the desired plants start competing with the grass, the cutting height is changed to cut the grass and allow the bee pasture plants to shade out the grass.
For those individuals who have to worry about city ordinances about grass height, the short white clover and birdsfoot trefoil will work into that situation. If one wants to carry the concept of controlling competition to an extreme, a spraying of Poast or Select once or twice a year will kill the grasses during the season. Finally, after there has been a hard freeze (around early November) the legumes will wilt flat to the ground. Now is the time for the final cut of the year, as short as possible. This will set up the legume for the next season. Delaplane, K, Bee Conservation in the Southeast, UGA Honey Bee program. www.ent.edu/bees/bee_pubs/conservation/bee_ consevation.htm Delaplane. Plants for Year-Round Bee Forage, UGA Honey Bee ProgramPollination www.ent.edu/bees/pollination/plants_forage.htm Nabor,R, Seasonal Apiary Management for Missouri, Univ Mo Exten http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G7601 Lovell, J.h. Honey Plants of North America, A.I. Root, first published in 1929 (black and white) Pellett, FC. American Honey Plants, Am Bee J 1930 (black & white)
June 2010
Page 5
Mead: It’s not just for Vikings anymore by Peter Smith http://www.good.is/community/peterandreysmith May 12, 2009 Colony Collapse Disorder has spurred a new interest in bees. With backyard apiculture catching on, so is a storied form of liquid gold: honey wine. Of the 20,000 bee species that have been identified, beekeepers in Europe and North America keep only one (Apis mellifera). In recent years, some beekeepers have seen a mysterious 70 percent decline in their bee populations. Because bees pollinate fruits and flowers, making them indispensable for sustainable and profitable agriculture, the death of western honeybees -- known as Colony Collapse Disorder -- has led to a prolonged hand wringing. Some say the scale of the collapse has been overstated. A study in the May issue of Current Biology, for example, reports a global rise in domesticated bee populations. Don’t get too hopeful, though. Combined with native bee losses, the increase in managed honeybees might not be enough to keep pace with the growing number of food crops requiring pollinators. The disappearance of bees has been called a “looming pollination crisis”. And a “coming agricultural crisis” and a “ crisis on top of a crisis”. The beepocalypse has also brought some awareness to beerelated news, from beejacking to honey laundering. The collapse has also contributed to an already budding interest in backyard beekeeping. Home mead-making might be next. Mead is a fermented, alcoholic honey wine. (It’s not officially a wine, though; federal regulators call mead an “agricultural product”.) Some compare the taste of bad meads to urine or petrol. To me, the better meads often resemble Pinot grigio with a sweet honey flavor and an aftertaste that’s slightly medicinal, like aspirin. Because late season goldenrod honey tastes different from an early season blueberry honey, a particular mead’s characteristics are tied to where and when it was produced -- like wine, it has terroir. And unlike beer (which, unless you live in the Pacific Northwest, tends to involve a lot of imported hops), mead can be made anywhere there’s honey. Anywhere. One city beekeeper I talked with said hawthorns, crab apples and other flowering trees planted in cities tended to give urban bees plenty of pollen to forage. In regions where wine grapes don’t grow well, mead is one of the few alcoholic drinks that can be made with terroir. Tilar Mazzeo, a wine scholar and author of The Widow Clicquot, told me that mead may have been the only wine Europeans made in Maine -- at least at the time the Vikings arrived. But it’s mostly this association with the Vikings that’s defined mead so far -- and limited its appeal. Bees show up in cave paintings, Virgil’s Georgics, and as potent symbols of industry and thrift in American literature, but much of the contemporary writing about mead tends to start and stop with medievalists, the rowdy Norseman Beowulf, or Lord of the Rings-style swilling of hogsheads. It doesn’t help that the authoritative how-to book on the subject has the words “compleat meadmaker” in the title.
As Nicholas Day put it in an article on Slate, “Currency with the Society for Creative Anachronism is not exactly a signifier of great commercial promise.” Still, the Scandinavian and medieval associations belie its wider cultural significance. Ethiopian restaurants often serve tej, a honey wine made with the gesho plant. Slow Food has recognized Polish meads. Dogfish Head brewery added honey to an Egyptian-style ale. Two East Coast kombucha makers recently turned to mead and, where I live, a couple of young guys have started brewing up dry meads. An estimated 70 meaderies exist in the United States. Not all of them make mead worth drinking. (The Mazer Cup lists a few that are.) Nor do all of them harp on the drink’s storied past, further relegating mead to the realm of mere historical novelty. For those who do want a taste of ancient Rome, one final note. Pliny the Elder has a recipe for hydromel, a weak mead made of three parts water to one part honey, which should be left outside for 40 days after the rising of the Dog Star (according to Bee Wilson). Hydromel caused drunkenness. It was also said to cure small-mindedness. So if you raise a glass of honey wine, think of Pliny’s recipe, the combination of chain mail and the beekeeper’s veil, and mead’s cloyingly sweet taste of place. After all, bees just might need the attention.
Femme Osage Apiary 1407 Sneak Road Foristell, MO 63348-2102 636-398-5014 femmeosage1@aol.com
Dadant Clear Plastic Uncapping Tub w/lid, I year old, catalog price $99.95, our price $75 Pierce Electric Uncapping Knife, new, regular price $89.95, our price $80 Dadant Ranger Electric Power Extractor w/stand, used 1 year, holds 6 – 6 1/4 or shallow frames radially or 3 – 9 1/8 deeps tangentially.18” x 24”. Catalog price w/stand $784 our price $625 Plastic Hand Powered Extractor holds 2 frames tangentially $65 Femme Osage Bottling Kit, 2 - 5 gal. buckets w/honey gate & strainer $32 Dadant Bottling Bucket Kit, new, 1 – 5 gal. bucket w/plastic filter $25
Page 6
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
It’s State Fair time: Volunteers again needed to staff Honey Booth The 2010 Missouri State Fair will he held August 12-22 in Sedalia. With the theme “Growing Great Memories”, the fair will again showcase the best of Missouri agriculture; competitions; professional entertainment from Sheryl Crow to the Gatlin Brothers; rural lifestyle experiences; hands-on science, technology and innovation; family-friendly amenities for infants to mature adults; and action-packed activities. The Missouri State Fair is the perfect blend of activities for a memorable family outing. The midway carnival includes games and rides for children and thrill seekers of all ages. The nightlife on the fairgrounds kicks up each evening with free music on the Budweiser Stage and music stars performing on the stage of the Pepsi Grandstand. Admission at the gate: $8; age 60+, $6; ages 6-12, $2, younger than 6, free. Tickets can be purchased in advance for a discount. See www.mostatefair.com for schedules and details. Submitting products for sale at our booth: As always, the MSBA will host its Honey Booth to promote honey and beekeeping to the public. Missouri beekeepers will again have an opportunity to supply honey and related products for sale at the booth. Anyone interested is asked to submit bids by June 18 to: Ron Vivian, Treasurer, Missouri State Beekeepers Association, PO Box 448, Oak Grove, MO 64075. A bid sheet is printed on page 3 of this newsletter. Entering your products in competition: Beekeepers can also enter the fruits of their labor in competition. Categories include everything from extracted and comb honey to beeswax and even observation hives. For a list of categories, visit http://www.mostatefair.com/PremiumGuide.php. Click on “Agriculture, Fine Arts & Economics”, then download the “Agriculture Entry Blank”, as well as the “Agriculture Rules & Classes” PDF, with “Bee Culture” on page 2. Be sure to supply your Social Security number on the entry form in order to be paid for any winnings. The MSBA will also match prize money won by members in these competitions.
Heartland Honey and Beekeeping Supplies 19201 South Clare Road Spring Hill, KS 66061 913-856-8356 www.heartlandhoney.com
In addition to individual entries, local clubs will again compete against each other. Last year’s club winner was Eastern MO Beekeepers, while Midwestern member Lowell Hutchison took the Individual Grand Champion award. Booth workers needed As always, our Honey Booth cannot operate without the generous help of MSBA members. Dean Sanders, our Fair Chairman, is recruiting volunteers now. It’s a great excuse to spend a couple of days in Sedalia taking in all that this wonderful state has to offer. Last year, in addition to individual volunteers, several local associations sent groups to Sedalia to help out. We would like to see that kind of effort again this year; in fact, our success depends on it. The Fair is one of our most important opportunities to let the public know we’re here to educate and promote beekeeping and all the wonderful products and services honeybees and their keepers provide. Weather permitting, it can also be an important fundraiser for our group. Please call Dean at 816-456-4683 to volunteer your time.
June 2010
Page 7
American Beekeeping Federation membership pays rewards by Tim Tucker, ABF Membership Committee The American Beekeeping Federation is working harder than ever to make sure that anyone associated with the beekeeping industry will benefit from their participation as members. The leadership of the ABF is dedicated to building a strong framework for success for those making the choice to take part and grow in their beekeeping experience. The North American Beekeeping Conference next year will be held January 4 - 8, 2011 in Galveston, Texas, and will bring together members of our beekeeping community in North America with involvement of major industry groups -- the American Honey Producers, the American Association of Professional Apiculturists, the Apiary Inspectors of America and the 1000-plus members of the ABF. The opportunity for personal enrichment and education will be unparalleled in our history. This will be an event that all serious beekeepers should plan to attend. It’s very possible that this conference will bring together more beekeepers than any other single beekeeping event in North America. As part of our “Membership Pays” promotion, new members receive a packet that includes special discount coupons from our vendor members including: Mann Lake, Dadant & Sons, Walter T. Kelley, Glorybee Foods, Deb’s Bee Supply, Ellingson’s Bee Pro,
and Bee-Z-Smokers. With the use of these valuable discount coupons it is possible to earn dividends from membership that more than pay the price to join. In addition, there’s a new member CD included which contains over 12 hours of recordings from the recent Orlando convention in January 2010. There are also several articles from Larry Connor on queen rearing, newsletters from the ABF and state associations, booklets on bee culture, and Honey Recipes from the American Honey Institute. Also included are PDF files of beekeeping brochures from the University of Tennessee by John Skinner, and MAAREC publications on bee biology, Africanized honey bees, bee diseases and pests and much, much more. During 2010 the ABF will be developing a Master Beekeeping Program that will go beyond the educational experience of present programs extending the educational opportunities that we provide today. It is the purpose of our members to be the mentors to the industry and the place to go for information resources. Our website at abfnet.org is a great place to start your search for all your needs as a beekeeper today. So join in and claim your rewards. It only takes a few minutes at abfnet.org to secure a bright future for yourself in this wonderful and rewarding industry.
AHHH, IT’S FINALLY SPRING !
WALTER T. KELLEY CO.
Are you ready to split your hives?
807 W. Main St.
If you’re splitting you may want to have the following:
Nuc boxes Queen mating boxes Cell bar frames Grafting tools/Cups and Protectors Extra Woodenware and Foundation Feeders and Feed
Clarkson, KY. 42726 800-233-2899 From Main Street to Your Street, We bring you the finest beekeeping products available anywhere. Kelley’s, a name you’ve come to trust for 86 years
Cloak boards Double screens/Cypress Queen Excluders/Plastic, Metal and Wood
www.kelleybees.com
Page 8
Missouri State Beekeepers Association Upcoming meetings: MSBA Fall Meeting 2010: Cape Girardeau, October 2223 at the Plaza Convention Center. Featured speakers include David Burns of Long Lane Honey Bee Farms in Illinois (www. honeybeesonline.com), and Michael Palmer, past president of the Vermont Beekeepers Association. We’ll have some other local/ state people involved; anyone who has something they’d like to share should please contact Vice President Grant Gillard, whose contact information appears on page 13. Adjacent hotels giving group rate/discounted rooms are the Holiday Inn Express ($99.00): http://www.hiexpress.com/ capegirardeau 573-334-4491 or 800-645-3379; and the Victorian Inn ($79.00): http://www.midamcorp.com/victorianinn/ 573-6514486 or 800-331-0445.The group rates are available to those who register under “MO State Beekeepers”.
North American Beekeeping Conference: This will be a joint convention between the American Honey Producers Association and the American Beekeeping Federation, in Galveston, Texas, at the San Luis Resort, January 4-8, 2011. Contact AHPA Executive Secretary Jerry Brown at brownhoneyfarms@hotmail.com if you have any questions. Go to www.sanluisresort.com/media/docs/meetingfacility.pdf for Convention Center details.
Sharon Gibbons has for sale: •
Honey Supers with drawn comb: $20 each Illinois, $15 each shallow.
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Dadant Bottling Tank 45 gallon - stainless, double water jacket - $1200.
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30 cases 190 ml Hex Jar with gold lids - $9 per case
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Barrels and five-gallon buckets
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Round Section Supers with frames - $20 each
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1 Kelley Grocers Tank, holds 15 gal. honey - $200 with brass valve
Remember to make your reservations SOON as this conference is expected to fill up quickly.
MSBA Spring Meeting 2011: Branson, March 11-12 at the Lodge of the Ozarks. Featured speakers include Dennis vanEngelsdorp, University of PA, and apitherapy expert Reyah Carlson, (www.reyasbeesness.com).
Your help is needed. Please volunteer!
HELP!!! LADIES or MEN -- At our March 2011 Meeting, we are going to start having some FUN competitions, one being Cooking With Honey. We need several volunteers to help with this project. Can we count on you? Please contact Pam Brown at 636-3985014 or program@mostatebeekeepers.org
Call :636-394-5395 or sgibbons314@att.net Wanted to buy:
THE HAWLEY HONEY COMPANY 220 North Elm Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5956 (After 8 pm 620-365-7919) White clover honey strained in 5-gallon buckets. We will pack it in your jars for an extra fee. Bee Equipment - New and Used - Used Extractors Corn syrup, sugar syrup and SUGAR Bees -- Frames of brood Call for prices. Can deliver to Kansas City, Joplin or Butler, MO
HONEY TRADIN’ POST
Looking to purchase extracted honey, by the bucket or by the drum. Also looking for comb honey. If you have some for sale, please contact Scott Moser (636) 575-5434.
Need to buy or sell honey or related products? Contact the editor to post your needs here. Members only.
June 2010
Page 9
More on our 2009 Beekeepers of the Year: Valerie and Jim Duever by Valerie Duever Editor’s note: Due to time and space considerations, we were not able to fit this bio into our April newsletter.
Jim and Valerie Duever started keeping bees in 1998, on their retirement property. Jim’s father kept bees when he was younger, and got out of the business when the varroa mites wiped out his hives. They started out with two hives, borrowing the tools and harvesting equipment from Jim’s father. Valerie had never kept bees and her only exposure to honey was from the local grocery stores. She was blown away at the clean, crisp flavor of honey straight from the hive and immediately fell in love. With such a delicious product, it became very easy to sell. After they moved to the Bachelor, MO farm in 2003, Valerie wanted to start a business that would complement their background in horticulture; both have degrees from Mizzou. Since the honey they harvested was selling as quickly as they could bottle, beekeeping sounded like a great place to start. The bees worked well with plants and flowers, and the honey was a wonderful added benefit. They now have their honey at Gaspers in Kingdom City and the Apple Wagon Antique Mall in Kingdom City, and the North Callaway FFA chapter does a fall fundraiser using their honey products. Valerie expanded their product line to include raw honey, honey sticks, honey jelly, creamed honey, honey candy and Missouri-shaped gift baskets. They both took their beginning beekeepers class in the summer of 2003 and beekeeping really seemed to be the right choice. Both attended the Master Beekeepers class in Nebraska and are working on completing the necessary paperwork for that certification. Their beeyard, as with most, has grown and diminished over the years. At one time, they were caring for 30-plus hives that were located in Creve Coeur, Montgomery City and Bachelor, MO. Then, a combination of events (mostly that late season May frost) saw their beeyard drop down to one hive ... the mean Russian Hive! They now work around 15 or so hives. They prefer using Carniolan and Minnesota Hygienic bees because they seem more calm than the Russians.
and decided to focus more on the Sales and Marketing aspects of the trade. She has conducted classes at the Boone County Regional Library in Fulton, presented a talk on Marketing Your Honey to various beekeeping associations and the MSBA, and currently serves as Secretary for the Boone Regional Beekeepers Association in Columbia. Jim still does production and propagation and they both harvest, using a two-frame manual extractor. Jim has become a beementor, taking on a couple of beekeepers that work side-by-side
Valerie Duever says a few words after she and her husband Jim receive the 2009 Beekeeper of the Year award from Art Gelder (at left) at the MSBA Spring 2010 Meeting in March. with him as he checks the hives throughout the year. He would like to grow this portion of their business, Jim ‘n’ I Farms, Inc. Both were active in the Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association until they moved to Bachelor, and they are now active in the Boone Regional Beekeepers Association, where they teach classes and help to educate future beekeepers. Both are very proud and honored to be selected as the 2009 Beekeeper(s) of the Year. What an Honor!
Barn Shrinking!
Along the way, Valerie developed severe allergies to bee stings
•
Boxes of 50 count Duraguilt for Illinois frames $35.
Buckfast & All-American
•
OVER 121 YEARS OF SERVICE THE R WEAVER APIARIES, INC. 16495 C.R. 319, NAVASOTA, TX 77868
Two Dadant Electromelt (older style) $50 each.
•
Kelly mid size wax melter $100.
•
20 used Illinois Supers with frames $7.50 ea.
WEAVER’S FAMOUS QUEENS And Package Bees
Phone (936) 825-2333 FAX (936) 825-3642
EMAIL: rweaver@rweaver.com WEBSITE: www.rweaver.com
Jann Amos 573-529-3398 after 5:00
s2 Hold es fram
Extracting Kits SA! the Uion and n i t Made onstruc asting c y ng l it Qual perior lo s steel! su tainles s Junior
BUY a KIT and Save $$$$ Bench Extractor Kit
Junior Bench Extractor Kit—The Junior Bench Extracting kit is the perfect extracting set up for the beginning beekeeper. The kit comes complete with 1 Junior Bench two frame extractor and stand, 1 bottling bucket kit, 1 speed king electric knife, plastic uncapping tub and 1 capping scratcher. M00390KIT JB Extractor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $499.00 This ships in 4 pkgs. 1 pkg @ 47# 1 pkg @ 8# 2 pkgs @ 35#
s4 Hold es fram
Little Wonder Hand-Extractor Kits Power style also available built t s e b The actors on r t! t x e arke the m
Little Wonder Extractor Kits—A step up in size from the Junior Bench. The little wonder extracting kit is perfect for the hobby beekeeper. It is available in both hand and power styles. This four frame extractor comes complete with extractor and stand, 1 bottling bucket kit, 1 speed king electric knife, plastic uncapping tub and 1 capping scratcher. M00396KIT LW Hand Extractor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . $549.00 This ships in 4 pkgs. 1 pkg @ 78# 1 pkg @ 8# 2 pkgs @ 35#
M00403KIT LW Power Extractor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . $839.00 This ships in 5 pkgs. 1 pkg @ 78# 1 pkg @ 13# 2 pkgs @ 35# 1 pkg @ 8#
s6 Hold es fram
Ranger Power Extractor Kit Hand style also available Ranger Extractor Kits—For those who prefer a radial extractor Dadant & Sons, Inc. this is for you. The Ranger extracting kit is available in both the power and hand styles. It is capable of extracting 6 - 6 1/4'' frames 51 S 2nd St Hamilton, IL 62341 or shallow frames radially or three deep frames tangentially by using Toll-free the optional baskets. The 6 frame radial extractor comes complete 1-888-922-1293 with extractor and stand, 1 bottling bucket kit, 1 speed king electric knife, plastic uncapping tub and 1 capping scratcher. 1318 11th St. *Optional baskets for deep frames sold separately.* Sioux City, IA 51102 M00400KIT Ranger Hand Extractor Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $629.00 Toll-free This ships in 4 pkgs. 1-877-732-3268 1 pkg @ 78# 1 pkg @ 8# www.dadant.com
2 pkgs @ 35#
M00401KIT Ranger Power Extractor Kit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $915.00 This ships in 5 pkgs. 1 pkg @ 78# 1 pkg @ 13# 2 pkgs @ 35# 1 pkg @ 8#
M00402 Optional Baskets, for Deep Frames, Ship Wt. 8 lbs. . . . $79.95
June 2010
Page 11
Local Beekeepers Associations Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 1:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia Contact Art Gelder 573-474-8837 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
Golden Valley Beekeepers
2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies) Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171 murftk@copper.net
Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Contact Don Moore 573-265-8706
Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 3rd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Cecil Sweeney, President 913-856-8356
Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association
Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Debi Bridgman 573-439-5228
Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association
3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Scenic Regional Library, Union Contact Rodney Angell 573-764-2922 bee143@fidnet.com
Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of each month, 108 Harrison, Farmington Contact Gene Wood 573-431-1436
Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”) 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Monett High School VO-AG Building Robert Sperandio, President 417-235-6959
Southwest Beekeepers Association
1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Herb Spencer 417-472-7743
Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
Cookin’ with Honey! by Carrie Sayers Honey oney Mojitos (Makes 2)
Ingredients: 1 lime cut into 8 pieces Handful of fresh mint leaves without stems White or amber rum Club Soda Honey Ice Method: In a bowl place 6-8 pieces of lime, 2-4 T of HONEY and 46 mint leaves. Muddle for a minute or two until the lime juice is incorporated into the honey. If you do not have a mortar & pestle, a potato masher works just fine. Pour mixture (keep the limes & mint if you wish, or if not strain before putting in glasses) evenly into two glasses, add desired amount of rum, fill to 3/4 with club soda and mix well. Add ice. Garnish with fresh mint sprig and/or lime wedge. Enjoy! Carrie Sayers (www.sayerscatering.com) is a beekeeper in Glendale, MO, and has been cooking with honey for years.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
June 2010 Honey Princess Report
Page 13
Directory of Officers
by Lillian-Grace Misko
President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 president@mostatebeekeepers.org
Greetings Everyone, I just got done with feeding sugar
water to the bees (out in the rain) and building a telescoping lid and inner-cover for my beekeeping mom. She informed me that feeding the bees is important to do at this time because it helps boost the bees to produce wax and draw out the foundation. It is also vital to feed the bees when they cannot work due to rain.
Vice President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson, MO 63755 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org
I had a splendid time this past April at the Remington Nature Center of St. Joseph, MO. I welcomed their returning bees to their impressive observation hive. It was a treat reading, what I would consider an advanced book about bees, to children of all ages and their parents. They soaked up the information and were intrigued by the “oh, so fascinating” insect and how the bees make honey. After reading about, drawing, and talking about bees, the children showed me the Nature Center’s observation hive, where they were able to point out the queen bee.
Past-President: Ken Norman 417-669-4452 3634 Shiloh Church Road, Marionville, MO 65705 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org
I cannot forget to mention an exciting event that happened on the way home from St. Joseph, MO. While stopped at a gas station and still inside the car, I noticed a man pulling up on his motorcycle to park right in front of where I was. By his surprise, his motorcycle was tipping and this petite man was unable to hold up his motorcycle. In my high-heels and summer dress, I hopped right out of the car and saved his motorcycle -- I guess you could say “Honey Princess to the Rescue.” It was fun meeting this gentleman, he was quite grateful that his new Harley motorcycle, with only 250 miles on it, did not crash. Oh, the power of Honey!
Eastern Director: Steve Harris 636-946-5520 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles, MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org
Secretary: Ken Sona* 314-303-4646 19 McClay Crossing, St. Peters, MO 63376 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org
In June I will be appearing at Powell Gardens for Bug Day and at the Old Time Musical Heritage Festival in West Plains, MO. I am looking forward to meeting more people and sharing the enthralling interest of bees with others. Thank you for your welcoming support and generosity, Lillian-Grace Misko 2010 Honey Princess
A note from the Queen Chair by Joyce D. Justice
It will be fall before you know it. I am thinking of young ladies to participate in our Missouri Honey Queen Program. Please keep your eyes open for good candidates. It is really good to have girls that know a bit about beekeeping. Sponsor a lady from your area. If you need applications, just email me and I will rush them to you. Joyce
Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City, MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com Southern Director: Dave Kayser 417-767-2435 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland, MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org
Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell, MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-703-7650 643 Pearl Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown, MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia, MO 65211 *We need a volunteer to fill the position of Secretary. Please contact Scott Moser or Grant Gillard for information.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
There are about 20-25 species of lilac (genus Syringa), a woody shrub or bush native to a large area ranging from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia. Lilacs are deciduous, with large, branched flower clusters, the aroma of which attracts bees and butterflies, thus making it a valuable component of this bee pasture. photo by Connie Knudtson
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with “email newsletter� in the subject line. I’ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
Business card size Quarter page
$15.00 $35.00
Half page Full page
$50.00 $100.00
Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
August 2010 Eugene V. Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
Mentha longifolia (horse mint) is a very variable herbaceous perennial plant with a peppermint-scented aroma. Like many mints, it has a creeping rhizome, with erect to creeping stems 40–120 cm tall. The leaves are oblong-elliptical to lanceolate, 5–10 cm long and 1.5–3 cm broad, thinly to densely tomentose, green to greyish-green above and white below. The flowers are 3–5 mm long, lilac, purplish, or white, produced in dense clusters (verticillasters) on tall, branched, tapering spikes; flowering in mid to late summer. It spreads via rhizomes to form clonal colonies. -- Wikipedia
Eugene Makovec
Preliminary Results:
Honeybee colony losses in the United States, winter 2009-2010 Posted: April 22, 2010; Dennis vanEngelsdorp1, Jerry Hayes2, Dewey Caron3, and Jeff Pettis4. Note: This is a preliminary analysis, and a more detailed final report is being prepared for publication at a later date. The Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA) and USDA-ARS Beltsville Honey Bee Lab conducted a survey to estimate winter colony loses for 2009/2010. Over 22.4% of the country’s estimated 2.46 million colonies were surveyed. A total loss of 33.8% of managed honey bee colonies was recorded. This compares to total losses of 29%, 35.8% and 31.8% recorded respectively in the winters of 2008/2009, 2007/2008 and 2006/2007. In all, 4,207 beekeepers responded to the on-line survey and an additional 24 were contacted by phone. This response rate is orders of magnitude greater than previous years’ efforts, which relied on phone or email responses only (2008/2009 n=778, 2007/2008 n=331, Don’t forget the fair! Enter your beekeeing products, and volunteer in our MSBA booth. See page 3 for details.
2006/2007 n=384). On average, responding beekeepers lost 42.2% of their operation, an eight point or 23% increase from the average operational loss experienced by beekeepers in the winter of 2008/2009. Average losses were nearly three times greater than the losses beekeepers reported that they considered acceptable (14.4%). Sixtyone percent of beekeepers reported losses in excess of what they would consider acceptable. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is characterized, in part, by the complete absence of bees in dead colonies and apiaries. This continued on page 4
INSIDE THIS ISSUE From the President .............. 2 MO State Fair ................... 3 Mentor of the Year ...... 4 Now taking nominations Fall Meeting preview ......... 4 Make your reservations now Fall Meeting registration .... 5 Flower petal bees ................ 6 Native pollinators workshop 7 August 13 in Columbia
Upcoming meetings .......... 8 Thank you for the bees ....... 9 Eugene F. Makovec, 1925-2010
Cookin’ with honey! ......... 11 Honey citrus marinade Local associations ............ 11 Membership application .. 12 Honey Princess report ...... 13 Directory of Officers .......... 13
Page 2
Missouri State Beekeepers Association
From the President by Scott Moser Well, it looks like we are once again in the middle of another sweltering Missouri summer. Temperatures around here have hovered in the mid 90s, with humidity nearly as high! Some parts of the state have benefitted, maybe too much in some cases, from rounds of rain and storms. Here in Jefferson County it seems like the rain has gone around us every time. The flowers dried up some time ago, and the Dutch clover burned up from the heat. The honey flow around here was a bit short, but I have heard others from different parts of the state say their bees brought in a bumper crop of honey. I know the honey flow has dried up around here, because I am getting more and more calls about bees in hummingbird feeders. If you get calls from such bird lovers, tell them to look for hummingbird feeders that have a valve in them designed so that the hummingbird can get the feed, but not the bees. Last year, I found them at Orscheln, but I am sure other stores carry them as well. Pam Brown, our program chair, has been busy setting up the upcoming general meetings. Our Spring 2011 meeting in Branson has come together, and she is diligently working on Fall 2011. I want to especially invite the members from the southwest part of the state to attend the Branson meeting so that we can learn from you about keeping bees in that area. Thanks to Grant Gillard for finalizing all the plans for the Fall 2010 meeting. Information for that meeting will be posted on the MSBA website. It looks like it will be a great meeting in Cape. Hope to see a record turnout at both those meetings. Recently, we held our Executive Board meeting in Jefferson City. Several new and exciting ideas came out of that meeting. One of the ideas that I am excited about is the Beekeeping P h o t o g r a p h y Competition that we will be holding. What a great chance to combine two things in such a positive way. Winning photos will be used to create a yearly MSBA calendar that members can purchase. What a wonderful way to highlight the talent of the MSBA beekeepers. It is fair time once again. This year’s Missouri State Fair will run from
August 12-22 in Sedalia. The MSBA is looking for volunteers to help with the booth once again. You can sign up as an individual, or your local can come up and take a day in which you can focus on your club. What a great way for your club to get information out to the public! So often, such contact leads to more members and increased honey sales in your area. It is amazing how many beekeepers I run into that say, “I didn’t know there was a club there!” Besides, it is a fun time meeting the people who come to visit the booth. Just ask Steve Harris! Steve helped out last year one day for the first time, and this year he arranged to take vacation so he can be there each day. If you are interested in helping us out, contact Dean Sanders at 816-456-4683. I also want to take an opportunity to invite all members and local associations to participate in the Missouri State Fair Honey competition this year. In addition to the State Fair prizes, the MSBA will match the winnings to individual MSBA members, something new that we are implementing this year. Thanks to Dean Sanders and Steve Harris for helping us get the booth manned and organized this year. Finally, you can now find the MSBA on Facebook. There is a link on the first page of the website that will take you right to us. Be sure to join the group. You can post pictures, links, join discussions, or post anything bee related. Facebook isn’t just for the kids anymore. It is a wonderful way to stay connected to beekeepers around the state. Happy beekeeping!
WEAVER’S FAMOUS QUEENS And Package Bees
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Phone (936) 825-2333 FAX (936) 825-3642
EMAIL: rweaver@rweaver.com WEBSITE: www.rweaver.com
DRAPER’S SUPER BEE Specializing in:
Bee Pollen Beekeeping Supplies Containers Observation Hives Call for a free pollen sample & supply catalog
(402) 274-3725
August 2010
Page 3
It’s not too late to meet us at the fair, August 12-22 in Sedalia There’s still time to pack your honey entries, and your bags, and Classes” PDF, with “Bee Culture” on page 2. Be sure to supply your Social Security number on the entry form in order to be paid for join Chairman Dean Sanders at the Missouri State Fair. With the theme “Growing Great Memories”, the fair will any winnings. again showcase the best of Missouri agriculture; competitions; The MSBA will also match prize money won by members professional entertainment from Sheryl Crow to the Gatlin in these competitions. Brothers; rural lifestyle experiences; hands-on science, technology In addition to individual entries, local clubs will again compete and innovation; family-friendly amenities for infants to mature against each other. Last year’s club winner was Eastern MO adults; and action-packed activities. Beekeepers, while Midwestern member Lowell Hutchison took The Missouri State Fair is the perfect blend of activities for a the Individual Grand Champion award. memorable family outing. The midway carnival includes games Booth workers needed and rides for children and thrill seekers of all ages. The nightlife As always, our Honey Booth cannot operate without the generous on the fairgrounds kicks up each evening with free music on the help of MSBA members. Dean Sanders, our Fair Chairman, is Budweiser Stage and music stars performing on the stage of the recruiting volunteers now. It’s a great excuse to spend a couple of Pepsi Grandstand. days in Sedalia taking in all that this wonderful state has to offer. Admission at the gate: $8; age 60+, $6; ages 6-12, $2, younger Last year, in addition to individual volunteers, several local than 6, free. Tickets can be purchased in advance for a discount. associations sent groups to Sedalia to help out. We would like to See www.mostatefair.com for schedules and details. see that kind of effort again this year; in fact, our success depends Entering your products in competition: on it. Beekeepers can also enter the fruits of their labor in competition. The Fair is one of our most important opportunities to let the Categories include everything from extracted and comb honey public know we’re here to educate and promote beekeeping to beeswax and even observation hives. For a list of categories, and all the wonderful products and services honeybees and their visit http://www.mostatefair.com/Premium-Guide.php. Click keepers provide. Weather permitting, it can also be an important on “Agriculture, Fine Arts & Economics”, then download the fundraiser for our group. “Agriculture Entry Blank”, as well as the “Agriculture Rules & Please call Dean at 816-456-4683 to volunteer your time.
August 2010
Page 4
2010 Fall Meeting: Join us in Cape Girardeau October 22-23 ... and make 2011 your best year ever! Make plans now to attend our annual Fall Meeting on October 22-23. It will take place in Cape Girardeau at the Plaza Convention Center. The slogan for this year’s meeting is: Making 2011 your best year ever! There is no shortage of challenges facing beekeepers today, from varroa and hive beetles to pesticides and whatever this CCD thing is all about.Continuing education and communication with other beekeepers are among the keys to success. Featured speakers include David Burns of Long Lane Honey Bee Farms in Illinois (www.honeybeesonline.com), and Michael Palmer, past president of the Vermont Beekeepers Association. We’ll have some other local/state people involved; anyone who has something they’d like to share should please contact Vice President Grant Gillard, whose contact information appears on page 13. Adjacent hotels giving group rate/discounted rooms are the Holiday Inn Express ($99.00): http://www.hiexpress. com/capegirardeau 573-3344491 or 800-645-3379; and the Victorian Inn ($79.00): h t t p : / / w w w. m i d a m c o r p. c o m / victorianinn/ 573-651-4486
Michael Palmer
or 800-331-0445. The group rates are available to those who register under “MO State Beekeepers”.
Vermont Beekeeper Michael Palmer and his wife Leslie started with two hives in 1974, and currently run 750. Michael has developed an apiary management system with an emphasis on sustainability, which he practices through queen-rearing and the overwintering of nucleus colonies. He is a past president of the Vermont Beekeepers Association, and is currently leading a two-year queen-rearing project for Vermont beekeepers.
Wanted: Mentoring stories The MSBA Executive Board has decided to recognize some of the many mentors who pitch in each year to help beginning beekeepers get started. To that end, we are seeking nominations from our membership for our 2010 Mentor of the Year Awards. If you have been the beneficiary this year of an extraordinary mentoring effort, please tell us your story. Contact Vice President Grant Gillard with the details. (Grant’s contact information appears on page 13.) The awards will be announced in early 2011.
David Burns, of Long Lane Honey Bee Farms in Fairmount, IL, has been a beekeeper for 16 years and runs about 100 hives. Several years ago his family started a bee business manufacturing and selling beekeeping woodenware. They began by primarily producing honey, but three years ago shifted to package bees, nucs and queen production. David is a part of the Illinois Queen Initiative, an effort to improve local queen stock in the David Burns Midwest. He serves as President of the Central Eastern Beekeepers Association, and Central Director of the Illinois Beekeepers Association. David also hosts the Wildlife Pro Network’s monthly Beekeeping Podcast. Long Lane Honey Bee Farms offers the following monthly beekeeping classes at the apiary: Basic Beekeeping, Advance Beekeeping and Queen Rearing. They also offer a beekeeping podcast and free online lessons via their website, www.honeybeesonline.com.
US colony losses, winter 2009-10 continued from page 1 survey was not designed to differentiate between definitive cases of CCD and colonies lost as the result of other causes that share the “absence of dead bees” symptom. Only 28% of operations reported that at least some of their dead colonies were found dead without dead bees. However this group lost a total of 44% of their colonies, as compared to the total loss of 25% experienced by beekeepers who did not report losses indicative of CCD. Responding beekeepers attributed their losses to starvation (32%), weather (29%), weak colonies in the fall (14%), mites (12%) and poor queens (10%). Only 5% of beekeepers attributed CCD as the major cause for their losses. It is also important to note that this survey only reports on winter losses and does not capture the colony losses that occur throughout the summer as queens or entire colonies fail and need to be replaced. Preliminary data from other survey efforts suggest that these “summer” losses can also be significant. All told, the rate of loss experienced by the industry is unsustainable. 1.Dennis vanEngelsdorp, The Pennsylvania State University/Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA), Past-President dennis.vanengelsdorp@gmail. com 717-884-2147 2.Jerry Hayes, Florida Department of Agriculture, AIA Past President, hayesg@doacs.state.fl.us 352 372-3505 3.Dewey Caron, Oregon State Univ., carond@hort.oregonstate.edu 302 353-9914 4.Jeff Pettis USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, jeff. pettis@ars.usda.gov, 301 504-8205
Missouri State Beekeepers Association Fall 2010 Meeting Registration Form List all names for name tags. List any pertinent info such as Master Beekeeper, Beekeeper of the Year (and which year), name of honey business, etc. NAME_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ ADDRESS____________________________________________________ CITY___________________STATE_________ZIP+4_________________ PHONE________________________E-MAIL ____________________________________________
Pre-registration fees (Registration must be received by October 10, 2010) Member
$22.00 X_____= ___________
Member Family (i.e. husband & wife, father & son etc.) (Must have paid 2010 dues as a family)
$32.00
Non-member (per person)
$30.00 X _____= ___________
___________
Registrations made after October 10, 2010 Member
$25.00 X ______=___________
Non-member (No family discount on late registrations)
$35.00 X ______= ___________
New, reduced meal prices! Friday night Queen Banquet We are offering a buffet featuring pork and chicken. Adult - $11.00 per person Child - $5.00/child under 12
($11.00 x _____) = ($ 5.00 x _____) =
_______ _______
Saturday lunch: Little Taste of Italy buffet Adult - $7.00/person Child - $4.00/child under 12
($7.00 x _____) ($4.00 x _____)
_______ _______
Membership 2010 Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Individual: Renewal New Membership 2010 Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Family: Renewal New
= =
$15.00_______ $20.00_______
Queen fund donation
Donation $___________
Meeting fund donation
Donation $___________ Total $___________
Please make checks payable to: Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Send to Pam Brown, 1407 Sneak Rd., Foristell, Mo. 63348 If you pre-register and then cannot attend, your registration fee will be considered a
donation and no refunds will be made. If you pay for meals and we are able to sell them you will be refunded for those. Please note – no receipt will be sent. Checks will be deposited after the meeting.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Obscure solitary bee uses flower petals for nest wallpaper by Kathleen Masterson www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126556246&sc=17&f=1007
May 6, 2010 When we think of bee nests, we often think of a giant hive, buzzing with social activity, worker bees and honey. But scientists recently discovered a rare, solitary type of bee that makes tiny nests by plastering together flower petals. Each nest is a multicolored, textured little cocoon -- a papier-mache husk surrounding a single egg, protecting it while it develops into an adult bee. “It’s not common for bees to use parts of plants for nests,” says Dr. Jerome Rozen of the American Museum of Natural History of the unexpected find. His team stumbled across the nests of the Osima (Ozbekosima) avoseta bee in Turkey. Oddly enough, another team discovered the same bee and flowery nests in Iran on the same day. The two teams published their research together in the American Museum Novitates. These Thumbelina-like nests are a fascinating natural work of art, but they’re also key to understanding more about how the roughly 20,000 species of bees live. “There’s a demand for biologists to know bees nowadays,” Rosen says. “They are the foremost animal pollinators of plants, and tremendously important for maintaining ecosystems -- not only crops but also for conservation.” To learn more, the scientists watched the busy mama bees. Building a nest takes a day or two, and the female might create about 10 nests in total, often right next to each other. To begin construction, she bites the petals off of flowers and flies each petal -- one by one -- back to the nest, a peanut-sized burrow in the ground. She then shapes the multi-colored petals into a cocoon-like structure, laying one petal on top of the other and occasionally using some nectar as glue. When the outer petal casing is complete, she reinforces the inside with a paper-thin layer of mud, and then another layer of petals, so both the outside and inside are wallpapered -- a potpourri of purple, pink and yellow. These meticulous shells are just over a half-inch long and usually will
Heartland Honey and Beekeeping Supplies 19201 South Clare Road Spring Hill, KS 66061 913-856-8356 www.heartlandhoney.com
house just one tiny egg. To prepare for her offspring, the mother collects pollen and nectar, which she carries back to the burrow in a nifty part of the digestive tract called the crop. She deposits this gooey blob of nutritional goodness in the bottom of the flower-petal nest. Then, she lays the egg, right on top of the gelatinous blob. At this point, it’s time to seal in the egg. The mother bee neatly folds in the inner layer of petals, smears a paper-thin mud layer and then folds the outer petals. The casing is nearly airtight, which helps protect the vulnerable egg (and later larva, then pupa) from flooding or excessive dryness or hoofed animals. In only three to four days, the egg hatches into a larva. When it finishes feasting on the nectar, the larva spins a cocoon (still inside the shell, which has hardened into a protective casing by this point) and then hangs out. Rosen says he isn’t sure whether it spends the winter as a larva or as an adult. But at some point the creature’s tissue begins to restructure itself, and it transforms into an adult. Come springtime, the adult bee emerges from its flowery bower. Then, the cycle starts all over again.
Randy Tindall Photos
Native Pollinators Workshop Friday, August 13, 2010 Topics to be included: •Importance and biology of native bees and other pollinators in urban, rural, and natural areas •Creating habitat for native pollinators •Native plants that attract pollinators •Integrated Pest Management in farms •State and Federal Conservation Programs, and more. Who should attend: This workshop is open to everyone including producers, farmers, extension and research specialists, master naturalists, master gardeners, conservationists, and anyone interested in learning about native pollinators. Time: 8:30 am to 3 pm, with option of a prairie tour from 3Ͳ5pm. Indoor and outdoor training and exhibits will be included. Location: MUͲBradford Research and Extension Center, Columbia, MO For directions visit: http://aes.missouri.edu/bradford/
For registration or more information contact Nadia NavarreteͲTindall at navarreteͲtindallr@lincolnu.edu or visit www.lincolnu.edu/pages/3084.asp?item= 3057 $15/person includes lunch, refreshments, native seed and educational materials Please send registration and check payable, by August 6, to Missouri Prairie Foundation at P.O. Box 200, Columbia, MO 65205
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association Upcoming meetings: MSBA Spring Meeting 2011: Branson, March 11-12 at the Lodge of the Ozarks. Featured speakers include Dennis vanEngelsdorp, University of PA, and apitherapy expert Reyah Carlson, (www.reyasbeesness.com). North American Beekeeping Conference: This will be a joint convention between the American Honey Producers Association and the American Beekeeping Federation, in Galveston, Texas, at the San Luis Resort, January 3-9, 2011. Contact AHPA Executive Secretary Jerry Brown at brownhoneyfarms@hotmail.com if you have any questions. Go to www.sanluisresort.com/media/docs/meetingfacility.pdf for Convention Center details. Remember to make your reservations SOON as this conference is expected to fill up quickly.
Your help is needed. Please volunteer!
HELP!!! LADIES or MEN -- At our March 2011 Meeting, we are going to start having some FUN competitions, one being Cooking With Honey. We need several volunteers to help with this project. Can we count on you? Please contact Pam Brown at 636-398-5014 or program@mostatebeekeepers.org
Beekeeping Business Closed
Sharon Gibbons has for sale: • • • • • •
Honey Supers with drawn comb: $20.00 each Illinois, $15 ea shallow. Dadant Bottling Tank 45 gallon-stainless, double water jacket - $1200. 30 cases 190 ml Hex Jar with gold lids - $9 per case Barrels and five-gallon buckets Round Section Supers with frames - $20 each 1 Kelley Grocers Tank, holds 15 gal. honey - $200 with brass valve
Call :636-394-5395 or sgibbons314@att.net
Items for sale: • • • • • •
72-frame Walter Kelley stainless radial extractor, $750.00 or best offer Medium (6 5/8”) boxes, $5-10 each depending on condition Empty frames for Illinois mediums (6 5/8”), $0.50 each for used, $1.00 each for new Solid bottom boards, $1.00 each Metal queen excluders, $2.00 each Propolis traps, $2.00 each
Contact Anne Orth: anneorth@earthlink.net, cell 314650-5350, or landline answering machine 573-764-6042
Wanted to buy:
THE HAWLEY HONEY COMPANY 220 North Elm Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5956 (After 8 pm 620-365-7919) White clover honey strained in 5-gallon buckets. We will pack it in your jars for an extra fee. Bee Equipment - New and Used - Used Extractors Corn syrup, sugar syrup and SUGAR Bees -- Frames of brood Call for prices. Can deliver to Kansas City, Joplin or Butler, MO
HONEY
Extracted honey in five-gallon buckets. Could use 25-50 buckets. Please contact Bob Verslues 573-291-2612.
TRADIN’ POST
Need to buy or sell honey or related products? Contact the editor to post your needs here. Members only.
August 2010
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Thank you for the bees by Eugene Makovec “Actually, it was sugar rationing that drove me into beekeeping.” Dad was dying of cancer, and we were talking about a number of things, bees included. I knew his father had also kept bees, so I assumed Dad came into the bees along with the Guernseys. He quit the 10th grade in 1941 to run the dairy farm when his last brother enlisted in the army. His father was not as young or as healthy as he’d once been and could not run the farm by himself. As it turned out, Grandpa had stopped keeping bees several years before, and the equipment was sitting empty. It wasn’t until the government clamped down on sugar supplies during World War II that the need for sweeteners got Dad thinking about honey. “My dad liked sugar in his coffee,” he remembered. “He didn’t have many luxuries, but this was one he insisted on.” “So the government didn’t ration honey?” I asked. “No,” he replied. “In fact, beekeepers could get extra rations of sugar to feed their bees.” Whatever the reason, Dad took to beekeeping and never looked back. He ran as many as a dozen hives at one time (about 11 more than needed to sweeten the family’s coffee), and I remember us always having at least two or three in the yard when I was growing up. I was always a daydreamer as a kid. As the eighth of 10 kids, it was easy for me to get lost in the shuffle. When my head wasn’t buried in a book, my mind was miles away from whatever chores I was doing on the farm. So while I always thought honeybees were kind of cool, I had about as much interest in beekeeping as I did in milking cows. Besides, bees were always Dad’s thing he did on his own, and he was never one to talk about stuff unless you asked about it. I didn’t ask about bees until after Dad quit beekeeping in the 1990s. But I found him more than willing to share. I was the first one to take up his hobby, and he gave me lots of advice, along with a bunch of his old equipment. Most of all, he just loved to talk about bees. Whenever I would call my parents about anything at all, he was the first to bring up the bees.
Eugene F. Makovec collects a swarm of bees in 1950 at his home in Stetsonville, Wisconsin. Dad was only 25 years old in this photo, and had already been keeping bees for nine years.
My brother Frank took up beekeeping several years after me, and brother Tom recently made his property available to a commercial beekeeper to place about 50 hives for the summer. In fact, on the day after Dad’s funeral I was at Tom’s house helping him catch a couple of swarms and assemble the equipment to house them. He had officially become a beekeeper. “Kind of a fitting sendoff to Dad,” I said afterward. Tom nodded. “He would have enjoyed this.” Dad lived about six weeks after his cancer diagnosis. We were all very fortunate that his mind was sharp and we were able to visit with him, ask questions, share stories … and say goodbye. The last time I saw him, about 36 hours before he died, he was very weak and had difficulty talking. But he was still alert and communicative. It was my last chance, and I told him how much I loved him and appreciated all that he had done for us kids over the years. But I realized later that I’d never thanked him for the greatest joy he had given me. Dad … if you’re reading this … thank you for the bees. Eugene F. Makovec, August 15, 1925 to July 17, 2010
Requeening Italian Colonies With Russian queens by Ian Brown
The requeening procedure has frustrated many beekeepers because standard introduction techniques often are not successful when requeening Italian colonies with Russian queens, as the colonies may reject the new queens. Italian bee colonies need more time and separation to become acclimated to Russian queens. Step 1: Split the colony in half, with the two halves separated by a double screen. Step 2: Place the old queen in the bottom half and a caged Russian queen in the upper. Step 3: Release the Russian queen from her cage after 7-10 days. Step 4: Once the Russian queen has been accepted and has laid eggs for one month, kill the old queen, and reunite the two halves (remove the screens).
6-12 Frame Radial Extractor with Motor
20 Frame Radial Extractor
6-12 Frame Radial Extractor—No more hand reversing of frames - uncap, load, extract, and unload. Reel capacity 6-91/8" deep frames; 12-6 1/4" or shallow frames. Frame guides provide positive frame placement. Ball bearings top and bottom. Powered by specifically designed direct drive motor with manually controlled electronic speed control. 120 v. operation. All welded 24" dia. 28" tall Type 304, 20 gauge stainless steel tank with inverted coned bottom and 11/2" welded fitting. 11/2" plastic honey gate w/barbed adapter included. Stainless steel stand sold separately.
• 4 Section Reel • Type 304 Stainless Steel • 20 Gauge Stainless Steel • Holds Any Size Frame • 20 Individual Frame Pockets • Can Hold Up To 36 Frames • 30'' Diameter 28'' High
All Dadant Extractors are Made With Gauges of Steel Heavier than our Competitors!
M00411 6-12 Frame Extractor Ships Freight Only Ship Wt. 105 lbs . . . . . . . $1,169.00 M00415 Stand Only, Sold separately. Ships Freight Only Ship Wt. 70 lbs . . . . . . . . . . $119.00 (both items ship freight only)
Dadant AN D sons
The ideal choice for a growing extracting operation. From a few colonies to several hundred, the 20-frame radial is excellent. Comes complete with welded drain (2" Female Pipe thread) with 2"to 1 1/2" reducer bushing. A powerful variable speed direct drive motor powers the unit. 120 v. operation. (Stand sold separately). M00440 20 Frame Radial, Ship Wt. 120 lbs—Ships Freight Only . . . . $1,499.00 M00444 Stand only, Ship Wt. 70 lbs—Ships Freight Only . . . . . . . . . . . $130.25
Stronger gears in gear box Speed control is fused on both input and output lines On/off switch on speed control
new and improved extractor motors
new and improved extractor motors
51 South Second Street • Hamilton, IL 62341 Toll-Free 1-888-922-1293 • www.dadant.com • or your nearest Dadant branch
Quieter Running Motor More torque
Dadant Extractors... Made in the USA! Why are they the best in the business?
TWICE as THICK as our competitors ➪ We use Type 304 stainless steel. This may not mean anything to you, but it is the most widely used and accepted stainless steel in the food-processing industry, because of its resistance to rust and corrosion to protect your honey. ➪ We use stainless that in some cases is almost TWICE as THICK as our competitors’ stainless steel. You want durability? Here it is. ➪ Sheets of stainless steel are difficult to permanently join together. Instead of using the old technology of soldering, caulking or crimping stainless steel together, we use state-ofthe-art, Automatic MIG welders to actually melt and weld our stainless steel together. Smooth welds inside and out that won’t ever leak. No sealants are used to hide poor quality welds and prevent leaks. Dadant manufacturing standards are rigid. We meet them on each and every all-welded stainless steel tank sold. Each tank is tested before it leaves the factory. ➪ A team of 15 is involved in the over 25 steps it takes to make the durable, efficient and sanitary stainless steel extractors from Dadant.
August 2010
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Local Beekeepers Associations Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 1:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia Contact Art Gelder 573-474-8837 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
Golden Valley Beekeepers
2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies) Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171 murftk@copper.net
Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Contact Don Moore 573-265-8706
Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 3rd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Cecil Sweeney, President 913-856-8356
Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association
Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Debi Bridgman 573-439-5228
Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association
3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Scenic Regional Library, Union Contact Rodney Angell 573-764-2922 bee143@fidnet.com
Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of each month, 108 Harrison, Farmington Contact Gene Wood 573-431-1436
Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”) 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Monett High School VO-AG Building Robert Sperandio, President 417-235-6959
Southwest Beekeepers Association
1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Herb Spencer 417-472-7743
Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
Cookin’ with Honey! by Carrie Sayers
Honey oney Citrus Marinade (for pork, chicken or seafood)
Ingredients:
1/3 Cup HONEY 2/3 Cup Orange Juice 1 T Soy Sauce 1 Clove Fresh Garlic (minced) Pinch Crushed Red Pepper
Method:
Stir all ingredients together…marinate your protein choice for at least one-half hour – but no more than 8 hours – the citric acid in the OJ will “cook” it for you! I suggest grilling after marinating – but the broiler or stove top works well too. Enjoy! Carrie Sayers (www.sayerscatering.com) is a beekeeper in Glendale, MO, and has been cooking with honey for years.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
August 2010 Honey Princess Report by Lillian-Grace Misko
Greetings Everyone, What an eventful and exciting summer it has been -- yet, it is not completely over. Besides traveling to New York and Massachusetts for two immediate family weddings, I have been having a wonderful time meeting many people while traveling as the Honey Princess. I would like to note that one of my favorite privileges as Honey Princess is to see the smiles and share in the joy of children when I put a bee sticker on them. I hope I never run out of those stickers! My most recent trip was all the way down to West Plains, MO for the Old Time Music Ozark Heritage Festival. I was there for two days and demonstrated a recipe from my brochure each day. Everyone loved the “Gypsy Dressing” and “Microwave Bran Muffins”. This was my first experience doing a public cooking demonstration (I even had a handless microphone); I will say, I had a blast sharing stories! (Thank you Monty Wiens for donating the delicious spring honey!) I thought I would only be doing my cooking with honey demonstration, but I ended up broadening my dance horizons by being taught how to “jig” and to square dance (the official Missouri State Dance) by the Do Si Do Company! I even received a mini lesson on the dulcimer! I met many wonderful people while promoting honey on this trip, including a lady who graduated from both of the colleges that I am attending! I love how certain people are just meant to cross our paths. Speaking of crossing paths, I even came across a yellow motorcycle with a mighty looking bee logo on it -- you guessed right, I definitely got a picture of it. In early June I appeared at Powell Gardens for Bug Day, so far the closest event to my home. At this event I showed off a spectacular observation hive from Brian Norris. This observation hive was perfect to explain to people about the different combs (brood comb and honey comb) and to point out the different bees (worker bees, drones, and the queen bee). The observation hive attracted young children as well as adults -- all ages absolutely loved it and were interested in hearing more about bees and honey. Like I said earlier, the summer is not over yet. I still have places to travel, including Springfield (Springfield Fair), Walnut Grove (Mead Fest at 7C’s Winery) and Sedalia (Missouri State Fair). I hope everyone has been able to keep an eye on their hives during swarm season! Super up! NO supers, NO honey! Be careful in the heat. Take lots of breaks and drink lots of water. With much care, Lillian-Grace Misko, Honey Princess 2010
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Directory of Officers President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson, MO 63755 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Steve Moeller 573-886-0662 7035 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia, MO 65202 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Ken Norman 417-669-4452 3634 Shiloh Church Road, Marionville, MO 65705 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City, MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com 417-767-2435 Southern Director: Dave Kayser* 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland, MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 636-946-5520 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles, MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell, MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-965-4631 643 Pearl Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 314-703-7650 cell editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown, MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia, MO 65211 *We need a volunteer to fill this position. Please contact Scott Moser or Grant Gillard for information.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
Mentha longifolia (horse mint) blooms for two to three months in the spring and summer, and attracts a wide variety of bees and wasps, including this unidentified specimen. photo by Eugene Makovec
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with “email newsletter� in the subject line. I’ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
Business card size Quarter page
$15.00 $35.00
Half page Full page
$50.00 $100.00
Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
October 2010 Eugene Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
Join us October 22-23 in Cape Girardeau for our annual Fall Meeting ... and make 2011 your best year ever!
he practices through queen-rearing and the overwintering of Make plans now to attend our annual Fall Meeting on October 22- nucleus colonies. He is currently leading a two-year queen-rearing 23. It will take place in Cape Girardeau at the Plaza Convention project for Vermont beekeepers. Center. Acting Program Director Grant Gillard has put together David Burns has been a beekeeper for 16 years and runs about 100 hives. Several years ago his family started a bee business an impressive lineup of speakers and topics. Our headliners include David Burns of Long Lane Honey Bee manufacturing and selling beekeeping woodenware. They began Farms in Illinois (www.honeybeesonline.com), and Michael Palmer, by primarily producing honey, but three years ago shifted to package bees, nucs and queen production. past president of the Vermont Beekeepers Association. David is a part of the Illinois Queen Initiative, an effort to improve Adjacent hotels giving group rates for attendees are the Holiday local queen stock in the Midwest. He serves as President of the Inn Express ($99.00): http://www.hiexpress.com/capegirardeau Central Eastern Beekeepers Association, and Central Director of 573-334-4491 or 800-645-3379; and the Victorian Inn ($79.00): the Illinois Beekeepers Association. David also hosts the Wildlife http://www.midamcorp.com/victorianinn/ 573-651-4486 or 800Pro Network’s monthly Beekeeping Podcast. 331-0445. These group rates are available to those who register Long Lane Honey Bee Farms also offers the following monthly under “MO State Beekeepers”. The slogan for this year’s meeting is: Making 2011 your beekeeping classes at the apiary: Basic Beekeeping, Advanced best year ever! There is no Beekeeping and Queen Rearing. They also offer a podcast and shortage of challenges facing free online lessons in beekeeping through their website, www. beekeepers today, from varroa honeybeesonline.com. mites and hive beetles to continued on page 4 pesticides and whatever this CCD thing is all about. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a full-time beekeeper, continuing education From the President .............. 2 Fall Meeting vendors ............ 7 and communication with other Honey laundering ................ 3 Place your orders now! beekeepers are among the keys Indictments handed down State Fair wrap-up ............. 8 to your success. From the queen chair .......... 4 Cookin’ with honey! ......... 10 Vermont Beekeeper Michael 2011 meeting previews ....... 4 Apple crisps with craisins Dates set for Spring and Fall, Palmer and his wife Leslie Local associations ............ 13 National meeting in Galveston started with two hives in Membership application .. 14 1974, and currently run 750. Fall Meeting registration .... 5 Honey Princess report ...... 15 Fall Meeting agenda ......... 6 Michael has developed an apiary Volunteers needed Directory of Officers .......... 15 management system with an Michael Palmer emphasis on sustainability, which
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
From the President by Scott Moser The calendar may not show it as I write this, but this weekend, fall came at my house. Everyone marks fall in a different way. Some wait until the calendar says September 21, some mark it with the first frost, some mark it with the changing leaves, or the geese flying south for the winter. For me, fall is officially here when I extract that last super of honey for the year. For me, fall came on September 6, 2010. It was 6:25 on that Monday evening when fall came to me. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I still have fall chores to do such as installing entrance reducers, feeding light colonies, mite checking, and hoping that they bring some in from the upcoming goldenrod flow. Those kinds of chores never go away as far as I can tell. As I placed that last super onto the stack of extracted supers, I reflected on the year. All of the woulda’s, coulda’s, and shoulda’s flooded back. I was hoping for a lot more honey this year, but Mother Nature had other plans in store. After the first of June, the weather went from mild to sweltering, with no period of “just plain old hot” in between. By the second week of June, the temperatures were hovering near 100 degrees, and stayed that way until mid August. Even though there was rain, the flowering plants just gave up nectar production and focused on surviving the heat. And there was a lot of heat this summer! The nectar flow stopped here by the second week of June, and the bees went into survival mode. If you didn’t pull supers early, they were eating it up pretty quickly. Most of the honey that I managed to get had to be extracted in July in order to even hope to get a bit of the spring flow. And working in those hot and humid conditions really took a toll on the beekeeper. If I was going to work in that heat, I had to be out in the bee yard by 7:30 a.m., and headed back to the house by noon, or else risk heat stroke, or even worse. Even though it sounds like the honey harvest was bad, all in all, things worked out pretty good. I lost a
lot of colonies last winter, but through splits from my surviving colonies, and 30 purchased nucs, I managed to get my number of colonies back up to last fall’s numbers. Now I am focusing on keeping those numbers up this winter. Hopefully, the winter isn’t as cold as the summer was hot, or else I am going to be in trouble again. Now that the honey has been harvested and stored, I can turn my attention to other details once again. Grant has put together a wonderful program for the Fall Meeting, which will be held in Cape Girardeau on October 22-23. For complete information about the Fall Meeting, please visit our website. There will be great speakers as always, and all of them are quite knowledgeable about their subject matter. In addition, Pam Brown has put together a wonderful program for the Spring Meeting in Branson. More information about that meeting will be posted after the Fall Meeting. While on the website, visit the Missouri State Beekeepers Facebook page as well. In closing, this is my second to last President’s message of my tenure. I want to take a moment to thank all of those who have helped me out the past two years. First, I want to thank Grant for all the help he has been with everything ranging from the normal duties of Vice President, up to acting Program Chair for two meetings. To Ron Vivian, for always being there when I had a question about funds or the history of the MSBA. Thanks to Eugene Makovec for putting out the best newsletter of any state association in the country. I always say that Bee Culture stopped awarding the best newsletters when Eugene took over, because they knew the MSBA newsletter would always win once he took over. I want to thank the Board of Directors for all the work that they have done for the Missouri State Beekeepers Association. Finally, I want to thank the two Program Chairpersons for all the work that they have done the past two years. Sharon Gibbons did a wonderful job, but decided to retire last year. Pam Brown stepped in and, without missing a beat, picked up where Sharon left off and has done a tremendous job so far. I know that I will be leaving all of you in capable hands when my term ends. Here’s to your fall! Happy Beekeeping.
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October 2010
Page 3
Eleven executives, six foreign firms caught in honey sting Andrew Schneider, Senior Public Health Correspondent aolnews.com (Sept. 2) -- U.S. consumers stand a better chance of buying honey free of drugs, chemicals and other illegal contaminants because investigators from several federal agencies have scooped up some of the biggest players in the sticky, international honeylaundering maze. A 70-page indictment, released in Chicago by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, reads like Cliffs Notes for a spy novel: smuggling, bogus shipping papers, phony lab tests, shipments to Chicago warehouses and small honey-packing plants in Washington’s Cascade Mountains. All that’s missing is the sex. Eleven Chinese and German executives and six of their food supply and honey export companies were charged Wednesday with 44 counts of conspiring to illegally import Chinese-origin honey, including honey tainted with antibiotics, into the U.S. by mislabeling it as originating in other countries to avoid paying anti-dumping fees, Fitzgerald said. Why the foreign intrigue with something as benign and universally loved as honey? The one-word answer is money. Tens of millions of dollars, and that’s just what the field agents and federal prosecutors can prove at this point. These are not nickel-and-dime scams. “They are charged with conspiring to import more than $40 million of Chinese honey to avoid paying anti-dumping duties of approximately $80 million,” said Leigh Winchell, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in the Pacific Northwest. (HSI was formerly known as ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.) Illegal Additives Create Health Problems Fitzgerald said the defendants were distributing “adulterated honey that never should have reached the U.S. marketplace.” The adulterants -- illegal additives that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says cannot be permitted in any food product -included mostly small amounts of the antibiotics and antibacterial drugs Ciprofloxacin, Norfloxacin, Chloramphenicol and Furazolidone. Health officials say these chemicals can create health problems for just a small percentage of the population with specific chemical sensitivities. Public health experts say the public should never be exposed to unneeded antibiotics. The Chinese used these drugs in the late 1990s and into the new century to fight off a massive outbreak of bee-killing disease that swept like a tsunami across millions of bee colonies throughout their huge country. As part of the conspiracy, the indictment alleges that the defendants had honey en route to the U.S. tested by a German laboratory. After they learned that the honey contained antibiotics, it still was to be sold to U.S. customers and even resold to some after it was rejected by others due to the presence of antibiotics. The thousands of drums of Chinese honey, or sweetened product being sold as honey, allegedly were falsely declared as having originated in Russia, Australia, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Sometimes the drums were actually shipped to the second country before being transshipped with new country-of-origin identification
to the U.S. Often, the switch was done by just painting the blue drums -- which are almost always used in China -- a different color and typing up bogus shipping papers. Federal authorities have seized more than 3,200 drums of honey in Seattle; Tacoma, Wash.; Minneapolis; and the Chicago area during the investigations that led to the indictments. AOL News Watched Inspection Last September, AOL News watched a honey packer examine rows of steel drums in a bonded customs warehouse near the docks in Tacoma. They were reportedly filled with white honey from Indonesia, according to the importers from Southern California. The deal didn’t smell right to the packer. The price was too low, and that specific type of honey wasn’t what Indonesian bees produce. He even tried to test what was being sold. He popped the bung on several drums, carefully drew out samples of honey from each and squirted the pale, yellow-white syrup into clean jars. The results were inconclusive, the certified lab reported. The “honey” had been so thoroughly filtered that it was difficult to say if it was even honey, the analyst told the packer. Eventually, he declined the bargain prices even though the brokers repeatedly told him they were selling hundreds of other drums from the same shipment to other packers. Problems Were No Secret The honey laundering and the alleged fraud listed in the indictments has never been a secret among the U.S.’s largest honey importers and packers. All the major players knew who was buying what and at what price. The bogus, mislabeled or transshipped honey stood out, as if it had red flags waving from the shipping pallets, several in the industry told AOL News. These experienced honey producers knew that tens of thousands of pounds of honey entering the U.S. each year come from countries that raise few bees and have no record of producing honey for export. Their newsletters, conference reports and honey market analysis laid it out in great detail. Only as the honey industry learned of the pending indictments did it publicly anguish over the problem. “We estimate that millions of pounds of Chinese honey continue to enter the U.S. from countries that do not have commercial honey businesses,” Jill Clark, president of Dutch Gold Honey of Lancaster, Pa., said at a meeting of honey packers this spring. Warrants Expected for Defendants Still Outside U.S. Two of the defendants, Stefanie Giesselbach and Magnus von Buddenbrock, were executives of Alfred L. Wolff Inc., the Chicagobased U.S. affiliate of the German corporation, which is believed to be the world’s largest honey importer, Fitzgerald reported. Four were Chinese or Republic of China nationals (three of whom are also cooperating), who have pleaded guilty to related federal charges -- two of them in federal court in Chicago and two others in Seattle. Nine of the accused live abroad, and authorities said arrest warrants will be issued in the U.S. for those defendants living outside the country. Fitzgerald and Seattle U.S. attorney Jenny Durkan may be the continued on page 11
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
2010 Fall Meeting continued from page 1
We’ve also lined up a number of MSBA members to lecture in their areas of expertise: Yvonne Von Der Ahe will tell us how she markets various products of the hive, and John Timmons will discuss how he markets such things online. Grant Gillard will talk about comb honey production, and Nathan Zenser will show off his collection of Missouri native plants. Cory Stevens will tell us how David Burns to raise queens in an already queenright hive. Ian Brown will explain how they keep bees in Uzbekistan, and secondyear beekeeper Suzanne Stiegemeyer will talk about her experiences as a beginner.
UPCOMING STATE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Our next few semi-annual meetings are in the final planning stages. Here are some updates: March 11 & 12, 2011, with special events March 10 & 13, Lodge of the Ozarks, Branson. Special speakers include Dr. Don Steinkraus (Univ. of Arkansas), Dennis vanEngelsdorp (Univ. of Pennsylvania.), and Reyah Carlson (Vermont). Contests to be held: Cooking with Honey (quick bread, cookies, BBQ sauce, scones) Art (paint, ink, pencil, watercolor). October 28 & 29, 2011, with special events on Oct. 27, Country Club Hotel, Lake of the Ozarks. Special speakers include Dr. Marla Spivak (Univ. of Minnesota), Ed Levi (Arkansas), and C. Marina Marchese (Connecticut). Contests to be held: Cooking with honey (wheat bread, cake, wings), Soap, Needlework.
Note from the Queen Chair by Joyce D. Justice
Our Missouri Honey Princess has been representing our industry in a grand way, in spite of the hot weather. She has covered the state well and the response on all of her appearances has been great. She will tell about it at the upcoming state meeting in Cape Girardeau. Now, in order to pay expenses for the Queen Program we need items for the silent auction. How about donating cookbooks, preferably on cooking with honey, that you are not using? If you do not have one on honey, how about just an old-timer that someone would like to collect? Anything you are not using that someone else would like, bring it and help us generate money for the Honey Queen Program. Thank you, Joyce D. Justice
Wanted: Mentoring stories The MSBA Executive Board has decided to recognize some of the many mentors who pitch in each year to help beginning beekeepers figure things out. To that end, we are seeking nominations from our membership for our 2010 Mentor of the Year Awards. If you have been the beneficiary this year of an extraordinary mentoring effort, please tell us your story. Contact Vice President Grant Gillard with the details. (Grant’s contact information appears on page 15.) The awards will be announced in early 2011.
North American Beekeeping Conference This will be a joint convention between the American Honey Producers Association and the American Beekeeping Federation, in Galveston, Texas at the San Luis Resort, January 3-9, 2011. Contact AHPA Executive Secretary Jerry Brown at brownhoneyfarms@hotmail.com with questions, or learn more at www.americanhoneyproducers.org or www.abfnet.org. Log on to www.sanluisresort.com/ media/docs/meetingfacility.pdf for full Convention Center details. Remember to make your reservations SOON as this conference is expected to fill up quickly.
Heartland Honey and Beekeeping Supplies 19201 South Clare Road Spring Hill, KS 66061 913-856-8356 www.heartlandhoney.com
Missouri State Beekeepers Association Fall 2010 Meeting Registration Form List all names for name tags. List any pertinent info such as Master Beekeeper, Beekeeper of the Year (and which year), name of honey business, etc. NAME_______________________________________________________ MY LOCAL ASSOCIATION IS ____________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________ CITY___________________STATE_________ZIP+4_________________ PHONE________________________E-MAIL ____________________________________________
Pre-registration fees (Registration must be received by October 10, 2010) Member
$22.00 X_____= ___________
Member Family (i.e. husband & wife, father & son etc.) (Must have paid 2010 dues as a family)
$32.00
Non-member (per person)
$30.00 X _____= ___________
___________
Registrations made after October 10, 2010 Member
$25.00 X ______=___________
Non-member (No family discount on late registrations)
$35.00 X ______= ___________
New, reduced meal prices! Friday night Queen Banquet We are offering a buffet featuring pork and chicken. Adult - $11.00 per person Child - $5.00/child under 12
($11.00 x _____) = ($ 5.00 x _____) =
_______ _______
Saturday lunch: Little Taste of Italy buffet Adult - $7.00/person Child - $4.00/child under 12
($7.00 x _____) ($4.00 x _____)
_______ _______
Membership 2010 Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Individual: Membership 2010 Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Family:
Renewal Renewal
New New
= =
$15.00_______ $20.00_______
Queen fund donation
Donation $___________
Meeting fund donation
Donation $___________ Total $___________
Please make checks payable to: Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Send to Pam Brown, 1407 Sneak Rd., Foristell, Mo. 63348 If you pre-register and then cannot attend, your registration fee will be considered a
donation and no refunds will be made. If you pay for meals and we are able to sell them you will be refunded for those. Please note – no receipt will be sent. Checks will be deposited after the meeting.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association 2010 Fall Meeting Program (subject to change)
Friday, October 22 Morning
Optional, self-guided tour of Cape Girardeau (maps available)
9:00
Executive Board Meeting, room TBA
9:30-12:00 Setup for vendors 12:00
Registration open
1:00
Setup for Silent Auction. Joyce Justice is in charge. Please bring items to donate.
1:00-1:15
Call to order by President Scott Moser; welcome, announcements, introductions
1:15-2:15
Rearing Quality Queens Michael Palmer
2:20-2:45
On-line Marketing for the Small-scale, Artisan Beekeeper John Timmons
2:45-3:15
Break, opportunity to visit vendors
3:15-3:40
Blame it on the Catalogs ... Making and Selling Products of the Hive Yvonne Von Der Ahe
3:45-4:15
Benefits of Raising Local Queens David Burns
4:20-4:45
Queen Rearing in a Queenright Hive Cory Stevens
6:00-6:30
Social Hour Cash bar available
6:30 7:30 8:00
Honey Queen Banquet Buffet is served Honey Queen Program Joyce Justice Program: Farmer to Farmer - Beekeeping in Uzbekistan Ian Brown
9:00-10:00 Networking and Fellowship Hour Cash bar open until 10:00
Saturday, October 23 8:00am
Call to order and Invocation by Vice-President, Rev. Grant Gillard; welcome, announcements, introductions
8:15:8:25
Greetings from Queen Chair Joyce Justice and 2011 Missouri Honey Queen. Introduction of silent auction items as a donation to support the queen program.
8:30-9:30
Making and Over-wintering Nucleus Colonies Michael Palmer
October 2010
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2010 Fall Meeting Program (continued) 9:35-10:00 What I Learned My First Two Years of Beekeeping Suzanne Stiegemeyer 10:00-10:20 Break, door prize drawings 10:25-10:45 Options in Comb Honey Production Grant Gillard 10:50-11:15 Over-wintering Colonies in Nucs and Single Deeps David Burns 11:20-11:45 A Plant Traditionalist and his Honey Bees in a Global World Nathan Zenser 12:00-1:00 Lunch Buffet Side room 1:15-2:15
My Management Plan for Honey Production Michael Palmer
2:20-2:45
Pheromones in the Hive David Burns
2:45-3:15
Break, end of Silent Auction
3:20-4:00
Annual Business Meeting, followed by raffle prize drawing
Support our meeting vendors and advertisers
As of press time, the following vendors had confirmed plans to attend the meeting. You can save on shipping costs by placing orders ahead of time to be picked up during the meeting. Dadant and Sons* All beekeeping supplies 888-922-1293 www.dadant.com Isabees (Authorized Walter T. Kelley dealer) All beekeeping supplies 314-894-8737 www.isabees.com Jane Sueme Femme Osage Apiary Handcrafted woodenware & bee supplies 636-398-5014 Ian and Pam Brown Long Lane Honey Bee Farms Bees and beekeeping supplies 217-427-2678 david@honeybeesonline.com David Burns *See ad in this issue
Meeting volunteers needed Starting in 2011, we will need some volunteers to help with the semi-annual meetings. Please contact Pam Brown, femmeosage1@aol.com, 636-398-5014. Remember, MSBA is run by volunteers. PLEASE HELP!! 1.
Pre-registration
2.
Registration table
3.
Assist in cooking contests
4.
Art contest: paint, ink, pencil, watercolor, etc.; setup and/or judge
5.
Beeswax art, setup/judge
6.
Poetry, setup/judge
7.
Raffles/literature/prizes/gifts – we have chairpersons, but they could use help
8.
Hospitality room/suite – part time hostess/host
9.
Queen auctions/raffles/prizes – we have a chairwoman, but she could use help
10.
Make centerpieces
11.
Make signs/posters
12.
Present break-out presentations
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Memories of the State Fair by Dean Sanders Many, many hours go into making the Missouri State Fair booth a lots and lots of hours. Thank you, Irish Spring, for providing us with success. Steve Harris, our assistant manager this year, suggested the computer, monitor and pictures and videos. Lillian Misko, our putting together the number of hours it takes, so here is an attempt Missouri Honey Princess, did a fantastic job with the kids as well as at his suggestion. adults visiting our booth. You were a big hit, Lillian! A minimum of five people working 12 hours a day from 9 a.m. to 9 Our vendors are at work weeks before the fair, providing us with p.m. equals 60 hours a day, times 11 days of the fair comes to 660 the great products to sell. Thank you, Roger and Jerry Nichols, Brian hours just to man the booth. Actually the planning starts in February Norris, Ed Fisher, Cathy Morrison, Dolores Vivian and John Stephens when the notice from the MO State Fair arrives requesting a check for your wonderful products. for the booth rent. There are also many phone calls made among the Other workers not mentioned above were: Hal and Linda Reidler, executive board members and others from February to August to Cathy Misko, Jerry Nichols, Irish Spring, Tanya and Jim Fisher, Ralph make sure everyone involved is on the same page. Dickinson, Tom O’Neal, Albert Martin (and Roger and Derrick), The executive board meets in June for a planning meeting mostly Stephanie Sneed, Bob Harrison, Bruce and Shirley Harris (nonconcerning the fair. It takes time to organize our suppliers of honey members), Glenn Davis, Carolyn Worthey (non-member), Travis products from bid sheets sent in, gather supplies for the booth, Harper, Steve Boxx and Ed Fisher schedule workers, get freezers to our ice cream vendor, etc. Setting I must not forget to thank Mary Carol and Dale Bersano, and up the booth starts two days prior to opening day. This includes Stephanie and Jim Sneed, who provided lodging for our managers. setting up tables, labeling and pricing products, putting up banners Their hospitality was wonderful and greatly appreciated. If anyone and signs, etc. Most of the setup of the booth took place Wednesday was left out, I apologize. I hope you all had fun and will be ready to afternoon after the honey judging was completed. Lawanda Branson, help out again next year. Thanks also to all of you who had entries Ron and Dolores Vivian, Steve Harris and I took care of that job As for the competition. The results of the prizes are elsewhere in this you can see it would be hard to determine just how many actual newsletter. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and our bees will hours it takes. do better next year so we can have twice as many entries. Every year we try to have something different to present at our Editor’s note: There is one guy that needs special recognition. That guy is booth. This year Steve Harris and volunteers enjoyed introducing the Dean Sanders, our booth manager. He is the most dedicated person in “White Bees” to our fair visitors. Steve also had a riddle or two to this whole process of the Missouri State Fair Booth. He takes his job very ask these eager learners. Of course the observation hive is always a seriously, and the best part about him is that he really enjoys these Fair Days. hit and this year was no exception. A big thank you goes to Ron Vivian It takes a special person who is dedicated like this to make the Fair Booth a for providing the only observation hive for the booth. There were success, and he cares about his workers so much that he will spend his own even a couple of days when there was no queen in the hive. She had money to make sure everyone is comfortable and enjoys the hours spent in been marked two days the booth. Everyone before the bees were who has worked put in the observation in the booth will hive but she could not agree that Dean is be found. The weather always looking out and honey bees were for his workers and not cooperating with will neglect his own many of our beekeepers personal problems this year. just to make sure We had three local everyone else is beekeeping clubs work taken care of. the booth for a full Thank you, day. They were Boone Dean, for a job Regional, Eastern and well done. The Beekeepers of the club appreciates Ozarks. Thanks to you! all of you; it gave the (Dean’s hours are managers some much from around 8 needed time off. a.m. until 9 p.m. A special thank you goes when the building to Lawanda Branson, closes. After who worked a total getting something of 10 days. Ron Vivian to eat, he goes to worked eight days, his room and is up Deena Beebe seven until after midnight and Tim Hyde three. doing the required Fun at the fair: Steve Harris, left, and Princess Lillian do some clowning around with Loyd LaRue, These few people put in paperwork.) a new acquaintance selling elk-related products at a neighboring booth. Photo by Dean Sanders
MISSOURI STATE FAIR 2010 Apiculture Judging Contest Results INDIVIDUAL ENTRIES Candied Honey Cut Comb Light/Amber Extracted
Dark Extracted
Light Bulk Comb Yellow Beeswax Cake
Art Designs in Beeswax Beeswax Candles Sealed Shallow Frame
1st Place nd 2 Place st 1 Place 1st Place nd 2 Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place th 5 Place th 6 Place th 7 Place th 8 Place st 1 Place nd 2 Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place th 5 Place th 6 Place 1st Place st 1 Place nd 2 Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place 1st Place nd 2 Place 1st Place st 1 Place nd 2 Place
INDIVIDUAL GRAND CHAMPION
Yvonne von der Ahe Lowell Hutchison Jim Fisher Bob Finck Michael Godfrey Bob Ferraris Dana Gray Steve Moeller David Appelbaum Bob Sears Kenneth Heitkamp Bob Sears Dolores Vivian Bob Ferraris Matthew Marciano Lowell Hutchison Ted Jansen Jim Fisher Bob Finck Yvonne von der Ahe Lowell Hutchison Dolores Vivian Kirby von Shouse Dolores Vivian Lowell Hutchison Harold Reidler Jim Fisher
Jim Fisher
Washington St. Joseph Raymore Fenton Valley Park St. Louis St. Louis Columbia St. Louis Clayton St. Louis Clayton Bates City St. Louis St. Louis St. Joseph Chesterfield Raymore Fenton Washington St. Joseph Bates City St. Louis Bates City St. Joseph Holden Raymore
Raymore
LOCAL ASSOCIATION ENTRIES Light/Amber Extracted
Dark Extracted
Art Designs in Beeswax
1st Place nd 2 Place 3rd Place th 4 Place th 5 Place th 6 Place th 7 Place th 8 Place st 1 Place 2nd Place rd 3 Place th 4 Place th 5 Place th 6 Place st 1 Place 2nd Place rd 3 Place
CLUB GRAND CHAMPION
Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Eastern Midwestern Eastern Eastern Eastern Midwestern Eastern Midwestern Eastern Eastern Midwestern
Bob Finck Bob Ferraris Michael Godfrey Dwight Wyatt Tim Hyde Kenneth Heitkamp Laurie Miller Jim Fisher Bob Sears Ted Jansen Priscilla Ward Lowell Hutchison Jacynthe Marroux Dolores Vivian Bob Finck Yvonne von der Ahe Dolores Vivian
Eastern MO Beekeepers
Page 10
Missouri State Beekeepers Association Cookin’ with Honey! by Carrie Sayers
Apple pple Crisp with Honey and Craisins Topping Ingredients: 3/4 C all purpose flour ¼ C Oats 1/3 C firmly packed brown sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon baking powder 1 stick unsalted butter cut into pieces
Topping Method:
Mix first three ingredients in bowl. Add butter and rub with fingers until it forms small clumps/combined. Set aside.
Apple Ingredients:
Sharon Gibbons has for sale: • • • • • • •
Honey Supers with drawn comb: $20.00 each Illinois, $15 each shallow. Dadant Bottling Tank, 45 gallon, stainless, double water jacket - $1200. 1 gallon Plastic Bottles with handles - $.95 each Barrels $8 and five-gallon buckets $1 Round section Crystal or Opaque Covers $20/100 Hotsy commercial Pressure Washer, 1725 RPM $2000 Heavy duty Engine Hoist w/barrel grabber - $400
Call :636-394-5395 or sgibbons314@att.net
THE HAWLEY HONEY COMPANY 220 North Elm Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5956 (After 8 pm 620-365-7919) White clover honey strained in 5-gallon buckets. We will pack it in your jars for an extra fee. Bee Equipment - New and Used - Used Extractors Corn syrup, sugar syrup and SUGAR Bees -- Frames of brood Call for prices. Can deliver to Kansas City, Joplin or Butler, MO
2# Granny Smith (or other tart apple variety), peeled, cored and sliced ½ C Craisins ¼ C Orange Juice ¼ C HONEY 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground clove 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 Tablespoons flour
Apple Method:
Mix together flour, baking soda, clove and cinnamon in bowl. Toss prepared apples and Craisins with this mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk honey with orange juice and then add to apples. Mix until incorporated/ apples coated. Place apples in a large skillet on the stove & cook over medium heat for approximately 12-15 minutes – stirring occasionally. Add a bit more OJ if gets dry. Transfer mixture to glass Pyrex pan or pie pan. Sprinkle topping over apples. Bake at 375 for approximately 30 minutes until golden. Let rest for minimum 15 minutes before serving with brandied whipped cream, caramel sauce or ice cream. Top with honeyed almonds or pecans for that something extra special. Bon Appétit! Carrie Sayers (www.sayerscatering.com) is a beekeeper in Glendale, MO, and has been cooking with honey for years.
October 2010
WEAVER’S FAMOUS QUEENS And Package Bees
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Phone (936) 825-2333 FAX (936) 825-3642
EMAIL: rweaver@rweaver.com WEBSITE: www.rweaver.com Wanted to buy:
HONEY TRADIN’ POST
Extracted honey in five-gallon buckets. Call Dalton Turner at 573-680-7678 or e-mail at jdaltonturner96@aol.com
Need to buy or sell honey or related products? Contact the editor to post your needs here. Members only.
Page 11
Honey laundering indictments continued from page 3 exceptions when it comes to prosecutors going after these smugglers. Federal investigators on the East Coast and in the South interviewed by AOL News lamented that their U.S. attorneys thought the illicit honey smuggling was of little importance and not worth pursuing. However, at least this investigation was a unique example of everyone playing nicely together. Winchell said that in addition to HSI, FDA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. attorneys’ staffs, ICE attache offices in Bangkok, Hong Kong and Manila worked closely on the investigation. And as one told AOL News, he’d learned more about honey then he ever wanted to know. Winchell tactfully declined to comment on whether he thought this week’s indictments were a wrap-up of the honey laundering or transshipping scams. However, he said he has a newly created, 15-person, full-time team of federal, state and local investigators “closely watching what comes through our ports.”
The first major investigation into honey laundering was done by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. You can link to those stories at http://www. seattlepi.com/specials/honey/
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October 2010
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Local Beekeepers Associations Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 1:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia Contact Art Gelder 573-474-8837 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
Golden Valley Beekeepers
2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies) Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171 murftk@copper.net
Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Contact Don Moore 573-265-8706
Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 2nd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Cecil Sweeney, President 913-856-8356
Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association
Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Debi Bridgman 573-439-5228
Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association
3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Scenic Regional Library, Union Contact Rodney Angell 573-764-2922 bee143@fidnet.com
Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of each month, 108 Harrison, Farmington Contact Gene Wood 573-431-1436
Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees�) 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Monett High School VO-AG Building Robert Sperandio, President 417-235-6959
Southwest Missouri Beekeepers Association
1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Glenn W. Smith 417-548-2255
Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
October 2010 Honey Princess Report by Lillian-Grace Misko
Greetings everyone, I am sure you can all relate to the celebration that it is now Fall -goodbye summer heat! Most of you are probably busy harvesting your honey and preparing for Winter. I am busy myself while back at college. This semester I am taking classes at Calvary Bible College and at the University of Central Missouri. I am excited to announce that I will be majoring through CBC in Communications with a minor in Biblical Counseling. The past few months have been packed with exciting adventures as the Honey Princess. At the end of July, the Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks sponsored me at the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield to promote their honey and products. To my surprise, I met KC and the Sunshine Band. I have to admit that I did not know who they were when I first met them. But, when I left the fair at the end of the day, I heard their band playing. It just so happened that I knew every single song they played that night! On top of that excitement, I crossed paths with them again at the hotel. The day after the Ozark Empire Fair, I went straight over to Dwight Crevelt’s 7C’s Winery Mead Fest in Walnut Grove. What an exciting time this was. I, your princess, had a blast learning archery (after having a difficult time convincing the teacher that I was fully capable of shooting an arrow!!!), was interviewed on “The Lake” radio and Fox TV (promoting beekeeping and honey), judged a costume contest, and gave out oodles of honey sticks. I cannot forget to mention the new friend that I made, “Petey the Wonder Chicken”. Since mead is their choice of drink, many Vikings were also present. (They also love honey sticks.) My most recent event was the State Fair in Sedalia. I was so spoiled to receive Walk-About Acres’ Honey Ice Cream for each of the four days that I was there -- yum yum! It is always so much fun to be at these types of fairs with an observation hive. For a couple of days, the observation hive I was using did not have a queen. Because there was no queen for people to find, I had people search for the drone bees . . . now that was fun! By the time the bees went home, knowing their need they had made a supercedure cell to make themselves queenright. To end the Fair with a bang, with Mr. Dean Sanders by my side, I had the privilege of collecting donations from the generous vendors for the custodian workers in our building -- they did such a wonderful job with smiles always upon their faces! Upon my return home, I had the blessing of delivering Honey Sticks to the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Warrensburg, in honor of Mr. Harold Shanks’ 98th Birthday. Mr. Shanks said his secret to turning 98 was, “Number one, I don’t smoke or drink. And number two, honey!” He said that he eats about 5 pounds of honey a month. What an example to follow! I could not thank you all enough for your generous support; see you at the October Fall meeting in Cape! With much care, Lillian-Grace Misko, Honey Princess 2010
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Directory of Officers President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson, MO 63755 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Steve Moeller 573-886-0662 7035 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia, MO 65202 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Ken Norman 417-669-4452 3634 Shiloh Church Road, Marionville, MO 65705 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City, MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com 417-767-2435 Southern Director: Dave Kayser* 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland, MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 636-946-5520 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles, MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell, MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-965-4631 643 Pearl Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 314-703-7650 cell editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown, MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia, MO 65211 *We need a volunteer to fill this position. Please contact Scott Moser or Grant Gillard for information.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
Is it straw, tongue, or spoon? Try all of the above. The Hive and the Honey Bee (at least my 2000 edition) devotes six pages to the structure and function of the honey bee proboscis. We are accustomed to seeing this as a straight tube plunged into the nectary of a flower. But as it turns out, several distinct organs must come together to form the sucking instrument necessary for a worker to ingest nectar. In the above photo, with honey adhering to a flat surface, the proboscis appears to function as a sort of broom to mop up the sticky substance. Front and back page photos by Eugene Makovec
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with “email newsletter” in the subject line. I’ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
Business card size Quarter page
$15.00 $35.00
Half page Full page
$50.00 $100.00
Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
December 2010 Eugene Makovec Editor editor@mostatebeekeepers.org
Beekeepers meet in Cape for lessons in queen-rearing, colony management Lillian-Grace Misko named 2011 Honey Queen; Grant Gillard takes over as President creates a “queenless” environment sufficient for the raising of queens. One thing that stood out toward the end of this lecture was the mention of queen cell “candling”. Just as chicken egg producers shine a light through their product to check quality, Cory said he candles queen cells before placement or sale, as it is not unheard of for workers to seal a cell with no queen inside! David Burns also extolled the virtues of raising one’s own queens, in order to eliminate shipping stress, control the characteristics of your own colonies, and possibly earn a little extra income. David threw out several interesting facts about queen mating: • A queen must mate within 20 days or she will lose the urge and become a drone layer. • She flies about a mile from the hive to mate. Lillian-Grace Misko, 2010 Missouri Honey Princess, prepares to receive her new commission as 2011 Honey Queen from Queen Chair Joyce Justice and • The average mating flight is about 13 minutes! outgoing President Scott Moser. • She typically stores about 5-7 million spermatozoa. If it’s fewer by Eugene Makovec than three million, she will likely not survive past one season. Two thousand eleven may be the year I finally raise some queens David also spoke about the various of my own. pheromones honeybees use in I hadn’t given it much thought until a year or two ago. Even then, their day-to-day lives. Among while I heard talk of small-scale, backyard queen-breeders, the other things, he described how whole thing seemed a bit beyond my capabilities, not to mention Varroa Sensitive Hygienic (VSH) bees use pheromones to sniff out my time constraints. But that opinion changed the third weekend of October. mites inside sealed brood cells. He About 120 MSBA members gathered in Cape Girardeau’s Plaza showed a short video clip of VSH Conference Center to fraternize and learn more about bees and bees opening a varroa-infested cell beekeeping. And queen-rearing loomed large on the agenda, with and pulling out a pupa. In a disturbing three separate speakers sharing their experiences. Two of those segment, the foundress mite climbs speakers, Michael Palmer and David Burns, came with nationally- out of the cell and up a worker’s recognized pedigrees. But our own Cory Stevens, in just his leg (she reacts much as we would fourth year as a beekeeper, told of his success this year grafting to a giant spider), eludes her and David Burns 100 queens -- selling most of them as cells. If this young upstart can scrambles to a hiding place behind her head. The audience gave a collective shudder at the sight. do it, I thought, why can’t I? Michael Palmer began raising continued on page 4 Cory believes in the importance queens in Virginia 20 years ago. of good stock, and said there’s no better way to “cut to the chase” than to purchase artificially inseminated breeder queens, From the President .............. 2 Honeybee Democracy .... 10 selected for the qualities you want CCD solved? ........................ 3 Book review in your bees. He described in some From the Queen Chair .... 11 Twin culprits found detail his method of creating “cell 2011 meeting previews ....... 6 Local associations ............ 13 builder” colonies, often three deep, Missouri Spring and Fall, wherein the queen is confined to Membership application .. 14 National meeting in Galveston the bottom box with sealed brood Spring Meeting registration 7 Honey Princess report ...... 15 and honey, while young brood and Spring Meeting preview .... 8 Directory of officers .......... 15 pollen are placed up top to attract Meet us in Branson! the nurse bees. This scenario Cory Stevens
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
From the President
a beginners’ class, mentoring a new beekeeper, or even helping out at the by Scott Moser Missouri State Fair. Every little bit helps The past two years as President of the Missouri State Beekeepers to make someone else’s life a little less Association have seemed to fly by! Several years ago I was asked difficult and stressful. to serve as Secretary, and at the time, I didn’t think anything about One of my favorite things about being becoming President, but as is often the case, one is called upon to President was getting out and meeting serve a higher purpose. all the wonderful members that we When I came into the office, I felt like I had some big shoes to have out there. There are a lot of fill. The past two Presidents had done so much to expand the interesting, friendly and great members MSBA, its programs and its reach throughout the state that I out there. There are a lot of new, up sometimes wondered if I could continue the groundwork that and coming members as well. I have been very impressed with many of them, and am looking forward to working more with had been begun. them in the coming years. Corey Stevens has really captured my One of my goals was to increase the number of local associations attention with the queen rearing that he and his wife are working in the state. When plotted on a map, it became quickly clear that on. I have a feeling we will hear more and more about him in the the northern part of the state was rather devoid of locals. I feel coming years. Yvonne Von Der Ahe spoke at the Fall Meeting and that the local is the first greatest help to beginning beekeepers, discussed all of the areas that she has branched out into in such because they can network with other beekeepers in their own a short time. geographical location. I am always amazed at how keeping bees varies in different areas of the state, and local beekeepers need I also want to thank all of my old friends who have offered support, to work with those in their areas more closely to take advantage guidance and a kind word or two the past couple of years. I always looked forward to visiting with Brenda and Larry, Gabe, Art and of these differences. Vera, Brian Norris and many others. As former President, I hope During my tenure, there were several local associations established to spend more time visiting and less time worrying about other and re-established in Missouri. The lack of locals in the north things. In closing, I want to thank all of those who have helped central part of the state is still a problem though. It is my hope me out the past few years. I have enjoyed serving as President that that will be alleviated in the future. and working with you, and I know that Grant and the rest of the Another thing that I have been a fan of is the idea of “paying Executive Board will do a wonderful job with the Association. it forward” -- helping Take care, Happy Holidays, and happy beekeeping! someone else do something as a re- Scott Moser payment for someone helping you out at some point. One thing The MSBA Executive Board has decided to recognize some of I always have asked of the many mentors who pitch in each year to help beginning the local associations beekeepers figure things out. To that end, we are seeking is to go out and help nominations from our membership for our 2010 Mentor of another local become the Year Awards. established. It can be If you have been the beneficiary this year of an extraordinary in your same county or mentoring effort, please tell us your story. Contact Vice an adjoining county if President Grant Gillard with the details. (Grant’s contact you choose. There are information appears on page 15.) so many beekeepers out there who have The awards will be announced in early 2011. to drive an hour or more to get to a local meeting, when if Specializing in: someone would take Bee Pollen the initiative they could have an association in Beekeeping Supplies their own town. Containers As I leave office, my Observation Hives challenge to you is Call for a free pollen sample & supply catalog to “pay it forward” by helping establish (402) 274-3725 a new local, offering
Wanted: Mentoring stories
DRAPER’S SUPER BEE
December 2010
Page 3
Scientists and soldiers solve mystery of Colony Collapse Disorder ... or at least narrow down the suspects http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/science/07bees.html?_ r=3&ref=science Denver, October 7, 2010 — It has been one of the great murder mysteries of the garden: what is killing off the honeybees? Since 2006, 20 to 40 percent of the bee colonies in the United States alone have suffered “colony collapse.” Suspected culprits ranged from pesticides to genetically modified food. Now, a unique partnership — of military scientists and entomologists — appears to have achieved a major breakthrough: identifying a new suspect, or two. A fungus tag-teaming with a virus have apparently interacted to cause the problem, according to a paper by Army scientists in Maryland and bee experts in Montana in the online science journal PLoS One. Exactly how that combination kills bees remains uncertain, the scientists said — a subject for the next round of research. But there are solid clues: both the virus and the fungus proliferate in cool, damp weather, and both do their dirty work in the bee gut, suggesting that insect nutrition is somehow compromised. Liaisons between the military and academia are nothing new, of course. World War II, perhaps the most profound example, ended in an atomic strike on Japan in 1945 largely on the shoulders of scientistsoldiers in the Manhattan Project. And a group of scientists led by Jerry Bromenshenk of the University of Montana in Missoula has researched bee-related applications for the military in the past — developing, for example, a way to use bees in detecting land mines. But researchers on both sides say that CCD may be the first time that the defense machinery of the post-September 11 Homeland Security Department and academia have teamed up to address a problem that both sides say they might never have solved on their own. “Together we could look at things nobody else was looking at,” said Colin Henderson, an associate professor at the University of Montana’s College of Technology and a member of Dr. Bromenshenk’s “Bee Alert” team. Human nature and bee nature were interconnected in how the puzzle pieces came together. Two brothers helped foster communication across disciplines. A chance meeting and a saved business card proved pivotal. Even learning how to mash dead bees for analysis — a skill not taught at West Point — became a factor. One perverse twist of colony collapse that has compounded the difficulty of solving it is that the bees do not just die — they fly off in every direction from the hive, then die alone and dispersed. That makes large numbers of bee autopsies — and yes, entomologists actually do those — problematic. Dr. Bromenshenk’s team at the University of Montana and Montana State University in Bozeman, working with the Army’s Edgewood Chemical Biological Center northeast of Baltimore, said in their jointly written paper that the virus-fungus one-two punch was found in every killed colony the group studied. Neither agent alone seems able to devastate; together, it seems, they are 100 percent fatal. “It’s chicken and egg in a sense; we don’t know which came first,” Dr. Bromenshenk said of the virus-fungus combo. Nor is it clear, he added, whether one malady weakens the bees enough to be finished off by the second, or if they somehow compound the other’s destructive power. “They’re co-factors, that’s all we can say at the moment,” he said. “They’re both present in all these collapsed colonies.”
Research at the University of California, San Francisco, had already identified the fungus as part of the problem. And several RNA-based viruses had been detected as well. But the Army/Montana team, using a new software system developed by the military for analyzing proteins, uncovered a new DNA-based virus, invertebrate iridescent virus, and established a linkage to the fungus Nosema ceranae. “Our mission is to have detection capability to protect the people in the field from anything biological,” said Charles H. Wick, a microbiologist at Edgewood. Bees, Dr. Wick said, proved to be a perfect opportunity to see what the Army’s analytic software tool could do. “We brought it to bear on this bee question, which is how we field-tested it,” he said. The Army software system — an advance itself in the growing field of protein research, or proteomics — is designed to test and identify biological agents in circumstances where commanders might have no idea what sort of threat they face. The system searches out the unique proteins in a sample, then identifies a virus or other microscopic life form based on the proteins it is known to contain. The power of that idea in military or bee defense is immense, researchers say, in that it allows them to use what they already know to find something they did not even know they were looking for. But it took a family connection — through David Wick, Charles’s brother — to really connect the dots. When colony collapse became news a few years ago, Mr. Wick, a tech entrepreneur who moved to Montana in the 1990s for the outdoor lifestyle, saw a television interview with Dr. Bromenshenk about bees. Mr. Wick knew of his brother’s work in Maryland, and remembered meeting Dr. Bromenshenk at a business conference. A retained business card and a telephone call put the Army and the Bee Alert team buzzing around the same blossom. The first steps were awkward, partly because the Army lab was not used to testing bees, or more specifically, to extracting bee proteins. “I’m guessing it was January 2007, a meeting in Bethesda, we got a bag of bees and just started smashing them on the desk,” Charles Wick said. “It was very complicated.” The process eventually was refined. A mortar and pestle worked better than the desktop, and a coffee grinder worked best of all for making good bee paste. Scientists in the project emphasize that their conclusions are not the final word. The pattern, they say, seems clear, but more research is needed to determine, for example, how further outbreaks might be prevented, and how much environmental factors like heat, cold or drought might play a role. They said that combination attacks in nature, like the virus and fungus involved in bee deaths, are quite common, and that one answer in protecting bees might be to focus on the fungus — controllable with antifungal agents — especially when the virus is detected. Still unsolved is what makes the bees fly off into the wild yonder at the point of death. One theory, Dr. Bromenshenk said, is that the viralfungal combination disrupts memory or navigating skills and the bees simply get lost. Another possibility, he said, is a kind of insect insanity. In any event, the university’s bee operation itself proved vulnerable just last year, when nearly every bee disappeared over the course of the winter.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
2010 Fall Meeting wrap-up continued from page 1
from one hive! When he started keeping bees and providing pollination services, Even if you have he says he realized, “My paycheck for pollination went to buy bees mite problems, he and queens.” And since the quality of those queens was not the said, you can send greatest, he decided to try it nucs into winter and get one good year of himself. Michael noted that we typically production before they coax our bees into raising crash. queens by creating a queenless Most importantly, said situation. But he reminded Palmer, nucs can help us that the best queens (in to put you in control both quantity and conditions) again. Beekeeping was Nathan Zenser are created under the swarm fun before mites, he said. “Selfimpulse. That being sufficiency makes it fun again.” said, he asked, why not combine the Other speakers of interest included Nathan two impulses? This Zenser, on Missouri-native (and honeybeeis done by dividing approved) plants; Suzanne Stiegemeyer, “My the colony, with the first two years of beekeeping”, Yvonne Von Michael Palmer queen and sealed Der Ahe on the many marketable products of brood below an the hive; John Timmons, online marketing; excluder, and unsealed brood, honey and pollen above. and Grant Gillard, comb honey production. Over the next few days the bees will build swarm cells At Friday night’s Queen Banquet, after Pam downstairs and emergency cells upstairs. He cuts all Brown introduced 2010 Queen Princess of these out, shakes as many nurse bees as possible Lillian-Grace Misko as 2011 Honey Queen, from the queenright section into a newly-created cell Ian Brown gave a fascinating presentation about builder colony, and adds a grafting frame. The key, he beekeeping in Uzbekistan. Ian and Pam traveled Yvonne Von Der Ahe said, is to have “tons” of nurse bees in a hopelessly to that country for three weeks in 2001 as part queenless hive with no larvae, then feed, feed, feed; of the Rockefeller Foundation’s the best queens are raised on a heavy honey flow. He went on to Farmer-to-Farmer Program. describe the detailed calendar he uses for this process. At Saturday’s Palmer also gave a talk entitled “Sustainability semi-annual in the Apiary”, in which he extolled the many b u s i n e s s virtues of the nucleus colony. The nuc, he said, meeting, there is the “foundation of successful beekeeping”. were a couple Overwintering a nuc can provide you with of changes a starter colony (or a replacement queen) a made to the month before you can buy either from down Executive Board. south. If a hive goes queenless, he said, you Grant Gillard can just drop in a nuc and they will readily will take over accept it. (He cited Brother Adam’s belief Suzanne Stiegemeyer as President in that it’s not the “new queen smell” that 2011, as Scott causes queen rejection, but the fact that she’s not yet laying.) Moser’s two-year term runs out. John Timmons What do you do with an John Timmons will take over as unproductive summer colony? Vice President. According to Palmer, you have two choices: You can requeen Photos next page them for next year, getting (clockwise from top left): one hive from one hive. Or, sacrifice the bees and brood Jane Sueme of Isabees chats with John Hutchins during Friday’s fellowship by converting them to four hour; Glenn Smith, Jane Daniels and Steve Moeller; Sharon Gibbons nucs. This way you get four discusses her display of bee equipment and novelties with Ted Jansen; hives from one hive, or if it’s attendees gather around a display of hive equipment; Glenn Smith and early enough you can split Dave Kayser; Ian and Pam Brown show off traditional Uzbek dress. Grant Gillard them again, getting eight hives
December 2010
Page 5
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
UPCOMING STATE MEETING HIGHLIGHTS Our next few semi-annual meetings are in the final planning stages. Here are some updates: March 11 & 12, 2011, with special events March 10 & 13, Lodge of the Ozarks, Branson. Special speakers include Dr. Don Steinkraus (Univ. of Arkansas), Dennis vanEngelsdorp (Univ. of Pennsylvania.), and Reyah Carlson (Vermont). Contests to be held: Cooking with Honey (quick bread, cookies, BBQ sauce, scones) Art (paint, ink, pencil, watercolor). October 28 & 29, 2011, with special events on Oct. 27, Country Club Hotel, Lake of the Ozarks. Special speakers include Dr. Marla Spivak (Univ. of Minnesota), Ed Levi (Arkansas), and C. Marina Marchese (Connecticut). Contests to be held: Cooking with honey (wheat bread, cake, wings), Soap, Needlework.
North American Beekeeping Conference This will be a joint convention between the American Honey Producers Association and the American Beekeeping Federation, in Galveston, Texas at the San Luis Resort, January 3-9, 2011. Contact AHPA Executive Secretary Jerry Brown at brownhoneyfarms@hotmail.com with questions, or learn more at www.americanhoneyproducers. org or www.abfnet.org. Log on to www. sanluisresort.com/media/docs/meetingfacility.pdf for full Convention Center details. Now would be a good time to join one of these national organizations, as the cost of membership will be subtracted from the price of the conference. Remember to make your reservations SOON as this conference is expected to fill up quickly.
Missouri State Beekeepers Association Spring 2011 Branson Meeting Registration Form List all attendees’ names as you want them printed on the name tags, including any pertinent information such as Beekeeper of the Year (list year), name of honey business, etc. NAME: _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: _______________________________________________________________________________ CITY: ___________________________________ STATE:_____________ ZIP+4: _________________LOCAL CLUB:_____________________ PHONE: __________________________________E-MAIL: ______________________________________________________
PRE-REGISTRATION (must be received by February 28, 2011) MEMBER
$25 X ___________= ________________
MEMBER FAMILY (must have paid 2011 dues as a family)
$35
NON-MEMBER
$35 X ___________= ________________
SATURDAY ONLY MEMBER
$15 X ___________= ________________
SATURDAY ONLY FAMILY (must have paid 2011 dues as a family)
$25
SATURDAY ONLY NON-MEMBER
$20 X ____________=_______________
_______________
_______________
LATE PRE-REGISTRATION MEMBER
$28 X ___________= _______________
NON-MEMBER
$38 X ___________=_______________
SATURDAY ONLY MEMBER
$18 X ___________= _______________
SATURDAY ONLY NON-MEMBER
$25 X ___________ = ______________
FRIDAY NIGHT QUEEN BANQUET Roast of Pork Loin
$21 X ___________ = ___________
Fried Catfish
$21 X ___________ = ___________
SATURDAY LUNCH – Beef Brisket
$12 X ___________= ___________
MSBA – 2011 MEMBERSHIP Individual
Renewal
New
$15.00
______________
Family
Renewal
New
$20.00
______________
Queen Fund Donation
______________
Meeting Fund Donation
______________ TOTAL:
______________
Please make checks payable to Missouri State Beekeepers Assn. Send to: Cathy Hogan, PO Box 281, Boss, MO 65440-0281. If you pre-register and then cannot attend, your registration fee will be considered a donation and no refund will be made. If you pay for meals and we are able to sell them, you will be refunded for those. Please note – no receipts will be sent. Checks will be deposited after the meeting.
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association Missouri State Beekeepers Spring 2011 Meeting March 11 and 12, 2011 Special Events March 10 and 13, 2011
Please join us for our Spring Meeting at the Lodge of the Ozarks in Branson, MO. We have an exciting agenda planned, with special events the day before and the day following. Remember, communication and learning are the keys to successful beekeeping. Being with other beekeepers is a great time for sharing ideas and just plain old fellowship. We are offering lodging at the rate of $70.00 per night, suites included. You will need to call before March 1 and ask for the specified group block in order to receive this negotiated rate; the earlier you book, the better room/suite you will get. This rate includes a breakfast buffet and parking. We will be within walking distance of several shows. For more information: http://www.lodgeoftheozarks.com/ Lodge of the Ozarks 3431 W. Hwy. 76 Branson, MO 65616 417-334-7535 800-213-2584 Branson, MO, nestled in the lakeside beauty of the Ozark Mountains, is America’s affordable, wholesome family entertainment capital that emphasizes fun, comfort and the feeling of being right at home. Featuring an array of live theaters and attraction venues and active recreational pursuits, the community embodies essential American values such as patriotism, faith, courage and generosity of spirit in a warm inviting atmosphere that is truly genuine and heartfelt. http://www.explorebranson.com/ We are negotiating special prices for the shows and attractions, just for the beekeepers. Our special guest speakers will be:
Dr. Don Steinkraus: Professor – Biological Control with microbial pathogens, Department of Entomology - University of Arkansas. Expertise and instrumentation: Epizootiology, IPM and biological control with insect pathogens, apiculture, scientific photography, insect anatomy. Education: • B.A. Anthropology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 1975 • M.S. Mycology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 1979 • Ph.D. Insect Pathology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 1987 Dennis van Engelsdorp: Bee Expert – Popular speaker at American and European bee meetings, regarding colony losses and standardizing data collection and presentation standards. Studying colony collapse disorder -- the alarming, worldwide disappearance of worker bees and Western honey bees, bee disease epidemiology, and the internal anatomy of the honey bee. Honeybee Researcher – Penn State Education: • B.S. Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario 1992 • M.S. Environmental Biology, Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario 1995 • Doctorial Candidate, University of Pennsylvania 2011 Reyah Carlson:
Practitioner of Apitherapy – Has been stung by bees more than 25,000 times. On purpose. She was a featured speaker at the 2010 North American Beekeepers Conference held in Orlando. Reyah operates out of her home, drives to some of her clients’ homes throughout Vermont and has used the therapy on herself with positive results. She has given stings to nearly 3000 people and has traveled the world to spread the word about bee venom therapy. She has appeared in National Geographic and on the Discovery Channel.
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December 2010
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Missouri State Beekeepers Spring 2011 Meeting (continued from previous page) Contests: All entries to be submitted March 11, 2011. Entries are open to the public; however, only MSBA members in attendance can be declared winners. There will be two sets of winners. The first set of winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd) will be selected by a judge; the second set will be People’s Choice, with each pre-registered attendee allowed one vote. The owners of all entries will be required to sign an attached index card giving MSBA permission to use their entry in the newsletter, website, calendar and cookbook.
1.
Cooking With Honey – judged by the Chef of the Rafters Restaurant
Entries are to be in the Board Room by 11:30AM. Honey is to be the principal sweetener. Commercial mixes may not be used, no other ingredient restrictions. Please type or print the recipe on a 3 x 5 card with your name on the back, it will be kept to possibly be included in the MSBA newsletter, website, calendar and cookbook. Put your name on the back of the recipe card. Bread or cookies should not need refrigeration. Entries become property of MSBA and will be served at break time in the Hospitality Room. The categories are: • Quick Bread - 2 • Cookies - 24 • B-B-Q Sauce - 1 quart • Scones - 24 Entries could be judged on: Presentation, Best use of honey, Amount of honey used (compared to other entries in category), Taste/Flavor, Texture, Crumb/Tenderness, Color, and Consistency.
2.
Artwork - Paint, ink, pencil, or watercolor
All entries must portray some aspect of bees and/or beekeeping. A 3” x 5” white card on which a brief description of the craft is typed/printed must accompany each entry, including name, address, e-mail. Utmost care will be taken in handling all entries, but MSBA is not responsible for loss or damage. Entrants desiring to insure their work must do so at their own discretion.
There will be a Buzz in Branson March 2011 As you already know, we have an upcoming semi-annual meeting planned for the spring. Because we will be in a great travel area, I am planning additional events for beekeepers and their families/friends to enjoy at a discount rate before and after the meeting. Please let me know what shows/venues you are interested in attending, so I can negotiate cost. We have to have a minimum attendance to get the cheaper rates. By completing this form, you are not making definite reservations, just submitting your interest. Please respond ASAP (circle your interest and send it to me or e-mail your choices). ASAP – Pam Brown SIX - Andy Williams - Butterfly House - Ride the Ducks - Jim Stafford - Baldknobbers - Sunday Champagne Breakfast at Big Cedar –Sunday Brunch at College of the Ozarks – Haygoods – Kirby Van Burch – Yakov - Shoji - Acrobats of China Hughes Brothers – Branson Country USA Late Show (11PM) – Dixie Stampede - Mickey Gilley - Motown Downtown Titanic - Showboat Branson Belle - Wax Museum - Ripley’s Believe It or Not – Thorncrown Chapel - other ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Pam Brown 1407 Sneak Road Foristell, MO 63348-2102 femmeosage1@aol.com Your name: ___________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________ E-Mail: ______________________________________________________________________________
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
Honeybee Democracy is a lesson in good government by Eugene Makovec Of all the joys that I have found in beekeeping, easily the greatest is the hiving of a swarm. Not only is this a most fascinating phenomenon – with each humming ball of bees its own unique permutation – but in an urban environment it is also the ultimate teachable moment. Typically as a result of a homeowner’s call, I show up at the swarm scene, a group of onlookers gathers ‘round, and we talk about bees. In 2006 it was my good fortune to hear Tom Seeley talk about bees at a joint meeting of the Missouri State Beekeepers and Kansas Honey Producers. His primary subject was honeybee swarm communication. Seeley described in great detail how a few hundred scout bees go about the work of finding a new home, while the remainder of the swarm of some ten thousand hangs patiently, practically motionless, and largely disinterested for hours or even days. As it turns out, that lecture only scratched the surface. Dr. Seeley has just released a book, Honeybee Democracy, in which he delves into all facets of the honeybee swarm phenomenon, from pre-swarm preparations to gathering outside the hive entrance, to bivouacking on a nearby tree branch, to dispatching the above-mentioned househunters in search of suitable shelter. The phrase “honeybee democracy” refers to the process by which the various scout bees lobby each other on behalf of their proposed nesting sites, until the group eventually reaches a decision, almost always unanimous, after which these same scouts proceed to rouse the masses and lead them to their new home. The honeybee may be the most scrutinized insect on the planet, and this glimpse into just one facet of its behavior is a good illustration of why. A biology professor at Cornell University, the author is describing the subject of his life’s work, which he says “is proving ever more extraordinary”. And lest we underestimate the importance of the house-hunting process, Dr. Seeley points out that, in nature, fewer than 25 percent of swarms will survive the upcoming winter. I recently embarked on a house-hunting venture of my own. My criteria, like those of the bees, included cavity size, accessibility and security. But my selection method more closely resembled dictatorship than democracy. Come to think of it, the swarm’s decision-making process could perhaps more accurately be described as oligarchy, given that fewer than five percent of the population is involved. (Despite the presence of an allimportant Queen, it is certainly no monarchy.) But as we follow the selfless interactions of the individual scout bees, it quickly “Honeybee Democracy” becomes clear that these by Thomas D. Seeley representatives have the entire Princeton University Press colony’s best interests at heart. 273 pages, $29.95
Sharon Gibbons has for sale: • • • • •
Dadant Bottling Tank, 45 gallon, stainless, double water jacket - $1200. Barrels $10 and five-gallon buckets $1 Free old Bee Culture and ABJ magazines, dating back to the early ‘80s Kelley Liquefying Tank $100 stainless (holds 3-60# buckets in water bath 2 German-style box hives. Call for description. Built by beekeeper/cabinetmaker Max Theil. $100 each or best offer.
636-394-5395 or sgibbons314@att.net
THE HAWLEY HONEY COMPANY 220 North Elm Iola, KS 66749 620-365-5956 (After 8 pm 620-365-7919) White clover honey strained in 5-gallon buckets. We will pack it in your jars for an extra fee. Bee Equipment - New and Used - Used Extractors Corn syrup, sugar syrup and SUGAR Bees -- Frames of brood Call for prices. Can deliver to Kansas City, Joplin or Butler, MO
December 2010
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All I want for Christmas is my own beehive!! Order your package bees NOW so you’ll have them this spring! #3 package w/Italian Queen #3 package w/Russian Hybrid Queen We’ll start taking phone orders December 13, 2010
Walter T. Kelley Co. Bees are Our Business!!
1-800--233--2899 www.kelleybees.com
Go on and order your Kentucky Special now, too! That way you’ll be ready when the bees get there. Now available with either medium or shallow supers.
Note from the Queen Chair by Joyce D. Justice Our Princess, Lillian-Grace Misko, applied to be our Missouri Honey Queen for 2011. She was so outstanding in 2010, I feel she will represent the Missouri honey industry even better in 2011 after a year’s experience. She gave an interesting presentation on her travels throughout the state at the Friday evening banquet. She had a good variety of events, from workshops, Music Festival, West Plains, Powell Gardens (bug day), Nature Center in St. Joseph, 7C’S Winery Festival in Walnut Grove, Fair in Springfield, Missouri State Fair in Sedalia and others. She traveled over 3,000 miles during the year. We are pleased that Lillian-Grace has agreed to be our Missouri Honey Queen for 2011. Plan to have her attend your events, as she will give them that extra special touch. The children always want their pictures taken with the Queen. Our silent auction tables were loaded at the Fall Meeting. We had some really nice donations. One of the big bears will probably find its way to the Missouri State Fair. We received a total of $561.00 from the auction. Thank you for remembering to bring items. It’s fun, plus helps pay Lillian’s expenses. I especially want to thank all of the ladies who met and gave input on rewriting the rules for our Queen program. Thank you, Joyce D. Justice
A big THANK YOU to the following vendors who supplied items for the silent auction: • Acres, USA (The Voice of Eco-Agriculture), P.O. Box 91299, Austin, Texas • Fisher Bee Supplies, 4005 NE 132nd St., Smithville, MO 64089 • 7C’S Winery, 502 East 560th Road, Walnut Grove, MO 65770
WEAVER’S FAMOUS QUEENS And Package Bees
Buckfast & All-American BEEKEEPING SUPPLIES AND BEGINNER’S KITS THE R WEAVER APIARIES, INC. 16495 C.R. 319, NAVASOTA, TX 77868
Phone (936) 825-2333 FAX (936) 825-3642
EMAIL: rweaver@rweaver.com WEBSITE: www.rweaver.com
December 2010
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Local Beekeepers Associations 1 Beekeepers Association of the Ozarks
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. The Library Center, 4653 S. Campbell, Springfield www.ozarksbeekeepers.org
2 Boone Regional Beekeepers Association
3rd Sunday of month, 1:00 p.m., Columbia Insurance Group, 2102 Whitegate Dr. (back door), Columbia Contact Art Gelder 573-474-8837 http://beekeeper.missouri.org
3 Busy Bee Club
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Cedar County Health Center, Owens Mill Road, Stockton Neal Lee 417-276-3090 Neil Brunner 314-276-4252 grnthumb@alltel.net
4 Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association
2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:00 p.m., Powder Valley Nature Center 11715 Craigwold Rd., Kirkwood Bob Sears, President 314-479-9517 www.easternmobeekeepers.com
5 Golden Valley Beekeepers
2nd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (but varies) Henry County Courthouse, Clinton MO Contact Kathy Murphy 660-678-5171 murftk@copper.net
6 Jackson Area Beekeepers
4th Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. First Pres. of Jackson, 206 E. Washington Contact Grant Gillard 573-243-6568 gillard5@charter.net
7 Jefferson County Beekeepers Association
2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:30 p.m., Hwy B & 21 Jefferson County Extension Center, Hillsboro Contact Scott Moser 636-285-7295
8 Joplin Area Beekeepers Association
Last Tue. of each month, 7 pm, SM Bank Community Building (7th and Duquesne Rd), Joplin Contact Gene Foley 417-624-6831
9 Mid Missouri Beekeepers
3rd Sunday of each month, 2 pm, St. James Tourist Ctr. Contact Don Moore 573-265-8706
10 Midwestern Beekeepers Association
Nov-March, 2nd Sunday of each month, 2:30 p.m. April-Oct, 2nd Thursday of each month, 7:00 p.m. (Schedule varies; please call first to confirm.) Bass Pro Shop, Independence, Conservation Room Cecil Sweeney, President 913-856-8356
11 Mississippi Valley Beekeepers Association Last Tuesday of Month in Quincy, IL Contact Debi Bridgman 573-439-5228
12 Missouri Valley Beekeepers Association
3rd Monday of each month, 7:00 p.m. Scenic Regional Library, Union Contact Rodney Angell 573-764-2922 bee143@fidnet.com
13 Parkland Beekeepers
3rd Tuesday of each month, 108 Harrison, Farmington Contact Gene Wood 573-431-1436
14 Pomme de Terre Beekeepers
2ndThursday of each month, 7 pm Missouri Extension Office, Hermitage Contact Bessi Shryer 417-745-2527
15 SEMO Honey Producers
2nd Thursday of month, Poplar Bluff Extension Office Contact Ernie Wells 573-429-0222 wells.ernie@gmail.com
16 South Central Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Friday of month, Howell Electric Coop, West Plains Monty Wiens, President 417 257-3994
17 Southern MO Beekeepers of Monett “MOBees”)
3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. United Methodist Church, Hwy 37 NW of Monett Leon Riggs, President 417-235-5053
18 Southwest Missouri Beekeepers Association 1st Tuesday of month, Neosho High School FFA Building Contact Glenn W. Smith 417-548-2255
19 Three Rivers Beekeepers
3rd Monday of month, University of Missouri Extension, 260 Brown Road, St. Peters, Missouri, 7:00 p.m. For info: 2952 Greenleaf Drive, St. Charles, MO 63303 info@threeriversbeekepers.com
Can’t find a local near you? Contact our President or Vice President for assistance starting a new one!
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Missouri State Beekeepers Association
December 2010 Honey Princess Report by Lillian-Grace Misko
Greetings everyone, I thank each and every one of you for supporting me as Honey Princess 2010, clocking in over 3000 miles across the state of Missouri. This past year has given me wonderful experience broadening my public relations skills and knowledge of the beekeeping world while promoting honey, bees, beekeepers and the Missouri State Beekeepers Association. I am happy to announce that I was crowned Honey Queen 2011 at the MSBA Fall Meeting this past October. I would also like to thank all those who attended the meeting down at the “Cape”. It was a fantastic time of beekeepers gathering for their common interest. The Queen’s dinner was such a delightful and “delicious” time! I was given a generous scholarship and had the privilege of giving a PowerPoint presentation of my past year’s journey as Honey Princess. This coming December I will have the opportunity to share my presentation at the Midwestern Beekeepers December meeting/Christmas dinner. Recently, I have been experimenting with recipes to include in my next year’s brochure! I am quite excited to share the recipes I have come up with. One particular recipe I will be including is “Little Mountains”—scrumptiously puffy oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies. Continuing to represent the MSBA is a privilege and honor. I look forward to the unfolding of another year’s journey! Thanks to Ron Vivian, I will have my own observation hive to travel and personalize—what a blessing for him to have donated it! Thank you all again for your support! With much care, Lillian-Grace Misko, Honey Princess 2010
Heartland Honey and Beekeeping Supplies 19201 South Clare Road Spring Hill, KS 66061 913-856-8356 www.heartlandhoney.com
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Directory of Officers President: Scott Moser 636-285-7295 6600 Davis Lane, Cedar Hill, MO 63016 president@mostatebeekeepers.org Vice President: Grant Gillard 573 243-6568 3721 North High Street, Jackson, MO 63755 vicepresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Secretary: Steve Moeller 573-886-0662 7035 N. Kircher Rd., Columbia, MO 65202 secretary@mostatebeekeepers.org Treasurer: Ron Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 treasurer@mostatebeekeepers.org Past-President: Ken Norman 417-669-4452 3634 Shiloh Church Road, Marionville, MO 65705 pastpresident@mostatebeekeepers.org Western Director: Brian Norris 816-668-9365 cell 3388 Mountain View Road Bates City, MO 64011-8161 bellhilloperators@yahoo.com Southern Director: Dave Kayser 417-767-2435 76 Canterbury Drive, Fordland, MO 65652 southwdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Eastern Director: Steve Harris 636-946-5520 1224 Sherbrooke Road, St. Charles, MO 63303 eastdir@mostatebeekeepers.org Southeastern Director: Ray Batton 573-785-1980 3032 N. 14th St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 southedir@mostatebeekeepers.org Program Chairperson: Pam Brown 636-398-5014 1407 Sneak Road, Foristell, MO 63348 femmeosage1@aol.com Newsletter Editor: Eugene Makovec 314-965-4631 643 Pearl Ave., Kirkwood, MO 63122 314-703-7650 cell editor@mostatebeekeepers.org Auxiliary Treasurer: Dolores Vivian 816-690-7516 443 Fricke Road, Bates City, MO 64011-8280 H1ybee@aol.com Queen Chairperson: Joyce Justice 816-358-3893 P.O. Box 16566, Raytown, MO 64133-0566 queenchair@mostatebeekeepers.org State Fair Chairman: Dean Sanders 816-456-4683 cell 37804 Old Pink Hill Road, Oak Grove, MO 64075 State Entomologist: Collin Wamsley collin.wamsley@mda.mo.gov
573-751-5505
Associate Professor of Entomology: Richard Houseman HousemanR@missouri.edu 573-882-7181 1-87 Agricultural Building, University of MissouriColumbia, Columbia, MO 65211
Missouri State Beekeepers Association P.O. Box 448 Oak Grove, MO 64075 www.mostatebeekeepers.org
From Miss Ugan ou d “A Be a to ABJ ri to : Che e Sto ck ou ry Fro this m t m Journ onth’s Am Africa” in al. It’s erican Gene an a ccoun Bee Beeke Foley of t, by Jo e to tea pers, of his plin Area c r beeke h some ba ecent trip epers sic sk ills in tha t coun to try.
RENEW NOW:
Don’t forget -- if you have not already done so, please send in your dues for 2011, either directly (to the address above) or via your local club. The membership application is on page 14 of this newsletter.
This newsletter is published six times per year, in even months. Submissions are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. The email edition is in color, and contains hyperlinks and bonus back-page material, while the print version is in black-and-white. If you are a member currently receiving the printed newsletter and you wish to upgrade, just send an email to editor@mostatebeekeepers.org with “email newsletter” in the subject line. I’ll reply with confirmation, and add you to my list. Advertising rates are as follows:
Business card size Quarter page
$15.00 $35.00
Half page Full page
$50.00 $100.00
Classified Ads: Advertise one to three beekeeping-related items in a one-line ad at no charge. This service is for non-commercial MSBA members only, and is limited to one ad per item per calendar year. Honey Trading Post: This is a free service to members wishing to buy or sell honey on a wholesale basis. Just email or call the editor with contact information and whether you are buying or selling. Pricing is between the interested parties.