Progress 07/01/07 to 07/01/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the reporting period, Ohio beekeepers reported mixed honey bee hive conditions. Informal surveys and verbal assessments were taken to quickly determine problem areas within Ohio. Concurrently, significant numbers of new people have undertaken beekeeping during the reporting period. Lectures, presentations, personal communications, web page restructuring and written publications were used to educate and update both new and old beekeepers. When possible, personal interaction was the preferred method for helping beekeepers deal with uncertain disease and management situations. Approximately fifteen discussions and lectures on maintaining healthy colonies were presented at the state and county level. Approximately five discussions were presented to gardener and grower groups. Honey bee health lectures were also presented at national bee meetings in the US, Northern Ireland and England. Additionally, the honey bee lab web page (www.honeybeelab.com) was upgraded and made interactive so questions and discussions could be addressed. Articles published in regional/national journals were used to broadly distribute information. Finally, the honey bee situation was part of an Ohio State video that was aired on national television PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary target audience was Ohio beekeepers with secondary audiences being growers, gardeners, and other environmentally aware citizens. Frequently, beekeeper audiences in other states and even other countries were served. A specialized audience in Ohio that was provided information was government officials and administrators. While the decline in honey bee populations continues to be an unresolved situation, beekeepers within the primary and secondary target audiences required, and continue to require, information and support as they struggle to maintain honey bee populations during this transition period. Workshops and extension outreach programs were conducted as methods of direct contact with information and recommendations. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Since in-hive chemicals for mite control have been shown to harm honey bee colonies, I developed recommendations and procedures to be used by beekeepers who want to reduce, or even omit, chemical use within bee hives. In order to pollinate crops; Ohio beekeepers need a dependable supply of high quality honey bee queens to head their colonies, so I worked with Ohio honey bee queen producers to develop a strain of honey bees that showed resistance to parasitic mites. To educate state beekeepers, the public, program administrators, and elected officials, I conducted eight statewide seminars where I presented information and instructions on maintaining healthy bee colonies.
Publications
- Tew, James E. (2009. Wintering Honey Bee Colonies, Part I. Past Wintering Recommendations. Bee Culture, 137(8): 52-54. Tew, James E. (2009). Wintering Honey Bee Colonies, Part II. Wintering Biology. Bee Culture, 137(9): 33-35. Tew, James E. (2009). Beehive Mistakes. Bee Culture, 137(6): 39-41.
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Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is the unexplained loss of seemingly healthy bee colonies in a remarkably short time. The loss of income for US beekeepers and the threat to commercial growers and producers has made this a significant issue within the US beekeeping industry. I have attended two national sessions of the NC 508 committee (Sustainable Solutions to Problems Affecting Honey Bee Health) where potential causes and possible solutions were discussed at length. With information gained at these two meetings, plus input from numerous smaller meetings, and personal communication with professional peers, I have developed information delivery devices in the form of written materials and public presentations. I have communicated with the beekeepers of Ohio, with numerous news media, and presented my professional opinion to the Ohio State Legislature. Through a contract with Auburn University, I have made this information and management recommendations available to Alabama beekeepers. PARTICIPANTS: The NC 508 project (Sustainable Solutions to Problems Affecting Honey Bee Health) has provided excellent venues for discussion and collaboration. Individual states were affected to greater or lesser degrees. Being able to discuss these variations and develop suitable management schemes has been invaluable. Information developed from these sessions has been used to educate the public, and provide information to students (of all levels), to legislators, to farmers and producers as well as beekeepers. Information has been delivered in all readily available formats TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences have primarily been beekeepers and growers. Honey bees are vital to commercial pollination and the immediate threat to food production has been critical. Beekeepers have a better idea on ways to handle dead bee colonies without spreading more disease and growers are somewhat relieved to know that bees - though in short supply - will be adequate to provide necessary pollination needs. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Bee colony numbers have been declining for the past twenty years. The unexpected loss of an estimated 600,000 more colonies from a malady named Colony Collapse Disorder has significantly reduced the number of US colonies available for pollination and honey production. Ohio beekeepers were uncertain what CCD is and how to deal with it. Recommendations and protocols were sorely needed. Groups that were specifically assisted are: Beekeepers, Ohio growers, gardeners, and commercial operations (e.g. Smuckers, Inc.) The Ohio public has become increasingly interested in the bee die-off. Information presented to the media, electronically, and to various presentations groups such as gardeners and farmers, has been readily received and assimilated. In this way, individuals were educated but not frightened about the future of their food supply.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: In recent years, the general health of honey bees has been declining. Managed honey bee populations have dwindled to hardly half of what they were thirty years ago. The apparent reasons for this decline are numerous and unclear. To assist both bees and beekeepers, I have participated in numerous local, state, and national meetings. I have redesigned and upgraded the OSU beekeeping web page. I have written numerous articles in both bee industry and popular media and I have produced fact sheets that are readily available to interested people. One of the suspect causes of the bee decline is possibly a general decline in the nutritional value of food that bees are collecting. I am reviewing all readily available protein substitutes that could be used to augment honey bees' natural diet.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences are: beekeepers, grower groups, ecologists and teachers
Impacts
The reasons for the honey bee population decline remain unclear. One of my initiatives has been to support and reassure affected beekeepers that their procedures and management policies are as sound as possible. In some instances, their financial losses have been significant. Another of my initiatives has been to interact with vegetable and fruit producers as well as industrial food processers, who are concerned about the general bee decline. In the spring of 2008, I will establish studies designed to make recommendations on best ways to provide honey bee colonies with a supplemental protein product. Interacting with beekeepers, growers, and studying the food quality of bees will give me practical insight into the present state of the problem.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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