Shropshire Beekeepers' Association

 

 

Newsletter : February 2009

 

1.      Editor's Notes

Right. The oxalic acid treatment has been given (if not, this extended cold spell provides a last opportunity before new brood begins to appear), candy has been put over the feed-holes in the crown board, hives have been checked for their weatherproofing and all else is well in the apiary (?). This then is the time of year for reviewing and planning without the interference of the bees. It is the time when our RBI, Dave Sutton, produces his annual report, when the BBKA holds its AGM (or ADM as they call it) and when we might think about finally getting round to entering the Honey classes at the Flower Show in August. All these items are addressed in this month’s issue.

News items
Just after the ADM, the news broke that the Government is to give an extra £400,000 a year for research into problems to do with the honeybee. While this is only about a quarter of what the BBKA campaign hoped to achieve, it is a first step in the right direction and is therefore very welcome. Similar good news has come from the Co-op movement, which has donated £150,000 to bee research as part of a major project, codenamed ‘Plan Bee’. And Rowse, the honey producers/marketers, has also made a grant of £100,000 to Professor Francis Ratnieks, the UK's only Professor of Apiculture at the University of Sussex. This donation will support research at Sussex into breeding strains of "hygienic" bees, which swiftly remove infected larvae and so reduce the spread of the disease within the hive, thereby helping the hive to keep on top of disease problems. Maybe the wind is finally getting behind us!

Programme update
Meanwhile we need to look to our own laurels, and Robert Swallow is working hard to put together a Disease Recognition Day, to be presented by the regional Inspection Team. This will be in June and further details will be given soon.

February Meeting
The next meeting is on 11th February, (7.30 p.m. at Shirehall) when Celia Davis will be ‘Doing Things Better,’ (or exhorting us in that direction). Celia’s talks are always very professional and full of good sense. Come and hear about ways of making those New Year resolutions a reality.

Swarm List
I am planning to update the swarm-removal list on our website. If you are on the list already I will assume you are happy to continue unless you tell me otherwise. N.B. We are short of members able and willing to collect swarms in both Telford and Shrewsbury. If you are able to help out in either of these areas please let me know. As well as netting that valuable stock of bees you will also generate great publicity for beekeeping - a win-win scenario!

 

2.      Report of the January Meeting: Preparing Exhibits for the Show

It is over four years since we last had a presentation on this topic, so John Goodman’s talk at our January meeting was very timely. As an experienced competitor and a trainee show judge he had much advice and many tips to give us. He ranged over the preparation of honey (both clear and set/creamed), cut comb, display frames, wax, candles and honey cakes - and would have had wise words on mead had time allowed. John began with some general words of encouragement for anyone considering entering a show, recommending it as a way of benchmarking one’s products, learning new techniques, meeting other beekeepers and continuing old country traditions. His first advice was to ‘get behind a judge’ and learn by observation what he/she looks for. Obviously competitors will have put their best products up for exhibition but the most important issue is the presentation, which must be as perfect as possible to stand a chance of a prize. With honey, for example, it must be entered in the right class (light, medium, dark; clear or creamed/granulated and in the correct jars with the designated lids). Clear honey must have no pollen or bubbles to mar it while set honey must not drip or run if the jar is inverted. The threads of the jars must be clean and there should be no visible gap between the surface of the honey and the bottom of the lid. Cut comb must be of an even depth (and without wires!), while demonstration frames for extraction should be clear of propolis and be totally sealed.

Wax for exhibition should ideally be from cappings; weight should be exactly as specified in the schedule and should have been filtered to remove any debris. Candles are best presented in a metal candle-holder (not a fire hazard - unlike wood). The wick should be the right size, centred in the candle and primed with wax. The judge will want to test how easy it is to light, how evenly it burns and how quickly it ceases to smoulder when put out.

Cakes must be made exactly to the recipe (including the tin-size). Prior to cutting it will be assessed on its external appearance, colour and depth of volume (i.e. the rise). After cutting, judging will take into account the aroma, the inside crust, the ‘honey ring’, the fruit dispersion and, of course, the flavour.

During the course of this expert and enthusiastic presentation, John told us many of the secrets of his success as well as some of the gaffes that he has seen in his exhibiting career and he was kept busy answering questions long after the formal part of the meeting was over.

 

3.      Dave Sutton: Regional Bee Inspector’s Report for 2008 : Part 1

Introduction
Dave begins his report by welcoming two new team members, Jo Schup and Megan Seymour, whose addition has helped to strengthen the service throughout the Western Region. Reviewing the 2008 season, he records the poor weather, after early promise, which meant that ‘many small colonies that had gone into the previous winter without adequate numbers of young bees and which were already suffering from that year’s stressful summer conditions simply dwindled and died out. From then on surviving colonies had to suffer long periods of confinement without adequate forage and nutrition. This also increased the pressure on them from any virus and mite burdens that were present in the hives.’

2007/8 Colony Losses
A survey revealed that ‘average overall colony losses were in the order of 30% - a figure that is reflected in the Bee Unit’s own figures nationally. This contrasts significantly with the reported losses in all previous inspection seasons; these had averaged at around 11 - 12% throughout the country - although this figure has been rising steadily from 3% in 2000/2001 – which, significantly, was when pyrethroid mites were first reported!’. He adds that, ‘From our studies of samples from these dead colonies most had died as a result of poor Varroa management and Nosema (N.apis and N.ceranae). Many of them had significant levels of Deformed wing virus (DWV) which is associated with Varroa and some had Black Queen Cell Virus (BQCV), which is connected with Nosema. ‘Now that we are experiencing an apparent re-emergence ..(of)..N.apis and the ‘new kid on the block’ N.ceranae, it is prudent to employ good beekeeping practice and complete an adult bee diagnosis for Nosema (and Acarine), using old/flying bees. Samples should be taken twice a year, once in Spring (March) and once in late summer (Aug/Sept). Most beekeeping associations will have a competent microscopist who can undertake this for you. If required, the National Bee Unit can complete a Nosema check at a cost of £10 per sample (30 dead bees in a matchbox). If Nosema is found they will not be able to confirm whether the disease is Nosema apis or Nosema ceranae, as they will only be making a straightforward microscopical examination of the sample, but the result will enable you to decide if it is necessary to undertake some treatment.

This can either be with the antibiotic fumigillin (‘Fumidal B’) or by getting the infected colonies onto clean comb using the Bailey Comb Change or Shook Swarm procedures and then sterilising all the associated boxes and equipment using 80% glacial Acetic Acid - simple enough to do but be careful and seek advice if you are at all unsure how to undertake this.’

Results of Inspections
‘This season my inspection team and I have managed to inspect 631apiaries and 2541 individual colonies of bees throughout the Western Region (figures to end of August 2008). Of these, 57 apiaries were found to contain colonies infected with European Foulbrood (EFB). .......This is more than double the number of incidents discovered in our region last year - which may just confirm that colonies under stress in poor conditions are always much more susceptible to any lurking disease pathogens. Just two apiaries with colonies infected with American Foulbrood (AFB) were discovered. These were in Shropshire and in Cheshire. All these foulbrood-infected stocks were dealt with according to the current National Bee Unit (NBU) protocols....... Where possible in the cases of EFB, the Shook Swarm method was employed in order to save both the bees and as much equipment as possible for the beekeepers who were involved. In a very few instances we used Oxytetracyclene (OTC) antibiotics, but only where necessary and appropriate – increasingly we are moving away from dosing bees with drugs. In all these cases of disease, every contact colony and apiary within the vulnerable area was inspected and all possible links, sometimes to distant places, were followed up, happily without any further discoveries in our region.’

Here to Help
As I have pointed out in previous reports, please remember that the Foulbroods are natural diseases of bees and have been around forever (Aristotle was writing about them in 300BC). There is simply no disgrace in having them – the disgrace is not doing anything about it! - And the law requires that you notify. If you are at all unsure about any unfamiliar or abnormal condition that you may spot in your hives then please seek the free advice and willing help of your local Bee Inspector. We are quite happy to attend any number of false alarms rather than miss one instance of a disease that could easily transmit to your fellow beekeepers in the neighbourhood and beyond. (To be concluded......................)
[N.B. A full version of this Inspector's Report is available here.]

 

4.      BBKA Annual Delegates’ Meeting Report: January 10th 2009

In due course the BBKA will publish its own summary of the meeting in the Beecraft Newsletter. In the meantime, here are some highlights. The meeting began at 10.30am and the morning session focused on the annual reports of the various committees of the BBKA. (These Reports and other papers provided to delegates in advance of this meeting can be found on the BBKA website at: http://www.britishbee.org.uk/members/annual_delegates_meeting.php In his report on the work of the Public Affairs Committee, Tim Lovatt brought delegates up-to-date with the national campaign to increase and target funding for essential Bee-Health research. His account of problems included: CCD now observed in Europe; nosema now widespread, average UK winter losses c30%; poor summer last year being followed by a hard winter; UK honey production down by 50%; pollination resources compromised etc. The strategy for the continuing campaign will include: maintaining public awareness of honeybee problems; parliamentary activity; publication of ‘Honeybee Research Concepts (i.e. a research ‘shopping list’); targeted fund-raising (e.g. for work on varroa, viruses, nosema, foul broods, SHB, better husbandry, bee breeding, pesticide impacts, medicinal honey, habitat conservation etc.) On a positive note, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate is being much more understanding about interpreting EU regulations in a realistic way to help beekeepers, though they themselves are hedged round with many statutory controls.

The Examinations Board reported a steady increase in entries to exams. BBKA’s exam structure is proving a popular framework for teaching, learning and assessment. 44 local associations entered candidates during the 2007/8 year. Essex achieved the highest number of passes overall (32) while Cornwall West won the Surrey Shield for the highest percentage of successful entries for its size of membership (18%)

The morning session ended with voting for vacancies on the Executive (John Hendrie, Pam Hunter, Brian Dennis & Christopher Deaves) and the Examinations Board (Gerald Collins, Ivor Davis & Tom Salter [3yrs] and Alan Klime [2 years]); the presentation of Long Service Certificates to Association members and an honorary membership of the BBKA to Past President Ivor Davis. Our neighbouring Association, Ludlow, also presented a plaque to be part of the permanent display at Stoneleigh. Finally, a bouquet was presented to Angela West, long time treasurer of the Association.

The afternoon was devoted to propositions brought to the meeting either by the Executive or by member Associations. The first was a report from the Executive in response to a previous request to consider setting up a membership register that would be accessible online, suitably password protected, so that individual associations could input their own membership directly. The general tenor of the discussion was that the present system was now working well and, given the expense involved (and some anxiety about security) the case for a change had not been made.

There then followed the series of propositions listed in the December issue of our Newsletter, dealing with the relationship between BBKA and agrochemical companies (including receiving a fee for permission to use the BBKA logo on insecticides considered bee-friendly when used as instructed by the manufacturers.) This has been considered and approved at a previous ADM but has become the cause of some heated debate in the beekeeping press. The Executive therefore decided to put the issue before the membership again. The end result was that the current policy was again endorsed. Kent proposed that BBKA should ask the NBU to supply data on the location of outbreaks of Notifiable Diseases to within a 2km square instead of the current 10 km. This would be far more helpful to beekeepers in deciding whether or not their bees were at risk. The Executive supported this proposal and it was passed.

Yorkshire BKA proposed that membership of BBKA should be conditional on registration with the NBU’s database (BeeBase) and that BBKA should also campaign to get non-BBKA beekeepers to register with it as well. The Executive view was that the proposal was well-meaning as an attempt to help keep on top of problems to do with bee health, but that compulsion was likely to be counter-productive and could lead to unwillingness on the part of individual beekeepers to join local Associations. In any case it was DEFRA’s responsibility to decide on such regulatory issues. The motion was lost. No other propositions that would alter current BBKA policies were put forward, though some were referred to the Executive for consideration and reporting back on at a future date. The meeting closed at 6.00pm
Attendance c100 (57 delegates, the rest visitors). A fuller version of this report is available here.

 

5.      Round & About

Ludlow BKA: Sat 7 Feb AGM at Knowbury Memorial Hall, SY8 3JL) at 2.30 p.m. Further details from secretary: Andy Vanderhook. Tel: 01299 841379

North Shropshire BKA: 17th Feb 2009, 7.30pm Tilstock Village Hall Talk by Bernard Diaper :Honey Preparation and Presentation. Visitors welcome (£1)

Montgomery BKA: Thurs. Feb. 19th AGM followed by discussing the New Season. Montgomery members can take part in a free raffle of a National Bee Hive. Plas Dolerw , Milford Road Newtown

The Welsh Beekeepers Association: Annual Convention, Saturday 28th March 2009: Royal Welsh Agricultural Showground, Builth Wells, Powys. Opening: 9.00 a.m. - Admision for Adults £7.00 (under 17 free). Further details on our Events page.

British Beekeepers Association: Saturday 18th April: Annual Convention at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire. Advance Tickets £13 members, £17 non-members from Christine Hayward, 19 Kings Road, LEISTON, IP16 4DA Tel: 01728 832487. Further details here.

 

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