The Buzz Newsletter

April 2004

 

 

Page 1

Greetings from the President of the IHPA

Dear Iowa Honey Producers,

The snow is pretty much gone, for now. I do remember several times in April that we have received either measurable snow or an ice storm. I sure hope that doesn't happen, but we need to be ready if it does. Have you checked your hives? Mike did ours while I was gone one day. The winter survival rate was ok, not exceptional, but ok. Of course, we wanted all of the hives to survive but no such luck. You may need to add syrup or sugar water to get them through the rest of the cold season and you might want to consider feeding a pollen substitute also.

I received word today, March 9th, from Steve Pedersen, that the section 18 approval from the EPA for coumaphos (Checkmite+) and thymol (ApiLife Var) has been completed. Our thanks to Steve and Chuck Eckermann, Pesticide Bureau Chief, for the work in completing the paperwork necessary to get the section 18 exemption for the Iowa beekeepers to use these mite applications. Steve is going to contact the suppliers to make sure that they know that Iowa has been approved for shipment of the products. Make sure that when you use these chemicals that you read and follow the directions. Remember to remove the strips before the honey flow in your area.

The Central Iowa Beekeepers Association is again hosting an equipment auction. It will be held April 17, 2004 in Des Moines at Ellsworth Gustafson's place at 5917 S. E. 6th Ave. This is a new location. Take a look at your equipment to see if you have anything that you would like to sell or that you need for this year. Contact Margaret Hala or Phil Meyer for more information.

Please consider registering your hives with the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Margaret Hala and Steve Pedersen have been busy updating the records and changing the format of the Web-site. If your hives are registered with the State, you have a recourse if you are not contacted and your hives get sprayed. Mike and I know from experience that the system works. Don't take the chance with your hives. Do the easy thing and register.

By the time this arrives, we hope that our oldest son, Shawn, who has been in Iraq for a year will be back at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Our youngest son, Mitchell, who went through the war supplying the 3rd Infantry going back and forth from Kuwait to Iraq is now stationed at Fort Irwin, California. He moved from one desert to another, but thinks that this one will probably be safer. What a difference a year makes. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support. Our middle son, Steve, is around the home area and helps when he can with the honeybees, but most importantly is bringing baby JoAnn to see her Grandparents quite frequently!

Hope this finds everyone enjoying a Blessed Easter with your families. Watch those hives closely this time of year so that we will have a great beekeeping spring and summer.

Sincerely,

Donna Brahms, IHPA President

 

The Buzz Newsletter Submissions

Please send submissions, classified ads, and photos to Alex W. Ebert by email to TheBuzz@ABuzzAboutBees.com
or by mail to The Buzz, c/o Phil Ebert, 14808 S. 102nd Ave. E., Lynnville, IA 50153.
The deadline for submissions to The Buzz is the 15th of each month.

Gordon Powell, IHPA Treasurer

4012 54th St.

Des Moines, IA 50310

Phone : (515) 278-1762