Latest News
Register Today for ABF's Conversation with a Beekeeper Webinar Series — Beekeeping 101: Numbers, Boxcars and Bees
Next Session to be Held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Register today for the next session in the ABF's "Conversation with a Beekeeper" Webinar series – "Numbers, Boxcars and Bees," Tuesday, March 12, with Dr. Roger Hoopingarner. The session will be held at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Top Honors Given During 2013 American Honey Show
ABF members James Belli, of Wadsworth, Illinois, and Carmen Conrad, of Canal Winchester, Ohio, took top honors at the 2013 American Honey Show. Belli's Extra White Honey won Best of Show – Honey, and Conrad's Honey Gift Basket received Best of Show – Related Items.
The two were among 80 entries in the show, which was held during the 2013 North American Beekeeping Conference & Tradeshow in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The entries were auctioned to benefit the American Honey Queen Program.
Update on Section 18 Registrations for Apivar®
Nine States Should Now Have Section 18 Approval
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cleared the way for Section 18 emergency registrations for the amitraz product Apivar®. The first states granted registration were South Dakota and Oregon and nine more states should now have approval.
BEES Network: Learn How to Grow Your Knowledge and Understanding of Bees and Beekeeping
Online Educational Program Discounted for ABF Members
The American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) is pleased to announce a new online educational program available at a discounted rate for all ABF members - the Beekeeper Education & Engagement System (BEES). Under the direction of Dr. David Tarpy, associate professor and extension apiculturist, Department of Entomology, North Carolina State University, the BEES network is an online resource for beekeepers at all levels.
USDA News & Notes
USDA Survey Reports 2011/2012 Winter Honey Bee Losses
Survey by USDA and Collaborators Reports Fewer Winter Honey Bee Losses
Total losses of managed honey bee colonies from all causes were 21.9 percent nationwide for the 2011/2012 winter, according to the annual survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Bee Informed Partnership and the Apiary Inspectors of America (AIA). This represents a substantial drop in mortality compared to the previous five years, when winter losses of around 30 percent have been reported.
USDA Releases 2011 Annual Honey Production Report
United States Honey Production Down 16 Percent; Honey Prices Also Hit Record High
Honey production in 2011 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 148 million pounds, down 16 percent from 2010. There were 2.49 million colonies producing honey in 2011, down 7 percent from 2010. Yield per colony averaged 59.6 pounds, down 9 percent from the 65.6 pounds in 2010.
