By: Vera Strogolova A new research article was recently published about SuperDFM-HoneyBee probiotics (Anderson, K.E., Allen, N.O., Copeland, D.C. et al. A longitudinal field study of commercial honey bees shows that non-native probiotics do not rescue antibiotic treatment, and are generally not beneficial. Sci Rep 14, 1954 (2024)). The title of the article suggests that the SuperDFM-HoneyBee probiotic is generally not beneficial. A person has the right to their opinion. However, the data in this article paints a different picture – and critical data appears to have been deliberately excluded ..read more

Seeds for Bees® encourages the adoption of cover crops to provide forage for bees in California orchards and beyond – all while improving soil health, benefitting farmers, and promoting sustainable farming practices. The seed mixes available through Seeds for Bees are designed to bloom at critical parts of the year, when natural forage is scarce, and pollinators need it most. Ready to Apply? The application for the 2024-2025 growing season opens on April 1, 2024. In the meantime, sign up for our Cover Crop Chronicle emails to receive notifications about the application opening and other educat ..read more

Stockton Beekeeper Charged with Conspiring to Receive and Sell Smuggled Illegal Pesticides Thursday, March 28, 2024 U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of California SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Paulo Perez-Mendoza, 44, of Stockton, charging him with conspiring to receive and sell smuggled pesticides into the United States and the unlawful distribution and sale of unregistered pesticides, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, between Jan. 1, 2019 and March 18, 2024, Perez recruited another indiv ..read more

Celebration of Kim Flottum’s Life April 13, 2024, 12:00 Noon Here is the link to the church Facebook page for Kim’s service. https://www.facebook.com/mcclife1?mibextid=LQQJ4d It will be a Facebook live. This will take you right to the church page at the time of service. It will also be recorded if you can’t watch then ..read more

USDA NASS 2022 Ag Census Sparks Debate Over Honey Bee Population Reporting California, April 9, 2024 – The USDA NASS 2022 Ag Census reported a record high 3.8 million honey bee colonies in the United States, an increase of 25% over the last bi decade census. However, these USDA numbers directly contradict the same agency’s own yearly honey report and honey bee report. Those reports estimate honey bee population numbers between 2.5 and 2.9 million colonies respectively for the exact same year (2022), and have consistently reported honey bee colonies in that range for years. Some media outlets h ..read more

Auburn University & Apiary Inspectors  Kick Off 2024 Tropilaelaps Training Grant With Successful Thailand Trip. This work is made possible with National Honey Board and North Dakota Dept of Agriculture funding administered by Project Apis m., and in-kind support from Auburn University, Chiang Mai University, and Apiary Inspectors of America. Thailand training participants and hosts outside Chiang Mai University’s Faculty of Agriculture posing for a group photo. Background In the U.S. the Western honey bees, Apis mellifera, have been devastated by varroa mites, which jumped ..read more

Celebration of Kim Flottum’s Life April 13, 2024, 12:00 Noon at Medina Community Church 416 South Broadway Street Medina, Ohio Please come and help us as we honor Kim’s amazing journey and share memories with each other as we try and manage life without him. If you are coming from out of town or state please let Kathy know so we can help with any questions or details. There will be a meal served after the service. Questions or messages you can contact Kathy kathyksummers@gmail.com 330.461.1081 ..read more

Southwestern Ohio Beekeepers Association SWOBA Zoom Lectures The speakers’ subject matter will be announced closer to their presentation date to ensure the most relevant/current subjects and data. You may register for any or all dates at this time. 2024  Zoom Meetings Sun, April 7      (07:30 PM – 08:30 PM) Mr. Randy Oliver. Meeting – April. 71th Sun, April 28     (07:30 PM – 08:30 PM)  Mr. Jerry Hayes,MS. Meeting – April. 28th  Sun, Aug 25    (07:30 PM – 08:30 PM) Mrs.Grace Kunkel, MS.   Meeting – Aug. 25th Sun, Sep 29&n ..read more

Date of tornado was March 14, 2024 about 8:30pm. The tornado originated at Indian Lake, Ohio in Logan county. It was identified as an EF3. A short time later 3 Miles NW of us at Broadway, Ohio, in Union county. It was identified as an EF2. We live 7 miles NM of Marysville, Ohio in Union county. We saw on the news that we were in the path and went to the basement. and could hear obstacles hitting our home. About a football field from our home there was a shelter house (pavilion) and my 14 Beehives were beside the shelter house. The shelter house was built in 1971 and it was lifted and move ..read more

The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the 12th annual Food Animal Medicine Student Symposium on March 22nd and 23rd for this immersive hands on experience! The Zoetis-Ohio State Food Animal Medicine Student Symposium (FAMSS) is a two day symposium put on by students, for students. Each year industry leaders and veterinarians are brought in for interactive sessions and lectures covering various topics about food producing species including dairy, beef, swine, small ruminants, camelids, poultry, fish and honey bees. Several wet labs were offered that provided stude ..read more