OK, What's going on

[brooksbeefarm]

I've heard old timers say that dutch clover is our best nectar source (of a flow) here in SW Mo. My pastures and all my neighbors fields are overflowing with it and you never see a bee on it? Other beekeepers in our bee club have said the samething. I have hives where there is acres of vetch along the highway and samething, bees not working it? They are working something they like better because i can't keep up putting supers on (here at home and 60 miles north of me) and had some swarm because they were crowded. I don't know of or see anything in abundance that's blooming now in my area. I'm not complaining, just can't figure the girls out. We've had alot of rain (every 2 to 3 days) and when you lift the the lid to puff abit of smoke to check them, you better have your beesuit on because there on you before the first puff of smoke and as a rule they are gentle hives. Anyone else seeing this? Jack

[The Honey Householder]

Hi,

Plants bare nectar at different times of the day. Just because you don't see bees on the flower doesn't mean they don't work it.
Now for your swarming. With to many days of rain (days off) bees aren't wearing themselfs out. When you have periods of rain you need to check them for swarm cells. Just go in and cut all of them out. Problem fix.
If your bees swarm you lost your workers to bring in your crop.
Bees don't want you in the hive when there is a vargin, or if they just got a new queen laying.

Old Timer

[ChickenChaser]

I'm well south of you - and wondering the same thing. I've been trying to keep the Dutch clover mowed for continuous bloom. Rainfall in May was above normal but June is normal or a little below...temps range mid 60s to upper 80s and humid. They were working the clover 7-10 days ago but only thing now are the bumblebees. I mowed (rotary cutter a.k.a. bushhog) a neighbor's "extended lawn" today that literally had masses of it half knee high. Same thing. I was wondering if the higher temps/humidity were affecting the nectar production? Maybe it is just so abundant they are working other areas, but my girls seem to be stuck right now. Haven't even finished capping their work from two weeks ago. Humidity a factor here, too??

Sumac will start in about a week. Maybe that will help.

[DRUR]

I know its hot and humid now. Just remember the rich man gets his ice in the summer but the farmer gets his ice during the winter, so I guess it all balances out. Just think, what the bees are thinking. They're not making enough stores for winter, and there you are, just a waiting so you can take what little they make, LOL.

Danny

[brooksbeefarm]

Chickenchaser, i guess i spoke to soon i had to pull a calf out in the field this afternoon and as i was watching the cow clean it up i heard and seen the bees working the dutch clover. I've heard some of the oldtimers (older than me} in the bee club say it takes 3 days after a rain fore plants to produce nectar again. Being a farmer i learned a long time ago not to complain about the rain, it's our lifes blood. I hear you on the humidity it's like trying to breath under water. I see some sumac buding out now, we have 3
or 4 different varieties here that bloom at different times. Good luck. Jack

[theriverhawk]

Dutch white clover: If it has rained, it will take a day(ish) for the nectar to rebuild on the bloom. Then, the nectar is more plentiful in the cool of the morning. Once the afternoon sun/heat kicks in, most of the nectar dries up. You may see the bees on the clover in the afternoon but not like you will in mornings.

[ChickenChaser]

...i had to pull a calf out in the field this afternoon and as i was watching the cow clean it up i heard and seen the bees working the dutch clover. I've heard some of the oldtimers (older than me} in the bee club say it takes 3 days after a rain fore plants to produce nectar again...

Thanks, Jack. The 3 day delay on nectar production just might explain some things. I've never heard that - or don't recall it.
Now for explaining things...I went to bat for you on the "disk". If any questions arise about "pulling a calf"...

Tony

[Noelle]

Now for explaining things...I went to bat for you on the "disk". If any questions arise about "pulling a calf"...

Tony

You got me!

[ChickenChaser]

....

[brooksbeefarm]

Hey ChickenChaser, please follow my post i need a interpreter. I could have said i knew that old muley cow, that was bred to a limousine was going to freshen and was watching her because having a calf this time of year the calf would be big and she would need help. I have a soft chain with a handle that i use. When a cow is trying to have a calf and her water breaks and the calf's feet are hanging out and not the head with them, you have a limited time to save the calf if the cow's having trouble. You make a loop on both ends of the chain and put the loop above the calfs hoofs tighten the chain on ti's legs put your handle in the middle of the chain and pull when the cow pushes. This is only one way to ( pull a calf.) Now you explain (muley cow, Limousine and freshen) It's like telling new beekeepers the difference between a med. super and a deep brood box when some beekeepers use med. supers for the brood box or what drawing comb from foundation means. Seems like every occupation has a language of it's own. Jack

[Troy]

When you pull a calf, where do you pull it to?

Pull it up?

Pull it along?

Pull it out?

I'm not a farmer, I have no idea......... :-(

[brooksbeefarm]

You pull down until it's out and get out of the way, cow's can be very protective of their baby and i don't run at 71 years old like i used to. Jack

[honeyshack]

And if you are so luck, and see the feet not come properly or upside down, or no progress, you glove up.
Wash the backside of the cow
wash your arm
glove up to the shoulders
insert arm and find the calf
attach the chains...or call the vet
pull calf

got to love the ones that are upside down and backwards.

[ChickenChaser]

Hey ChickenChaser, please follow my post i need a interpreter...
...Seems like every occupation has a language of it's own. Jack

Naw - you don't need an interpreter! And as far as the language...sometimes you can explain it over and over but it just never clicks until seen (experienced) first hand.

[brooksbeefarm]

Been there and done that without the glove and have the wife holler suppers ready. Jack

[ChickenChaser]

got to love the ones that are upside down and backwards.

All I'm gonna say is "Thanksgiving Day 1987" will be forever seared into my memory! The vet still remembers that one, too.
That was a "honey". Now we are back on topic.

C.C.