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SCIENTIFIC AG CO.
P.O. Box 2144
Bakersfield, CA 93303
Toll-free number: (877) 356-5846
Office Located at:
1734 D Street, Suite #2
Bakersfield, California
24 Hr. Phone (661) 327-2631
2003 Season
The enclosed check is tne second and final payment for
the 2004 almond pool. This is the earliest we have ever completed
payment; it is a reflection of prompter payment by growers who
are aware that the bee supply was tight this year. There are
still 6 growers that haven't paid us, growers that are late-pay
every year (they are "unclear on the concept").
Most beekeepers found themselves
treated with more respect from growers this year. Some large
growers that treated beekeepers as 2nd class citizens in past
years are now being very solicitous of beekeeper feelings.
We have always treated our
beekeepers with respect because we feel that our beekeepers are
a cut above the average. We know they are the backbone of our
organization - without them, without you, we would not have a
business.
Although the bee supply was
tight this year, I know of no grower that went without bees.
I recently talked with a grower that we were unable to supply
with 50 bee colonies and he told me the beekeeper he got them
from at the last minute, Adee*, had
plenty of bees available. So the bees were out there, it was
just a matter of a grower making the proper connection.
The 2004 almond crop looks
better than anyone expected. There was a lot of pessimism among
growers during the marginal bloom weather, but the warm, sunny
post-bloom weather was the best in anyone's memory. Many (including
me) feel that post-bloom weather is just as important as pollination
weather, and this year proved it. This year showed that almond
growers are likely using too many bees - look for some to cut
back next year.
*rnany beekeepers live in fear of The
Adee, a mythical beast that has been rumored to swallow up almond
accounts should some unsuspecting beekeeper raise his pollination
fees. These fears have proven unfounded and The Adee is actually
pretty nice when you get to know him.
2005 Season and June 1st Deadline
We plan a price increase of $3 to $5 a colony for the
2005 season. We will let you know in May or June what the price
will be. Some of you have told us you would rather deliver field-run
bees instead of getting a price increase. To accept field-run
bees would be to lower our standards to the level of much of
our competition and would only hurt our (and your) business in
the long run. Beekeepers have told us that the extra time they
put into providing us top-line bees for almonds pays off during
citrus bloom. These top-line colonies make far more honey than
field-run bees.
Remember that your pollination
agreement with us is continuous from one year to the next unless
you cancel the agreement by June 1st.
Bees and Mandarins
6 beekeepers attended the March 31st citrus meeting in
Bakersfield which featured a presentation by Dr. Thomas Chao
(U.C., Riverside) on mandarin pollination, bees and seeds. After
the meeting was over, beekeepers and interested mandarin growers
had an informal discussion on "The Problem". Nothing
was resolved but each side came away with a better understanding
of the other side. Mandarin growers also came away with a definite
desire to fund research on the problem. Dr. Chao will give a
similar presentation Thursday, April 8 at a citrus meeting from
8-11 AM at the Ag Building, 4437 S. Laspina St., Tulare; Dr.
Chao is scheduled for 10:15 AM; call (559) 685-3303 for details.
Dr. Tracy Kahn (UCR) will discuss citrus varieties (including
mandarins) at 8:30 AM.
Toll-free numbers
We encourage you to use our toll-free numbers (above)
to contact us anytime for any purpose; they are particularly
handy when calling from a pay phone. We are happy to provide
this service; its not a major cost for us. Some cell phone companies
charge long-distance rates for toll-free numbers. Check your
bill and if you're being charged for toll-free calls to us you
might as well use the (661) 327-2631 number - no sense in both
of us paying for the call.
April 15 Gala
The Tulare-Kings County Beekeepers Assn., a lively group,
is having a blow-out the evening for April 15 to celebrate the
end of Tax Day. The meeting site is the Lindsay Community Center.
Dinner (including drink and tip) is $8.95. Contact Max or Jane
Eggman (559) 535-5267 for more information.
SEE Jack Brumley demonstrate the oil-fogger in the
parking lot prior to dinner (be there at 5PM for the demonstration,
dinner starts at 6PM).
HEAR a star-studded cast of after-dinner speakers
including Gene Brandi, Blue Diamond rep Steve Rothenberg and
many, many others (all speakers will limit their remarks to a
few minutes).
Fire from Foggers
Several beekeepers have found that the combination of
a propane flame + mineral oil can be an incendiary one with the
potential to set an entire hive on fire. Have a fire extinguisher
handy if using the fogger and never use the fogger around dry
grass.
Source for Frames & Supers
The Havre Day Activity Center in Havre, Montana is a
non-profit corporation that has assembled frames and supers for
some
Montana beekeepers. If interested, contact Dewi Jones at (406)
265-5506.
from the Montana State
Beekeeper Assn Newsletter, Wade Anderson, President
Scare from Imports
Last November over
600 hepatitis cases were linked with green onions from Mexico.
Another reason to buy U.S.
Theft
We had no bees
stolen from our orchards this year (vs. 60 stolen last year +
200 from a stockpile site). We think that our signs (BEE HIVES
ON THIS PROPERTY ARE PERMANENTLY IDENTIFIED WITH AVID MICROCHIPS)
were a deterrent to hive theft.
The theft-microchip "story"
generated a lot of interest from the media - print, TV and radio.
Refresher Course
"In general it is recommended to replace 3 combs
in the brood chamber every year with new foundation. This practice
will help to reduce the levels of spores and miticide residues
in bee colonies."
www.ontariobee.com
Have a Great Year
Although our season
is just ending, yours never ends. Best wishes for a bountiful
honey crop and a prosperous year.
Call us anytime to let us know
how you're doing and for an update on things up here.
- Joe Traynor
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