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2005 Almond Pollination
You are scheduled
to receive $5.00 per colony more for 2005 almond pollination
over 2004. We don't anticipate a shortage of bees next year for
several reasons: many beekeepers are increasing colony numbers,
winter (and fire) losses should be less, fogger treatment should
better control mites, almond acreage won't increase significantly
and almond growers may cut back on bees.
This year proved that almond
growers are using too many bee colonies. The 2004 almond crop
is estimated at 1.1 billion pounds, up 1% from last year's bumper
crop. The marginal pollination weather this year proved to some
growers that they are using more bee colonies than necessary.
If every almond grower cut back on bees by 1/2 col. per acre
(and we are recommending this to some of our growers) there would
be a surplus of bees for almonds. In spite of the large almond
crop, almond prices remain high ($1.50 - $1.70/lb) due to a short
crop in Spain and to intensive promotion by the Almond Board.
The almond industry has managed to increase per capita consumption
of almonds every year in recent years in good part by promoting
the health aspects of almonds.
You may have heard of some
fancy prices paid for last-minute almond bees this year. This
occurs to a certain extent every year and some beekeepers like
to play ''the waiting game'' to take adavantage of this last-minute
market. This is a precarious game to play as last-minute growers
do not represent stable, year-in, year-out clients. Once we set
our prices (to both growers and beekeepers) by July, each year,
we never change them, no matter what the market is in February.
We are your representative
to almond growers and are here to assure them that you are fuilfilling
your obligation. To date, no beekeeper has cancelled their agreement
with us and we are extending the cancellation date to July 1st.
If you don't cancel by July 1, we will notify you by Oct. 30
of the number of colonies needed for 2005.
Legal Assistance
The bee industry is currently spending hundreds of thousands
of dollars annually on anti-dumping and some beekeepers are questioning
whether these costs could be shaved. There is no question that
Mike Coursey & Co. have done a superior job on anti-dumping
but wouldn't beekeepers get more bang for their buck if the bee
industry hired their own full-time lawyer - one that could be
used on all facets of the bee industry? Much legal work (including
anti-dumping work) involves filling out forms and could be (and
is being) done by paralegals or secretaries. A full-time bee
industry lawyer, based in D.C. and staying in modest quarters* could also serve as an industry lobbyist and
be a tremendous asset to honey producers.
When the time comes (and it
surely will) when all segments of the bee industry are in the
same boat, hiring a full-time lawyer-lobbyist should be the #1
priority. Although its doubtful he'd be interested, Danny Weaver
would be ideal for such a position; maybe a ''Danny Weaver type''?
*I
visited a palatial D.C. law office and my impression is the same
as when I visit a palatial Nevada casino (to do probability research):
I think I know who's paying for this.
Fake Formulas Kill Infants
Dozens of infants have died in China in the last year
from fake milk formulas. The formula has also been found in Germany
and Israel. ''Some babies died within 3 days of being fed the
formula while others were hospitalized after parents discovered
their children were sick."
AP report, 4/21/04.
Low-Carb Blues
The current "low-carb"
craze has had a devastating effect on U.S. potato growers. Acreage
is being slashed and potatoes are being dumped or are rotting
in storage. Although honey is a carbohydrate, fortunately it
is not generally thought of as such.
Mite Resistance Theory
Mite control chemicals have been found in the wax of
3 (or more) year old combs. In the April ABJ, Dr. Pedro Rodriguez
proposes that "these residues would mimic the conditions
created by improper utilization of pesticide strips left in the
hives beyond the manufacturers recommended period of time and
could possibly explain the reason for failure of future treatments
with these synthetic pesticides."
Notable Quotes
"Beekeepers who rent weak or dead colonies of bees
tarnish not only their own reputation but also that of other
beekeepers."
Beekeeping Basics, Penn State Ag Extension, 2004
"Its war - old men talk and young men die."
Brad Pitt as Achilles, in
the new movie, "Troy".
By the Numbers
| Amount
the NIH is spending to test Glucosamine for arthritis relief
. . . . . |
$14
million |
| What a honey-health
study would cost . . . . . |
$14 million |
| U.S. expenses
in Iraq for half a day . . . . . |
$140 million |
| Number of U.S.
congressmen . . . . . |
535 |
| Full-time drug
industry lobbyists . . . . . |
620 - 750 |
| Full-time bee
industry lobbyists . . . . . |
0 |
| Drug companies
windfall from recent Medicare bill . . |
$ billions |
| (Medicare recipients
must now pay top prices for drugs; your tax dollars at work) |
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Almond Growers Get It
In a recent vote,
94% of participating almond growers voted to continue their federal
marketing program administered by the Almond Board of California.
Research Donation
Last month we (and you) donated $10,000.00 to the research
fund of the CA Beekeepers Assn. (CSBA funds research throughout
the U.S.)
Make an impression on your fellow beekeepers by donating another
25¢/col. on your own.*
* "Few things are harder to put
up with than the annoyance of a good example." Mark Twain
Them Fish Been Eatin' Them Frogs
For a number of years a cloud has hovered over California
farmers (including all almond growers): drift of pesticides (esp.
herbicides) from the Central Valley to the Sierras has been blamed
for the disappearance of high-country frogs. The theory was backed
by some evidence from a U.C. Berkeley researcher. A new study
(by a different UCB scientist) presents compelling evidence that
the introduction of non-native trout into mountain lakes is responsible
for the demise of the frogs (the fish feast on newly hatched
tadpoles).
Fountain of Youth
Several biological substances show great promise in halting
the aging process. Word is that Richard Adee started using these
substances 2 years ago (Sorry, Pat).
Killing Time
Have you noticed that as you get older, time goes a lot
faster? Cowboy-poet Baxter Black offers these remedies:
- Have a child when you're 50
years old.
- Injure yourself and be bedridden
for 2 months.
- Drive from Rapid City to Bison
in a car with 2 cutting horse people or 2 chain smokers.
- Arrive on time for a doctor's
appointment.
- Drink 6 cups of coffee, then
attend the Baptist church service.
- Call a plumber as the water
level is raising the linoleum floor in your kitchen.
- Take your child's 3rd grade
class to see the Pokemon movie.
- Buy a new pair of boots and
go to the dance.
Parting Shot
With honey prices
sliding, almond pollination income will make up a larger portion
of your total income. Be thinking all year on how you can deliver
the best product to almond growers.
Joe Traynor, Mgr.
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