I found this interesting, and maybe hopeful for out bees, But I also wonder about the Fox Gaurding the Hen House.
http://beecare.bayer.com/bayer-bee-care/bayer-bee-care-program
http://beecare.bayer.com/bayer-bee-care/bayer-bee-care-program
Bayer Bee Center
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One of their experts gave a talk at our regional bee association last year. A few members were giving him the evil eye, but I personally found much of what he had to say useful.
I reserve judgment over their evaluation of their own products. I believe, however, that they are undeniable experts at spotting other causes of bee death and disease. Some of their methods for spotting disease are fairly easy to do, and I intend to do the same. In particular, they put a screened board IN FRONT of their research hives, elevated a little off the ground. Bees tossing out their dead will leave many of them on this board, where they may be conveniently counted, and collected for autopsy.
What a simple idea! And useful. Listen to what they have to say about methodology.
I reserve judgment over their evaluation of their own products. I believe, however, that they are undeniable experts at spotting other causes of bee death and disease. Some of their methods for spotting disease are fairly easy to do, and I intend to do the same. In particular, they put a screened board IN FRONT of their research hives, elevated a little off the ground. Bees tossing out their dead will leave many of them on this board, where they may be conveniently counted, and collected for autopsy.
What a simple idea! And useful. Listen to what they have to say about methodology.
>But I also wonder about the Fox Gaurding the Hen House.
A fox would be an improvement... more like a velociraptor guarding the hen house...
A fox would be an improvement... more like a velociraptor guarding the hen house...
Companies will always put up a good face to the public.
While thier (Bayer) reaserch may being very good, it is still my opinion that they will also find ways to dismiss the damages caused by their product.
Last season a farmer across from my farm spraied Round Up on the field. The wind was blowing from his field to my property. The Dirft killed plants in my greenhouse and basicaly caused a tremendous decline in two of my hives. I have been a beekeeper for over 40 years and I have never seen such a decline. While the hives did recover they were weak for a long period.
I try to be Logical about life, and there is only one Logical explanation to the decline.
While thier (Bayer) reaserch may being very good, it is still my opinion that they will also find ways to dismiss the damages caused by their product.
Last season a farmer across from my farm spraied Round Up on the field. The wind was blowing from his field to my property. The Dirft killed plants in my greenhouse and basicaly caused a tremendous decline in two of my hives. I have been a beekeeper for over 40 years and I have never seen such a decline. While the hives did recover they were weak for a long period.
I try to be Logical about life, and there is only one Logical explanation to the decline.
>I try to be Logical about life, and there is only one Logical explanation to the decline.
I won't disagree that it probably was the cause, but from a logic point of view, that's not proof. Post Hoc Ergo Proctor Hoc (after this because of this) is a reasonable basis for a theory, though. And three things at once adds to the likelihood. All the research on roundup and bees has been looking at adults. I think it's time they do some research on its effect on brood and the fermentation of bee bread. Fungicides need that same research...
I won't disagree that it probably was the cause, but from a logic point of view, that's not proof. Post Hoc Ergo Proctor Hoc (after this because of this) is a reasonable basis for a theory, though. And three things at once adds to the likelihood. All the research on roundup and bees has been looking at adults. I think it's time they do some research on its effect on brood and the fermentation of bee bread. Fungicides need that same research...
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