Newsroom, May 04, 2009
710,000 Bearing Almond Acres Estimated for 2009. 2008 almond acreage was estimated at 680,000 bearing acres.
Bee Surplus A couple of factors have affected the suplus of bees for 2009 almond pollination. The declining price for almonds has forced most almond growers to re-evaluate the number of hives they are using per acre. Cutbacks range from 10% o 50% from the hives they used last year. Many beekeepers raised their prices this year $5.00 to $10.00 which may have contributed to almond growers cutting back on hives. The market for almonds has softend quite a bit making it harder to sell their product.
The shortage of water in California have many almond growers saying "NO" to bees. This is an on-going problem causing almond growers to cancel bee contracts and leaving beekeepers with a surplus they thought they had rented. Because of the Supply and Demand Rule, many beekeeper are lowering their pollination fees in order to stay in business. Almond growers with signed contracts are being contacted by other beekeepers offering them lower prices.
We have several weeks before bloom and many beekeepers have yet to arrive in California to grade their bees. If CCD raises it's ugly head again, the surplus may dwindle. Only time will tell.
California State Agriculture Dept.
Ant-Free Certification Protocol
For 2009 season, you must complete Official Certification form with required information (9 items) Provide bee shipper with original certificate and one copy. Ca. border station retains original, copy stays with bee shipment. Forms available at: www.cdfa.ca.gov
Beekeeping News The California Bee Convention, November, 2008
Work by the Tuscon and Weslaco Bee Labs have clearly demonstrated the value of feeding pollen supplement to boost protein levels in colonies. Various products or "home brew" formulas will do the job, although a USDA trial gave good marks to MegaBee, developed at the Tucson lab. The most important findings from Dr. Frank Eischen's work is that the earlier you start feeding, the stronger the colonies will be come almond bloom next season, that a far greater percentage of well-fed colonies make "grade," and that well-fed colonies better resist varroa and nosema.
Does Protein Matter: YES, YES, YES. The more protein, the more longevity of the bees. Being able to prolong bee life 4 to 5 days makes a larger, healthy colony. Colonies grow at a greater rate w/protein. Even if you have mites, feeding protein can help the hive. Some tests showed feeding protein reduced strength dwindling, improved brood size and increased frame count. Any feeding is better than no feeding. If bloom is going to be late 2 weeks, it is important to feed your bees.
Nosema Ceranae
Nosema ceranae is perhaps turning out to not be the disaster that it was made out to be. It's been in the U.S. since at least 1985 and generally doesn't appear to cause major problems, here or elsewhere in the world. However, if bees suffer from poor nutrition, N. ceranae can take colonies down. It also appears to cause problems during summer in some operations for unknown reason. Work by Dr. Frank Eischen found that in fall, at average spore counts of less than 2 million from entrance bees, it was more effective to feed bees protein than to feed themn fumajillin. In fact, at low spore counts, fumagillin may do more harm than good!
The registration date for apiaries in California is January 1st of each year. You are required to register the number of colonies and location with each Agricultural Commissioner in the county where you are presently located. The registration fee is $10.00, with an additional $20.00 late fee for registration for 30 days past due.
Pollination for 2009
Contracts have been signed ranging from $135.00 to $190.00. Many beekeepers increased their hive count this past year adding to the suplus of colonies. Numerous beekeepers have contacted us needing a pollination contract for the 2009 season and although our regular contracts are filled we are hopeful new growers will call us.
Other News-- Drought page posted by the CA. Depart. of Water Resources
California is facing the most significant water crisis in its history. After experienceing two years of drought and the driest spring in recorded history, water reserves are extremely low. With the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem near collapse, court-ordered restrictions on water deliveries from the Delta have reduced supplies from the states's two largest water systems by 20 to 30 percent. If the drought continues into next year, the results could be catastrophic to our economy. www.water.ca.gov/drought/
For more information: www.cfbf.com California Farm Bureau Federation. Ag Alert, 2008 Water Crisis.
County Agriculture Departments
Don’t forget: Register hives with county of destination
Fresno Department of Agriculture
Commissioner/Jerry Prieto
1730 South Maple Avenue
Fresno, California 93702
Phone: 559-456-7510
Fax: 559-456-7379
E-Mail: Fresnoag@co.fresno.ca.us
Kern County Department of Agriculture Phone: 661 868-6300
Commissioner/David Moore (Fax: 661 868-6301)
1001 South Mt. Vernon Ave. (E-Mail: agcomm@co.kern.ca.us)
Bakersfield, Ca. 93307
Merced Department of Agriculture
Commissoner/Dave Robinson
2139 Wardrobe Av.
Merced, Ca. 95340
Phone: 209 385-7431
Fax: 209 725-3910
E-Mail: ag00@co.merced.ca.us
San Joaquin County Department of Agriculture
Commissioner/Scott Hudson
1868 E. Hazelton Av.
Stockton, Ca. 95205
Phone: 209 468-3300
Fax: 209 468-3330
E-Mail: shudson@sjgov.org
Stanislaus Department of Agriculture
Commissioner/Dennis Gudgel
3800 Cornicopia Wy.
Modesto, California 95358
Phone: 209 525-4730
Fax: 209 525-4790
E-Mail: AgCom50@co.stanislaus.ca.us
Tulare County Department of Agriculture
Commissioner/Gary Kunkel
4437 S. Laspina Street
Tulare, Ca. 93274
Phone: 559 685-3323
Fax: 559 685-3335
E-Mail: gkunkel@co.tulare.ca.us
USDA Port contacts for Bee Shipments
*San Francisco: Norman Lau, phone: 650 989-2577 Fax 650 989-2599
*Los Angeles: Mon-Fri.: Jon Bailey/Javier Camberos 310 725-1926
Fax 310 215-2367
