Posted: 2/15/2007 8:35:07 AM EDT
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"During 2006, an alarming number of honey bee colonies began to die across the continental United States. Subsequent investigations suggest these outbreaks of unexplained colony collapse were experienced by beekeepers for at least the last two years. Reports of similar die offs are documented in beekeeping literature, with outbreaks possibly occurring as long ago as 1896. The current phenomenon, without a recognizable underlying cause, has been tentatively termed “Colony Collapse Disorder” (CCD), and threatens the pollination industry and production of commercial honey in the United States." Anybody read about this? It seems that it could have some serious side effects on our food stocks this year. According to Eric Musson of the Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium (MAAREC), "one third of the food we eat is pollinated by bees, so this situation could have a major affect on the agriculture industry. Lab samples from various parts of the country have been collected, but no definitive explanation has arisen for the affliction called 'Colony Collapse Disorder.'" They have no idea what is happening and no idea how to fight it. If this continues we could have some big problems and fresh food shortages this spring and summer. Ra |
I've talked to some old timers in the biz, they have seen it before, say it is weather related ( excessive rain last summer and fall ) they say the extension entomologists at some universities are blowing this out of proportion The HB will bounce back, Mother Nature Permitting 
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