10/06/08 Keeping Tabs on the Bees

Keeping Tabs on the Bees. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. By now you are aware that the nation's bee population is in trouble. Some mysterious illness has decimated hives. The Northwest Corner Beekeepers Fall Conference will undoubtedly be talking about the missing bees. TATE: We have some of the premiere people who are looking at our current disease issues or colony loss problems. I think we've got everything covered from every angle. That's Jerry Tate, President of the Washington State Beekeepers Association who says they have not had any major breakthroughs but still are making headway. TATE: It seems to be at this point that we've been eliminating things not coming up with what the problem is but we are eliminating issue by issue. That's a plus. Sometimes we're treating for thing s we don't need to be which is a real problem because it's just creating a bigger problem of contamination in our bee hives. One topic that is sure to be discussed is whether there will be enough bees for next year. TATE: Honey prices are up substantially which tells us that there is a shortage of bees. If the Midwest rumors are true and that's only from a few operations in their words, "our bees look the worst we've seen in a while." They're not liking that. Bee numbers in the hive are down but I think they had some pretty lousy weather this year like we've had in the Northwest the last couple of years. The convention runs October 16, 17 & 18 at the Red Lion in Vancouver, Washington. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.