News
Don't forget Queen Marking for 2012 is YELLOW .
An enthusiastic beekeeper from Dorset and BBKA member has come up with an idea to help you market and sell your honey next year, direct from the hive to the table without the hassle of extraction or cutting comb. Not only does it provide a way to package a standard shallow national frame, but it can also double the value of your honey compared to selling the equivalent weight in jars. Either go to http://www.honeyframepackaging.co.uk here or on the links page.
The container was safely delivered to the Tarn Moor Apiary on Wednesday 11th August 2010.
Feral Honey Bees
From: Catherine Thompson <fbs6cet@leeds.ac.uk>
Subject: Feral honey bees.
Dear all,
I was wondering if you or any other member of the Yorkshire Bee Keepers Association know of any feral bee colonies that are persisting in the area. I'm doing a PhD with Leeds University examining the health of feral bees. Theory dictates that feral colonies shouldn't really exist without beekeeper intervention or if they are found they are likely to be swarms from the current year. Anecdotally however this doesn't seem to be the case!
If anyone knows of feral colonies that seem to been occupying an area for a couple of years I would be interested in learning more about them. We are hoping to analyse the bees genetically and use a new technique RT-PCR (real time PCR) to quantify the level of disease in the bees. Previous we have only been able to assess presence or absence of disease. This would entail collecting about 40 bees from the colony so should have no detrimental impact.
Many thanks,
Catherine
Beginners and new members welcome
The association is always pleased to welcome new members.
We run a beginners course each year. This is a useful course for a wide range of people from complete beginners to those who already keep bees, but wish to further their knowledge.
For further information about the association or if you have any other questions you may have about beekeeping. Please email the beginners co-ordinator Peter Longbottom .
