First reports of vast losses.

[Into the lions den]

Just putting this in here to keep it away from the neonic fantics, but have had my first major report of big losses this afternoon, bee farmer in question has had his first run round to top up feeding (not sure but think it fondant) to find a huge level of losses. Colonies too small in autumn, poor matings, now dead. No percentage given but from figures given already 60% to 70% dead, and lots of the rest too small. Could be a near wipeout.

This is not MY outfit btw.

Maybe keep this thread going as anyone hears figures, there will be much to discuss as spring wears in.

 

[Chris B]

I'll be surprised if poor matings isn't a big cause of losses this winter.
Thankfully nothing unusual to report from me as yet, but it's from now onwards that the dwindlers really become evident.

Which region is this report from Murray?

 

[Into the lions den]

I'll be surprised if poor matings isn't a big cause of losses this winter.
Thankfully nothing unusual to report from me as yet, but it's from now onwards that the dwindlers really become evident.

Which region is this report from Murray?

Its a Scottish report, and since I posted this I have had further clarification. Less than 100 alive as of TODAY...with two months of decline to go in this guys area........out of a number going into winter not exactly known but thought to be about 800. Some groups with one left alive out of 40.

Have also had a call from the Midlands, and they guy in question there has already got 35% losses, and half of the remainder look unlikely to make it.

 

[Chrisfnvs]

Wow that sound horrendous Murray, checked some of mine at the weekend a couple ever-so slightly on the light side but nothing unusual for the time of year, i hope it is not a sign of things to come !! can you keep us posted Murray. Chris

 

[Into the lions den]

Wow that sound horrendous Murray, checked some of mine at the weekend a couple ever-so slightly on the light side but nothing unusual for the time of year, i hope it is not a sign of things to come !! can you keep us posted Murray. Chris

I was rather more hoping the rest of YOU ones would keep ME posted. <G>

Useful info at meetings etc. If you look at the headings available to be claimed for under the EU apiculture programme, decisions to be made on the UK claim in the next few weeks, thus all relevant info is useful. Note in particular a section never claimed for by the UK, 'restocking'.

 

[smithhive]

I took all my bees (just under 200) onto the moor ( N. Yorks.) Shook out about 40 drone layers whilst they were there and having done 2 rounds of fondant feeding I now have another 18 empty hives.

One lot was complete starvation, my fault but possibly genetically unsuitable bees but I still don't like losing them. The rest appear to be small stocks - isolation starvation but with some worker brood and the rest D/L or queenless apart from 2 with really bad dysentry.

I am due to go round them again in the next few days but it is with some trepidation.

 

[Chrisfnvs]

That is an interesting point Murray Ref: restocking i was not aware of that, as you may already know we have a BFA meeting next week at Stockbridge so i will ask around and report back. Chris

 

[Hivemaker.]

S G. I Will remove this later,so the thread sticks to subject.


Dear All
~
The Scottish
Government

APICULTURE PROGRAMME (September 2013 to August 2016)
MEASURES IMPROVING GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR THE PRODUCTION AND
MARKETING OF APICULTURE PRODUCTS
The current UK apiculture programme covers the period from 1 September 2010 to
31 August 2013 and we are now required by the Commission to submit the next 3 year
programme (1 September 2013 to 31 August 2016) by 15 April 2013.
Commission Regulation (EC) No. 917/2004 and Council Regulation (EC) 1234/2007
describes the detailed rules involved with implementing the Apiculture Programme and
provides information on EU support for improving general conditions for the production and
marketing of apiculture products. Member States may draw up a national Apiculture
Programme, in close collaboration with their representative organisations and beekeeping
cooperatives, and submit a three year programme detailing the measures they wish to be
carried out during that period (the eligible measures which are laid down in the legislation are
detailed below for ease of reference).
Apiculture Programme - eligible measures:
a) Technical assistance to beekeepers and groupings of beekeepers;
b) Control of varroasis;
c) Rationalisation of transhumance;
d) Measures to support laboratories carrying out analyses of the physico-chemical
properties of honey;
e) Measures to support the restocking of hives in the Community; and
f) Cooperation with specialised bodies for the implementation of applied research
programmes in the field of beekeeping and apiculture products.
Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EHll 3XD
www.scotland.gov.uk IXVESTOR L'I PEOPLE
To honour this commitment we would welcome suggestions from you on the content of
Scotland's programme for the next 3 years bearing in mind the limited funding which has
previously been available. (Please note that funding for 2013-15 has not yet been allocated
but, as an example, the UK/Scotland budget breakdown for 2010-13 is detailed below.)
UK/Scotland budget breakdown for 2010-13
The UK budget breakdown which details Scotland's share for the 2010-13 programme is
based on an amount corresponding to its share of the total number of beehives in the
Community. Funds are allocated to each member state based on the percentage share of
colonies within the Community. The UK has around a 2% share which is further broken
down between devolved administrations and Scotland having 12.25% of UK hives.
Year (Sept. UK Allocation Scotland's % of hives
- Aug.) (£) Share (£) in the UK
201 0- 11 672,144 82,338 12.25
2011-12 669,982 82,072 12.25
2012-13 666,911 81,696 12.25
In previous years the financial allocations have primarily focussed on measures (a) technical
assistance to beekeepers and groupings of beekeepers and (b) control of varroasis. These
activities have been provided through contributions to the funding of a full-time apiculture
specialist at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) to provide free of charge and part-funded
services to beekeepers across Scotland (e.g. training courses, lectures and advice) and also
the provision of a free diagnostic service for beekeepers to identify and confirm the presence
of notifiable diseases and pests as well as varroa. In considering priorities for the next
programme you may wish to consider:
• Maintaining the status quo - primarily focussing on Measures A and B (by the funding
of a full-time apiculture specialist to provide comprehensive advisory, training and
education programmes for beekeepers throughout Scotland and the provision of a
free diagnostic service at SASA to help identify and confirm the presence of a
notifiable bee pest or disease as well as varroa).
• The re-allocation of spending to different Measures (a full list of measures is detailed
above
Attached is an example template which you may wish to use when responding to this
request. If so, please mark the measures in your order of preference detailing your, reasons
and any ideas on how you would like things to be amended and administered.
Please send your comments and suggestions to me at: [email protected] or
by post at: Alison Knox, Animal Health-Disease Prevention Team, P-Spur, Saughton House,
Broomhouse Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3XD by Friday 15th February 2013. Comments will be
analysed and a decision on the way forward will be announced in due course.
Yours sincerely
~V"' ~,-('.b(.
ALISON KNOX
Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EHll 3XD
www.scotland.gov.uk I:-J"ESTOR 1:0;'PEOPLE
EXAMPLE TEMPLATE:
RESPONSE TO THE APICULTURE PROGRAMME (September 2013 to August 2016)
NAME: _
ORGANISATION: -----------------------------
PREFERRED
ELIGIBLE MEASURES MEASURE (to PLEASE DETAIL HOW WOULD YOU LIKE
be marked in order THE SELECTED MEASURE TO BE
of preference) ADMINISTERED?
A Technical assistance to beekeepers
and groupings of beekeepers
B Control of varroasis
C Rationalisation of transhumance
D Measures to support laboratories
carrying out analyses of the
physico-chemical properties of
honey
E Measures to support the restocking
of hives in the Community
F Cooperation with specialised
bodies for the implementation of
applied research programmes in
the field of beekeeping and
apiculture products
Please return by Friday 15th February 2013 to:
Alison Knox
Animal Health-Disease Prevention Team
P-Spur
Saughton House
Broomhouse Road
Edinburgh, EH11 3XD
Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EH11 3XD
www.scotland.gov.uk r..."VESTOR 1:-;'PEOPLE
CIRCULATION LIST:
APICULTURE PROGRAMME (September 2013 to August 2016)
SCOTTISH BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATION (SBA)
President Phil McAnespie
Vice-President Bron Wright
Immediate Past President Ian Craig
Bee Health Convener Dr Phil Moss
Education Convener Alan Riach
Library Convener Una Robertson
Promotion of Beekeeping Peter Matthews
SBA LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS - SECRETARY OF:
Aberdeen & District Kelvin Valley
Ayr Kilbarchan & District
Border Kilmarnock & District
Bute Largs & District
Caddonfoot Lamarich
Clyde Area Lochaber
Cowal Moray
Dingwall Mull
Dunblane & Stirling Nairn & District
Dunfermline. & West Fife Oban & District
East Lothian Olrig & District
East of Scotland Orkney
Easter Ross Peebles-shire
Eastwood Perth & District
EdinburQh & Midlothian Skye & Lochalsh
Fife South of Scotland
Fortingal Sutherland
Glasgow & District West Linton & District
Helensburgh & District Western Isles
Inverness-shire Western Galloway
BEE FARMERS ASSOCIATION (BFA): SCOTTISH REPRESENTATIVES:
Responses will be co-ordinated by Ms Margaret Ginman, General Secretary
For Information:
Mike Brown, National Bee Unit
Belinda Phillipson, Defra
Andy Wattam, NBU Inspector
Kim Chadwick, Fera
Huw Jones, Welsh Office
Sonia Verschuur, Northern Ireland Office
Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EH11 3XD
www.scotland.gov.uk IXVESTOR L"\ PEOPLE

 

[Chris B]

Dare we ask where the other 87% goes?
I can take a pretty good guess.

 

[DanBee]

Murray - the SW meeting will be on 23rd March (IIRC); we purposefully went for a later date than other regions as some degree of losses would be know. Not heard from any local members yet, but that's not unusual.

Chris - I understand and echo your concerns with the funding diversion, however that's probably one for a different thread than this. It needs to distinguish value for money / usefulness of the NBU from the means by which it is funded, particularly if DASH becomes established.

 

[Into the lions den]

Dare we ask where the other 87% goes?
I can take a pretty good guess.

I read the responses..you are going off in the wrong direction......the other 87% is spent in the rest of the UK, ie other than Scotland.the 12.5% is just Scotlands share of the overall amount, directly pro rata as per estimated colony numbers.

The lions share goes to support the NBU and inspectorate.


Actually just re-read it........maybe this is exactly what you meant!

 

[Chris B]

Yes that's exactly it Murray.
It's not that we don't need something, just that it's a shame it's funded that way. But as Dan says, maybe a topic for another thread.

 

[Into the lions den]

Yes that's exactly it Murray.
It's not that we don't need something, just that it's a shame it's funded that way. But as Dan says, maybe a topic for another thread.

Yes indeed....................money to iprove the production and marketing of honey......and they blow the lot on what is really assisting amateur beekeepers, who will never be much for filling the honey market.

Also.......

The national programmes using this money were specifically required NOT to use the money for the substitute financing of existing nationally funded programmes. This was for ADDITIONAL measures only.

Ever wondered why the bee inspector often mentions varroa, even to those well able to deal with it? Gets them funded under heading B. Smoke and mirrors stuff.

 

[Chrisfnvs]

Reports on the main forum today of trouble in Northern Ireland, with one guy stating 75% of colonies having small clusters, he reckons it is the worst winter for beekeeping for 40 years, dose not sound to encouraging so far, we have our BFA meeting tomorrow so i will ask around and report back Chris

 

[beebreeder]

No doubt that will be one of the first questions asked Chris, just to start the day on a good note!!

 

[Chrisfnvs]

Wednesdays BFA meeting was quite a lively one as usual, the question of losses was indeed asked, one members stated he had suffered heavy losses, but suggested it was more down to his lack of attendance at his apiaries in 2012 (for various reasons), rather then anything else, others reckoned it was to early to asses at present but a few losses were mentioned plus some woodpecker damage, we were also treated to Neonicotinoide debate great fun NOT. Chris

 

[Into the lions den]

Well up to now on our check round the apaiaries we have found nothing to be too alalrmed about, until today. Was at two apiaries near Dundee and found thay were already at 40% dead. 36 already gone out of 90, and most of the rest too small for comfort. Dwindled away, bit of staining, looked queenless as no sign of even a preparation for winter brood.............and sometimes there was the queen, right in the middle of the tiny dead cluster. Getting a bit twitchy now............

ps. In the light of ongoing rumblings these should have been among the BEST of our bees as they are groups than do not go to OSR, but do fruit work instead. so no neonic exposure worth talking about.

 

[Chris B]

I had a quick check in the home apiary today. I've lost a mini-nuc to starvation but the other 35 mini-nucs look to have come through well enough so far, but some did need a feed. Of the 17 standard hives all are alive but 1 or 2 look a bit small. Overall not too bad if that pattern is repeated elsewhere.

 

[Chrisfnvs]

We checked on four site at the weekend all alive and well even the nuc`s we were a bit concerned about, all very active and collecting lots of pollen, gave more fondant to the nuc`s and one other colony that was a bit light, so no real problems so far !, it sounds worse the further north you go ! Chris

 

[Hivemaker.]

Things are not good so far, i have had quite a few calls from beekeepers who have lost their bees,some of them have lost all of their bees...several hives in some cases.