OSR - is it worth moving them??

[beesleybees]

Hi guys,

After the terrible year we had last year with the OSR, do you think it's worth moving the bees back to the OSR this year?

I'm not really fussed on OSR honey myself but I moved them there last year to help them build up fast as early as they could in the season. With the hard times the farmers have had and the state of the rape at the minute, I can only see it being a bad year again next year.

What do you think? Or am I just being pessimistic

 

[Finman]

.
What I have noticed during 2 years experience, and that was new to me, that on windy open field hives get only draw back. During autumn rape blooming there are lots of flowers and only low temperatures with wind limit nectar to come in. Bees fly busy but with empty stomach.

I noticed that in windy field at 18C temp bees were not able to get nectar load from rape. At 23C a balance hive got 5 kg a day.


Before last spring I have not realized that wind effect is so strong.
Flying bee has 39C muscle heat and I think that thin legs need too warm conditions. At the level of ground micro climate helps a lot.

Actually I noticed the same effect in willows on windy area.

.

 

[oliver90owner]

OSR - is it worth moving them??

Yes, what a pessimist if one is even asking that question! Historically....?

 

[Into the lions den]

You plan on the basis that it will be a decent year. Thus you go to the OSR, even if only for the build up and the nutrition that they get from it.

Anything else.......like planning for and equipping for a bad year is just a self fulfilling prophesy. You MUST approach this craft with optimism tinged with realism, pessimism and not being ready for 'the big one' means you will never get it.

 

[QueenMaster]

do you think it's worth moving the bees back to the OSR this year?

You've got only 10 colonies to move, if the fields are not far away then rapeseed is great.

 

[Hombre]

And the blossom/nectar is even better

 

[snoop]

It doesn't really matter what way the rape is now , once it has rooted properly it will grow. The leaves that the pigeons have not got at will fade away & die back in any case when the spring growth starts.
I would put my bees on it , it will give build up & you will get a couple of supers a hive from it . Why not

If next year is going to be as bad as you predict , you might be glad of the rape honey

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

Hi guys,

After the terrible year we had last year with the OSR, do you think it's worth moving the bees back to the OSR this year?

Really? I had a fantastic year with the OSR - 140 odd lbs from 3 hives, as opposed to about 30lbs for the rest of the year

 

[Cazza]

Or am I just being pessimistic

Yes, your glass is clearly half empty today. Move them.
Cazza