Transcript SUSTAINABLE SURVIVOR QUEENBEES

SUSTAINABLE SURVIVOR
QUEENBEES
Chosen by Beekeepers for Beekeepers
A conscientious and practical approach
to establishing a quality resource
for regionally hearty honeybee stock
Who We Are
Mark Spitzig from the
Lake Superior shores
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Melanie Kirby from the
Land of Enchantment
New Mexico, USA
Superior Honey Farms + Zia Queenbee Company
Establishing A Sustainable and
Cooperative Beekeeping Operation
From Honey
Production
To Queenbee
Rearing
THE SOUTHWEST SURVIVOR
QUEENBEE PROJECT
Microclimatic Diversity
Sustainable Queens
By selecting and breeding off of Regionally fortified Survivor stock,
Beekeepers will expend less financially while incorporating sound,
quality genetics into their livestock management.
Incorporating holistic methods adds value to our commodities:
Promotes local, regional, national and global sustainability;
While also recognizing responsibility and reverence for our
natural resources, environment and landscape heritage.
*A practical approach
*Networking of area beekeepers
*Establishing a reliable resource for quality livestock
*Routine introduction of diverse national stock
*Thrive and survive test ( thru min. 2 winters)
*Regionally selected survivor stock:
Honeybees chosen by
Beekeepers by Beekeepers
A PRACTICAL APPROACH
2007: Phase 1
 Initial Southwest Survivor Queenbee Project
set-up in New Mexico
 Participation by 6 individual professional
beekeepers from 6 different counties ranging
from South to North (400 mile range) and from
3,900 feet to 9,000 feet elevation
 Technical advisor: NMDA Bee Inspector
Visit www.ziaqueenbees.com
And
http://www.ziaqueenbees.com/SWSQB_Slideshow.pdf
Zia Queenbee Co.
P.O. Box 490 Dixon, NM 87527
Tel: 505/579-4552
2007 CAST OF CHARACTERS
Professional
Beekeeper
Location
Nominated
Breeder(s)
Les Crowder
Sparrow Hawk Farm
Sabinal
(4600’ elevation)
Carniolan- Russian X:
Sabinal
Ken Hays/ Hays
Honey and Apple Farm
Bosque Farms (4800’)
Truth or Consequences
(4200’)
Blue Russian and
Italian Crosses:
Supergirls 1 and 2
Steve Wall
Santa Fe
(7,000’ )
Italians:
Heidi & Edith
Ed Costanza
A Bee Honey Co.
Edgewood & Belen
(6500’)
(4800’)
Italian Swarm X:
LuLu
Jason Goodhue
Taos Honey Trader
Taos
(9,000 elevation)
Italian X:
Natural Beauty
Mark Spitzig & Melanie Kirby
Zia Queenbee Co. &Superior
Honey Farms
Las Cruces (3900’)
Survivor SMR&NWC:
Harlow,
Chrysalis,
Imani,
Jasmine,
Ital ,
M. Superior,
Ilya,
Cholla
Irie,
Charlotte
Gem
Heiki
SW Cross-stocks:
Povi, Capilla, Izzy
Buckin’ Bee
Dixon (6000’)
Penasco (8900’)
U.P. of Michigan (650’)
Honeybees chosen by
Beekeepers for Beekeepers
Les Crowder of Sparrow Hawk Farm and
Top Bar Ecoversity fame reviews larva
for upcoming cross-stock graft
Jason Goodhue and his daughter Angelina
of World Famous Taos Honey shares
future stock with Mark
Steve Wall of Buckin’ Bee (Santa Fe) displays
a graft of his Italian breeder queen Edith.
These queen cells will mate with ZQB drones.
Derrick Maness
(left) of Wild
Mountain Honey in
Colorado, takes a
break from
grafting. Derrick
grafted his first
Survivor Queens
(Harlow F₁) in July
2007!
WHAT WE KNOW
We know that particular races are
more pest/disease resistant while
others may be more susceptible to
certain afflictions.
It is true that “bottle-necking” of honeybee genetics here in the
USA has been and will continue to be a problem and threat to the
apiculture and agriculture industries nationwide without increasing
availability to genetically diversified quality stock.
WHAT TO DO
PROMOTION
By respecting Mother Nature’s
cycles and creating systems in which
livestock is managed conscientiously,
a livelihood of quality is maintained.
Promoting healthy agricultural
practices enhances quality of life for all
As Stewards of our Lands, Resources and Health,
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE BE PROACTIVE
IN RESEARCHING AND IMPLEMENTING RESPECTFUL MANAGEMENT
PRACTICES AND TECHNIQUES.
CRUCIAL QUEEN REARING CONCEPTS
SELECTING for GENETIC VARIABLES:
 High Production
 Pest/Disease Resistance
 Hygienics
 Gentleness
 Longevity:
2 year “Thrive and Survive” regiment
 Open mating variables
 Diverse Survivor Drone Breeder Saturation
 Queen Fecundity/Promiscuity
 Diverse Sister and
Sub-Sister Families
New Mexico Dept. of Agriculture Bureau
of Entomology and Nursery Industries
Assistant Bureau Chief , Mr. Greg
Watson serves as our technical
advisor. He is also the NM State Bee
Inspector. Here with Mark, he inspects
Breeder colonies and hive temperament.
SELECTING BREEDER QUEENS
Melanie grafting from Varroa
resistant stock
Mark displays grafted cells
of Breeder Lulu from
Ed Costanza of A Bee Honey Co.
Conscientious Mating Conditions
Mating Nuc Size-
Extended period of non-disturbance- Diverse Drone Stock Saturation
Some Interesting Research
Cornell University (2007, July 20).
Genetic Diversity In Honeybee Colonies
Boosts Productivity.
http://www.sciencedaily.com
/releases/2007/07/070719185521.htm
Public Library of Science (2007, October
10). For Honey Bee Queens, Multiple
Mating Makes Her Attractive To
Workers. http://www.sciencedaily.com
/releases/2007/10/071008183309.htm
Cornell University (2006, December 11).
Queen Bee Promiscuity Boosts Hive
Health.
http://www.sciencedaily.com
/releases/2006/12/061211124247.htm
2008: Phase 2

Extend invitation to similar zones:
Colorado, Utah, Idaho

Evaluate 2007 Cross-Stocks and
begin 2008 Cross-Stocking

Consultations requested from
various institutions for Phase 3
development
2009: Phase 3

Open mated Survivor Cross-Stocks and II
SW Survivor Breeders are made available
to participants and the greater public as
well as to queen producers

Share 2007 Initiated Cross-Stock Breeders
interstate with regional queen producers.

Advanced Protocols requested involving
national bee laboratories and researchers
A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP
NETWORK In ACTION
NETWORKING=
FARMERS+RESEARCHERS+INSTITUTIONS
By sharing information and implementing practical plans and
techniques, we promote the healthy sustainability and
longevity of American agriculture while also revitalizing our
individual farm industries
SHARING EDUCATION
Verbalizing vital needs and
assessments,
Farmers share and teach Scientists.
Through Applied Research,
Scientists educate Farmers.
Through Cooperative Extension and development, project design
incorporates scientific inquiry and analysis while promoting
Applied Research directly affecting farmers in the field.
An
Integrative
Approach
CONSCIENTIOUS BEEKEEPING:
Beekeepers Initiative
Finding Balance With Modern Science
Natural Systems and the Real World
As Stewards of our Lands,
Resources and Health,
it is imperative for us to be
proactive in researching and
implementing sustainable
management practices
and techniques to better secure
our industry and our
livelihoods.
Role and
Chosen
Responsibility
of Beekeeper:
Understand our role, and our limitations
while respecting natural cycles .
• Practice Pro-Active Management
• Keep Researching, Reading and Sharing
Become true Bee-Stewards
An Integrative Approach
Whether working with
a horizontal or vertical system,
unforgettable key notions include:
Regardless of container, the beings therein are alive &
constitute an organism;
a.k.a. LIVE-STOCK,
and should be managed conscientiously.
“Natural” Beekeeping?
Means practicing conscientious management:
acknowledging and complimenting Mother Nature’s own cycles
Natural does not equal “hands off” attitude
Maximizing Mother Nature’s own cycles while respecting
health of honeybee livestock
If opposed to supplemental feeding, then it is responsibility of
beekeeper to move their colonies to suitable forage .
Timely management is recommended
If bees fall ill, responsibility of beekeeper
to research and implement safe methods for control
Care should be taken to neither ignore contaminate
your honeybee livestock;
to not compromise their nutrition and to
not contaminate their hive products.
“Organic” Reality?
•Location
•Equipment
•Environmental and
Industrial Factors
While we keep our bees in as many “Organically Certified” farms as possibleWe do not claim our honey to be “Organic”. We have control over what we
add to the bees. Yet, we do not have complete control over where they fly.
Thus, unless one is completely isolated and there are no environmental
contaminants in the air, in the water, in the soil, on the plants, and in their
hive- then the term “Organic” should not apply.
However, the term “Natural” definitely does.
Integration is shaped by
Attitude
•Many Paths, Many Teachers
Mother Nature, the Honeybees themselves
and other beekeepers
•History and Research
Past-Present-Future
The Langstroth system is over 150 years old.
What is modern is our thinking.
•Circumstance
•Personal Preference
REMINDER: regardless of container, the way we manage and
respect the organism contained is what is vital. Let us work
together to become true Bee-Stewards within both systems.
THE MELTING POT True beauty is
in our diversity.
Being a Purist is negotiable-each has their own definition, whether you agree or not.
While perpetuating simple methods, it is also pure to
promote efficiency rather than redundancy
Holistic management defines itself as:
relating to or concerned with wholes or with
complete systems rather than with the analysis of,
treatment of, or dissection into parts (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Many SpicesONE MAIN INGREDIENT
The state question in New Mexico is, “Red or Green chile?”
Some opt for one or the other and then there are those of us who
request both (also termed as “Christmas” or “Rainbow”)
Beekeeping is a creative art in that there are many paths of this
animal husbandry. Finding a mode of operation that works for you and
your bees will be unique. Like most things, success through
moderation does apply. By not boxing yourself into one type
or kind of system and management; and remaining flexible, and
open, and inspired, interchange and cooperation can occur.
Practicing pro-active supplementation can
enhance the immune systems of
honeybees while also providing balanced
nutrition.
Many of us take vitamins or herbs to
supplement our diet- the same principles
can be applied to animal husbandry.
Top bar hive body with screen
bottom for Varroa Mite control
and ventilation
A home recipe pollen patty was
given to the bees along with a
Coconut grease patty containing
essential oils in the bottom
of a Top bar hive.
Mechanical Varroa Mite
Control Method in TB
The DOWDA method
Application of Powdered Sugar with the
use of a screened bottom.
One can use a sticky board underneath to get a
mite count. The screened bottom can then be
sealed or diminished in size by closing off with a
piece of wood (from underneath) to avoid drying
of brood (arid climates) and in winter.
We use a mix of 4:1
powder sugar to garlic powder
Space Top Bars apart and shift enough
powdered sugar to fully coat all the bees
This method of Varroa mite control does not
control mites in sealed brood.
This can be used when needed and also as
part of routine Fall/Spring management.
Top Bar “Nursery” in a Langstroth Box
- box courtesy of Rosy Verdile,
Christ in the Desert Monastery
Recycled pieces of Duragild and Pierco used
Adds to straightness and sturdiness of the
comb built for ease of transport
and for strengthened brood frames.
The recycled pieces are attached
to 19” l x ½” w wooden top bars in
halves so as to accommodate
their removal and re-attachment
to diversely sized top bars and
top bar hive bodies.
The recycled Pierco strips are screwed
into the top bar and can be unscrewed
The recycled duragild is attached
with beeswax to the Pierco strip to
extend the comb “guide”
What is ZIA?
Four is the sacred number of the
Zia Pueblo sun symbol and can be
found repeated in the four points
radiating from the circle.
North- South- East- West
Infancy, Youth,
Adult & Elder
Spring, Summer,
Autumn & Winter
Dawn, Day, Dusk & Night
ZQB believes that with life comes
four sacred obligations one must develop:
a strong body…to lift honey boxes
a clear mind… after 18 hours work
a pure spirit…to endure the sticky sweet stings
and a devotion …to the welfare of honeybees
A Little Background
“Beekeeping is truly a humbling profession for me. I am routinely inspired by my many mentors:
the honeybees, Mother Nature and numerous beekeeping and non-beekeeping
acquaintances. The mystery is the allure-”
Melanie M. Kirby
United States Peace Corps
1997-1999 Agriculture Sector
Beekeeping Extensionist Volunteer- Paraguay S.A.
Center for Human Potential
(CHP) 2003
Beekeeping Extensionist Technical Trainer – Paraguay S.A.
Commercial Beekeeping Experience
Hawaiian Queen
Kona Queen
Big Island, HI
Big Island, HI
Honey Land Farms
Florida
(2000)
(2000-2004)
(2005)
Zia Queenbee Co. &
Superior Honey Farms
(2005-present day)
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 505/579-4552
Let us learn from each other and
continue to share beekeeping!