Dear Friends,

 As I sit down to write this article, the weather has turned hot and dry—typical South Texas summer–time weather. Although we have experienced below average rainfall for 2008, we were still able to make a nice honey crop on the hives that survived the CCD phenomenon. We have been hit pretty hard with this problem that has been affecting a large portion of the beekeeping community. I have been visiting with a lot of beekeepers and the ones who are using supplemental pollen patties seem to be fairing much better than those who are not using anything. We have also switched from using corn syrup to using sugar syrup.

Over the last couple of months, I have also been working on the TBA convention program. We will be hearing a lot about nutrition for honey bees. I have also been in contact with Nancy Gentry, the lady in Florida that has been instrumental in getting the Florida Department of Agriculture to set a standard of identity for honey in Florida. It is their belief that if they can get enough states to set a standard that the FDA will ultimately be forced to accept one. She has agreed to come visit with the membership here in Texas at our November convention, if we can put all the pieces together. We will need to have someone stand up and take the ball after she has filled us in on all the details. So I hope to have a good line–up for the convention. Be sure to make plans to attend.

Another project we have been involved in over the last month or so has been the idea of moving the USDA Honey Bee Lab at Weslaco to College Station. I know what you are thinking, but I was told that the only thing that TAMU and the USDA Lab would have in common is that they would be located in the same city. I have visited with Frank Eischen about the idea and will be in touch with the other players in the coming days. We will probably have made a decision by the time you read this article, so we will fill you in at the convention or in the next TBA Journal.

As for the TAMU Lab, we continue to progress slowly. As Chad Wootton mentioned in the last Journal, we have picked up an additional $100,000 recently. This should put us in the 500,000– 600,000 dollar range. I have visited with Chad and he is working with a new architect and said he would be back in touch with me. I am planning to be in College Station in late July to help spur them along. It has been a challenge to say the least, but I continue to be cautiously optimistic of getting something going before year’s end. As I mentioned, we are close to the dollar range that they originally set for us, but I am also aware that inflation has to be figured into the equation. With that said, we continue to look for additional contributions. Keep this important project in mind when you are in a philanthropic mood.

Thank you,
Todd Youngblood

One of the nice things about having to write a report this late in the year is that you have had a lot happen. Now the problem is trying to remember it all. To begin with, Mr. Stanford Brantley and I went to Sacramento to attend the first joint meeting of the two national beekeeping organizations. Expected attendance was around 800, but over 1200 was the last count that I heard. Of course numbers mean something, but more important was all of the information that was presented. I also have to mention the over 30 vendors that presented anything you could want in beekeeping. For those of us who are picky, I know my numbers aren’t correct and this is old news.

More recently, beekeeping in East Texas is for, well, I don’t really know who would thrive here. We have had too much rain/too little rain—too cold/too hot. Of course, we are a hard lot to please. One of the good things is that we have been able to increase the price of local honey, if nothing more than because of the price of fuel. And of course, the supply of pure local honey is in short supply. And how about the bees? More swarming, bees in trees and buildings than I can ever remember. Some hives built up great, to some it didn’t matter how much you fed.

Now for the too late GOOD NEWS. If you missed the TBA Summer Clinic, you really missed a good one—lots and lots of good useful information. It was hosted by Randy & Arlene Johnson, owner of Johnson Honey Company of Paris. You missed seeing a well run outfit. Co–hosting this year was Ray Latner, Manager of Dadant & Sons Beekeeping Supply, also in Paris. My hats off to Eddie Priest and Jimmie Oakley for a job well done. Also thanks to Dadant for being open on Saturday.

For you guys who pollinate, I believe the blueberry growers are about to realize the benefit of honey bee pollination. If interested for next year, give me a call.