Dear Friends,

I have recently returned from a somewhat productive trip to College Station. Many times after past visits, I have left there asking myself if we would ever see this Honey Bee Lab facility built. At our most recent meeting, I actually saw a detailed set of plans for the facility. Those plans are the fruits of many months of work between Dr. Pankiw and the engineers. Dr. Pankiw indicated that she is very pleased with what they have developed and is looking forward to seeing this facility built. It has been ten years since the TBA went to the legislature to ask for funding for her position and program at TAMU. I think it is about time she gets the facility we have been talking about. I was told that the plans would be released to potential contractors on or around February 1, 2009 for bids. The bidding process will last a minimum of four to six weeks. After this, it would take another four to six weeks to accept a bid and get contracts signed. So this should give us a potential ground breaking date sometime around the first of May. I was also pleased to hear that because of the recent down turn in lumber and metal prices that we should be able to complete the facility in one phase. Many of us have worried that construction costs were outpacing our fund raising efforts, but it appears our timing has worked out well. Do not hold your breath just yet, but I do believe we will actually see construction begin this year, with a possible completion of the facility in early 2010.

While I was in College Station, I also had a meeting with Dr. Dan Upchurch. He is the area director for the USDA Agriculture Research Service. Mark Brady, John Talbert, Dr. John Thomas and Dr. Frank Eischen accompanied me. We were updated on the possible move of the Weslaco Bee Lab to College Station. Dr. Upchurch said he would have a better understanding of what the USDA's position about the move is on April 1, 2009. We were able to share some of the industry’s concerns with him at this time. We told him we thought it was very important to fill the research leader position, as well as, the two open scientist positions. It was then that he informed us that they had (USDA) just filled one of the

scientist positions. Dr. Upchurch shared our concern about the open research leader position and thought that the potential move would be helpful in filling this position. After our meeting with Dr. Upchurch, the five of us were led on a very extensive tour of the ARS facility in College Station by Dr. Wayne Ivie, who is the director of the facility, and John Westbrook, who is a potential research leader for the Honey Bee Program. We were shown possible facilities that would be offered to the Honey Bee Lab scientists should the move occur. I was impressed by the facility and the openness of Dr. Ivie and Mr. Westbrook. I will stay on the top of these changes and try to keep you updated as they occur.

I hope your beekeeping operation is going well. We continue to be in a severe drought here in South Texas and the prospects for a brush honey crop do not appear to be very good. I hope you are experiencing better conditions than us. Good Luck!

Sincerely,

Todd Youngblood, TBA President

WE are in a serious drought here in south Texas. Many "experienced" beekeepers are warning of little to no nectar flows if we do not receive rain soon and in abundance. I talked with a rancher who told me he did not think we could buy an inch of rain if we knew who to pay. That's dry! California is reporting the possibility of a third dry year. They are telling the almond industry that a water shortage in prime almond growing country is here. Many almond producers have cancelled pollination contracts because of the water shortage. This will likely affect us here in south Texas. Many beekeepers here and those planning to migrate here for the spring nectar flows are busy. Many plans were made last year and bees and equipment need to be prepared. While we do not know the future, only God does, we still need to carry on and pray for rain.

Many of you have heard the talk going around about chemicals. Some say chemicals are good and necessary, others say the chemical manufactures and their products are evil. I received an email from a beekeeper with a good chemical background. He has had some good conversation with me about chemicals. I pasted the good content of the email here for you to read and respond to the EPA.

“If you think that imidacloprid has or, may be causing a problem, here is a heads up. EPA is accepting public comments. Spread the word far and wide and let’s let EPA find out that beekeepers aren't always sleeping...

Greetings,

This email is to inform you that the comment period for the registration review of imidacloprid has recently opened. Below you will find a link to the imidacloprid docket. Through this link, you can view the Agency's preliminary work plan and supporting documents for imidacloprid. You are also invited to submit comments regarding these documents and the Agency's plan to review imidacloprid. All comments must be received on or before March 17, 09.

http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d=EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0844

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Regards,

Rusty Wasem

Chemical Review Manager

Reregistration Branch I

Special Review & Reregistration Division

703/305-6979”

Don’t Forget!

To be at the Salt Lick BBQ Restaurant in Round Rock, TX Saturday, February 21st at 11am for the TBA Winter Delegate’s Meeting. For all of the details, see page 4 of the 08 Nov/Dec Issue of the TBA Journal.