By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent LOVELAND, Ohio — About 10 years ago the beekeeping industry was under attack. Varroa and tracheal mites were decimating colonies throughout the tri-state region. Then there was the threat of Africanized honey bees. And just a few years back the danger lurking was that of colony collapse disorder, or CCD. Still, beekeeping classes such as The Southwestern Ohio Beekeeper School later this month are seeing capacity registration. “Back when I started beekeeping, honey was king and it was all about the gathering of the honey,” said Dr. James Tew, a bee expert who will be leading discussions at the upcoming school in Clermont County on March 23. “It was intriguing to see things flip when pollination became the new king. The money right now is in pollination. “Oh, we still make honey and honey is still in demand, even though we’ve destroyed our many nectar sources. In return, this has caused a decline in honey supplies, but not a decline in beekeeping opportunities.” Tew has been keeping bees for more than 40 years. He is currently a consulting professor at Auburn University where he conducts beekeeping educational programs and maintains social media systems that support the Alabama beekeeping industry. Recently retired from The Ohio State University, where he worked for 33 years as an associate professor focusing on pollination ecology and the use of bees as pollination agents, Tew still runs lectures and workshops for beekeepers in the United States and the United Kingdom. “There are an incredible number of people and organizations that have gotten into beekeeping,” he said. “At one time I addressed crowds and knew everyone in the room. Now, I don’t know anyone in the room. We’re getting new beekeepers involved.” According to Tew, veteran beekeepers recall the turmoil caused by the mites and CCD. “During those beekeeper years it was really dark. Even the commercial ’keepers were losing their hives and the public was horrified about Africanized honeybees. But beekeeping has really evolved nicely to stay current. “Comparatively, beekeeping has done well when other environmental issues have taken a beating. Beekeeping has thrived.” According to Tew, new products (such as BroodMinder, a cost-effective wireless beehive monitor) have modernized beekeeping. “We’re living in the twilight of the days of common box beehives,” he explained. “I can’t help believe that in the next five to 10 years that those polyester boxes of today will eventually be filled with high-tech electronics, with tracking devices inside the hives that will provide readouts thanks to such monitors. I hope to live long enough to one day see pheromone sensors.” Tew will be addressing this month’s Beekeeper School and will spearhead two breakout sessions: Combs & Beeswax and Killer Bees, and Dealing with Aggressive Colonies. Breakout sessions are offered throughout the one-day event, including four sessions just for that first-time beekeeper. Amanda Bennett of Miami County extension and Kevin Kress, a Butler County beekeeper, will preside over these gatherings. “Many products are available to the beginner beekeeper, but which ones do they really need?” Bennett noted. “This session will cover basic equipment needed to begin beekeeping and I will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of different systems. “We’ll also discuss what new ‘keepers should look for during inspections. It’s important for all beekeepers to understand normal lifecycles, seasonal activities, bee abnormalities and oddities to be able to accurately assess colony health.” Kim Flottum of Bee Culture magazine will lead discussions about Drones and Starting Your Second Season. Alex Zomchek, certified Master Beekeeper from Butler County, will discuss monitoring to increase production and reduce hive mortality, as well as what “buttons” to push to improve hive health. Denise Ellsworth, entomologist at OSU, will lead talks about bees and crop pollination, as well as season-long forage for bees. “I will explain how honeybees and other bees pollinate, important Ohio and U.S. crops,” she said. “We’ll focus on pollination basics, including the botany of pollination, key bee pollinators and factors that influence successful crop pollination.” Brown County beekeeper Gary Keuffer will talk about swarm traps, ways to obtain feral bees and hive selection. Clermont County beekeeper Randy Smith will talk beekeeping on a budget and making mead at home. Mead is often referred to as honey wine and “the nectar of the gods,” but is simply fermented honey – the oldest known alcoholic beverage. The Southwestern Ohio Beekeeper School will be held March 23 at the Oasis Conference Center in Loveland. The cost to attend is $35; call 513-695-2068 to check on availability of registration. For more information go to http://go.osu.edu/swohbeeschool |
