Microsoft word - buzzword sep07.doc

Welcome to the Madison County Beekeepers Association’s Newsletter.
“The BuzzWord” is published for, and by the members of the Madison County Association, to
inform its members of matters pertaining to the business of beekeeping. Edited by Family Bradshaw. The object of this Association shall be to assist in checking the spread of bee diseases; to spread information concerning improved methods of production; to secure recognition of the industry at state and county fairs; to inform the public as to the value of honey as a food; and of the importance of the business of honey production; and the value of bees to other crops; and to elevate the business of beekeeping to a place of eminence among agricultural activities. Protocol
Most people think of protocol as relating to the customs and regulations dealing with diplomatic formality, precedence, and etiquette. But there are several other definitions and the one I am addressing here
is related to Medicine/Medical,-. the plan for carrying out a scientific study or a patient's treatment
regimen. More specifically, a plan for carrying out a medical treatment of bees.
There are many different medical treatments of bees nowadays. Treatment of mites, hive beetles, nosema, foulbrood and etc. What I think is needed here for the Madison County Beekeepers Association, (MCBA), is to have each of these treatments addressed in a protocol that not only specifies how to make up and apply the treatment, but also some background of the chemical involved, the required strength, the period of treatment and all other pertinent details so the user fully understands the what, how, when, where and why of the treatment so as to produce the maximum results in a uniform manner. For example, take the antibiotic Terramycin®. Each packet has a net weight of 181 grams (6.4 oz) and in that are 10 grams of oxytetracycline (HCL). The instructions say to apply a total of 200 mg/colony administered in 3 applications at 4 to 5 day intervals, or over a period of 14 days. So that one packet of Terramycin® would take care of 50 colonies with three treatments or 150 colonies with one treatment. If the packet were mixed with 2 pounds of powdered sugar, then about 0.256 ounces of the mixture per dusting would be required. That’s about one tablespoon of mixture per dusting. Three tablespoons of the mixture would weigh about 0.768 oz. It can be administered either with sugar syrup or dusting. But if applied by dusting, you should put it only around the perimeter of the hive top bars so as to keep it off any unsealed brood around the center. There may be some caveats when using sugar syrup also, all of this needs to be addressed in the protocol. Now, someone may find some HCL at a different concentration and cheaper than Terramycin®. If he knows how much HCL is needed per colony from the above info, then he can apply his treatment accordingly and know he is applying the right amount. So, this is just an example of what I think needs to be in the protocols for the MCBA We need the same thing for Apistan®, Checkmite™, menthol and other medications approved for use in Alabama. You may ask, what do I get out of all of this if I spend a lot of time researching and writing a protocol? Well, you will gain instant fame and immortality by having your name as the author of the protocol, and besides, you will undoubtedly learn something new and have the satisfaction your work will help many beekeepers in the future. Seems to me that’s pretty important. We may even have a prize and /or an award for the best protocol each year. So pick a topic and get to work, write it up and send it to me. Make sure to identify any technical references that you use. I will review it and when satisfied, will submit it to the BOD for their review and approval. The protocols must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors before being posted on the alabee.com web site. Other exceptions and limitations as well as disclaimers may arise as this Protocol program progresses. For Your Consideration The Board of Directors met on the 2nd of Aug and had a busy session. The following are the results of that meeting for us to consider so that we can discuss them during our September meeting. Please bring a copy of these to the meeting for reference. Madison County Beekeepers Association
Board of Directors Meeting - Summary
Meeting held at Charles H. Stone Agriculture Building, 819 Cook Ave, Huntsville, AL, Thursday, 6:30pm. Agenda Attached. There being a quorum present, the following issues were discussed and disposed. 1. Grant for young, beginning beekeeper: It was determined by the BOD to proceed with this project with the following actions: a. A list of requirements and criteria for the candidate. Action: Harold Green b. A definition of responsibilities for the Mentor. Action: Bob Fanning Upon completion of these two actions, the package will be submitted to the membership for approval and also to ALFA for matching funds. 2. Elimination of dues for one year. The originator withdrew this issue since the BOD initiated 3. Participation in Home Builders Show. The BOD decided not to pursue this for the time being since there was no clear opportunity for outreach to the community through our participation in this event. 4. It was determined that the Association should send a check for $100.00 to Messiah Lutheran Church via Dale Rohr in recognition of their making their fine facilities available to us for our annual picnic. 5. It was determined by the BOD to allow $100.00 annually for expenses related to publishing the Buzzword. Such expenses are to be reimbursed by the Treasurer when submitted with paid receipts. 6. Observation hive at the Botanical Garden on hold until the spray issue is resolved. 7. It was determined by the BOD that a set of guidelines is needed for swarm capture/removal. Furthermore, after the guidelines are in place, only those that read and promise to follow the guidelines will be allowed on the MCBA Swarm List. Action: Bob Fanning will draft the guidelines and have them available in time for next years’ swarm season. 8. It was determined by the BOD that public affairs of the Association needed more support. Gene Zajeck will be asked to continue as the lead in this area and the BOD will provide him more support in the coming year. Gene will also be asked to attend the BOD meetings and offer his input. Meeting Adjourned 8:30pm Madison County Beekeepers Association
Sponsorship of Young Beginning Beekeeper Program
As a part of the MCBA’s effort to outreach into the community, a Young Beginning Beekeeper program is hereby established. This program is intended to provide the equipment and instructions to a new, young, beginning beekeeper over a two-year period. One new candidate per year is allowed under this program Criteria and Requirements of a Candidate 1. Candidates must be between the ages of 14-18 and must provide written parental or guardian approval. 2. Candidates must be a member in good standing of either 4H or FFA program 3. Candidates must attend an MCBA approved beekeeping class. 4. Candidates must have a mentor assigned. (Requirements, duties and responsibilities of Mentor are defined in separate Mentor Program document). 5. Candidates must provide an Annual Report (Verbal or written) for 2years after startup. 6. Candidate must treat beehives for diseases as required. 7. Candidate must register bees with the State.(Fee paid by Association) 8. Candidate must either own, or have permission to access, a suitable location for the beehives. 9. Candidate must return all equipment provided to him in the event of non-performance as determined Association Duties and Responsibilities 1. Provide qualified Mentor in accordance with Mentor Program document. 2. Provide all materials and equipment needed for candidate to setup and care for two colonies of honeybees. Honey extraction and processing equipment for surplus honey shall be obtained from the common pool of equipment available within the Association. 3. Provide candidate with two-year membership in MCBA. 1. If more than one candidate in any given year applies and found qualified, a written essay on why they want to become a beekeeper shall be required from each candidate. The essays shall be judged, and the winner determined, by the Mentor. 2. Notwithstanding the above stated Criteria, Requirements, Duties and Descriptions, other developments may arise during the course of this program that require executive decisions. In which case, the Board of Directors of the MCBA shall be the final authority governing those decisions. Madison County Beekeepers Association
Young beekeeper training program
The term of commitment will be one year or in one year increments. Average time commitment will be approximately 12 hours per year excluding travel time and advisor’s bee yard visits. The mentor must be available via email of telephone to answer all beekeeping related questions that the student may have. In addition to the 12 hour commitment the advisor is encouraged to invite the student beekeeper to accompany him on trips to work the advisor’s bees to the extent that all basic “bee yard” activities are covered at least once (time not included in the 12 hour commitment). 1. Advise and instruct student beekeeper on the proper procedure for building supers (all 3 sized – deep, a. The difference in soft wood and Cypress to include the need for Copper Naphthenate treating of soft wood and the requirement of pre drilling all cypress wood prior to nailing. b. Caution against assembling with handles up side down or inside the hive. c. Proper gluing of all joints d. Proper painting 2. Advise and instruct the student on the different options available for frames and the advantages of each a. Proper assembly of frames to include the importance of glue and the end bar nails. b. Frame styles and related foundation options. c. For beeswax foundation: i. The reason for using eyelets and how to install ii. The proper procedure for wiring frames (all sizes) 3. Advise the number of frames to use in the hive, when, where and why. 4. Advise and instruct the student on all other hive parts and how and when to use them. 5. Instruct the student on the proper installation of package bees and assist the student in doing so. 6. Instruct the student on making a walk away (no queen) and a standard split and preferably assist the student in making a split by either or both methods. 7. Instruct the student on the proper procedure for hiving a swarm. 8. Meet with the student and assist in setting up his or her first hive. 9. Arrange to meet with the student at the student’s hives one week after the initial installation of his colonies to assure queen release (if a package) and monitor colony health if otherwise. 10. Meet with student one month after initial installation and go through the hive as needed and explain what 11. Meet with the student at the student’s hives 2 months after installation of his colonies to advise on the need and proper procedure for supering and the do’s and don’ts of using a queen excluder. a. The advisor should change the supering date based on what he is seeing in his colonies ie…. Base supering date on the current year’s honey flow or other factors that may affect the need for supers. 12. Continue to meet with the student at his hives at 1 month intervals until surplus honey is removed. a. Advisor will instruct the student in the methods for getting the bees out of the production supers (Fume board, bee blower, and smoker). b. Advisor will instruct and assist in removing and handling surplus honey. c. Advise, instruct and assist the student in extracting the honey, proper procedure for bottling d. Advise and instruct the student on the production, packaging (to include 24 hour minimum deep freezing) of the various comb honey products. e. Advise and instruct the student on storage of unused equipment. 13. Advise and instruct the student on the proper use and how to apply the various medication options for fall 14. Advise and instruct the student on monitoring the bees for winter stores. 15. Advise and instruct the student on the methods for swarm control and collecting swarms. 16. Advise and instruct the student on spring supering relative to spring build up and medication removal. 17. Arrange at least one meeting with the student and the Alabama state bee inspector. 18. Be available at all times to field questions via phone or internet 19. If at all possible the advisor should invite the student to assist him or her in the day-to-day visits to the advisor’s bee yards to the extent that the advisor feels adequate. Annual Meet and Greet This year we will have a new venue for the Eat and Greet. The 2007 Annual "Eating Meeting" will be on 27 October at the B&J Family Restaurant which is 2 miles South of the Tennessee River on the West side of Highway 231, Entertainment is Gospel Singing following the dinner. Meeting starts at 5:30 PM and the Unity quartet will sing from 7 PM until 8 PM. No reservations required just tell them at the door that you are with the Madison County Beekeepers Association. Check the web site, http://www.alabees.com/activities for a map.
Annual Meeting of the Alabama Beekeepers Association
The annual meeting will be held October 26th-27th, in Millbrook. See the registration
form at the end of the news letter for more info and to register to attend.
Gadget Corner
Beehive Door Chime Cover by Karl Bartholomew. For more pictures and a parts list,
go to www.alabees.com.


To submit articles or items for sale, or if you have comments, send them to [email protected] or: William T. Bradshaw 118 Cheyenne Trl. Huntsville, AL 35806 Madison County Beekeepers Association
Meeting Minutes
Call to order
Gary Suckow called to order the regular meeting of the Madison County Beekeepers Association at 6:30 p.m. on July 12, 2007 in the Education Room of the Huntsville/Madison County Botanical Gardens. II. Attendees
Approximately 40 members and 5 guests were present. Open issues
Order forms for American Bee Journal ($18.70/yr) & Bee Culture ($19.00/yr) are available from Chris Cambron, Sec/Treas. This is for the discounted subscription rate that MCBA members receive. Bob Fanning gave an update on the Tax Exempt Certificate status for Kentucky. Bob Fanning will continue to monitor & secure the MCBA sales tax exempt status by majority vote of the MCBA membership present. Bill Mullins will be placing medication orders soon. Members were asked to notify Mr. Mullins of their medication requirements by the end of the meeting for delivery during the September meeting. The MCBA picnic will be July 14, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church , 7740 Hwy 72 West, Madison , AL 35758 . Chris Cambron will purchase hamburgers, hot dogs, & buns for 40. Everyone will bring a dish and a drink to share. For directions to the church go to http://www.mlutheran.com/directions.shtml. Bob Fanning has 2 splits for the observation hive. The observation hive is strong, making honey, and doing well. The observation hive is next to the butterfly house. Don Love reported that there would be no participation in the fair this year. IV. Beginners Corner
Beginner’s corner was covered by Bob Fanning and is available on www.alabees.com V. Committee Reports
a) Chris Cambron presented the Treasurer’s report. VI. New Business
William Bradshaw inquired as to how many members are unable to access the Buzzword via E-mail. He also requested that the members offer suggestions as to which topics they want to see in the newsletter. Everyone was encouraged to check the membership roster to insure that their contact information is correct. Chris Cambron asked how many are interested in a membership directory containing contact information. Laura Cambron will develop a release form for the members to indicate if they want their contact information included in a membership directory. The members’ information will be for members only & is not to be distributed outside the membership. Bob Fanning suggested that a password protected section be added to alabees.com that contains contact information. Members are encouraged to let others know when they are participating in programs that educate the public about beekeeping. Bob Martin asked for submissions and suggestions to improve the MCBA website. The nominating committee (Harold Green, Marlon Green, Lyle Greenwood, Tom Morgan, & Dale Rohe) nominated Harold Green for President (unopposed); Bill Mullins for Vice President (unopposed); Laura & Chris Cambron for Secretary/Treasurer (unopposed); Allen Hodge, Rogers Owens, Richard Long, and Karl Bartholomew for Board of Directors (BOD). The unopposed officers were elected by acclamation. Rogers Owens & Karl Bartholomew were elected for the 2 open BOD positions. Bob Fanning made a suggestion to have the annual eating meeting at B&J Family Restaurant in Lacey’s Spring, AL. There is gospel singing the 4th Saturday of the month. A motion was made to move the eating meeting to October 27th & was approved by unanimous vote of the members present. Lionel Evans made a motion that membership dues be suspended for 1 year since there are no planned expenses for the upcoming year. This discussion was tabled for now pending discussion by the BOD. Bill Mullins reminded the members that the Young Beginning Beekeeper program was not fully developed or funded. He suggested that work be done to fully develop this program & that expenses associated with the program be included in next year’s budget. John Horton made a motion that MCBA pay all expenses associated with the observation hive so that no member has to pay out of pocket for hive expenses. This discussion was tabled for now. Dale Rohe suggested that MCBA participate in the Madison County Home Builder’s Association Home Show by setting up a booth. He will research the cost & feasibility of this. He will report back at the next meeting. The Board of Directors will meet prior to the next scheduled MCBA & have been given a directive to discuss the following 3 issues: develop goals and a budget for the next year participation in the Home Builders Association with a booth as part of our public affairs work VII. Presentations
Walt Wright presented a program on Colony Collapse Disease. VIII. Adjournment
Bill Mullins adjourned the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Minutes submitted by: Laura Cambron (Co-Secretary/Treasurer)
Minutes approved by: Hal Green (President)

Source: http://www.alabees.com/Buzzword%20Sep07.pdf