Mag Spring 2015 p 12
1
n my column at the end of December I made the silly comment that we hadn’t had a prolonged period of bitter cold yet which was good for the bees. Big mistake! Mother Nature has indeed made up for her earlier kindness and put the over-wintering bees through a good test. It’s now coming up to a month where it’s been in the minus numbers at night more often than the positive and daytime temps rarely higher than 20. The saving grace has been that we have had snow, lots of snow, and that acts somewhat like an insulating blanket and protects the hives from the worst of the cold and biting wind. Right now the bees are clustered up tightly generating heat by vibrating their bodies. With some hives you can listen to them and hear the very low buzz. I prefer the nearly silent hives who have the ability to keep going with the absolute minimum of activity (and hence usage of food stores). As soon as the worst of the really cold days has past they will increase activity and temperatures will be built up to 98 degrees in the center of the cluster. At those temperatures they will start to rear the first brood of 2015. Most of my hives are more than half buried in snow some are totally buried. The heat they generate is melting a little cave in the snow at the hive entrance and even a chimney up to the fresh air. I will clear the snow from the southern face of those hives as we approach some warmer days. Very soon we will see what the damage, if any has been. As the air temperature nears 40 and the sun beats down on the hives they will start to take quick cleansing flights. For a brief time there can be very substantial bee activity in front of the hive. Once they have had their cleansing flights they usually start to drag out the dead bodies of their sisters who did not make it through the previous cold spell. Whilst this can be a sad sight it is also a sign that this is a hive that is doing well and so far has made it through the winter. The more hives I see like that the better. I will need to check that each colony still has plenty of food to get through the rest of the winter. This can be done by lifting the back of the hive to check the weight, or where they are frozen to the stand, by popping up the cover and checking to see if I can see that the cluster is in contact with combs of sealed honey. Those that are too light or appear to have nearly used up their food reserves will get some extra food in the form of winter patties which are basically soft sugar candy. Those hives that have made it through the winter will be my breeding stock for this year to split those hives into numerous small “nucleus” colonies which will be headed by queens which I will raise from the very best of over wintered hives. Year 2015 is going to be a very busy year for me as a beekeeper. A large part of my increased activity will be with my partnering with my friend and mentor Harold Swan who runs RBSwan and Son Bee Supply business in Brewer, ME. This year I am handling all of the live bee business. In late April we will be bringing more than 200 three pound packages of bees up from the south to start new colonies in Maine. They sell out fast. There is a huge number of new enthusiasts starting beekeeping this year. These packages, which cost $125 each, contain a queen bee and about 12,000 worker bees. It is very quick and easy to install those bees into a new beehive which is made up of a bottom board, a deep super (box) which contains ten frames and wax foundation for the bees to build their honeycombs on. This is topped with an inner cover and an outer, telescopic cover. Then the bees will just need feeding while they build their combs and raise lots of babies to build up their number. In about 40-50 days they will need their second box of frames and foundation added. Feeding is continued till both boxes are filled with comb. The whole set-up costs about $190. IfIf you are interested in keeping bees you should check www.mainebeekeepers.org for a beekeeping class near you. If you need any further help feel free to contact me. An Amish horse-drawn cart was hit by a pickup truck Saturday evening Feb. 28 by an 83-year-old Newburgh man who now faces charges after he failed to stop. Robert Veinote was driving a 1996 GMC pickup truck northbound on Thorndike Road at about 6 p.m when he is alleged to have struck the left side of a trailer cart being drawn with a forecart, and a team of two horses, according to Maine State Police Trooper Corey Smith. “The impact appears to have thrown the two occupants from the forecart and hay trailer and knocked a horse down,” Smith told the press. Operator of the cart, 28-year-old Abner Stoll of Unity, suffered minor cuts and scrapes. Passenger, Jason Stoll, 14, also of Unity and the horses were uninjured. The tire and rim on the cart were damaged, as well as some of the harness equipment. V Veinote allegedly did not stop after striking the cart, but Smith said troopers soon located the truck, which sustained minor damage. “He said he didn’t know he’d hit them,” Smith said. “He thought it was debris in the road.” Veinote was also charged with operating without a license, although Smith said additional charges may be forthcoming when the investigation is completed. Witnesses indi- cated square bales dropped from the Veinote vehicle, some of which were hit by passer by automobiles. The round bales on the horse cart remained on the damaged cart. 1326 Exeter Rd., (Rte. 11 & 43) Exeter 379-2900 1 800 453-3337 Maine’s largest supplier of Poulin Grain & Pet Food Hardware * Electrical * Plumbing * Tarps Tools * Grass Seed * Fertilizer & Soil * Mulch Pet Supplies * Electric Fence Supplies Gates * Corral panels * Wood Pellets & Much more... Hours: M on-Fri 7-5 / Sat 8-12 TREELINE, INC. PO Box 127 Phone: 207 794-2044 Lincoln, ME 04457 Fax: 207 794-2047 www.treeline.biz Forest Land Services * Master Logger Certified Forest Road Construction * Culverts Truck/Trailer & Heavy Equipment Parts & Service - The Maine Land Store - Land & Camps Local land owner offer a variety of parcels For Sale. Lake, River and Woodland. Owner financing. Call 290-2901 or www.themainelandstore.com The MET is a col- laboration of Maine Sea Grant and the Univ. Of Maine Co- operative Exten- sion. Its members live and work along the coast, providing educational and ap- plied research pro- grams to Maine’s citizens in the area of coastal commu- nity development, ecosystem health, fisheries, and aqua- culture. , aka is an experienced Maine beekeeper known for prroducing “Hampden Honey.” His passion for bees - includes pollination, teaching, sales of bees and removal of feral hives. www.beewhisperer.us ACORD AUTO.COM Rte. 197 Main St. RICHMOND 207 737- 4448 Acordauto@roadrunner Bee Whisperer’s Diary Russ Dodge, Jr. FEED, HARDWARE, TOOL RENTAL Farmington Farmer’s Union 244 Front St., Farmington 778-4520 (store) 778-5674 (rental) [email protected] Whitewater Farm Market US Rte.2 New Sharon Franklin County Feed Store Feed Store A new report, is a biennial case study of various investments by the Maine Association of Nonprofits’ (MANP) noting that scallop fish- ing has be- come a big new part of Maine’s economic ‘lifeblood’, helping to maintain a thriving, ecologically sustainable economy. Praising a non-profit headed by Robin Alden and based here; the report states that last year’s winter scallop landings were worth more than $5 million to the state, up from a low of $200,000 in 2004. Alden noted the collaborative ap- proach scallop manage- ment has taken, has resulted in a manage- ment style that im- proved the science, set new rules and has made responsible adaptations tied to local resource conditions and now yields a much better outcome with all par- ties contributing to an evolving process of community-scale fish- ery. The Resource Center works with fish- ermen, regulators and the scientific communi- ty to revive Maine’s ocean fishery. In a related develop- ment, the Taunton Bay Oyster Company has a lease of 28 acres spread over four sites and a Limited Purpose Aqua- culture License to culti- vate and overwinter oysters in tray racks, cages and soft bags. Agriculture Dana Morse Extension Associate Maine Sea Grant College Program and UMaine Cooperative Extension 193 Clark’s Cove Darling Marine Ctr. Walpole, ME 04573 207.563.8186 Fax 207. 563.3119 Water Farm Cordination Editor: Globe Printing Co. Office & Fax 794-2973 L I N C O L N 12 S P R I N G ISSUE Mainely Agriculture || Equi Ag & Livestock || Aqua Agriculture 2015 All went under review with DMR March 11 and were a part of work ses- sions at the 40 an- nual Fisherman’s Forum in Rock- port, the weekend of March 7, 8. th Pick up, Amish cart collide in Unity
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Transcript of Mag Spring 2015 p 12
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n my column at the end of December Imade the silly comment that we hadnt had a prolonged period ofbitter cold yet which was good for the bees. Big mistake! MotherNature has indeed made up for her earlier kindness and put theover-wintering bees through a good test. Its now coming up to amonth where its been in the minus numbers at night more oftenthan the positive and daytime temps rarely higher than 20. Thesaving grace has been that we have had snow, lots of snow, andthat acts somewhat like an insulating blanket and protects thehives from the worst of the cold and biting wind.Right now the bees are clustered up tightly generating heat byvibrating their bodies. With some hives you can listen to themand hear the very low buzz. I prefer the nearly silent hives whohave the ability to keep going with the absolute minimum ofactivity (and hence usage of food stores). As soon as the worst ofthe really cold days has past they will increase activity andtemperatures will be built up to 98 degrees in the center of thecluster. At those temperatures they will start to rear the first broodof 2015.
Most of my hives are more than half buried in snow some aretotally buried. The heat they generate is melting a little cave inthe snow at the hive entrance and even a chimney up to the freshair. I will clear the snow from the southern face of those hives aswe approach some warmer days. Very soon we will see what the damage, if any has been. Asthe air temperature nears 40 and the sun beats down on the hivesthey will start to take quick cleansing flights. For a brief timethere can be very substantial bee activity in front of the hive.Once they have had their cleansing flights they usually start todrag out the dead bodies of their sisters who did not make itthrough the previous cold spell.
Whilst this can be a sad sight it is also a sign that this is a hivethat is doing well and so far has made it through the winter. Themore hives I see like that the better. I will need to check that each colony still has plenty of foodto get through the rest of the winter. This can be done by liftingthe back of the hive to check the weight, or where they are frozento the stand, by popping up the cover and checking to see if I cansee that the cluster is in contact with combs of sealed honey.Those that are too light or appear to have nearly used up theirfood reserves will get some extra food in the form of winterpatties which are basically soft sugar candy.
Those hives that have made it through the winter will be mybreeding stock for this year to split those hives into numeroussmall nucleus colonies which will be headed by queens whichI will raise from the very best of over wintered hives. Year 2015is going to be a very busy year for me as a beekeeper. A large partof my increased activity will be with my partnering with myfriend and mentor Harold Swan who runs RBSwan and Son BeeSupply business in Brewer, ME. This year I am handling all ofthe live bee business. In late April we will be bringing more than200 three pound packages of bees up from the south to start new
colonies in Maine. They sell out fast. There is a huge number ofnew enthusiasts starting beekeeping this year. These packages,which cost $125 each, contain a queen bee and about 12,000worker bees. It is very quick and easy to install those bees into anew beehive which is made up of a bottom board, a deep super(box) which contains ten frames and wax foundation for the beesto build their honeycombs on. This is topped with an inner coverand an outer, telescopic cover. Then the bees will just need feedingwhile they build their combs and raise lots of babies to build uptheir number. In about 40-50 days they will need their second boxof frames and foundation added. Feeding is continued till bothboxes are filled with comb. The whole set-up costs about $190.IfIf you are interested in keeping bees you should checkwww.mainebeekeepers.org for a beekeeping class near you. If youneed any further help feel free to contact me.
An Amish horse-drawn cart was hit by a pickup truckSaturday evening Feb. 28 by an 83-year-old Newburgh man whonow faces charges after he failed to stop. Robert Veinote wasdriving a 1996 GMC pickup truck northbound on Thorndike Roadat about 6 p.m when he is alleged to have struck the left side of atrailer cart being drawn with a forecart, and a team of two horses,according to Maine State Police Trooper Corey Smith. The impact appears to have thrown the two occupants from theforecart and hay trailer and knocked a horse down, Smith told thepress. Operator of the cart, 28-year-old Abner Stoll of Unity,suffered minor cuts and scrapes. Passenger, Jason Stoll, 14, also ofUnity and the horses were uninjured. The tire and rim on the cartwere damaged, as well as some of the harness equipment.V Veinote allegedly did not stop after striking the cart, but Smithsaid troopers soon located the truck, which sustained minor damage.He said he didnt know hed hit them, Smith said. He thought itwas debris in the road. Veinote was also charged with operatingwithout a license, although Smith said additional charges may beforthcoming when the investigation is completed. Witnesses indi-cated square bales dropped from the Veinote vehicle, some ofwhich were hit by passer by automobiles. The round bales on thehorse cart remained on the damaged cart.
1326 Exeter Rd., (Rte. 11 & 43) Exeter379-2900 1 800 453-3337
Maines largest supplier of Poulin Grain & Pet Food
Hardware * Electrical * Plumbing * TarpsTools * Grass Seed * Fertilizer & Soil * Mulch
Pet Supplies * Electric Fence SuppliesGates * Corral panels * Wood Pellets & Much more...
H ours: M on-Fri 7-5 / Sat 8-12
TREELINE, INC.PO Box 127 Phone: 207 794-2044
Lincoln, ME 04457 Fax: 207 794-2047www.treeline.biz
Forest Land Services * Master Logger CertifiedForest Road Construction * Culverts
Truck/Trailer & Heavy Equipment Parts & Service
- The Maine Land Store -Land & Camps
Local land owner offer a variety of parcels For Sale.Lake, River and Woodland. Owner financing.Call 290-2901 or www.themainelandstore.com
The MET is a col-laboration of MaineSea Grant and theUniv. Of Maine Co-operative Exten-sion. Its memberslive and work alongthe coast, providingeducational and ap-plied research pro-grams to Mainescitizens in the areaof coastal commu-nity development,ecosystem health,fisheries, and aqua-culture.
, aka is anexperienced Maine beekeeper known forprroducing Hampden Honey. His passionfor bees - includes pollination, teaching, salesof bees and removal of feral hives.
www.beewhisperer.us
ACORD AUTO.COMRte. 197 Main St. RICHMOND207 737- 4448Acordauto@roadrunner
Bee Whisperers Diary
Russ Dodge, Jr.
FEED, HARDWARE, TOOL RENTALFarmington Farmers Union
244 Front St., Farmington778-4520 (store) 778-5674 (rental)
Whitewater Farm MarketUS Rte.2 New Sharon
Franklin CountyFeed Store Feed Store
Anew report,
is abiennial case study ofvarious investments bythe Maine Associationof Nonprofits (MANP)noting that scallop fish-ing has be-
comeabignew
partof
Maineseconomic lifeblood,helping to maintain athriving, ecologicallysustainable economy.Praising
anon-profit headed byRobin Alden and basedhere; the report statesthat last years winterscallop landings wereworth more than $5million to the state, upfrom a low of $200,000in 2004. Alden notedthe collaborative ap-proach scallop manage-ment has taken, hasresulted in a manage-ment style that im-proved the science, setnew rules and has maderesponsible adaptationstied to local resourceconditions and nowyields a much betteroutcome with all par-ties contributing to anevolving process ofcommunity-scale fish-ery. The ResourceCenter works with fish-ermen, regulators andthe scientific communi-ty to revive Mainesocean fishery.
In a related develop-ment, the Taunton BayOyster Company has alease of 28 acres spreadover four sites and aLimited Purpose Aqua-culture License to culti-vate and overwinteroysters in tray racks,cages and soft bags.
AgricultureDana Morse
ExtensionAssociate
Maine SeaGrant College
Programand UMaineCooperativeExtension
193 ClarksCove
DarlingMarine Ctr.Walpole, ME
04573
207.563.8186Fax
207. 563.3119
Water FarmCordination
Editor:
Globe Printing Co.Office & Fax 794-2973
L I N C O L N
12 S P R I N G ISSUE Mainely Agriculture || Equi Ag & Livestock || Aqua Agriculture 2015
All went underreview with DMRMarch 11 and werea part of work ses-sions at the 40 an-nual FishermansForum in Rock-port, the weekendof March 7, 8.
th
Pick up, Amish cart collide in Unity
www.mainebeekeepers.orgwww.treeline.bizwww.themainelandstore.comwww.seagrant.umaine.eduwww.umext.maine.edu
