from the Land & Livestock Post
WAXAHACHIE (TX) -- Mark Brady has 320 million reasons to be concerned about colony collapse disorder. With 8,000 beehives and 40,000 bees in each hive, the sudden disappearance of almost half of America's honeybees has him concerned.
A lifelong resident of Waxahachie, Brady's one of Texas' top commercial beekeepers and president of the American Honey Producers Association.
"A few years ago, beekeepers all over the U.S. started losing more bees than they would normally lose. Every year, a 10 to 15 percent loss -- that's pretty normal," he said.
"Some of these guys all of a sudden started losing 40 percent or 50 percent -- some even higher than that. As it got more widespread all over the U.S., we realized we had some new problem we hadn't had in the past."
His theory is that the disorder is a combination of things -- a sort of Bermuda Triangle of conditions. Part of the problem is diseases bees have had for years, such as virus strains, and the Veroa mite, which attaches itself like a tick and is said to be building up resistance to treatments that once worked like a charm. Add stress from being shuttled cross-country for work and pesticides that keep the plants pest-free, and maybe something's got to give.
"I believe it has just become too much for the bees. You hear the bees just disappear -- I don't believe they're disappearing. I believe the adult bees aren't living as long as they used to. Their lifespan is being shortened, and they die off when they're in flight. They're not getting back," Brady said.
Average U.S. honey production has been about 200 million pounds in recent years. It dropped to 155 million in 2006 and to 143 million in 2007, he said.
Full Story: http://www.landandlivestockpost.com//Hive-health-worries-beekeeper
