June, 2023

Greetings Minnesota Beekeepers!

What a difference a couple of months can make. The winter that wouldn’t go away looks like it is finally gone in Minnesota. As I write this, dandelions are starting to bloom in Minnesota and bees are unpacked and heading north from southern locations. April was a difficult month in Minnesota and in Mississippi. It’s the first time I have ever had to feed bees in Mississippi at the end of April. A late frost in March annihilated the spring bloom and made the usual build-up much slower. Much of the honey crops in the deep south are lost. Maybe some Tallow that didn’t get frozen here and there, but not much other honey is out there. I am hopeful for a big dandelions bloom in Minnesota!

Work on the 2023 Farm Bill is moving forward. I have been in communication with lobbyists from the ABF and AHPA and offered support of the Minnesota Honey Producers Assn. towards efforts to get beekeeping authorizations renewed and added to the bill. This likely will be a long process and may not even be finalized in 2023. Some of the major agenda items are extension of the ELAP program for another 5 years (the duration of each Farm Bill) and changes that include reducing the normal mortality rate from 22% back down to 15% where it was when the program started. Implementing a nation-wide consistent documentation system would be another improvement that is on the table. More funding for ARS labs is also on the table, with an emphasis on new money to prevent Tropilaelaps mite migration into this continent.The MHPA is working on securing support of the Minnesota Farm Bureau and the Minnesota Ag. Commissioner in obtaining authorizations for the new Farm Bill.

In late March an effort was made to add the slow-release oxalic acid treatment method field-tested by Randy Oliver to the existing registration approved by the EPA. Unfortunately, this effort was denied by the EPA. They cited several reasons why this was denied. Research on how the glycerin and the cellulose pads react in the beehive are unknown. The dose moving from an “acute” to “chronic” via the extended pads was another unknown point the EPA cited, making it very unlikely it will ever be approved.

This summer meeting is shaping up nicely! VP Liz Schroeder has worked hard to make it a success. We look forward to joining with North and South Dakota beekeepers in Fargo on July 13-15. Look for more details about the meeting in this newsletter. Please clear your calendars and plan to attend!!

The state fair is just around the corner. It’s time start thinking about what products you plan on selling at the fair. I’m sure our fair managers will be sending out requests for products shortly. Also, I’ll have the sign-up sheet for the tasting booth at the summer meeting in Fargo. If you haven’t done this, I’d encourage you to sign up for a shift or two especially if you are selling your products at the fair. It’s a great way to steer business to your stuff!

If you chair a committee, please make every effort to make your committee meetings open to the membership. It’s important that all members know that they are welcome to attend any meetings of the MHPA.

Thanks for being a part of this organization and here’s to a fabulous Summer!