The Bee Crisis!!!

As you may have read in the newspapers or seen on the news, the many fires in southern California have added to the already serious bee crisis. Due to these fires, there have been many additional bee loses, plus the acres of flora that the bees harvested pollen from to create honey. Estimates for acres of Sage are at a 60% loss.

Due to the extreme percentage of loss of Sage, agriculturists are estimating 3 years to grow the lost sage crops back, weather permitting, and an additional 2 years for the nectar flow to begin so that bees can harvest the pollen to create Sage honey.

As it stands now, there is talk of 2008 being, yet again, a dry year. If this is true, it will take even longer for the crops of Sage to be replaced which could result in a shortage of Sage honey.

John Returns from Australia

I was recently in Australia for the 2007 Apimondia conference. Apimondia is a huge event for beekeepers all over the world. Industry leaders host informational seminars and tours are available of different beekeeping businesses. I was there for two weeks and spent much of the time visiting with other beekeepers and research centers. I learned quite a bit about the different theories of Colony Collapse Disorder and have taken up the study back here in the United States. I will keep all of you posted as I receive new information. Check out our website at www.gipsonsgolden.com for tips on health and beauty, recipes and the latest information on honey!