sustainable survivor queenbees
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SUSTAINABLE SURVIVOR QUEENBEES
A conscientious and practical approach to establishing a quality resource
for regionally hearty honeybee stock
Chosen by Beekeepers for Beekeepers
Who We Are
Superior Honey Farms + Zia Queenbee Company
Mark Spitzig from the Lake Superior shoresUpper Peninsula of
Michigan
Melanie Kirby from the Land of Enchantment
New Mexico, USA
From Honey Production
To Queenbee Rearing
Establishing A Sustainable and Cooperative Beekeeping Operation
THE SOUTHWEST SURVIVOR QUEENBEE PROJECT
Microclimatic Diversity
Incorporating holistic methods adds value to our commodities: Promotes local, regional, national and global
sustainability; While also recognizing responsibility and reverence for our natural resources, environment and landscape heritage.
Sustainable QueensBy selecting and breeding off of Regionally fortified Survivor
stock, Beekeepers will expend less financially while incorporating sound, quality genetics into their livestock management.
*A practical approach
*Networking of area beekeepers
*Establishing a reliable resource for quality livestock
*Routine introduction of diverse national stock
*Thrive and survive test ( thru min. 2 winters)
*Regionally selected survivor stock:
Honeybees chosen by Beekeepers by Beekeepers
A PRACTICAL APPROACH
Visit www.ziaqueenbees.com And
http://www.ziaqueenbees.com/SWSQB_Slideshow.pdf
2007: Phase 1
Zia Queenbee Co. P.O. Box 490 Dixon, NM
87527 Tel: 505/579-4552
Initial Southwest Survivor Queenbee Project set-up in New Mexico
Participation by 6 individual professional beekeepers from 6 different counties ranging from South to North (400 mile range) and from 3,900 feet to 9,000 feet elevation
Technical advisor: NMDA Bee Inspector
2007 CAST OF CHARACTERSProfessional Beekeeper
Location Nominated Breeder(s)
Les Crowder Sparrow Hawk Farm
Sabinal(4600’ elevation)
Carniolan- Russian X:Sabinal
Ken Hays/ Hays Honey and Apple Farm
Bosque Farms (4800’)Truth or Consequences (4200’)
Blue Russian and Italian Crosses: Supergirls 1 and 2
Steve WallBuckin’ Bee
Santa Fe(7,000’ )
Italians: Heidi & Edith
Ed CostanzaA Bee Honey Co.
Edgewood & Belen(6500’) (4800’)
Italian Swarm X: LuLu
Jason GoodhueTaos Honey Trader
Taos(9,000 elevation)
Italian X: Natural Beauty
Mark Spitzig & Melanie KirbyZia Queenbee Co. &Superior
Honey Farms Las Cruces (3900’)Dixon (6000’) Penasco (8900’) U.P. of Michigan
(650’)
Survivor SMR&NWC: Harlow, Chrysalis, Imani, Jasmine, Ital , M. Superior, Ilya, ChollaIrie, CharlotteGem HeikiSW Cross-stocks:Povi, Capilla, Izzy
Honeybees chosen byBeekeepers for Beekeepers
Steve Wall of Buckin’ Bee (Santa Fe) displays a graft of his Italian breeder queen Edith.
These queen cells will mate with ZQB drones.
Jason Goodhue and his daughter Angelina of World Famous Taos
Honey shares future stock with Mark
Les Crowder of Sparrow Hawk Farm and Top Bar Ecoversity fame reviews larva for upcoming cross-stock graft
Derrick Maness (left) of Wild
Mountain Honey in Colorado,
takes a break from grafting. Derrick grafted
his first Survivor Queens (Harlow F₁) in July 2007!
WHAT WE KNOW
WHAT TO DO
We know that particular races are more pest/disease resistant while others may be more susceptible to certain afflictions.
It is true that “bottle-necking” of honeybee genetics here in the USA has been and will continue to be a problem and threat to the apiculture and agriculture industries nationwide without increasing availability to genetically diversified quality stock.
PROMOTIONBy respecting Mother Nature’s
cycles and creating systems in which livestock is managed conscientiously, a livelihood of quality is maintained.
Promoting healthy agricultural practices enhances quality of life for all
As Stewards of our Lands, Resources and Health,
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE BE PROACTIVE IN RESEARCHING AND IMPLEMENTING RESPECTFUL
MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND TECHNIQUES.
CRUCIAL QUEEN REARING CONCEPTS
SELECTING for GENETIC VARIABLES:
High Production Pest/Disease Resistance Hygienics Gentleness Longevity:
2 year “Thrive and Survive” regiment
Open mating variables
Diverse Survivor Drone Breeder Saturation Queen Fecundity/Promiscuity
Diverse Sister and Sub-Sister Families
SELECTING BREEDER QUEENS
New Mexico Dept. of Agriculture Bureau of Entomology and Nursery Industries Assistant Bureau Chief , Mr. Greg Watson serves as our technical advisor. He is also the NM State Bee Inspector. Here with Mark, he inspects Breeder colonies and hive temperament.
Mark displays grafted cells of Breeder Lulu from
Ed Costanza of A Bee Honey Co.
Melanie grafting from Varroa resistant stock
Conscientious Mating Conditions
Mating Nuc Size- Extended period of non-disturbance- Diverse Drone Stock Saturation
Some Interesting Research
Cornell University (2007, July 20). Genetic Diversity In Honeybee Colonies Boosts Productivity. http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2007/07/070719185521.htm
Public Library of Science (2007, October 10). For Honey Bee Queens, Multiple
Mating Makes Her Attractive To Workers. http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2007/10/071008183309.htm
Cornell University (2006, December 11). Queen Bee Promiscuity Boosts Hive Health.
http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2006/12/061211124247.htm
2008: Phase 2 Extend invitation to similar zones:
Colorado, Utah, Idaho
Evaluate 2007 Cross-Stocks and begin 2008 Cross-Stocking
Consultations requested from various institutions for Phase
3 development
2009: Phase 3 Open mated Survivor Cross-Stocks and II
SW Survivor Breeders are made available to participants and the greater public as well as to queen producers
Share 2007 Initiated Cross-Stock Breeders interstate with regional queen producers.
Advanced Protocols requested involving national bee laboratories and researchers
A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP
NETWORK In ACTION
NETWORKING=
FARMERS+RESEARCHERS+INSTITUTIONS
By sharing information and implementing practical plans and
techniques, we promote the healthy sustainability and
longevity of American agriculture while also revitalizing our
individual farm industries
SHARING EDUCATION
Through Cooperative Extension and development, project design
incorporates scientific inquiry and analysis while promoting
Applied Research directly affecting farmers in the field.
Verbalizing vital needs and assessments,
Farmers share and teach Scientists.
Through Applied Research,Scientists educate Farmers.
An Integrative Approach
CONSCIENTIOUS BEEKEEPING:Beekeepers Initiative
Finding Balance With Modern Science Natural Systems and the Real World
As Stewards of our Lands, Resources and Health,
it is imperative for us to be proactive in researching
and implementing sustainable management
practices and techniques to better
secure our industry and our livelihoods.
Become true Bee-Stewards
• Practice Pro-Active Management• Keep Researching, Reading and
Sharing
Role and Chosen
Responsibility of
Beekeeper:Understand our role, and our limitations while respecting natural cycles .
An Integrative Approach
Whether working with a horizontal or vertical system,
unforgettable key notions include:
Regardless of container, the beings therein are alive & constitute an organism;
a.k.a. LIVE-STOCK,and should be managed conscientiously.
“Natural” Beekeeping?Means practicing conscientious management: acknowledging and complimenting Mother Nature’s own cycles
Natural does not equal “hands off” attitude
Maximizing Mother Nature’s own cycles while respecting health of honeybee livestock
If opposed to supplemental feeding, then it is responsibility of beekeeper to move their colonies to suitable forage .
Timely management is recommended
If bees fall ill, responsibility of beekeeper to research and implement safe methods for control
Care should be taken to neither ignore contaminate
your honeybee livestock; to not compromise their nutrition and to
not contaminate their hive products.
“Organic” Reality?• Location
• Equipment
• Environmental and Industrial Factors
While we keep our bees in as many “Organically Certified” farms as possible- We do not claim our honey to be “Organic”. We have
control over what we add to the bees. Yet, we do not have complete control over where they fly. Thus, unless one is completely isolated
and there are no environmental contaminants in the air, in the water, in the soil, on the plants, and in their hive- then the term “Organic”
should not apply. However, the term “Natural” definitely does.
Integration is shaped by
Attitude • Many Paths, Many Teachers
Mother Nature, the Honeybees themselves and other beekeepers
• History and Research Past-Present-FutureThe Langstroth system is over 150 years old.
What is modern is our thinking.
• Circumstance
• Personal Preference
REMINDER: regardless of container, the way we manage and respect the organism contained is what is vital. Let us work together to become true Bee-Stewards within both systems.
THE MELTING POT True beauty is in our diversity.
Being a Purist is negotiable-each has their own definition, whether you agree or not.
While perpetuating simple methods, it is also pure to promote efficiency rather than redundancy
Holistic management defines itself as:
relating to or concerned with wholes or with complete systems rather than with the analysis of,
treatment of, or dissection into parts (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Many Spices-ONE MAIN INGREDIENT
The state question in New Mexico is, “Red or Green chile?”Some opt for one or the other and then there are those of us who
request both (also termed as “Christmas” or “Rainbow”)
Beekeeping is a creative art in that there are many paths of this animal husbandry. Finding a mode of operation that works for you and
your bees will be unique. Like most things, success through moderation does apply. By not boxing yourself into one type
or kind of system and management; and remaining flexible, and open, and inspired, interchange and cooperation can occur.
Practicing pro-active supplementation can enhance the immune systems of
honeybees while also providing balanced nutrition.
Many of us take vitamins or herbs to supplement our diet- the same
principles can be applied to animal husbandry.
Top bar hive body with screen bottom for Varroa Mite control
and ventilation
A home recipe pollen patty was given to the bees along with a Coconut grease patty containing essential oils in
the bottom of a Top bar hive.
The DOWDA methodApplication of Powdered Sugar with the
use of a screened bottom.
Mechanical Varroa Mite Control Method in TB
One can use a sticky board underneath to get a mite count. The screened bottom can then be sealed or diminished in size by closing off with a piece of wood (from underneath) to avoid drying of brood (arid climates) and in winter.
We use a mix of 4:1 powder sugar to garlic powder Space Top Bars apart and shift enough
powdered sugar to fully coat all the bees
This method of Varroa mite control does not control mites in sealed brood.
This can be used when needed and also as part of routine Fall/Spring management.
Top Bar “Nursery” in a Langstroth Box- box courtesy of Rosy Verdile, Christ in the Desert Monastery
Recycled pieces of Duragild and Pierco used
Adds to straightness and sturdiness of the comb built for ease of transport and for strengthened brood frames.
The recycled pieces are attached
to 19” l x ½” w wooden top bars in
halves so as to accommodate their removal and re-
attachment to diversely sized top bars and
top bar hive bodies. The recycled Pierco strips are screwed into the top bar and can be unscrewed
The recycled duragild is attached with beeswax to the Pierco strip to extend the comb “guide”
What is ZIA? Four is the sacred number of the Zia Pueblo sun symbol and can be found repeated in the four points
radiating from the circle.
North- South- East- West
Infancy, Youth, Adult & Elder
Spring, Summer, Autumn & Winter
Dawn, Day, Dusk & Night
ZQB believes that with life comes four sacred obligations one must develop:
a strong body…to lift honey boxes a clear mind… after 18 hours work
a pure spirit…to endure the sticky sweet stingsand a devotion …to the welfare of honeybees
A Little Background“Beekeeping is truly a humbling profession for me. I am routinely inspired by my many mentors: the honeybees,
Mother Nature and numerous beekeeping and non-beekeeping acquaintances. The mystery is the allure-” Melanie M. Kirby
United States Peace Corps1997-1999 Agriculture Sector
Beekeeping Extensionist Volunteer- Paraguay S.A.
Center for Human Potential(CHP) 2003
Beekeeping Extensionist Technical Trainer – Paraguay S.A.
Commercial Beekeeping Experience Hawaiian Queen Big Island, HI (2000)
Kona Queen Big Island, HI (2000-2004)
Honey Land Farms Florida (2005)
Zia Queenbee Co. &Superior Honey Farms
(2005-present day)
Email: ziaqueenbees@hotmail.comTel: 505/579-4552
Let us learn from each other and continue to share beekeeping!
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