(USDA-ARS/Baton Rouge, LA, April 7, 2022) — Pol-line honey bees, a type of Varroa mite resistant honey bee developed by the Agricultural Research Service, are more than twice as likely to survive through the winter than standard honey bees, according to a study published in Scientific Reports. Although ARS developed Pol-line bees in 2014, this study was the first time that …
Program Helping Protect Pollinators from Invasive Pests
The USDA program helping protect pollinators from invasive pests. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bee pollination alone is responsible for more than 15-billion in added crop value, particularly for specialty crops such as almonds and other nuts, berries, fruits, and vegetables. Unfortunately, the honey bees are also vulnerable to invasive pests like parasitic mites, viruses, and predatory …
Plant Materials Center Provides Diverse Climate Plant Solutions
The center providing plant solutions in a diverse climate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Lockeford Plant Materials Center is a 106-acre facility located in the Central Valley of California. It’s about an hour southeast of the state’s capitol, Sacramento, and is the only plant materials in the state. The center provides plant solutions for the diverse …
Predators that Threaten a Beekeeper’s Hive on the Farm
The common predators that can threaten a beekeeper’s hive on the farm. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Wild animals and insects prey on bees. One of the biggest bee predators is a Bear. They can destroy an entire hive by ripping it apart or tipping it on its side to get to the honey. Skunks enjoy eating …
Flowering Shrubs that are Excellent Attractors of Pollinators
Some of the best flowering shrubs for pollinators. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bluebeard is a late-season bloomer with powder-puff blue, pink, or purple flowers on compact plants with gray-green foliage. Selections offering variegated or chartreuse foliage are also available. Its flowers are very very attractive to butterflies. Weigela, popular with hummingbirds, Weigela’s red or pink trumpet-shape flowers …
Growers Discuss Priorities for 2023 Farm Bill
The 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire in 2023, so preparations are underway to craft the behemoth legislation into law sometime next year. However, it is common for negotiations to extend into the following year. Whether the new farm bill is passed in 2023 or 2024, there’s a lot of work ahead. The farm bill was the focus of …
A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer
As we celebrate Christmas this year, Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman brings back an old favorite, “A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer” written by S. Omar Barker. A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PRAYERby S. Omar Barker (1895-1985) I ain’t much good at prayin’,and You may not know me, Lord —For I ain’t much seen in churches,where they preach Thy Holy Word.But you may have observed …
How to Attract a Swarm of Bees to Your Property
How to attract a swarm of bees on your property. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If chasing bees isn’t for you, another way to get them to attract them is bait hives.You will need: Nuc boxes or old hive bodies, some new and old frames, and a swarm attractor. Place a ¾’ entrance in the nuc box …
How to Chase a Swarm of Bees to Become a Beekeeper
How to chase of swarm of bees so you can become a beekeeper. That’s coming up on This Land Ours. In order to chase bee hives, you will need a bee suit, shop vac or bee vacuum, bee box, frames and sugar water in a spray bottle. Then, get the word out that if someone comes across a swarm of …
Alternative Method to Get Honey Bees for Free
An alternative way to get honey bees for free. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The main thing that hinders people from keeping bees (apart from allergies and bee stings) is the cost of buying bees. But what if you could catch a swarm and get honeybees for free? It’s possible. There are two methods. Chasing a swarm …