2013 honey bees workshop

presentation descriptions

Varroa Mites
Charlie Simonds
Varroa destructor, an external parasitic mite causing damage to honey bee colonies. We will study how they reproduce, what kind of damage they can do to a colony of bees, and method of control.

Pollination Requirements
Jeremy Wagnitz
A presentation on estimated amounts of pollinators required for different crops and how to grade honey bee colonies for pollination contracts.

Pesticides and Honey Bees
Sharon Dobesh
In this presentation I will present information on some of the most toxic pesticides to honeybees and explore which, if any pesticides can be safely used around honey bees or are “bee friendly”. Pesticides including insecticides, miticides, herbicides, and fungicides will be explored. I will also touch upon the Project Good Neighbor program in Kansas originally set up for herbicide use problems in Kansas, however due to demand by beekeepers, has grown to include beekeepers who want to know about pesticide applications in their area to help protect their hives.

Anatomy of the Honey Bee
Charlie Simond
As a beekeeper, honey bee biology is important to know. This presentation will study the external and internal parts of the honey bee, and their function.

Introduction to Queen Rearing
Jeremy Wagnitz
A brief discussion of methods and equipment required to rear queen in a small beekeeping operation.

Update on Colony Collapse Disorder
Sharon Dobesh
This presentation will cover some of the background up through the most current information about Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) of honey bees. Governmental policies created, diseases found and how CCD has affected beekeeping in general.

Beekeeping and Drought
Raymond Heldenbrand
The drought of 2012 has impacted all aspects of agriculture, and beekeepers have had to deal with the harsh conditions as well. Many have lost colonies, and almost all have experienced reduced honey production. This session is designed to be a group discussion. Come prepared to share your experiences and solutions in dealing             with the drought in the bee yard this year.

workshop presenters

Charlie Simonds worked as the Apiary Inspector for the State of Nebraska for 17 years. He also worked with his brother-in-law operating 1240 colonies of bees. He owned and managed Honey Bee World, a beekeeping supply business, for 22 years.  Charlie has also taught Beekeeping for Beginners at Southeast Community College in Lincoln, NE.

Jeremy Wagnitz received a B.S. in Horticulture from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2007 and a M.S. in Entomology specializing in Apiculture in 2009. After graduation, he moved to Baton Rouge, LA, to work at the USDA Honey Bee Genetics and Physiology Lab. While in Baton Rouge, he was head of the Russian Honey Bee Breeding program. In 2011, Jeremy returned to Nebraska to start the Doctor of Plant Health program. He will be graduating with his doctoral degree in the Spring of 2014.

Sharon Dobesh has an M.S. in Entomology.  From 1995-2002 she was a Plant Protection Specialist for the Missouri Department of Agriculture, conducting nursery, greenhouse, sod farm, and export inspections.  In 2002 she joined the faculty at Kansas State University Entomology Department as the Pesticide & IPM Coordinator conducting pesticide recertification programs, IPM in schools programs, and giving presentations on wood-destroying insects and honey bees as an extension specialist.  Currently she is the Associate Director of the Great Plains Diagnostic Network and National Plant Diagnostic Network Exercise committee chair working with USDA-APHIS-PPQ.

Raymond Heldenbrand has been keeping bees for over 17 years, and brings a wealth of practical beekeeping skills and ideas to the conference. A resident of Daviess County, MO, he is well-known by local residents for his enthusiasm to help new beekeepers and willingness to capture swarms and deal with nuisance bee colonies when homeowners call. He is also a Master Gardener and serves on the Daviess County Extension Council. Raymond is retired from General Motors and the U.S. Army Reserves, where he attained the rank of Command Sergeant Major.