We're back from a week on a houseboat in the Shuswap.  I'm still working on the curriculum.  I'll be busy today getting ready for a meeting tomorrow, but hope to get these pages up-to-date soon.

I hear that Medhat was here Wednesday to treat our colonies as part of his oxalic tests, using both vaporization and drizzling methods, on different sets of hives, then proceeded to Meijers to do some tests on some of their hives.

More later

Meijers came for supper.

Today : A mix of sun and cloud. High 20. / Tonight : A few clouds. Wind west 20 km/h. Low 5. / Normals for the period : Low minus 1. High 13.

Today : A mix of sun and cloud. Wind becoming west 30 km/h this afternoon. High 23. UV index 3 or moderate. / Tonight : Cloudy periods. Wind west 20 km/h. Low 10. / Normals for the period : Low minus 1. High 13.

The SABA meeting at Scandia is tomorrow.  Everyone is welcome.

The HoneyBeeWorld Forum works again.

Today : A few showers. Wind north 20 km/h. High 14. / Tonight : Cloudy. 60 percent chance of showers. Wind becoming north 20 km/h overnight. Low 2. / Normals for the period : Low minus 1. High 13.

I attended the meeting today.  Reece and Echo supplied the venue, and were great hosts.  Attendance was about 70, with people from as far as B.C. and the Peace. 

Joe Traynor , a featured speaker came up from Bakersfield, California and spoke about pollination in California, discussing colony size, prices, and how his co-op works to make things easier for the beekeepers and growers.  The co-op charges 10% to cover administrative costs, and co-ordinates details, sets and enforces quality standards, handles phone calls, and collects the fees. Bad debt costs are shared between all beekeepers, so that no one beekeeper gets stiffed. Losses due to deadbeat customers has been minimal, almost nil.

Gordon Frank gave a good overview of the leafcutter business, then George spoke about pollination this past season.  Apparently bees had been more variable due tot he difficult season, but all in all, things were OK.  Canola prices are down right now, and the crystal ball is foggy, but I gathered that the demand for bees will be down a bit in the coming year, but hopefully not too much.

After lunch, Joe spoke about the medicinal properties of honey and his book, then Medhat reviewed his pollen supplement research from last summer.  The upshot is that he observed good consumption of patties, and a resulting 1/3 increase in brood after a few weeks compared to hives with no patties.

I made it home by 7, and the P-Ss were already there.  The four of us had a pleasant supper.

I awoke to see a bit of snow on the ground, but melting fast.  The forecast has now been downgraded and we are not expected to get much.

Jean and Chris are coming today, and Chris' parents and sister will be here for supper.

Today : Rain changing to light snow near noon. Wind southeast 20 km/h becoming light this morning. High 3. / Tonight : Periods of light snow. Low minus 5. / ormals for the period : Low zero. High 14.