European Tribune

Display:
Too true.  But the scale of the agro-industrial use of migratory beekeepers is, I hope, higher in the US than in the rest of the world. Perhaps if the migratory beekeepers could form an association and impose standards on at least the timing, acceptable types and methods of application of chemicals to the crops...but they are on the low end of the economic power spectrum, as the High Country article indicates, and it would be like herding cats.  The article also addresses the issue of the industrial scale of US beekeeping, along with the history of the industry from its Mormon roots, as it is largely  based on an interview with the grandson of the innovator who developed that method.  Interestingly, the old style beehive has long been an icon of Mormon industriousness.

If sanity be culturally normative, then by the norms of this culture I claim insanity.
by ARGeezer (argeezer a in a circle yahoo dot com) on Sun May 25th, 2008 at 11:14:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]
This is just part of the collapse of industrial agriculture.  Collapse is over-determined so another bullet dodged--if they even dodge it--does not amount to much.  

The good news, such as it is, is that organic bees are hanging on.  Maybe they will make it through.  Maybe.  

When you look at the lines of research mentioned, you can see how hopeless it is.  They might well find out what bugs are causing most of the troubles.  And then what will they do?  Add more poisons.  It is crazy, and it is doomed.  

Organic beekeepers already understand certain things:  Bees need to eat honey:  The commercial technique of feeding sugar water (because it is cheap) cannot keep bees in good health.  Bees should not be moved frequently--it is better not to move them at all.  From a position of underlying healthy practice it may be possible to bring the new pests under control.  

Otherwise, not so likely.  

Sensible practice is not industrial practice.  The California almond-growers have created vast monocrop plantations in which nothing grows, besides the artificially forced trees, and nothing can grow--except pests and blight.  So bees, essential for pollination of the crop, must be trucked in during the few weeks of flower-season.  Well, those bees have hit the wall--are leaving the hives and not coming back--and the almond industry is hitting the wall with them.  They might as well cut down their orchards for firewood, and soon they will.  

But not yet:  They are still clueless, still trying to get milk from a cow that they have just shot--just can't figure out what the problem is.  

Do support you local bee-keeper.  This matters.  

by Gaianne on Mon Jun 23rd, 2008 at 12:47:08 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Display:
Login
. Make a new account
. Reset password
Recommended Diaries
The Purpose of Education
by rdf - Nov 20
23 comments

In Defense of the Electoral College
by danps - Nov 22
2 comments

LQD: NATO as 'convenient threat' for Russia
by marco - Nov 21
20 comments

jitter noise rumble
by emilmoller - Nov 19
18 comments

LQD: The real orgasmic Puritans
by Ted Welch - Nov 20
32 comments

The Puritan Edge
by rg - Nov 20
122 comments

Computational simulations in science
by tiagoantao - Nov 20
20 comments

Early Friday Photography Blog No. 62
by LEP - Nov 20
58 comments

Debates
Campaigns
Occasional Series