Missouri Produce Growers Bulletin, July 2013
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Missouri Produce WHO’S Growers Bulletin WHO A joint publication of the Univeristy of Missouri and Lincoln University JULY 2013 James Quinn Bulletin Editor MU Horticulture 573-634-2824 Progressive market steps taken by CMPA...by James Quinn [email protected] Central Missouri Produce pared to previous years. that they are reasonably close. Jaime Pinero State IPM Specialist Auction (CMPA) implemented a As the season progressed, There are two main benefits to LU Extension number of changes this year. The growers began bringing their this, the produce is under cover 573-681-5522 most significant is now two auc- flats, hanging baskets, and other and out of the sun and the grow- [email protected] tion rings are occurring at the plants in on wagons. Thus a ers can come early, drop their same time for the majority of the wagon auction ring occurred produce and return to their farms. Dave Trinklein State auction. This began right away while a multitude of other flats So why these changes this year Floriculture Specialist with their early plug and plant and plants were auctioned off of and are they being used else- MU Extension sales. Starting right away has rolling racks from an adjacent where? A catalyst for the change 573-882-9631 helped buyers to adapt. The auc- ring. With most plant sales hav- was the drought last year and the [email protected] tion rings are conducted nearby ing ended and the shift to pro- intense heat having a negative Zelalem Mersha so that buyers can monitor both duce, another significant change effect on the produce as it was Plant Pathologist rings at the same time. It is more has ensued; products are no out in the hot sun on wagons LU Extension demanding on the buyers’ atten- longer auctioned from wagons. waiting to be auctioned. It was so 573-681-5522 tion though. One main advantage Now products are unloaded hot that even when covered by [email protected] of this change was noticeable onto carts on the auction floor. box lids, some produce was affect- right from the beginning; the auc- Two auctioneers work their way ed and buyers (justifiably) raised tions are finishing much quicker, down parallel cart rows, pro- concerns. MU county offices, roughly in about ½ the time com- ceeding about the same pace so Continued on page 3 specialist& phone Adair– Jennifer Schut- ter 660-665-9866 Colony Collapse Disorder, the Varroa Mite, and Daviess— Tim Baker 660-663-3232 Resources for Beekeepers….…...by Travis Harper Greene— Pat Byers 417-881-8909 There’s no question that tion of the above. The exact that most of the hive losses Harrison- H. Benedict the biggest story in beekeeping cause is still unknown but most that do occur, especially those 660-425-6434 since 2006 has been colony researchers agree that it is prob- that occur under the watch of collapse disorder (CCD). Col- ably a combination of factors. small or hobby beekeepers, are Henry— Travis Harper ony collapse disorder is a phe- not due to CCD at all. There It has become easy and popu- 660-885-5556 nomenon in which workers are a variety of reasons why a lar to blame the loss of bee hives Morgan— Joni Harper bees abruptly disappear from a colony may die but most of on CCD. To be classified as hive. Colony losses as high as these are related to a single 573-378-5358 CCD, there are three conditions 90% have been reported by pest, the varroa mite. Vernon— Pat Miller that must occur simultaneously: beekeepers every year since 417-448-2560 there must be capped brood The varroa mite is today, 2006. There have been a num- present, there must be food and has been since the 1980’s, Webster— Bob Schul- ber of agents blamed for CCD stores present that are not being the most serious pest of honey theis 417-859-2044 including: malnutrition, patho- robbed by other bees, and the bees in the United States. Var- gens, immunodeficiencies, queen bee must be present in roa mites will attach to bees mites, fungus, pesticides, bee- the hive. If these conditions and feed on their hemolymph, keeping practices, electromag- are not met, it is not colony weakening the bee. netic radiation, or a combina- collapse disorder. The fact is Continued on page 2 PAGE 2 Varroa mites can Bees, Mites and CCD...continued be seen with the During this process the varroa The first step in using IPM to control entire lines of bees that are more re- mites will transmit a number of viruses varroa is to determine whether the popula- sistant to varroa mites. Russian bees as to the bees, including deformed wing tion of varroa mites warrants treatment well as VSH bees are available from unaided eye but virus. The open wound left by varroa (i.e. exceeds the economic threshold). most bee breeders across the country. mite feeding also makes the bee more University of Missouri Extension guide Keeping a colony of bees healthy beekeepers susceptible to a number of diseases. A G7600 Beekeeping Tips for Beginners is more difficult in the 21st century than weak, diseased colony will raise fewer describes two methods for determining the it has been at any other time in history. bees and store less honey for winter. level of mite infestation. This guide is Fortunately, the resources available to should rely on Varroa mite populations build quickly in available at every county extension office hobby beekeepers are greater than ever the spring and summer causing a bee in the state. These “mite checks” should before. The Missouri State Beekeepers one of the population crash and hive death from be performed monthly from March Association is an excellent source of late fall through early spring, about the through October. If mite levels exceed the expertise and assistance as are many of same time that most losses due to CCD economic threshold and honey supers are the local beekeeping associations found methods are reported. Every honey bee hive in not present, active controls such as throughout the state. Bee Culture is a Missouri has varroa mite and, unfortu- Apistan, Apivar, or Apiguard (thymol) can magazine geared specifically toward described in MU nately, the majority of hobby beekeep- be applied. small and hobby beekeepers. Penn State ers do nothing to control them. Many beekeepers are interested in Extension has a good online beekeeping A plastic strip impregnated with minimizing the use of pesticides in their course and many states have master Extension Guide fluvalinate (sold under the brand name hives and taking a more natural approach beekeeper programs and/or researchers Apistan) was found to be very effective to mite control. There are a number of dedicated entirely to studying honey G7600 in controlling varroa mites. Unfortu- strategies available that, when used bees. The United States Department of nately this product was used extensive- properly, can be very effective in keeping Agriculture has honey bee research ly, and often incorrectly, throughout the mite levels low. These strategies include laboratories in Maryland and Louisiana. Beekeeping Tips 1980’s and 1990’s resulting in a re- the use of drone cell foundation, screened If you are looking for information re- sistant population of varroa mites. A bottom boards, or powdered sugar dusting. garding honey bees and beekeeping, it is for Beginners to number of products containing couma- Ross Conrad’s book Natural Beekeeping out there. If you need assistance finding phos and thymol have been introduced goes into great detail on these and other it, contact your county extension office. since. These products have been shown strategies for controlling varroa mites. accurately to be effective but, like Apistan strips, This book is available for purchase from cannot be used when honey supers are any of the major beekeeping suppliers. present. In addition, research and prac- Taking advantage of honey bee genetics determine the tical experience have shown that bee- can also help with varroa mite. The Rus- keepers should not rely on a single prod- sian strain of honey bee has been shown to level of hive uct for mite treatment. Varroa mite be resistant to mite infestations. Research- control should be approached from an ers in the United States have also taken integrated pest management (IPM) advantage of a behavioral trait known as infestation. standpoint. varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH) to breed IPM shorts from around the state and other items of interest IPM Shorts Update- Food Safety Modernization Act Spotted wing drysophila has been found at Lin- Just after the April newsletter went to the coln University traps near St. Louis & Springfield. printer, the deadline for comments regard- Cucumber beetle numbers seem low this year. ing the proposed rule were extended into Last year I September. The date in April was an error. Reason? Last year’s drought or the heavy rains Figure 1: A encoun- this year are the best guesses. Also accompanying this newsletter tered a Detrimental herbicide drift from spraying on A publication from NC Cooperative Extension worker honey few grow- bee parasi- windy days seemed to be bad this year, or we on herbicide carryover in manure, hay, compost, ers in just received more reports of it. The rainy spring and grass clippings. A wide variety of incidences tized by a var- Clark and time constrained many spring farming activities. related to these type of highly persistent active Prairie roa mite Zucchini issues fruit set problems. Likely causes ingredients occurred over the years, including: Home who were growing winter crops are due to rainy conditions, either failure to polli- Commercially produced compost (2011 & in high tunnels.