Thursday, May 29, 2008

"Persistent loss of bees having sour effect on economy"

Adapted from: The San Antonio EXPRESS - NEWS, Sunday, May 18, 2008. By Sara Inés Calderón.

"David Roy Park began finding empty hives when his bees should have been in the winter of 2006.

"In a matter of months, he went from 4,000 hives to 1,600."

As he tells us:

"You go to the bee yard and open the hive and there's just no bees in it."

A man with a lot of experience!

"Park [is] a fourth - generation beekeeper who runs Cold River Apiaries in Moore, in Frio County."

He thoughtfully comments, "We started losing bees left and right for no reason that we could figure out; they just disappeared."

Then, the economics!

"Park charges farmers around $150.00 per hive for pollination services, so losing 1,000 hives is a big deal, translating to a $150,000 loss in revenue at every farm he works each year.

"[Park's] operation produces honey, but [as we've read above!] makes most of its profit as a crop pollinator, ranging from almonds in California to cantaloupes in West Texas and cucumbers in South Texas."

So, like maybe the researchers can help us! 'Cause as Park says:

"I hope the researchers get this thing figured out because we really need some help.

"Everywhere I go now people ask how the bees are doing."

Well, here in Brackettville, Soutwest Texas, at least, they seem to be doing fine, thank you!

As my own little squash and cucumber patch can attest!

You bet....

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