A Note From the President by Rich Farrier

Willamette Valley Beekeepers Association Established in 1967.

Our next meeting is coming up on the 22nd of February at 7:00 pm.  We have planned a you tube  presentation from Randy Oliver.  Randy talks about rotation of mite treatments, using acids, and using synthetic pesticides sparingly.  We will also have a presentation on spring management of your bees.  For anyone looking to buy packages of honeybees, Mike is going to attend the meeting a take orders.  These packages will be made up from local bees.

It sounds like so far our members have faired very well this winter with their hives.  After talking to members at the last meeting, colony losses seem to be very low.  Obviously, there are some exceptions.  Congratulations to Steven Coffman for only an 8% loss.

WVBA Bee School is almost over.  There has been a good turn out of students who are anxious to get some bees.  Hopefully they have learned a lot.  Thanks to Laura Evans and Anna Ashby for their help during Bee School.  Bee Day will be on Saturday April 16, 2016 at 9:00 am.  It will be held at Steven Coffman’s farm.

Many thanks to those who donated door prizes for the January meeting.  I intended to keep track of each individual that donated, however so many brought something that I couldn’t keep up with it.  You know who you are.  Thank you!

If you are wishing to purchase items from Ruhl Bee Supply, Adriana (who works at Ruhl’s) will bring your order to our regular meetings and you still get your 10% discount.  Adriana is now a member of WVBA.

There have been numerous hives stolen from the almonds in California.  Unfortunately hundreds  of hives have been taken over the last few weeks maybe even a thousand or more by now.  What is sad, is that they believe it is beekeepers stealing the hives.  Hive rental has been around $200.

Dewey Caron is going to be our speaker in March.

Cheers, Rich