A Time of Reflection

This season often provides time for reflection on the year we are leaving behind and visions of what we hope to see and accomplish in the year ahead. The Bee Informed Partnership continues to grow, and we are slowly but methodically checking off items that have been on our “to do” list for a long time. We are hiring a Technical Transfer Team (TTT) coordinator soon to manage and bring increased value to our TTT services, products and help reach more beekeepers, we have a new team in Michigan and our current teams, especially in Texas, are growing. One of our larger goals this year is to sit down this fall with each and every one of our commercial beekeepers in an operational review. These reviews are a one on one chat about what is going right, what isn’t, what goals that operation has and how BIP can help him or her get there. We are excited to do this, and early indications are that the beekeepers are finding this valuable too. Furthermore, we had the opportunity to gather a few team members in early fall to work through different revenue models and are delighted to unveil a new model for 2018 that will allow more beekeepers to join our TTTs, optimize the number of samples in the field for beekeepers, and best utilize our TTTs and lab staff.
 
As we sit around tables with family and friends this holiday season, we are grateful to work with so many wonderful beekeepers, organizations, and industry groups. We are making a difference each and every day.

Thank you from all of us.

​Varroa Averages -- looking back and worried about the new year
The fall is a critical time for bees and this is when we keep our eyes glued to the results coming from our lab for the APHIS National Survey. Below you can see that 2017-2018 is shaping up to be a challenging year for bees across the US. Pay attention to the vertical axis. Yes, samples in October were nearing an average of 8 mites/100 bees in October. Anything above 5 mites/100 bees in September we consider damaged (possibly irreparably) even if you treat.

Karen Rennich, Executive Director
The Bee Informed Partnership 

krennich@umd.edu
www.beeinformed.org 
www.bip2.beeinformed.org