Reflet_2014_06_05

 ŏđŏ 

editionap.ca

Bee losses high in Prescott-Russell and the area CANDICE VETTER candice.vetter@eap.on.ca

selves on it and remove the mites. Some studies suggest that CCD starts with exposure to neocotinoid pesticides and ends with Varroa. CCD colonies in the USA that were found dead (many just disap- pear) appeared to have complete immune system failure, resulting in infectious fungi, mites and diseases. About 10 years ago, neocotinoid pesticides were introduced and shortly afterwards CCD was first no- ticed. Most pesticides (neurotoxin insecticides and many herbicides) are poisonous to bees, and the recent increase in the num- ber of large fields that are almost weed-free stresses and exhausts pollinating insects. Farm use of products like BT corn and RR soybeans produce very clean crops—good for cash-crop yields, but bad for domestic bees and for wild pollinators. Recent deforestation, including removal of buffer zones and trees along windbreaks and drainage ditches, as well as reduced pasture and hayfields, also make it harder for bees to find food, shelter and water. Bees require fresh water, says Roderick, and it should be from fresh natural sources, not chlorinated and not salt. He also suggests that landowners and municipalities do not cut fields and ditches until after the flowers have finished blooming. Beekeepers have pointed to other prac- tices which could change, such as the spraying that took place along provincial highways last year before the ditches were mowed, leaving sprayed flowers standing

Honey bees in Prescott and Russell and the area have suffered a sudden decline say local apiarists, indicating that the re- gion has been hit by a rash of factors that have negative effects on bees, including possible Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). A brief query sent to the Eastern Ontario Beekeepers Association prompted a flood of answers. Most beekeepers in the United Counties of Prescott-Russell, the City of Ottawa, and the areas west and south of Ottawa had large losses last year, some as much as 100 per cent. Russell apiarist Lynne Arcand had lost 20 of her 24 hives by last October and the remaining four hives died over the winter. Pegi Holtz, who keeps bees near Yorks Cor- ners Road, lost her hives. Beekeepers near Dalkeith, Richmond, Dunvegan and Max- ville also reported record losses—some saying they just had a handful of living bees left. Asked what they thought had caused such large negative impacts to their bees (and their businesses) answers were simi- lar. The Varroa Mite has been a problem for years, but all the beekeepers interviewed had treated their hives for mites in the fall as usual. Peter Roderick, of Embrun, suggested adding a grease patty to a hive helps with Varroa because the bees will clean them-

Photo Candice Vetter

Lynne Arcand, owner of Arc en Miel, of Russell, is shown here at last winter’s Living Locally Fair selling honey produced from her hives on Eadie Road. Throughout the late fall she had 20 of her 24 hives die, and over the winter the remaining four hives have also died. She has had to replace all her bees, and her story appears to be typical of apiarists in the area.

briefly. Spray drift from farming, housing development and municipal applications can harm bees as far as nine kilometers away. Another potential bee killer is solar panels. Bees will land for a drink of dew or rainwater and end up buzzing themselves to death on the shiny surface. Beekeepers also suggest leaving wild

places wild. Although many practices that potentially harm bees are said to be good for food crop production or the economy, a Dalkeith beekeeper says, “We need to re- duce pesticides, reduce clear cutting. Or if the bees die we’ll reduce the food we can put on our tables.”

www.sanimax.ca info@sanimax.com

www.sanimax.com info@sanimax.com

RÉCUPÉRATION D’ANIMAUX À LA FERME EN VIGUEUR DÈS LE 26 MAI 2014

ON-THE-FARM DEADSTOCK COLLECTION EFFECTIVE MAY 26, 2014

DU NOUVEAU DANS VOTRE RÉGION : Comme vous le savez sans doute, Sanimax et Machabee Farm Recycling & Trucking Inc. se sont associés et vous offrent depuis le mois d’avril le service de récupération d’animaux morts à la ferme. Dans le but de promouvoir la récupération des animaux morts à la ferme, c’est avec plaisir que Sanimax vous offre sa nouvelle promotion pour la récupération des bovins : POUR LA RÉCUPÉRATION D’UN BOVIN DE PLUS DE 400 KG. UN RABAIS DE PRÈS DE 25 % 94,95 $

NEW TO YOUR AREA! As you probably know, Sanimax and Machabee Farm Recycling & Trucking Inc. have partnered and have been offering on-the-farm deadstock collection services since April. To promote our on-the-farm deadstock collection, Sanimax is pleased to offer a new promotion for the collection of cows:

$94 95 A SAVING OF ALMOST

$94.95 for the collection of a cow weighing more than 400kg, a saving of almost 25% If a calf is collected with a cow weighing more than 400kg , no transportation or processing fee will be charged for the calf.

UN RABAIS DE PRÈS DE

N.B. Si un veau est récupéré en même temps qu’un bovin de plus de 400 kg , aucun frais de transport ou de traitement ne vous seront facturés.

DE PLUS, POUR LES VEAUX Tarif de récupération pour 1 veau : 34,90 $

PLUS, FOR CALVES Collection for 1 calf: $34.90 Collection for 2 or more calves: $59.90 Note: All fees are subject to applicable taxes. Important: This fee will not apply to producers who have a large or unusual number of calves picked up.

Tarif de récupération pour 2 veaux et plus : 59,90 $ Note : Les taxes applicables s’ajoutent à tous ces tarifs. Important : Les producteurs faisant récupérer des amas ou des quantités inhabituelles de veaux ne pourront pas bénéficier de ce tarif.

Promotion pour Ontario seulement

Promotion for Ontario only

Vous receverez sous peu tous les détails de nos promotions par la poste. Pour en savoir plus sur nos autres services de récupération, communiquez avec notre service à la clientèle au 1.800.267.7178 .

Details of this promotion will be mailed to you shortly. To learn more about our other collection services, contact our customer service at 1.800.267.7178.

Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker