From NMBKA…
NMBKA Members, We need your assistance! Participation in this project is extremely important for the heath of our honey bee colonies. Later this month field specialists from Bee Informed Partnership will be conducting the sampling for the National Honey Bee Survey (NHBS) in New Mexico, one of 40 states that are participating for the 2022-2023 year. They would like to connect with beekeepers that may be interested in participating in the National Honey Bee Survey this year. Servicing New Mexico this year is Matt Hoepfinger (UC-Davis) and Dan Wyns (Michigan State University). Both are highly skilled bee disease experts. The sampling requires apiaries of at least 8 colonies and can be 1 or 2 apiaries per beekeeper (if they are greater than 5 miles apart). They are looking for larger hobbyists on up through commercial operations. Within an apiary, colonies are inspected for visual signs of disease/parasites/pests and samples are taken for varroa, nosema and viruses. Some apiaries may also have bee bread or wax samples taken for pesticide analysis. This is a Farm Bill funded project so there is no cost to the beekeeper and sampling an apiary typically takes 1-1.5 hours. To find out more info, please check out our website: https://ushoneybeehealthsurvey.info/ More information on the NHBS program and protocols is available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-disease-programs/honey-bees/survey<https://ehafjbi.r.bh.d.sendibt3.com/tr/cl/1lO_Su_IDbNB4GPP7u-v4ai4r6xDwNaa8BWAVyt-6WYcR1MFHtw3uZSK3Xi0sBkULNHOJIrvjbeFd1XzzV8mL83ATnyOYyNdDSIpqh8Kj6TglRoUpdIvzHJLfqzcIk_vT4h1zk29FWU-ahPYB7z7_-k46B2zN9MdMVm2ZluHVMphTxFUhXKmVLK0PArV-EfsWagOzwIgF85Ys5MrZMGbsyvUPFtsw5Q-pEgVb_je7CMnLfZ7-fyvtn5ySMZwzS-LWYTyE-F5vxGXr6xbrV8q8Ss4K3ikDEOtEBOmdmZpUApE9p-_PRex9SfZqDzG5q5k9OAOD4ihmefb0Ngkc3-8hUSkl8c> They are still putting together a schedule, but anticipate sampling in central/southern NM during October and returning in the spring for further sampling including the northern part of the state. Want to participate? Please contact the coordinator: Rachel Fahey Coordinator USDA APHIS USDA Email: faheybrl@umd.edu<mailto:faheybrl@umd.edu> Phone: +1 (443) 786-3219 If you have any questions or have difficulty connecting with Rachel, please contact me. Bee Unique. Bob Reneau President New Mexico Beekeepers Association president@nmbeekeepers.org<mailto:president@nmbeekeepers.org>