Weird weather has affected many things in 2012. One cause for concern could be food shortages. Wheat crops have been depleted with obvious effects. In the UK drought followed by torrential rain over the Summer hit crops hard. Fresh fruits and vegetables will be less abundant and so more costly. Now it seems the British weather of Summer 2012 has reduced honey stocks.
British Beekeepers have experienced amassive drop in honey production this year. Compared to 2011 stocks are down by 72%. Information on the poor production of honey this year has been gathered from survey information. Each year the British Beekeepers Association contacts bee prodcuers and assesses the information. Today October 30 the BBKA has issued a press release of their findings. It can be found here.
In general the culprit for the poor honey yield is cold, wet weather. It has been an extremely wet summer in many parts of the UK. Temperatures stayed down and the conditions persisted for weeks or months. The 2012 survey includes these key ponts:
• Average annual honey crop per hive down by 72 per cent compared to 2011
• Just eight pounds of honey produced per hive, compared to annual average of 30 pounds
• Unprecedented mid-summer starvation warning issued by the BBKA to keep honey bees alive
• Rain and cold weather cited by 88 per cent of beekeepers as main factors affecting poor honey supplies
• Poor summer may have longer term detrimental impact with new queens unable to produce sufficient
brood to see colonies through to next year
People need Bees. They provide essential work on pollenating plants. Without them mankind could probably take over these days by artificial means but it would be extremely costly and time consuming. Better to protect Bees and ensure our future.
It is not just that lovely sweet syrup that is honey which could be in danger.
British Beekeepers have experienced amassive drop in honey production this year. Compared to 2011 stocks are down by 72%. Information on the poor production of honey this year has been gathered from survey information. Each year the British Beekeepers Association contacts bee prodcuers and assesses the information. Today October 30 the BBKA has issued a press release of their findings. It can be found here.
In general the culprit for the poor honey yield is cold, wet weather. It has been an extremely wet summer in many parts of the UK. Temperatures stayed down and the conditions persisted for weeks or months. The 2012 survey includes these key ponts:
• Average annual honey crop per hive down by 72 per cent compared to 2011
• Just eight pounds of honey produced per hive, compared to annual average of 30 pounds
• Unprecedented mid-summer starvation warning issued by the BBKA to keep honey bees alive
• Rain and cold weather cited by 88 per cent of beekeepers as main factors affecting poor honey supplies
• Poor summer may have longer term detrimental impact with new queens unable to produce sufficient
brood to see colonies through to next year
People need Bees. They provide essential work on pollenating plants. Without them mankind could probably take over these days by artificial means but it would be extremely costly and time consuming. Better to protect Bees and ensure our future.
It is not just that lovely sweet syrup that is honey which could be in danger.
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