In order to understand the necessity of the honeybee, one must know their function in the agricultural industry today. The process that agriculturalists must take to produce a quality crop would not be possible, in many cases, without the use of a pollinator, such as a honeybee. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), “U.S. honeybees pollinate about 100 flowering food crops… responsible for more than $15 billion in increased crop values each year” (Honey). This means that if the consumer wants anything from an almond to a zucchini, they most likely would not have that product available to them without the honeybee. Flowering plants need some way to transfer pollen from one flower to another in order for reproduction
…show more content…
Sudden colony loss has been recognized as far back as the late 19th century but has not been called CCD until more recently. Robyn M. Underwood, of Pennsylvania State University, states that the earliest recorded account of this is in 1869. The report blames “lack of pollen, poisonous honey, or a hot summer” to be the cause of the mysterious deaths (Underwood). One must be aware that colony loss is a normal annual occurrence in the industry. It is only when these losses are extremely high, as they were 2006-2011, that action must be taken. The lack of honeybees can cause a decrease in food production and a dramatic effect in food prices. A shortage of food produces a higher demand that cannot be met by the producers. It is commonly found that this disease seems to disappear within several years of its presence. However, in many cases, this is already too long for the beekeeper to stay in business. A large problem can arise here. Colonies can always be replaced, but it is necessary to have beekeepers that manage these colonies in order for the trade to survive. CCD can be one of the most devastating issues a beekeeper faces. This mysterious disease has proven its lethal effect on the world’s precious resource of honeybees time and time again with no end because of its strange allusiveness. With or without CCD present there is a nearly indisputable necessity …show more content…
In an effort to reduce the risk of CCD the beekeeper must do everything they can to keep their bees in good shape. Howland Blackiston, of Beekeeping for Dummies, says that one of the first steps in fending off CCD is “keeping colonies strong by practicing best management practices” (Blackiston). He later goes on to define this as managing levels of mites and other parasites as well as proving proper nutrition in times of insufficient natural sources. The key is giving the bees the tools to thrive in the environment that has been created for them, by properly applying antibiotics, or appropriate treatments, and replacing old comb to prevent possible disease. A beekeeper must closely monitor the status of their hives in all the aspects. If this is done properly and precautions are taken CCD can be managed to a point where it can be much more locally occurring. This meaning that there is less likelihood of it spreading to other hives. Without the proactive effort of beekeepers CCD could never be
Sudden colony loss has been recognized as far back as the late 19th century but has not been called CCD until more recently. Robyn M. Underwood, of Pennsylvania State University, states that the earliest recorded account of this is in 1869. The report blames “lack of pollen, poisonous honey, or a hot summer” to be the cause of the mysterious deaths (Underwood). One must be aware that colony loss is a normal annual occurrence in the industry. It is only when these losses are extremely high, as they were 2006-2011, that action must be taken. The lack of honeybees can cause a decrease in food production and a dramatic effect in food prices. A shortage of food produces a higher demand that cannot be met by the producers. It is commonly found that this disease seems to disappear within several years of its presence. However, in many cases, this is already too long for the beekeeper to stay in business. A large problem can arise here. Colonies can always be replaced, but it is necessary to have beekeepers that manage these colonies in order for the trade to survive. CCD can be one of the most devastating issues a beekeeper faces. This mysterious disease has proven its lethal effect on the world’s precious resource of honeybees time and time again with no end because of its strange allusiveness. With or without CCD present there is a nearly indisputable necessity …show more content…
In an effort to reduce the risk of CCD the beekeeper must do everything they can to keep their bees in good shape. Howland Blackiston, of Beekeeping for Dummies, says that one of the first steps in fending off CCD is “keeping colonies strong by practicing best management practices” (Blackiston). He later goes on to define this as managing levels of mites and other parasites as well as proving proper nutrition in times of insufficient natural sources. The key is giving the bees the tools to thrive in the environment that has been created for them, by properly applying antibiotics, or appropriate treatments, and replacing old comb to prevent possible disease. A beekeeper must closely monitor the status of their hives in all the aspects. If this is done properly and precautions are taken CCD can be managed to a point where it can be much more locally occurring. This meaning that there is less likelihood of it spreading to other hives. Without the proactive effort of beekeepers CCD could never be