2014 KSBA State Fair Honey Donations

Status Report for KY Beekeepers

240 jars donated to Commodity and Gov. Ham Breakfast

Basic Honey Facts

More than 300 varietals in the United StatesMore than 300 varietals in the United States Has 14 antioxidants Has 14 antioxidants Primarily glucose and fructose, which makes it Primarily glucose and fructose, which makes it

about 25% sweeter than refined sugarabout 25% sweeter than refined sugar Enzymes contribute to health properties of Enzymes contribute to health properties of

honey (caution: overheating will destroy)honey (caution: overheating will destroy) Antibacterial properties Antibacterial properties Flowers determine the color of the varietalFlowers determine the color of the varietal

Nectar bud, photo Don Coates

Partridge pea nectary, photo courtesy of Don Coats

Tapping the stem, Photo courtesy of Don Coates

Dandelions

Photo: dailymail.com

Different range of UV vision

U.S. Honey Market

U.S. consumes 400 million pounds every year, but produces 150 million pounds

U.S. imports 60% of honey from Argentina, Brazil, Canada

Importation standards have been lax in 20th century, but less so in 21st century

Globalization increases the role of uncontrolled antiobiotics, pesticides

At present, NO federal honey standards exist in the U.S.

Transhipments and Contaminated Honey

Largest Contamination Honey Case in US History,

2013

US and EU have Similar Problems

Random tests in EU in 2002 found Random tests in EU in 2002 found chloramphenocal and streptomycin in 10 chloramphenocal and streptomycin in 10 of 16 samplesof 16 samples

These chemicals are used by Chinese These chemicals are used by Chinese beekeepers to keep down bacterial beekeepers to keep down bacterial infectionsinfections

Both US and EU customs suffer from lack Both US and EU customs suffer from lack of reliable testing to ensure that illegal of reliable testing to ensure that illegal residues do not get into foodresidues do not get into food

Isotope Test

Developed in 1949 Tests the carbon 13 in honey and protein If honey is adulterated with sugar syrup,

test results will show more carbon 13 Upside: tests can be readily and cheaply

applied Downside: tests can be inaccurate; they

do not take into account “legitimate” honey differences such as sourwood honey (invertase counts are higher than normal)

KY State Apiarist Goals

Better documentation of hive health, Better documentation of hive health, beekeeper issues (pesticide kills, hive beekeeper issues (pesticide kills, hive losses, inspection records)losses, inspection records)

Better infrastructure between beekeepers Better infrastructure between beekeepers and markets, resulting in better prices for and markets, resulting in better prices for honeyhoney

Better solidify extension and education Better solidify extension and education efforts through conferences and workshopsefforts through conferences and workshops

Promote urban beekeepingPromote urban beekeeping

New Recs for Labels

Label defines country (or US states) of originLabel defines country (or US states) of origin Label defines mono-floral/poly-floral sourcesLabel defines mono-floral/poly-floral sources Label provides contact information Label provides contact information States discourage labels from including the word States discourage labels from including the word

“pure” honey“pure” honey Most states define honey as “the nectar of blossoms or Most states define honey as “the nectar of blossoms or

from secretions of plants.”from secretions of plants.” In KY, the word “honey” has to be the largest word on In KY, the word “honey” has to be the largest word on

the label the label

Kentucky

Currently, no honey standard nor any documentation of state beekeepers

KY Proud is a marketing board, not regulatory authority

Pollinator Habitat Law (2010) establishes honey bee as official agriculture insect

Pollinator Rights of Way Law (2010) establishes legislation for floral resources (Joel Schrader)

KSBA: loose confederation of beekeeper associations, working together to do better marketing

KSBA 2014 State Fair Honey Booth

Apprx. $45,000 in sales, 70% of Apprx. $45,000 in sales, 70% of which went back to KSBA-member which went back to KSBA-member beekeepersbeekeepers

Increased prices for honeyIncreased prices for honey Want to update categories for honey Want to update categories for honey

cookery, appeal to young cookery, appeal to young beekeepers, and increase honey beekeepers, and increase honey show entries across the stateshow entries across the state

Perry County Farm to School Farm to School event, Holliday event, Holliday Farms Farms •6 schools6 schools•300 students300 students•6 different 6 different stations of Ag-stations of Ag-themesthemes

Bernheim Forest Honey

Oxydendrum Arboretum: Sourwood Trees

Photo: www.secludedgarden.com

Blooms in JulyBlooms in July Bloom lasts Bloom lasts

until Oct.until Oct. Honey is Honey is

more more profitable profitable than other than other varietalsvarietals

Appalachian Appalachian nativenative

County Lb of Honey by Oct 1,2014 Total Colonies as of Oct 1, 2014

3000 220

88

Bourbon 3.5 4

Anderson 54.25 2

Bourbon 4.5 2

Garrard 11,935

Martin 2712.5

Oldham 400 10

Calloway 3000 800

Shelby 140 3

Shelby 12 2

LaRue 312 8

Meade 125 8

Mercer 590 12

Rockcastle 300 15

Madison 0 2

Madison 10 1

15000 250

Rockcastle 300 15

Madison 30 2

Madison 10 1

Madison 10.85 2

Madison 30 4

Floyd 103.075

250 5

30 4

15

Madison 42 30

Eastern KY 120 46

88

38715.675 1448

2014 KY Honey Pound Reports

Hive Counts and Losses

Assess geographic informationAssess geographic information Need to establish paper trails for Need to establish paper trails for

ELAPELAP Totals for 2014: 570 losses: 1440 active colonies

More info:

www.honey.com/about/about-nhbwww.honey.com/about/about-nhb http://www.buzzingacrossamerica.com/http://www.buzzingacrossamerica.com/ www.kystatebeekeeping.orgwww.kystatebeekeeping.org http://www.bluegrassbeekeepers.blogspot.com/ www.kyproud.com www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml KSBA Fall Meet, Bowling Green, Nov. 8thKSBA Fall Meet, Bowling Green, Nov. 8th http://honey.ucdavis.edu/news/2014/honey-flavor

-and-aroma-wheel-is-complete

Thank You!

KY State ApiaristKY State Apiarist

KY Dept of AGKY Dept of AG

109 Corporate Drive 109 Corporate Drive ComplexComplex

Frankfort, KY 40604Frankfort, KY 40604

502.229.2950502.229.2950

Tammy.horn@ky.govTammy.horn@ky.gov