Project Overview
FNE04-504
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2004: $10,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2004
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $18,972.00
Region: Northeast
State: Pennsylvania
Project Leader:
Craig Cella
Craig A. Cella
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Agronomic: soybeans, sunflower, hay
- Fruits: apples, berries (other), berries (strawberries)
- Additional Plants: herbs, trees
- Animals: bees
Practices
- Animal Production: parasite control, feed/forage
- Crop Production: application rate management, tissue analysis
- Education and Training: demonstration, extension, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research
- Farm Business Management: budgets/cost and returns, feasibility study, value added
- Pest Management: chemical control, sanitation
- Production Systems: general crop production
- Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities, urban agriculture, sustainability measures
Proposal summary:
The largest problems facing beekeepers are disease, overwintering survival, and swarm control. Residues of antibiotics and pesticides in old combs are becoming more evident and may be contributing to some of these problems. This project will investigate if colonies that are provided with new foundation are more productive that bees maintained on old comb. Outreach will be through presentations and publications.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.