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 States More than 300 varietals in the United States Has 14 antioxidants Has 14 antioxidants Primarily glucose and fructose, which makes it about 25% sweeter than refined sugar Primarily glucose and fructose, which makes it about 25% sweeter than refined sugar Enzymes contribute to health properties of honey (caution: overheating will destroy) Enzymes contribute to health properties of honey (caution: overheating will destroy) Antibacterial properties Antibacterial properties Flowers determine the color of the varietal Flowers 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 20 th century, but less so in 21 st 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 chloramphenocal and streptomycin in 10 of 16 samples Random tests in EU in 2002 found chloramphenocal and streptomycin in 10 of 16 samples These chemicals are used by Chinese beekeepers to keep down bacterial infections These chemicals are used by Chinese beekeepers to keep down bacterial infections Both US and EU customs suffer from lack of reliable testing to ensure that illegal residues do not get into food Both US and EU customs suffer from lack of reliable testing to ensure that illegal residues 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, beekeeper issues (pesticide kills, hive losses, inspection records) Better documentation of hive health, beekeeper issues (pesticide kills, hive losses, inspection records) Better infrastructure between beekeepers and markets, resulting in better prices for honey Better infrastructure between beekeepers and markets, resulting in better prices for honey Better solidify extension and education efforts through conferences and workshops Better solidify extension and education efforts through conferences and workshops Promote urban beekeeping Promote urban beekeeping

New Recs for Labels  Label defines country (or US states) of origin  Label defines mono-floral/poly-floral sources  Label provides contact information  States discourage labels from including the word “pure” honey  Most states define honey as “the nectar of blossoms or from secretions of plants.”  In KY, the word “honey” has to be the largest word on 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 which went back to KSBA-member beekeepers Apprx. $45,000 in sales, 70% of which went back to KSBA-member beekeepers Increased prices for honey Increased prices for honey Want to update categories for honey cookery, appeal to young beekeepers, and increase honey show entries across the state Want to update categories for honey cookery, appeal to young beekeepers, and increase honey show entries across the state

Perry County Farm to School event, Holliday Farms 6 schools 6 schools 300 students 300 students 6 different stations of Ag- themes 6 different stations of Ag- themes

Bernheim Forest Honey

Oxydendrum Arboretum: Sourwood Trees

Photo: Blooms in July Blooms in July Bloom lasts until Oct. Bloom lasts until Oct. Honey is more profitable than other varietals Honey is more profitable than other varietals Appalachian native Appalachian native

CountyLb of Honey by Oct 1,2014Total Colonies as of Oct 1, Bourbon3.54 Anderson Bourbon4.52 Garrard11,935 Martin Oldham40010 Calloway Shelby1403 Shelby122 LaRue3128 Meade1258 Mercer59012 Rockcastle30015 Madison Rockcastle30015 Madison302 Madison101 Madison Madison304 Floyd Madison4230 Eastern KY KY Honey Pound Reports

Hive Counts and Losses Assess geographic information Assess geographic information Need to establish paper trails for ELAP Need to establish paper trails for ELAP Totals for 2014: 570 losses: 1440 active colonies

More info: KSBA Fall Meet, Bowling Green, Nov. 8th KSBA Fall Meet, Bowling Green, Nov. 8th aroma-wheel-is-complete aroma-wheel-is-complete aroma-wheel-is-complete aroma-wheel-is-complete

Thank You! KY State Apiarist KY Dept of AG 109 Corporate Drive Complex Frankfort, KY