killer bees
We still have some wild bees that apparently haven't interbred yet. We were all sharing the same leaky water hose this summer and no one objected. However, we also have some that I believe have requeened with killer bee queens. When they swarm, I usually like to go observe them. They have a particular set of trees they hide their queen in until they can locate a new hive. I always wondered if I just put up a hive 'they will come'? Anyhow, last couple of years when their swarm occurred, the scouts were VERY aggressive. I wasn't anywhere close and they were buzzing me and making rather loud, agitated sounds, zippy, darting movements. I didn't linger to test my theory! I watched a documentary on Discovery or PBS channel some years back on them. Said the queen's mating flight occurs a day or so earlier than the domestic bee, so chances of the hive becoming Africanized is good, if there are any in the area at all. They do produce less honey but are stronger pollinators than the domestics with less disease problems in the hives. But, working them is extremely tricky. People have found that if they wear a complete suit covering, including a 15 - 20 foot plastic breathing tube to expel breaths well away from the hive, the bees remain relatively calm. In the same film, they also viciously attacked a stuffed toy dog so I don't know exactly how well the breath - theory works in practice. Texas AM put up bee boxes all around our areas trying to determine the extent of infiltration. I noticed they've either abandoned them or taken them down so I expect they have concluded that we now have them in the wild.
Re: Copper Sulfate
hey, an unrequieted answer, going through old mails... Get some copper dust and zinc dust, the metal filings, place on a large log, end grain, and beat with a hammer, early morning is best. Place filings in your stirring barrel when stiring bc, 500, 501 or 508, this will bring in the desired influence in the proper way...sstorch
Re: NM Sustainable Ag Conference update
Hi Hugh, Hope you enjoy Hawaii, it's on my must visit list. I'm the gal doing everything, so it's me that everything is sent to. Next week I was sending out the directions to the location for the conference, but if you want them sooner, no problem. You might want to get here Friday afternoon January 24th.The setup for booths needs to be done by 7:50 am Saturday.The community center will be open 5:30 am, facilitating setup. Hot drinks and morning munchies will be available at no cost for conference participants. The tables being used will all be set up Friday night, making life easier for folks with booths. I can send you a list of local motels or can find a friend for you to stay with. Have an outstanding day, Pat I do need a short bio, will take care of everything else though. Pat, How is this? Hugh Lovel, 55, started farming organically 27 years ago. There were no organic research programs near him so he set his farm up as an experiment station. Soon he was researching biodynamic methods. With a background in physics, chemistry and microbiology, to say nothing of philosophy, religion and psychology, he has many interesting stories and insights to share, including insights concerning why droughts occur and how to remedy them. He claims not to have used his irrigation in the past 8 years, 5 or which were drought years in his area. Visit our website at: www.unionag.org
Three Kings Prep
I have sprayed 501 once and used 508 a couple of times in the past year, but never done sequential spraying of all the preps. Should I wait until next year to do the Three Kings spraying? Best, Merla
Re: Copper Sulfate
Place filings in your stirring barrel when stiring bc, 500, 501 or 508, this will bring in the desired influence in the proper way Steve - sorry to be dim, but do you mean place the log end into the stirring barrel (maybe actually stir with the log) or add similar filings themselves - in which case, what exactly do you do with the log ? Tony NS. _ MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
Re: Three Kings Prep
I have sprayed 501 once and used 508 a couple of times in the past year, but never done sequential spraying of all the preps. Should I wait until next year to do the Three Kings spraying? Best, Merla Merla - No barrel compost? No BD compost? No 500? I'm not expert on Three Kings Prep, but I would think if you've done any of the above in the past year, you've got a good base coat. Otherwise, I would think that you could grab the opportunity today, let the elementals feast on your good vibes for the next couple of days until you can get some BD and get it down. I'm just guessing, of course. Courtney would be my recommended source for the real poop, but Woody may be helpful, also. thanks -Allan
Re: Three Kings Prep
I have sprayed 501 once and used 508 a couple of times in the past year, but never done sequential spraying of all the preps. Should I wait until next year to do the Three Kings spraying? Best, Merla Wow! Thanks for your note earlier, Merla! I was all geared up to spray 3 Kings today, hence my remarks to you earlier about the preps. Spraying is done on Epiphany (Jan 6) You should have plenty of time to get down some 'food for the elementals' as Courtney suggests in the piece I forwarded to the list earlier. Courtney calls for all 9 of the BD preps to be used on the enclosed area. IMHO, that means BD compost or barrel compost + BD500 and BD501. I think you want to follow Courtney's admonitions or not use the spray at all. To do otherwise, of course, he calls 'tatamount to another betrayal,' which is the last thing you want to achieve. -Allan
Re: killer bees in Coffee
Coffee is considered self pollinating, however, field observations and studies have shown that bees increase cherry set. This interaction is well known. But, in Hawaii, our coffee is pollinated by NON KILLER bees. So I still find it upsetting to have another introduced species take over a "native" population of animals. On the other hand, this is making lemon meringue out of lemons. Im glad the killer bees are helping the coffee farmers outside of the US. Now, if we can get the millions of metric tons of junk, conventional, trash coffee off the world market maybe there would be a little room for the ecologically raised coffee. Consumers need to know more about coffee and just how poor the general quality is and the pain it takes to raise it under conventional conditions. Oddly, coffee is by far the largest, and most political, organic crop in the world...by far. It would help if somehow about 5 cents per cup could be recycled back to the coffee farmers of south America for schools, medicine and education for their children.
Re: Copper Sulfate
In a message dated 1/1/03 11:57:40 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Steve - sorry to be dim, but do you mean place the log end into the stirring barrel (maybe actually stir with the log) or add similar filings themselves - in which case, what exactly do you do with the log ? Tony NS. place the filings on top of the log and beat them with a hammer to align their charge as with a magnet. Scoop up the filings and put them in the stirring vessel and stir... leave the log where it is, maybe you should st on it while stirring...sstorch
Re: Three Kings Prep
Merla: One way to get all the preps on the land is the way you've planned: make your own BD 500 and BC, make your own BD prepped compost, wait until it's all ready, then spray. THEN your intentions are manifested, the ground is enlivened, the Nature Spirits are happily fed, and you can apply the icing to the cake with Three Kings. Not, by all accounts, before that. Woody Aurora Farm. the only unsubsidized, family-run seed farm in North America offering garden seeds grown using Rudolf Steiner's methods of spiritual agriculture. http://www.kootenay.com/~aurora -Original Message- From: Merla Barberie [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: BD Now [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 8:24 AM Subject: Three Kings Prep I have sprayed 501 once and used 508 a couple of times in the past year, but never done sequential spraying of all the preps. Should I wait until next year to do the Three Kings spraying? Best, Merla
Re: Three Kings Prep
Merla: One way to get all the preps on the land is the way you've planned: make your own BD 500 and BC, make your own BD prepped compost, wait until it's all ready, then spray. THEN your intentions are manifested, the ground is enlivened, the Nature Spirits are happily fed, and you can apply the icing to the cake with Three Kings. Not, by all accounts, before that. Woody Thanks for this info, Woody. I don't know much about this prep, other than the write-ups that have been posted to here in the past few weeks. Is it appropriate to use this prep at times other than Epiphany? =Allan
Re: source of nettle seeds
I am interested to know how well the seeded nettles grow. a bd grower in Germany told me that he tried to grow nettles from seed for nettle tea production and increase the a amount of nettles available for his own use. He tried several times, but failed, while in some areas of his property they grew very well. He said to me that he believed, nettles grow best naturally and are very difficult to produce 'artificially'. Christiane
Shoppers Believe Organic Foods Are Healthier,But Are Confused About Genetically Modified Foods
American Shoppers Believe Organic Foods Are Healthier, But They Are Confused About Genetically Modified Foods, According to Shopping for Health 2002Washington, DC December 16, 2002 More than 60 percent of American shoppers believe that organic foods are better for their health, according to a study released today by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Prevention magazine. The report, Shopping for Health 2002: Self-Care Perspectives, Volume 2: Organic Foods and Genetically Modified Foods, also finds that consumers remain confused about genetically modified foods. The report is the second in a three-volume series exploring how dietary concerns influence U.S. shopper purchasing habits. Although more shoppers purchased organic foods in 2002 than ever before, particularly organic fruits and vegetables, less than 40 percent purchased the organic version of their favorite foods, possibly due to the high costs of these products. The survey reveals that an increasing number of shoppers are buying organic fruits and vegetables because they feel they are better for you, said Martha Schumacher, research manager for Prevention. But something is keeping them from purchasing the organic versions of other foods. Our findings suggest that price may be the leading reason. With the new organic labeling standards, shoppers will better understand what theyre buying. The proliferation of organic foods should help bring prices down to competitive levels. Food retailers are increasingly incorporating organic sales into their whole health marketing strategies as more consumers include organic products in their dietary plan, adds Janice Jones, FMI director of research. As competition in this area increases, consumers will find broader product selection and prices that are more comparable to nonorganics. Health Concerns Drive Organic Sales A majority of U.S. shoppers, 61 percent, feel organic foods are better for their health. In fact, well over half, 57 percent, have bought organic foods in the past six months or have used them to help maintain their health, up from 50 percent in 2001. Organic fruits and vegetables are the most popular products, with 38 percent having bought them in the past six months and 20 percent likely to do so in the future. Also popular are organic cereals/breads/pastas, purchased by 27 percent of shoppers, and organic dairy products, purchased by 26 percent of shoppers. More than 7 out of 10 organic buyers, 72 percent, purchase organic foods at their regular grocery stores, and 55 percent purchase at their local farmers market. Geographic differences also play a role in shoppers use of organic foods to maintain their health. Shoppers from the Northwest and the West are more likely to buy organic foods for health maintenance than those living in the Midwest. More than one-third from the West (38 percent) and the Northeast (35 percent) say they personally use organic foods to maintain their health. Fewer shoppers living in the Midwest (26 percent) say this is true, while more Southern shoppers (31 percent) use these foods for health maintenance. Genetically Modified Foods Generate Confusion American shoppers are divided and confused on the issue of genetically modified foods, according to the report. Asked generally whether such foods are acceptable, 37 percent agree while 46 percent disagree. However, if as in last years survey the purposes for genetic modification are included (such as raising crops that are resistant to pests or less costly to grow), acceptance among shoppers increases to between 60 and 70 percent. Despite these acceptance rates, 65 percent still feel that scientists dont know enough yet to control the effects of genetic engineering, and 60 percent would like to know if the foods they eat have genetically modified components. Younger shoppers tend to be more positively inclined toward genetically modified foods, with 45 percent of generation X and Y shoppers finding these products acceptable, compared with 37 percent of baby boomers and 29 percent of matures. From: http://www.fmi.org/media/mediatext.cfm?id=475
nettle seeds
Mine had to have come from a direct seed source. I never had them until about 5 years ago. At that time I was raising some exotic finches and other birds. I'd moved the cages to a row run shed behind the house, and the following season, I was seeing strange weeds in the goat fields next door. Some of the hard seed that are in small birdseed mix are thistles, rape, and a whole host of other things I can't remember (canary grass, etc.) This would have either been something the birds didn't eat, or the percentage of clean seed mixes that are actually wild seeds. Before I joined BDNOW, I was always cussing my nettles in the early spring. Now I've learned that, in all things, there is balance, even the lowly nettle.
Re: nettles soil conditions
I am interested to know how well the seeded nettles grow. a bd grower in Germany told me that he tried to grow nettles from seed for nettle tea production and increase the amount of nettles available for his own use. He tried several times, but failed, while in some areas of his property they grew very well. He said to me that he believed, nettles grow best naturally and are very difficult to produce 'artificially'. Christiane Hi Christiane Maybe this is worth a try - Sheep manure !! - everywhere we put the stuff nettles spring up as if by magic and they wont go away for years - this is the annual nettle - but I believe all nettles are a soil condition plant and very responsive / sensitive to available iron in the soil - and this should apply to the BD nettle as well? This is such a dramatic effect that no farmer in his right mind around here would use sheep manure in the garden because of the nettles that would grow. However you can overcome that by putting molasses out with the sheep dung - iron again! I dont believe this has anything to do with the amount of seed around cause I never saw a sheep graze stinging nettles and they dont grow in our pastures - at all! But put out some sheep manure and I guarantee you will have wall to wall nettles in this neck of the woods. My guess is that the manure causes a serious tie up of available iron that the nettles then set about to repair - put iron out via molasses and the need for that disappears - hence the nettles dont grow - it makes a quite spectacular experiment! Cheers Lloyd Charles
Fw: Anionic water
Dear Hugh L., I had been waiting to see if you would comment on the efficacy/validity of the prill-water as in Richards message below. Based on the Prill chemical explanation is it convincing enough to you? Would you recommend it? Or do you now have more recent info on the Japanese version of water purification? Thanks,.manfred - Original Message - From: Richard Kalin [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2002 10:07 AM Subject: Re: Anionic water Sounds a lot like Prill water http://www.thewolfeclinic.com/prillbeads.html - Original Message - From: Hugh Lovel [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2002 12:48 AM Subject: Anionic water Now a Japanese scientist by the name of Okumura has discovered a new process involving crumbs of specially treated magnesium that restructure water molecules so that some of the hydrogen, the most fundamental of all cations, bubbles off rending the water left behind as much as a thousand times more anionic. The magnesium crumbs are marketed in the form of a small, inexpensive stick that can be placed in a water container and shaken so that anionic water is produced. This is something I think many people will enjoy trying. --HL Visit our website at: www.unionag.org
Re: source of nettle seeds
Best way I know to spread nettles is by roostock. Here in BC, it grows like a weed with no or little help. Michael - Original Message - From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, January 01, 2003 3:22 PM Subject: Re: source of nettle seeds I am interested to know how well the seeded nettles grow. a bd grower in Germany told me that he tried to grow nettles from seed for nettle tea production and increase the a amount of nettles available for his own use. He tried several times, but failed, while in some areas of his property they grew very well. He said to me that he believed, nettles grow best naturally and are very difficult to produce 'artificially'. Christiane
Re: nettle seeds
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: At that time I was raising some exotic finches and other birds. I'd moved the cages to a row run shed behind the house, and the following season, I was seeing strange weeds in the goat fields next door. It could be that the manure from the cages is altering to soil to one suited to the nettles and the seed was there any way, but not finding the right conditions, did not sprout. Gil
Re: source of nettle seeds
Hi! Christiane. In the natural order of things, in countries like Oz, nettles grow on land, over manured by sheep, cows, horses etc, not native animals. They tend to grow around sheep yards and the drains of milking sheds etc. They are deep rooted and bring useful minerals from the lower levels and make good compost, both liquid and in the normal heap. There are a number of nettles and one in particular is grown for herbal use, with seed available from specialists seed lists. Prepare the bed with lots of well rotted cow/ sheep/ horse manure/ compost and harvest before seed set or you may have more than you want. Normally allowed to flower, but picked before seed is viable. Very useful as a herbal tea. If only a small quantity required, the wild one will do. I England I saw a very large one, five or six feet high and taking over lightly grazed paddocks. I suggested that they could make good money drying it if the market would take it, but they did not seem to use it over there. Gil
Re: more buggy questions
Title: Re: more buggy questions Hate to be rude folks but these ain't lady Bugs but a Japanese/ Oriental beetle that the USDA brought over a number of years ago to eat a Pine Bore that had migrated to the US with-out it. We here in WI have had huge numbers in late Sept for years. They are not hatching but looking for wintering ground ie in your barn, house etc. In remodeling a cabin this summer I wondered as to their wind blocking and insulating properties as they had filled ever crack crevasse under the siding but had not survived the desiccation of the winter. We have had several commitments to mental wards around here of housewives unable to keep up with vacuuming every one of them out of their homes as they (the bugs), waken and become active inside abodes at every warm spell till hightailing it back to work in the spring. We had fewer this year so they must be migrating to warmer climes as they figure out this confusing country. The pesticide man that had the audacity to show up with an offer to eliminate them one orange colored fall day was very hasty in backing out the drive when I told him I dealt with pest with my 20guage and it was just here in the closet. I guess my neck scarf must have slipped wide that week. Blessed 03 L*L Markess From: The Korrows [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Tue, 31 Dec 2002 00:02:30 -0600 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: more buggy questions But why now? there isn't anything for them to eat, and it's too cold for them to be very active, yet year after year, they always do it. The ladybugs have been coming out around here also. Insects are very much connected to the temp, though to understand this relationship we have to expand our concept a bit. It's not just the temp from a maximum temp point of view but also from the duration of sustained average temp plus an internal mechanism that has been bound to their preys temp tolerance and cycles for a millennium. If it's happening inside your house it could be a false signal their getting since the temps in the walls are obviously higher than the ones in say a barn or a trees bark.Consequentially there are allot of dead ladybugs in the house from about now till spring. They don't have any food. If it's happening outside, all one has to do is look close enough you'll find that there is something there to sustain them. Insects are incredibly 2 dimensional, food and sex is virtually what they live for. (sounds a little too much like much humanity for my comfort). In Love and Light, (Mr.) Chris
Re: nettles soil conditions
Hi, Thanks for all this interesting information. It's been many years that I spoke with my relation, and thinking about it I am remembering that he also said that the nettles grew on the bad parts of teh poperty and when the soil was in balance the nettles tended to disappear. They would not have had sheep and sheep manure, but only used cattle manure on theitr farm. Christiane
