The Louisiana State Beekeepers Association and the USDA Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Laboratory will hold the 27th Annual Field Day on Saturday, October 7, 2023. The event will be held at the USDA laboratory, located at 1157 Ben Hur Rd, Baton Rouge LA 70820. This is near the intersection of Nicholson Drive (Hwy 30) and Brightside Dr., which is about two miles south of the LSU football stadium.
Gates will open at 8:00 a.m. with presentations and activities scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Field Day will include a series of talks in the morning from members of the Louisiana Beekeepers Association and the USDA staff about Louisiana beekeeping and research being conducted at USDA lab. The afternoon features break-out sessions for beekeepers of all ranges of experience.
The beginning beekeeper course is directed to those who have little to no beekeeping experience. Topics will include basic bee biology as well as necessary beekeeping equipment and management techniques. A question and answer session precedes a practical demonstration in honey bee colonies.
The intermediate beekeeping course is focused on the beekeeper with a moderate amount of experience that is now ready to take it to the next level. Topics will include detecting signs of parasites and pathogens, performing swarm captures and cut-outs, followed by a final field session examining open colonies. This session will address the major problems in colony health and include discussion and guidance on the primary pests and pathogens affecting honey bee colonies.
There will be a workshop for advanced beekeepers that focuses on principles of selective breeding followed by a final session on queen rearing techniques.
LBA member registration fee of $35 and non member $40 for attendees 12 years of age and above. Children 11 and under must stay with their parents at all times. Registration includes a catered lunch. Register at www.labeekeepers.org web site and pay by credit card or mail a check and a copy of the registration form to Louisiana Beekeepers Association to Beth Derr, 210 Meadowlark Dr, Jefferson, TX 75657 and must be postmarked by October 1, 2023. Walk-up registration will be collected at the door for $40 per person.
For additional information please visit www.labeekeepers.org, contact Kevin Langley (504-669-6830) la4honeybees@gmail.com or Kate E. Ehle, PhD, 225-692-1967, kate.ihle@usda.gov.
