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The Buzz About Bees

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By Jessica Crabtree

Mention the word bees to most of the population, and you will have folks running. Most would be surprised to learn these insects are not out to hurt you and are actually extremely complex and fascinating. To the average person, bees offer a threat when actually they only render harm when feeling threatened. In this piece we will decipher between two kinds of bees, their relevance to the world and shatter myths and mystify readers with their complex life.

There are more than 50 different kinds of bees. In the United States, we are most interested in two. Number one is the bumblebee and secondly, the honey bee. The bumblebee has a conspicuous body shape. For its size and body shape, aerodynamically it shouldn’t be able to fly, but yet can, explained Red River Valley Beekeepers president, Kerry Roach.

The honey bee is known as Apis mellifera, which is Latin for honey maker. The honey bee is not native to the United States. It was imported from Europe among the first settlers. To beekeepers, honey bees are called “the Italian bees” and are revered as the most popular variety. The honey bee is just that, a prodigious honey producer who is non-aggressive. Most that are raised by beekeepers are gentle with a non-aggressive disposition. However, stepping on one or swatting at one may make a bee sting out of a protective reaction. Roach admitted, “All bees will sting, but the Africanized bee is genetically formed to be defensive and aggressive against enemies within their area.” When bees are shown on the media and being aggressive, more than likely the bees are African honey bees, a subject we will return to momentarily.

Busy Bee Bodies
The honey bee lives in colonies or bee hives. They have two pairs of wings and compound eyes. Interestingly enough, bees can communicate to each other. How you ask? Through pheromones, a body chemical that allows bees and other animals the ability to talk to each other by smell. This is done through their antenna. From these pheromones, a bee can tell whether a bee is from the same hive, a worker bee, a queen bee or if being warned about danger such as honey robbers.

To read more pick up a copy of the August 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

 

 

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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: Wyoming

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By Tressa Lawrence

Despite some blue skies, March can still bring sub-zero temperatures to Wyoming as calves hit the ground.

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Farm & Ranch

Ag Elsewhere: Montana

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By Lindsey Monk

Welding on some corrals before dark. It’s been a mild winter in Montana so far, knock on wood.

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Farm & Ranch

Land Market Report: January Land Sales

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By Jared Groce

The rural land market in North Texas has had a fairly stale start to the year, with the number of transactions closed being minimal so far. There has been an increase in call volume from buyers, and some are turning into contracts, but I feel like we are still a little slower than we usually are at this time of the year. The “experts” are expecting fewer transactions in 2024 as compared to 2023, and they may be correct, because election years always seem to be slower. Once the election is over, and regardless of who wins, things seem to pick up once again. It is a strange phenomena that just seems to happen every four years.

With the amount of growth that we are currently experiencing here, I do not expect things to get any cheaper. More people means more houses, and they have to have land to build those houses on.

To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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