Temperatures hit honey production

The fact that air temperatures were above seasonal normals in Batman negatively affected honey yield.

In Batman, where the air temperature exceeds 40 degrees, 673 beekeepers began to harvest honey in 58 thousand hives.

Honey production, which was 242 tons last year, is expected to drop by more than 50 percent this year due to high temperatures.

REDUCED EFFICIENCY

Professor of the Department of Animal and Plant Production at Batman University Sason Vocational School Dr. Veysel Aydın said that the honey harvest started in Batman, but they observed a decrease in honey production due to high temperatures.

Stating that beekeeping is an animal production shaped according to the richness of the climate and flora, Aydın pointed out that the high temperatures in the region started at the beginning of this year and exceeded seasonal normal values.

BEES WORK SLOWLY AT OVER 37 DEGREES

Stating that high temperatures cause bee activity to stagnate, Aydın said, “Bee work slows down below 10 degrees and above 37 degrees. This year, the high temperatures in our city caused a decrease in bee activity and the vegetation dried up in a short time. Because of this, there has been a serious decline in productivity.” saying.

Aydın said that during field trips and interviews with farmers, they found that there was a 50 percent decrease in yield compared to last year and more than 50 percent in some places.

Stating that some measures can be taken against poor performance, Aydın said:
“Perhaps breeds of bees can be selected that are more suitable for the region and more resistant to high temperatures.

In places where beekeeping activities are carried out, vegetation resistant to drought and that can flourish for a long time can be increased, and technical training can be provided to our farmers.

Cetin Doyar, president of the Batman Beekeepers Association, also stated that the work of bees slowed down due to temperatures above 40 degrees, and this was reflected in honey production.

GREAT DECREASE IN THE HARVEST IS EXPECTED

Explaining that wandering beekeepers in the province moved their bees to the eastern provinces due to rising air temperatures, Doyar said, “However, there are producers who do not take their bees with them. These growers experienced a decrease in yield due to desiccated flora and the fact that tobacco and cotton grown in the fields did not contribute to bee activity.

Noting that there are officially 673 beekeepers in Batman and they produce a total of 58,000 hives, Doyar said that 242 tons of honey were produced in last year’s harvest and that they expect a large decrease this year.

Bedrettin Can, who has been a beekeeper in Batman’s Kozluk district for 40 years, said honey production is very low this year.

Can said: “I have 115 bee hives. I milked honey and took 500 grams of honey from each hive. You should have gotten at least 300 kilograms of honey from these bees. I got 55 kilograms of honey from 115 hives.” he said. (AA)