The King Field trials in 2024 showcased groundbreaking advancements in hive health through the application of ApiVera nutrients. The standout result? A fourfold increase in hive survival compared to untreated controls, coupled with improved overall colony health metrics, spotlighting ApiVera’s transformative potential in beekeeping practices.
Study Design: A Time-Paired Approach
The study employed a robust, time-paired experimental plan to ensure reliable results during the Fall 2024. Conducted over a 6 week period in Corrales, New Mexico, the trial involved 12 single-layer hives, divided into three groups based on treatment frequency:
- Twice-weekly treatment (Tuesdays and Fridays): Four hives
- Weekly treatment (Tuesdays only): Four hives
- Untreated control group: Four hives
Each hive underwent comprehensive baseline assessments, including measurements of brood patterns, hive weight, adult bee population, and overall colony health. On September 13, 2024 all hives were assessed and all hives were re-queened. Hive B initially did not have a queen.
ApiVera was applied using a fogging system to ensure even distribution. Weekly follow-up evaluations included alcohol washes for mite pressure, brood health assessments, and hive weight tracking.
Key Results
The trial produced compelling evidence of ApiVera's impact on hive health, especially relating to brood health and hive survival.
- Brood Health Gains: The once-weekly treatment group showed the most substantial improvement in brood frames, reaching 11.5 frames, a key indicator of hive vitality.
- Hive Survival Rates: Hives treated with ApiVera nutrients showed a fourfold (4x) survival rate compared to the control hives.
Average Number of Brood Frames per Hive
| Treatment Group | Before | After | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twice Weekly | 8.0 | 10.5 | 31% |
| Once Weekly | 8.0 | 11.5 | 44% |
| Control | 7.3 | 8.0 | 10% |
Visualizing the Impact
Frame-by-frame comparisons of treated and untreated hives vividly illustrate the transformative power of ApiVera. Treated hives displayed consistent vitality, with stable mite pressure, healthy brood patterns, and robust adult bee populations.
What This Means for Beekeepers
ApiVera’s potential to improve hive health and resilience marks a significant advancement for sustainable apiculture. By addressing key challenges like mite control and colony health, ApiVera equips beekeepers with a reliable, science-backed tool for hive management. For more information, read our blog on how amino acids promote bee health!
The King Field trials underscore the immense value of ApiVera nutrients for hive health:
- Control of mite pressure: ApiVera-treated hives avoided dangerous increases in mite populations.
- Improved colony resilience and brood production: ApiVera-supported hives overcame initial setbacks and thrived under challenging conditions.
- Higher hive survival rates: Treated hives demonstrated a fourfold survival advantage, offering a promising solution for reducing colony losses.
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