I wish I could say the same for those that think there is no merit. Some seem to like to continually pee on the small cell discussions.
BTW, I'm not try to point at you or say your one of the peers NCSteve... just responding to your statement
No worries Robo, they arent my statements. :) As Michael can tell you, the "discussions" on his board on this subject draw out the statements I posted. Alot of the beekeepers on his board are, umm shall we say, firm in their beliefs. :)
Look to the "How high bees fly" post on his boards and see it in all its glory. Its good to have posts like that, it tends to bring out more information at the end, and it gets rid of any grandiose statements that are made in the beginning.
My opinion on the whole thing? Eesh, this could get long. But let me state I personally have no real prejudices either way. I may LEAN one way but Im not rabid by any means.
First, why is the stubbornness of this one topic shown with way more frequency then others?
I think its because of how people go about stating why they went SC.
You have people that say they went to it because bees will naturally go smaller then the size that it used commonly now. Others will talk about the shorter capping time. These are positive statements that dont draw the fire unless theres a grand claim like a 5 day savings in capping time.
On its own, its not SC that draws people into arguements.
Its whats added. A majority of SC beeks also go or are organic.
A few rabidly so.
Anyone that uses a chemical is wrong.
Anyone who goes with the common bee size are working with engineered monsters.
I believe that these statements are what set off other beeks. When someone holds another in derision, especially when they are following common practice, it will quickly put some in a defensive or offensive frame of mind. And the fight is on.
Right or wrong has nothing to do with it at this point. Now its a matter of winning or losing.
Thats why I said to watch how you make your case for SC. It has nothing to do with SC as a management tool. It has nothing to do with SC users ideas for the most part. It has everything to do with the negativity shown to others unlike themselves.
And that goes for both sides.
That being said I think SC on its own can be a good tool. Not the end of any problems by any means, but it could be a helpful part of anyones magagement plan. There are upsides to it I think that should be looked at by us individually to make up our own minds on whether it will work or not according to our own needs, time, etc.
I dont think any of us WANT to use chemicals, but the fact is its what was easily available and commonly used. There are other options now that people are going to more and more and new products/treatments will come out in the future that people wil change to. Its the nature of working with live animals. Nothing good or bad about it.
Im leaning towards oxalic myself. But you wont see me type or hear me say that other treatment options are wrong for everyone. Or that oxalic is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Its what right now Im thinking is my best option. It can change tomorrow though, because Im not one to turn my nose up at ideas. I just have to look at my time/money management and what options fit my needs best.
Working with a living organism means we all have to be fluid in our approaches for it to work continually. And because of the internet we all have to realize that just because something works in one part of the world, it by no means may work where others are. Heck something that works for you may not work for someone down the street.
If Im using oxalic and a guy down the street uses apistan reponsibly and we both keep our mites under control, whos to say whos right? Not me. My ego doesnt need to deride his use of a chemical to make myself feel better about my decision.
And we cant ignore that what decisions we make are parts to a whole. Whether we use small or large cell, chemical or a natural pest control, what breed we use and the genetics they carry, they are all parts of the pie.
And one I believe cant be touted as the key to the exclusion of all the others.
Ok, pick away. I can take it. 8)