Giving Beekeeping Guidance by cOmputatiOnal-assisted Decision making

The B-GOOD annual newsletter had its second issue published to accommodate news about our second year, where new publications, technology development & special B-GOOD updates were showcased. Don't forget to check out the special B-GOOD mini newsletter, available in 10 different languages! Find out more in the newsletter, and don't miss to SUBSCRIBE for our next issues!

A methodology article recently published in the journal BMC Veterinary Research analyses the application of the qPCR technology for detection of genetic resistance against Varroa by honey bees. The paper called "qPCR assays with dual-labeled probes for genotyping honey bee variants associated with varroa resistance" presents a study on genetic alterations in honey bees associated with varroa resistance. The study focuses on  the expression of suppressed varroa mite...

A recent alumni spotlight interview of the Maine Coast Waldorf School (USA) features B-GOOD's PhD student Dana Freshley. Dana obtained her Bachelor's degree from the University of Maine and her Master's degree in Ghent University. She is currently a PhD student in Ghent University and part of the B-GOOD research team that analyses the socioeconomic perspective of beekeeping. Photo: Dana Freshley In the interview, Dana tells more about the research performed within the...

A new video from the B-GOOD video series featuring experts working on the project was published on the B-GOOD project’s YouTube channel. The third video features an overview of the socioeconomic research done within the B-GOOD project.   Wim Verbeke of Ghent University elaborates on the aspects of economic analysis of sustainable beekeeping that is performed within B-GOOD, pointing out the main methods that are used to find out the socioeconomic aspects of...

An article recently published in the Nature Scientific Reports journal analyses the heritabilities of resistance against viruses spread by Varroa on honey bees. The paper called "Heritability estimates of the novel trait ‘suppressed in ovo virus infection’ in honey bees (Apis mellifera)" presents a novel trait in honey bees associated with heritability of viral infections suppression. The study focuses on honey bee viruses that are related to the Varroa destructor,...

A new promotional video of the BEEP Foundation team shows the advantages of the BEEP base as a monitoring tool for beekeepers! The video shows the advantages of the BEEP base as a monitoring tool for beekeepers. The BEEP monitoring system is a technological innovation that aims to help beekeepers in significantly improve beehive monitoring. The BEEP monitoring system is a technological innovation that aims to help beekeepers in significantly improve beehive monitoring. The BEEP...

  The B-GOOD project wishes everybody a prosperous

In light of the travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 4th B-GOOD Consortium Meeting took place online. Project members and representatives of the B-GOOD multi-actor forum met up online between 14 and 16 December 2020. The three-day long online meeting was marked by insightful presentations, vivid discussions and an overview of the project’s developments and future initiatives. Following a welcome address by project coordinator Prof. Dirk de Graaf and a brief overview of...

B-GOOD wishes you a very happy holiday season and a joyful and prosperous New

B-GOOD researchers Marten Schoonman, Alexis Beaurepaire, Mang Xu, and David Claeys Boúúaert presented at the 16th COLOSS eConference 2020, which took place online on 12-13 October 2020. Marten Schoonmann of the BEEP Foundation made a one-slide presentation of the BEEP app and the main features that it provides. Alexis Beaurepaire of the University of Bern, presented a short overview of the B-GOOD project and its main objectives and outcomes. Photo: A slide from the...

Marten Schoonman of the BEEP Foundation participated in the 4th International Bee and Hive Monitoring Conference that took place online on 5-9 October 2020. Marten’s presentation was titled "Open Source Monitoring Platform BEEP Development in B-GOOD Project" and it consisted of a pre-recorded video and following Q&A section. Marten presented the innovative hive monitoring mechanism developed within B-GOOD and outlined the features of the BEEP base and the BEEP...

EcoStack’s second annual meeting took place between 22-23 September 2020. The H2020 project aims to develop and support ecologically, economically and socially sustainable crop production via stacking and protection of functional biodiversity. One topic of discussion during the meeting was the Animal, Landscape and Man Simulation System (ALMaSS) agent-based model system. ALMaSS models different animal species as individuals (agents), which move around inside a virtual landscape to...

A new video from the B-GOOD video series featuring experts working on the project was published on The B-GOOD project’s Youtube channel. The second video features experts from four research institutions who share their work within B-GOOD. Coby van Dooremalen, Wageningen University and Research, elaborates on the collecting of data on the bee health status index (HSI) components by using a 3-tiered approach. "Honeybees are extremely sensitive to vibrations. For that reason,...

The B-GOOD project is part of the final report of EIP-AGRI’s Focus Group on bee health and sustainable beekeeping. Experts from the Agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI) Focus Group have explored the question how can the sustainability of beekeeping be ensured in the face of challenges linked to pests and diseases, intensification of agriculture and climate change. Photo: The cover of the final report The report came out on 8 September 2020 and addresses...

Photo: Honey bees and a honeycomb Earlier in June, B-GOOD was featured in an article of the Portuguese "JN Magazine". The column titled "The first days of intelligent beehives" highlights the project’s aim of a more sustainable and informed beekeeping and discusses the development of the BEEP technology: the digital checklist app where a beekeeper can register their inspections & the automatic bee measurement system that beekeepers can place under the...

Photo: B-GOOD apiary near Peso da Régua This beautiful montage from the B-GOOD apiary near Peso da Régua captures the steps and procedures B-GOOD researchers go through when they open a colony on a regular visit. Featuring Nuno Capela and Sandra Simões from the University of Coimbra, the video shows step by step how to dismantle the beehive, inspect the colony and reassemble the hive. It also highlights the equipment used in an investigation apiary, such as...

In an effort to provide a safe environment for all project partners and stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the second B-GOOD annual consortium meeting took place online. Project members and representatives of the B-GOOD multi-actor forum prepared their cameras and headsets and went online on 6 & 7 July 2020. Despite the exhausting nature of the telecom, the two-day long online meeting was dominated by insightful presentations, vivid discussions and an overview of the...

This update on the progress of the BEEP base was provided by April van Delden. On the 16th of March, the Dutch government announced that everybody should stay home as much as possible to limit the outbreak of COVID-19. Since then, the BEEP team has been working mostly from home. However, an occasional visit to the office is necessary to pick up some tools or BEEP bases to work on. To make sure we don’t forget what the other people look like we have a Skype meeting twice a week. In...

Photo: Mang Xu demonstrating how to use neonicotinoid lateral flow devices One of the current tasks of Wageningen University and Research within B-GOOD is the development and application of lateral flow devices. Featuring Mang Xu of Wageningen Food Safety Research, this introduction video demonstrates how to use neonicotinoid lateral flow devices (LFDs), which were developed by Zhejiang University and exclusively provided to B-GOOD. The LFD is a device that allows scientists to...

Improving science communication and contributing to the increase of scientific literacy of the general public are two important aspects when raising public awareness of science. These aspects are also the main objectives of the Portuguese radio programme "90 Seconds of Science". The broadcast features scientists talking about their research work and projects, with the objective of showcasing the science made in Portugal. Earlier in March, B-GOOD was part of "90 Seconds of...