Ivan Štefanić

Cooperative business potential for beekeepers in Croatia

Croatia’ s agricultural sector has been in transition since the break-up of the former Republic of Yugoslavia. Structural changes have led this transition (50 percent of land was farmed by large heavily subsidized, vertically integrated agricultural holdings). A large number of very small land holdings (averaging approx. 2.5 ha) have engaged in beekeeping, even during socialist times, because it presented a viable source of extra income for farmers. Farmers tend to join associations or cooperatives to receive economic benefits ; conversely, Croatian beekeepers have been less inclined to use cooperatives in marketing their products due to deeply rooted mistrust that has its origins in the previous Yugoslavian government. However, as beekeepers become accustomed to the new economic structure in Croatia, cooperative business structures present potential access to other marketing venues for beekeeping products. The results of this study provide an overview of Croatian beekeepers’ status within the industry and their interest in establishing cooperative businesses that have potential to better their position in the market place.

Goldenrod: a valuable plant for beekeeping in north-eastern Croatia

Goldenrod, native to North America was introduced into Europe in the 19th centuary as ornamental plant. However, this plant has become widespread and is a serious invader of abandoned fields, forest edges and river banks. Goldenrod represents an important source of nectar for honey bees, particularly as a reserve to help colonies survive the winter period. Although is insect pollinated plant, it shed much more pollen than is carried off by insects. The pollen may become atmospheric and can cause hay fewer during its pollination period in August.

Plants for Bees: Silybum marianum

Other uses Milk thistle has a long history of use as a medicinal plant. The achenies (seeds) contain the biologically active flavonolignan complex silymarin that contains silyibin, silydianin, and silycristin. Pharmacological investigations have focused on the standardized sylimarin extract, and now, following decades of research, silymarin is reported to protect and regenerate liver cells in cases of alcoholic cirrhosis, hepatitis, damage from pharmaceutical drugs, mushroom poisoning and poisoning from environmental and occupational toxins. A commercial milk thistle product for pharmaceutical purposes is successful in many countries (Martin et al., 2006; Zheljazkov et al., 2006; Stefanic and Stefanic, 2008).