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NEW ZEALAND BEEKEEPER, JULY 2017
FROM THE COLONIES REGIONAL REPORTS
WAIKATO
This is the time of year when bees should be in hibernation and so should we. However, in this part of the country, a glimmer of sunshine brings the bees forth. Some are even gathering pollen in situations that are far from suburbia: perhaps it is from late-flowering five finger. Meantime, the beekeepers I know are either on holiday, or about to go on holiday, or dealing with cleaning and sorting of gear and planning for the next season. Some are re-arranging sites. In our case, and I am sure others too, the changeover of personnel on dairy farms has meant new beekeeper/farmer relationships to establish. Site honey is being delivered—always a good way to advertise ourselves and our honey by making sure that the site honey is labelled. We will be staying with beekeepers in the UK shortly and have been requested to take a bag of New Zealand-made queen cell cups. I have just ordered these and realised that this is an odd time of year to make such a purchase. But it is good to know that these will make a popular ‘gift’ when we travel. The Waikato Hub held its AGM recently. Members were advised well before the meeting date and we did receive three apologies, but the number attending just exceeded the required quorum. It is to be hoped that this was not for lack of interest but more that we are doing a good job and there is no need to interfere! Having said that, I would encourage members to advise someone on the committee if there are things they want to see happening. Hub reps will meet at the annual conference in Rotorua to discuss these issues, so now is the time for members to say what they want. The elected committee for 2017 will be led by Kim Poynter as President with John and Pauline Bassett, Fiona and Jeremy O’Brien, and Sarah Hughes as the other office holders and committee members.
HAWKE’S BAY
The Hub had its AGM a few weeks ago and despite my protests, I was re-elected. The meeting was not overcrowded. When we run something like a field day we have huge participation, but there are very few people now interested in the political side of it. Although we have had no serious flooding, we’re definitely having a wet winter and it’s getting pretty sloppy out there. Willow trees have been slow to lose their leaves and are looking terrible with black mould covering everything, and some branches are still completely covered with aphids. Areas that first got the aphids a few years ago are now showing signs of dieback.
- Pauline Bassett, Life Member
Field day in August The Hub is planning a healthy brood recognition field day: Saturday, 26 August 46 Arataki Road, Havelock North 10 am until 1 pm RSVP to Deanna Corbett: djcorbettnz@gmail.com
The field day is aimed mostly at beginners but everyone is welcome. The emphasis will be on understanding what healthy brood looks like. This will, of course, lead on to discussion of various forms of unhealthy brood, including different diseases. This is not a DECA course but will cover AFB and hands-on hive inspection. There’s no charge but please ensure all your beekeeping gear is clean and if you bring your ute, please make sure there is nothing attractive to bees on it.
BAY OF PLENTY
There isn’t much news from the BOP this month. The kiwifruit harvest is just about finished. Most beekeepers have wintered their bees and are doing final clean-up jobs before a break.
The consensus is that it has been a hard season. Time to go fishing.
- Bruce Lowe
- John Berry, Hub President continued...
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