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NEW ZEALAND BEEKEEPER, DECEMBER 2016
HAWKE’S BAY
CANTERBURY
The weather has changed from plain awful to indifferent with a few really good days, and some of the dry areas could use some rain. Willow flows were moderate to poor, partly because of the weather but also because many of the trees are showing significant damage from willow aphids especially in the areas where they were first hit. Well over half the trees are showing dead branches and perhaps 20% are either dead or nearly so. Golden and pussy willows seem particularly badly affected. The willow flowering has been very late this year, which may be climatic, but I suspect it is also to do with stress. Many of the buds on the end of the branches are failing to open properly. The Hub has been running a beginners’ course which has been very popular, and we also ran a AFB refresher course which had good attendance.
Members are advised that a number of heavy AFB infestations have been detected in North Canterbury. Beekeepers operating in the Conway River and Waiau should be particularly vigilant. Oxford and Ashley: Extremely high numbers of queen wasps are being reported in foothills and honeydew areas; baiting is recommended. Mid Canterbury Plains: Weather patterns are alternating between very warm days then heavy rain and cold, which is quite unusual for this time of the year. It has made it a bit difficult at times with queen bee rearing and matings. Soil temperature needs to increase before we get a flow. Varroa in rural areas doesn’t seem too bad. Velvetleaf: 20 copies are available of the MPI booklet Help Stop the Spread of Velvetleaf for those that are interested. It may be helpful to those on cropping farms and pollination contracts. We can do our bit to support biosecurity activities relating to this incursion. Last Hub Meeting of the Year: In November, a beekeeper social get- together was held at the Hornby Working Men’s Club, over a meal, to share ideas on an informal basis. First 2017 Hub Meeting: 21 February 2017 at 7.30 pm in the Federated Farmers’ Building, Unit 8, 35 Sir William Pickering Drive, Christchurch. By the time this issue goes to press, the Christchurch Bee Club will have had its annual display at the Canterbury A&P Show. This is a very busy time over three days. Our display is in the farmyard section with lots of young animals for company, and as a result lots of young humans also turn up. It is interesting seeing the change from“eew yuk, bugs” to soon having their noses pressed up against the display hives and half an hour later being able to tell the difference between a queen, worker and drone. The teenage boys look very shocked when told that the drones explode and die when mating the queen. Even the staunchest boys look stunned. The mothers also look shocked when told a queen can lay the equivalent of her own body weight in eggs a day. While there is no real benefit to the club directly, the curiosity of the public and information shared certainly raises public awareness for the industry and the plight of the bees. The past month’s weather has been a mix of light rain and fine days, certainly different from this time last year, keeping everything green and lush. There is even some excess honey on the club hives, even though it’s not known to be a particularly good honey-producing site. As I drive around the city at the moment, I get whiffs of scent from the flowering trees such as horse chestnut, cabbage tree and other roadside and garden trees. Flowering seems prolific. - Maggie James, Hub Secretary CHRISTCHURCH
- John Berry, Hub President
A bee enjoys stretching her wings and collecting the first taste of spring in Warkworth. Pictured is a flannel flower (Phylica pubescens). Photo: Donna and Jeff Montrose.
NELSON/UPPER SOUTH ISLAND
October weather was wetter than average, with some areas getting over 90 percent more rainfall than normal. This has definitely made it trickier to get to some apiary sites. Hopefully November will be drier. Most hives are building up well, with low varroa. Some beekeepers are needing to feed hives, partly due to the unsettled weather. Apple pollination has finished, with boysenberry flowering in full swing and kiwifruit beginning, or not far away. The Nelson Beekeepers Club apiary is doing well, with over four hives. The regular apiary meetings are providing some valuable knowledge and confidence for new beekeepers. As I write, this club is getting organised for the annual A&P show in November, where they will have a ‘Bee Expo’ with an exciting range of all things to do with bees and beekeeping. Hopefully all will have an enjoyable festive season. I hope there is plenty of nectar of all types to gather for both bees and beekeepers.
- Jason Smith
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