New Zealand Beekeeper May 2017

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NEW ZEALAND BEEKEEPER, MAY 2017

CANTERBURY

HAWKE’S BAY

Canterbury foothills experienced a wet summer, with one-quarter to one- third of the usual crop. The beech dew crop was non-existent, with dry weather in spring. Queens stopped laying, resulting in a decrease in hive populations, followed by an increase in rain late spring and summer. Mānuka facing north-east did not produce; mānuka had to be sheltered, with mānuka production down by 50%. Clover flowered well; some hives had 50% of the usual crop, some nothing. In March, there has been an extractable flow of catsear, which, unfortunately, rapidly granulates. Mid-Canterbury had its best year for six or seven years; however, January was not warm enough for clover to yield on heavy land. Good autumn matings were reported with lots of splits to increase hive numbers. Since getting atmospheric dew at night, pollen sources are still yielding. It has been good to get the evening dew, because up until then robbing had been a major issue during the extremely hot weather throughout March. AFB has been found at Killinchy and Kirwee, so be vigilant. Because the white clover seed price this year is below $4.50, many farmers will be planting alternative crops next year. A lot of cereals had been grown the last two years, and with the hot drought these crops have yielded well for the farmer. But farms need crop rotation, so the question is what exactly would they plant and will it be good for the honey bee next year? If seed prices don’t increase, farmers might not plant anything. Outer Areas Western Urban Christchurch: Those beekeepers who had apiaries in what were country areas prior to urbanisation, and the expansion out west expedited by earthquake rebuild, are now finding they are getting darker honeys that are not very pleasant tasting. It was thought that this may be due to council plantings of native bushes. Giant willow aphid (GWA): Surprisingly, only now are Canterbury beekeepers starting to notice a few of these about. Populations are down this summer: this may be due to weather patterns. We had very hard frosts last winter, followed by a cold, wet spring, followed by an extremely hot and dry autumn. Last year the beech honeydew crop was good, this year poor, as the beech tree needs the sap to be flowing to yield a crop. Therefore, maybe it was the same picture for the willows and poplars with lower sap flow this year. Some beekeepers are reporting that they had less robbing at the extraction plant last year due to GWA, but this year far more robbing was evident. CANTERBURY HUB ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING To be held Tuesday 30 May 2017 at 7.30 pm North Canterbury Federated Farmers Building, Unit 8, 35 Sir William Pickering Drive, Christchurch AGENDA Welcome, Apologies, Minutes of Previous AGM, Matters Arising, Correspondence, Hub Chair Report, ApiNZ Board Representative Report, Hub Treasurer Report, Election of Hub Officers, Other Business Proxy votes must be in the hands of the Hub Secretary 48 hours prior

Hawke’s Bay seems to have escaped the worst of the weather. I have not heard of any hive losses, although they wouldn’t surprise me because rivers were running pretty high. There doesn’t seem to be too much damage to farms either, which is good. For the first time in years, farmers have more grass than they know what to do with. Hives are mixed but most have reasonable stores and plenty of pollen.

- John Berry, Hub President

Working propolis in the hive. Photo: Jo Telfar.

NELSON/UPPER SOUTH ISLAND

As I write this we have had over three days with no sun, with many places up north very wet and flooding. So much for hoping we were going to have a sunny, warm autumn to try and salvage something from what has been a pretty dismal season weatherwise. That aside, most beehives appear to be doing OK. There seems to have been a small late flow, which has helped to get some stores in for the winter months. Varroa numbers are generally low, which is great and with strips going in, or already in, these mites should be kept at bay until next season. The Nelson Beekeepers Club is planning its annual honey competition for May, which is always a fun night, with no doubt a bit of banter on who has the best honey. The club is also having its inaugural photo competition on the same night. It will be interesting seeing what photos have been taken of bees, beekeeping and such like. The best photos, hopefully, will be entered in the Ecrotek National Photographic Competition at the Apiculture New Zealand Conference.

8.00 pm US Almond Pollination (CD from Rotorua Conference)

Followed by Supper

- Maggie James, Hub Secretary

- Jason Smith

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