Beekeepers will be convening in Geraldine for the Canterbury Hub, Apiculture New Zealand, South Canterbury Field Day on Sunday 7 May 2017. 130 attendees are expected to gather for the field day.
“It is many years since the beekeeping industry has held a field day in South Canterbury, and we are fortunate to have a range of world class speakers, covering a diverse range of topics. Several travelling from the North Island especially for the day.” Maggie James, Hub Secretary
The opening address will be delivered by Karin Kos, Chief Executive, Apiculture New Zealand. There are over 6,000 beekeepers in New Zealand, and Apiculture New Zealand is the peak body administering and representing the beekeeping industry.
Linda Newstrom-Lloyd, Trees for Bees NZ will discuss the consequences of overstocking in New Zealand of beehives. This is a prevalent problem in the North Island and the trend is starting to exhibit in parts of the South Island. One of the tools to counteract this, is to plant more bee forage spring and autumn. Linda will present techniques to plant for bees and how this can be scaled up to meet bee forage demand.
Martin Laas, Midlands Apiaries, Ashburton will present on the availability and contamination of drinking water for honey bees on pollination contracts. Midlands provide between 3,000 and 3,500 bee hives for pollination of seed and fruit crops throughout Canterbury. The main pollination contracts being forage brassica for seed, black currants, hybrid brassica, blue borage, and hybrid carrots. In the South Island, Midlands, are also the largest honey producer with the largest honey extraction plant.
After lunch, Ross McCusker, Heathstock Apiaries, Hawarden will speak on organic varroa treatments. Ross is a beekeeper of many decades experience; the last 25 years as a registered organic beekeeper. In the early 2000s, when varroa arrived in New Zealand, Ross travelled to Denmark to obtain information on organic treatments, and has adapted Danish practises for the New Zealand situation. Ross regularly returns to Denmark.
From Otorohanga, Fiona O’Brien, Beeline Apiaries, will discuss her varroa management plan – getting treatments in and out on time, and testing efficacy before and after treatments come out. Beeline Apiaries was established 37 years ago and Fiona and her husband Jeremy regularly attend American beekeeping conferences.
John Hartnell, Board Chair, The Management Agency National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan will discuss some of the legal fundamentals of the Plan, the work the Board are undertaking, and what does this mean to the beekeeping community, who needs to be involved and why. John has a 30-year involvement in the apiculture industry involving beekeeping, domestic and export packing, and export development.
From 100% Pure New Zealand Honey, Washdyke, Chief Executive Sean Goodwin will provide an overview of export markets and consumer expectations, particularly quality measures. The objective is to give beekeepers an understanding of what markets are valuing and how they can ensure the best return for their effort.
The final speaker of the day will be from the Ministry for Primary Industries examining the mānuka honey standard. For the past two years MPI has undertaken major consultation on their proposed scientific definition of mānuka.
Goodwin comments, “In terms of the proposed standard, I am supportive of the efforts MPI have made to establish a robust definition. Their objective of identifying mānuka honey as derived from Leptospermum scoparium and originating from New Zealand is what we are seeking to support the long-term sustainability of the New Zealand apiculture industry. The next six-weeks of consultation will however be important to identify any specific issues relating to either the definition itself, or the wider export requirements which will involve some additional compliance from beekeepers.”
Registrations for the field day must be booked in advance. The first 130 reservations will be accepted. Cost is $40 per person which includes lunch and refreshments. To register or for more information contact Maggie James, mjqueenb@xtra.co.nz , or leave a clear message with name and return phone number on 03 324 4482 to enable confirmation acceptance of registration. Registrations are very much welcome from those outside of Apiculture NZ.
