Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 10:21 PM

The last night’s show on 60 minutes in Australia showcased Varroa destructor in the European Honeybee.

You are able to view a compressed version of the program at the following link: http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=560012.

Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 04:18 PM

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) will revoke the current South Island Nelson-Marlborough Controlled Area and the internal line separating Nelson and Marlborough. The new South Island Controlled Area replacing it will cover: the northern part of Westland; Grey, Buller; Tasman; Nelson; Marlborough; and part of north Canterbury. The new controlled area notice comes into effect at 4pm on Tuesday 13th May.

Letters have been sent to all registered South Island beekeepers advising them of the change. The Controlled Area Notice and map was published in the New Zealand Gazette on Thursday 8 May and will be published in the public notice sections of the Nelson Mail, The Press, and the Otago Daily Times on Saturday 10 May 2008. Information will also be available on the MAFBNZ website www.biosecurity.govt.nz. Beekeepers directly affected by the new Controlled Area are being contacted individually.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 10:00 PM

Agribusiness Training based on NZQA unit standards

If you fit in to one of these categories and want to gain the knowledge and skills to be able to work with hives then this is the course for you:
• Interested in working in the beekeeping industry
• Looking to increase pollination of crops
• Wanting to keep bees as a hobby

Read the brochure ...

Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 04:05 PM

Important notice to all South Island Beekeepers

The arrival of Varroa on the south side of the current containment control area is significant and accordingly the following recommendations are made to all South Island beekeepers.

Beekeepers operating within the current containment control area are requested to maintain and honour the movement control programme that is in place, and to continue to manage their beekeeping operations in the same diligent manner as we have seen since 2006. It is appreciated that the controlled area will be expanded on the 13th May, however the breach of the control line is isolated at this point and until there is notification to the contrary, it is imperative that the act of beekeeping does not speed up Varroa movement southward. Co-operation by all parties is imperative and valued by both beekeeping and the greater farming community.

Canterbury beekeepers who currently operate seasonal apiaries on the East and West Coast of the South Island and who have had or who currently have hives on the West Coast this season, should take utmost precaution when moving hives or honey supers back to their East Coast operations.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 05:40 PM

Source:
Varroa bee mite has been found at several apiary sites near St Arnaud, just outside the Nelson-Marlborough Varroa Controlled Area boundary, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) said today.

The mite was found during the annual MAFBNZ South Island apiary surveillance programme, which began in mid-April.

“Affected beekeepers have put voluntary movement controls in place and are using quarantine and treatment measures for varroa across their operations,” said MAFBNZ Incursion Response Manager, Richard Norman.

“To protect beekeeping operations from varroa in the West Coast, Canterbury and areas further south, MAFBNZ will replace the current Nelson-Marlborough Controlled Area with a new Controlled Area covering: the northern part of the West Coast; Buller; Tasman; Nelson; Marlborough; and part of North Canterbury.

Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 10:38 PM

MONDAY 14th JULY 2008
Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park MASTERTON

10am - 12 NZ Queen Bee Producer Association
General Meeting followed by AGM

1pm - 3pm NZ Honey Packers & Exporters Association AGM

3.15 - 5pm NZ Honey Bee Pollination Association
General Meeting followed by AGM
All welcome.