Category: All Users

Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 10:04 PM

Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India , Kashmir Apiary Exports and Lee Bee International Institute of Beekeeping at Doraha , Ludhiana, Punjab, India jointly plan to hold an International Beekeeping Conference in a five star hotel in New Delhi during February, 2009 (Exact dates to be circulated in first announcement). Main objective of this conference besides scientific and technical programme is to provide opportunity to the beekeepers from different countries to exchange beekeeping experiences and knowledge amongst themselves and to learn from each others success stories and failures on all aspects of practical beekeeping.

Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 03:50 PM

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is currently consulting with bee industry representatives on the South Island varroa situation and the remaining two years of the four-year varroa response programme which began in June 2006.

MAFBNZ met with the executives of the National Beekeepers Association (NBA) and the Bee Industry Group of Federated Farmers (BIG) in Christchurch at the end of May. A forum was held during the Federated Farmers Bees Conference 2008 in Cromwell this week. A further meeting is planned with beekeeper representatives from regions around the South Island at the beginning of July.

So far, stakeholders are saying they would like MAFBNZ response activities to focus on maintaining movement controls.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 08:28 PM

You can listen to this Radio New Zealand report featuring Dr Mark Goodwin at: http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/aft/honey_bees_in_danger.

Monday, June 09, 2008 - 04:05 PM

16 June 2008

GOLDEN GATE LODGE, CROMWELL

10.30am till 4.30 or 5pm.

COST: $25 per person to cover morning and afternoon tea and room hire

MORNING TEA: From 9.30am

At a bee products council meeting on the 13th May, it was moved that the council wanted to be involved with the current review, which has been started by the NZ Food and Safety Association.

This review will include queen production and organic sugar feeding, and works towards equivalent EU standard which has proven successful for organic certifiers and exporters in other sectors.

This meeting is organised for organic producers to meet those involved and discuss problems they are having at the present time.

NZ beekeepers export approximately 3 million dollars worth of product at the present time, which could increase fourfold if the present problems facing the industry can be overcome.

Saturday, June 07, 2008 - 04:35 PM

NATIONAL BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION HOBBY PROGRAMME 2008

Sunday 13th July
All hobbyist or new beekeepers welcome

9.30 am Cup of tea and welcome
10.00 Biology of the Bee (Frank Lindsay)
10.20 Siting your Apiary: local regulations (Neale Braithwaite)
(Wellington/Masterton/Palmerston North)
Note: all Councils are reviewing their by-laws)
10.40 Purchasing hives and equipment etc: three-quarter or full-depth hives (Neil Farrer)
11.00 Queen rearing simplified (Gary Jeffery)
11.20 Spring requeening versus autumn requeening (David Cramp)
11.40 Varroa treatments: ‘alternatives’ (Frank Lindsay)

LUNCH (1 hour: lunch provided)

1.00 pm Seasonal requirements of the bee (James Driscoll)
1.20 Honey processing (Anne Hulme)
1.40 Food hygiene regulations (Jim Sim, NZ Food Safety Authority)
2.00 Exotic disease (Byron Taylor)
2.20 AFB National Pest Management Strategy overview (Rex Baynes. Manager)
2.40 How to attract new members to your club (Carol Downer, Auckland Branch)
3.00 Panel discussion from the floor
3.30 Closing and thanks to the chair

Sunday 13th July

Active Manuka Honey Association
The AMHA Seminars are open to all members of the beekeeping industry

Seminar One 11am – 12 Noon
Medsafe & Claims
(Please bring a copy of your website and promotion material)

Seminar Two 1 pm – 2 pm
Processing Validation

AMHA AGM 2 pm
(Closed meeting: AMHA members only)

Monday 14 July
Specialty Group Meetings
Open to all the beekeeping Industry

9 - 10 am Review of the Organic Regulations Pertaining to Exports
Kay Shapland - NZFSA
This review carries on from an earlier meeting held at the BIG conference

10 -12 Noon New Zealand Queen Bee Producers Association

1 – 3 pm New Zealand Packers and Honey Exporters Association

3.15 - 5 pm New Zealand Honey Bee Pollination Association General meeting and AGM
6.30 pm Mix & Mingle in the Evening
7.00 pm Meet our overseas Guest Speaker:
Des Cannon, Australia – Australian research projects and their funding

Tuesday 15 July
8.00am Opening of the conference by the Mayor of Masterton
8.30 am–3 pm NBA AGM

Seminar
3.30 - 4 pm Honey Marketing – John Rawcliff
4.00 - 5 pm Bee Products Standard Council & Discussion
Follows on from the April meeting
6.00 pm Sponsors’ Evening & Presentations

Wednesday 16 July
National Pest Management Strategy Programme

8.30 am Welcome - Frans Laas
8.35 am AFB NPMS Manager’s Report - Rex Baynes
9.15 am Helicopter Surveillance Exercise - Frans Laas
9.45 am Morning Tea
10.15 am Annual Report – AsureQuality - Byron Taylor
10.45 am New Zealand Food Safety Authority - Greg Zemke-Smith
11.15 am Open Forum - Delegates
12.15 am Closure - Frans Laas
Note: The programme and timing maybe subject to minor alterations

Woman’s bus trip leaves 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
Visits a number of places of interest including the Paua Factory and time for shopping.
Lunch at the Gladstone Hotel.

Afternoon Bus trip 12.noon to 4.30pm
Late Barbeque lunch at the Tui Brewery - escorted visited through the factory – sampling.
Wine and splits for those that don’t drink beer.
Note that suitable footwear must be worn as there could be broken glass on the floor.

For those not interested in shopping or seeing the sights, it is hoped that videos of the best presentations from Apimondia and the New South Wales 2008 conference will be screened for a couple of hours.

Conference Dinner (Formal dress) & Entertainment (Special Location)
6pm - Bus pick up from Hotel and Motels by arrangement only
DON’T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!

Thursday 16 July
Seminars - technology in beekeeping

8.30 Remote hive weighing Des Cannon
9.00 BeeSpeak- Acoustic monitoring of hives - Clive Mitchell
9.30 Harvest Electronics - Remote weather stations – Peter Munn
10 am Morning tea
10.30 Protecting NZ honey: proof of origin (James Driscoll)
11.00 Climate change: the insurance effect and impact on the beekeeping industry (Wayne Thomas, FMG)
11.30 Tutin – results to date (Jim Sim, NZFSA)

12.00 Lunch

Seminars - where are we going
1.00 Manuka Honey Testing Procedures – Gordana Aleksic-NZLabs
1.30 Current research at the University of Waikato (Prof Peter Molan)
2.00 Possible bio-control of Varroa-Dr Mark Goodwin
2.30 E.F.B possible effect on NZ beekeeping - Murray Reid
3 pm Afternoon tea
3.30 Chemical Resistant Varroa - Dr Mark Goodwin
4.00 Small Hive Beetle in Australia - Des Cannon
4.30 Questions

Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 08:12 PM

The NBA invites you to attend a 1 day seminar sponsored by the Sustainable Farming Fund

Please note: All beekeepers are welcome. There is no charge to attend

When & Where:

Thursday, 5th June
Conference Centre, Telford Rural Polytechnic

Friday 6th June
Greyway Lounge, Timaru Racecourse

Time: 10.00am to 4.30pm

Coffee & tea and a light lunch will be provided

The NBA will bring experienced North Island beekeepers
to present a “hands on” approach.
…………………………………………………………………

You must RSVP by 5.00pm Thursday 29 May to:

Pam Edwards by e-mail secretary@nba.org.nz or Fax (06) 362 6302

Speakers:

Mary Anne Thomason and James Ward
Managing Varroa in a Large Operation

Neil Farrer
Budgeting
Alternative treatments currently approved in New Zealand

Barry Foster
Organic methods of Varroa control.

Jane and Tony Lorimer
Oxalic acid treatments and the Organic trial.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 08:05 PM

Date: 14th June 2008

Venue:
Paengaroa Hall, Old Coach Rd, Paengaroa
9.30am – 4.00pm

Cost:
NBA Members free please show your card.
Non members $5 entry.
Lunch is available at $4 Steak Sandwich $2 Sausage and Bread.
Tea and Coffee complimentary

Topics:
Morning Session: Industry Focus
Colin Baskin Kyoto Comvita
Neil Cameron Spray Issues Industry Group
Zespri Industry update
Byron Taylor RMP’s Assure Quality

Afternoon Session: Tutu, Tutin and Toxic Honey
Mark Goodwin Hort Research
Workshop session on what Tutu looks like
Jim Sim NZSFA
Jim Edwards NBA

Look forward to seeing you all there

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 10:02 PM

The NBA invites you to attend a 1 day seminar sponsored by the Sustainable Farming Fund

Please note: All beekeepers are welcome. There is no charge to attend

When & Where:

Thursday, 5th June
Conference Centre, Telford Rural Polytechnic

Friday 6th June
Greyway Lounge, Timaru Racecourse

Time: 10.00am to 4.30pm

Coffee & tea and a light lunch will be provided

The NBA will bring experienced North Island beekeepers
to present a “hands on” approach.
…………………………………………………………………

You must RSVP by 5.00pm Thursday 29 May to:

Pam Edwards by e-mail secretary@nba.org.nz or Fax (06) 362 6302

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - 02:38 PM

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has established a new South Island Controlled Area to protect beekeeping operations in the West Coast, Canterbury and areas further south, from varroa which was found at St Arnaud, outside the previous South Island Controlled Area, three weeks’ ago.

The new South Island Controlled Area comes into force at 4pm today, Tuesday 13 May, and covers the northern part of Westland; Grey, Buller; Tasman; Nelson; Marlborough; and part of north Canterbury.

“This is an interim measure and stakeholders will be consulted during May and June regarding the future of this Controlled Area,” said MAFBNZ Incursion Response Manager, Richard Norman.

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.

Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 07:15 PM

Carol Downer is passionate about bees and says even city people can happily have their own hives.

Listen to the interview on Radio New Zealand (duration: 12′22″)

Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 03:26 PM

Honey lovers throughout the world should have no concerns about devouring their favourite New Zealand condiment.

That’s the message from the Bee Products Standards Council, which says the recent spate of illnesses after people ate poisoned honey is highly regrettable, but it was an extremely rare occurrence.

“This particular case appears to have been limited to honey produced by one local supplier,” said Council Chairman, Dr Jim Edwards.

Monday, March 31, 2008 - 03:44 PM

New Zealand’s honey industry could be under attack from introduced bee diseases, if the Biosecurity and Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Legislation Amendment Bill is passed.

National Beekeepers Association Waikato Branch spokesperson, Russell Berry, said the Amendment Bill which is due for its final reading this week would effectively disregard a Court of Appeal ruling, and could potentially prove disastrous for the country’s multi-million dollar honey business and food producing sectors that rely on bees for pollination.

In 2007, the beekeeping industry won a Court of Appeal action making it unlawful for MAF to allow new organisms such Paenibacillus alvei (P.alvei) a disease of bees, to enter New Zealand.

“It affirmed that the only body with power to approve the introduction of new organisms into the country was the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA).”

Monday, March 31, 2008 - 03:44 PM

The Auckland Branch will be holding a meeting at Ceracell Beekeeping Supplies Ltd on Tuesday evening April 8 2008 starting 7.30 PM.

We will be showing on Big screen the Documentary DVD "Silence of the Bees" produced by National Geographic, all Beekeepers are invited, bee club members are welcome to attend this recommended and superbly presented Documentary on the urgent mystery of the disappearance of the Bees in America and Europe,commonly called CCD and what is being done.

Find out how one country are pollinating their crops since their bees disappeared as early as 1980.

Agenda
(1)Update on the "Biosecurity and Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Legislation Amendment Bill from those who represented the Auckland Branch and spoke before the Select Committee at Parliament.
(2)Toxic Honey

Please pass the word about the above showing.
Bob Russell
Secretary
Auckland Branch.

Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 03:23 PM

With the introduction of Varroa mites to New Zealand our Ruakura based apiculture team is focussed on ensuring that honey bees remain a viable source of pollination for plants and horticultural crops.

The team currently has a vacancy for a researcher to contribute to a range of projects in apiculture and pollination. This will involve the collection and analysis of field and laboratory data, the reporting of results and contributions to experimental design.

You’ll need to hold a relevant BSc or equivalent qualification and have practical experience in apiculture and field-based research. Experience in pollination research would be an added advantage. Of course you’ll be comfortable working with bees and wasps and will be able to work with flexibility when occasional after-hours work is required.

Please visit our website www.hortresearch.co.nz for more information including application details.

To apply, send your application details, C.V. and a covering letter to Human Resources, Private Bag 92 169 Auckland or vacancies@hortresearch.co.nz
Please quote vacancy number 1058.
Applications close 11th April 2008.

Read the Position Description.

Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 11:18 AM

New: Reminder about the risks from toxic honey
http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/publications/media-releases/2008/2008-03-27-honey.htm
Further press release reminding the public about the risks from toxic honey.

Updated: Background on toxic honey
http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/publications/info-pamphlet/bee-products/toxic-honey.htm
Information pamphlet "Background on toxic honey" has been updated.

New: Toxic honey - Notice for Beekeepers
http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/subject/bee-products/notice-to-beekeepers-apa-act.htm

New: Toxic honey information for beekeepers and apiarists http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/subject/bee-products/letter-to-beekeepers-march-2008.htm
Letter to bee keepers reminding them of their responsibilities about toxic honey.

Updated: Bee Products
http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/animalproducts/subject/bee-products/index.htm
Information about the Animal Products Act and its application to beekeepers and those trading and processing bee products.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - 01:53 PM

Source:
If you have purchased comb honey from the Coromandel Peninsula since early January this year, please check with the supplier that the honey has been harvested in accordance with requirements. If people are in any doubt about comb honey they have purchased that may have been harvested in the past three months (the high-risk period) they are advised to not consume it. This is the message from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) today.

NZFSA is also advising people that if they feel they may have suffered illness associated with honey, to contact their local doctor and provide any information relating to recent consumption of honey from the risk area. They are requested to hold any samples of the suspect honey at home and contact the Public Health Unit at their local District Health Board who will advise on further action.

Toxic comb honey from the Coromandel appears to have been implicated in a number of cases of illness throughout the country over the past week. The honey was sold from three outlets in Whangamata: Quarry Orchard, Valley Orchards and Meat at the Beach.

The toxin causing the problems comes from the native tutu bush and is incorporated into honey when bees gather honeydew produced by the sap sucking vine hopper insect (Scolypopa sp) feeding on tutu plants. This year’s hot dry conditions, with a shortage of food for bees, is thought to have led to increased honeydew consumption.

NZFSA will be testing the samples of suspect honey as soon as possible and is keen to gather further information about what is happening.

NZFSA is today writing to all beekeepers to remind them of their obligations in regard to selling honey. Previous audits of the system have indicated beekeepers in general are well informed about the requirements, but given the current concerns, they are being reminded of these.

Waikato District Health Board has activated a helpline and people seeking further health information can contact them on 0800 276216.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 09:15 PM

Prepared by MAF, February 2008
Contents
Introduction
Contacts for information and advice
Lessons from past droughts
Business Management
Farm Management
Make decisions for the right reasons
Tax Management
Buffering Business for the Future
Animal welfare
Human Factors
Warning bells
Help for affected farmers
Read more ...

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 08:56 PM

Annual General Meeting
Notice of Meeting to be held on Monday 14th April in the AsureQuality,
conference room Batchelor Centre Palmerston North at 10am

10am Cup of Tea
10.30 Welcome by the President

Agenda
1. Apologies
2. Minutes of the last AGM
3. Matters arising
4. Correspondence Inwards - Outwards
5. Financial Report
6. Presidents Report
7. Election of Officers
8. Ward representative
9. Notices of Motion to Conference (Get your thinking caps on)
10. General Business

A general meeting of the branch will follow the AGM with updates on what is going on in the NBA and on how planning is going for the NBA July Conference in Masterton.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND PLEASE LET EITHER NEIL FARRER Ph 06 343 6248
OR FRANK LINDSAY Ph 04 478 3367 KNOW.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 01:41 AM

To whom it may concern:

I am very anxious to pursue bee keeping as a career. In November of 2007-January 2008, I flew to Australia and had the opportunity to tour a few urban and commercial bee keeping apiaries in New South Wales and Queensland. I was very impressed with the skill and enthusiasm at the apiaries and gained very useful knowledge and insight into beekeeping.

I have experience with a neighbor's hives and in a week will assist in extracting the honey this season. Last year, I decided that I wanted a job that made a difference or at least a positive impact on the environment such as bee keeping. If you need a helper that is educated, dependable, hard working, and eager to learn the operation then I just might be that person to fill any available positions. Willing to travel (have a current passport), work seasonal, temporary, full time or relocate for the right to learn the trade. Available immediately.

I have attached my resume for your review. I plan on following opportunities that allow me to gain more experience and knowledge about bees.

Thank you for reviewing my resume. I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,
D. Castner Carr

Some say every third bite of our food is dependent upon honey bees.

Sunday, March 09, 2008 - 04:00 PM

Source:
A new regulated control scheme has been developed under the Animal Products Act 1999 to demonstrate to our trading partners ongoing freedom and control of residues and ocntaminants in exported bee products, principally honey.

Read page 1 and page 2.

Thursday, March 06, 2008 - 02:54 PM

Click on the link below to get more details how to get to Masterton by:
Taxi
Co-op Shuttle
Met link Airport Flyer Buses
Trains to the Wairarapa
Helicopter

If you let us and the hotel know your are travelling by train you can be met at the Solway station just let the guard/ driver know you what to get off at Solway station.

Please note there is no direct bus link to Masterton from Wellington

Link to Transport to the Wairarapa.

Thursday, February 21, 2008 - 11:40 PM

Please click on the conference registration form to download and fill in.

Please send your completed registration form and payment to:
Mary-Ann Lindsay, Conference Treasurer, 26 Cunliffe Street, Johnsonville, Wellington 6037
E-mail: lindsays.apiaries@xtra.co.nz.


Please forward this accommodation reservation form direct to the Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Solway Park, Wairarapa. Reservations Manager, in order to secure your accommodation for the National Beekeepers Association Conference, Sunday 13th - Thursday 17th July 2008.

Monday, February 18, 2008 - 05:21 PM

The Government is introducing and amendment which you can open and read at Biosecurity and Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Legislation Amendment Bill.

Monday, February 11, 2008 - 01:34 AM

Southern North Island Branch of the NBA
Meeting on Wednesday 20th February 2008
at 10am
Asurequality Conference Rooms Bachelor Centre Palmerston North

Agenda:
10.00am Cup of Tea
10.30am Welcome
Apologies
Minutes of the Last General Meeting
Matters Arising
Correspondence
Financial Report
AFB NPMS
General Business
Conference 2008 report to members

Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 05:48 PM

NATIONAL BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NZ (INC)
SEMINAR & CONFERENCE 2008

Please come and help us celebrate our Branch Centenary to be held at
Solway Park & Conference Centre, Masterton
13 JULY - 17 JULY 2008

Sunday 13 July
Hobby Forum : Everyone welcome

Monday 14 July
Specialty Group Meetings
Guest Speaker ?
Mix & Mingle in the Evening

Tuesday 15 July
Seminar with various speakers
NBA Annual General Meeting
Sponsors Evening & Presentations

Wednesday 16th July
NPMS AGM
Bus Trips
Conference Dinner (Formal dress) & Entertainment (Special Location)

Thursday 17th July
Seminar with various Speakers

THE NBA WELCOMES ALL MEMBERS & NON-MEMBERS TO JOIN US FOR AN EXCITING AND INFORMATIVE CONFERENCE 2008
CELEBRATING OVER 100 YEARS OF COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING IN THE SOUTHERN NORTH ISLAND OF NZ

Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 03:05 AM

Jakob Sauer, 21 year old German is seeking for a temporal (1 year) job as a beekeeper in NZ.

Jakob finished Waldorf school in 2003 and received his CSE at a public school in 2004. 2004 - 2005 he was in training at a dairy farm.

Since 2005 he is in training at a big beekeeping. This is accompanied by a 6 month theoretical education at a governmental bee institute (LAVES). He will finish training in August.

Please contact Jakob for further information by email: oasauer@web.de

Thursday, January 31, 2008 - 01:47 PM

If you wish to participate, please register earlier as there are only 300 seats in the auditorium of ICDA Conference Hall.

Read the First Announcement ...

Looking forward to meeting you at Apimondia Symposium in Bucharest, Romania.
Ms. Cornelia Rapan
Symposium Secretariat
office@apimondiafoundation.org
phone: +4021-232-6730
fax: +4021-232-3487

Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 04:15 PM

Controlled Area, Movement Controls and Procedures in Respect of Unwanted Organism Varroa Destructor, 31 January 2008


Commencement
1. This Notice takes effect at 4pm on Thursday 31st January 2008 and replaces the notice issued on 27th June 2005 (Notice Number 4142 published in the New
Zealand Gazette Issue Number 100 on 30 June 2005).

Controlled Area declaration
2. Pursuant to section 131(2) of the Biosecurity Act 1993, I hereby declare all parts of New Zealand that fall within the area described as: “All parts of New Zealand that fall within the boundaries of the local government regions of Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, and Wellington”. to be an area that is controlled for the purpose of limiting the spread of Varroa bee mite (Varroa destructor, formerly known as Varroa jacobsoni), being an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993. This area is referred to as “the Controlled Area” in the rest of this notice. A map of the area described is displayed in Schedule 2 below.

Read the whole document ...

Also available: the Controlled Area, Movement Controls and Procedures in Respect of Unwanted Organism Varroa Destructor ...

Read this information on the MAFBNZ website ...

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 03:54 PM

Source:

Scientists are breeding bees resistant to the Varroa miteScientists believe they have made a breakthrough in the fight against a pest that costs the farming and horticulture sectors tens of millions of dollars each year.

HortResearch scientists have successfully bred honeybees that fight back against the destructive Varroa bee mite by rendering the parasite’s offspring sterile.

What’s more, they say the sustainable and cost-effective tool to control the Varroa mite may soon be available to New Zealand beekeepers.
Read more ...

Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 01:58 PM

Monday, January 21, 2008 - 02:25 PM

Delivered personally by Maureen Maxwell, Executive Council Member who will represent the NBA at Sir Edmund's State Funeral.

Thursday, January 17, 2008 - 07:39 PM

The annual conference of the National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand Inc. will be held at Solway Park in Masterton from the 14th to the 18th of July, 2008.

Further information will be published as it arrives from the organising committee.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 - 03:57 PM

Frans Laas, President NBA

With the passing away of Sir Edmund Hillary in January, New Zealand has lost one of its most iconic individuals. While he was revered as the first person to set foot on the summit of Mount Everest he was more than just a mountaineer. While I never had the privilege of meeting the man, he always came across as a person who exuded greatness despite his understated public persona.

The ordinary beekeeper from Tuakau who defined an era.

While the beekeeping community considers Sir Edmund Hillary as a famous person who was a beekeeper, his career in the industry was somewhat short. His enthusiasm for mountaineering overcame his desire to work in the family business and his brother Rex bore the lion's share of the work. Once Edmund had climbed Everest he left the industry to pursue other more notable feats.

Monday, January 14, 2008 - 04:42 PM

“New Zealand’s most famous Beekeeper”

A truly great man of strength, determination, vision and humility.

A pragmatic and rugged leader who knew the power of working with nature.

Sir Edmund will continue to inspire us as to just what can be achieved one step at a time.

Like bees in pollination, every person Sir Edmund touched was enriched by the experience.

Sir Edmund makes us proud to be Kiwis.

He will always be remembered with Respect and Admiration

A great man at one with nature.


Maureen Maxwell
BeesOnline
Executive member of the National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand

Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 01:34 PM

Dear Sir/Madam:

Do you need a beekeeper who is hardworking and well-experienced in general beekeeping management such as pests and diseases control, colony production and hive construction. If you do, please consider me for the position.

I am presently managing my own bee farm here in Nagcarlan, Laguna, Philippines, tasked to perform wide variety of beekeeping function such as extracting honey, queen rearing, assessment of quality bee products, knowledge in equalizing and boosting of colonies and among others. I have been in beekeeping activities since 2003 and I have attended numerous training seminars. My other skills include driving light vehicles, motorbikes, and other livestocks raising.

Thursday, January 10, 2008 - 09:08 PM

Members of the National Beekeepers’ Association are remembering Sir Edmund Hillary as the south Auckland beekeeper who reached the top of the World.

After his Everest achievement, life was never the same for Sir Edmund who went on to build his reputation further, especially with building schools and hospitals in Nepal and his further adventures.

Picture from the Auckland Museum.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 03:58 PM

67th Annual General Meeting & Conference

Carriage House Inn, Calgary AB

Come and join us for some friendly western hospitality and spend some time over the weekend in the Rocky Mountains! Calgary has award-winning dining and is just 45 minutes from the nearest ski hill.

Registration begins Wednesday afternoon. Events kick off with a trade show and guest speakers on industry issues Wednesday evening.
The AGM with guest speakers is on Thursday. Come to our Meet and Greet on Thursday evening with who's who in beekeeping then enjoy traditional western hospitality at Ranchman's Cookhouse and Dancehall on Friday evening.

The research symposium brings the latest in apiculture information all day Friday and Saturday morning.

An optional field trip is departing for Medivet Pharmaceuticals, Chinook Honey Company and Greidanus Honey operation on Saturday afternoon.

Research Symposium Topics
•Colonies and health
•Pollination
•Honey Markets
•Honey for Health
•Guest speakers

Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 11:03 PM

We are pleased to announce that the revised Varroa book is now available.

To order your copy, please use the attached Publications Order Form.

New Zealand prices are:
· Price will be $25 per copy plus $1 postage or
· $20 for 10 or more copies.
· Any profit after costs will go into varroa research

Please send overseas sales inquiries to the Executive Secretary.

Publications Order Form.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 09:14 PM

The National Beekeepers Association (NBA) is pleased that the Court of Appeal has recognized the genuine concerns of the beekeeping industry.

“As a result of the Court's decision, the risks of new diseases entering the New Zealand beekeeping industry will be much more manageable.” said Frans Laas, President of the NBA.

“The NBA is taking further legal advice as it analyses the decision from the Court.”

“The National Beekeepers Association is very concerned for the sake of all beekeepers and the industries they provide pollination services to, that no more new diseases enter New Zealand beekeeping. Varroa has had an enormous impact in the North Island and is now spreading through the South Island. That has led to significant losses and cost impacts on the industry that have threatened the viability of beekeeping operations. To put beekeepers and the industries that rely on pollination at further risk, can not be justified.”

Read the Judgment ...

Contacts:
Frans Laas
President
Tel: (027) 230 7157

Jim Edwards
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: (06) 362 6301

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 01:10 PM

We invite you to take a part in special events for beekeepers in Poland:

Beekeeper`s Days in Krakow in the period 11-14 September 2008 in Krakow
Bartnik Feast on 6th July 2008 in Strze/ Krynica (it is ca. 150 km from Krakow)

Beside the hives and apiculture we show you Poland less and more known!

We had a pleasure to organised programme of stay for beekeepers from Belgium, who took part in Bartnik Feast this year and going to come in 2008 year too. This is the best example that the feast is good and our programme met the requirements of our guests beekeepers from Belgium!

Read more about Honey destinations in Poland ...
For further question do not hesitate to contact me!

Aneta Mencfel
Events Specialist
START EVENTS Krakow

Tel.: + 48 12 269 44 25
Fax.: +48 12 269 04 05
Mobile: +48 602 507 375
events@startevents.cok
www.startevents.com

Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 12:35 AM

Source: Marsden Update October 2007

In a project that could change the way intensive care patients are managed, new Marsden-funded research will study the differences between sleep and anaesthesia.

To explore how anaesthesia influences sense of time and the internal body clock, Dr Guy Warman and Professor James Sleigh at The University of Auckland will use honeybees to investigate its effects on learning, behaviour and memory. Honeybees have an acute sense of time. They continuously consult their body clocks in the same way that humans refer to a wristwatch. The team will also investigate the way that nerves fire, and genes are expressed in the brains of bees during and after anaesthesia.

Monday, November 12, 2007 - 07:35 PM

Source: Marsden Update October 2007

How do you produce two different organisms from the same genetic code? In some species the answer is surprisingly simple.

The difference between a queen and a worker bee, for example, is just royal jelly. Larval bees fed royal jelly emerge as queens – larger, long-lived, reproductively active bees destined to rule the hive. Genetically identical larval bees that don't get royal jelly are doomed to a life of drudgery as worker bees.

How royal jelly kick-starts the complex series of biological changes that control caste development in honeybees is unknown.

A new project, supported by the Marsden Fund, seeks to address this enduring biological problem.

Recent advances in honeybee genetics have given Dr Peter Dearden from the University of Otago and his team the tools to identify and characterise the genes that are switched on and off by royal jelly. The researchers will test the function and interaction of these genes to understand more about the way they work together to create this natural phenomenon.

This project will not only shed light on the way gene expression in larval honeybees changes in response to royal jelly to create queen or worker bees. The team also hopes to gain insight into a more wide-ranging question relevant to many health and agriculture researchers: just how does diet affect the way genes are switched on and off?

Sunday, October 28, 2007 - 11:32 PM

When? 9am 3 November or 4 November if Saturday is wet.

Where? Arataki Honey.

Why? This is a chance to check hives for AFB. This is a chance to go out with an experienced beekeeper to look in hives to help in reducing the number of infected hives. If infected hives are not found and destroyed, other hives in the vicinity can become infected. The aim is to completely eradicate AFB in New Zealand and the number of infected hives is steadily reducing.

Unfortunately some apiarists can not easily recognise the disease, and so infected hives spread the incidence to others.

What to bring? Come with your drink, protective gear, plus a hive tool and smoker, to spend a morning of ‘hands on’ beekeeping. There is some gear available for people to borrow.

How? Participants will be arranged in groups of two or three, led by an experienced beekeeper, who will answer all your questions as you go from one apiary to the next.

Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 01:30 AM

My name is Golibjon. I live in Tajikistan. I was born in a family of beekeepers and I am a beekeeper.

I want to work in New Zealand to improve my knowledge in sphere of beekeeping.

I'm vice president of Beekeeper's Association of Tajikistan. Also I am working as a project manager in a Beekeepers association of Sogd region (Republic of Tajikistan).

Recently I participated in an International Beekeepers congress in a Melbourne (Australia) and I met Indian people who work as beekeepers in Australia and New Zealand. Also I visited your web site www.nba.org.nz and found out some courses for beekeepers there.

Have I any possibility to work and cooperate with you in order exchange with our experience and knowledge. Looking forward your letter
Best regards,
Golibjon Sultonov

Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 05:03 PM

Source: BeesOnline

The North Region Sustainable Business Awards were held on Wednesday 23rd August, 2007. BeesOnline was a Finalist for the awards and winner for the Trailblazer category for SMEs.

The Trailblazer category is described by the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) as follows:
“A business who has been actively implementing sustainability actions for more than two years. It is likely to have sustainability as a strategic part of their business operations, products and services. These businesses are innovators & leaders who are positioned to maintain market advantages while providing both ecological, social, & financial dividends.”

Wade Gillooly General Manager-BeesOnline says "This is a positive step towards our journey to develop and refine our business operations and practises to ensure that we can define ourselves as a truly sustainable business"
Read more ...

Read the press release Search for nation’s most sustainable business ...

Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - 05:02 PM

October 25-26, 2007 Daejon, Korea

Program

2007. Oct. 25th(Thur.)

<Opening ceremoney>

11:00 - 11:40
Inaugural address : Cho, Chung-Won(Organizational Committee Chairman, Director of National Science Museum)
Introduction invited guests : Lee, Seung-Wan(Chairman of Bio-Propolis Research Council)
Greetings Address : Jeon, Ki-Hyun(Chairman of Korea Beekeeping Association)
Cho, Sang-Kyun(President of Cooperation Korea Beekeeping)

11:40 - 12:20 Keynote Speech
‘Apitherapy in the world’, Dr. Stefan Stangaciu(Chairman of German Apitherapy Society, Romania)

Monday, October 22, 2007 - 11:23 PM

CCD in honey bees will be discussed in San Diego this December

A late-breaking symposium, "Colony Collapse Disorder in Honey Bees: Insight Into Status, Potential Causes, and Preventive Measures," has recently been added to the 55th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), to be held in San Diego, December 9-12. The symposium, headed by entomologists Diana Cox-Foster (Penn State University) and Jeff Pettis (USDA-ARS), will explore possible factors that may have caused honey bee deaths since 2006, such as pathogens, parasites, viruses, bacteria, disease, pesticide exposure, and breeding practices. In addition, the myths and mysteries of CCD will be discussed, as well as possible ways to combat the phenomenon.

Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 11:33 PM

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) testing during August in the Nelson-Marlborough Controlled Area has detected varroa in an apiary close to the known infested area around Pelorus Bridge. The level of infestation was low, and below what could be expected to cause observable signs in the hives. A Restricted Place notice is in place on the affected apiary, and testing will be performed on the small number of apiaries operated by this beekeeper elsewhere in Marlborough.

MAFBNZ has consulted with Nelson and Marlborough beekeepers on current and proposed management of the Controlled Area. As a result, the current internal control line separating the Nelson and Marlborough sectors of the Controlled Area will be retained for the time being. These controls are necessary to limit movement of risk goods into Marlborough from known areas of infestation, therefore slowing the spread towards the southern boundary. MAFBNZ acknowledges the impact this is having on a small number of beekeepers. The internal controls will be assessed throughout the current beekeeping season.

MAFBNZ has contracted Agriquality Ltd apicultural advisers to provide advice to Nelson area beekeepers around the management of varroa this spring. They will look at the risk of varroa spread connected with pollination hive movements and investigate the degree to which varroa has spread in the Nelson region since it was first detected in June 2006.

Varroa numbers build rapidly in spring and beekeepers throughout the Nelson-Marlborough Controlled Area are urged to regularly test their own hives for varroa mites on bees or in brood. Beekeepers detecting varroa in their hives should report the find to MAFBNZ via the 0800 80 99 66 line.

Information on any spread will be made available to the beekeeping industry to help beekeepers plan their testing and treatment programmes.

Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 04:55 PM

Deadlines for study at NZ’s only polytechnic specialising in Apiculture full time and distance learning courses are closing soon.

Telford’s full time (37 week) Certificate in Apiculture Level 3 begins on the 28th of January 2008. After two weeks on this course, students will begin the four week block course as part of the Certificate in Queen Bee Rearing Level 4 (starting the 11th of February 2008). On the 7th of April students will begin the six week Certificate in Honey Production Level 3. On 21 July students will undertake the 6 week Certificate in Bee Diseases Level 3. Students will also work towards the National Certificate in Apiculture Level 2 (Beekeepers Assistant) and the National Certificate in Apiculture Level 3 (Leading Hand). Applications are now open for all these courses.

Entry requirements: Aged 16 years and over, with a passion for the Apiculture industry.

Scholarships are available as well as student loans to help fund the courses.

If you want to study from home Telford has a number of different correspondence courses which vary in length and cost. There are no time limits for starting these courses, it is up to the individual.

For more information view www.telford.ac.nz or contact Telford on 0800 Telford (835 367)

Sunday, September 09, 2007 - 08:18 PM

Monday 17th September at 7.30pm
Buretta Park Vale St Tauranga in the Vale Room.

As well as being our last meeting for the year we will also have Neil Farrier and Abdi Saffari at the meeting.

Abdi Saffari is the scientist who researched then developed the pollen substitute product FEEDBEE. This product is designed to emulate the natural diet of the honeybee and studies have shown that the product has the same nutritional value as pollen, and is consumed by bees at the same rates. It is made from 100% natural vegetable sources. Interested and want more information then come along to the meeting and meet the boffin who designed the product and Neil who is the NZ distributor.

Our meeting will follow afterwards. If you can't be there and want more information on this product please contact Neil Farrier directly.

Barbara Pimm
Secretary

Friday, September 07, 2007 - 12:50 AM

By Kim Kaplan
Source:

A team led by scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Pennsylvania State University (PSU), and Columbia University (CU) has found an association between colony collapse disorder (CCD) in honey bees and a honey bee virus called Israeli acute paralysis virus, according to a paper published in the journal Science this week.

ARS entomologist Jeffery S. Pettis, research leader of the agency's Bee Research Laboratory in Beltsville, Md.; Diana L. Cox-Foster, a professor in the PSU Department of Entomology; and W. Ian Lipkin, director of the Center for Infection and Immunity at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, led the team that did genetic screening of honey bees collected from 30 colonies with CCD and 21 colonies with no CCD from four locations in the United States.

The genetic screening allowed the researchers to identify pathogens to which the sampled honey bees had been exposed. In total, the honey bees—both CCD and non-CCD honey bees—were found to harbor six symbiotic types of bacteria and eight bacterial groups, 81 fungi from four lineages, and seven viruses.

The search for potential pathogens was done using a new means of sequencing the genetic material from the healthy and unhealthy bees. This technology, termed high-throughput sequencing, allows for an unbiased look at DNA from all the organisms, bacteria, fungi and viruses present in the bees. Then the DNA sequences are searched against known genomic libraries for best matches. This gives a very precise picture of the organisms present, at least to the family or genus level. Often specific species can be identified, and unknown organisms—if present—can also be catalogued for further study. The sequencing work was led by Michael Egholm, vice president of 454 Life Sciences Corp. of Branford, Conn., followed by a large group effort to further identify specific groups of microorganisms.

The only pathogen found in almost all samples from honey bee colonies with CCD, but not in non-CCD colonies, was the Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV), a dicistrovirus that can be transmitted by the varroa mite. It was found in 96.1 percent of the CCD-bee samples.

This is the first report of IAPV in the United States. IAPV was initially identified in honey bee colonies in Israel in 2002, where the honey bees exhibited unusual behavior, such as twitching wings outside the hive and a loss of worker bee populations. IAPV has not yet been formally accepted as a separate species; it is a close relative of Kashmir bee virus, which has been previously found in the United States.

"This does not identify IAPV as the cause of CCD," said Pettis. "What we have found is strictly a strong correlation of the appearance of IAPV and CCD together. We have not proven a cause-and-effect connection."

Even if IAPV proves to be a cause of CCD, there may also be other contributing factors—which researchers are pursuing—that stress the bee colony and allow the virus to replicate.

The next step is exposing healthy hives to IAPV and seeing if CCD develops.

CCD became a matter of concern in the winter of 2006-2007 when some beekeepers began reporting losses of 30 to 90 percent of their hives. While colony losses are not unexpected during winter weather, the magnitude of loss suffered by some beekeepers was highly unusual.

Pollination is a critical element in agriculture, as honey bees pollinate more than 130 crops in the United States and add $15 billion in crop value annually. There were enough honey bees to provide pollination for U.S. agriculture this year, but beekeepers could face a serious problem next year and beyond if CCD becomes more widespread and no treatment is developed.

The main symptom is finding no or a low number of adult honey bees present with no dead honey bees in the hive. Often there is still honey in the hive and immature bees (brood) are present.

More information about CCD can be found at www.ars.usda.gov/is/br/ccd/.

ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific research agency.

Video and audio about ARS research on CCD:

Discovery Communications video

ARS-produced video

National Public Radio audio

Further reading:

Research plan for colony collapse disorder

Genes and the secret lives of bees

Bee queens spread viruses to offspring

New antibiotic for sick bees

Monday, September 03, 2007 - 03:32 PM

Dear Sir/Madam

Greetings!

I am Mr. William A. Lopez a filipino citizen a hard working and well experienced beekeeper. Presently working here in NZ as beekeeper. I've been in Saudi Arabia since 1988-1990 and lately in Canada last season of 2005 as beekeeper. My work will expire this coming October. I would greatly appreciate you if you could find me a job or employer here.

Hope to hear from you soon

Sincerely Yours,
Mr. Lopez
E-mail: qoheleth_weelee@yahoo.com

Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 11:54 PM

Source:

Beginning in October 2006, some beekeepers began reporting losses of 30-90 percent of their hives. While colony losses are not unexpected during winter weather, the magnitude of loss suffered by some beekeepers was highly unusual.

This phenomenon, which currently does not have a recognizable underlying cause, has been termed "Colony Collapse Disorder" (CCD). The main symptom of CCD is simply no or a low number of adult honey bees present but with a live queen and no dead honey bees in the hive. Often there is still honey in the hive, and immature bees (brood) are present.

To read more, visit the USDA:ARS website ...

Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 06:01 PM

Source: TVNZ
Tens of thousands of willing Kiwi workers are contributing to a biofuel revolution sweeping Europe and North America.

The shipments of live bees play a crucial role in the production of canola which is used to make biodiesel.

Throughout the vast canola fields of Canada, millions of bees are pollinating crops that will end up as cooking oil and biofuel. And many of the workers have flown in from New Zealand to help struggling Canadian beekeepers.
Read more and watch the video report ...

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 11:50 PM

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) surveillance completed in July confirmed varroa has not spread outside of the Controlled Area at the top of the South Island.

“More than 5,000 hives at over 300 apiary sites in Marlborough within a band approximately 50 kilometres wide below the southern boundary of the Nelson-Marlborough Controlled Area were tested, with no positive finds outside of the Controlled Area and only two finds within the Controlled Area, near Canvastown,” said Richard Norman, MAFBNZ Incursion Response Manager.

“Moderate levels of infestation were detected in several hives at one apiary site to the east of Pelorus Bridge at the start of the surveillance period. All other samples from this beekeeping operation have tested negative. This operation has apiary sites only within the Controlled Area.

“The second infestation was detected in July approximately five kilometres south of the earlier Canvastown find. This beekeeping enterprise also has apiary sites only within the Controlled Area.”

Movements of hives and beekeeping related equipment within the affected businesses will be subject to movement controls to minimise the risk of further spread of varroa. Movement controls on other beekeepers remain unchanged at this point.

Richard Norman said the results of surveillance were encouraging. “Beekeeper cooperation with movement controls were likely to be responsible for the lack of significant spread outside of known infested areas.”

“Beekeepers understand the importance of managing risks within their own operations to delay the spread of varroa and to reduce the impact of varroa in their hives and businesses.”

MAFBNZ is continuing to run free workshops in the South Island to help beekeepers recognise and manage varroa.

“Spring is a period when varroa infestations accelerate and beekeepers attending varroa workshops learn and practice skills in varroa detection. We encourage beekeepers to be on the look out for varroa in their hives and report any suspicious finds to MAFBNZ’s free phone line 0800 80 99 66,” said Richard Norman.

Movement of hives or other risk materials and equipment within a beekeeping operation is the most likely way for varroa to spread over significant distances. MAF BNZ appreciates the cooperation of beekeepers with the movement control conditions in place as part of this response. Continued compliance will help slow the spread of varroa to the rest of the South Island.

Movement control conditions and the location of control points within the Controlled Area are currently being reviewed and beekeepers will be advised immediately of any changes.

Monday, August 06, 2007 - 11:20 PM

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAF BNZ) surveillance concluded in July confirms that varroa has not spread outside of the Controlled Area at the top of the South Island.

More than 5,000 hives at more than 300 apiary sites in Marlborough within a band approximately 50 km wide below the southern boundary of the Nelson-Marlborough Controlled Area were tested, with no positive finds outside of the Controlled Area and only two finds within the Controlled Area, near Canvastown.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 08:16 PM

Must have commercial beekeeping experience (pref. 4-5 years). Applicant must be able to work alone efficiently as well as manage a small team.

For details of the position and remuneration please contact Andrew on tel (07) 377 2203 fax (07) 377 2204 or by email on bees@lvhoneyco.com.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 12:45 AM

Marlborough Beekeepers Association

Cordially invites all amateur and commercial beekeepers to a seminar on
Managing Varroa In Your Hives

On Saturday 18th August
9.30am to 4pm
At Blaycliff Apiaries
829 Taylor Pass Road
Blenheim.

Guest speakers are:
Morning:
Frank Lyndsay: From Wellington, writer of “About the Apiary” in the Beekeeper Magazine and running 400 hives.
Tony Roper: AgriQuality

Afternoon:
Richard Norman: Biosecurity
Brian Alexander: From Auckland, running 1000 hives
Mary-Anne Thomason: From Kintail Honey, a large Commercial operation
Stuart Ecroyd: Ecroyd Beekeeping Supplies

A light lunch will be available, kindly sponsored by Ecroyd Beekeeping Supplies.

Cover charge $10 per head

RSVP by 15 August 07
to
Will Trollope 03 5705633 or willflictrollope@xtra.co.nz
or
Darren Clifford 03 5776955 or darrenclifford@xtra.co.nz

Monday, July 23, 2007 - 05:33 PM

Source:
Milford Galleries Dunedin

Michael Hight has established an outstanding and substantial body of work focused on the Central Otago landscape and the metaphor of the beehive. His paintings are remarkably accurate and imbued with the confidence of fully observed detail (Middlemarch, 2007).

Yet there is no such thing as a typical Hight painting – from work to work – he varies his line of sight considerably and the role played by the beehives alters from sculptural to compositional to textural and so on. Commonly the beehives occupy the foreground of the paintings but in Maniototo Plain (2007) we read centre, right then left before understanding they make up a circle, and dwarf the mountains behind. In Chard Farm (2007) the beehives are mounded up in the left corner but move away down the slope. In Bannockburn (2007) they are partially covered by the shadows of trees and the background has been segmented by the tree trunks, and the viewer feels protected, enclosed.

Read more and see the pictures.

Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:18 PM

Hello,

My name is Matias, I'm from Chile and I'm looking for job in Agriculture or Beekeeping area.

I'm sending to you my CV.

Please contact me for any suggestion.

Thankyou so much.

Matias

64 9 820 3214
64 9 828 5379

Read Matias currriculum vitae.

Friday, June 29, 2007 - 08:27 PM

The National Beekeepers'Association of New Zealand Inc.
gratefully acknowledges the strong support it has received
for the 2007 Annual Conference in Dunedin.

Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 07:19 PM

Kindly Sponsored by:


Mike Brown is the Head of the National Bee Unit of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DFRA) at the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) in the United Kingdom.

Mike’s initial background and training is commercial beekeeping. Before joining the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) National Bee Unit (NBU) he worked in commercial beekeeping in France, Tunisia and California. In France he worked for one of the largest French bee businesses, Famille Mary, who run over 2,000 colonies for honey, royal jelly and pollen production and specialise in sales of a wide range of apiculture products (including 30 different types of honey) by mail order. In Tunisia he worked on a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) project looking at various varroa control options including essential oils (his first contact with the varroa mite). In the USA he helped manage a queen-rearing business in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California for a number of years.

In 1988 Mike joined the National Bee Unit, and was responsible for laboratory diagnostics, apiary management and commercial work, moving to managing the field advisory and inspection service from 1993- 2002. He became Head of the integrated NBU in April 2003 with responsibility for management of the bee health programmes in England and Wales on behalf of UK governments (Defra and the Welsh Assembly) comprising:
• General apiculture and colony management: bee diseases, their diagnosis, recognition and control
• Training and extension programmes
• Regulatory affairs and import risk analysis, technical support to Policy
• Supporting research and development of the bee health programme.

Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 07:18 PM

The conference seminar programme features:
• Bee and Bee Product Research
• World Trade
• Technology In Beekeeping
• Varroa and Bee Disease Management

Read the full Seminar Programme.

Friday, June 15, 2007 - 04:17 PM

The following notice for the AGM and a General Meeting of the Honey NZ Packers Assn. (incl.the Honey Exporters Group) is presented for your information.

The meeting is being held in the afternoon of Monday 2nd July at the NBA Conference venue in Dunedin. We open the meeting to members and non-members alike who may be interested in possibly joining the Association and supporting the work we do on behalf of packers and exporters.

The meeting agenda includes updates from NZFSA representatives on a number of subjects of interest to all of us in this sector of our industry. This includes residue monitoring, RMP's, cost recovery funding, and overseas market access.

If you are going to attend the NBA Conference, then consider getting along to this meeting. You WILL be better informed as a result.

Allen McCaw
HPA Chairman

Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 06:24 PM

In accordance with the National Pest Management Strategy for American Foulbrood, this is an agreement by the owner of beehives, or the representative of a beekeeping enterprise, to be responsible for disease elimination in the beehives the person either owns or is responsible for. The person understands that this agreement will be used to describe the AFB control practices used by the beekeeper or beekeeping enterprise, and also agrees to alter these practices, in negotiation with the Management Agency, should the disease incidence in those beehives increase at any time. Please download and send in the completed DECA Agreement application form.

If you want to register to take the American Foul Brood disease recognition test required under the Biosecurity Act, please download and submit the DECA Competency Test Application Form.

Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 08:34 PM

South Island Varroa Surveillance 2007



The Varroa Agency surveillance round for this year is now well underway. Testing will be carried out over 909 apiaries and 10035 hives. Hive testing started on the priority sites such as ports and airports and city areas, as well as along the main highways of the South Island.

Thursday, May 24, 2007 - 08:19 PM

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAF BNZ) is conducting a major round of surveillance to determine if the varroa bee mite has spread outside of the current Controlled Area at the top of the South Island. More than 8,000 hives at nearly 500 apiary sites in Marlborough and within a band approximately 50 km wide below the southern boundary of the Nelson-Marlborough Controlled Area are being tested.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 07:26 PM

16th June 2007

Venue: Paengaroa Hall, Old Coach Rd Paengaroa

Time: 10am – 3.30pm

Cost: $5 entry.
Lunch is available at $4 Steak Sandwich $2 Sausage and Bread.
Tea and Coffee complimentary

Topics:
Toxic Honey
AFB
Kiwifruit Pollination in Italy
Residues in Honey
Wax Moth Control
RMP’s one year on

Plus updates from NBA executive, Agriquality, Zespri and the Avocado Council

Look forward to seeing you all there

Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 04:32 PM

The Canterbury Branch of the National Beekeepers’ Association

INVITES ALL BEEKEEPERS
TO A VARROA WORKSHOP
with

Brian Alexander (Auckland), John Berry (Hawkes Bay),
& Russell Berry (Waikato)

“Practical help with Varroa,
what to look for, what to do next,
steps to survival”

Saturday 26th May 2007,
Hornby Workingmens’ Club,
Carmen Road

9.30am – 4pm

There will Bee a Cover Charge - $15.00
For morning tea, fingerfood lunch, afternoon tea.

Register (or enquiries) with

Maggie James, mjqueenb@xtra.co.nz, ph 03 324 4482
or Linda Bray, birdsnbees@xtra.co.nz, ph/fax 03 308 4964

By Sunday 20th May 2007
(for Catering Purposes).

(Please note this is not the MAF Workshop – which will come later)

Monday, May 07, 2007 - 04:35 PM

The AGM for the Auckland Branch of The National Beekeepers' Association of NZ (Inc.) will be held at Ceracell Beekeeping Supplies Ltd on Thursday May 10 starting 7.30 pm sharp.

AGENDA
AGM
Only paid up members have voting rights.
Form notices of motion: Please bring any notice of motion to the meeting in draft form.
Ward Representative: Discussion.
Visitor and Guest Speaker: Rex Baynes AFB NPMS Manager A chance to raise any concerns/questions.

All welcome.
Bob Russell

Monday, May 07, 2007 - 04:34 PM

Southern North Island Branch will run DECA competency courses over the month of June :

Taranaki 10 June
Wanganui 17 June
Manawatu 24 June
Wellington 24 June
Wairarapa 17 June (to be confirmed.)

Venues will be announced soon.

Monday, May 07, 2007 - 04:34 PM

Science and industry are delivering new technology in border control. Come and discuss the issues with experts who are trying to inform importers and keep our export industry safe.

Hear from researchers who prevent harmful organisms from arriving, before they can become established or cause unacceptable damage to New Zealand’s economic and natural environments.

Event details
Where
Westpac Room, Canterbury Employer’s Chamber of Commerce, 57 Kilmore Street
When
Monday 28 May 2007 4:00 - 6:30pm followed by drinks and nibbles
Registration
*RSVP for catering purposes to chris.coughlan@nzbio.org.nz by Wednesday 23 May

For further information about this event, please visit http://www.nzbio.org.nz/files/calendar-detail.asp?EventID=412

Read more ...

Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 06:16 PM

The NBA supported by the Sustainable Farming Fund invites you to attend a 1 day seminar

When: Monday 7th May 2007

Where: Kotuku Room, Tahuna Function Centre,
70 Beach Road, Tahunanui, Nelson

Time: 9.00am to 4.30pm

Coffee & tea will be available from 8.30am

A light lunch will be provided

The NBA will be bring experienced North Island beekeepers to present using a “hands on” approach
…………………………………………………………………

Please note: All beekeepers are welcome. There is no charge to attend

RSVP Please to:

Merle Moffitt
Tel: (03) 541 8143
E-mail: moff@ts.co.nz
Glen Kelly
Tel: (021) 159 8483
E-mail: glennjkelly@yahoo.co.nz