Meetings are held on second Monday each month (except January), at above venue

PRESENT: Frank Lindsay (Pres.), Mary Ann Lindsay (Treas.), John Burnet (Sec.), and 29 members and visitors as listed in the attendance book.

APOLOGIES: Marie & Chris Christoffel, John Wallace.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Minutes of meeting held 9 April 2001 as detailed in May newsletter were confirmed.

MATTERS ARISING:

Varroa Update: Surveillance was scheduled to start this month around Wellington and vulnerable sites adjacent to State Highways, ports etc. Varroa had now been detected at Mangakino and Te Kuiti in the central North Island and Kaitaia in Northland (where apparently infected hives had been moved north into previously uninfected areas). Experience had shown the mite was now spreading at 60km per year and hives were dying within 14 months of first infection – significantly faster than the European experience due to NZ’s warmer climate i.e. year-round brood laying.

The NBA had voted to retain the current movement restriction line across the middle of the North Is, however some consideration was appropriate concerning the possible establishment of a new line if the current one is breached (which is very likely to be in the northern Wanganui/ Rangitikei area). Any attempt to isolate the Manawatu region was impracticable, therefore it was suggested any new line should be logically drawn at Ohau, south of Levin as there was very little movement of hives across this area.

Consideration should also be given to keeping isolated regions like Taranaki and Hawkes Bay mite free with additional movement control lines. In summary it was agreed that while infestation of Wellington hives was probably inevitable, any breach of movement control lines must be resisted as the experience gained in controlling the outbreak would be invaluable to South Island beekeepers.

Diseasathon: President advised he had applied to NBA on behalf of the Wellington Club for $800 being reimbursement for hives inspected by club members in Nov and April. Other clubs within the lower North Island had also claimed for inspections done in their regions. As discussed in last month’s meeting, the following proposal was put to members (Andrew Beach/Amor Walter): If and when NBA pay the Club’s claim, the proceeds are used to purchase one or more Global Positioning Systems.

A GPS would enable diseaseathon inspection teams to more readily locate apiary sites, also check and amend grid references on existing sites which in turn would enable MAF and NBA to better monitor or control any mite infestations or disease in local hives. Motion was carried.

CORRESPONDENCE: Newsletters had been received from the Christchurch and Taranaki Beekeeping Clubs and would be available to members through the Club library.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Balances of all accounts were outlined to members. It was reported that the Club’s photocopier was markedly deteriorating and uneconomic to repair. James Scott advised he had obtained a quote from a local copying company who would copy, collate, fold and produce address labels for 80 newsletters per month for $20. In view of photocopier replacement cost, paper and labour costs/time, this was considered a good deal (James Scott/Frank Lindsay). Motion was carried – James will arrange changeover and disposal of photocopier.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

NBA report: Richard Hatfield (NBA President) reported that the recent successful prosecution of a Dargaville commercial beekeeper for non payment of back levies was unusual in that 100% of costs had been awarded against the beekeeper concerned. This decision sent a clear message to all other beekeepers of NBA’s stance on the issue and a further eight legal actions were in progress. A special investigator had been contracted by the NBA to investigate 54 cases of non-compliance, 50% of which were considered serious blatant breaches.

NBA had determined that DECA holders would have their DECA suspended on 29 May if they had not passed the DECA exam by that date.

Varroa Treatment Issues: Details of a Mite Away Pad were read from the Toronto Beekeeping Assoc newsletter.

Richard Hadfield advised MAF had recently approved the use of formic acid and oxalic acid for a trial period to Nov. Other varroa treatments were still under investigation.

One alternative treatment used overseas was ascetic acid. A mixture of 10mls to 1 litre i.e. 1% in a sugar solution was recommended.

Ivan Pedersen outlined recent Danish beekeeping figures which indicated that varroa infestation in Denmark had resulted in 40% less beekeepers and 40% less hives. Remaining beekeepers had discovered considerably more work was required to keep on top of the mite.

Frank Lindsay suggested the use of 32mm frames (11 in each box) which resulted in thinner comb and therefore less drone cells. Deeper boxes were however required to compensate for the reduced bee space between frames.

It was generally agreed that while different methods could be tried, all beekeepers needed to co-operate to synchronise treatment timings and determine and share successful methods. It was emphasised that other diseases also often emerged during any varroa outbreak due to the general stress on the colony.

John Robson produced and passed around for inspection a home-made mouse excluder and Vicky Alexander produced a set of brass sieves (6 different grades) and Frank confirmed there would be no chemical reaction between honey and the metal.

Frank demonstrated a modified floorboard which incorporated a mesh to prevent fallen mites reattaching themselves to incoming bees and a slide of printers’ aluminium or tin which, when smeared with vegetable oil, would enable mites to be easily trapped and counted. A cheap alternative would be plasticised cardboard i.e. real estate sale signs.

A German made video was then shown to members demonstrating various varroa control techniques and treatments.

Meeting closed at 9.30 p.m. with the usual supper.

Nominations are being sought for all positions on the executive committee. Give some thought to who you would like to see involved in running the Association. If you cannot attend the meeting, provide a nomination to the Secretary or the President prior to the 9^th.

Winter has really arrived with snow on the mountain ranges and cold windy days. Work is now mostly restricted to indoor activities preparing for the next season. The hives are in very good condition thanks to the long warm autumn. Our beautiful warm, still days allowed the bees to collect the lasts of the Crimson Rata nectar, (Metrosideros carminea) which the bees have packed around the brood nest.

Our winter sources are now budding up. Spanish Heath (Erica lusitanica) which flowers mid-winter to early spring provides a valuable nectar source. (Some beekeepers in the Marlborough area harvest this as a winter crop). Kohekohe (Dysoxylum spectabilie) has just come into flower. This lowland native tree produces a white lily of the valley-like flowers on stalks that spring from the bare parts of the trunk and branches. Unfortunately the possums love these flowers, so in heavily infested areas you will only observe the flowers on the thin outer branches of the tree. (Oh for an environmentally friendly treatment that will wipe out the possum).

Another bush source budding up in my garden is the five finger (pseudopanax arboreus). Located along the bush fringes and in creek beds, it usually flowers from July to September and is very attractive to bees.

One of the most valuable trees for birds and bees often overlooked is the Australian Banksia. This tree survives in poor, well drained, sandy soils. Some are frost tolerant. There are many varieties but the tall growing Coastal Banksia (Integrifolia) which produces nectar and pollen during the winter and early spring does extremely well in our area. The pollen is not a complete bee food being deficient in one or two essential elements but bees build up on this if there are other sources of pollen around.

Review what's flowering around your apiaries. If there is a lack of early nectar and pollen sources, consider planting some. Ask the farmers if you could put in a few trees around your apiaries for nectar and shelter. Pussy willow and tree lucerne (in frost-free areas) grows fast and provides early spring nectar and pollen, plus will shelter the slower growing trees. In drought conditions they can be used as cattle fodder. If this is not possible, look at putting pollen supplement in your hives. A lot of beekeepers simply feed sugar syrup to stimulate brood production in the spring. However, without good pollen sources, the bees use their own stored body fats to produce brood. If this happens, the next generation will be weaker and will have a shorter foraging life.

Don't skimp on provisions for your hives. One South Island beekeeper's philosophy is "Money In = Honey Out". A constant brood build-up in the spring is most important. Strong hives will always bring in a crop no matter what the duration of the flow.

At this time of the year commercial beekeepers render down old frames to recover the wax. There are many methods in the books that recover approximately 50% of the wax in the old combs. Some are as simple as heating frames in a container of hot water. After the wax has risen to the surface, warm water is added which allows the wax to float off into a separate container.

The idea is not to overheat the wax as it can quickly break down and turn to a soapy substance. Bees wax melts at 62-65 degrees centigrade. Try to keep the water within this temperature range. Others methods of wax extraction are more sophisticated involving steam presses which get every bit of usable wax out of the frames.

For the hobbyist with just a few hives, frames for rendering can be kept for summer to use in the solar wax melter or used during the winter as a source of fuel for the fire. A word of warning. Old brood frames contain a lot of wax and burn fearlessly. Make sure the chimney has been swept and only put small pieces on the fire. It's rather embarrassing and dangerous to have a chimney fire. If you don't have the facilities to do either of the above, the wax frames and cell residue composts quite well.

Things to do this month: Render down old combs and make up gear for the coming season. Keep an eye out for mites.

Frank Lindsay

The annual mead competition will be held this month. Competition categories are:

1. Dry
2. Sweet
3. Sparkling

The following rules govern the Annual Mead Competition of the Wellington Beekeepers Association:

• The mead must be derived from fermented honey.
• Entries must be in a clear glass bottle (preferably 750ml) and secured with a cork or replaceable stopper.
• Sparkling mead should be presented in stronger bottles designed to hold a liquid under pressure.
• The judge’s palate is final.

Enter your best (or favourite) bottle and see how it compares with those from other members.

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The old beekeepers will tell you that 'timber today ain't what it used to be'. Some of our older beekeepers still have supers in use that are over 40 years old. I have seen them made out of oak and other imported timber. Most secondhand timber, provided it hasn't been treated, can be turned into beekeeping gear.

Treated timber is out because it contains materials that are toxic to bees. As the bees clean or suck up moisture from tantalized timber they gradually get poisoned and the hive dwindles. It can however be used for runners and any parts of the hive the bees don't have access to it.

So why is it today that our woodware doesn't last as long?

Basically there are two reasons, the type of timber used and the age the trees are being felled. No longer can we get kauri, kahikatea or the other types of native hardwood as these trees have either all been milled or are in the conservation estate. We have been left with mostly pine and macrocarpa. Other types of timber are available but require a lot of investigation or just being at the right place at the right time to find.

Obtaining Timber

Things have changed again during the last few years. World demand for timber and wood pulp has seen more of the older forestry blocks, shelterbelts and wood lots milled. To keep up with constant demand, more forests were planted. Methods have also been found for stabilizing the timber, which allows younger trees to be harvested.

Most of us are therefore stuck with pine however, mature pine although classified as a soft wood can be a very durable timber, its easy to work and holds a nail. Pine trees start to put on heartwood from the age of 24 years and for the timber to be used for bee supers, it should be at least 45 years old.

Hobby beekeepers usually purchase their requirements off the shelf. This timber is clear wood (no knots); beautifully prepared and machined, but being mostly softwood, requires to be protected or else it will rot fairly quickly, 5 -10 years depending upon climate and the use. I prefer the "commercial" type supers as they are cheaper and are quicker to assemble.

Commercial beekeepers on the other hand have a constant demand for timber and can plan well ahead. As they travel around their district, they see many old scraggy shelterbelts and wood lots. To the timber merchants and farmers, they are only good for magpie nests and firewood however, many of these trees have straight, clear butt-wood which is most suitable for beehive use.

Make an arrangement with these farmers and pick out one or two trees that would make suitable woodware. Pick straight, upright trees with very few lateral branches. Trees on a lean of 10-15 degrees or more will produce compression wood that will warp. When the woodlot is being felled arrange to have them milled on site. All that is required after this is to fillet and store the timber for a year under cover to air dry. The following winter it is machined into beehive parts.

Have fun making and putting together your gear. Get together with a number of beekeepers and have a fun day. Next month: Preserving your woodware.

Frank Lindsay

A Introductory Course for Beekeepers By The Southern North Island Branch of the National Beekeepers Assn of NZ. Camp opens from 5:30 pm Friday 24th August and closes 3pm Sunday 26^th August.

Camp Rangi is not being held as a fund raising exercise, but as a response to repeated requests for another training weekend similar to the one we held in 1998. Places are, limited to 50 RESIDENT PLACES AND 30 DAY-ONLY ATTENDEES

A basic course in beekeeping for the hobbyist and small commercial beekeeper, the course will cover the basic knowledge required for looking after your hives and producing a crop, each session will be hosted by experienced personnel. If there is sufficient interest, there will be an opportunity to attend a DECA course and sit the DECA exam.

The programme includes: biology of the bee, basic hive set-up, spring build-up and requeening, Disease identification, food safety, extracting, propolis collection, nosema and varroa plus hands-on hive manipulation.

The, weekend accommodation facilities are basic, with participants supplying their own sleeping bags, eating utensils, plates etc, with shared segregated cabins similar to school camps. As there is no camp staff each attendee will be given camp duty tasks from sweeping to peeling spuds. Full details of the camp course content and your personal requirements will be forwarded to you upon receipt of your application and payment of the course fee.

Applications open 1^st June and close 30^th June (or sooner if all positions are filled).

Any inquires to Mary-Ann Lindsay (04) 478 3367 or Peter Ferris (06) 378 7632

Send completed application and payment with a Stamped self addressed envelope to:

Peter Ferris, Camp Rangi Co-ordinator, Happy Ferris Apiaries, R.D. 11 Opaki, MASTERTON

Reminder that these are due before the AGM in July. Refer to form inside the newsletter.

Members are reminded that any claims for compensation for hives destroyed as a result of an AFB infection during the period July 2000 to June 2001 will need to be lodged with the Secretary or Treasurer prior to the AGM on the 9^th July. The amount of compensation paid is determined by resolution at the AGM, but has in the past been set at a level of 50% of the cost of a standard "A4" hive (ie $60). There are limits on the number of hives that can be claimed by any individual member in any year.

August 24^th - 26^th, 2001. A full weekend of training for all budding beekeepers or those who need to feel comfortable with bees. DECA Course run for those who wish to do it. (extra charge $25 covers test). Venue; Pohangina Valley Camp. Cost: $80 includes all meals, accommodation and course. Applications close June 30th 2001. Complete the application form inside this magazine if you wish to attend.

You should have sent you annual disease return (ADR) into the National Beekeepers Association by now. It was due on the 1^st June, so do it immediately if you have not yet done this. Failure to file a return will result in the suspension of your DECA, with its eventual cancellation should the situation persist. There is no charge to file the return, but the numbers of hives and apiaries are used to calculate the levy payable next year.