DAIRY NOW 24th, 25th, 26th AUGUST 2001 - ANOTHER SOUTHERN NORTH ISLAND VENTURE TO ASSIST YOU - OPEN TO ALL NEW ZEALAND

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. We are limited to the number able to attend (75 accommodation) so first in applies. If you have a camper or caravan there is space available. IT GETS COLD IN THE VALLEY.

Applications close June 30th 2001 or as soon as limit reached. Money with application ie $80 plus $25 if doing DECA test. Cheques to be made out to; Southern North Island Branch of N B A. Any questions call;

• Convenor: Peter Ferris on (06) 378-7632 or
• Treasurer Mary-Ann Lindsay on (04) 478-3367

Gerritt Hyink (Bay of Plenty), is putting an order together for stainless steel mesh suitable for floorboards. These can be used to monitor and to help control mites. The mesh comes in 30 metre rolls. With careful cutting we should get 5 to the metre (150 hives per roll).

Cost about $1000 per roll (reduced down from $1800). Orders have to be in by 14th Feb.

If sufficient members are interested, the club will order a roll and make it available for purchase in smaller lots. Please contact Frank Lindsay (478 3367) or John Burnet (232 7863) at or before the meeting on 12^th February if you are interested.

The NBA (or rather Federated Farmers under contract to the NBA), has recently sent out notices of the levy payable by each registered beekeeper. This is $54 plus GST for the first apiary, and $26 (plus GST) for each subsequent apiary.

This levy is due for payment by 31^st March 2001 unless an exemption is sought, or deferral arrangements made. Exemptions are available only to beekeepers with 10 or fewer hives located in 3 or fewer apiaries. Exemptions must be on the form provided and involve making a statutory declaration before a Solicitor, JP, or Registrar of the Court.

The NBA has provided notice of its intention to follow up on non-payment, so members should ensure that they pay the levy, or obtain an exemption or deferral by that date.

The NBA would like beekeepers who may be eligible for exemption to pay the levy voluntarily, thereby contributing to the PMS aimed at eliminating AFB, and perhaps research into management techniques for varroa. All beekeepers will benefit from these activities of the national association.

The club's monthly newsletter and the web site have both been edited by James Scott for several years now. It is important to the club that other members learn some of the procedures and skills involved so that they can take over some or all of these responsibilities or provide backup in the event that James is unable to do it on any particular occasion.

Anyone interested in either of these ares should contact James (ph 565 0164) or at a club meeting. New ideas for the newsletter or web site are especially welcome J .

The club's annual mead competition will be in June (or possibly July), so members should be planning now on making mead. There is a recipe on the web site, and James has a copy of a paper on mead making. Anyone who would like a copy, please see James at the meeting.

Bees in a shed wall in Naeane-Taita area. Anybody want to remove them and get a little honey on the side? Contact Frank (478 3367) for details.

Help wanted with extracting - Owner in Auckland. Contact Justin Bloomfield, 4 Wairinga Road, Eastbourne. Tel 5626282

Doug Purdie, who recently moved to Australia, has donated a number of books on beekeeping to the club's library. Thank you very much Doug!