Printable View
Brought the hive home last night, rather a bumpy ride, they were very noisy. I thought I may have to wait a day or two for them to settle down, but the workers are bringing in heaps of pollen already. Excellent bees, an Italian variety, very quiet normally, but protect the hive aggressively when they need to. So it begins, Bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Harding
Well, please explain how it will make things tougher. The rules are there to ensure beekeepers keep on top of diseases & mites that could decimate the industry. For example, there was no Small Hive Beetle on mainland Australia, until it was imported from Tasmania. Now this scourge has reached as far as Qld. Will Tasmania be responsible for the Varroa mite reaching the mainland , which could wipe out the industry, because no one in the World knows how to control this pest. Sounds like it, . Bob
I've had a native hive for about 5 years now (albeit loaned to my father-in-law to look after them when I was away for 6 months - he refuses to give them back!).
After seeing the Flow Hive (Honey On Tap From Your Own Beehive - Flow? Hive Home) system, and having no bees around to pollinate my vege gardens, I'm very keen on getting a hive. Might have to pick your brains in the near future.
Was planning to go to the QBA field day today, but other things got in the way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranga
I haven't been in the game long enough to pass judgement on that new flow hive set up. But the professional keepers in our association , some who have been bee keeping for 30 years, say it is a short term thrill, heading for a long term disaster. If you want to learn more, come to Northside Beekeepers meeting, last Tuesday of the month, at the CWA hall 1429 ANZAC avenue, Kallangur. Failing that, go to the Redcliffe show, we have a site there. One of the advantages of joining the association is you get your first nuc free. [ consists of an established Queen, & some frames of capped brood, uncapped brood, & capped honey & pollen] You also get a mentor, who will take you through all the ins & outs of bee keeping. The next meeting has been changed to the 23rd of June, to allow time to set up for the Redcliffe show.
Come along, if you are serious about bee keeping, my mentor has 25 hives at the GERNS site at Nudgee. I've been going there for a couple of months. Hands on is the best way to learn. I have my first hive at home, and I'm comfortable with them, we do things right in our association, because we are concerned about the future of bee keeping in Australia, . Bob
Quote:
Originally Posted by bob10
Dear oh dear what a load of ol cods wallop
Please go and check your facts if you wish
To denigrate Tasmania and me please do
It with the facts not a load of rubbish and
Well loony ravings it would appear that it
Is not possible to have a intelligent chat
About this so I will cease posting in this thread
Thankyou for starting it tho
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Harding
I will check the facts, on the off chance I have it wrong. And if I do, I will apologise to you & Tasmania, but that doesn't change the fact that properly registered and maintained hives are the key to a healthy industry. Registered bee keepers can be informed by E-mail if a threat from varroa, or some disease , such as American foul brood, is in their area.
No doubt you are aware Tasmania is the only state with the Braula fly [bee louse] The introduction of bees, hives, combs, comb honey , bee-collected pollen , used bee keeping tools and appliances from Tasmania to the mainland is strictly regulated or prohibited by mainland states & territories. Any one wishing to introduce these items to the mainland must first contact the relevant state or territory to determine the current rules. So you see, the precedent has been set.
At the moment Australia is free of the varroa mite, varroa has spread throughout the World, including both islands of NZ. Varroa infests adult European honey bees and brood, weakening & eventually killing their colonies. It also transmits honey bee viruses which probably have a far greater effect on the colony than the mite itself. Varroa is a notifiable bee pest. To not notify is to break the law. The honey bee tracheal mite is another nasty we don't yet have here. The Code of Practise and National bio-security Program has been set up to give Australian Bee-keepers the best possible chance if [ some say when] these pests get a foothold here. I say you would have to be a loony not to buy into the program. Bob
Mea Culpa, checked my facts, I was mis-informed. So, apologies to you, & the good bee keepers of Tasmania. However, the threat of Small hive Beetle is real. Bob
[ame]http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/41262/apiary_shb_fact_sheet_2006.pdf[/ame]
The flow hive invention seems good as it does not disturb the bees. HOWEVER. You still have to disturb them by lifting the honey box off to check the brood box. I take the opportunity to check the brood box when I am robbing the old fashion way. Jim
Apology accepted luckily Tassie will be last place
In the world invested by verroa mite thank goodness
Small hive beetle is not a large prob here cause they
Dont like the cold the bigger problems are mostly the same
As over there American foul-brood ect and as a registered
Bee keeper I send samples to be tested for diseases every year
Our Dept of whatever test them as part of the license fee
But the new regimes proposed will not solve any problems
Only enrich the bigger producers but history will decide the outcome
I should also state that I strongly believe in small minimum government
Cause tis not there job to regulate and control everything --- in my opinion
Less is more --- I shudder to think what freedoms of any sort will be available
To the general population if the do-gooders and power mad individuals keep
going the way they are going for many more years