Sharing information & ideas for interested beekeepers in Southern Tasmania.

Category Archives: Latest News

Fire Impacts

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Bushfires this season are having a devastating effect on bees and beekeeping in southern Tasmania. In the Gell River fire, the fires along the Scotts Peak Road, and especially the extensive area burnt in the Arve, there has been a loss of hives, damage to access roads, and particularly a serious loss of foraging resource for bees. The main impact is on leatherwood, compounding the effect of a minimal leatherwood harvest this season.
At the time of writing, the fires are not fully extinguished, with hotspots in many places on the perimeter of burnt areas.
There has been a meeting between some senior beekeepers and Minister Guy Barnett to appraise him of the seriousness of these impacts. In late March, by which time it is hoped all the fires will be out and access to all apiary sites restored, there will be a TBA meeting to review the damage, and discuss how to move forward.
Members can start to input into this review by attending the SBA meeting on 25th February, when the fires will be discussed.

New Secretary

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Please welcome Jenny Newton as the Association’s new secretary. For several years, Jenny has been part of the family membership with Dr Bob, our expert on stings and anaphylaxis, and is now taking over from Maurice Rimes, who has been Acting Secretary since shortly after last year’s AGM, and Secretary for five years before that. Continue Reading

Next meeting

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The next meeting of the SBA will be on for Monday 25 February 2019, starting at 6.30pm, at the Glenorchy LINC, rear entrance. Please note: The starting time for meetings is 6.30pm, NOT 7.30pm The technical session at this meeting: Colony recovery/maintenance of strength following a season with poor forage, especially how to feed a… Continue Reading

Junior Beekeeping

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A Tasmanian Junior Beekeeping Group was established in 2017.  It didn’t take long for it to start thriving, thanks to energetic volunteers – they have even harvested honey from their hives.   The group generally meets near Richmond, and welcomes 7 to 17 year olds who are curious about the delights of bees and beekeeping.… Continue Reading

QLD beekeepers use satellite tracking for security

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Along with the weather, the threat of pesticides and vandals, hive theft is yet another challenge beekeepers face. Central Queensland commercial beekeeper Paul Marsh, who is frustrated with thieves, has resorted to modern technology to arrest the problem. “The first time hives got stolen it was pretty emotional and the last few I just got… Continue Reading

Review of Nationally Accredited Bee Keeping Qualifications

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A review of the Nationally Accredited Certificate III in Bee Keeping qualification is being undertaken on behalf of the Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee. As part of this work Face-to-Face Consultation Workshops are being held across Australia. You can register for these workshops on our website (link below). https://www.skillsimpact.com.au/agriculture/training-package-projects/apiculture-bees-project/    or find out… Continue Reading

Sad news from the Northern Territory

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A Top End beekeeper says hundreds of thousands of his bees in 120 hives have died after being poisoned with the loss costing him up to $70,000. The hives were 15 kilometres to the west of Katherine, and were believed to have been sprayed with an insecticide on Sunday or Monday. Nathan Woods has notified… Continue Reading