Pest positive for beekeeper

BY ROZ DAVENPORT

The varroa mite has surprisingly been welcomed by some beekeepers.

James Jenkin makes a sweet living out of honey.

The president of the Marlborough Beekeepers Association owns 1000-odd hives, with 170 up the Awatere and Waihopai valleys, and the remainder positioned through the Marlborough Sounds. Ninety-five per cent of his income is from manuka honey production.

Beekeeping is a seasonal profession for James, and it is at this time of the year his bee numbers drop to 2000, and maintenance on the hives is carried out.

As the days draw out to spring, James will re-queen the hives, check for disease and supply extra food if required.

Summer is a busy time for collecting honey while the manuka is flowering.

As the days shorten into autumn, James will be putting down mouse poison to eradicate the pest as they look for a warm place to build a nest.

Another facet of James' business is pollination of sites for horticulture.

The redevelopment of cherry orchards to vineyards has reduced the size of pollination areas.

He now services 23 sites, mostly apples and pear orchards.

It is national Bee Week, and the National Beekeepers' Association of New Zealand will be highlighting the value and opportunities of honey bees and beekeeping in the country, and how bees rely on human intervention to survive.

Roughly one-third of everything we eat is pollinated by bees, according to the association, and many of our crops would not be viable without bee pollination.

James says since the arrival of the varroa mite, the number of wild hives has decreased to zero. Anti-varroa pesticides ensure the continuance of commercial or amateur hives.

"There is a positive effect with the loss of wild hives as the competition for flowers decreases."

The mating of a virgin queen bee is done "out yonder" in what is called the "traditional place", a place where a queen is mated year after year. "It is only the drones from the managed hives that are visiting the traditional place, we can now control who the queen mates with.

"We couldn't do that with the wild hives. We select for good honey-producing hives, not bee-swarming hives."

He emphasises he is running a business and care of his bees is paramount.

"We also select for resistance to disease, as we aim to produce dollars, really."

James says another positive aspect for some of the industry when varroa hit the North Island in 2001 was that the number of beekeepers went down, and therefore the profitability for those left went up. Subsequently, their hive numbers have increased.

"It is a much more healthy and profitable industry to be in.

"The economic issues are with clover-based honeys as opposed to manuka."

James explains the $3 per kilo for clover honey is not worthwhile for producers.

For the clover honey bee-keepers to maintain business, he suggests they will probably need some compensation for pollination from the landowner where the hives are kept.

"The bees pollinate white clover, which in turn supplies the land with nitrogen – a fixer for high country pastures."

Due to the unique nature of bees, it is advantageous to bring hives onto a property for pollination services even if they have existing hives.

To explain, James refers to discussion among beekeepers of the scientific reports on the brain mapping and communication of bees, and their uncanny ability to differentiate between hours of the day and execute forward planning. He says existing hives have established their existing food sources and do not venture further to hunt for more.

But if a beekeeper brings a new hive onto a property, the scout bees will go forth and check out all available sources of food, including new sources of food the established hives just ignore because it's not on their "plan".

James has been working as a beekeeper for 27 years, and will continue for as long as he can.

"It is a lovely job, and I enjoy working with the flow of the seasons."

- The Marlborough Express