Voluntary Contributors to AHBIC

AHBIC acknowledges the beekeeper suppliers who contribute via their packer and queen bee supplier to AHBIC.  We also urge beekeepers to support those packers/queen bee breeders who contribute to AHBIC.

Does your honey buyer’s or queen bee supplier’s name appear on this list? 

If not, then ask ‘why not?’

SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT YOUR INDUSTRY!
AUSTRALIAN HONEY BEE INDUSTRY COUNCIL REVIEW

The July 2008 AHBIC Annual General Meeting resolved that a review be undertaken of the peak body’s organisational structures.  The review will also investigate and make recommendations about future funding of the organisation which has historically relied substantially on the subscription of voluntary levies by industry participants.

A discussion paper tabled at the AHBIC AGM by the Victorian Apiarists’ Association, dealing with the funding crisis and proposing a way forward through structural reform of the peak body has been provided to all editors of the Australian beekeeping media for the information of beekeeping industry stakeholders.

The Review Committee comprises:  Mr Bill Weiss (Chairman), Mr Linton Briggs, Mr Stephen Fewster & Mr Ken Gell.

The Review Committee needs to know what you, as members, expect of AHBIC and FCAAA.  If you consider we need both bodies.  If you consider we need packers, pollinators and queen breeders as separate member bodies.  What form the peak body should be that you would consider making contribution to for funding of that body.

Inquiry Terms of Reference:

• What structural changes are necessary, if any, to help improve the function of the peak body?
• What structural changes are necessary, if any, to help improve peak body voluntary levy collection?
• What other options for peak body funding need to be investigated?
• What administrative changes are necessary, if any, to improve communication and feed back from AHBIC sector member bodies - honey production (FCAAA), crop pollination (NCPA), queen/package bee production (AQBBA), honey packers and marketers (HP&MAA)?
• The role of FCAAA (principal state beekeeping associations) in the structure and function of the peak body?

Submissions from Australian honey bee industry stakeholders are invited to be lodged by the 30 November 2008.  The review committee will publish its findings and recommendation by end of January, 2009.  All replies to remain confidential.  Submissions may be mailed or posted online to the following addresses:

Mr B Weiss
Chairman, AHBIC Review Committee
206 Lambeth Street, Glen Innes NSW 2370
Phone/Fax: 02 6732 1263   or   Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

CALL FOR COMMENTS ON Draft Australian Standard Organic & Biodynamic Products

We have been advised by Standards Australia Technical Committee FT-032-Organic & Biodynamic Products that they have finalized the preparation of Draft Australian Standard Organic & Biodynamic Products for Public Comment.

The Committee FT-032 was constituted by taking into account the major stakeholder interests while maintaining the balance of interest, as well as keeping the committee size to a manageable size. The other interests will take part in the standards development process at the Public Comment period, when the Draft Standard is issued for public comment. The Drafts are now issued for Public Comment. During this period, the public could make submissions for consideration by the committee.

The details of the Public Comment Drafts are:
DR 08147 [Project id: 8608] Draft Australian Standard Organic & biodynamic products
DR 08148 [Project id: 8764] Draft Miscellaneous Publication Certification process for organic & biodynamic products

Start date for Comments: 21 July 2008         Closing date for Comments: 22 September 2008

The Drafts and the 'Public Comment Form' could be accessed by visiting Standards Australia website.

The details are:
http://www.standards.org.au/ and then, click on 'Drafts for Public Comment' which will take you to our publisher SAI-Global Webshop where the DR's and the Public Comment Form could be accessed.

RURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Please be advised that the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) are now calling for applications for preliminary research proposals to meet our program adjectives.

RIRDC invests in the knowledge needs of our three portfolio areas:

• New rural industries;
• Specific established industries; and
• Cross-sectoral national rural issues

Our investments are driven by Five-Year R&D plans which address the needs of each industry and ensure our priorities are industry and government-driven.  Overall, our aim is for a more profitable, dynamic and sustainable rural sector.

If you think you or your organisation can help address the needs of our programs as outlined in the current research priorities (listed on our website below), we would welcome your application for funding.

RIRDC welcomes proposals that will meet the specific objectives or a number of objectives, as outlined on our website and in more detail in program Five-Year Plans.

We also welcome and encourage your collaboration with other research providers to build the critical research mass necessary to meet our objectives.

Please go to http://www.rirdc.gov.au/business/ for more information.

If you have further questions or need further information, please contact:

Ms Margie Thomson, General Manager
Phone: 02 6271 4130
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

MIXED RAINFALL ODDS FOR LATE WINTER TO MID SPRING

The national outlook for total August to October rainfall shows moderate swings in the odds towards below-normal rainfall in central WA and also in a band extending from northern Queensland through to central SA.  In contrast, higher than average rainfall is favoured in the southwest of WA.

The pattern of seasonal rainfall odds across Australia is a result of a continued strong warming trend in the Indian Ocean off the west coast of WA, and a warming trend in recent months over the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

The chances of exceeding the median rainfall over the August to October period are between 30 and 40% over much of central WA. Below average rainfall is similarly favoured in a band stretching from central SA to the north of Queensland (see map). This means the chances of below average rainfall are typically between 60 and 70% in these areas
So in years with ocean patterns like the current, about six to seven August to October periods out of ten are expected to be drier than average in these parts of Australia, while three to four are wetter. In addition, confidence is not high through much of SA at this time of year so the outlook needs to be used with caution in this region. In the southwest of WA the chances of exceeding the median rainfall are between 60 and 70% for the August to October period.

Over the rest of the nation, late-winter to mid-spring rainfall totals have a 40 to 60% chance of exceeding the three-month median. So the chances of being wetter than normal are about the same as the chances of being drier.

Outlook confidence is related to how consistently the Pacific and Indian Oceans affect Australian rainfall. During August to October, history shows this effect to be moderately consistent across most of Queensland, the east and north of the NT and the northern inland of NSW. Elsewhere, it is generally weakly consistent, reaching moderate only in patches, including Northern Tasmania (see background information).

The 30-day value of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) was +3 as at 22 July. Computer models indicate a continuation of neutral conditions across the equatorial Pacific Ocean as the most likely outcome during the forecast period. For routine updates and comprehensive discussion on any developments please see the ENSO Wrap-Up.

 US HONEY UPDATE
August 2008

The USA honey crop is just coming in. Although it doesn't appear to be anything close to a bumper crop, it looks to be better than last year's crop. Reduced bee populations due to Colony Collapse Disorder should have minimal impact on the size of the honey crop as some beekeepers have been able to increase their colonies. Reduced forage area probably will play a bigger role in lost honey production as more acres are turned over to cropland or are lost to urbanization.  Many prime honey producing areas are seeing excellent crop conditions with heavy honey flow, while other prime areas are still struggling with weather extremes, either continued drought conditions, or the other extreme where the weather has been too cool and too wet for good honey production.

We expect to have better indications of the size of the crop by the end of August or early September.  Prices for new crop honey are 50% to 70% higher than last year at this time, depending on the type of honey.  White honey prices are still about 25 % higher than light amber honey prices.  Prices should remain strong as demand for this honey will be heavy.

The health and wellness attributes of pure, natural honey have helped to increase its' use directly out of the bottle, as a food sweetener, and as a nutritious, long lasting energy source. This increased demand, along with a worldwide shortage of raw honey, is the main driver for steadily escalating raw honey prices.  Increased energy and production costs have also contributed to the rising raw honey prices. The weak US dollar will also force us to pay a higher price to compete for honey in the world market.

As prices for raw honey have increased, we have seen an increase in adulterated and contaminated honey entering the market.  This adulteration can occur at the raw honey source, or after the raw honey has been purchased by a honey packer.  Much of this adulteration is difficult to detect, and
requires diligent testing.  Evidence has shown that adulterated honey can lead to product failures when used as an ingredient because of the different chemical makeup. Undetected contaminated honey can be an even bigger problem when recalls and health issues are involved.

The leading importers of White honey into the US so far this year have been Canada and India.
New crop honey from these countries should be coming into the market soon.  The Canada honey crop will be short due to poor crop conditions and heavy bee losses last winter. White honey should be available, but with heavy demand, it will be higher priced.

The leading importers of Extra Light Amber honey into the US so far this year have been Russian Federation, China, and Brazil. ELA honey is virtually off the market at this time waiting for new crop honey to come in. ELA prices are getting closer to White honey prices.  The leading importers of Light Amber honey into the US so far this year have been Brazil, Vietnam, and India. Light Amber honey is also scarce at this time.

AUSTRALIAN PLAGUE LOCUST REPORT

General situation in autumn 2008 and outlook to spring 2008

The adult locust population increased to high densities in the eastern Riverina of New South Wales during March.  This was primarily the result of the aggregation of locusts that fledged in this region in late February and early March, but some migration from the Central West in early March may have contributed to the increase.  Concentration and swarm density adults with developed eggs were widespread in Murray, Wagga and the western part of Hume Rural Lands Protection Board (RLPB) districts, but numbers had declined to medium densities by the end of April.  Egg laying began in the Riverina in late March and continued during April and into early May.  A potentially serious nymphal infestation with many bands is therefore expected to develop in the Riverina in October and November.  

Redistribution of adults during April produced a widespread medium density population in the southern Central West and Riverina of New South Wales, and in North Central Victoria at the start of May.  Some egg laying has occurred in all these regions and more localised medium density hatchings, with bands developing in some locations, is likely in spring.  Highest density spring hatchings are expected in Murray, Wagga, southern Narrandera, western Hume and Riverina RLPB districts, where hatchings will begin in early October with a peak in mid-October. Landholder identification and control of small bands on farmland will be critical to minimising the impact of locust nymphs on crops and pastures during October and November.

Locust density remained low in the Northwest Plains and northern part of the Central West of New South Wales during April, following the decline in early March.  Medium to high density adults developed in southern Forbes and Condobolin, and in Molong RLPB districts, and extended into the western edge of Gundagai and Young RLPB districts.  Spring hatchings from autumn egg laying will begin in late September in these areas.    In the Far West and Far Southwest regions of New South Wales nymphs fledged in the Wanaaring–Tibooburra area and the Menindee–Ivanhoe area during March, which produced small areas of high density adults in the Wilcannia–White Cliffs and Sayers Lake–Darnick areas in early April. Egg laying may have occurred in the White-Cliffs area during April.

In Victoria reports of adult locusts between Echuca and Wodonga in North Central Victoria began in late March.  The population in Victoria is primarily the result of migration from adjacent areas of the Riverina in March and April, but low numbers of adults could have migrated into this region and bred at low densities from as early as January.   There were further migrations of adult locusts into Victoria during April, and surveys identified a widespread medium density population in the area bounded by Wodonga, Wangaratta, Rushworth and Echuca, with up to Concentration density adults in some locations. There were also reports west of Echuca, and as far south as Nhill in Northwest Victoria in late April.  The presence of occasional nymphs indicates egg laying occurred in some locations in Victoria from late March and continued during April.  Medium density nymphs and some small bands are likely to develop in November.

Locust densities in most regions of Queensland and northern South Australia declined to very low levels during April apart from some low density adults and occasional nymphs near Cunnamulla in Paroo Shire, South Central Queensland.    

YOU KNOW YOU’RE A BEEKEEPER WHEN ….

• The windshield of your vehicle has at least two yellow dots on it.
• You eagerly await the phone call from the post office asking you to please come pick up your bees.
• You check out all the honey labels and prices at the supermarket.
• Your friends and neighbours think you are the answer to every swarm and bees-in-the-wall problem.
• There is propolis on the steering wheel of your vehicle and the bottom of your boots.
• You are called “the Bee Man” or “The Bee Lady” by a lot of people who don’t know your name.
• You know the bloom period of more local flowers than the State horticulturist.
• You welcome a rainy weekend if it will stimulate nectar production.
• You don’t mind driving home with a few honey bees inside your vehicle.
• You don’t mow the lawn because the bees are working the weeds.
• You drive down a road and find yourself evaluating the roadside flowers for their honey-producing potential.
• You pull over and check the bees on the wildflowers just to see if they are YOUR bees, AND … you can tell the difference.
• You come home smelling like a campfire, and you haven’t been camping.
• The school principal calls to ask that you never again let your child take a drone tied with a thread to school for show and tell.

 YOU NEVER STOP MARVELLING AT THESE WONDERFUL CREATURES!

 YOU KNOW YOU’RE MARRIED TO A BEEKEEPER WHEN ….

• You spend a least one day a week on your hands and knees with a sharp knife scraping wax and propolis off your kitchen floor.
• You’ve ever used bee boxes as furniture in your house, for coffee tables, chairs, night stands and storage boxes.
• You mow around mountains of bee equipment that never seems to make it to the shed.
• You plan weddings, childbirth, surgery and funerals around honey extracting time.
• You get stung by a bee that was clinging to your husband’s bee overalls when you picked them up to wash them.

 YOU NEVER STOP MARVELLING AT THESE WONDERFUL CREATURES!

Re-printed with permission from The Buzz! - SAAA Newsletter

CROP & STOCK REPORTS

NEW SOUTH WALES

Cold weather over the past few weeks has inhibited hive progress.  Inland NSW is getting dry again with 66% of the state again drought declared, with extensive hard frosts affecting growth of most plants.

Canola has started bees breeding, however without rain may be short lived.  Curse has germinated in some areas where autumn rain was sufficient but needs good rains to promote a crop of honey.

Some coastal areas are producing a little honey with patchy prospects for spring and summer.  Grey Ironbark has some bud in patches, depends on pollen support to coincide with flowering.

Other than what bud is left on Yellow Box, there does not appear to be a major species budded well enough to produce a crop of any significance.

Overall crop prospects for NSW is diminishing every day without rain.
Bill Weiss

 QUEENSLAND

Honey production over recent weeks has been severely restricted by very cold weather that has restricted bees flying time to under 3 hours on the Darling Downs. As the weather warms Narrow Leaved Ironbark and Blue Top Ironbark will finish their flowering cycle with another super of honey. Most honey producers have moved away, either travelling South to Canola or North to Macadamia Nuts. Warmer days in the Channel Country will also see production on Yapunyah. The nectar has been in the cups but the bees have not been flying is a common story.

There are varied reports on Yellow Box but it is expected to yield a crop this season, it will be well supported by a good budding on Hill Gum.

For the most part Queensland remains dry and beekeepers are looking forward to spring rains to produce ground flora pollen sources and stimulate eucalypts.

Queen bee producers are reporting heavy bookings with order books close to full. This indicates a renewed optimism in Queensland.

Coastal regions that have received rain may well yield an average crop in the coming season. Wattle in the South East has flowered brilliantly this year and bees were observed to be working it in numbers.

As in past years rain will determine the crop but more importantly rain at the right time will be the determining factor. Many areas of the Darling Downs need a good flood to really get things back on track. An average crop is anticipated in Queensland.

It appears that few honey producers are carrying stocks of honey. Honey that is being produced is usually shipped to packers immediately.
Bill Winner

 SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Most bees are on almonds and in reasonably good condition. 

South East
Stoney Mallee (diversifolia) still flowering and has yielded well.  Blue Gum (leucoxylon) and Big Cup (incrassata) are good prospects for spring.

Riverland
Almonds, Almonds everywhere….  There is a little bit of White Mallee (gracilis).  Citrus sites will be a premium as water has been cut off many patches.  Very little sub-soil moisture.

Barossa
Blue Gum looking good and ‘Jane and Canola growing well.  Average rainfall this month has given some hope.

West Coast
Still some Stoney Mallee in the South.  Blue Gum flowering too early.  Patchy light to medium budding of Big Cup.  There are good ground flora conditions along the coast.  Dry inland.           

Northern
Blue Gum flowering – too cold to yield.  Good ground flora conditions.  Very little sub-soil moisture. 

The whole State could do with good rains.
Wendy Thiele

 TASMANIA

Early signs of spring are only just appearing in Tasmania after a return of a normal winter weather pattern.  Far too early to give any meaningful spring honey forecast.

Rainfall has been patchy South East very good falls last week.  Blue Gums in that area well budded. Fruit trees advancing with good pollination prospects.

East Coast and Midlands still in need of good rains, although the Midlands has had a couple of good snowfalls.  Pollination in that area will depend on rains in the next month or so.  Peppermints budded in parts of this area.

West Coast has received good rains and snowfalls which should give the Leatherwoods a healthy boost as we haven’t had such good falls for many years.

North and North West very good early August precipitation and snow falls on higher peaks. Country side looking good but needs some warmer days.  Most of the dams in this area are full. More rain is needed for a run off as soil was very dry coming into July.

Far North West report of Peppermint and Stringy Bark budding with the Boobyalla (Coast Wattle) in flower. Gorse is coming out providing a much needed pollen boost.

Hives are generally in good order with sugar feeding necessary as weather has been too inclement for Bees to fly.
Ian Stephens

 VICTORIA

A wet July has brought the late autumn/winter rains of May, June, July and into August up to a reasonable level.   May & June rains generally were enough to sow crops, strike weeds etc, and keep them alive. Except for the North West Mallee most of the State received average to above average rains during July.  This rainfall being spread out over three weeks, and the days have been quite cold with very few frosts, so the moisture will stay in the ground.

All of Victoria will be looking for Canola for spring breeding conditions and hopefully, some surplus honey.

North West Mallee – There is still a good budding with some flowering on White Mallee (Euc. gracilis) in patches.  However, the Mallee badly needs rain, and pollen is and will be short with poor germination of Wild Turnip, Onion Weed.  The extensive cropping that now takes place is not helping.

There is also a little budding on Giant Angular Mallee (Euc. incrassata var. costata) but mainly around the edges and along the roads and is doubtful as a spring prospect.

The other spring prospect is Citrus.  The huge question here is irrigation water.

The Goulburn Murray storages are 19% full and are carrying more water that at this time last year.  However, there is a great deal of pessimism amongst growers about their future.

Box-Iron Bark Forest Belt – Yellow Gum (Euc. leucoxylon) and winter flowering Iron Bark (Euc. tricarpa) have continued flowering throughout the winter and it is very doubtful that any blossom will last past September.

To come back to my earlier statement, Canola will be a major prospect that beekeepers will be relying on for the spring.  There has been wide-spread planting across the State, with crops in northern Victoria and the Riverina (NSW) already starting to flower.

There is a general movement of bee hives into almond orchards at the moment.  At the end of August the movement will be east and north to early Canola and hopefully, some Paterson’s Curse - if the rains continue into the spring; and south and south west to Cape Weed and the tail-end of the Yellow Gum.

Later prospects are:  A reasonable budding on Yellow Box (Euc. melliodora).  The budding is generally not as heavy as in past years, but it will produce honey in favoured locations.

River Red Gum (Euc. camaldulensis) is showing signs of Leaf-Lerp attack in small areas, but the general heavy budding across the State is not being adversely affected.

Mountain Blue Gum (Euc. stjohnii) is carrying a good crop of buds for January/February flowering in north eastern Victoria, the Pyrenees and Mount Cole forests in north central Victoria.  There was a considerable bud-drop in the latter forests during the March heat wave, but the north east was not as badly effected.

Other summer prospects are Acorn Mallee (Euc. oleosa) for January/February flowering in the North West Mallee.

Prospects for autumn at the moment are not good.
Sugar Gum (Euc. cladocalyx) is carrying a heavy crop of buds in the south west volcanic plains of the State.

Grey Box (Euc. microcarpa) trees are very healthy and are tending to show the spur growth that can indicate a possibility of budding at a later date.

The possibilities of producing a reasonable crop of honey in Victoria this coming season are only average, but at the same time, considerably better than last season.  Many beekeepers have bee hives in very poor condition and will need to spend a great deal of time and effort in breeding bees well into the spring.
Bob McDonald

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Above average rainfall in April in most of the agricultural areas saw the planting of record canola crops and a good start for the Salvation Jane. Most beekeepers are reporting between 20% and 30% loss in hive numbers due to the very poor season just gone. Good wintering conditions have hives coming into spring with one or two more frames of brood than past years, July was very cold and wet. Salvation Jane along with the Canola has hives breeding well and moving up. The Hakea looks a lot better than last year on the coast; Parrot Bush has benefited from the good rain in July but still appears to be suffering from the drought over the past 2 years.

Most beekeepers will be concentrating on getting hive numbers back this spring in preparation for Jarrah, which after dropping it bud last year in most areas  has decided to have another go this year.  At this stage it looks healthy in most areas.

With improved honey prices and better crop expectations for this season WA beekeepers are glad we don’t have many seasons like the past.
Kim Fewster