Why the Bee team is the A team

Since 2000, Varroa has seen the loss of at least 200,000 bee colonies. Federated Farmers believes it doesn’t matter what hat farmers wear; sheep, kiwifruit, mohair or dairy, all farmers are on the bee team, which is actually, New Zealand’s A team.

“Last week, Bee Week celebrated the honey bee and the massive contribution it makes to our economy and farm system,” says John Hartnell, Federated Farmers Bees spokesperson.

“While our direct income as an industry sits at around $100 million, modest in the much larger agricultural scheme of things, bees enable almost all sectors except fisheries and forestry.

“The true value to ‘New Zealand Inc’ of bees balloons out to a conservative $5 billion plus annually. Bees are the unsung heroes of our world-beating farm system.

“The arrival of the Varroa mite changed the face of beekeeping forever in New Zealand. Without human intervention, the Varroa mite will kill every bee colony we have.

“This aggressive pest arrived in New Zealand in 2000 and has progressively moved southward ever since. In 2006, it crossed the Cook Strait and we understand it is now within a short distance of Bluff.

“We have lost the many thousands of hives that once lived wild in the walls and ceilings of sheds, in hollowed out trees and sometimes, in homes. These wild colonies did not have human support and succumbed to the Varroa mite. Honey bees were once common in your garden or vegetable patch, but are now somewhat of a rarity.

“To fight the Varroa mite, beekeepers have to use special miticide treatments to kill the mite and not the bee. These are expensive and must be used at least twice a year to maintain a stable hive.

“It is estimated the cost is around $50 per hive each year and means our industry has mostly lost its organic status, except for a few determined beekeepers, who fight Varroa with organic treatments. That’s very challenging task and unfortunately, has a high failure rate.

“Bees have a structured society which is fascinating to watch in action. Humans can learn some simple lessons from them, like team work.

“In a farming environment, we need to be acutely aware that on-farm activities may directly or indirectly impact bee colonies in your locality.

“Being a part of the bee team means taking care when using agricultural sprays, particularly when plants are in flower. The simple rule is this, if bees are flying then don’t spray your crop or pasture until dusk.

“Irrigation also falls in to this category. Bees don’t swim and if chilled by water they will die. Only irrigate during the non flying times of dusk to dawn.

“My last point relates to the agrichemical companies and the chemicals which are sold to farmers and growers. It is important that these organisations understand the ramifications of their product in relation to livestock and particularly, the honey bee.

“They must educate their clients, who are not always farmers, on correct handling techniques, correct mixing techniques and the ‘do’s and don’ts’ relating to their products.

“Getting it wrong could spell disaster for the beekeeper and the farmer alike because ‘dead bees don’t pollinate’. Remember, without the honeybee farmers won’t achieve pollination, yields will be down and everyone loses.

“All farmers need to be on the bee team, which in fact, is the A team” Mr Hartnell concluded.