Mansfield and District (MAD) Bee Group
The MAD Bee Group was formed in 2015 out of a growing interest in niche honey production within the Mansfield region. The initial meetings have been met with enthusiasm from community members ranging from those who are already producing to those who have an interest in what honey production involves.
The MAD Bee Group meets regularly throughout the year and has delivered topics of interest such as immunology and bees, splitting hives, swarm management and general hive maintenance. The MAD Bee Group welcomes people of all levels of interest and ability. If you are interested in participating please contact madbeegroup@gmail.com.
Bee Industry Biosecurity
The Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice
(the Code) is now legislated within the Victorian Livestock
Disease Control Act (LDCA) 1994. It is now mandatory for all Victorian
beekeepers to comply with the Code. The Code will soon come into effect
nationally. A very important requirement of the Code is that all beekeepers
maintain records of biosecurity-related actions and observations.
To assist beekeepers in meeting this requirement Plant Health Australia
record keeping templates are now available for use as compliance with Part 5 of the Code – keeping records.
Record Keeping Template
More information and the templates are also available at
http://beeaware.org.au/code-of-practice/record-keeping/
Please note that the Daily Running Sheet (p. 8) is a standing document that
needs to be filled out each day a beekeeper manages or moves the hives
under their care. Multiple copies of this page should be kept in the
beekeepers’ vehicle etc. so that they can fill it in each time. Since the
amount of pages required will vary from beekeeper to beekeeper (only one
copy provided in the attached document), however more copies can be
printed.
Feedback of the templates may be provided to Jessica Hartland
(jessica.hartland@ecodev.vic.gov.au or 0447 245 558) to ensure the
templates are revised and improved.
Beekeepers may also use their own record keeping documents.
Plant Health Australia Online Biosecurity for Beekeepers Course
The Biosecurity for Beekeepers Course is now available on the Honey Bee
Biosecurity Online Training (BOLT) site https://honeybee.canopihr.com.au.
The course was developed collaboratively by AHBIC and Plant Health
Australia, and covers why biosecurity is important to beekeepers, describes
the main pest threats to hives and shows how to check hives for any sign of
pests that can reduce bee numbers. It is designed for people with a basic
understanding of beekeeping practices already, and all existing beekeepers
will find it helpful. The course can also be accessed from the BeeAware
website at http://beeaware.org.au/training/ and instructions are available
on the site.
People who undertake the course will find out how to:
– Check their hives for pests and diseases
– Identify the major pests and diseases of honey bees
– Take action after finding a serious pest or disease in your hive
– Minimise the impact of pests and diseases on your hives
The course is optional for beekeepers with 50 hives and less, however a
requirement as Part 9 of the Code for beekeepers with 50 or more hives.
The course will cost $20 for hobby beekeepers to complete.
Beekeepers with 50 hives and above will shortly receive a token to enable
them to complete the course with no charge (please contact Jessica Hartland
in regards to this token).
All beekeepers are encouraged to complete this course..