News & NEWSLETTERS

BSSA produces a bi-monthly magazine, Buzzword. Download edition 116 here.

Hi there,

This afternoon PIRSA announced the varroa sampling program, targeted at beekeepers with 20 or more hives.

SA beekeepers with 20 or more hives are being called on to play their part in protecting our state from Varroa mite by sampling 10% of their hives per apiary.

Sampling hives gives PIRSA and industry confidence that SA is free of Varroa mite, and protects apiary businesses and associated pollination-dependent industries. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is offering free sampling kits at a series of upcoming workshops across the state.

At the workshops, beekeepers will receive their sampling kits, learn how to sample for Varroa mite and have the opportunity to ask questions.

• Murray Bridge, 21 November, 6pm-7.30pm
• Mt Gambier, 22 November, 6pm-7.30pm
• Naracoorte, 23 November, 6pm-7.30pm
• Keith, 24 November, 6pm-7.30pm
• Loxton, 25 November, 6pm-7.30pm
• Port Lincoln, 29 November, 6pm-7.30pm
• Clare, 30 November, 6pm-7.30pm
• Nuriootpa, 1 December, 6pm-7.30pm
• Adelaide, 2 December, 6pm-7.30pm
• Kangaroo Island, 6 December, 6pm-7.30pm.

Media release

Eventbrite link to register - Varroa mite sampling workshops Tickets, Mon 21/11/2022 at 6:00 pm | Eventbrite

PIRSA Varroa web page – www.pir.sa.gov.au/varroa

A post on PIRSA’s Facebook and Twitter

Just a BIG reminder that this year's Mount Barker  Show is upon us

25th MARCH 2023

It's that time of year again. The Mt Barker Show is upon us. We are looking for entries in honey (liquid, section comb), wax, honey on frames, anything, to be submitted for judging at the Mt Barker Show. As you know, these competitions are great fun and offer up all manner of bragging rights. This year is our 150th anniversary show and is going to be bigger and better than ever. I hope Our Society members can get lots of entries in.

 link to Show http://www.mountbarkerdistrictshow.org.au. It has all the required entry regulations in it. Thanks for your support.

From Crispin BOXALL

Members are invited to use this link to view submissions made to the senate regarding the effectiveness of the current biosecurity measures for foot and mouth and varroa. The BSSA have made a submission. 

BSSA produces a bi-monthly magazine, Buzzword. Download edition 114 here.

We had PIRSA come out to our Clovelly Park hives to demonstrate the alcohol wash method for Varroa testing. Have a look at the videos on facebook here. 

For those of you who want to read the most up to date information on the varroa incursion, the Australian Honey Bee Council are posting regular updates to their facebook page. www.facebook.com/AustBee

Furthermore, PIRSA has provided the following information in relation to varroa and South Australia’s current response. www.pir.sa.gov.au/varroa

Dear Members,

As we believe you will all be aware by now, The Varroa mite was detected in observation hives in NSW, at the Port of Newcastle.

Work is continuing to eradicate this incursion.

PIRSA has provided the following information in relation to varroa and South Australia’s current response. http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/varroa. Additionally in this document. 

Further, PIRSA advised us that the Livestock Act was updated last night, restricting the movements of bees, hives and apiary products, into SA from NSW - closing the border. (Linked, page 2).

Below is the latest update from AHBIC, (Australian Honey Bee Industry Council). AHBIC is still believing they can eradicate this incursion.

Beekeepers in NSW May not touch their hives unless it is to perform a test for mites.

Please re the information on PIRSA’s site and note the contacts for reporting of Varroa.

Please contact PIRSA or the BSSA if you have any questions.