The presence of Varroa Mite (a parasite of adult honey bees that weakens and kills colonies and can also transmit viruses) has exacerbated and magnified the regular stresses of beekeeping in Australia.

Unfortunately, this year there is a huge shortfall of hives to assist with pollination, which could dramatically impact on the almond industry, other food suppliers and local beekeepers.

The importance of managed honey bees as the main ignition point of our food security is becoming more evident. This year the Victorian almond industry will be short up to 60 per cent of their normal hives delivered, placing concerns about the nut set and future crop.

Fifth-generation beekeeper, owner and Managing Director of Warral Maldon, Lindsay Callaway, told the Times, “We will have to help clients spread the bees over more drops. This year the spread will be much smaller loads. But the bees will give it a red hot go to spread the love!

“Almond trees have a certain number of flowers that are pollinated; they then shed fruit through different stages of the maturing process.

“Fingers crossed, the trees will get enough pollination and shed accordingly. The proof will be in the pudding”, said Lindsay.

Warral currently has 500 hives (with 50,000 bees per hive) stuck in NSW due to the border closure, which has resulted in an instant cash flow reduction for the commercial beekeeping business.

“Even though I’d like to, I’m reluctant to take more bees to NSW, where my canola crop clients are; however, I am able to use the bees that are already there,” said Lindsay.

“I’ve restructured my plans to account for the situation, building more hives, chasing honey flows instead of pollination and looking after hives in Victoria and trying to make the best of the situation.

“The border closure is frustrating and means the business can’t function how it needs to. Having the border closed makes it difficult to get to where the ‘ball’ is (to speak in footy terms).

“Lead by beekeeper volunteers from around Australia, the eradication effort is progressing well; however, if NSW can’t contain Varroa Mite, then it will eventually be everywhere in time, including Victoria.”

Lindsay, two staff members and another commercial apiarist volunteered their time in July to assist with the eradication of Varroa Mite.

They became temporary authorised officers, working alongside 12 volunteer Queensland commercial beekeepers and went into the field, conducting surveillance on beehives near infected premises.

The positive news is that, in addition to the volunteer beekeepers from around Australia, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in NSW is working tirelessly, and beekeepers from all around Australia are helping, with between 40 to 80 volunteers on the ground at any one time.

At present, bees are still allowed to move around NSW through the blue zones (where Varroa Mite hasn’t been detected) with a permit. Bees in the purple zone (a 25-kilometre radius of mite detection) are unable to be moved and are under surveillance, and those in the red zone (a 10-kilometre radius) are being euthanised.

As of Monday, 22 August, DPI teams will be working in the Central Coast, Hunter Valley and Newcastle Eradication zones to carry out widespread euthanasia actions. In Victoria, regular mite checks are being undertaken as required.

Lindsay told the Times that during peak season, Warral has three and half thousand hives, which equals 200 million bees.

“That’s some serious pollination power there! We sent all of our bees off for almond pollination in early August, and they will be picked up in four weeks’ time. After that, they will be moved to canola or yellow gum in central Victoria.

“It’s all systems go; pollinating, making new bees, making new honey,” said Lindsay.

“Commercial beekeepers are champions because we’re pollinating the food that feeds Australians. The industry is highly resilient, punching above its weight, and it will bounce back.

If mite eradication is achieved, we’ll high-five each other and be the first and only country to ever eradicate Varroa from our mainland. If Varroa Mite is not eradicated, well, that’s the end of an era of beekeeping in Australia, but we’ll still say- let’s go, beekeeping life will be a little different, though.”

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 26 August 2022.

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