Inverleigh bee keeper Ian Jennings battles toughest season yet

An Inverleigh beekeeper says he has never seen his industry so threatened, as farmers grapple with a “green drought”. Here’s what it means.

Ian Jennings is a bee keeper from Inverleigh and believes this is the hardest season he has endured in 30 years in the industry. Picture: Mark Wilson

An Inverleigh beekeeper says people are leaving the industry “left, right and centre” during one of the hardest seasons he has seen, as the state’s agriculture industry grapples with a green drought.

The event means there’s enough rainfall for vegetation to grow but not enough for deep soil moisture or water supplies to replenish fully, creating dry conditions that affect plant growth, impacting crops and livestock.

And it’s causing mental anguish for farmers.

Greater Geelong, Surf Coast and Golden Plains farmers are among those who are now eligible for various drought supports due to the lack of rain this year.

Ian Jennings has been a beekeeper for about 30 years and said he had never known the honey industry to be as threatened as it is now.

Mr Jennings is a migratory beekeeper, meaning his bees are transported around on trucks to attend flowering events.

Ian Jennings is a bee keeper from Inverleigh who has to move his bees around to get the honey and is pictured with some of his hives at Bambra. Picture: Mark Wilson

“A lot of eucalypts will set buds and sit on them for 10 to 12 months so we know if there’s a good flowering event coming up but it’s just not going to happen this year,” he said.

“We have had to take bees up into NSW and we will secure a bit of honey out of that, but we didn’t want to go to NSW because it has its own set of problems with varroa mite.”

Mr Jennings, 61, said the hard season was coming off the back of three tough years where even if there was budding, summer was too cold for bees to want to work.

“In terms of mental health, there’s so much going on in the bee industry that people are leaving left, right and centre,” he said.

“You are constantly thinking about how are we going to finish the season, will we have enough honey and we still have to pay the bills.

“We really don’t know if we will be keeping bees in 12 months time.

“In good times it’s really good, I wouldn’t be in any other industry in good times, but its been hard these last few years.

“There are a lot of good people out there looking after each other, there’s a sense of ‘you’re not the only one thinking about this and there’s a whole crew of us thinking about the same thing you’.

“I see it a fair bit with the beekeepers, they are keeping an eye out for one another.”

Victorian Farmers Federation vice-president Danyel Cucinotta said natural disasters were one of the biggest contributes to people’s mental health.

This honey season has been tough on producers as usual flowering events have not occurred. Picture: Mark Wilson

“Farmers are generally in scenarios were they are giving it their all and are quite resilient but you throw a number of factors you’ve got no control over and suddenly people are trying not to burden their families or friends,” she said.

“A lot of farmers will keep their struggles inside and we know that’s not healthy.”

Ms Cucinotta said preventive measures were best.

”Ensuring you are not isolated is something that is really important for our rural and regional communities, and making sure you do have people you can go and speak to,” she said.

Ms Cucinotta said during natural disasters it was important to ensure increased access to telehealth, social events and acknowledge that people were not alone.

Rural Aid chief executive John Warlters said agriculture was perhaps the most susceptible industry to weather and climate changes.

“Farmers meticulously analyse weather patterns, market forecasts, and soil conditions to make informed decisions about sowing crops or investing in livestock,” he said.

“Yet, even the most diligent planning can be up-ended by unforeseen circumstances.

“Natural disasters — floods, bushfires, hail, droughts — can devastate a farmer’s hard work and financial investments in an instant.

“These unpredictable events can severely disrupt their livelihoods, affecting not only their bank accounts but also their emotional wellbeing.”

Mr Warlters said the recognition of green drought as drought and access to disaster relief funding provided significant relief to farmers.

“Just as during any regular drought, funding, and support to farmers during green droughts is essential to safeguarding their role as the food and fibre suppliers for all Australians,” he said.

“While large-scale fires, drought and floods grab our attention, these ‘quiet’ droughts are causing just as much devastation and heartbreak.”

Mr Warlters said struggling farmers could look after their mental health is by reaching out to Rural Aid’s mental health and wellbeing team.

“Rural Aid counsellors offer free, confidential support to farmers and their families,” he said.

The Rural Aid counselling intake line is 1300 175 594.

If you or someone you know needs help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Originally published as Inverleigh bee keeper Ian Jennings battles toughest season yet