Honey running out as beekeepers stung by the drought
THE drought has dried up dams and streams and now it’s turning the rivers of liquid gold to dust as beekeepers struggle to keep their starving hives alive in the driest year in more than half a century.
NSW
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THE drought has dried up dams and streams and now it’s turning the rivers of liquid gold to dust as beekeepers struggle to keep their starving hives alive in the driest year in more than half a century.
It has been the driest January to August period for the state since 1965 and vast swathes of farming land in the state’s west recorded their driest winter since records began in 1900, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Bees are running out of nectar, which they need to produce honey, because native trees and entire crops have been wiped out by the prolonged drought.
Apiarists are now being forced to make a beeline for the coast in search of flowering eucalypts to find food for their starving bees.
Tamworth beekeeper Rob Michie, 63, has been buying sugar syrup to stop his bees starving in the same way graziers buy hay for sheep and cattle.
“I haven’t produced any honey since Christmas and, the way things are going, I don’t expect any honey for at least the next 12 months,” Mr Michie said.
“I have been feeding my bees concentrated sugar syrup to keep them alive but you can’t make honey from that.”
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Mr Michie and his wife, Raelene, 63, will take their 700 hives to bee sites on public land on the North Coast in search of flowering trees because the eucalypts around Tamworth, Gunnedah and Coonabarabran are dying.
Analysts at Australia’s largest honey producer, Capilano, predicts NSW beekeepers will harvest half as much honey as they would typically expect, while the NSW Department of Primary Industries expects the decline will be closer to 40 per cent.
Capilano will eat into a six-month stockpile of honey it has built up since 2014, when drought decimated the industry and customers were stung with higher prices at the checkout.
“We’re expecting to receive 50 per cent less honey from NSW this year, however we’re fortunate Western Australia is having a good year, so all told across Australia we’ll be down by 20 per cent,” Capilano honey supply manager Stephen Covey said.
In response, the state government will waive fees for the majority of commercial beekeepers who keep their hives in timber forests, national parks or crown land.
The concession will save second-generation beekeeper Chris Brown $20,000 in permit fees for keeping his 50 million bees in national parks and timber plantations.
“We’re at the mercy of the elements and this year my honey production is down by at least 40 per cent,” Mr Brown said.
“We’re on the coast where there’s more chance of rain but out west is the worst I’ve ever seen it.”
HAY MATE CONCERT
COMMERCIAL jets usually only land in Tamworth as a last-ditch measure when storms shut down the east coast capital city airports — but a Boeing 737 will touch down on the rural runway next month.
Veteran captain Gary McKenzie will pilot the airliner into Tamworth on October 27, carrying concertgoers bound for Hay Mate: Buy A Bale — A Concert For The Farmers at Scully Park.
Aussie music legends John Farnham, Daryl Braithwaite and former INXS composer Andrew Farriss will perform alongside pop sensations such as The Veronicas, Guy Sebastian and Nat Conway, with every dollar raised going to farming charity Rural Aid.
Mr McKenzie was born and raised in Tamworth, which is why he was the first to volunteer to help.
“All the crew are volunteering because anything we can do to raise awareness of the plight of farmers and graziers has to be a good thing, given the financial and emotional toll is taking on the community,” Mr McKenzie said.
Qantas is putting on the private charter flight to Tamworth, which includes return flights, VIP concert tickets with private viewing area and catering, a night’s stay and a champagne brunch in the Sydney Domestic Business Lounge on departure.
Proceeds of the flight will also go to farming charity Rural Aid to support drought-affected farmers.
To reserve a seat, visit qantas.com/au/en/promotions/brand/qantas-drought-relief.html