The silver lining for beekeepers in the wake of Varroa mite

Input costs for horticulture could climb as noted pest Varroa mite spreads across the country, with demand for professional pollination services set to rise as a result.

Input costs for horticulture could climb as noted pest Varroa mite spreads across the country, with demand for professional pollination services set to rise as a result.

But there could be a silver lining for both pollinators and growers, as industry leaders call on a cross-industry assessment of standards and practices.

It comes a week after Varroa mite was detected in Victoria for the first time since the National Transition to Management Plan was adopted by both government and industry.

Berries Australia executive director Rachel Mackenzie said while it was disappointing eradication didn’t work, the industry would endure.

“ … we threw everything at it, and unfortunately the little beastie got away from us,” Ms Mackenzie said.

She said while horticulture “hasn’t ground to a halt” as a result of the mite, it has added a financial cost to conduct business.

“It’s more expensive to undertake pollination,” Ms McKenzie said.

“It’s increased costs by about 30 per cent for pollination costs. In Australia, there are not enough managed hives to pollinate crops. There’s free pollination from feral bees, and those bees will probably be the first casualty of Varroa.”

Ms Mackenzie said fruits such as raspberries and blackberries in particular would be most affected by disruptions to pollination services.

Berries such as raspberries and blackberries could be particularly affected by a shortage of contract hives, according to one industry expert. Picture: Supplied.

“I think it’s really important for all growers to remember pollination is the provision of a professional service, and they should have contracts in place. We need to mentally expect an increasing professionalism of our pollination and expect it may be more difficult to obtain it,” she said.

Crop Pollination Association of Australia president Steve Fuller said the transition to management was an opportunity for both sides of industry to hone respective standards of best practice.

Beekeepers are being urged to consider best practice of beehives in the wake of Varroa mite. Picture: Justin Tallis

“What it means is beekeeping will not be easier, but it means you must work your hives properly,” Mr Fuller said.

Hives have capacity to be regenerated quicker than the rate they would be lost, he said, but not without a cost.

“What is going to happen is we’ll have to manage our hives with more labour, and more money. That’s where there’ll be price rises. Bees won’t be more expensive, but now instead of doing 50 hours of work, it’ll be 60.”