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 ABC Field Day Events

All advertised Field Days and meetings are held. If the weather is unsuitable to open hives, an alternative programme is held undercover. We provide tea and coffee at lunchtime.
For lunch bring your own or something to share.

Field days are held on the second Saturday of the month at the ABC apiary in Gribblehurst Hub, public is welcome to join us on these days.

12th August

Hive Opening – 11 am (weather dependent)
This is when the hive managers and teams will attend to their hives. The team will also demonstrate how to inspect for AFB.

Practical Swarm Boxes - how to make a banana box swarm box. Frame wiring after the talks

  • Varroa Mite monitoring - treatment details
  • Spring feeding - types of feed, what and when

Guest Speaker Rose McGruddy, PhD student at Victoria University of Wellington.

My supervisor is Prof. Phil Lester, and my research is focused on trialling a new treatment for varroa mites. 

As part of my thesis, I will study how beekeepers feel about the varroa control methods they currently use and whether they would be interested in the new treatment method I am researching. One of the ways I am collecting this data is by presenting at beekeeping clubs around the country and giving a 20-minute talk on my varroa control research. At the end of the presentation, I will be offering club members an opportunity to complete a quick survey (just 10 multi-choice questions). The survey will be anonymous and will not be compulsory.

09th September

Hive Opening – 11 am (weather dependent)
This is when the hive managers and teams will attend to their hives.

Practical Swarm Boxes - how to make a banana box swarm box. Frame wiring after the talks

Talk topics

  • Swarm Control - review of Dallas method, other methods
  • Splitting hives - what do you want to achieve, types
  • Catching swarms - bring along your swarm catchers. Tips and methods

 

14th October

Hive Opening – 11 am (weather dependent)
This is when the hive managers and teams will attend to their hives.

Talk topics

  • Spring requeening
  • Hive Records
  • Smokers - fuel types and how to keep them going

 

11th November

Hive Opening – 11 am (weather dependent)
This is when the hive managers and teams will attend to their hives.

Talk topics

  • Solar Wax melters - what you need to do
  • Club's extractors - how to use them
  • Bucket extractor
  • Supering up - ways to do it

 

25th November - ANNUAL BBQ

Hive Opening – No hive opening on this day

BBQ Lunch  12:00 pm
We supply susages, onions, sauce, bread & butter.

Bring a plate of delicious food to share (tea and coffee provided).

Events

  • Bee quiz - questions from the Journal & Practical Beekeeping (including honey bee biology)
  • Bee-themed hat or clothes competition
  • Beekeeping gadgets & gizmos
  • Raffle - Hamper