Central West beekeepers are going through a rough patch as a result of the severe drought and ongoing heat conditions across the region.
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Vicki Lockwood, the managing director of the largest honey producer in the region, Goldfields Honey, says hot weather is affecting their bees.
“Normally in our area we do not have such extreme heat for so long and it is putting the bees under stress,” Ms Lockwood said.
“We are receiving some rain in the form of storms and showers but as it is so hot the moisture is drying up before the root systems of the plants get any benefit.
“So therefore there is no pollen and nectar.”
Ms Lockwood said this is not the first time the beekeepers were going through such weather conditions.
“But it has been many many years since we had such a extended period of extreme heat.”
Normally in our area we do not have such extreme heat for so long and it is putting the bees under stress.
- Vicki Lockwood
The Central West has seen at least three heatwaves in the past month with temperatures in the high 40s. Some towns have also recorded new high minimum temperatures.
There have been talks that beehives are melting because of the hot weather conditions and the baby bees are born with deformed wings.
Ms Lockwood said Goldfield Honey haven’t had any hives melt down.
“But in other areas where the heat is more intense, the hives can break down as the bees can’t regulate the temperature of the beehive and this effects the brood,” she said.
“These drought conditions cause little or no production of honey and maintaining bees in optimum condition for pollination is very stressful.”
These drought conditions cause little or no production of honey and maintaining bees in optimum condition for pollination is very stressful
- Vicki Lockwood
Superbee Honey Factory director Ross Christiansen said his supplies from the local honey producers have fallen by one-third.
“This is because in a couple of hundred kilometers from Forbes there is not much flowering going on,” Mr Christiansen said.
“So, there is nothing for bees to collect. Bee keepers are going further afield to find flowering crops to put their bees on.”
Mr Christiansen said it was the first time in the past 11 years they had seen this short-fall and he is getting supplies from other parts of NSW and also Queensland.
“The demand has also deteriorated since the news about the adulterated honey,” he said.
“We believe in some areas sales have gone down by 30 per cent.”
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