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Gino de Graaf last won the day on November 25 2020
Gino de Graaf had the most liked content!
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Beekeeping Experience
Commercial Beekeeper
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Tauranga
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Bees being made redundant? Kiwifruit
Gino de Graaf replied to Gino de Graaf's topic in Bees in the Media
I think it's the pollen quality that bees are attracted to. Hybrid clovers are common now, requiring less pollination.and probably not as bee friendly. It bothers me, beehives cost the grower stuff all per hectare. But the research paid for by you and me, is aiming to remove us. 1M!! Progress. At what price. I am ranting, but imagine no beehives needed in kiwis in the future. I'd walk away and consequently no bees will sit on pasture to pollinate clovers -
Bees being made redundant? Kiwifruit
Gino de Graaf replied to Gino de Graaf's topic in Bees in the Media
Hi Dennis, has APINz looked at this research? Are they aware of it? Otago university got 1M for a 3yr study (2018). From government. The only beneficiaries, the kiwifruit growers and Intelligence Property owners. I am amazed it flew under the radar. Let's hope it is a dud -
Bees being made redundant? Kiwifruit
Gino de Graaf replied to Gino de Graaf's topic in Bees in the Media
Yeah, creating girl\boy flowers. So the kiwifruit industry thinks it innovative, no bees or artificial pollination required. No male pruning, and 10% more productive plants. Goes to show how thoughtless research can be. Goodbye Beekeepers... We fine now... thanks for you supported us...we doing better without you.. Shortsighted. And sad. -
They want light..very light. Not sure who produces less than than 30. Seems very light. Send them your Kamahi, So,is Jack's scale the same as the spectrometer? Probably totally different. Your honey has set, so turns lighter.
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Gino de Graaf started following Bees being made redundant? Kiwifruit
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So, trawling through some historic news. Was funded in 2018... Major study on kiwifruit pollination wins Government funding | Newshub WWW.GOOGLE.COM Researchers hope a new three-year study will mean reduced costs for kiwifruit growers. Another article 2019 https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/114762011/genetic-breakthrough-could-make-male-kiwifruit-redundant Lol, the stuff article has video of kiwifruit growers growing dope...unrelated but highly entertaining.
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How many real beeks get grumpy hives?
Gino de Graaf replied to Wildflower's topic in General Beekeeping
Me too. Gone back to see and not very effective. It's possible that your queens were young? As Nick's article states, young queens hold on. I think @jamescspot on, it's timing. And no excluders, mid flow. Some do it every year and they seem happy enough, but I don't think they really know how well it's worked. Its quick, cheap and unknown. -
Hi! Is there plenty of healthy bees\brood? Expanding? My understanding, your hive is over the worst. Probably very sick early on. Suggest trying to get mite count, that will tell you if mite load is under control. You're doing plenty of oxalic treatments, possibly too many. 6 weeks every 3 days is a lot. Remember,seeing DWV does not mean you have a high mite load now, after 3 weeks. The virus hangs around for a while, and goes away once hive gets healthy. Again, without an accurate mite count you're guessing what's going on.
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Looks like a bit of that NW for you today. Once gone nice weekend. I have experienced windy places, but the NW is the top performer.
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And, does some nz Manuka transit through processors in Aussie. Possibly Manuka that fails the tests here??
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Lol. A spike in demand for any type will be appreciated.
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Are these new sites big business chasing Manuka flows from north to south? If so, their plan may make sense even if they only harvest a small but reasonable quantity. They will have a few goes at it as they go south. It's efficient shifting big truck loads. And bees sitting in holding pattern, waiting for later flows cost money. Guys here sit on Rewa sites, because it works logistically, not necessarily very profitable. Bees working, ready to go South. It's entirely different for one shot operators like you and me. Eggs in one basket. And they can enhance the value of all hon