WITH the region’s drought conditions continuing to sting farmers, one Tamworth beekeeper is looking for the community’s help to keep his bee hives alive.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Second generation beekeeper David Weik is seeking refuge for his bees at several properties right across the region, hoping to keep them alive.
Mr Weik said the relocation was in hopes of finding for more feed for his bees.
“We have been running around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to find somewhere with more feed for our bees,” Mr Weik said.
“There is just so little feed for bees around Tamworth at the moment.
“Simply put, if we don’t somewhere for our bees they will die.”
Read Also:
Recent drought conditions have played a part in the down-turn of feed for the insects and have resulted in a low production of honey for the Tamworth beekeeper.
“There is far less food around for them this year and its purely because of the drought,” Mr Weik said.
“In terms of food for them, Christmas last year was the last time they had any naturally sourced food.
“In terms of honey, we haven’t made a single jar since Christmas either.
“Since then we have been feeding them a combination of pollen, supplements and sugar water which has helped get them through.
“Things are pretty tough at the moment, the weaker bees can’t really survive where they are, so it’s crucial we find somewhere with some feed for them.”
Mr Weik said he had so far found some landholders willing to house some of his 500 bee hives.
“Normally, we would have about 700 bee hives but given how tough things are, we are down to just 500,” he said.
“I’ve been doing this nearly all my life and I’m in my 70’s and it is really pleasing to see the support of country people.
“A few of the people we have spoken to in the Gunnedah area that have agreed to keep some bees for us have never even met me.
“They have no obligation to help me out, but such is the nature of living in the bush, they are more than happy to help.
“It’s beautiful to see and to me it’s exactly what living in the bush is all about.”
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
