All member activities deferred due to Covid-19.
We are sorry to say that in the interests of Health and Safety all our public meetings, courses and Apiary Demonstrations are cancelled until further notice.
The committee is continuing to have meetings via Zoom every fortnight and work is progressing on the Apiary Site In Dunhill.
The Ballygunner Apiary is being managed by the Apiary Team.
Report from FIBKA Regional Workshop 08/02/2020
Report from FIBKA Regional Meeting/Workshop
Date: 08/02/2020 Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown
Attendance from EWBA:
- Donal Lehane Vice-Chair
- John Cunningham, Education Officer
- Josephine Hickey
- Anne Marie Fogarty, Hon. Sec.
Speakers:
- Paul O’Brien, FIBKAPresident
- Michael Maunsall
- Tom Prendergast
Paul O’Brien : FIBKA Update
- FIBKA now moved to a CLG (Company Limited by Guarantee)
- Executive reduced from 25 to 7 members
- Established 7 Boards of Management
- Saved €10k by foregoing the National Ploughing Championships.
- Annual survey is now on-line and resulted in a saving of €4k on paper/postage
- Moved to new accountants and saved €2k
- Identified office space in Athlone with a view to buying/renting
- Developed a new Constitution, a copy can be had on request
Management Boards
- Education, 5members
- Scientific, 8 members
- Native Bee, 4 members, Peter Walsh Chair SKBA is a member
- Youth Development, 5 members
- Publicity, 6 members
- Finance, 3 members
- Summer school, 3 members, John Cunningham EWBA is a member
Financial Status
Membership Income Expenditure
2019
3557 290,000 265000
2018
3100 260,000 241000
Michael Maunsell: Bee Genetics
Michael gave a very interesting scientific talk explaining in detail bee genetics, some relevant terms, how genes determine everything i.e. the bee’s developmental characteristics, appearance, and behaviour.
We learned that the greater the drone genetic diversity the stronger our colonies will be, how genes determine the difference between bees and other organisms, that drones carry different genes for a variety of bee traits, and because of multiple mating bees in a colony will have different fathers and therefore workers influence within a hive will vary genetically in terms of pollen/nectar gathering, queen rearing, larval care, hygienic behaviour and swarming…which is good.
We also learned that genetically diverse swarms establish new colonies faster, build more comb, and have high foraging levels and gain weight better.
Genetics are affected by in-breeding thus the need for a diverse drone population. Inbreeding results in queen problems i.e. low egg production, reduced lifespan, reduced drone fertility and reduced flight activity.
Diverse genetics are crucial to colony strength. The greater the genetic diversity of our bees, the greater the health, the build-up and the productivity.
Tom Prendergast: Preparing for the season ahead
Tom, gave a very practical lecture and asked us to decide “What is it that we want from our Bees”.
- ? Maximum Crop.
- ? Chemical free bees.
- ? A few pots of honey for the family.
- ? native Irish Bees
- ? Selling Nucs
He said that deciding what we want decides how we are going to plan the coming season.
Tom talked about
- The need to preserve the wood in our apiaries, stands, floors, boxes, roof etc
- Closing up dead hives quickly to prevent robbing. Assess the colony and sterilise all parts
- Heft hives and feed fondant in winter, watch Nucs, Feed syrup after 17/03 if needs be.
- Monitor for Varroa with OMF.
- Reasons for bad colonies: Bad queens, disease, varroa, lack of pollen, lack of forage, BEEKEEPER bad practice.
- Replace poor Q’s in April.
- Have 1 Nuc for every 2-3 colonies
- Give space. Add new foundation at the dandelion flow.
In summary: Work with your bees. Don’t keep poor colonies or queens. Keep the Apiary clean and tidy. Feed during the winter and check for disease in spring i.e Nosema, AFB, EFB. Keep a few spare queens and have Nucs to replace poor performers.
Introduction to Beekeeping Course 2020
The Honey Bee Colony, Lifecycle, Occupants of the Hive, Roles within the hive, What bees collect and why. Plus siting an Apiary the Hive parts, How many hives do you want/need, what equipment you need, protective clothing, the beekeepers year. If you would like to attend, please complete our membership Application form which is available under the Membership tab on the website or email Anne Marie.
Preparing Honey for Sale and for Show
Preparing Honey for Sale and for Show is a lecture that will given by Dennis Ryan of South Tipperary Beekeepers’ Association on Wednesday 8th April 2020. The event is free to members and €5 to non-members. All are welcome to attend and we hope to see you there.
Schedule 2019
Please find the schedule for 2019 in the PDF link below.
Apiary Demonstration Notice
Apiary Demonstrations are solely for EWBA members and are not public demonstrations.
Apiary rules must be followed for all Apiary visits.
Demonstration Dates will be posted as soon as we can continue our Education Programme
Lecture 11th March 2020
| East Waterford Beekeepers' Association Meeting | |
|---|---|
| Subject | A Beekeepers Year and The Demaree Method of Swarm Control |
| Speaker | Donal O'Brien EWBA (A Beekeepers Year and The Demaree Method of Swarm Control) |
| Date | 11th Mar 2020 |
| Time | 7.00pm |
| Venue | Dunhill Education Centre, Dunhill Ecopark, Dunhill, Co Waterford |
| Type | Lecture |
| Cost | Free to members and €5 to non-members |
| Notes | Donal has many years experience in Beekeeping and in fact, the inaugural meeting of the East Waterford Beekeepers' Association was held in the kitchen of his home at Dunabrattin, Annestown, Waterford in April 1957 |
Donal O’Brien from EWBA will give a lecture in the Dunhill Education Centre on the topic of “A Beekeepers Year and The Demaree Method of Swarm Control”. Donal has many years experience in Beekeeping and in fact, the inaugural meeting of the East Waterford Beekeepers’ Association was held in the kitchen of his home at Dunabrattin, Annestown, Waterford in April 1957. This lecture is free to members and €5 to non-members.
NIHBS Munster Seminar 7th March 2020
NIHBS Munster Seminar 2020
The Native Irish Honey Bee Society (NIHBS) will hold a Honey Bee Improvement Seminar on Saturday the 7th March 2020.
Cost €15 for Non-Members and €10 for Members of NIHBS
Click the link below for full details
Public Lecture Wednesday 12th February 2020
| East Waterford Beekeepers' Association Meeting | |
|---|---|
| Subject | All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020: Lessons learned and looking to the future. |
| Speaker | Dr Una Fitzpatrick |
| Date | 12th Feb 2020 |
| Time | 7 pm |
| Venue | Dunhill Education Centre, Dunhill Ecopark, Dunhill, Co Waterford |
| Type | Lecture |
| Cost | There is no charge. |
| Notes | Una will also be discussing how beekeepers can contribute to the plan. This lecture is for members and is also open to the public. |
Our next EWBA lecture is on Wednesday 12th February at 7pm in Dunhill Education Centre. The Lecture title is: All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020: Lessons learned and looking to the future.
The Lecturer for the evening will be Dr Una Fitzpatrick of The BioDiversity Centre, Waterford. Una will also be discussing how beekeepers can contribute to the plan.
Úna has a PhD in botany. She worked on a project on the conservation of Irish bees before joining the National Biodiversity Data Centre in 2007. She is responsible for the plant, vegetation and pollinator work programmes of the Centre. She is the chair of the steering group that produced the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan 2015-2020 and oversees its implementation.
The Eircode for Dunhill Education Centre is X91 FVF9, and directions are as follows:
From M9 Waterford/Dublin Motorway (Alternate route via toll bridge)
Continue from M9 following signs for Cork via toll bridge (car charge €1.90) – Take the next exit after the toll bridge, signposted Waterford IT, Waterford Crystal, Tramore. Follow the road going straight through the roundabouts until you come to the Butlerstown Roundabout – Take the third exit, signposted N25/Cork and follow this road past Whitfield Clinic until you see signs for Tramore Seaside Resort and Copper Coast Geopark on your left and on the junction a sign for Dunhill Education & Enterprise Park. Take the left turn on this crossroads. Continue straight out for 2.8 miles where you will meet a small crossroads with Dunhill Education & Enterprise Park signposted, take the right-hand turn. Continue on this road for 3 miles where you will meet Pairc Ui Bhain(Dunhill GAA Park) on your left and Dunhill Ecopark on your right. Enter the Ecopark. Continue down past the first building. Turn right and park along the front of the second building. Dunhill Rural Enterprises and Dunhill Multi-Education Centre are in through the small conservatory on the left-hand side of the building and up the stairs. There is also parking at the rear of the building.