Guest Speaker - Maz McIvor introduces James Sainsbury.
James is a local boy who obtained a BSC with Honours at Victoria University and subsequently a PHD. A science and research career. Is now one of our local District Councillors. James is also now working on bee health and disease. Honey production, pollination and bio-diversity are all important.
James explained he attended a Rotary Science School when at Matamata College.
James relayed a history of beekeeping in New Zealand. Bees arrived in New Zealand in 1839 and did well, but toot poisoning was a concern. 1880's first commercial bee keepers, including Isaac Hopkins of Matamata, the father of New Zealand Beekeeping. In 2000 there were 33,000 hives. Now New Zealand has 1,000,000 hives, due to popularity of Manuka. In the western world Manuka honey is applied topically because of its antibacterial properties and helping with wound healing. Used by USA military amongst others. In other parts of the world, Manuka honey is preferred as a food supplement. $400 million exports per annum now. Halo effect for other types of New Zealand honey too.
Pollination by bees is important for the kiwifruit industry, because kiwifruit are difficult to pollinate and bees deliver good crops. 150,000 hives go into orchards for 10 days. $1.8 billion export earnings for kiwifruit per annum.
Bees also deliver $2 million of value per annum to forage industries.
Plant and Food Research are interested in maximising results from bees in New Zealand.
30,000 to 60,000 bees in a colony. Usually working in a 3 kilometre radius. Communication to the rest of the colony is by a figure 8 waggle dance. The person who interpreted the dance received a Nobel Prize.
Bumble bees are also being studied for industrial agriculture. Annual colonies have 100 bees. 50 times more effective at pollination than a honey bee, but much less of them.
Question put to James was how do bees choose their food. James explained that they are put out when one type of Manuka is flowering and when other plants are not flowering.
Multi floral honey where there is a mix of types of flowering plants.