Bee-ing there

UQ Gatton’s popular weekend beekeeping course notches up its 50th anniversary this year.

The unique residential course, offered this year from November 23-25, attracts national enrolments.

Senior lecturer in agriculture and horticulture John Swift has run the course in conjunction with the Department of Primary Industries for the past decade.

Mr Swift said many participants were hobbyists with fewer than 10 hives, who enjoyed the social aspects of the weekend.

“The course is an offshoot of apiary production and pollination electives popular with UQ Gatton students,” Mr Swift said.

“We cover everything from hive construction, honey recovery and processing to bee health and crop pollination.”

Mr Swift said student courses focused on pollination as a vital element in growing a wide range of crops.

“It’s becoming an extremely important issue with changing cropping systems and natural habitat destruction. For crops such as pumpkins and melons it’s critical,” Mr Swift said.

UQ Gatton has developed significant beekeeping expertise over the years with hives spread from the coastal ranges as far west as the Goondiwindi region.

A commercial pollination service is also offered to local farmers.

Mr Swift said UQ Gatton researchers were studying the Australian native stingless bee.

“These tiny bees produce small quantities of honey which is highly valued on the gourmet market. Hive construction and management is completely different to a normal honeybee,” he said.

“Research is showing that the native bee might be a more efficient at pollinating a range of crops, particularly tropical fruits such as avocados and macadamias.”

Media: For more information, contact John Swift (telephone 07 5460 1117).