Hot summer shapes as bee killer

Just like other farmers, apiarists are under stress this summer.

Although drought conditions create all sorts of issues for our agriculture and horticulture sectors, it is also affecting the bee population. On farm, we see the much-needed green feed turning crunchy and dry. Livestock is flooding the market as farmers divest themselves of stock to ease the pressure on the rapidly reducing pasture and water source.

While the effects of the drought are bearing down on arable and livestock farmers, the beginnings of stress lines are also appearing on the faces of our apiarist community.

The big dry bites and we are no strangers to the ongoing repercussions of the drought. It doesn't make it any less of a worry to our already struggling bee population.

Such an event means lower returns and yields on farm or in the orchard. Dryland arable farmers have written off any prospect of a good season in Canterbury and harvest of apples in Hawke's Bay was two weeks behind schedule in early January, which all means less food for bees.

The consequences of a lack of feed for livestock, is just as dire for bees. The ongoing dry can mean starvation and death for the nation's army of bees.

The total economic value globally of insect pollination is estimated to be at least $250 billion annually and in New Zealand it is $5 billion. This is a reflection of our agricultural and horticultural sectors, which drive our economy.

Bees must visit two million flowers to produce 0.5 kilograms of honey. This can mean that bees will forage in a radius of up to four kilometres from the hive, and in human terms that's the same as travelling 2500km daily to collect food. The dry weather means bees' floral resources are failing to yield the required nectar to maintain a healthy beehive and survive. Unlike livestock farmers who can sell stock, without man's intervention the bee colony will most likely die.

Just like humans, bees need water. For bees, water is a valuable tool to control humidity and temperature in the hive, which ensures they have a healthy environment.

Don't be surprised to see honey bees collecting water in your paddock trough as the dry continues. This may be the only water source available to them.

There is hope; if we are proactive we can help the honeybee. The bee prefers a landing ground, so place a piece of wood in your trough that they can use as a platform to land and collect water. This is far better than drowning in the trough.

Furthermore, planting bee friendly plants in marginal farm land and riparian areas will not only have environmental and aesthetic value, it provides greater nutritional resources throughout the year for bees. To find which beneficial plants are suited to your area, please email treesforbees@fedfarm.org.nz for more information.

John Hartnell is Federated Farmers' Bee Industry Group chairman