Beekeepers swarm to Springvale hives

A buzz was in the air when beekeepers visited a property housing hives at Springvale. Photo/Bevan Conley

Hobbyist beekeepers listened as Wanganui Beekeepers' Club life member Anne Hulme described how she worked the hives she kept on Mark Christensen's property at the Springvale edge of Wanganui.

One matter the group of about 60 people from the Apiculture Industry Conference heard about was the bee disease American foul brood; its detection, burning affected hives and the quarantining of neighbours.

The Wanganui club has also had hives at Mr Christensen's property for 14 years. They are used for teaching purposes on Sunday afternoons. The honey from them is sold to boost club funds.

The national conference in Wanganui this week will be opened by Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy today and will run until Thursday.