February  2015    

 Capensis

WKBV-­‐Velddagdatums:  

Herfs-­‐Velddag  (Stanford)  -­‐  14-­‐03-­‐2015  

Lente-­‐Velddag  (Kaappunt)  -­‐  22-­‐08-­‐2015    alternatief  29-­‐08-­‐2015    

AFB  ROAD  SHOW  :  

26  Feb  –  14  March  2015  

See  attached  document  for  the  dates.    

 Meetings  for  2015  

 1. Five  Committee  meetings  in  the  

next  10  months.  2. Annual  General  Meeting,  

Stellenbosch  9  May  2015.  3. SABIO  Beecon  2015  –  

Pietermaritzburg    (29-­‐30  May  2015)  

MET  AFB  AS  DIE  FOKUSPUNT  VAN  ELKE  GESPREK  WAT  ELKE  BYEBOER  MET  MEKAAR  VOER,  WAT  ELKE  HEUNINGLIEFHEBBER  EN  GEBRUIKER  OOR  NAVRAAG  DOEN  EN  WAAROOR  DAAR  GROOT  BEKOMMERNIS  ONDER  VRUGTE,  GROENTE  EN  SAADPRODUSENTE  BESTAAN,  GROET  ONS  ALMAL  MET  DIE  EERSTE  UITGAWE  VAN  ONS  NUUSBLAD  VIR  2015.  

HUGE  CHALLENGES  AWAIT  US,  NOT  ONLY  FOR  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  THE  WCBA,  BUT  FOR    EACH  AND  EVERY  BEE-­‐KEEPER  IN  THE  WESTERN  CAPE.      WE  WANT  TO  URGE  YOU  TO  GET  INVOLVED,  READ  THE  GUIDELINES  AND  ACT  ACCORDINGLY.        BE  PRESENT  AT  THE  ROAD  SHOW  NEAREST  TO  YOU  AND  BE  SERIOUS  TO  DO  YOUR  BIT  TO  COMBAT  THIS  DISEASE.      

ONS  BESIGHEIDSPLAN  VIR  2015  IS  TYDENS  ONS  BESTUURSVERGADERING  OPGESTEL  EN    WORD    IN    HIERDIE  UITGAWE  BELIGGAAM  

ONS  HET  WERKLIK  U  SAMEWERKING  NODIG  HIERDIE  JAAR!!  

FOR  THE  CAPESIS  TO  BE  EFFECTIVE,  WE  AGAIN  URGE  ALL  MEMBERS  TO  SEND  US  CLIPPINGS  AND/OR  INTERESTING  ARTICLES  TO  info@wkbv.co.za    

Lynette  Barnes,  VOORSITTER  

 Photo  taken  in  Hopefield  by  Cricket  Carstens  

Issue: February 2015  

 

 

February  2015    

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PLEASE  PLAY  YOUR  PART!  

Die  Wes-­‐Kaapse  Departement  van  Landbou  het  fondse  beskikbaar  gestel  vir  navorsing  van  alternatiewe  gewasse  vir  die  kleiner  bedrywe  soos  olywe,  fynbos,  heuningtee  en  so  meer.  Omdat  die  byebedryf  ook  in  die  kategorie  val,  het  die  bestuur  van  WKBV  besluit  om  ook  aansoek  te  doen  vir  navorsing  na  die  aanplant  van  wieke,  ook  bekend  as  wilde  ertjies.  

Wieke  as  alternatiewe  bron  van  nektar  vir  heuningbye  het  alreeds  4  jaar  gelede  tydens  WKBV  se  jaarvergadering  ter  sprake  gekom.  Gesprekke  met  Elsenburg  daarna  het  ongelukkig  op  ’n  dooiepunt  ge-­‐eindig.  Die  deur  Is  nou  weer  oop  en  WKBV  wil  die  geleentheid  benut.  

Alle  aansoeke    moet  gerig  word  aan  HORTGRO.  Daar  is  baie  kriteria  waaraan  so  ’n  aansoek  moet  voldoen.  Die  belangrikste  is  dat  dit  volhoubaar  moet  wees  en  dat  dit  mense  van  die  platteland  in  die  laer  inkomstegroep  moet  bevoordeel.  

Hier onder volg ‘n opsomming van WKBV se aansoek deur NICO LANGENHOVEN

For  more  info  in  regards  to  the  application  please  e-­‐mail  Nico  Langenhoven  -­‐    bolandbye@gmail.com

FONDSE  VIR  ALTERNATIEWE  GEWASSE  

Bluegum  logs  at  a  sawmill  in  Southern  Paarl.  

According  to  SABIO,  only  501  beekeepers  throughout  the  country  have  registered  since  the  Department  took  over  the  Registration  process  in  2013.  They  estimate  that  the  number  of  persons  in  South  Africa  keeping  bees  runs  into  the  thousands!  Registration  is  not  a  punitive  requirement  and  costs  nothing.      In  other  countries  it  is  a  standard  requirement,  specifically  for  the  purpose  of  disease  management.  If  you  have  not  yet  registered,  or  you  know  of  other  beekeepers  that  have  not  registered,  please  play  your  part  in  creating  awareness  about  the  importance  of  doing  this,  and  register  this  year!    DAFF  and  SABIO  will  be  conducting  a  joint  exercise  encouraging  all  beekeepers  to  register.  

SABIO IS ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING THEIR CURRENT DATABASE: THIS IS IMPORTANT PARTICULARLY FOR COMMUNICATION PURPOSES. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE THE SA BEE JOURNAL, BECOME A MEMBER OF SABIO: www.sabio.org.za

FOR  MORE  INFORMATION  ON  HOW  TO  REGISTER  WITH  DAFF:      www.sabio.org.za  

 

 

February  2015      

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Continued…  

EXCERPTS  FROM  THE  APPLICATION  FOR  THE  PLANTING  OF  “PURPLE  VETCH”-­‐    

By:  Nico  Langenhoven  

 

BACK  GROUND:  

“Africa  was  until  five  years  ago  free  from  American  Foul  Brood  (AFB).  AFB,  a  bacteria,  is  the  most  destructive  honeybee    disease  and  is  common    world  wide.  Since  it  was  first  noticed  in  South  Africa  in  2009  it  has  spread  to  most  apiaries   in  the  greater  Peninsula  of  Cape  Town.  Latest  reports   indicate  that  the  spread  has  reached  Vredendal,  Riversdale  and  Oudtshoorn.  AFB  has  become  pandemic  and  will  never  be  stopped.    

Other  pest  eg.  Varroa  mites,  an  external  parasite,  are  common  in  honeybee  colonies     for  the  past  20  years.  Likewise  Small  Black  Hive  beetles,  a  scavenger,  endemic  to  South  Africa,  have  become  a  pest  over  the  last  25  years.  Both  Varroa  and  Black  Hive  Beetles  are  vectors  and/or   transmitters  of  viruses  and  bacteria   from  one  honey  bee  colony  or  apiary  to  another.  

All  these  are  putting  honeybees  under  stress  and  resulting  in  huge  honeybee  colony  losses.  In  North  America  and   Europe  30%  colony   losses  per  annum   is   common.  All   predictions  and   indications  are   that   the  Western  Cape  is  heading  for  the  same  disaster.  In  the  Western  Cape  a  beekeeper  reported  losses  of  40%  over  the  last  18  months.  

Both   lack  of  good  nectar   sources  and  the  effect  of  diseases  and  pests  are  putting  more  and  more  stress  on  honeybee  colonies.  For  beekeepers  to  run  a  sound  honeybee  operation  it  has  become  more  difficult  to  stay  viable.  This  will  result  in  a  predictable  short  supply  of  pollination  unites  to  fruit  growers  and  seed  producers  in  the  Western  Cape.”  

 

VICIA  (Purple  Vetch):  

 Vicia   is   a   annual   legume   that   is   highly   underrated.   The   plant   is   also   known   as   “purple   vetch”   and   has   a  number   of   varieties.   Johan   Zietsman,   in   his   book  Man   Cattle   and   Veld,   page   17,   stress   the   importance   of  introduced  legumes  for  veld  improvement.    

     

PROGRAM:    

Planting   purple   vetch   every   two   or   three   years   in   rotation   with   other   serial   crops   eg.   wheat   an   oats   will  improve  soil  quality,  fertility  and  moist  retention  and  thereby  ensure  economical  production  of  cereals.  

The   abovementioned   200  000   hectares  will   ultimately   produce   200  000   (50  000   ha   X   4)   tons   of  wheat   and  1500  (100  000  ha  X  15  kg)  tons  of  honey.  From  the  100  000  planted  with  purple  vetch,  50  000  ha  will  be  for  grazing  and  50  000  ha  for  producing  hay.  The  other  50  000  ha  can  be  reserved  for  keeping  cattle  and  or  sheep  in   the   winter   (growing   season   for   vetch   and   cereals).     More   cattle   and/or   sheep   can   be   kept   and   meat  production  will  increase.    

 

 

 

February  2015    

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Donec  interdum  

Pellentesque:  

Consectetuer:  

Entrepreneurship:  

This  is  an  ideal  opportunity  for  land  owners,  in  partnership  with  the  beekeeper  who  benefit  from  the  purple  vetch,   to   develop   entrepreneurship   amongst   their   farm   workers.   The   beekeeper   can   be   the   mentor   on  managing  the  bees  and  the  landowner  can  help  in  budgeting  for  expense  and  income  and  how  profit  is  shared  amongst   stake   holders.   This   is   possible   even   in   a   small   operation  with   25   to   50   colonies  which  will   give   a  turnover  of  R13  000  to  R26  000.  

CONCLUSION:  

Improving  Sandveld  agricultural   land  by  planting  purple  vetch  need   to  be   researched  over  the  next  5  to  10  years.  Improved  soil  condition  will  lead  to  more  activity  in  agriculture  and  bee  culture.  This  will  also  ensure  a  viable  fruit  and  seed  industry  for  the  Western  Cape  in  years  to  come.  New  jobs  opportunities  will  derive  and  benefit  rural  people  in  the  low  income  group.  

ADDENDUM:  

The   above   presentation   is   assumptions     on   actual   figures   eg.     4   tons  wheat   per   hectare   is   common   in   the  nearby   Swartland.   All   other   figures   can   be   supported   by   scientific   data   and   current   prices   are   applicable.    Other  supportive    “essays”,    attachment  A  and  attachment  B,  are  for  your  information.  

Acknowledgement:  

Author  on  behalf  of  Western  Cape  Beekeepers  Industry  Association  (WCBA):  Nico  Langenhoven,  Retired  beekeeper  and  member  of  WCBA  management  committee.    Thanks  to  the  following  associates  whose  input  in  this  document  was  valuable  and  helpful:  Marius  Langenhoven:  Radical  Seedlings,  Klein  Joostenberg,  Muldersvlei.  Danie  Franken:  BAccounting  (Honors)  student,  Stellenbosch  University.  

AA    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ri  Riaan  van  Zyl  inspecting  hives  for  AFB.  

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Photo  taken  by  Ron  Moller      

   

 

 

February  2015      

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AFB  OUTBREAK  -­‐  WESTERN  CAPE:  

Condensed  report:    DAFF  &  SABIO  

At  this  time,  all  beekeepers  should  already  be  aware  of  the  huge  crisis  that  our  beekeepers  are  facing  in  the  light  of  the  AFB  outbreak  in  the  Western  Cape.    SABIO  reported  in  their  “Comminique  #01/2015”  that:  “Internationally  AFB  is  the  most  feared  bee  disease  and  this  2014/2015  infestation  is  clearly  much  worse  than  the  2009/2010  outbreak.    The  impression  that  it  appeared  to  have  died  down  in  the  intervening  years  and  that  it  was  thus  a  seasonal  problem,  was  completely  misleading.”      

According  to  DAFF,  it  is  clear  and  accepted  that  we  have  American  Foul  Brood  (AFB)  or  a  strain  thereof  in  the  WC  and  that   it   has   reached   epidemic   status   throughout   our   region.       According   to   the   general   synopsis   of   the   meeting  between  DAFF  Officials,  ARC  representatives,  SABIO  &  WCBA  (22  January  2015):  

“The  responsibility  for  dealing  with  the  disease  remains  nationally  with  the  Directorate:    Plant  Health  (DAFF).      Given  that   the  disease   is   definitely  currently   located   in   the  WC,   the   Provincial  Department  of  Agriculture  which   includes  Veterinary  Services  should  be  called  upon  to  assist  with  dealing  with  the  problem.”  

On  the  22nd  January  2015  a  meeting  was  organized  by  the  directorate  of  SABIO  to  be  held  in  the  Western  Cape  with  local  DAFF  inspector,  Mr  Riaan  van  Zyl,  Mr  Mike  Allsopp  of  the  ARC,  and  representatives  from  both  WCBA  &  SABIO  to  address  the  epidemic.      They  were  joined  by  MR  Mooketsa  Ramasodi,  Chief  Director  and  his  deputy  Mr  Ernest  Phoku  out  in  the  field  where  they  were  presented  with  the  AFB  disease  and  it’s  devastating  effects.  

According   to   the   report,   full   credit   needs   to   be   given   to   the   WCBA   that   through   consultation   drew   up   a  comprehensive   guideline  document   on   “A  GUIDE   TO  BEEKEEPERS   –  HOW  TO  MANAGE  AFB”   -­‐     it   has   been  widely  circulated.  

For  a  full  downloadable  copy  of  the  document,  please  visit:        www.wkbv.co.za  

The  following  is  a  conclusion  written  by  Mike  Miles  of  the  meeting  between  DAFF,  ARC,  SABIO  &  WCBA  –  the  following  action  plan  are  to  be  implemented:  

1. A  De-­‐Limiting  Survey  to  establish  AFB  Free  Zones  within  SA  shall  be  implemented.      2. Sale  &  Movement  of  honey  and  bee  products  from  WC  to  rest  of  country:    DAFF  will  convene  a  meeting  with  bottlers  to  

discuss  measures  to  prevent  the  spread  of  the  pathogen.  3. DAFF  will  put  out  Press  statement  on  the  crisis.  4. A  meeting  will  be  convened  with  the  Retail  sector  for  assistance  to  create  awareness  regarding  the  spread  of  AFB  

through  honey  products.  5. DAFF  will  convene  a  round  table  convention  with  all  players  in  respective  industries  to  address  measures  to  curtail  the  

spread  &  ways  to  manage  the  disaster.  6. DAFF  will  investigate  feasibility  of  Emergency  registration  for  the  allowance  of  the  use  of  OTC  to  treat  AFB  in  infected  

colonies  under  prescribed  conditions.  7. DAFF  inspectorate  will  institute  training  for  those  identified  personnel  in  inspectorate  services  by  31  May  2015.  8. DAFF  will  look  at  problems  being  experienced  with  regards  to  the  registration  process  of  beekeepers  and  will  liase  with  

SABIO  on  this  to  increase  the  number  of  registrations.  9. SABIO  will  send  out  communication  to  beekeeping  community  and  all  its  members  to  alert  beekeepers  to  the  potential  

pandemic.  10.  Research  initiative  in  respect  of  disease  management  in  SA  will  be  given  priority.  11.  The  establishment  of  an  Api-­‐Advisory  Board  will  be  considered.  12.  ARC,  Stellenbosch  suggested  that  Standard  Operating  procedures  for  the  management  and  control  of  the  AFB  be  

drafted  and  if  possible  be  published  in  a  booklet  for  dissemination  to  all  beekeepers  and  stakeholders  in  the  industry.    Sponsorships  needs  to  be  sought.  

 

 

 

February  2015    

  P: Bus/Box 1200, Bellville, 7535 T&F: (021) 865 2050 E: info@wkbv.co.za W: www.wkbv.co.za

Varroa destructor and honeybee viruses in Apis mellifera scutellata in South Africa Strauss, U. and Human, H. University of Pretoria

Numerous pathogens, including bacteria (e.g. American Foulbrood) and viruses, as well as parasitic mites are affecting honeybees

(Apis mellifera L.) around the world. Varroa destructor (Fig.1) is one of the most well-known and devastating honeybee parasites

especially since it acts as a vector of several viruses. The deadly combination of Varroa mites and viruses in honeybee colonies is

of great concern for beekeepers and researchers worldwide. Adult female mites can easily be identified on adult honeybees or

inside brood cells by their eight legs, oval shape and reddish brown colour. Varroa mites should not to be confused with Braula

coeca, a wingless red fly, with six legs which is also commonly found in South African honeybee colonies. There is a common

misconception that Varroa mites are no longer as prevalent as previously thought. However, in Apis mellifera scutellata colonies,

average infestation rates of 13,4 mites per 100 brood cells have been measured (Strauss et al. 2015).

In a recent assessment of Apis mellifera scutellata

apiaries the omnipresence of Varroa mites as well as

the occurrence of three honeybee viruses, Black queen

cell virus, Israeli acute paralysis virus and Varroa

destructor virus 1 was confirmed (Strauss et al. 2013).

Black queen cell virus was detected most frequently but

only in adult workers while Israeli acute paralysis virus

and Varroa destructor virus 1 were found in Varroa

mites and adult workers. Interestingly, the latter two

viruses have not previously been found in South Africa.

Consequently, the combined impact of these viruses and

Varroa mites in Apis mellifera scutellata apiaries is

currently being investigated by Miss Strauss for her

PhD.  

References and further reading:

Human, H., Pirk, C.W.W., Dietemann, V., Kryger, P. (2012) Honey bee diseases Series 3: Varroa and viruses. South African Bee Journal 84(2): 43-47.

Human, H., Pirk, C.W.W., Dietemann, V., Kryger, P. (2011) Honey bee diseases: South African Bee Journal 83(4): 171-179.

Strauss, U., Human, H., Gauthier, L., Crewe, R.M., Dietemann, V., Pirk, C.W.W. (2013) Seasonal prevalence of pathogens and parasites in the savannah honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata). Journal of Invertebrate Pathology 114: 45-52. Strauss, U., Pirk, C.W.W., Crewe, R.M., Human, H., Dietemann, V. (2015) Impact of Varroa destructor on honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata) colony development in South Africa. Experimental and Applied Acarology 65: 89-106.

A B

C D

Figure 1. A. Varroa female on honeybee larva. B. Male Varroa mite.

C. Varroa females on pupae. D. Varroa females on adult honeybees.