We will discuss the first detailed case of small hive beetle infestation in a living Australian stingless bee hive that was transported and deployed for use in Cucurbit crop pollination. Out of nine studied hives, one hive became infested. All life stages of the small hive beetle, with the exception of eggs, were discovered inside the hive, which contained a total of 14 adult beetles and 133 beetle larvae. Events leading up to infestation, and future work to be done with cucurbit crops and stingless bees will be addressed.
Mark Hall: The life and times of native and managed bees: an art and science perspective
Bees capture our imagination more than most other insect groups. This is evident by their presence in art, literature, science and economics. We rely on them for our nutrition and we value them for their beauty. But we don’t actually know that much about them and their mysterious ways. In this presentation I am going to attempt to merge art and science, sharing some of my love and fascination with all bees (not just the humble honeybee) through poems and short stories. I will intersperse these with some important research we are conducting at Western Sydney University to understand their role in agricultural systems, in glasshouse food production and how we can ensure the health and survival of both managed and wild species’ within these human-dominated environments.
Laura Bee Ferguson: The History and Mystery of Bees Through the Ages
With rich visuals, Laura will present a rousing anthropological romp through honeybee mythologies and mysteries, animal communication and history that are at the root of civilization and spiritual practices the world over. You will never see bees the same way again!
Rosie Stern: An update on Australian Research on the Glycaemic Index and Prebiotic effects of Australian Honeys
The presentation will briefly outline the presenter’s contribution to Australian research on the health aspects of Australian honey from 1999 to 2019. In particular, the presenter will describe the results of research into the Glycaemic index(GI) of honey and the prebiotic effects of honey. The Glycaemic Index is a measure of how different carbohydrates (sugars) in foods effect blood sugar levels. Foods containing carbohydrates are ranked according to their effect on the blood glucose levels. Honey has been of interest as affecting blood sugar levels because of the high percent of sugars in honey and the health effects for persons with health disorders such as diabetes. A Prebiotic is a food ingredient that beneficially affects an individual by selectively stimulating the growth and activity of bacteria in the large bowel. Honey has been of interest as affecting the bacteria in the large bowel because of the oligosaccharides (long chain sugars) in honey and the health effects for persons with bowel disorders such as irritable bowel and constipation. The presentation will outline where Honeys were sourced from in Australia, methods of testing performed and results of the testing. The presentation will also outline which Australian honeys are permitted to have nutrition health claims on their labels. Nutrition health claims are voluntary statements made by food businesses on labels and in advertising about a food. The claim refers to a relationship between a food and health.
Rod Bourke: AFB - The art of beekeeper survival when it completely surrounds us
American foulbrood (AFB) worries beekeepers endlessly and gives many of us nightmares! Some people absolutely live in fear of getting AFB in one (or more) of their hives, to the extent that it negatively impacts on their enjoyment of bee keeping. The reality is that AFB is all around us and it is a fatal honeybee disease, yet for much of the time is not such a great threat to us. I will discuss practical beekeeping tips which can reduce the incidence of AFB and stop its spread, therefore allowing you more enjoyment in your beekeeping.
Amelie Vanderstock - Native Bees in the city: Who and where?
Amelie Vanderstock will share her research on Native bees in community gardens and bushland of Sydney. With over 200 species in Sydney alone , how can we recognise them and where can we find them? Expect audience participation in this game of identify your local pollinators!
Tickets are still available for your ABA Conference
We have over 20 speakers, who are all experts in their field, ready to entertain you with their stories of beekeeping, research, art and adventure!
The full conference line-up...
Only two days to go until the 2019 ABA Conference, and our speakers are arriving in Sydney from all over the world!
Don't miss out...!
We need to confirm numbers with the caterers by tomorrow, so book your tickets now, before it’s too late!
The Conference Program
There’s something for everyone at the ABA Conference!
We have a fabulous line-up of over 20 exciting speakers from Australia and overseas ready to amaze you with their stories of honeybees, native bees, pollination, art, photography, medicine, diseases and more...
View the latest version of the program, or download it here. We are working hard to ensure that speakers and topics are spread across the two days, but don’t forget the program might change without without notice as we squeeze in more speakers.
Tickets are just $120 for general admission, or $100 for ABA/NSWAA/NSBKA members - and you can come for the second day for free!
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea are included in the ticket price.
The Gala Dinner @ Hawkesbury Race Club
6pm - 10pm, Saturday 8 June
Hawkesbury Race Club is the place to be on Saturday 8 June!
Not only will there be fabulous food and an open bar, but we will be running the Colonel Pulling Quiz, and presenting awards for the Colonel Pulling inter-club competition, individual ABA awards, and the ABA Bee Shorts film competition.
Killing superbugs and promoting gut health, with Dr Nural Cokcetin and Daniel Bouzo
Will superbugs become resistant to honey?
Is Australian honey as powerful as New Zealand’s manuka?
Will honey save the world?
Come along to the 2019 ABA Conference and find out!
Have you bought your ticket yet?