Pathway to. Backdrop for beekeeping in Abu Dhabi

Transcription

1 Pathway to Emirati (Abu Dhabi)-bred honeybees R&D Division Dr Denis Anderson 6 Feb Backdrop for beekeeping in Abu Dhabi Honeybees are not native Extreme climate (in a harsh desert environment) Very little natural bee forage Very strong competition between beekeepers for sites Unique assortment of pests for bees to cope with 2

2 Twice-Yearly 4-Step Beekeeping Practice Package bees/nucleus hives are imported 2. Hives die Hives moved onto honey-flow & honey extracted Imported bees housed in single hive boxes 3. 3 Yearly Beekeeping Calendar Bees imported, mostly from Egypt 2. Samar (Vachellia tortilis) Mar Jun Sept Almost ALL hives die Migrating bee-eater birds kill off almost all remaining hives Many hives die Dec 1. Sidir (Ziziphus spina christi) Bees imported, mostly from Egypt 4

3 Step 1 MAKE BEEKEEPING SUSTAINABLE Ensure honeybees can survive throughout the year and from year-to-year 5 Achieving Sustainability A suite of technologies developed to overcome: 1. Pests and Diseases 2. Poor nutrition 3. Extreme summer conditions 4. Predation by bee-eater birds These technologies keep bees alive throughout the year and from year-to year 6

4 3 Key Components Underpinning Hive Survival 1. Only large strong bee colonies survive the severe UAE summers X 7 2. Queen bees rarely survive for more than 1 year 8

5 3. Bee hives must be sheltered below 50 o C during the heat of summer 9 Step 2 PRODUCE ABU DHABI-BRED HONEYBEES Suited to the harsh local conditions 10

6 Import breeding stock (Aug-Sept 2015) JORDAN 10 EGYPT 20 MAX. MONTHLY SCORE/QUEEN = 27 OMAN 20 SAUDI ARABIA WA AUSTRALIA AUTUMN-WINTER-SPRING MONTHLY PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS (In standized 10-frame single hives) VIC AUSTRALIA QLD 1 20 AUSTRALIA 1. Population Size (1-5) 2. Honey Production (1-5) 3. Temperament (1-4) 4. Freedom from clinical signs of disease (1-4) 5. Brood pattern (1-3) 6. Steadiness on comb (1-3) 7. Evenness of physical characteristics (1-3) 20 QLD 1 AUSTRALIA 20 SCORES IN EACH LINE AVERAGED TO GIVE A LINE SCORE OUT OF

7 Further assessment of Saudi Arabia & Australian stock (over summer, June to September) AUSTRALIAN QUEENS SAUDI ARABIA QUEENS MONTHLY SUMMER PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS (standardized 10-frame hives) 1. Honey Production (1-5) 2. Survival over summer (1-5) 3. Colony recovery after summer (1-5) 4. Rate of population buildup after summer (1-5) MAX. MONTHLY SCORE/QUEEN = System of Producing Abu Dhabi-Bred Queens Mate with (F0) Drones Mate with (F1) Drones Best (F0) Queen Mothers Produce Virgin Queens (F1) Best (F1) Queen Mothers Produce Virgin Queens (F2) Best (F2) Queen Mothers Saudi-Bred Line Emirati-Bred Mate with Saudi-Bred Drones (F0) Emirati-Bred 14

8 INCREASE COLONY STRENGTH Conclusion: What Does Sustainability now Look Like? SHELTER < 50 o C REQUEEN WITH EMIRATI-BRED QUEEN YEAR 3 YEAR 2 INCREASE COLONY STRENGTH YEAR 1 - IMPORT BEES INCREASE COLONY STRENGTH 15 Conclusion: Looking Forward Big Ticket Items Technology transfer (change the mindset!!) Improve beekeeping methods & research facilities Continue development of Emirati-bred bees 16

9 Thank you Acknowledgements: - M i n i s t r y o f P r e s i d e n c y A f f a i r s - A D F C A - A b u D h a b i F a r m e r S e r v i c e s C e n t r e - B e e k e e p e r s 17