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31
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FORUM / Re: Gold prospecting using a metal detector
« Last post by Lesgold on March 26, 2024, 06:10:05 am »
My detecting mate and I went out for a swing with our big detectors to try and get some deeper gold. The area had been giving is a reduction in our take home of yellow stuff so we decided a different approach was required. I found one larger piece in an area that we had detected many times before. It was deeper than our normal detectors would reach and was a real bonus. Here is our tally for the day.
32
FARMING & COUNTRY LIFE / Re: Register Your Chickens?
« Last post by Michael Bush on March 26, 2024, 05:43:14 am »
>And don't be surprised if they eventually pass a bill demanding you to save the dead chicken for inspection by a government agent, to prove the chicken died;  then charge you a dead chicken disposal fee as they leave your property with the dead chicken..... 

I know you think you're being facetious... but that's probably exactly their intent.  Really.
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>I am supposing it would be natural that they would accept them as well?

Yes.

👍🏻
Thanks Mr Bush....
34
GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. / Re: Beekeeping Class Has Begun
« Last post by Ben Framed on March 25, 2024, 11:43:53 pm »
Quote
I took a sting on my hand because I flinched and went for it when it landed. It left the stinger and right now I'm a little sore there but nothing big, we'll see what tomorrow brings.


Usually my first sting or two of the season I will get a little swelling. This year so far that is not the case. I took one on the forehead just above the right eye yesterday, one of the arm, as well as one on the stomach area. In the least expected a swollen eye. Im glad to report no more than what appeared as a mosquito whelp was the result. Usually after my first few stings of the new season, I have little problems. I was glad for the good results in the beginning of this season.
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FARMING & COUNTRY LIFE / Re: Register Your Chickens?
« Last post by Ben Framed on March 25, 2024, 10:59:52 pm »
:wink:  :cheesy:   
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FARMING & COUNTRY LIFE / Re: Register Your Chickens?
« Last post by animal on March 25, 2024, 09:54:03 pm »
BEWARE !! Registration is the first step towards confiscation !

We need a constitutional amendment ...

A well regulated Flock, being necessary to the production of reasonably priced Eggs, the right of the people to keep and raise Birds, shall not be infringed.




38
DOWN UNDER BEEKEEPING / Re: What's flowering: Queensland
« Last post by max2 on March 25, 2024, 09:52:24 pm »

Flowering.

There is not much to report.
The weather has been against us - too wet. Bees can't fly and pollen and nectar would be washed out.
I can see that the Blue Gum ( E. tereticornis) is budding heavily.
It is a reliable producer at the end of winter into spring.
We do get some surplus honey most years and occasionally a good flow.
The timing, just before a strong buildup of brood can be magic magic.

With plenty of soil moisture Clover often performs well too.
A great time to make early splits and some queens. We shall see.

I can see the Golden Rain Trees are  flowering (Koelreuteria elegans subsp. formosana)
It is considered a weed around here but bees love it.
I suspect that the honey is rather dark.

No luck this year . They are a lovely tree to watch bees at work - when the sun shines.

During our wet season we generally find that Cobbler's pegs ( Bidens pilosa) keep our bees happy if we get short bursts of sunshine. Even they could not provide some sustenance for our bees.

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DOWN UNDER BEEKEEPING / Re: News from Down Under
« Last post by max2 on March 25, 2024, 09:51:27 pm »
It has been a trying couple of months here related to beekeeping.
Since the start of the year it has been extremely hot  ( the second hottest year on record) and humid and then rain came , and came...and it still has not stopped.

We had some flooding rain but of late it has been just steady, light rain.
Enough to stop you from getting out and about.
There is no chance to open any hives.
It will be interesting to see how the hives stand up to constant moisture. A real test on the paints we use.
The Varroa mites in NSW are spreading slowly.
A new intrusion just 120km from here  has been discovered.
I read that just one mite has been found in an Asian swarm at the Brisbane wharf.

Broula Flies have been found in Northern NSW https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=broula+fly.

These will be of little consequence to the average beekeeper but a real pain to those of us who sell comb honey.

The SHB would have a field day in this warm/humid/wet weather.
I have lost a couple of hives.
One was a slimeout, two, well they are a mystery. There is no smell ( not AFB), a few queen cells ( maybe they lost a queen and the new queen could not mate due to the weather)
You never stop learning with bees!
I'm cleaning up the frames and will have the gear ( frames and supers) heat treated. Just in case.
I will be able to use them all in Spring.

Honey sales have been good and getting better towards the cooler time of the year.
Some sellers have increased their prices but there are a number of beekeepers willing to undercut market prices.
I have been made aware that the use of Fipronil ( against SHB) is quite common - illegal and a risk to consumers and the bees.

There are plenty of hives for sale.
It appears that a lot of beekeepers are taking the opportunity to get out before varroa hits them.

I have plenty of stock and have been selling some honey in bulk. Good for the cash flow.
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FARMING & COUNTRY LIFE / Re: Register Your Chickens?
« Last post by Ben Framed on March 25, 2024, 09:20:32 pm »
USDA wants to chip all your chickens.  Then  you would have to report when you eat one and when one just dies...

And don't be surprised if they eventually pass a bill demanding you to save the dead chicken for inspection by a government agent, to prove the chicken died;  :shocked: :wink: then charge you a dead chicken disposal fee as they leave your property with the dead chicken.....  :shocked: :cheesy: :cool:
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