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One can find a lot of books on beekeeping. This bee book is suited for the South African audience especially as it focuses on the Apis Mellifera Scutellata species which is prevalent in the Highveld [northern half of SA]. Most of the information can also be applied to Apis Mellifera Capensis as it resides, more or less, south of Bloemfontein [Southern half of SA].
Both hobbyist and professional beekeepers will find the blue book enhances their operation. Many topics are covered and well described and explained. There a number of colour photographs and diagrams with great detail. There is a wealth of information covered in its 288 pages, cover-to-cover.
We suggest the blue book should be mandatory for every Beekeeper to purchase when they register with SABIO.
One of the many useful and extremely vital pieces of bee info provided by the Blue book is that of pollination. As the editor is actually a specialist in plant research, M. J. Johannesmeier has included vast amounts of nectar tables and nectar rankings for all kinds of different plants, trees and shrubs.
The best part of the pollination section is the table providing the break down of crops that are farmed in South Africa {and globally} along with detailed information about the land area used under that crop as well as the flowering period and the amount of bee hives recommended per hectare when in pollination. The bee book provides recorded results when bees have been used to pollinate a crop on how affective their use is by measuring increase of crop yield.
The bee book goes on to then consider the different trees, shrubs and plants that are bee friendly, the nectar and pollen rating and the region these flora would be prevalent. This is invaluable for any beekeeper as you should record the flora in your area and then create an idea of the strength of the nectar flow and pollen rating of your area around the apiary!
The blue book goes on to describe more! You will also get the flowering time of year and a rating of nectar and pollen for each plant. Rated from 1 - 4 with 4 being the strongest flow you can draw a picture of exactly how strong your nectar sources are and therefore how much honey you should expect to harvest from your bees!
What does Beekeeping in South Africa cover:
R280 plus postage
- Beekeeping history
- Biodiversity of bees
- Life History of the honey bee colony
- Honey Bee Activities and behaviour
- Honeybee Production
- Beginning beekeeping
- Apiary site
- Hive Equipment
- Top Bar Hive Beekeeping
- General Management
- Specialised Management
- Queen Rearing
- Bee Nutrition & Supplemental Feeding
- South African Nectar and Pollen Flor
- Honey Characteristics & Uses
- Handling the Honey crop
- Honey Processing
- Beeswax
- Other Products of the hive
- Diseases and Pests of honeybees
- Poisoning of honeybees
- Crop pollination
- Beekeeping legislation
- Beekeeping organisations
