Events

As part of the “Stingless bees as effective managed pollinators for Australian horticulture” project, native bee specialists will be presenting this field day to help Macadamia growers understand the role native bees and other pollinators have in crop pollination. With information sharing presentations, Q&A opportunities, a farm walk, insect hunts (yes you get a net) and demonstration of native bee management, this event is sure to leave you buzzing.

Presenters include local growers who will showcase their approaches to increasing diversity in orchard management. They are joined by macadamia industry IPM specialists Jarrah Coates and Richard Llewelyn, native bee keeper Steve Maginnity, Dr Megan Halcroft of Bees Business, Jacqui Paine of BACK 2 BUSH and a hive of researchers from the Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment. 

Presentation topics will include:

• The importance of pollination
• How native bees and other pollinators perform their services
• The value of insect pollinators to the industry
• Potential problems we will face if/when Varroa mite arrives in Australia and how we can prepare
• Demonstration of Interrow management for floristic diversity and how to achieve Integrated Pest Management 
• Practical examples of the importance of supporting native bee populations, through plantings and habitat conservation, and how this will support all pollinating insects to ensure their presence during crop bloom.

A delicious local produce-filled lunch will follow a walk and talk on the properties. Researchers will help you get up close and personal with the insects in the orchard, with nets and jars.  We’ll see inside a stingless bee hive and hear from a local grower how native bees have enhanced their enterprise.

This event is organized by Lismore City Council with Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment and is sponsored by Hort Innovation.