On 25/01/2014 9:09 AM, Trevor Weatherhead wrote:
>> Do Oz bees at least dip the egg laying rate in winter, even if they do not
> stop altogether?  Does the old lady not get even a partial rest?

As we have said, it depends on the floral resource in a given spot in a 
given year.

The bees do  seem to have a yearly cycle, although I think it really 
just reflects floral resource.

Some places can, but seldom do, produce continuously for twelve months.  
I.e.  Every now and again all the flora in an area may flower at its 
appropriate time.  But in Oz few things flower every year.  So to 
achieve the year round production requires moving the hives.
>
>
> If they want some Aussie beekeepers can be on a honey flow for almost 12
> months of the year, unfortunately not this year.

Time will tell for us.  In this little bit of paradise we have had honey 
continually from May in one area and July for those that went to 
blueberry pollination, until the present.  The future, well who knows. 
Many other places are having  a poor season as Trevor says.

Geoff Manning

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