BBKA Module Exams 2022
If you are considering taking a BBKA module exam in 2022 then do be certain to check the new syllabus. There are significant differences between the November 2021 exams and the exams for 2022.

Just as an example the 2021 syllabus for Module 1 Honey Bee Management Syllabus says the syllabus covers the use of wax foundation, ways of getting wax fully drawn.

The new syllabus specifies that the syllabus now covers materials employed to emulate foundation as well as the use of wax foundation. It also requires the candidate to also know of the works of J.Mehring, E.B.Weed and Captain J.E. Hetherington.

It helps that the changes are in bold on the 2022 syllabus and this makes it much easier to see the changes. Personally I find the new syllabus much more informative and I now know where to direct my studies.

That is just looking at wax in Module 1. There are a lot more changes than this and rather than list the changes I suggest anyone considering taking one of the modules looks at the new syllabus on the BBKA website.  More information on the exams can be found on the BBKA site.

We have a “For Sale” page which has proved very successful. In fact it is so successful the item which I advertised yesterday has already gone! Perhaps this can act as a reminder. Now is a good time to go through all your equipment, clean it and see what you still need. This is an ideal opportunity to sort it all out and what you do not need can be moved on to someone who does need it.

Whilst I have your attention a reminder of the honey survey. In an attempt to get a fuller picture based on facts rather than hearsay the BBKA is conducting a survey on honey yields. The survey is available from this link. it is available from now to the 25th October. Do respond. It also asks a couple of questions on training requirements. If you are still extracting then you still have a month to do the survey.

Even more whilst I have your attention do not forget that membership renewals are now due. The form is here from where it can be easily downloaded and processed. For those who prefer pdf format that is available here.

Well it has been a funny old year – in the meaning of peculiar rather than hilarious. There are reports of increased honey yields from some and from others there are reports of reduced honey yields.

In an attempt to get a fuller picture based on facts rather than hearsay the BBKA is conducting a survey on honey yields. The survey is available from this link. it is available from now to the 25th October. Do respond. It also asks a couple of questions on training requirements. If you are still extracting then you still have a month to do the survey.

This is the time of year when we are attempting to minimise the number of varroa in our colonies so as to give the bees a better chance over the winter. It was because of this that I have been reading the Varroa booklet from the NBU.

The booklet is important but quite hard work. So after ploughing through that I went to a video by Dr Samuel Ramsey which he gave to the Institute of Northern Ireland Beekeepers at their Honey Show. I suspect I learned more from that video about Varroa than I did from all my reading.

For example – look at the bee above. When you open the hive if you see that you know you have a varroa problem. If you do not see that then do you have a varroa problem? Well the answer is in the video. It turns out that varroa prefer to hide under the bee where they can get better access to the Fat Bodies. It truly is a fascinating video.

Not only is the video highly informative but it is also highly entertaining. He is an excellent speaker and I recommend you watch the video so that you better understand the reason that varroa is such a problem. If you are also inspired to read his research papers on varroa as well as on other subjects then he has a website which is worth exploring.

Well the honey is collected, put into jars and sold and you have a pocket full of cash. Well it would be in a perfect world but whether you have a pocket full of cash or not it is time to renew your membership of the Dorchester and Weymouth Beekeepers Association.

The form is here from where it can be easily downloaded and processed. For those who prefer pdf format that is available here.

For those who are hesitant about joining I should point out that membership comes with benefits including membership of the BBKA and the monthly magazine. In addition there is the Bee Disease Insurance. Like all insurance this is something you hope you never need but if you ever do need it you will pleased you took it.

Membership renewals are due by the beginning of October so as soon as you read this I suggest you renew.