General Meeting (October 2019)

The Capital Regional Beekeepers Association (CRBA) meets on the second Thursday of every month.

This meeting usually starts with a beginners/intermediate beekeeper corner 30 minutes before the regular club proceedings start around 7pm.

Agenda

• 6pm – Setup
• 6.30pm – Pre-meeting discussions
  • New beekeepers corner (downstairs/lower hall) – Question and Answer session – Don L
  • Intermediate beekeepers corner (upstairs/upper hall) – Bob L
• 7.15pm – Regular meeting – Bee nutrition – Bob L
  • What to do in October and November – Larry L
  • Anything in bloom? – Nairn H
  • Just so you know – All
• 8.30pm – Social – Bring a travel mug for tea and coffee
• 9pm – Close of meeting

Minutes

Bill Fosdick called the meeting to order at 7:20PM and welcomed the members.

Bill then introduced the association’s guest speaker of the evening, Bob Liptrot.

Nutrition – Bob Liptrot’s topic of his presentation.

The presentation focused on the different foods that the bees needed to produce brood and to keep the hive healthy. Protein provided by pollen, carbohydrates provided by flower nectar, clean air and water. He went on to explain the need of the beekeeper to keep the hive healthy and be vigilant on the needs of the hive.

• Fall feeding: 2 parts sugar to 1 part water, citric acid mix 10g to 20 litres.
• Spring feeding: 1 to 1 1/2 parts sugar to 1 part water, to stimulate brood production.
• Winter feeding: dry granular sugar on top of the inner cover around the hole. Sugar fondant over top bars.

Bob went on to describe the different methods of delivering the sugar to the hive.

A very interesting and informative presentation.

Larry Lindahl – What to do in the hive for October and November. Check for nosema, check hive to see that it has enough stores for the winter, enough ventilation, put in mice guards, check equipment for replacement, extract honey.

Barry Denluck gave a short talk on the BCHPA’s AGM in Prince George. He informed the members that the 2020 AGM of the BCHPA would be in Abbotsford and it is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the association.

Paul Peterson spoke about his visit to Montreal for Apimondia.

Carolyn Hissen will getting Oxalic Acid in shortly. She informed the members of the film “Honeyland” coming to Silver City Oct. 20, 21 and 22nd.

Shirley Richardson spoke about the 2 films possibly coming to UVic cinema (if enough people sign up in advance) The Pollinators (Nov 11) and How To Bee (Jan 6).

Meeting adjourned for the social at 8:40 PM.