In the months after the initial Varroa detection in June 2022, I proposed heading over the ditch to New Zealand that October to look at their Varroa Spring management practices. Whilst the idea had merit, it was definitely not the right time to go, as we were all a bit busy here in Australia. 

Fast forward to this year, and AHBIC started planning a trip funded by the AgriFutures Capacity Building Project (a separate project, which does not use funds derived from honey levies) for the New Zealand springtime. I have just returned from that trip, along with Bianca Giggins from AHBIC and other BBOs/Apiary staff from both WA and Victoria, where we had a very insightful look into how a number of different-sized operators (up to 24,000 hives) manage Varroa. A detailed trip report will be produced shortly.

The trip to New Zealand coincided with some very difficult times for beekee