Spirits high despite mite challenge at 45th Tocal Beekeepers' Field Day

The mood was buoyant among beekeepers at the 45th Tocal Beekeepers' Field Day on Saturday (October 19), even with talk of Varroa mite and big challenges facing the industry in the air.

It is the longest continuous-running beekeeper field day in Australia - and likely the largest in the country - but beekeepers were returning to Tocal College for the first in-person event since the COVID pandemic and Varroa incursions in the Hunter Valley.

NSW DPIRD technical specialist honey bees Elizabeth Frost kicked off the event with a talk on Varroa resistance and how beekeepers can find out if their bees have it.

Australian Native Bee Association Hunter Branch development officer Garry Worth introduced the crowd to the potential of native bees, while Varroa development officers discussed the impact of the pest in NSW and swarm management throughout the afternoon.

Visitors travelled far and wide for the field day, most from Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, but many from Sydney and the Central Tablelands.

Ms Frost said the "vibe was good" despite the anxieties and uncertainties faced by apiarists.

"People are happy to get into it," she said.

"There's a bit of honey around the Newcastle-Hunter, so that helps bee morale and beekeeper morale."

Beekeeping suppliers held stalls, offering for the first time at Tocal College chemical and organic treatments to manage Varroa.

Crowds also gathered around for demonstrations on how to perform hive inspections, alcohol washes and other methods to monitor for pests and disease.