NIHBS Queen Rearing Group scheme aims and objectives

The aims of the groups are as below:-

• To establish small groups who wish to learn the skills needed to carry out their own queen rearing proficiently.
• Assist the groups by mentoring and tuition to achieve the same.
• Help the groups to manage themselves efficiently to their best advantage.
• Ensure that the groups have good quality genetic material to breed from.
• Make sure that the groups have the correct equipment to carry out the task and to advise them on its use.
• At the end of the scheme the beekeepers involved will have sufficient skills and proficiency to pass on these to others in the future.

The objectives of the scheme are:-

• That each member will become proficient in queen rearing.
• The group will reach pre set goals throughout the duration of the scheme (2+ years)
• The members will be able to continue queen rearing after the end of the scheme.
• Excess queens will be raised in year one for donation to local keepers to raise the quality of their bees in the area.
• Queens will continue to be raised in year two with a view to distributing to the public.
• The knowledge gained will be passed on to others in the future.
• The groups will be able in part to assist in the setting up of future groups (year three)
• The genetic stocks of the native Irish honeybee will be improved in the areas around the locality of the groups.
• More queens will be available for sale nationwide in the coming years.