Ulster beekeeping conference

An aerial view of the UBKA conference

The Vita stand at the UBKA conference

A few days after St Patrick’s Day, Vita attended the very successful Ulster Beekeepers Association Annual Conference in the town of Antrim.

From a province of just 1.5 million people and an island total of five million, there was a great attendance of 350, showing just how popular beekeeping is in on the western edge of Europe.

There was a fascinating and varied lecture program and between talks an opportunity for delegates to stock up on equipment purchases and talk to the traders.

Hot topics at the Vita stand were the Beetle Blaster and Apiguard.

Even in such a northerly cool climate, beekeepers are already worried about the possible arrival of Small Hive Beetle.

Meanwhile the other ever-present pest, the Varroa mite, is being kept at bay by many beekeepers who are finding Apiguard very effective and easy to use. Their feedback was very interesting and showed just how well the treatment works in a cool climate.

The UBKA annual conference is well worth attending if you ever have the chance. The town of Antrim is just half an hour from Belfast and provides a great jumping-off point for Giant’s Causeway and of course the Bushmills whiskey distillery!