Byeboerdery in Suid Afrika

Byeboerdery in Suid Afrika Deur R H Anderson, B Buys en M F Johannsmeier

Description in English and Afrikaans

Beekeeping in South Africa (often referred to as the historical English equivalent Beekeeping in South Africa) by R.H. Anderson, B. Buys and M.F. Johannsmeier is the most authoritative national handbook for both hobby and commercial beekeepers. This comprehensive guide is commonly known among local beekeepers as the “Blue Book”.

Here is an overview of the most important facts about this indispensable reference source:

Key details of the Book

• Status: It is considered the “bible” and the standard guide for managing bees within the unique South African context and climate.
• Format: Paperback, typically available as an A4 guide with approximately 183 to 207 pages (depending on the specific printing and revision).
• Publisher History: Originally published by the Department of Agricultural Technical Services as an official bulletin (Bulletin No. 394), it was later made available in updated and revised versions by private niche publishers such as Kejafa Knowledge Works.

What the Content Covers

The book provides scientifically based yet practical guidelines specifically tailored to South African bee species (Apis mellifera scutellata and Apis mellifera capensis):

• Hive Management: The establishment, maintenance and hive structures suitable for local conditions.
• Bee Conflict and Physiology: The behaviour, life cycle and tasks of bees within the colony.
• Nectar and Pollen Sources: Comprehensive nectar tables and rankings of indigenous and exotic plants (such as Eucalyptus species) that are critical for honey production.
• Pollination Services: Techniques for handling bees for commercial agricultural pollination.
• Diseases and Pests: The identification and control of enemies, diseases and the management of the Cape bee problem.

Byeboerdery in Suid-Afrika (dikwels na verwys as die historiese Engelse ekwivalent Beekeeping in South Africa) deur R.H. Anderson, B. Buys en M.F. Johannsmeier is die mees gesaghebbende nasionale handboek vir sowel stokperdjie- as kommersiële byeboere. Onder plaaslike byeboere staan hierdie omvattende gids algemeen bekend as die “Blouboek”.

Hier is ‘n oorsig van die belangrikste feite oor hierdie onmisbare naslaanbron:

Kernbesonderhede van die Boek

• Status: Dit word beskou as die “bybel” en die standaardgids vir die bestuur van bye binne die unieke Suid-Afrikaanse konteks en klimaat.
• Formaat: Sagteband (Paperback), tipies beskikbaar as ‘n A4-gids met ongeveer 183 tot 207 bladsye (afhangend van die spesifieke druk en hersiening).
• Uitgewergeskiedenis: Oorspronklik uitgegee deur die Departement van Landbou-tegniese Dienste as ‘n amptelike bulletin (Bulletin No. 394), is dit later in bygewerkte en hersiene weergawes deur private nis-uitgewers soos Kejafa Knowledge Works beskikbaar gestel.

Wat die Inhoud Dek 

Die boek bied wetenskaplik gefundeerde dog praktiese riglyne wat spesifiek op Suid-Afrikaanse byespesies (Apis mellifera scutellata en Apis mellifera capensis) aangepas is:

• Korfbestuur: Die opstel, instandhouding en korfstrukture geskik vir plaaslike toestande.
• Byebotsing en Fisiologie: Die gedrag, lewensiklus en take van die bye binne die kolonie.
• Nektar- en Stuifmeelbronne: Omvattende nektartabelle en ranglyste van inheemse en uitheemse plante (soos Eucalyptus-spesies) wat krities is vir heuningproduksie.
• Bestuiwingsdienste: Tegnieke vir die hantering van bye vir kommersiële landboubestuiwing.
• Siektes en Plae: Die identifikasie en bestryding van vyande, siektes en die bestuur van die Kaapse by-probleem.