University of the Sunshine Coast Honey Lab in Sippy Downs, Queensland | School

University of the Sunshine Coast Honey Lab

Locality: Sippy Downs, Queensland

Address: 90 Sippy Downs Rd 4556 Sippy Downs, QLD, Australia

Website: www.usc.edu.au/connect/giving-to-usc/giving-opportunities/australian-leptospermum-research

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25.01.2022 Were sorry to announce that Dr Simon Williams has accepted a Post-Doctoral position at Southern Cross University in Lismore, where he will be broadening his skills looking at flavours in coffee. Dont worry though hell still be able to help with Leptospermum and Honey enquires and you can stay in contact with his new email: [email protected]. We wish him all the best with his new role and look forward to continuing to work with him.

25.01.2022 Dr Simon Williams and Dr Trong Tran will be speaking at the Ipswich & West Moreton Beekeepers Association Club Field Day on Sunday 8th March 2020 at Peak Crossing State School, 1323 Ipswich-Boonah Road Peak Crossing Qld. Theyll be able to collect honey samples if you bring them along.

24.01.2022 As we approach the midway point of the Australian Leptospermum season (Still some southern and inland areas to go), dont forget that the Honey Lab is continuing to offer FIVE FREE Leptospermum honey tests a year to beekeepers of all levels, to help determine the viability of apiary sites for medicinal honey production. Please be aware that the FIVE FREE tests provided through the CRC for Honey Bee Products will be ending in June 2020.

23.01.2022 Want to learn more about Propolis? Dr Trong Tran and Dr Peter Brooks + others have published a review of the chemicals in propolis that can be viewed here https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/14/4988/htm

23.01.2022 Thanks, everyone for a great year. Today the Honey Lab closes for a break over Christmas and New Years. Please dont send us any samples over the break as the University is also closed and there will be no one to receive them. The University will be able to start receiving samples again from the 2nd of January with the Honey Lab opening again on the 8th to begin processing. Happy Holidays.

22.01.2022 Friend of the lab Dr Jody Gerdts of Bee Scientifics has recently published a study "Investigation of Varroa Resistance Honey Bee Breeding Programs in the United States for Application in Australia". You can read more in the post below.

21.01.2022 If your wanting your honey tested The Honey Lab would recommend getting your honey samples away over the next 2 days if you would like the results before Christmas. We require the samples by the 18th of December to meet this deadline. Please remember that the Honey Lab closes on the 20th of December for the holidays.

19.01.2022 A great new project starting with our friends over at the Cooperative Research Centre for Honey Bee Products making a honey library with B-QUAL. https://www.abc.net.au//hopes-new-honey-library-w/12502684 and https://www.newcastleherald.com.au//honey-to-get-traceabi/

18.01.2022 Rising the stakes, check out the article on ABC News Rural that went up today https://www.abc.net.au//medicinal-honey-in-austra/11635412

17.01.2022 Dont forget Dr Simon Williams and Dr Trong Tran will be speaking at the Ipswich & West Moreton Beekeepers Association Club Field Day this Sunday 8th March 2020 at Peak Crossing State School, 1323 Ipswich-Boonah Road Peak Crossing Qld. Theyll be able to collect honey samples if you bring them along.

15.01.2022 The Univesity reopens today and is able to start recieving samples for the Honey Lab which will reopen on the 8th of January. Its a new year, so the FIVE FREE samples per year offered as part of the CRC for Honey Bee Products starts fresh, please keep in mind this offer does finish in June this year so dont leave it too late. The lab will continue to offer our cost recovery honey testing past this point so youll still be able to get your honey tested.

14.01.2022 We often get asked about AFB testing, we currently dont do it. But you can hear the Queensland Bee Biosecurity Office Dr Rebecca Laws talk about it and how to submit a sample, in the upcoming Bee Biosecurity Public Talks.

14.01.2022 For those interested in the current issues surrounding the word "Manuka", some information from New Zealand https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeILwIHMuBQ

14.01.2022 Merry Christmas from the Honey Lab.

13.01.2022 With the upcoming holiday season, please note the University (and therefore Honey Lab) closure: Last scheduled Honey Lab working day will be Friday, 20 December 2019 the University reopens on Thursday, 2 January 2019; the Honey Lab opens Wednesday January 8, 2020... Samples cannot be analysed during the closure Samples cannot be received during the Xmas-New year University closure. Please aim for samples to arrive on campus by the morning of Wednesday, 18 December 2019.

12.01.2022 We would like to express our acknowledgement to all beekeepers who helped us with donated samples for the study of Australian honey bee propolis. As of the 1st of July 2020, the USC Honey lab is not able to provide free propolis test for beekeepers and must move to cost recovery. The test will continue to provide a report of propolis recovered yield, total phenolic content and/or antioxidant activity. The cost is $100 or $150 per sample depending on how many tests are conducted. Any questions please contact Dr Trong Tran, [email protected], 07 54594579, or Dr Peter Brooks, [email protected], 07 5430 2828

11.01.2022 If you are free, come see Dr Simon Williams and Dr Trong Tran speaking at the Ipswich & West Moreton Beekeepers Association Club Field Day tomorrow at Peak Crossing State School, 1323 Ipswich-Boonah Road Peak Crossing Qld. Theyll be able to collect honey samples for free CRC testing if you bring them along with the form pinned to the top of the facebook page.

09.01.2022 A recent New Zealand story about the Manuka name debate. It aired on a New Zealand current affairs show. https://www.youtube.com/watch

09.01.2022 Some recent news from New Zealand on a Kunzea honey product. Theyve managed to conduct a clinical trial to prove their product for cold sores. https://theweekendsun.co.nz//9334-sweet-success-honeylab.h and an older article with more detail https://theweekendsun.co.nz//6396-a-sweet-spoonful-of-hone

08.01.2022 Congrats Dr Doug Somerville of the NSW DPI for publishing this amazing book on Honey and pollen flora of South Eastern Australia, 680 pages and over 500 included plants rated for honey bees. Will be available in November from Tocal. Read more here https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au//honey-and-pollen-book-launch

07.01.2022 For those curious how our Leptospermum book looks printed from AgriFutures. Remember you can get the PDF or order a printed copy from here https://www.agrifutures.com.au//a-beekeepers-guide-to-aus/

07.01.2022 Though we prefer honey, here is a nice summary of Honey Bee viruses from the COLOSS Honey Bee Research Association.

06.01.2022 Curious to see what Bee and Honey research AgriFutures has been funding? You can read a snapshot of the program in this report https://www.agrifutures.com.au//agrifutures-honey-bee-pol/

05.01.2022 The report for the project we took part in on Australian Leptospermum done in conjunction with the University of Technology Sydney and the University of Sydney has now been published on AgriFutures. You can view it here https://www.agrifutures.com.au//active-australian-leptosp/

04.01.2022 FINAL CALL, the FIVE FREE honey samples per year offered as part of the CRC for Honey Bee Products is ending at the end of June, so dont leave it too late to get your samples in. The lab will continue to offer our cost recovery honey testing past this point so youll still be able to get your honey tested. Please get in touch with Dr Peter Brooks ([email protected]) if your interested in the cost recovery honey testing.

04.01.2022 Made for New Zealand but has some nice photos of Bee pests and diseases.

04.01.2022 AHBIC is currently trying to get the bigger picture on the losses of both bees and resources from the fires. Please email your State Secretary (details below) your own losses. These details will be forwarded onto AHBIC. All info will be treated confidentially but they absolutely need to know the full extent of the losses.... This will allow AHBIC to have all the facts when they go back to the State and Federal governments to achieve positive outcomes on behalf of all beekeepers. This will also allow them to communicate possible impacts on future availability of bees for next years pollination contracts. Contact Details: NSW Apiarists Association Secretary, Robyn Lewis, [email protected] Queensland Beekeepers Association Secretary, Jo Martin, [email protected] South Australian Apiarists Association Secretary, Katrina Hudson, [email protected] Tasmanian Beekeepers Association Secretary, Maxine Ewington, [email protected] Victorian Apiarists Association Secretary, Kerrin Williams, [email protected] Western Australian Farmers Beekeepers Section Executive Officer Kate Nicol, [email protected]

03.01.2022 FINAL CALL!!! The USC Honey team have been running a short survey into the quality, diversity and anti-oxidant activity of Australian honeybee propolis. We would like beekeepers to contribute 7-10g of propolis samples with the sample form below. If the propolis has been in the freezer no problem. You will receive a report of propolis percentage, antioxidant activity and total phenolic content for free in return. All beekeeper and location data will be kept confidential. Please send the samples in before the end of May. There will be limited ability to continue testing post May for those interested. Thanks in advance.

03.01.2022 The USC Honey team in conjunction with Hive and Wellness Australia are running a short survey into the quality, diversity of propolis composition and anti-oxidant activity of Australian honeybee propolis. We would like beekeepers to contribute propolis samples with the details in the sample submission form below. You will receive a report of propolis percentage, antioxidant activity and total phenolic content for free in return. All beekeeper and location data will be kept confidential. Should you wish to send your propolis for testing, please send them before end of May 2020. Thanks in advance.

03.01.2022 As of 1st July 2020, the Honey Lab is no longer able to provide free honey testing for beekeepers and must move to cost recovery (approximately $100 per sample). The testing conducted by the University of the Sunshine Coast continues providing a report of the parts per million DHA, HMF and MGO levels in the honeys.

02.01.2022 The 2019 HONEY BEE HEALTH SURVEY is on now. The survey is being organised by AHBIC, PHA and Agrifutures Australia to find out how healthy our Australian honey bees really are and what pests and diseases may be causing problems for beekeepers. Please take part as Data is always important. https://bit.ly/BeeHealthSurvey2019

02.01.2022 An interesting take on marketing honey from across the ditch. https://www.youtube.com/watch

02.01.2022 A nice discussion around the science behind Manuka Honey from New Zealand. Covers manuka markers, adulteration testing, honey maturing amongst other things. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faQ4oiZ0uk4

02.01.2022 The CRC for honey bee products which the Honey Lab is apart of has recently released a brochure on Australia Manuka Honey check it out below.

02.01.2022 Check out this work from our colleagues at the Cooperative Research Centre for Honey Bee Products. PhD postgraduate research Omar Anwar discuss a new mechanism that will make low cost, real-time monitoring of forager activity and hive strength possible http://www.crchoneybeeproducts.com/new-mechanism-for-low-c/

02.01.2022 Some of you might have noticed this in yesterdays article. We now have a Dr Simon Williams in the Honey Lab as he has now completed his PhD. The next official USC graduation isnt till next year so no photo of him in a funny hat. Hell be at USC for the next few months but is keeping an eye open for opportunities.

01.01.2022 We hope you all were able to have a good break and catch up with family and friends. The Honey Lab reopens today, Were looking forward to a busy year. Please remember the FIVE FREE samples being provided to beekeepers as part of the CRC for Honey Bee Products ends in June this year. We will continue to provide cost recovery honey and nectar testing past this date.

01.01.2022 An interesting article on the change in gut bacteria of bees from feeding manuka honey, sugar and invert sugar + manuka components. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article