Support commercial beekeepers in trialling the use of technologies to capture, analyse and share data (including provenance and traceability) and to determine the value of that data to their businesse
The "5 Bees (Building Better Beekeeping Businesses after Bushfires and more recently floods)" project aimed to support commercial beekeepers in trialling the use of technologies to capture, analyse, and share data, including provenance and traceability, to determine the value of that data to their businesses and end-customers.
Key activities included comparing various management packages to assist in tracking the geographic location of hives, their activity, production, and the provenance of honey. The packages considered were MyApiary, iAPIS, Fat Bees, BQual, and Gallagher HR5 Stick Reader. The project found that iAPIS provided remote visibility of hive locations and structure, while Fat Bees hive monitoring equipment allowed online viewing of hive weight and temperature trends. Gallagher HR5 enabled the allocation of different tasks to traits and data transfer to computers or mobile devices.
The project also tested the efficacy of thermal cameras for identifying hive strength without opening beehives, aiming to save labour time and avoid disturbing bees. Cameras tested included Flir One Pro, E6 WIFI XT, E5 WIFI XT, and E54, with results showing limited ability to provide high-resolution feedback on hive strength.
Additionally, QR codes were used to show the provenance of honey and the placement of hives for pollination. The project faced challenges such as the reluctance of beekeepers to share information and the over-promising and under-delivering of suppliers. Despite these challenges, the project successfully demonstrated the value of data capture and analysis technologies for beekeeping businesses.
Overall, the project provided valuable insights into the practical application of various technologies in beekeeping, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges associated with their adoption. The findings will inform future efforts to support commercial beekeepers in enhancing their operations through technology.
