AHCBEK301 Manage honey bee swarms

Release: 2

AHCBEK301 Manage honey bee swarms

Modification History

Release	Comments
Release 2	This version released with AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package Version 3.0.
Release 1	This version released with AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package Version 1.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to collect and establish bee swarms, determine the health of bee swarm and manage swarming behaviour in hives according to quarantine and biosecurity procedures.

The unit applies to beekeepers who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and to solve problems.

State and territory regulations and local government by-laws apply in some jurisdictions to beehive ownership and biosecurity.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Beekeeping (BEK)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements	Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes.	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1. Prepare to catch a swarm of honey bees	1.1 Assess swarm location, size and condition and determine the options for dealing with the swarm 1.2 Determine equipment and resources required if catching the swarm is a viable and safe option 1.3 Select equipment and ensure serviceable for collecting swarms 1.4 Identify health and safety in the workplace hazards and risks and apply appropriate controls associated with collecting a swarm 1.5 Select, ensure serviceability, fit and use personal protective equipment 1.6 Conduct work according to quarantine regulations and biosecurity codes of practice
2. Collect a swarm of honey bees	2.1 Place foundation frames in hive box to encourage collected swarm to remain according to biosecurity code of practice 2.2 Catch swarm by shaking or placing into an empty box 2.3 Move boxed swarm to new location after confirming that entire swarm has been collected 2.4 Quarantine swarm from apiary to monitor hive health according to biosecurity procedures 2.5 Monitor egg laying performance of queen to determine if re-queening is required according to workplace procedures
3. Manage swarming behaviour in a honey bee colony	3.1 Monitor honey bee colony for signs that swarming may occur 3.2 Consider options for controlling swarming behaviour and select and implement the best option 3.3 Monitor colony to ensure that swarming behaviour has been managed and assess further management options
4. Update and maintain apiary records	4.1 Update apiary records for increased hive numbers according to workplace procedures 4.2 Notify authorities of amended hive numbers according to legislative and regulatory requirements

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill	Description
Reading	Interprets biosecurity protocols and codes of practice
Writing	Completes workplace documentation using appropriate terminology and in required format
Get the work done	Plans and implements routine tasks and workload deciding on the sequencing and timing of honey bee swarm management and collection

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version	Code and title previous version	Comments	Equivalence status
AHCBEK301 Manage honey bee swarms Release 2	AHCBEK301 Manage honey bee swarms Release 1	Minor changes to Performance Criteria for clarity Updated Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence	Equivalent unit

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72