Rae Butler
Rae Butler is an experienced beekeeper who has a passion for promoting and utilising bee science and research into everyday beekeeping.
Rae dedicates her time to transferring the knowledge she has sort from overseas researchers and the science done here in NZ on varroa and the Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) trait into her VSH breeding programme and instigating the industry good Mite Monitoring App Project. Rae is also an Ambassador for Trees for Bees a research-based initiative that identifies the seasonal nutritional value in plants pollen and nectar.
Rae started The Runny Honey Company 30 years ago and amalgamated with Wai Ora Apiaries running 2500 honey production beehives in North Canterbury. During this time secretary to the NBA and Varroa Pest Management Strategy Group. She is an AFB & Exotic AP2 Inspector and sole trader of Bee Smart Breeding specialist VSH queen breeder in Canterbury using her II skills learnt under the guidance of Sue Cobey at Harry H Laidlaw Jr Honeybee Research Facility at Davis University. . Her knowledge of the varroa and the VSH trait was from working with Nelson Honey Ltd, Plant and Food, visiting VSH breeding programmes in Baton Rouge USDA & Aristas Bee Research in Netherlands and the Bee Informed Partnership based in Maryland University.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS HISTORY
July 2016 AP2 Apiculture Exotic Pest & Disease Inspector. AFB PMP Inspector.
July 2014 Advanced Instrumental Insemination Course,
Whitbury Island USA – Sue Cobey
April 2012 Instrumental Insemination for Honey Bees Course
Davis University USA – Sue Cobey
June 2008 Site Safe Building Construction Passport Course, Nelson
May 2008 Red Cross Comprehensive First Aid Course, Nelson
September 2000 Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry NZ
AP2 Authorised Person with Level 2 status for American Foulbrood Pest Management Strategy
June 2000 DECA (Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement)
Competency Test Certificate
July 1995 Stage III Microbiology & Human Biology
Christchurch Polytechnic
October 1993 Introduction to Naturopathy, Hagley College
April 1992 Certificate in Apiculture, Rangiora Training Institute