Lower Austria takes both beekeeper of the year awards

Both of Austria’s beekeeper of the year titles went to Lower Austria, ORF reported. Gerhard Riesenberger, from Kilb in Melk district, was named Beekeeper of the Year, while the Warth Beekeeping School in Neunkirchen district won the Organic Beekeeper of the Year award.

The awards were presented on Friday at the Golden Honeycomb event in Wieselburg, in Scheibbs district, where the best honey entries are recognised. Organisers received a record 1,993 products this year, project manager Sabrina Baumgartner said.

Honey production rebounded after several weaker years. Baumgartner attributed the strong harvest to the dry summer, which left more flower pollen on plants and allowed bees to produce more honey.

The Golden Honeycomb was awarded in 16 categories. Entries from Austria and surrounding areas were examined and tested before judging. They were assessed for labelling and cleanliness, and laboratory measurements included water content. An expert jury then evaluated the samples.

Lower Austrian beekeepers also received awards in categories including linden, blossom and acacia honey. To win the beekeeper titles, entrants had to perform well in cream honey, blossom and forest honey, and another category.