Beekeeping Today Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Deterring Bears using Electric Fencing with John Rath (S6, E16) Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Fall is here. No amount of denial no longer can hide that fact, now. There is lots to do to prep the bees for the coming cold months. You should be well down that task list of colony preparation. In this episode, we talk with Betterbee co-owner, John Rath, about constructing bear fences.

Fall is a time when all animals across the Northern Hemisphere prepare for the coming winter. Many find our carefully maintained bee colonies a great sweet energy source… with a crunchy coating. OR… there are those critters that find the hive box a great shelter from the winter cold winds, with warm food just above their head. Either spell problems for the bees and the beekeeper.

Bears are notorious for damaging bee yards across many parts of the country. Once a bear gets a taste for honey and bee larvae, it is hard to dissuade them. However, you can take steps to stop them before they get into your bee yard. Primarily, by building an electric fence around the parameter. While not an absolute defense, a well-constructed bear fence will deter many bears from destroying your yard.

In today's episode, we talk with John Rath about what it takes to build an electric bear fence then perhaps just importantly… how to train a bear to fear the fence!

If you don't have bear problems now, you may in the future. This episode will help you prepare for the possibility.

Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Thank you for listening!

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Betterbee - https://www.betterbee.com/
Honey Bee Obscura - https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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Betterbee is the presensting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!

Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about heir line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com

Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry.

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

The American Beekeeping Federation with President Dan Winter (S6, E15) Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

There are two organizations shaping the American beekeeping industry: the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) and the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA). On today's episode, we talk with Dan Winter, President of the American Beekeeping Federation.

The ABF takes comprehensive approach to serving its members by, addressing educational programs, research, and legislation impacting beekeepers at the state as well as national level. For those interested in science-backed beekeeping practices, conservation efforts, and the intricacies of policy, ABF is an essential resource.

ABF actively works with the other organizations on issues that impact all beekeepers, regardless of their organizational ties. However, that is not all they do!

The ABF has many different programs besides the advocacy work. Perhaps one of most widely known is the American Honey Queen and Princess program, providing important marketing and public relations experience for young college-aged spokes persons. They also have scholarships, education and of course, their large Annual Conference. This year heald in New Orleans.

Whether you're a novice beekeeper looking for educational resources or a veteran seeking to influence industry policy, ABF provides the tools, knowledge, and network to help you succeed.

Listen today to learn just what the American Beekeeping Federation is doing for you!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Thank you for listening!

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

The American Beekeeping Federation - https://abfnet.org/
Honey Bee Obscura - https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

The North American Honey Bee Expo with Kamon Reynolds (S6, E14) Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode we welcome beekeeper, YouTube influencer and conference organizer Kamon Reynolds.

Kamon's YouTube channel provides viewers factual and entertaining looks at managing honey bees, product reviews and interviews. There are many different beekeeping Youtube channels, and Kamon's is one of the best. In today's show, he tells us how it all got started.

Also today, he talks about the new North American Honey Bee Expo, set for early January in Louisville, Kentucky. The NAHBE promises to be the largest beekeeping show in the United States, featuring hands-on beekeeping speakers and presentations, a super large trade show with products available to buy at a discount, a honey show and the awarding of the 2024 Next Gen Beekeeper to 30 young and upcoming beekeepers.

Beekeeping is a lifelong learning adventure. Fall and winter offer a perfect chance to invest in your skills and expertise. Whether you choose to attend a regional conference, attend a national event, or simply immerse yourself in a good beekeeping book, keeping your education alive during the off-season will pay dividends in the health and success of your colonies.

Listen today!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Thank you for listening!

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

North American Honey Bee Expo - https://www.nahbexpo.com/
Kamon's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@kamonreynolds
Honey Bee Obscura - https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Raising Resilient Bees with Eric and Joy McEwen (S6, E13) Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to another episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast! This week, we're excited to host Joy and Eric McEwen, the authors behind the recently released book, "Raising Resilient Bees." The McEwens offer a natural and sustainable model that focuses on hive health and prioritizes the well-being of the bee over the beekeeper.

We chat about their book as well as their approach to beekeeping which places emphasis on a system of management that works with the honey bee as opposed to against it, including a natural nest hive design. But this isn't all just for the backyard beekeeper. They're using in their pallatized operation for commercial management.

Of course, they are also rearing their own queens, selecting for resilient, mite-resistant genetic lines, without relying on the risks of swarming or expense of grafting.

Before we meet the McEwen's, Jeff discusses the importance of hive and especially top insulation for hives going into the winter.

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Thank you for listening!

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

The McEwen's Website: http://www.digginlivin.com
Raising Resilient Bees on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Resilient-Bees-Heritage-Techniques/dp/1645021947
Honey Bee Obscura - https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Archive Special: Long Hives with Tina Sebestyen (S6, E12) Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

While Jeff and Kim are taking time this week to tend their bees, we bring you this Archive Special from May of 2021. In this third installment of our five-part Hive Types Series, we talk with Colorado Master Beekeeper and columnist Tina Sebestyen about the Long or Horizontal Langstroth.

Horizontal hives are very much like the traditional Langstroth hives, which are vertical stacks of boxes, except horizontal hives are only one box high and about three boxes long. The very best thing about horizontal hives is that you never have to lift a very heavy box off the top of a hive to get to what's below that box. Essentially, no lifting for the beekeeper.

Horizontal hives, using 30 frames, can have the front door on either or both ends, or in the middle. If there is just one opening, it should be on the end, so the bees build their nest a frame or two of honey right next to the entrance, behind that some of the bee bread, then the brood next, and at the end away from the front door will be the honey. Not up, but back.

Tina explains there are additional advantages for the beekeeper and these are why long hives are so appealing to many beekeepers, including the accessable hive of choice for beekeepers with limited mobility or in wheelchairs.

Tina has written several articles on horizontal hive keeping for Bee Culture magazine (starting with the February 2020 issue), has loads of info on her web page and is in the process of writing a book on the topic.

She shares it all in this podcast. Listen today!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Thank you for listening!

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Tina's Website - https://beequest.buzz/
Follow Tina on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bee.longing/
Honey Bee Obscura - https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Archive Special: HBHC Varroa Management Updates with Dr. Dewey Caron (S6, E11) Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode we are joined by professor, author and noted speaker Dr. Dewey Caron. Dewey is an active member of the Honey Bee Health Coalition where he helps with the creation and maintenance of the Coalition's Hive Management program. Today he joins us to talk about the just updated, Varroa Management Guide.

Varroa management is a very serious problem for beekeepers around the world. Sadly, varroa was just found in Australia this year with devastating consequences as hundreds, if not thousands of colonies, have been destroyed in an attempt to eradicate the mite before it establishes a foothold on the last, varroa-free continent.

The HBHC has published several useful tools for beekeepers to help them manage varroa to a level where the negative effects of varroa, such as the varroa associated viruses and diseases can be limited. This is includes varroa management videos, the Varroa Management Decision Tool, Commercial Beekeeper Case Studies, the Varroa Resistance and Testing Team and today's topic the Varroa Management Guide.

The Management Guide explains the tested, practical, and effective methods to manage the mites in your colonies. Dewey talks with us about the updates, varroa and also talks about the latest edition of his book, "Honey Bee Biology and Beekeeping."

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Thank you for listening!

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Honey Bee Health Coalition Varroa Management Webpage - https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/resources/varroa-management/
Bee Conspiracy by David Boito - https://www.amazon.com/Bee-Conspiracy-David-Boito/dp/B0C88H19H1/
Honey Bee Obscura - https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Bee and Butterfly Fund and the US Farm Bill with Becky Masterman and John Miller (S6, E10) Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

Thanks to Jennifer Keller, opening this episode! Jennifer stopped at the Betterbee booth during EAS and left us that greeting! You too can record an opening for an upcoming episode! Simply record one on your phone and send it to us at the podcast! Simple as that!!

We do have an important show coming up for you today. We talk with Becky Masterman of the Minnesota Honey Producers Association and commercial beekeeper, and good friend of the podcast, John Miller, to talk about the Bee and Butterfly Fund and the upcoming renewal of the USDA Farm Bill legislation that will definitely impact beekeepers.

And just a heads up, John was on his mobile, sitting in Golden State Park, so some of his conversation is not as clear as we strive for. We apologize for this in advance!

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

Bee and Butterfly Fund: https://www.beeandbutterfly.org
USDA Farm Bill: https://www.usda.gov/farmbill
Kim's interview on Who Am I Podcast: https://whoimettoday.com/podcasts/podcast-kim-flottum-honey-bees/
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Western Apicultural Society Annual Conference with Etienne Tardiff and Ron Miksha (S6, E09) Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

Etienne Tardif and Ron Miksha join us today to talk about the Western Apicultural Society 2023 Conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Listen in as they talk about all that's going to be happening and everything you wanted to know about this year's WAS meeting, highlighting the topic Northern Lights Beekeeping

This year, the conference is at the Gray Eagle Resort and Casino in Calgary, Canada. There will be a swarm of speakers on any topic you can think of, multiple workshops, a trade show area, outside demonstrations, a honey contest, and a lot of tours showing off the beauty of this Province.

Check out the WAS web page for registration, sponsorships, and all the rest, and plan on being in Calgary, September 29, 30, and Oct 1.

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

WAS Website: https://www.westernapiculturalsociety.org/
WAS Conference Website: https://www.westernapiculturalsociety.org/2023conference
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

The New HiveIQ with Victor Croker (S6, E08) Aug 07, 2023

Show notes

On today's podcast, we talk with third generation Australian commercial beekeeper, Victor Croker. When we caught up with Victor, he was in the States promoting his new EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) hive system developed with his experience of over the past 40 years of moving beehives around Eastern Australia. His beekeeping business centers on producing over 330,000 pounds of honey and pollinating almonds and other crops each season.

Victor and his beekeeping partner started to experiment with EPS hives for their insulation qualities, but quickly found that what was available, was not suitable for commercial beekeepers. So, they set out to design and manufacture hives that they could use in their own operation and survive the subjected rigors and abuse hives receive daily in the field. Their design quickly became so popular, they decided to mass produce the hive and make it available to other beekeepers – first in Australia and now the USA. Thus, was born the HiveIQ.

Join us today as we discuss the HiveIQ, it's design, features, future directions and even the HiveIQ software, made with colony and yard management in mind.

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast:

HiveIQ: https://www.hiveiq.com/
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thank you for listening!

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

Amiflex with Véto-Pharma's Amber Leach and Miguel Rodriguez (S6, E07) Jul 31, 2023

Show notes

In this episode we talk with Amber Leach, North American Sales Manager, and Dr. Miguel Angel Rodriguez, DVM, and Business Development Head, from Véto-Pharma. Véto-Pharma is just rolling out and the distribution of their newest varroa control compound called Amiflex.

Primarily for commercial beekeepers, this amitraz-based product comes in premeasured does of a gel beekeepers can place in their hives between honey flows, or after the honey season is over. It is considered a flash treatment because the compound is only allowed in a hive for 7 days. If needed, 7 days after removal, it can be applied again.

As of this date, Amiflex remains a restricted use pesticide, so beekeepers will need to be registered with their state officials even before purchasing the product. Check the Véto-Pharma website to see if Amiflex has been registered for use in your state.

Before Amber and Miguel, Beekeeping Today Podcast's friend Ed Colby joins us with another Tale from the Bee Yard. This story is titled, "Deadman Walking".

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast: