Beekeeping Today Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Mind of a Bee with Dr. Lars Chittka (S6, E06) Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

We are excited to bring you this packed episode. We start with Jeff talking with Becky Masterman, from the Minnesota Honey Producers Assn. about the USDA-ARS National Publication 305 (NP-305) and its importance. Next Jeff and Kim talk with Dr. Lars Chittka about his book, The Mind of a Bee.

Becky Masterman has been on the podcast before and we enjoy having her back to discuss the USDA-ARS NP-305. The NP-305 sets the research priorities for the USDA-ARS for the next five years. Right now and until August 7, the USDA-ARS is soliciting beekeeper feedback and comments on where they should focus their research funding. Unfortunately, as important as this decision is to beekeepers… relatively few beekeepers know about this comment period. Listen in as Becky helps us understand how critical this is for the next five years and what you can do to help!

Next, Dr. Lars Chittka joins us to discuss his 2022 book, The Mind of a Bee. Lars talks about how his research and that of many others of the honey bee has uncovered fascinating insights into their cognitive abilities, communication, and problem-solving skills. Join us as we explore the remarkable world of bees and gain a deeper understanding of their intricate minds, the possibility of a "bee consciousness", the essential role they play in our ecosystem and our understanding of intelligence in the animal kingdom.

This is one episode you will want to listen to several times!

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:

Dr. Lars Chittka's website: http://chittkalab.sbcs.qmul.ac.uk/Lars.html
The Mind of a Bee on Amazon: www.amazon.com/Mind-Bee-Lars-Chittka/dp/0691180474
USDA-ARS NP-305 Comment Website: https://np305.arsnet.usda.gov/
Minnesota Honey Producers News Website: https://minnesotahoneyproducers.com/news-events/
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
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 National Honey Board, American Honey Princess & more! (S6, E05) Jul 17, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode, we have two guests, both deep in the promotion of honey and honey bees. First up, Jeff talks with Allison Hager, the 2023 American Honey Princess, and then we talk with Keith Seiz, of the National Honey Board (NHB) and how they are promoting the use of honey and how this benefits beekeepers across the United States.

First up, we learn about the American Beekeeping Federation Honey Queen program. This program selects an ambassador to represent the beekeeping industry, promoting honey and educating the public about the importance of bees. Jeff talks with Allison Hager, of Iowa and the 2023 American Honey Princess, about the Honey Queen Program and upcoming visits.

The National Honey Board was established in 1985 through an Act of Congress and managed by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service's, Research and Promotions Program, as an industry-funded organization promoting honey and honey products. They became operational in 1987. Their mission is to increase consumer awareness, research, and education about honey, as well as support the sustainability and success of beekeepers nationwide. While originally funded by honey producers, as of 2008 the funding has switched to US honey packers and importers, where the first handler or packer is assessed $0.015 per pound of honey and honey products.

The NHB serves as a valuable resource for beekeepers, offering essential information on best practices, research advancements, and market trends. Check out their wonderful and informational website today!

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:

American Honey Queen Program: https://abfnet.org/american-honey-queen-program/
National Honey Board: https://honey.com/
NHB Hive Sessions Educational Series: https://honey.com/honey-industry/resources/hive-sessions-volume-1
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

EFB, Native v. Apis m. and More with Dr. Andony Melathopoulos (S6, E04) Jul 10, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode, we welcome back Dr. Andony Melathopoulos of Oregon State University. In this episode, Andony talks about the dual concerns surrounding European Foulbrood (EFB) and the ongoing debate between native bees and honey bees on public lands. EFB, a highly contagious bacterial disease, poses a significant threat to honey bee populations and the beekeeping industry.

Andony works with beekeepers who deal with EFB as they pull their bees out of pollination of Oregon's blueberry crop on an annual basis. He tells us that EFB is no longer responding to the traditional treatment practices.

Oregon State University also has a Master Melittologist Program in which Andony is also actively involved. We explore the issue of honey bees competing with native bees for resources on public lands. We discuss the arguments for and against the presence of honey bees in natural habitats, addressing concerns related to pollinator diversity, potential ecological impacts, and the need for conservation measures.

Andony also hosts his own podcast, "PolliNation". If you don't have it in your regular podcast feed, add it. You will be glad you did!

Join us as we shed light on the impact of European Foulbrood and delve into the intriguing debate between native bees and honey bees on public lands, exploring the complexities surrounding this ongoing issue.

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:

Dr. Andony Melathopoulos: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/people/andony-melathopoulos
PolliNation Podcast: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/podcast/pollination-podcast
Oregon State Master Melittologist Program: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/master-melittologist
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

Precision Beekeeping with Nectar Technologies' Max Cherney & Nico Coallier (S6, E03) Jul 03, 2023

Show notes

On today's show, Jeff chats with Max Cherney and Nico Coallier. Max is the Chief Operating Officer and Nico the Principal Data Scientist of Nectar Technologies. Max joined us back in Season 4, along with Washington State University's Dr. Rae Olson. The combination of Nectar's products: a NFC/QR tag, portable app and a management portal helps the owner manage their operation with a single comprehensive view.

Max and Nico join us from their Montreal base, but they spend most of the season across North America working with commercial beekeepers perfecting their precision beekeeping solution. Listen today and learn how they're helping beekeepers improve honey bee colony survival, help pollination and leverage pollinator health data to help all growers and the food industry.

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:

Nectar Technologies: https://www.nectar.buzz/
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

Using "Mating Disruption" To Reduce Pesticide Use with Amelia Cadwell (S6, E02) Jun 26, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode we talk with Amelia Cadwell who grew up with a grandfather who kept bees, which lead to time spent working for a commercial beekeeper and today, keeps bees herself. She also works with Suterra, a global pest management company headquartered in Bend, Oregon. Suterra specializes in providing a pesticide-free approach protecting crops including citrus, nut, vine and vegetable using a technique called 'mating disruption'.

Amelia works primarily with Almond and citrus growers in California.

Mating disruption is a management technique that disrupts the mating patterns of pests, effectively reducing their population without the need for harmful chemicals. By releasing synthetic pheromones or using other innovative methods, this approach confuses male pests, making it challenging for them to find females for reproduction.

The result? There is less exposure of honey bees and other pollinators to synthetic pesticides, including neonicotinoids. Many states are requiring a broad IPM plan to reduce the use of hard chemicals. Mating disruption can help reduce grower use to one, or zero spray of the hard insecticides, thereby reducing environmental harm to their use.

There are many people and companies working to find alternatives to hard chemical pesticide sprays. The naturally occurring compounds used in mating disruption help growers maintain a 'certified organic' labeling, and protect all pollinators in the process.

Listen in as Amelia talks about what she does and how mating disruption protects our honey bees!

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:

Suterra: https://www.suterra.com
Mating Disruption: https://www.suterra.com/mating-disruption
Honey Bee Health Coalition, Varroa Management Resources: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org/resources/varroa-management/
Good Food Awards Honey Competition: https://goodfoodfdn.org/awards/entry-form/
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We welcome Blue Sky Bee Supply as a sponsor of the podcast! Check out blueskybeesupply.com for the best selection of honey containers, caps, lids, and customized honey labels. Enter coupon code PODCAST and receive 10% off an order of honey containers, caps, lids, or customized honey labels. Offer ends December 31, 2023. Some exclusions apply.

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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

Pollinator Week with Kelly Bills and Start of Our 6th Year! (S6, E01) Jun 19, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to Season 6 of Beekeeping Today Podcast! When we launched this podcast on the first day of Pollinator Week in 2018, we had no idea where the podcast would go, or how long it would continue. It is fun to see that we are still going strong and growing– thanks to you, our listeners. So, this is not a celebration of BTP as much as it is a celebration of you and your support!

Thank you!

If it is the start of a new BTP season, then it must also mean that it is the kickoff of Pollinator Week! On today's episode, we welcome Kelly Bills, the Executive Director of Pollinator Partnership back to the podcast to talk to us about the planned activities for the week. Pollinator Partnership's (P2) mission is to promote the health of pollinators, critical to food and ecosystems, through conservation, education and research.

Listen today to find out how you too can celebrate pollinators no matter where you live across the country or around the world through virtual and in-person gatherings, webinars, planting sessions, garden and farm walks, and monument lightings.

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:

Pollinator Partnership: https://www.pollinator.org/
Pacific Northwest Bee Survey: https://pnwhoneybeesurvey.com/
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
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

Banking Queens with Dr. Brandon Hopkins (S5, E52) Jun 12, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode, we welcome Dr Brandon Hopkins of Washington State University back to the podcast to talk about his recent research on the benefits of indoor banking of honey bee queens in temperature-controlled storage facilities. Traditionally, queens are banked in small nucs in yards throughout the summer.

Queen banking refers to the practice of preserving and storing surplus queen bees for use later in the season. This process allows queen breeders (both backyard and commercial) to maintain a constant supply of healthy and productive queens. By drawing on banked queens, beekeepers can address a range of challenges that may arise, such as replacing aging or underperforming queens, preventing the spread of diseases, or even expanding their operations as the season progresses.

Join us as we discuss the benefits of storing banked queens indoors as opposed to outdoors where they can be exposed to all the environmental variables, including extremes in heat, cold, and even smoke! Should queen breeders and beekeepers purchasing queens may want to consider using queens banked indoors?

Also on today's episode, Jeff talks with Chris Cripps, partner at Betterbee about how Betterbee started and their new sponsorship of BTP.

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:

Brandon's Research Paper "Summer Indoor Queen Banking As An Alturenative To Outdoor Queen Banking Practices": https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/KAJSICTJDMJYBDSEWZQN/full?target=10.1080/00218839.2023.2165747
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
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

Late Spring Regional Beekeepers Update (S5, E51) Jun 05, 2023

Show notes

"All beekeeping is local" so the saying goes. On today's episode, we welcome back our Regional Beekeepers, all from different parts of the country, to see just how localized beekeeping can be. And how much it can be the same, too.

Today we've asked Rainier Eich (Maine), Mark Smith (North Carolina), Tracy Alarcon (Ohio), Jay Williams(Tennessee), Ed Colby (Colorado), Duane Combs (Arizona) and Paul Longwell (Washington) to talk about their past winter season, the challenges they faced in their area and how they are addressing them. The "Regionals" range from backyard hobbyist to sideline beekeepers. Chemical free and local breeding to larger expanding operations.

Is there a beekeeper here that represents you? Your seasons? Your challenges? What are you doing differently? What are you doing that is the same? Listen today and find out!

Also today, we announce our new partnership with Betterbee Beekeeping Supplies as our Key Sponsor. Betterbee has been a sponsoring BTP episodes since 2020! Betterbee's dedication to the beekeeper is demonstrated by their focus on beekeeper education, as well as selling quality beekeeping products used by their own beekeeper employees. They actually use what they sell. They KNOW what they sell. Betterbee is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. We are delighted and honored to have Betterbee as our Key Sponsor. Thank you, Betterbee!

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:

Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
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 Spotted Lantern Fly and Bad Honey with Dr. Robyn Underwood (S5, E50) May 29, 2023

Show notes

In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Robyn Underwood of Penn State's Lopez-Uribe Lab. We've invited Robyn as she has researched and written about the Spotted Lantern Fly and how its presence can impact honey production.

Have you ever tasted your honey and thought was a bit off, or perhaps… way off? Maybe even awful? If you are along the East Coast of the United States and now even parts of the Midwest… check to see if you have the Spotted Lantern Fly in your State and locale.

If you do live in an area with the SLF… then what you may be tasting… what your bees may be collecting, is the 'honey' created from the sweet 'honeydew' excrement from the this imported leafhopper from China.

(Yes, the bees can collect enough of the honeydew to produce frames of SLF 'honey'…)

It is a fascinating discussion of yet another invasive species you need to be aware of. Even if you do not live in one of the 13 states currently dealing with this leafhopper, you should know about it. The SLF is spreading fast, preferring the sweet sap of over 70 different plant species, especially grape plants, maple, and the Tree of Heaven.

To add insult to injury, the excremented honeydew, attracts not only honey bees, but other insects including wasps, plus, it builds up and promotes the growth of a dark sooty mold can will cover everything.

Listen today and be on the watch for the Spotted Lantern Fly!

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:

Penn State Extension Website about the Spotted Lantern Fly: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly
Robyn's Research on the Spotted Lantern Fly and Honey Bees: https://academic.oup.com/jee/article-abstract/112/6/2993/5523056?redirectedFrom=fulltext
Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
Kim's Climate Change Blog: https://www.growingplanetmedia.com/blog
Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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We welcome Betterbee as sponsor of today's episode. 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

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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

Amy Vu - University of Florida Extension (S5, E49) May 22, 2023

Show notes

Amy Vu is the State Extension Entomologist for the State of Florida. She works out of the University Of Florida's Honey Bee Research Lab, headed by Dr. Jamie Ellis. As part of the Research Lab she is involved in the many project ongoing there, including The Bee College, The Master Beekeeper programs and Bee Learning courses.

She also works closely with the migratory beekeepers who spend winters in Florida, bringing with them about a million colonies each fall. This, certainly is one of the reasons Florida is always in the top ten honey producing states in the US.

Another part of her activities is working with Dr. Ellis on the Podcast they produce, Two Bees And A Pod.

Another activity is working with the honey sources Florida provides, some of which, unfortunately, are not indigenous, but invasive. Chinese Tallow trees are a good example, and her work with this problem, develping programs that manage the problem plants while, keeping it in check so it doesn't run amuck and still is useful to beekeepers.

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: