(#274) Welcome to this informative episode of the "Beekeeping Today Podcast," featuring a detailed discussion with Christy Payne from Collinsville, Oklahoma. This episode is designed to provide both new and experienced beekeepers with insights into advanced beekeeping practices and the integration of beekeeping within corporate environments. In our conversation, Christy Payne shares her journey into beekeeping which began from the necessity to improve pollination in her garden and expanded...

(#273) In this enlightening episode, we delve into the complex world of Varroa management with the insightful Dr. Kirsty Stainton. As beekeepers eagerly set up their new colonies, the specter of Varroa destructor looms large, threatening the health and productivity of hives across the globe. Kirsty, armed with her profound expertise and passion for bee health, offers a deep dive into the intricacies of battling this pervasive parasite. Listeners will be equipped with actionable strategies...

(#272) In the latest episode of the Beekeeping Today Podcast, we dive into the pressing issues facing beekeepers today with our guest, Dr. Erika Plettner from Simon Fraser University. As beekeepers, we are all too familiar with the challenge of managing Varroa mites, a pervasive threat to our hives and the global bee population. Dr. Plettner brings a refreshing perspective to this challenge, sharing her innovative research on disrupting the chemoreceptors of Varroa mites, offering a potential...

(#271) In this enlightening episode of the Beekeeping Today Podcast, hosts Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Thomas Seeley, a celebrated biologist and author, to discuss his latest book, "Piping Hot Bees & Boisterous Buzz Runners: 20 Mysteries of Honey Bees Solved." Dr. Seeley shares his deep fascination with the individual behaviors of worker bees and how their collective actions contribute to the colony’s success. The conversation delves into the intricate world of bee...

(#271) In this captivating episode, Jeff and Becky chat with Bo Sterk, the visionary founder of Bees Beyond Borders, an organization dedicated to uplifting communities through beekeeping in the Caribbean. This episode delves into Bo's three decades of beekeeping experience, highlighting his profound impact on economically challenged regions by using beekeeping as a tool for sustainable income. Bo shares his journey from his first mission trip to Barbados to his current endeavors, providing...

(#269) In this episode, Becky and her guest cohost and Bee Culture writing partner, Bridget Mendel, take you on a journey with Liz Frost, an American beekeeper turned technical specialist in honeybees for the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries in Australia. Frost shares her transition from the U.S. to Australia, offering a unique perspective on beekeeping without Varroa mites, and the recent challenges since their introduction in New South Wales. Through engaging discussions,...

(#268) In the concluding episode of our four-part series on "How To Get Started With Bees," we explore the crucial topics of parasites, pathogens, predators, and pesticides—from this point on, to be collectively known as the “four Ps of beekeeping”. Our hosts, along with guest, Jim Tew and David Peck, tackle these challenges with optimism, aiming to equip new beekeepers with strategies to protect their colonies. From the pervasive threat of Varroa mites to the nuances of local beekeeping...

(#267) In "How To Get Started With Bees," part three of our four-part series, we delve deeper into the essential steps for budding beekeepers. This episode focuses on equipment selection, emphasizing the critical decision between new and used gear, and the potential risks associated with each. Our experts, including Honey Bee Obscura's Jim Tew and master beekeeper, Paul Longwell, provide invaluable advice on navigating the overwhelming array of beekeeping tools and accessories. We discuss...

(#266) In this episode, Jeff, Becky, and Jim dive deep into the world of developing advanced beekeeping skills. The trio revisits the 2020 foundational series on getting started with bees, adding a fresh perspective with new insights for 2024. They tackle the essentials of beekeeping, emphasizing the journey from beginner to experienced keeper, and highlight the commitment required to master the craft. The discussion opens about the time and dedication beekeeping demands, debunking the...

(#265) Welcome to a new chapter in beekeeping with the Beekeeping Today Podcast, presented by Betterbee. In today’s special episode, "How to Get Started with Bees in 2024, Part 1," we kick off a four-week series revisiting and expanding upon our 2020 foundational series for beekeepers. Jeff Ott, alongside co-hosts Becky Masterman and Jim Tew from the Honeybee Obscura, delve into the evolving world of beekeeping, addressing the challenges faced by new beekeepers, with practical advice honed by...

(#264) In this week’s episode, we explore into the fascinating world of drones with Dr. Brock Harpur from Purdue University. Listen and discover the critical role drones play in bee colony health and how current research is challenging previous misconceptions about these maligned members of the hive. Dr. Harpur shares his journey from a studious kid in Northern British Columbia to leading groundbreaking research in bee genetics and evolutionary biology. Learn about the innovative projects...

In this week’s episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, we're excited to have Dr. Erica Shelley, CEO and founder of Best For Bees, rejoin us. Best For Bees is at the forefront with their innovative ProtectaBEE hive entrances, designed for multifunctional use, including a groundbreaking method for applying a fungal powder to combat varroa mites. We delve into the potential of Metarhizium, a widely recognized fungus, for its arthropod- and insect-killing properties. Our discussion highlights...

In this episode we're excited to introduce Anna, a Stanford University freshman and hobby beekeeper from Campbell, California. With a passion for honey bees and a background in engineering and science, Anna has embarked on an intriguing journey to address the decline in bee populations, focusing on the critical issue of queen failure. Anna’s innovative research led her to the concept of “queen roar,” a unique sound bees make when their queen is missing. Leveraging her engineering skills,...

In this episode, we delve into a pivotal event in the North American beekeeping calendar: the annual migration of over two million honey bee colonies to California's almond orchards. This massive movement, spanning mid-February to mid-March, marks the beginning of the beekeeping year. Coordinating this migration demands meticulous planning and collaboration between beekeepers and almond growers. It's a race against time, with the almond bloom not waiting for any delays. Beekeepers face the...

Every hobbyist beekeeper eventually contemplates scaling up to a commercial operation with thousands of hives. Our podcast guest, Charlie Linder, embraced this challenge and has been forging ahead ever since. Initially, Charlie's beekeeping business centered on honey production. However, facing declining wholesale honey prices and competition from imported honey, he pivoted to pollination services. Now managing over 5,000 colonies, Charlie still feels like a novice compared to beekeepers...

In this episode, Dr. Eva Reinicke, DVM, of Northfield, Minnesota joins Becky and guest cohost, Dr. Meghan Milbrath, assistant professor at Michigan State University. One focus of Meghan’s MSU bee lab is honey bee medicine training for veterinary practitioners. Her expertise is perfect for chatting with Eva who has been practicing honey bee medicine since 2018. Honey bees are an emerging specialty for Veterinarians. Meghan and Eva have used the antibiotic access restrictions imposed by the...

Recorded live from the Beekeeping Today Podcast booth at the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, Jeff prepared this update from special guests who stopped by the booth and from the floor, on the last day of the Expo Included in this special episode are: Cliff Struhl - Bee Smart Designs Aaron and John - Pierco The Roses (attendees) Deb Klugher (attendee) Josh Cowen - Cowen Manufacturing Matt Shaw - Premier Manufacturing, Propola Hives James Wilkes, Max Runzel - Hive...

Recorded live from the Beekeeping Today Podcast booth at the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, Kentucky, Jeff prepared this update from special guests who stopped by the booth. Included in this special episode are: Attending beekeepers Dr. Erica Shelley - Better For Bees Anna Kaur and John Turpin - StrongMicrobials Dr. Larry Connor - Wicwas Press Listen to this bonus episode to hear short, quick, updates from these folks who stopped by and learn of their latest updates,...

Happy New Year! As we embark on a new year, often marked by resolutions, we're excited to present a New Year's Archive Special. Join Jeff and Becky as they revisit Jeff‘s and Kim’s insightful interview with Colorado beekeeper Tom Theobald, in 2021. While Tom might not be the inventor of the two-queen colony management system for increasing honey yields, his refinements to the technique are remarkable. If boosting honey production is on your 2024 agenda, this episode is for you! Tom ran a...

Merry Christmas from Beekeeping Today Podcast! If you're tuning in on this festive day, we're glad to have you with us. The holiday season is a cherished time for family and friends, and though we dearly miss our beloved colleague, Kim Flottum, we're here to bring some warmth and reflection to your day. In this Holiday episode, Becky and Jeff are delighted to be joined by Jim Tew of Honey Bee Obscura podcast and Kirsten Traynor from the 2-Million Blossoms podcast. Together, we'll reminisce...

Welcome to this week’s episode where we've woven together a rich tapestry of stories and expertise to enrich your winter days and nights with the fascinating world of bees. Ed Colby: High-Altitude Beekeeping Tales We start with our regular contributor, Ed Colby, a seasoned beekeeper from Colorado's Western Slopes. Ed's bees thrive in the high altitudes of Aspen, Glenwood Springs, and surrounding mountain towns. A familiar voice in the beekeeping community, Ed is well-known for his column...

In this episode we are joined by Grace Foster-Reid, the visionary behind Ecofarms Jamaica. Ecofarms is not only a beacon of sustainable beekeeping in the Caribbean but also a platform for uplifting disadvantaged groups, including individuals who are deaf. Grace shares the compelling story of Ecofarms, from its humble beginnings to becoming a model of inclusive and ecologically conscious beekeeping. We talk with her about the unique challenges and successes of integrating deaf individuals...

In this episode, we're joined by Monica Schmitt, Director of Mission Beelieve, an organization dedicated to using beekeeping as a therapeutic and vocational resource for veterans and first responders. Monica, talks about how her enjoyment of beekeeping led her to discover how beekeeping can be used as an therapeutic tool, aiding in the mental health and well-being of those who have devoted their lives to serving our country. We delve into the fascinating ways in which beekeeping helps in...

In this episode, we talk with Ron Miksha, a former commercial beekeeper now living in Calgary, Alberta. Ron was on the podcast back in August of this year talking about the Western Apiculture Society conference with Étienne Tardiff. At the time, he mentioned his research on the impact of the non-native honey bee on native bees and floral sources. This topic deserved its own space so we invited him back today. The debate over the impact of honey bees on native bees, pollinators, and floral...