(#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…

(#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…

(#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…

(#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 work…

(#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 usin…

(#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 pers…

(#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 t…

(#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 …

(#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…

(#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 t…

(#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 ki…

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 delv…

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 innova…

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 coll…

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 …

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…

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…

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 - Wic…

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 yi…

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 d…

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 altit…

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 …

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 healt…

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. T…

In this enlightening episode, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Samuel Ramsey for his fifth appearance on the podcast. Renowned for his groundbreaking work on honey bee parasites, ‘Dr. Sammy’ brings his wealth of knowledge and passion for bee health to our listeners once again. In today's discussion, we receive an update on the latest research on the v…

On today’s episode, Jeff and Becky talk with Dr. Meghan Milbrath, assistant professor at Michigan State University. Meghan splits her time between teaching at the MSU veterinary school, extension and research. On today’s episode, Meghan discusses the impact European foulbrood on today’s honey bees and what beekeepers can do to fight its spread. EFB…

In today’s episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, we delve deep into the intricate world of honey bees and the environmental challenges they face. Today, we are honored to chat with Dr. Judy Wu-Smart, who leads the bee lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her extensive research on pesticides' effects on bee health caught our attention and we kn…

In today’s episode, Jeff and Becky chat with Chris Hiatt, the President of the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA). AHPA, with a history dating back to its establishment in 1969, has been a cornerstone of the beekeeping community. Their mission has always revolved around advocating for beekeepers and the honey industry, and they've consiste…

In pop culture, beekeepers are generally portrayed as quirky side characters. There are exceptions, of course. The movie Ullee's Gold with Peter Fonda, comes to mind, as does The Secret Life of Bees, first as a novel and later a movie. Now, there is a new book where both bees and an entomologist are the subject, victim, and heros! Today, author and…

On today’s show, Jeff and Becky welcome back Eugene Makovec, editor of the American Bee Journal! Honey labeling laws vary widely across the US, creating a complex patchwork of regulations that can be challenging for both new and experienced beekeepers. While these laws are intended to protect consumers and promote transparency, they can be a source…

On today's episode, guest cohost Becky Masterman, PhD, joins Jeff to talk with Al Renslow, who lives at a Chicago senior living community, The Admiral at the Lake. Al, a retired schoolteacher turned beekeeper, has assembled a corp of like-minded ‘bee-lievers’, who refer to themselves as The Admiral Bee Buddies. Al developed this hobby as a passion …

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 Hemispher…

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 progr…

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 ho…

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…

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…

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 serio…

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…

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 Gr…

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 produci…

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 premeasure…

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 enjo…

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…

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…

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 ow…

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 cro…

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 celeb…

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…

“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 …

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 …