Mo livestock kirksville 12 04-16 2
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Transcript of Mo livestock kirksville 12 04-16 2
Problem with a bee clubInundated with “experts”
Bogged down with committees
Encumbered with administration
Best thing about bee clubsNetworking!
Fount of resources
Great place to ask questions
Great place to ask for help
Problem with a mentorBest mentors probably very busy
Scheduling conflicts
Doesn’t need to train a “helper”
Doesn’t want commitment
Philosophical differencesA mentor is like a coach, they can get you in the
game but they cannot play it for you.
Where to find bee clubs?
www.mostatebeekeepers.org
“local associations” link
Read, Read, Read – Supply Catalogs Dadant www.dadant.com 1-888-922-1293
Brushy Mountain http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/
1-800-BEESWAX (800-233-7929)
Better Bee http://www.betterbee.com/ 1-800-632-3379
Kelley Bee https://www.kelleybees.com 1-800-233-2899
Mann Lake http://www.mannlakeltd.com/
1-800-880-7694
Two MagazinesBee Culture
http://www.beeculture.com/
The American Bee Journal http://americanbeejournal.com/
Barne’s and Nobles
Too much information?Differing opinions and philosophies
Multiple answers
Lots of overlap and redundancy
Ignorance and arrogance (Facebook)
What’s the value?
Building a vocabulary
Learn the jargon
1. Visit a beekeeperA first-hand hive inspection
See how the equipment works together
Take a free sting, see how it really hurts
Remember there is more “art” than “science”
Don’t say, “I was reading on the Internet…”
Don’t say, “Aren’t you supposed to…”
2. Where will you keep bees?Most beginners: backyard
Where in backyard?
Got neighbors? Bees swarm!
Full sun is preferred (my opinion)
Ask a beekeeper to come over and offer an opinion
3. How many hives?Two hives is recommended,
Four hives if you can afford it.
Value of comparison
No two colonies are alike
A colony (bees) lives in a hive (structure)
4. What kind of hives?Top Bar Hive
no standard dimensions
Langstroth – rectangular
10-frame is standard
8-frame is lighter
Different size boxes
5. Where will you acquire hives?
Buy new - $250 complete set up
Buy used -
Make them yourself*
If you decide to quit, what is your resale potential?
6. Where are you going to get your bees?
Buy a package $110 - $135
Buy a nuc $145 - $185
Buy a whole hive $250
Catch a swarm “free”
Remove bees from structure – “cut out”
Different sources will raise different expectations, yield different results,
require different management.