Plain Talk Beekeeping
In Beekeeping and in Life, Few Things Stay the Same
Beekeeping then and beekeeping now
For many years now, I have absolutely loved keeping bees, but over time, my commitment has had to evolve. Since I began approximately 52 years ago, many beekeeping things have changed and many people have come and gone. But for the most part, the bees are still the same. I want to talk about some of those changes.
Beekeepers — then and now
While the same in many ways, modern beekeepers represent a change in several significant areas. In years past, hive management had a strong agricultural flavor, but for the most part, it does not have such a strong connection today. Years ago, beekeeping was frequently a part-time job for many, and for others it was the sole income for the beekeeper’s family. But having written that, I now state that most beekeepers are in it for pleasure and enjoyment.
Many of our challenges then (1970s to 2000) are easily recognizable now. Concern over pesticides, wholesome honey production techniques, honey prices, disease control, winter losses, swarm control, queen genetics …. all the same as today. But many other primary aspects of beekeepers and beekeeping have morphed into a newly styled community.
Commercial beekeeping
Thirty to forty years ago, there was a logical sequence to beekeeper growth. An energetic new beekeeper would begin as an enthusiast (a hobby keeper), grow to several hundred hives or enough to provide supplemental income (sideline beekeeper), and from that group a very select few would progress to full-time beekeeping. Today, I suspect that few of you are aspiring to become anything other than enthusiasts. To a degree, I sense that part of this change has been caused by the evolution and adaptation of the pathway to true commercial beekeeping.
Years ago, a family business would commonly run something like 1200-1400 colonies — maybe more. A home operation with commercial honey production at the center and protected local marketing accounts rounded the operation out. Pollination fees were barely worth the colony move. If one did it at all, commercial pollination was something to do with the colonies when there was no nectar flow ongoing.
Individuals’ livelihood depended on beekeeping. Often, these people were in close contact with elected officials, and dogged university researchers for pertinent information. They won some battles and they lost some, but what is important is that they fought for beekeeping. And it was not just commercial beekeepers who fought. Some of the most tenacious, confrontational beekeepers I have ever known never had more than a few scruffy colonies. People of this ilk are seemingly all gone. I miss the disruption and din that they caused …
