Blake Shook, a young Texas commercial beekeeper, in a field of blooming canola. Read more about Blake Shook and Sarah Rushfeldt, a Wisconsin commercial beekeeper, in Charles and Karen Lorence’s article in this issue beginning on page 557.
Read MoreU.S. Honey Production Up 19 Percent in 2014 USDA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . …
Read MoreClimbing trees to retrieve swarms with a ladder is not for everybody. It requires comfort with heights, a keen sense of balance, concentration on every movement, and planning every maneuver well ahead. And above all else – always expect the unexpected. I started climbing trees for swarms when only a kid, learning to use ladders, …
Read MoreBefore I go much further into the evolutionary history behind honey bees and beekeeping I need to pause and consider something so obvious it almost escapes notice. In fact, it did escape my notice until just recently when I realized my near-mistake. And I’m talking of course about the nest – or more accurately, the …
Read MoreLast month this column had suggestions on how to keep bees in an agricultural environment where acres are treated with insecticide 1-2 times each season, fungicide 1 time each season and herbicides 3-4 times each season. My suggestions were based on 34 years of experience keeping bees in this environment. I have proven it can …
Read MoreOne of the greatest joys of beekeeping is acquiring one’s first hive. I dedicated an entire article to discussing how to acquire bees and queens (see Ellis, J.D. 2015. Acquiring bees and queens. American Bee Journal, 155(1): 29-33). In the current article, I discuss the next step in becoming a beekeeper: initiating your new colonies. …
Read MoreApiary Inspectors are the unsung support network of successful beekeepers in many states. I think they are sometimes taken for granted because they fill both the roles of Extension and Regulatory and this is a confusing combination. But, I wanted to take a closer look at State Apiary Inspectors and so from time to time …
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As I type this, spring may be around the corner. Hard to tell, when Monday starts with 30°F, blustery wind, snow flurries, sleet and rain, while Friday ends with 68°F and partly cloud skies. No matter. Beekeeping work must go on if one is to be ready for the real spring buildup and subsequent harvest. …
Read MoreThe Wisconsin Honey Producers Association is proud to announce that Kim Kester was selected as the 2015 Wisconsin Honey Queen at their annual convention. Kim is the daughter of Jim and Barb Kester of Nekoosa, Wisconsin. She is a July 2014 graduate from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where she double-majored in Dairy Science …
Read MoreThe American Beekeeping Federation is proud to announce that Gabrielle Hemesath and Hayden Wolf were selected as the 2015 American Honey Queen and Princess at its annual January convention in Anaheim, CA. Queen Gabrielle is the 19-year-old daughter of Mary and Russell Hemesath of Clermont, IA, and the granddaughter of Karen Hemesath of Castalia, IA, …
Read More"I want the American Bee Journal to be the finest publication about bees and beekeeping in the world."
- C.P. Dadant, Editor of ABJ 1912-1938
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