Beekeeping Buddies

Summer is in full swing, and there is plenty happening in the bee yard. In Episode 49, Steven and Luke discuss how recent rain has affected nectar flows, the role Dutch clover plays in honey production, and what beekeepers should be watching for as honey supers start filling up. The conversation also covers current honey extraction plans, observations from local apiaries, and Luke's recent present...

When does a hobby become a business? In this episode, Steve and Luke discuss the transition from hobbyist beekeeper to sideliner, including the challenges, opportunities, and mindset shifts that come with managing more colonies and serving customers. They share practical thoughts on growth, avoiding common mistakes, and determining whether expansion is right for your operation. The conversation al...

Episode 47 of Beekeeping Buddies has us still busier than we have been in years! Early spring translated to early swarms, early honey crops, and earlier cutouts, and earlier stings! Come listen to what we are doing this time of year.  Discord Server:   https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar:  https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/ How RRA Makes Fondant:  ...

Episode 46 of Beekeeping Buddies has us busier than we have been in years! Early spring means early swarms, early honey crops, and earlier cutouts! Come listen to what we are doing this time of year. New thumbs up thumbs down section of beekeeping buddies as well! Discord Server:   https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar:  https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-mo...

Episode 45 of Beekeeping Buddies has us visited by some of our own Beekeeping Buddies! Randy McCaffrey (628 Dirt Rooster) and Tommy McCaffrey come by and explain how Hobby Beekeeping is a Way Of Life... and how that changes in Illinois vs Mississippi.   628 Dirt Rooster Website: https://628dirtrooster.com/collections/all 628 Dirt Rooster Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/628DirtRooster 628 Dirt R...

Episode 44 of Beekeeping Buddies takes us out west as we talk about beekeeping in Arizona and how conditions there compare to what many of us see in the Midwest. We also dig into swapping queens in package bees, including why a beekeeper might choose to do it. In this episode's Honeybee Hotline, we answer listener questions and work through practical beekeeping issues from the field. Lastly on our...

We're enjoying a stretch of beautiful weather here in the Peoria area, and that can only mean one thing for beekeepers: false spring temptation. This week, Steve and Luke talk through what you should (and shouldn't) be doing during these warm February days. When is it smart to crack a lid? When should you leave well enough alone? And how do you avoid setting your colonies back before maples even t...

Welcome to episode 42 where we talk about our statistics for the last year and our plans in the new one. We talk about our aparies, what we will be doing, and how we plan to tackle some of these new challenges.  Thank you for season 2 and we look forward to seeing you season 3!   Randy Oliver 2025 Research Roundup:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DT2HTyF2-k North American Honeybee Expo:   https...

Welcome to episode 41 where we talk a bit about the weather, but because we don't have a lot going on in the yard, we are going to run down our gift buying guide for 2026! We hope everyone has an excellent holiday season.   Randy Oliver 2025 Research Roundup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DT2HTyF2-k North American Honeybee Expo:   https://www.nahbexpo.com/ Discord Server:  https://discord.gg/Jk...

I know, two episodes in two weeks? Well, episode 40 is here, and this one is big. We sat down with Dr. Jeff Pettis, former President of Apimondia and one of the world's leading honey bee researchers, for an in-depth conversation about the Tropilaelaps mite—the parasitic threat looming over global beekeeping. In this episode: • What Tropilaelaps mites are and how they differ from Varroa • Why they...

This week we dig into some of the most important tasks heading into the colder months. We cover practical fall preparation, what to expect with late-season cutouts, and how to price and install an observation hive for schools, businesses, and homeowners. Whether you're tightening up your hives for winter or planning new educational opportunities for next year, this episode offers clear, experience...

It's the Beekeeping Buddies Halloween Special! Luke and Steve dive into the spookier side of beekeeping from bees starting WW3, to the mornful swarm, frakenbees and more! We'll talk about our fall preparations and some interesting chunk comb we were able to sample, and answer some Honeybee Hotline questions. We hope you'll tune in as our buddy this episode!   North American Honeybee Expo:   https:...

We have broken 4,000 listens and want to thank everyone for taking some time to listen to us talk about our passion, honey bees. For this episode we take a break from the normal format of the show to interview a Beekeeping Buddy of our own, Randy McCaffrey better known as the 628 Dirt Rooster! We talk about beekeeping, how different areas do things, and learn the important lesson of how hobby beek...

Around the Yard: Dry Midwest Fall: Fall is here, the hot and dry have not gone away. Details on Fall Feeding: Recipe for Luke's fall feed is: 4.5 lbs sugar, 0.5 lbs pollen sub, 7 oz water mixed together with a mixer of some sort and put into ziplock baggie. How to Know if to Feed: Steve and Luke talk about how we measure hives to know if they need feed. Start Thinking of Nucs: Luke and Steve sugge...

Around the Yard: Dry Midwest Fall: Fall is mostly here, but is sure is dry. Details on Another Cutout: Luke and Steve have another fall cutout. Luke Returns From Spain: Luke goes to Spain... and finds few pollinators? Steve and Luke Review Spainish Honey: We review some honey from Spain I brought back. In the News Varroa Mites make it to S. Australia: Varroa mites are now spreading to S. Australia...

Around the Yard: Cooler Weather: Fall has started peeking around the corner. What do we do? Honey Harvest for Summer: Luke and Steve take the last of our summer honey. Open Feeding: Is it the time for open feeding yet? Illinois USDA: Luke and Steve are working with the USDA... providing small hive beetles. In the News Newly Engineered Yeast Makes Better Pollen: https://www.nature.com/articles/s415...

Around the Yard: Pulling Honey:  Luke and Steve talk about the struggles of staying cool in the bee yard. Fall Prep: Is it already time to feed our bees for winter? What treatments do we use? In the News Big News From Luke Honeybee Hotline: How Long Does a Field Bee Spend Away:  We talk mabout when to treat, what we are treating with, and how useful are the new OA boards? Queen Introduction Proble...

Around the Yard: Staying Cool: Luke and Steve talk about the struggles of staying cool in the bee yard. Time to Feed?: Is it already time to feed our bees for winter? Honeybee Hotline: Hive Treatments: We talk mabout when to treat, what we are treating with, and how useful are the new OA boards? Queen Introduction:  Our tips and tricks on introducing a new queen. Droning On: Extracting Honey:  Luk...

Around the Yard: Virgin Queen Raising: Luke and Steve talk about raising some virgin VSH Queens. Purdue Queen Rearing:  Luke takes the Purdue queen rearing course. Going Through Hives:  Luke and Steve talk about how we go through hives. In the News: Hive Cutout: Luke and Steve talk about their first cutout 11 years ago! Droning On: Extracting Honey: Luke and Steve are busy getting ready to extract...

Around the Yard: Harvesting Honey: Luke and Steve have harvested honey. Grafting: Luke continues to graft! Queens Obtained: Queens purchased from Kobe Apiary for the Dalan Animal Vaccine Adding Supers: Continues to add supers to hives. Inspector Visits:  Our local inspector came to visit Luke! In the News: Field Day: What is a club field day and should your local club have one? Droning On: Purdue...

Around the Yard: Expanding Products:  Riverview Road Apiary adds some employees and new products! Pollen Tasting:  Luke and Steve try some locally collected pollen and let you know how it is. How to Harvest  and Prepare Pollen: Luke and Steve talk about pollen collection and preparation. Nectar Flow:  Nectar is coming in so fast it's difficult to keep up. Swarm Captures:  Ideas for catching swarms...

Welcome to Episode 28 of Beekeeping Buddies. The podcast where Steve and Luke talk about beekeeping in the Central Illinois area. Around the Yard: Purchasing Hives:  Steve buys some hives from a local beekeeper who is chasing her dreams! Queen Hatching Experience:  Steve finds a unique experience working the club beehives, and some lessons learned. Oops:  Luke makes a mistake with one of his hives...

Welcome to Episode 27 of Beekeeping Buddies. The podcast where Steve and Luke talk about beekeeping in the Central Illinois area. Around the Yard: Swarms:  Luke and Steve continue to pick up swarms! Splits: It's that time of year to make your splits. Luke and Steve discuss how we do that. Moving Bees to Clover Farm: Luke and Steve discuss moving some bees. Steve's Purchasing Adventures: What is in...

Welcome to Episode 26 of Beekeeping Buddies. The podcast where Steve and Luke talk about beekeeping in the Central Illinois area. Around the Yard: Nuc Pickup and Dispersion Adventure:  Luke and Steve pick up some nucs! House Cutout: What happens to bees where they are not supposed to be? In the News: Honeybee Losses:  Honeybee losses hit the mainstream! Droning On: Hive Checks:  What we are seeing...

Welcome to Episode 25 of Beekeeping Buddies. The podcast where Steve and Luke talk about beekeeping in the Central Illinois area. Around the Yard: Spring Weather: Cold weather keeping you out of your hives? Feed or Not:  Should we be feeding still? Speaking to Groups:  How and when do we talk about bees? First Dandelions! Getting Nucs: What is the process of getting 50 nucs of bees? In the News: T...