Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode, we welcome back the renowned Randy Oliver of Scientific Beekeeping. Randy shares his latest insights and findings, offering practical advice and groundbreaking research for beekeepers of all experience levels. From breeding varroa-resistant honey bees to redesigning robbing screens and investigating oxalic acid applications, Randy takes us on a deep dive into the science behind be...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Dara Scott, founder and managing director of HiveAlive, to dive deeper into his unique beekeeping practices in Ireland. Building on his previous appearance, Dara shares insights into his queen management program, the benefits of working with Apis mellifera mellifera, and how Ireland's challenging weather influences beekeeping strategies. Dara discusses...

In this captivating episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast , Jeff and Becky sit down with Frederick Dunn, accomplished beekeeper, YouTube creator, and lifelong photographer. Fred shares his fascinating journey from documenting wildlife during his Navy career to becoming a dedicated educator in the beekeeping community. Fred discusses how his passion for photography enhances his beekeeping, capturing...

Kick off 2025 with an insightful conversation featuring Dr. David Peck, Director of Research and Education at Betterbee, as he joins Jeff and Becky to discuss the year's hottest trends and challenges in beekeeping. From cutting-edge varroa control methods to potential impacts of the invasive yellow-legged hornet, this episode is packed with valuable information for beekeepers of all levels. David...

Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from one of the biggest beekeeping events of the year. Tune in as we chat with industry leaders, researchers, and beekeepers from across the country. Whether you're...

Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from one of the biggest beekeeping events of the year. Tune in as we chat with industry leaders, researchers, and beekeepers from across the country. Whether you're...

Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from one of the biggest beekeeping events of the year. Tune in as we chat with industry leaders, researchers, and beekeepers from across the country. Whether you're...

Happy New Year from all of us at Beekeeping Today Podcast ! In this special holiday episode, Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman are joined by Jim Tew, co-host of the Honey Bee Obscura Podcast , to reflect on beekeeping in 2024 and look forward to 2025. Together, they discuss New Year's resolutions for the year ahead, from enhancing Varroa mite management practices to streamlining honey production and st...

It's the holiday season, and Jeff, Becky, and special guest Jim Tew from the Honey Bee Obscura Podcast are here to reflect on the year in beekeeping. From an unusually early spring to memorable moments with bees and family, they share personal stories and highlights from 2024. Jim recounts adventures in the bee yard with his grandson Will, while Becky reflects on adapting to changing weather patte...

This week, Jeff and Becky welcome Dr. Priya Basu to discuss one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of beekeeping: honey bee nutrition. Priya shares her expertise on what it takes to keep colonies thriving, diving into the critical role of proteins, carbohydrates, and micronutrients like vitamins and minerals. Her approachable style and deep knowledge make complex topics easy to und...

Dr. Ramesh Sagili of Oregon State University joins Jeff and Becky to dive deep into the fascinating world of honey bee nutrition and its critical role in hive health. From the complexities of macronutrients and micronutrients to the development of a national pollen nutritional database, Ramesh shares insights from his groundbreaking research. He explains how optimal nutrition not only helps bees c...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Marina Marchese, celebrated honey sommelier and author of The World Atlas of Honey. Marina shares her journey from backyard beekeeper to internationally recognized honey expert and educator. She discusses the fascinating concept of honey terroir, explaining how soil, climate, and floral sources influence the flavor, color, and aroma of honey. With examp...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Jeff Johnson, co-founder of Premier Bee Products, for a fascinating discussion on the innovations shaping modern beekeeping. Jeff Johnson shares how a quest for better foundation led to the creation of Puracell, a plastic foundation that mimics natural honeycomb with precise cell sizes and thinner cell walls, designed to promote healthier colonies. Listeners...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Rich Morris and Lorenzo Pons of Broodminder, the innovative team behind hive monitoring technology that's helping beekeepers better understand their colonies. Rich and Lorenzo discuss the origins of Broodminder and how they've made high-tech hive monitoring accessible for beekeepers of all experience levels. They share how Broodminder's devices provide...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Theresa Martin, author of Dead Bees Don't Make Honey, as she shares insights into her distinctive approach to beekeeping. Theresa, who boasts an impressive 99% colony survival rate, attributes her success to a set of practical, research-informed techniques that prioritize colony health. From integrated pest management to methods inspired by nature, she provi...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky bring together beekeepers from different regions across the U.S. to discuss the unique challenges they faced this past season. From Arizona's intense heat to Washington's unusually wet spring, our guests share insights into how varying climates impact bee health, honey production, and mite control. Duane in Arizona talks about keeping bees cool in record-breaking te...

In this final episode of our month-long Habitat Crisis series, made possible by the  Minnesota Honey Producers Association , Jeff and Becky are joined by Pete Berthelsen and Zac Browning to discuss the critical role habitat restoration plays in supporting honey bee health and overall pollinator well-being. Pete and Zac are leaders of The Bee and Butterfly Habitat Fund , a program that has been mak...

In this third episode of our month-long Habitat Crisis series, made possible by the Minnesota Honey Producers Association, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Diana Cox-Foster from the USDA-ARS Pollinating Insects Research Unit. Diana shares fascinating insights from her research on the complex interactions between honey bees and native pollinators, revealing the impact of habitat loss on bee populat...

In the second episode of our month-long series on the Habitat Crisis, made possible by the Minnesota Honey Producers Association, Jeff and Becky are joined by Dr. Andony Melathopoulos from Oregon State University. Andony brings his extensive knowledge of honey bee and wild bee health to the conversation, focusing on the critical role habitat plays in sustaining bee populations. He discusses how sh...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky kick off a month-long series on the habitat crisis, made possible by the Minnesota Honey Producers Association , with special guest Dr. Gabriela Quinlan, an integrative ecologist focused on honey bee and pollinator nutrition. Gabriela shares her expertise on how habitat quality impacts bee health, emphasizing the importance of diverse forage and the role of soils in...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Sarah Red-Laird, founder and co-director of Bee Regenerative, formerly known as the Bee Girl Organization. Sarah shares insights into her journey from founding the Bee Girl Organization to leading impactful regenerative agriculture projects that benefit pollinators. Listeners will hear about the challenges and rewards of working with native pollinators...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky are joined by Peter Borst, author of The Golden Age of Beekeeping . Peter shares fascinating insights into the history of beekeeping, exploring how the industry evolved from a disorganized practice into a standardized and structured operation. He explains why the period from the 1860s to 1920 is often referred to as beekeeping's "golden age," a time of innovation wh...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Tracy Farone, a large animal veterinarian who has applied her expertise to honey bees. Tracy shares her journey from caring for cows and horses to becoming a go-to resource for honey bee health. She dives into the importance of viewing bees as livestock and how a veterinarian's approach to animal care can benefit beekeepers. Tracy discusses the FDA...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Cliff Struhl, CEO of BeeSmart Designs, for an engaging conversation about innovation in beekeeping equipment. Cliff shares his unique journey into beekeeping, which began with a simple favor for a friend and quickly evolved into a passion for creating smarter, more efficient beekeeping tools. Cliff discusses the origins of his company and how his background...

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Dara Scott, CEO and founder of HiveAlive, to discuss his journey in beekeeping and the innovative products his company offers. Dara shares how his fascination with beekeeping began over 25 years ago, inspired by his travels in New Zealand. His background in marine research at the prestigious Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute has given him a unique perspecti...