How do people afford multiple hives?

[Finman]

This applies double to the equipment we use in beekeeping. How many major innovations have been made in beekeeping in the last 50 years?



I'd sell you some of my mite resistant queens, but you would probably think you had to work them in a t-shirt and veil.

I made just a list what things have changes in beekeeping during 50 years. They are big changes. Bad and good for beekeeping.

Varroa is one if the best thing. It killed black bees.

Then what value is to work in T Shirt.... Nothing. Our summer has hardly been over 20C.

What value has to keep mite resistant bees. Nothing. Big humbug in USA. Big reason to CCD.

I bought buckfast queens from 1500 Hive owner. They have been good. Each of those queens have brought 100 kg honey per hive.

My skills, what you cannot buy: Evaluate pastures.

Like Russian bees in USA. Their typical winter clusters are so small, that they do not survive over winter in Finland. 3-4 frames. That colony does nothing in our summer.

 

[B+.]

Worth adding that B+'s bees are not the only type or strain that require no protective gear to work with.
Many of these queens are commercially available from good breeders.
Unless B+ has set up a recent sideline, his aren't.
Which is a real shame; as I'd like to work with some decent Carniolans rather just hear how wonderful they are.

Indeed. Its the combination of traits that I think we really need though.
A few members of this forum have some open mated daughters, however, I am not a commercial queen raiser. My main focus is my breeding work. I am not really geared up to produce large numbers of queens.

 

[B+.]

I have seen B+ bees. They are very prolific and are the calmest bees I have ever seen. I am absolutely amazed at the size of the colonies and their honey production. The most striking thing is their behavior. They allowed us to remove heavy honey supers and a QE without paying any attention. Smoke was not used or needed. We searched through the brood frames of a double brood Langstroth and found the queen quietly going about her business. B+ and his continental colleagues are working to attain the perfection we can only dream about. These were the calmest bees I have ever seen. I put on a suit as a matter of safety but genuinely I would not have needed it. Large brood nest, plenty of honey, calm and non-aggressive and a tolerance of varroa that means no treatments, is this not what we all want??

Thank you for those kind words Brian.

 

[Finman]

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Comment to Brian Bush.

What you tell about B' s bees, is a result of huge work. It does not happen for free.

But why so few have such bees? A big question...

Why ptofessionals do not trust on those miracle bees.... Next question...

I am more than satisfied with my recent bees. I do not want T shirts or calmer bees.

 

[Finman]

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I have now queens from 4 origin. Fifth origin of genes is drones of my neighbour.
Next summer I will see, what kind if soup the drones have boiled. I play then with those cards.

The most important is to avoid inbreeding in small apiary.

 

[B+.]

I buy your queens when they are ready. I trust on your skills.

I am more than satisfied with my recent bees. I do not want T shirts or calmer bees.

I guess you don't want them after all then?

 

[Brian Bush]

.
Comment to Brian Bush.

What you tell about B' s bees, is a result of huge work. It does not happen for free.

But why so few have such bees? A big question...

Why ptofessionals do not trust on those miracle bees.... Next question...

I am more than satisfied with my recent bees. I do not want T shirts or calmer bees.

Hi Finman
I have purchased one of B+ open mated queens. In one month she has laid more than 6 14X12 frames of brood. Her offspring appear to be much more docile than our local mongrels. I am unhappy about the number of very aggressive hives that I have, and my friends have, in their apiaries. I don't want to handle bees in a T shirt, I am not stupid, but I do want bees to be a pleasure not an issue. I will fully evaluate B+ queen next year and if she is as good as she appears I hope to work with him to raise more queens with the same qualities for me and my colleagues.

 

[Finman]

I guess you don't want them after all then?

I want or do not want after then, when I have seen what they do in one season.

I do not trust bee breeders' advertising.
.

I test them before I say what they are.

I have seen that most beekeepers have best bees in the world.