Identifying commercial beeks

[Motobiman]

We could use the term "peeps" instead

"Beeps" surely.

 

[Motobiman]

Only experience will enable that filtering I'm afraid.
The willingness to squash queens is not something confined just to commercial beekeepers. We all do it. If you are running brood and a half and are not too fussed about losing the odd swarm tipping the top box for a quick look for swarm cells while ignoring the bottom box works really well; not just for speed either. One commercial keeper on here has been using oxalic to sublimate for years and has probably almost singlehandedly converted many hobbyists here. See where the distinction becomes blurred? There are many other examples.

I was thinking more of the unwillingness to squish queens as IME is the case with most beeps. (See above).

 

[madasafish]

Growing in beekeeping is like growing up.

As a child, teacher knows best.

As a teenager, teacher is always wrong.

As an adult, listen to teacher and think.


So for beekeeping.. I read what is said and if it works/makes scientific sense, worth following. If it flies in the face of science , then think carefully before you accept it.

Pity many beekeepers appear to grow old and never progress beyond the child stage..but that is hardly confined to beekeeping...

 

[Motobiman]

Are you a beekeeper who asks questions with different scenarios or a beekeeper who accepts their every word?

I,m a beep who in only three years has heard and read so much bull it makes me LOL.

Part of the problem is the delay between instigating a practice and the result and part is the result can be affected by so many variants, some not even dreamed of yet.

 

[REDWOOD]

It does not really matter who replies to a beginner as all the beginner needs to know is the basics, if that beekeeper would like to know how to produce a few ton of honey a year then a commercial beekeeper would answer.
I however has always found posts by commercial beekeepers fascinating.

 

[Anduril]

I,m a beep who in only three years has heard and read so much bull it makes me LOL.

Part of the problem is the delay between instigating a practice and the result and part is the result can be affected by so many variants, some not even dreamed of yet.

You have answered like a politician. Where is Jeremy Paxman when you need him

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Is this not the beekeeping forum? is this not a thread about beekeepers, so why isn't it in the general beekeeping section?
Or is the OP just trying a wind up?
Why is good sound advice based on the poster's experience of the craft whether commercial or hobbyist such an issue?
Surely this topic is off topic for the off topic section?

 

[Anduril]

Is this not the beekeeping forum? is this not a thread about beekeepers, so why isn't it in the general beekeeping section?
Or is the OP just trying a wind up?
Why is good sound advice based on the poster's experience of the craft whether commercial or hobbyist such an issue?
Surely this topic is off topic for the off topic section?

Admin and Hivemaker can move the thread to the correct one.

 

[Motobiman]

Is this not the beekeeping forum? is this not a thread about beekeepers, so why isn't it in the general beekeeping section?
Or is the OP just trying a wind up?
Why is good sound advice based on the poster's experience of the craft whether commercial or hobbyist such an issue?
Surely this topic is off topic for the off topic section?

The OP didnt suggest it was 'such an issue'

Just asked a question.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Would you not seek and take advice from any beekeeper with more experience than you no matter what their provenance.
Wisdom is wisdom no matter whose shoulders it sits on

 

[Into the lions den]

Would it not be conducive to the general ambience of this forum if the commercial beeks that are primarily driven by honey yields could identify that fact in their signature, as many beeks don't care a less about honey yield?

Have had a read through the thread and can honestly say the tone is actually a bit offensive.

The very implication that somehow our husbandry is inferior or unsuitable because we get honey and that there is something noble about not seeking honey is a total misunderstanding of bees and sounds like some animal rights crank has been holding court in your presence.

Bottom line is that well managed bees ......in almost every respect.....get more honey than poorly managed ones....given equivalent conditions of weather and forage.

If your bees don't get honey (it what they naturally do) then something is wrong, and probably something YOU are doing. Be it direct management or failing to make sure there is adequate forage or whatever. Bees that make no surplus honey are just not in good circumstances.

Honey production is, in many ways, one of the best measures of bee health.

I give advice where I see fit that is intended for all types of beekeepers. If you choose to believe the 'holier than thou as I don't take honey' and that all commercials beekeepers are bee abusing evil doers then fine, just don't read what I post. I will feel sorry for your bees, stuck in a situation that they would not choose. Working bees are content bees, healthier in almost every way.


ps....I care for my bees just as much as anyone else! If I didn't I go bust VERY fast.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Well said Murray!

 

[maddydog]

Have had a read through the thread and can honestly say the tone is actually a bit offensive.

Looks like everyone has got to dumb down their replies in case it leads to an excess of honey. Sometimes I wonder what the world is coming to.....and why racing to ineptitude is now seen as a desirable trait

 

[Motobiman]

Have had a read through the thread and can honestly say the tone is actually a bit offensive.

The very implication that somehow our husbandry is inferior or unsuitable because we get honey and that there is something noble about not seeking honey is a total misunderstanding of bees and sounds like some animal rights crank has been holding court in your presence.

Bottom line is that well managed bees ......in almost every respect.....get more honey than poorly managed ones....given equivalent conditions of weather and forage.

If your bees don't get honey (it what they naturally do) then something is wrong, and probably something YOU are doing. Be it direct management or failing to make sure there is adequate forage or whatever. Bees that make no surplus honey are just not in good circumstances.

Honey production is, in many ways, one of the best measures of bee health.

I give advice where I see fit that is intended for all types of beekeepers. If you choose to believe the 'holier than thou as I don't take honey' and that all commercials beekeepers are bee abusing evil doers then fine, just don't read what I post. I will feel sorry for your bees, stuck in a situation that they would not choose. Working bees are content bees, healthier in almost every way.


ps....I care for my bees just as much as anyone else! If I didn't I go bust VERY fast.

What a sensitive bunch you lot are.

Anyone who challenges the status quo is shouted down,

Who implied the commercial beekeepers were inferior?

Certainly not me.

My last words.

On this subject.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Bottom line is that well managed bees ......in almost every respect.....get more honey than poorly managed ones....given equivalent conditions of weather and forage.

If your bees don't get honey (it what they naturally do) then something is wrong, and probably something YOU are doing. Be it direct management or failing to make sure there is adequate forage or whatever. Bees that make no surplus honey are just not in good circumstances.

Honey production is, in many ways, one of the best measures of bee health.

Working bees are content bees, healthier in almost every way.

My average yield 2014 = nil
2015 = nil
2016 = nil

ineptitude is now seen as a desirable trait

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Who implied the commercial beekeepers were inferior?
.

You implied their comments may be unwelcome especially to the superior mob who

don't care a less about honey yield?

My last words.

.

On this subject.

Sigh.......

 

[Motobiman]

Rofl

 

[Into the lions den]

and I did not just say 'inferior'.....I said 'inferior or unsuitable'.

That advice that leads to healthier or better managed bees is deemed 'unsuitable' is just downright weird.

Anyone who knows me on here will know that I have no interest in the 'status quo' and indeed challenge stuff regularly, and have no issues at all about having my own ideas challenged. Its one way we ALL learn. Challenging rubbish about my own business was the reason I came here in the first place quite some years ago.

I have had a great life at the bees and am happy to put something back, no matter how small, and taking time to speak to, or host visits from, local beekeepers associations and not be all pompous with them is one way I do it.

I will tell people what we do any time its wanted (and I try to keep out when its not wanted).

Just don't dare imply that commercials have only an interest in honey production. Honey production is a by product of doing it right for the bees, and the good practices that get you there are valid for all. Individual variations of course due to different needs and agendas.

Commercials who do not care for their bees are an ephemeral lot....gone in the blink of an eye.

 

[Finman]

.
Motobiman is those "catch and release" beekeepers.

They are many in this forum, and I have supposed that they extract their yield from brood boxes and donate their honey to poor families.


.

 

[REDWOOD]

wow, I cant believe you got no honey Three years in a row, I would take a closer look at your bees or environment.