What is happening to our queens

[jenkinsbrynmair]

And therein lies the problem. The multiple problems inserted by beekeepers into the local gene pool drag down health. The result is offspring failure.

Bees cannot be treated like pigs or dogs. They need competitive mating to locate health, and that needs a healthy gene pool, and competitive mating producing individuals that are well fitted to the local environment.

Offspring (queens) will fail in larger numbers to the extent that the basic health-seeking system is broken.

That understanding is the foundation of bee husbandry. If you want to bring in 'healthy' bees, or restrict the brood nest, or treat for varroa, you are part of the reason too many queens fail.

Really?
Got any data to back up any of this? or just plain facts?

 

[Heather]

He seems to have built himself a profile around this problem and got himself on the lecture circuit, I heard him speak/rant a couple of times, on one occasion he referred to beginners as mutton heads which brought a chuckle from a couple of his groupies.

I went to hear him talk, and he said if anyone over 70 came to 'his' Division he told them to go and take up knitting or something similar as too old to start beekeeping. And he meant it.! Most unpleasant. Audience were aghast!

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Such a shame Dave Cushman's site is being polluted. Is there still a link to the "ORIGINAL" content?

 

[Parsonage Bees]

I went to hear him talk, and he said if anyone over 70 came to 'his' Division he told them to go and take up knitting or something similar as too old to start beekeeping. And he meant it.! Most unpleasant. Audience were aghast!

Like most me over 50 I started beekeeping with a pre-existing back problem. He's got a point.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Like most me over 50 I started beekeeping with a pre-existing back problem. He's got a point.

Nevertheless are you still keeping bees?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Nevertheless are you still keeping bees?

I've found that beekeeping has improved my back injury, probably lifting all those supers has improved my core muscle strength

 

[GuyNir]

Such a shame Dave Cushman's site is being polluted. Is there still a link to the "ORIGINAL" content?

I thought the content he adds is in blue (or different colour), so you know what’s original Dave Cushman’s.

 

[madasafish]

RP is the man going on about Q failing.
EP is the man who does lots of Autumn splits and uses 2 frame mating nucs.

I thought the content he adds is in blue (or different colour), so you know what’s original Dave Cushman’s.

I watched his Zoom course for overwintering bees.
Near the end was a picture of mould on the inside of one of his hives.

He NEVER mentioned Insulation.

I know Sussex is mild BUT...

 

[Nige.Coll]

Totally irrelevant. Nowt new there.
I have a lot of Dave Cushmans books. The association was selling the library so I bought it.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Nevertheless are you still keeping bees?

On a small scale. And I don't get enough honey to improve my muscle mass (JBM). !
Luckily back has got better rather than worse.
Couldn't do a whole week as a commercial beek. Young man's game.

 

[rolande]

Like most me over 50 I started beekeeping with a pre-existing back problem. He's got a point.

No, he hasn't. Well, not a valid one.

 

[B+.]

Like most me over 50 I started beekeeping with a pre-existing back problem. He's got a point.

Do you remember a year, or two ago, we had a member of this forum who'd been in the armed forces? Beekeeping was being used to help veterans recovering from some pretty horrific injuries.

 

[Swarm]

There are back problems and there are back problems, I've found workarounds for most. I needed help to lift boxes and bring in the supers in 2019, there was absolutely no workaround.
Depends what the particular problem involves
First time I've ever heard an elderly person with a back problem being advised to lift heavy boxes.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

No, he hasn't. Well, not a valid one.

And you're using Dadant boxes? Heavy.

 

[Murox]

I thought the content he adds is in blue (or different colour), so you know what’s original Dave Cushman’s.

It may be now, however the "damage" has already been done; instead of preserving the original as good archive it was all messed with. The arrogance and rudeness reported here speaks volumes about the individual.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

There are back problems and there are back problems, I've found workarounds for most. I needed help to lift boxes and bring in the supers in 2019, there was absolutely no workaround.
Depends what the particular problem involves
First time I've ever heard an elderly person with a back problem being advised to lift heavy boxes.

I may have been around the block a few times but I resent being refered to as elderly. Did I say anywhere that I had been advised to lift heavy boxes?
I have a compound wedge fracture, spondylosis in the lumbar region as well as one totally prolapsed disk with another two, maybe three severely degraded, and just to make it more interesting, chronic sciatica, From the beginning I was told by my consultant to take daily physio exercises to strengthen the muscle around the core to take pressure off the spine, with one specialist (who is also a beekeeper) actually saying that beekeeping, with care would probably help with my condition. After a few months of this, I definitely saw the difference, I was also told to walk regularly, which I managed, even when patrolling, as it gave me an excuse to get away from the boat (and off the Irish falling down water) when alongside. I have to take care when shifting stuff but I've found that it actually helps with keeping flexible. I've gone from daily taking a cocktail of industrial quality analgesics to just keeping one lot handy for when the aches and pains get a bit more than old age and weather.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

I may have been around the block a few times but I resent being refered to as elderly. Did I say anywhere that I had been advised to lift heavy boxes?
I have a compound wedge fracture, spondylosis in the lumbar region as well as one totally prolapsed disk with another two, maybe three severely degraded, and just to make it more interesting, chronic sciatica, From the beginning I was told by my consultant to take daily physio exercises to strengthen the muscle around the core to take pressure off the spine, with one specialist (who is also a beekeeper) actually saying that beekeeping, with care would probably help with my condition. After a few months of this, I definitely saw the difference, I was also told to walk regularly, which I managed, even when patrolling, as it gave me an excuse to get away from the boat (and off the Irish falling down water) when alongside. I have to take care when shifting stuff but I've found that it actually helps with keeping flexible. I've gone from daily taking a cocktail of industrial quality analgesics to just keeping one lot handy for when the aches and pains get a bit more than old age and weather.

It's not good if you understand those terms. It's the difference between 'aches and pains' and being driven to the floor, praying for the pain to stop.
I have to get back to those exercises before the season starts.

 

[Curly green finger's]

I may have been around the block a few times but I resent being refered to as elderly. Did I say anywhere that I had been advised to lift heavy boxes?
I have a compound wedge fracture, spondylosis in the lumbar region as well as one totally prolapsed disk with another two, maybe three severely degraded, and just to make it more interesting, chronic sciatica, From the beginning I was told by my consultant to take daily physio exercises to strengthen the muscle around the core to take pressure off the spine, with one specialist (who is also a beekeeper) actually saying that beekeeping, with care would probably help with my condition. After a few months of this, I definitely saw the difference, I was also told to walk regularly, which I managed, even when patrolling, as it gave me an excuse to get away from the boat (and off the Irish falling down water) when alongside. I have to take care when shifting stuff but I've found that it actually helps with keeping flexible. I've gone from daily taking a cocktail of industrial quality analgesics to just keeping one lot handy for when the aches and pains get a bit more than old age and weather.

Ever tried cbd oil as an alternative?

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Ever tried cbd oil as an alternative?

If it ever happened again I would get to know my local dealer for the real stuff.

 

[rolande]

And you're using Dadant boxes? Heavy.

So? I'm a physically fit 50 year old who's kept bees all his life. But, if I was starting at 70 I'd be looking for the appropriate technology that would allow me to have a go at the hobby not some bloke telling me to take up knitting. Likewise, if I reach a point where I can't use the kit I've got now, I'll be sure to get some long hives before I get a set of knitting needles.