Episodi

  • Episode 49 - Rain, Dutch Clover, Honey Extraction, State Association Talk, and IAPV Studies, Different Beeswax, and more!

    Episode 49 - Rain, Dutch Clover, Honey Extraction, State Association Talk, and IAPV Studies, Different Beeswax, and more!
    Jun 24 2026

    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 presentation at the Illinois State Beekeepers Association summer conference. Along the way, they dive into recent research surrounding Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV), what scientists are learning, and why understanding bee health research matters for beekeepers of every size.

    The episode wraps up with a discussion on beeswax, including why not all wax is created equal and what differences beekeepers may notice when processing wax from different sources.

    Whether you're harvesting honey, raising queens, or simply enjoying a good nectar flow, this episode has something for every beekeeper.

    Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

    Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

    How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

    The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

    Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

    Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

    Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

    Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

    Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

    Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

    Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 17 min
  • Episode 48 - Growing into Sideliner Beekeeping, Increasing your Network, and Venom Cancer Research

    Episode 48 - Growing into Sideliner Beekeeping, Increasing your Network, and Venom Cancer Research
    Jun 11 2026

    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 also explores the importance of building a strong beekeeping network. From local clubs and mentors to industry contacts and research partners, the relationships you develop can open doors, solve problems, and create opportunities that would be difficult to achieve alone.

    Finally, the hosts review emerging research investigating compounds found in honey bee venom and their potential role in cancer treatment. While much of the work remains in the research stage, the discussion highlights some of the promising findings and what they may mean for the future of medicine.

    Whether you're managing your first hive or considering your next fifty, this episode offers insights on growth, community, and the surprising ways honey bees continue to impact our world.

    Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

    Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

    How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

    The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

    Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

    Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

    Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

    Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

    Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

    Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

    Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 19 min
  • Episode 47 - Busy as a Bee! Cutouts, City Ordinances, Inordinate Amount of Swarms

    Episode 47 - Busy as a Bee! Cutouts, City Ordinances, Inordinate Amount of Swarms
    May 14 2026

    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: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

    The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

    Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

    Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

    Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

    Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

    Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

    Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

    Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 6 min
  • Episode 46 - We are Having a Crazy Spring; Chasing Swarms; Preparing for the Honey Flow

    Episode 46 - We are Having a Crazy Spring; Chasing Swarms; Preparing for the Honey Flow
    May 1 2026

    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-model/

    How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

    The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

    Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

    Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

    Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

    Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

    Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

    Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

    Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 7 min
  • Episode 45 - Come Hang Out with Our Beekeeping Buddies 628 Dirt Rooster Randy McCaffery and His Brother Tommy McCaffery

    Episode 45 - Come Hang Out with Our Beekeeping Buddies 628 Dirt Rooster Randy McCaffery and His Brother Tommy McCaffery
    Apr 15 2026

    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 Rooster YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@628DirtRooster

    Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

    Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

    How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

    The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

    Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

    Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

    Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

    Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

    Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

    Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

    Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 14 min
  • Episode 44 - Beekeeping in Arizona with Honey Hives Farm, Package Queen Swapping, Hive Body Types and more!

    Episode 44 - Beekeeping in Arizona with Honey Hives Farm, Package Queen Swapping, Hive Body Types and more!
    Apr 1 2026

    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 droning on, we talk about what we will be doing as we reach warmer temperatures and longer days!

    Honey Hives Farm: https://honeyhivefarms.com/

    Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

    Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

    How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

    The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

    Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

    Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

    Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

    Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

    Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

    Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

    Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 10 min
  • Episode 43 - Is Spring Here? Accident in the Yard! Luke Goes to the Midwest Honeybee Expo!

    Episode 43 - Is Spring Here? Accident in the Yard! Luke Goes to the Midwest Honeybee Expo!
    Feb 28 2026

    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 think about blooming?

    Luke also shares a hard lesson from the yard an accident that resulted in a grass fire. What happened, what caused it, and what you can do to avoid the same mistake around your apiary.

    Finally, Luke breaks down some of the standout speakers and takeaways from the Midwest Honeybee Expo in Wisconsin. From practical management tips to bigger industry conversations, there was plenty worth bringing back home to Illinois.

    If you're staring at your hives in 50-degree weather wondering whether to "just take a quick peek," this episode is for you.

    Midwest Honeybee Expo: https://www.midwesthoneybeeexpo.com/

    North American Honeybee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/

    Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

    Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

    How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

    The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

    Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

    Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

    Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

    Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

    Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

    Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

    Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    1 ora e 16 min
  • Episode 42 - 2025 Statistics, Season Wrap Up, Plans for the New Year!

    Episode 42 - 2025 Statistics, Season Wrap Up, Plans for the New Year!
    Jan 14 2026

    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://www.nahbexpo.com/

    Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

    Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

    How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

    The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

    Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

    Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

    Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

    Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

    Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

    Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

    Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf
    Mostra di più Mostra meno
    59 min