The Beekeepers Quarterly

09/09/2025

From one hive to a business... how one man journeyed into bee farming.
From contributor Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Indiana beekeeper Dave McComb to share his journey from inheriting one defensive hive in 2018 to managing over 100 colonies, producing honey, nucs, and queens with remarkable success.
https://www.beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/dave-mccomb-from-one-hive-to-a-business-348/

08/09/2025

Here is snippet from September 2025 issue on the closure of Beltsville Bee Lab. The full article includes quotes from Jay Evans, Jeff Pettis and Peter Neumann...

"It would be easy to say that this was a shock announcement, but, in truth, since the election of President Trump last November, there was perhaps little surprise when on 24th July, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollings released a video statement to US Department of Agriculture Staff informing them that after a “comprehensive review”, there would be a “complete reorganisation of the USDA”, involving moving USDA offices away from the Washington DC area, and the complete closure of four sites, including the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Maryland."

"Some 2,600 staff will be relocated to five “hub locations”, all far from Washington. At this stage, nothing has been said about staff redundancies, or which research programmes will be retained and moved elsewhere. It should be noted that the announcement follows losses earlier this year of short-term staff and recently appointed staff still on probation. Further losses followed for..."

To continue reading (and find the quotes from leading bee researchers) , subscribers can log in on www.northernbeebooks.co.uk and follow the links to the journal.

Otherwise visit www.northernbeebooks.co.uk to find out how you can subscribe

07/09/2025

Oops, too late for early entries now, but not too late for all other entries: deadline for all other classes is 6th October 2025.

LAST DAY TOMORROW, Monday 8th September, to book in your early show entries. These are for classes 141-156 inclusive, 415-416 and 418, i.e. essays, videos, microscope slides and photographs. DO NOT SEND ENTRIES at this stage, You will be sent instructions for submitting the actual entries. Only complete the NEW ONLINE entry form. Clear instructions are on the website: www.honeyshow.co.uk NB Be patient, checking out can take a few moments.

07/09/2025

COLOSS Association surveys tell us why colonies are lost. Researchers and we can then see what is happening in a country, and spot any worldwide trends.

Here is the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council snapshot from 2024, my money is on more colonies lost from varroa in the 2025 data. As their winter draws to a close, the 2025 survey is now open...

🛑It's 2025 Coloss Time!
Don't forget to complete this year's survey. The survey is for anyone who keeps bees anywhere in Australia! The survey takes 7-15 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous.
https://anu.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39mXIiyf87XnUcC
Australian Colony Loss Survey

05/09/2025

"This detection is a blow for SA beekeepers who have been enduring the worst drought and lowest honey production for many in living memory. However, experience from eastern states suggests that the spread is slow and it is not expected to impact beekeepers this season in SA. It has been demonstrated that when detected early, as is the case here, it takes time to establish and reach treatment thresholds so spread is usually slow and beekeepers have time to prepare"

South Australia Varroa Detection Varroa mites have been detected in hives in South Australia, east of Waikerie, during routine PIRSA surveillance. Hives from Queensland that moved into SA under permit […]

05/09/2025

COLOSS Association executive member and The Beekeepers Quarterly editor Norman Carreck will be at this meeting and looks forward to seeing you at this meeting and Apimondia Scandinavia 2025.

Do say hello!

In only a few weeks COLOSS members will meet for the annual conference. This year in Copenhagen, right before APIMONDIA.

If you want to participate online, we have now opened a latecomers registration, which will be open for online participation only, until 12 September.

https://coloss.org/21-conference-latecomers/

04/09/2025

What use are wasps and hornets anyway... and the big wasp survey

https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/wasps-including-hornets

Wasps are beneficial in gardens, they feed their grubs on caterpillars and other insects and so can reduce plant damage. 

04/09/2025

Varroa has spread pretty quickly across the vast continent of Australia. With this latest announcement, only Western Australia,Tasmania and the northern Territory remain free of the mite.

During a routine inspection at Pooginook, in the state's Riverland, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) inspectors found hundreds of hives containing varroa. The mite came in with colonies brought in from Queensland.

Australia has shifted from "eradication" to containment measures... and mercifully, they have not yet found DWV, which is transmitted by the mite.

Experts say the parasite could almost entirely wipe out the state's wild bees and add significant costs and labour pressures to farmers.

04/09/2025

Get informed with The yellow-legged Asian hornet: the Beekeepers guide to defences against the yellow-legged Asian hornet Vespa velutina by Andrew Durham.

"Highly recommended and good value"
Reviewed by us in September 2025

Available from Northern Bee Books

Beekeeper and Author, Andrew Durham introduces his new book: ASIAN HORNET The Beekeeper's Guide to Defences against the Yellow-legged Hornet Vespa Velutinah...

04/09/2025

The yellow-legged Asian, hornet app. See it, snap it, app it

03/09/2025

The yellow-legged Asian hornet has done well in this summer's heat...

The invaders present a devastating threat to Britain’s pollinators – constant watchfulness and clever technology are needed to thwart their progress

03/09/2025

Learn more about yellow-legged Asian hornets in Fit 2 Fight by Alan Baxter.

Available from Northern Bee Books

Interview with author of Fit to Fight Alan Baxter talking about his book at the BBKA Spring Convention 2024