Libsyn Directory

The Propola Hive with Jeff Johnson (306)

Release Date: 11/25/2024

[Bonus] BTP Short - 2025 Winter Losses as of Feb 18

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In today's BTP Short, we talk with John Miller, of Miller Honey, who's family has been in beekeeping for over 130 years, about this winter's honey bee losses. Is it real or hyped? John provides a lifetime perspective to the losses so many beekeepers (hobbyists, sideliners and commercial beekeepers) are experiencing this year. The numbers are real. Tune in for a timely, candid and short discussion about what’s happening in the field, the challenges of understanding large-scale colony losses, and how beekeepers can stay informed. Links & Resources: Project Apis m.: Brought to...

Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner - The Honey House (321)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

Expanding a beekeeping operation brings new challenges, especially when it comes to processing and bottling honey efficiently. In this episode, Jeff and Becky continue their series on upscaling from hobbyist to sideliner beekeeping with a deep dive into honey house design and equipment. They welcome back John Rath, co-owner of Betterbee, who shares his expertise on selecting the right extractor, uncapping system, and storage solutions to match a growing beekeeping business. John explains the key decisions beekeepers must make when scaling up, from choosing the right equipment to optimizing...

[Bonus] BTP Short - Unusually High Winter Bee Losses!

Beekeeping Today Podcast

Beekeeping Today Podcast Shorts brings you a quick dive into the latest buzz in beekeeping. In this first special episode, we welcome Dr. Humberto Boncristiani of Inside The Hive TV to discuss the alarming commercial colony losses reported this season. With beekeepers across the country facing unexpected die-offs, Humberto shares insights from his investigations, his conversations with industry experts like Blake Shook, and what beekeepers should watch for as the situation unfolds. Is this Colony Collapse Disorder all over again? What role might weather, pathogens, and management practices...

Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner - Equipment (320)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In the second episode of our February series, Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner Beekeeper, Jeff and Becky continue the conversation with returning guests Dr. Meghan Milbrath and Ana Heck from Michigan State University. This week’s focus is on one of the most critical—and often costly—aspects of growing a beekeeping operation: equipment and logistics. Meghan and Ana share their insights on how to strategically manage equipment as your apiary grows, covering everything from the pros and cons of building versus buying hive components to making decisions about palletizing, bottom boards,...

Upscaling from Hobbyist to Sideliner Beekeeping - The Bees (319)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

Are you thinking about growing your beekeeping operation from hobbyist to sideliner? In this first episode of our February Upscaling Your Beekeeping series, Jeff and Becky sit down with two experienced beekeepers and educators, Meghan Milbrath and Ana Heck, to explore what it takes to successfully expand your apiary. Meghan, an assistant professor at Michigan State University and a seasoned beekeeper, shares her experiences running her own beekeeping business while balancing research and extension work. Ana, an apiculture extension educator with MSU, brings her insights into managing a growing...

Randy Oliver: Researching Better Beekeeping (318)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode, we welcome back the renowned Randy Oliver of Scientific Beekeeping. Randy shares his latest insights and findings, offering practical advice and groundbreaking research for beekeepers of all experience levels. From breeding varroa-resistant honey bees to redesigning robbing screens and investigating oxalic acid applications, Randy takes us on a deep dive into the science behind better beekeeping practices. Randy’s candid discussion covers the challenges of breeding for varroa resistance, the nuances of mite management, and the role of nutrition in hive health. He also shares...

Beekeeping In Ireland with Dara Scott (317)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome back Dara Scott, founder and managing director of HiveAlive, to dive deeper into his unique beekeeping practices in Ireland. Building on his previous appearance, Dara shares insights into his queen management program, the benefits of working with Apis mellifera mellifera, and how Ireland’s challenging weather influences beekeeping strategies. Dara discusses his transition to using smaller hive boxes and foundationless frames, the impact of locally adapted queens, and his innovative approach to overwintering multiple queens in a single hive stack. He...

Fred Dunn: Bees, YouTube and Photography (316)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

In this captivating episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky sit down with Frederick Dunn, accomplished beekeeper, YouTube creator, and lifelong photographer. Fred shares his fascinating journey from documenting wildlife during his Navy career to becoming a dedicated educator in the beekeeping community. Fred discusses how his passion for photography enhances his beekeeping, capturing intricate details of honey bee behavior and hive life with cutting-edge technology. He delves into the challenges and triumphs of macro and micro photography, offering tips for beekeepers looking to...

Beekeeping Hot Topics and Trends in 2025 (315)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

Kick off 2025 with an insightful conversation featuring Dr. David Peck, Director of Research and Education at Betterbee, as he joins Jeff and Becky to discuss the year’s hottest trends and challenges in beekeeping. From cutting-edge varroa control methods to potential impacts of the invasive yellow-legged hornet, this episode is packed with valuable information for beekeepers of all levels. David shares exciting updates on new mite control products, including VarroxSan and RNAi technology, and highlights the growing popularity of biotechnical strategies like brood breaks. The discussion also...

North American Honey Bee Expo 2025 - Saturday (314)

Beekeeping Today Podcast

Join us for a special series of episodes recorded live from the floor of the North American Honey Bee Expo in Louisville, KY, January 2–4, 2025. Jeff and Becky bring you the latest beekeeping insights, trends, and innovations directly from one of the biggest beekeeping events of the year. Tune in as we chat with industry leaders, researchers, and beekeepers from across the country. Whether you’re attending in person or catching up from home, these episodes will keep you connected to the hive buzz at NAHBE! Stay tuned for insights into the hottest topics in beekeeping, new product launches,...

More Episodes

In this episode, Jeff and Becky welcome Jeff Johnson, co-founder of Premier Bee Products, for a fascinating discussion on the innovations shaping modern beekeeping. Jeff Johnson shares how a quest for better foundation led to the creation of Puracell, a plastic foundation that mimics natural honeycomb with precise cell sizes and thinner cell walls, designed to promote healthier colonies. Listeners will hear about the years of research and meticulous measurements that went into developing this foundation, giving bees the most natural environment possible within the hive.

The episode also dives into Premier Bee’s latest development: the Propola Hive. Designed to mimic the rough, natural surfaces inside a tree, the Propola Hive encourages bees to build a propolis envelope around their living space. Jeff explains how propolis acts as a natural immune system for bees, helping colonies fight off pathogens. Inspired by the groundbreaking research of Dr. Marla Spivak, this hive design is already seeing enthusiastic adoption among both commercial and hobbyist beekeepers.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in how science and passion come together to support bee health. Jeff Johnson’s dedication to improving beekeeping equipment with a beekeeper-first approach is inspiring and offers listeners valuable insights into the benefits of propolis and hive innovation.

Listen Today!

Websites we recommend:

Premier Bee Products: https://www.premierbeeproducts.com
University of Minnesota, Marla Spivak Bee Lab: https://beelab.umn.edu/spivak-lab/research
Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
The National Honey Board: https://honey.com

Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com
2 Million Blossoms - The Podcast: https://2millionblossoms.com

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Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode!

Thanks to Bee Smart Designs as a sponsor of this podcast! Bee Smart Designs is the creator of innovative, modular and interchangeable hive systems made in the USA using recycled and American sourced materials. Bee Smart Designs - Simply better beekeeping for the modern beekeeper.

HiveAlive

Give your bees a boost with HiveAlive! Proven to increase bee health, honey yield, and overwinter survival, HiveAlive’s unique formula includes seaweed, thyme, and lemongrass, making it easy to feed. Choose from HiveAlive’s Fondant Patties, High-Performance Pollen Patties, or EZ Feed Super Syrup—ready-to-use options for busy beekeepers. Buy locally or online. Order now and pick up at our booth at the North American Honey Bee Expo! https://usa.hivealivebees.com/pages/nahbe-2025-pre-order-portal.

Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about their line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com

Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry.

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: [email protected]

Thank you for listening!

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Faraday by BeGun; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Wedding Day by Boomer; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; Red Jack Blues by Daniel Hart; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott.

Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

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