Beekeeping Today Podcast Podcast By Jeff Ott Becky Masterman cover art

Beekeeping Today Podcast

Beekeeping Today Podcast

By: Jeff Ott Becky Masterman
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 The podcast for the latest beekeeping news, information and entertainment for today's beekeeper. Hosts Jeff Ott and Becky Masterman bring you conversations with beekeepers, researchers and industry leaders, helping you become a more informed and knowledgeable beekeeper.2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC Natural History Nature & Ecology Science
Episodes
  • Honey Bee Genetics & Breeding with Dr. Robert E. Page (335)

    Honey Bee Genetics & Breeding with Dr. Robert E. Page (335)
    May 26 2025
    What do honey bee genetics mean for the everyday beekeeper—and how do researchers untangle traits like foraging behavior, hygienic tendencies, and even pollen hoarding? In this episode, Jeff and Becky sit down with Dr. Rob Page, one of the world’s leading experts in honey bee genetics and author of the newly updated Honey Bee Genetics and The Art of the Bee. Rob shares stories from his early influences, including his time with Harry Laidlaw and the legacy of Walter Rothenbuhler, and how his fascination with bee behavior grew into a groundbreaking career in genetic research. They also discuss Rob’s engaging new textbook, why he pivoted away from queen rearing content, and the importance of mentorship and collaboration in science. For beekeepers interested in breeding better bees, Rob emphasizes the power of careful observation, good recordkeeping, and realistic expectations. Listeners will also hear about Rob’s video lecture series based on his book The Art of the Bee, created to make bee biology and genetics accessible to students and enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re raising local queens or just curious about what makes a colony tick, this conversation is a rare chance to learn from a pioneer whose research continues to shape modern beekeeping. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Becky's Episode on Honey Bee Obscura Regarding Dr. Rothenbuhler: https://honeybeeobscura.com/152Honey Bee Genetics & Breeding: https://wicwas.com/project/honey-bee-genetics-and-breeding/Rob's Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robert-E.-Page/Heart of the Andes Painting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Heart_of_the_AndesRob's YouTube Channel, "Art of the Bee": https://www.youtube.com/@artofthebee Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.orgThe National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC ______________ 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. Thanks to Dalan who is dedicated to providing transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan's vaccination against American Foulbrood (AFB) is a game changer. Vaccinated queens protect newly hatched honeybee larvae against AFB using the new Dalan vaccine. Created for queen producers and other beekeepers wanting to produce AFB free queens. Retailers offering vaccinated queens and packages: https://dalan.com/order-vaccinated-queens/ More information on the vaccine: https://dalan.com/media-publications/ 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. _______________ We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com 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 Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
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    58 mins
  • [Bonus] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron on Supering

    [Bonus] Short - Dr. Dewey Caron on Supering
    May 20 2025

    On this special World Bee Day edition of Beekeeping Today Podcast Shorts, Dr. Dewey Caron shares another “audio postcard” exploring the vital role of communication in supering—adding boxes to a hive for nectar storage and honey production. Dewey explains how supering is a message to the bees: “Fill it up!”

    He discusses different strategies—top supering, bottom supering, and baiting—and how proactive management can reduce swarming and increase honey yields. Drawing from research by the University of Georgia, Dewey notes there’s no significant advantage to labor-intensive bottom supering over easier top supering.

    He offers practical tips on when and how to add supers, what factors affect success (like strong nectar flows, temperature, and colony strength), and why drawn comb can boost hoarding behavior. He even touches on supering top bar and Layens hives.

    With clarity and wit, Dewey encourages beekeepers to anticipate hive needs and communicate expectations. Supering is more than just hive management—it’s part of a dialogue with the bees.

    Links & Resources:

    • Berry, J.A. & K.S. Delaplane. (2000) Effects of top- versus bottom-supering on honey yield. American Bee Journal 140(5): 409-410 m
    • Randy Oliver https://scientificbeekeeping.com/fat-bees/ (there are 3 parts)
    • Rusty HoneyBee Suite. The 3½ conditions your bees need for strong comb building
    • Edwards, John 20X Long hive beekeeping: A practical Guide. E-Book https://hiveandgarden.com/products/copy-of-longhive-beekeeping-a-practical-guide-book-john-edwards
    • Tew, James. In Class with Jim: Supering, Honey Bee Obscura # 163
    • Individuality impacts communication success in honey bees. Laura C McHenry , Roger Schürch, Lindsay E Johnson , Bradley D Ohlinger , and Margaret J Couvillon . 2025. Current Biology Feb 24;35(4):R137-R138. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.12.047 behind a firewall Here is a report you can visit: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2025/02/cals-honeybee-waggle-dance.html

    Brought to you by Betterbee – your partners in better beekeeping.

    ______________

    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

    Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
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    18 mins
  • Beekeeper and Congressman - Rep. Jim Himes, CT (334)

    Beekeeper and Congressman - Rep. Jim Himes, CT (334)
    May 19 2025
    In this episode of Beekeeping Today Podcast, Jeff and Becky welcome U.S. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District for a lively and inspiring conversation—not about politics, but about bees. A hobbyist beekeeper with a deep passion for the craft, Jim shares how he got started, the joys of hive management, and why working bees is his favorite antidote to the stress of congressional life. From extracting honey to navigating Varroa mites and splits, Jim discusses his apiary in suburban Connecticut, seasonal nectar flows, and how beekeeping has awakened his awareness of pollinators and bloom cycles. He reflects on the challenges facing bees today—from pesticides to USDA research cutbacks—and shares his perspective on sustainability and agricultural innovation. Listeners will enjoy stories from Jim’s own bee yard, including an unforgettable confectioners’ sugar mishap involving his wife. He also talks about how sharing honey in Congress creates unexpected moments of camaraderie. Whether you keep one hive or a hundred, this conversation highlights the common ground found in beekeeping—across fences, party lines, and hive boxes. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.orgThe National Honey Board: https://honey.com Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC ______________ 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. Thanks to Dalan who is dedicated to providing transformative animal health solutions to support a more sustainable future. Dalan's vaccination against American Foulbrood (AFB) is a game changer. Vaccinated queens protect newly hatched honeybee larvae against AFB using the new Dalan vaccine. Created for queen producers and other beekeepers wanting to produce AFB free queens. Retailers offering vaccinated queens and packages: https://dalan.com/order-vaccinated-queens/ More information on the vaccine: https://dalan.com/media-publications/ 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. _______________ We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com 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 Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
    Show more Show less
    44 mins
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All stars
Most relevant  
very informative, formic pro and heat seem to be in our bee keeping future.

thank you for a great show

mites are in our future, Sammy has the answers

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good episode. I can't wait to see or listen to what comes next from this podcast

found a new podcast for bees

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I enjoy the humor and teaching of many of these podcast. They have a lot of popular and informative beekeeper guest.

Great Podcast!

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I started listening to Honeybee Obscura, and took up listening to this podcast because it was the next best thing. Different styles, but I am now just as fond of this podcast

Love This Podcast

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