Randy Quinn Video
Randy speaks soberly of the effect that selecting for a few traits and requeening colonies en-mass with these hybrids from closely mated lines has had on the diversity of the gene pool (both from the selection on the breeding end, and in the introduction of homogenous hybrid stock into apiaries). He promotes an old (and almost never talked about) practice of requeening by making a split to ward off swarming (making sure eggs, honey and brood are present within the split). Simply wait two months, and recombine the two colonies. In most cases, you will end up with a new queen (and in those that you don’t, you are likely better off with the old one).
Kerstin Ebbersen Video
Kerstin reminds us of what we all know…that no matter where our queens come from, there is an unbroken lineage going back millions of years from queen mother to queen mother. There is no way to maintain genetic diversity if we rear (and introduce) thousands of queens from one mother, especially if they are not open mated. A queen can “father” many brood via it’s drones, but only mother a small number of queens at a time. This is protection against inbreeding as it allows successful genes to spread widely, but not too densely, as in open mating the queen will mate with up to 30 or more drones among whom there is bound to be a diversity of genes.
Michael Bush Video
In his deceptively simple style, Michael Bush gives a complete overview of queen rearing. His talks are like his writing, with more content, detail, and depth than one would think possible with such few words…his website and PowerPoint presentations are the gold standard for diverse and common sense beekeeping practices.
Corwin Bell and Kelly Simmons Video
Corwin Bell and Kelly Simmons showed beautifully crafted top bar hives, and spoke in detail on the management and benefits of keeping bees in a top bar system…many of us left the presentation with the desire to try this style of beekeeping, which is especially well suited for use in more populated and urban areas.
Dean Stiglitz Audio Part1 Part2
My talk focuses on what organic beekeeping is (no treatments “organic” or otherwise, natural sized comb, unlimited broodnest, open mating with survivor and feral stock, and leaving plenty of stores for the bees so that feeding is not necessary), how organic approaches relate to the rest of the industry, why “organic” is not a good term for what we do, why we should keep our organization loose (without bylaws, leadership, regulations, or certification), what the benefits are (to beekeepers, farmers, conservation land, the consumer, and the planet), education, economics, the future, and a little bit of everything else.Coming Soon: Corwin Bell and Karen Sadenwater video of talk on top bar hives
Barry Digman's photos:
http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c285/barrydigman/Tucson/
Tim Maxwell's photos:
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/ii202/tmaxwell007/
Cindy Lindow's photos (must be a member of the Organic Beekeeping list to view):
http://pets.ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organicbeekeepers/photos/browse/b520
http://picasaweb.google.com/Dean.Ramona/Uploadconferencephotos
The next two conferences are already in the works. In October, there will be a meeting in Nebraska (organized by Michael Bush), dates, speakers, and details TBD, and again in Oracle, AZ February 27-March 1, 2009 (Friday through Sunday). The cost for the Oracle conference will be the same as for this year ($80 including food and lodging for all 3 days). Updated information on these events will be available on the Organic Beekeeping discussion group, on many of the websites listed below, as well as in Bee Culture and The American Bee Journal.
Dee Lusby’s writings:
http://www.beesource.com/pov/lusby/
Michael Bush’s website:
http://www.bushfarms.com/bees.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeshas.htm (PowerPoint)
Corwin Bell’s website:
http://www.backyardhive.com/
The Organic Beekeeping
discussion group can be found at:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organicbeekeepers/
