Owens Bee Company Beekeeping Equation Madison County Beekeepers Assoc. 2011 1920’s May 12, 2011.

Owens Bee Company

Beekeeping Equation

Madison County Beekeepers Assoc.

20111920’s

May 12, 2011

Owens Bee Company

• Business

Equation of a Beekeeper?

• Craftsman

• Chemist

• Ecologist• EMT

• Biologist• Horticulturist

• Zoologist

• Entomologist

Owens Bee Company

Business of BeekeepingRaising Healthy Bees and Producing Pure Honey• Hobby or Profession• Simplification and Diversification• Observation, Contemplation, and Implementation Strategy• Local, Regional, National then Global• Selling and Marketing your Products• Honey, verses Sugar feeding• Medication verses Organic / Green Principles• Public Land usage verses Farmers• Good Neighbor Polices• Bee Law• Swarm collection and Bee Removal• Equipment for Production, Processing and Marketing

Owens Bee Company

Business of BeekeepingRaising Healthy Bees and Producing Pure Honey• Many Specialties in Beekeeping.

a. Honey of all typesb. Hive By Products

c. Bee Removald. Pollinatione. Craftsf. Medical

• Cost of Wood ware• Plant for forage crops, or wild crops• Splitting verses Swarm Collection

Owens Bee Company

BiologistStudy of life and their environment

• Honey Bee Anatomy• Understanding Reproductive Cycles• Identify Bee diseases• Observation to see how your bees are doing• Understand Bee Senses and how they use them• Nutrition for Healthy bees• Available Resources

Books, CD’s, Websites

Owens Bee Company

HorticulturistStudy and Propagation of Plants

• Identify Plants used by Honey Bees for Protein and Carbohydrates in your area.

• USDA Plant Website:http://plants.usda.gov

Owens Bee Company

ChemistStudy of composition of matter and its properties.

• Identify, and become familiar with Pesticides,and Herbicides that are applied near your apiariesand the danger they pose to your bees.

• What minerals do honey bees need for a healthy diet, and where do they get them?

• Identify Medications used in beekeeping and their correct application. Learn the pro’s and con’s of usage.

Owens Bee Company

CraftsmanMechanical skills with vision

• Building or Buying Equipment?• Equipment required to build your equipment.• Bee Removals

SwarmsRemoval from Structures

Owens Bee Company

Entomologist The Identification and Study of Insects

• Integrated Pest Management www.aces.edu/anr/ipm/

• State Bee Inspectors, and University Websites.

• Local beekeeper educational resources are available.

• If you know the pest, you will better know how to treatthe problem.

Owens Bee Company

EcologistStudy of living things with their surroundings

• Factors to consider in selecting Apiary location are forage, shelter, and water sources.

• Exposure to environmental elements such as wind, rain, sun, flooding, etc.

• Honey Bee and Human interaction

• Learning to live within natures normal cycles. Known as Eco-Synchronization.

• Proximity of Honey Bee Predators, and Competitors.

Owens Bee Company

EMTInjuries and life saving techniques

• Beekeepers need to “Bee” able to identify and treat with Basic First Aid supplies the following:

Bleeding, and Puncture WoundsAllergic reactionsBurnsHeat exhaustion and heat strokeSnake, Scorpion, and Spider Bites

Sprained AnklesBack injuries

• Learn CPR• Carry a First Aid Kit

Owens Bee Company

ZoologistStudy of Animals

• Identify critters that are getting into your bee hives.

Can cause significant bee lossSpread diseaseDestroy valuable equipmentScare the Hell out of the Beekeeper!

Owens Bee Company

Thank You !

But Remember to Have Fun !