30) Kirk Webster (US)

Breeding the Honeybee

Kirk has been keeping bees for over 50 years and has not treated for varroa since 2002. His methods are inspired by his experiences with organic farming. Kirk’s approach to varroa is very hands off. He maintains the colonies by producing nucs that he overwinters. Apart from some issues resulting from modern agriculture, Kirk feels as though his beekeeping experience at present is almost the same as before he first came across varroa.

You can read more about Kirk's work here https://kirkwebster.com/

Comment or leave feedback on the episode post in the Facebook group for this podcast

https://www.facebook.com/groups/breedingthehoneybee

This podcast is proudly brought to you by Brent Nixon at Nixon Queen Bees in Ballarat Australia.
Email Brent at [email protected]
www.nixonqueenbees.com.au

3:52 Why people should raise their own queens

4:58 Kirk’s start raising queens

8:04 Kirk’s mating nucs

10:50 Beekeeping at Buckfast Abbey

11:34 Feeding mating nucs

16:18 Early experiencing with selective breeding

19:11 Selection for varroa

23:57 Starting the treatment free route

26:45 Nucs that survived winter

28:28 Survivor stock

29:29 Last treatment in 2002

31:47 Mite counts

35:02 Open apiary

Episode Music

https://audionautix.com/