50 years of Beekeeping - Mike Palmer

Celebrating 50 years in the beekeeping industry, Mike Palmer, a famous beekeeper in Vermont State, walked through his apiary with Dr. Humberto Boncristiani for an interview on the InsideTheHive.tv podcast. The two discussed the changes in the beekeeping industry over the last 50 years, including the shift from American foulbrood to trachea mites and later on Varroa mites. The conversation also touched on the effects of pesticides on bee populations, with Mike sharing his concerns about the high levels of atrazine and other herbicides found in pollen samples collected from hives in row crop agriculture areas.

For a long time, Mike didn't believe pesticides were affecting his colonies, but this is not the case anymore. Mike described why he changed his mind and explained why he thinks pesticides are indeed a big problem for beekeepers.

Mike also shared his approach to beekeeping, which includes the use of dedicated brood factories to rapidly expand the brood nest. These factories are not meant to produce honey but to quickly grow the population of nurse bees. By using this method, Mike can maintain high production levels without having to use production hives to stop his cell builders.

This podcast provides valuable insights into the world of beekeeping and the challenges that beekeepers face today. It highlights the importance of understanding the needs of bees and the impact that human activities can have on their survival.

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Listen to the podcast

Other videos with Mike Palmer:

Sustainable apiary by Mike Palmer - Does it really work?:

https://youtu.be/hm-S_O29HFo

Sustainable Apiary 2.0 with Mike Palmer - Livestream - Q&A:

https://youtube.com/live/li7UGO66H0o

Sustainable apiary queen rearing beekeeper Mike Palmer - Apimondia 2019

https://youtu.be/VCqblEJyo5w

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