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Beekeeping Today Podcast

Beekeeping Today Podcast

By: Jeff Ott Becky Masterman
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The weekly podcast bringing beekeepers the latest news, research, and insights on honey bees. Hosted by Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman, each episode features conversations with beekeepers, scientists, authors, and industry leaders. Whether you're just starting your first hive or managing hundreds, you'll find practical tips, fresh perspectives, and engaging stories to inspire your beekeeping journey.2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC All Rights Reserved Biological Sciences Science
Episodes
  • Beekeeping Success Around the World with Dr. Robert Owen (393)

    Beekeeping Success Around the World with Dr. Robert Owen (393)
    Jul 13 2026
    What can beekeepers learn from Australia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Georgia, and Thailand? This week Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Robert Owen, beekeeper, educator, researcher, author, and international consultant, for a wide-ranging conversation about honey bees, beginning beekeeping, queen breeding, honey bee genetics, disease management, and global beekeeping practices. Robert shares the remarkable story of purchasing his first colony in Australia, building a successful beekeeping supply company, earning a PhD in honey bee genetics, and writing several influential beekeeping books. The discussion explores his newest publication, Beekeeping Success: Start Right, Grow Strong Colonies and Harvest More Honey, which was designed as a practical field guide organized around the questions beekeepers most frequently ask. Listeners will also hear Robert's perspective on Varroa management in Australia, emerging concerns surrounding Tropilaelaps mites, international bee health programs, integrated pest management, queen isolation techniques, and the importance of collaboration among beekeepers worldwide. From migratory pollination in Australia to beekeeping development projects in Africa and Asia, this conversation offers a fascinating global perspective on honey bee management and the future of beekeeping. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Robert Owen's Book on Amazon: Beekeeping Success: Start Right, Grow Strong Colonies, Harvest More Honey Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.orgProject Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.orgThe National Honey Board: https://honey.comHoney Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2026 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! As a beekeeper, you want products that benefit you and your bees. When you choose Premier Bee Products, you choose hive components that are healthier for bees and more productive for you. Because we believe that in beekeeping, details make all the difference. Premier Bee Products: Better for bees. Better for beekeepers. Use promo code PODCAST for 10% off your next online order. 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 HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you're managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ's smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com. We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. 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; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; I'm Not Running Away This Time by Max Brodie; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
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    55 mins
  • Building Better Bee Nutrition and RNAi Tools with Vincent Ricigliano, PhD (392)

    Building Better Bee Nutrition and RNAi Tools with Vincent Ricigliano, PhD (392)
    Jul 6 2026
    Honey bee nutrition is more complex than simply providing protein. In this episode, Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Vincent Ricigliano to discuss emerging research exploring algae-based supplemental diets, functional feeds, RNA interference technologies, and new approaches to supporting colony health. Vincent explains how microalgae such as spirulina and chlorella may help improve supplemental feeding by providing highly bioavailable proteins, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, and micronutrients that more closely resemble natural pollen. The discussion explores how modern nutritional science can help create more complete diets for honey bees. The conversation also examines RNA interference (RNAi) technologies, including approaches designed to suppress viral pathogens and potentially manage Varroa mites. Vincent shares insights into ongoing research involving antiviral RNA delivery systems, sustainable production methods, and future biotechnology tools that may complement integrated pest management strategies. Along the way, the discussion touches on pollinator health, commercial beekeeping collaborations, miticide resistance, and the continuing search for practical tools that improve colony resilience under modern beekeeping conditions. Websites from the episode and others we recommend: Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.orgProject Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.orgThe National Honey Board: https://honey.comHoney Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com Copyright © 2026 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! As a beekeeper, you want products that benefit you and your bees. When you choose Premier Bee Products, you choose hive components that are healthier for bees and more productive for you. Because we believe that in beekeeping, details make all the difference. Premier Bee Products: Better for bees. Better for beekeepers. Use promo code PODCAST for 10% off your next online order. 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 HiveIQ is revolutionizing the way beekeepers manage their colonies with innovative, insulated hive systems designed for maximum colony health and efficiency. Their hives maintain stable temperatures year-round, reduce stress on the bees, and are built to last using durable, lightweight materials. Whether you're managing two hives or two hundred, HiveIQ's smart design helps your bees thrive while saving you time and effort. Learn more at HiveIQ.com. We'd like to thank Vita Bee Health for supporting the podcast. Vita provides proven tools for controlling Varroa—from Apistan and Apiguard to the new VarroxSan extended-release oxalic acid strips—helping beekeepers keep stronger, healthier colonies. 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; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; I'm Not Running Away This Time by Max Brodie; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott. Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
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    41 mins
  • Winning At Honey with Stephanie: Creating Award-Winning Beeswax Exhibits

    Winning At Honey with Stephanie: Creating Award-Winning Beeswax Exhibits
    Jul 1 2026

    In this Bonus Short episode of Beekeeping Today, Stephanie Slater returns with another installment of Winning at Honey with Stephanie, sharing updates from a busy start to summer and offering practical guidance for preparing beeswax entries for honey show competition.

    Stephanie begins with highlights from the Heartland Apicultural Society Conference at Michigan State University, where attendees enjoyed presentations, vendors, social events, and hands-on apiary experiences. She also recaps teaching a youth beekeeping summer camp for fifth through eighth graders, where the students learned honey bee biology, made lip balm, tasted honey, and practiced simulated mite checks.

    The main focus of this episode is beeswax competition preparation. Stephanie explains what judges look for in beeswax exhibits, including cleanliness, appearance, aroma, texture, craftsmanship, proper weight, and compliance with show rules. She covers safety when melting beeswax, why lower heat and slower cooling produce better results, and which tools and materials help create cleaner, more polished entries.

    Stephanie also offers advice on candle molds, cotton wicking, primed wicks, centered wicks, flat bases, consistent candle pairs or sets, and how to avoid common defects such as cracks, debris, uneven surfaces, off aromas, and overheating. She emphasizes using clean cappings wax, checking weights carefully, reading the rules for each show, and practicing with new molds before entering competition.

    Websites mentioned:

    • American Honey Judges Association – https://honeyshowusa.com
    • Larimer County Fair Honey Show - https://honeyshowusa.com/portal/event/info/?reset=1&id=57
    • South Carolina Beekeepers Association Honey Show - https://honeyshowusa.com/portal/event/info/?reset=1&id=52

    ______________

    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

    _______________

    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; Bolero de la Fontero by Rimsky Music; Perfect Sky by Graceful Movement; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott.

    Beekeeping Today Podcast is an audio production of Growing Planet Media, LLC

    ** As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases

    Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
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such a good podcast to listen too. As a beekeeper you hear the stories of fellow beekeepers, the latest news on techniques and other fascinating information in the world of bees

all about the latest buzz!

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