Hello Bob and all,


>6 weeks is a better estimate. We used to get strong fall flows also but now
>it seems only by moving hives to river locations. I find the Blackwater
>River bottoms better than the Missouri River bottoms.

Asters ???

>If what you say would be a better method wouldn't you think I would jump on
>board? There are sound valid reasons why myself and other commercial
>beekeepers use the methods we use.

I was responding as a hobbyist/sideliner who has very different goals. My livelihood doesn't depend on bees and my management reflects that. 


>When the flow ends as you point out I start culling and reducing numbers.
>All I want is a base to split from next year. With my connections in
>commercial beekeeping even a base ( enough hives to split the number of
>hives needed without buying brood or package bees or complete hives) is not
>needed.

Interesting - practical

>Cold as it may sound to
some things change when you keep bees for a living.

Changes everything, if I were trying to make a living off of bees I'm sure I would also treat and feed.

>You keep pumping out those eggs and I will take care of getting those
>bloodsucking mites off you and your offspring. I wouldn't let my dog chew
>himself crazy with parasites or my bees.

I HATE mites also, and it pains me not to treat. But, like your work with Russian bees not that long ago, I'm just trying to adapt my management to work with the local feral bees that seem to be making a comeback in my area. 

And, hopefully learn enough to teach other hobbyist/sideliners how to manage them. Weren't you just lamenting a couple of months ago about not seeing any bees on your fishing trip? 

>Ask around. The lowest number of hives above was 600 and the most 2000.
>The above were real outfits and my competition except for Bell Hill.

You've had a great go and you deserve to be proud.

>I have gave plenty of talks on the way to keep bees the way you do Don but
>none about the way I keep bees. 

I'd be interested to learn more about your experiences with Russian bees.

>If you are able to build up to over 40 hives Don you are not a beehavor. I
don't really care for the word. 

It's just a response to more of the same petty name calling that both sides are engaging in. "Amateur" would proabably be a better moniker that fits. 

Thanks for sharing you knowledge,

Don Semple - Amateur
Overland Park, KS - USA

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