Worldwide Beekeeping

Announcements => Welcome => Topic started by: Perry on April 19, 2022, 04:28:02 pm

Title: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Perry on April 19, 2022, 04:28:02 pm
Well, it's been a while. A phone call today brought me back to this place, but I figure it's been so long I might have to re-introduce myself. ;D
Currently running 125 production colonies and overwintered 26 nucs (5 over 5). Out of 151 total, I am down 11 which I am pretty happy about. If you have been following the news up here lately, it looks to be a bad year for most of Canada in general. Ontario down 50%, Alberta and Manitoba look to be down around 40%, Quebec down 60%. Pretty gloomy.
Last year was probably the swarmiest (is that even a word?) year in my life. Came out of winter with 92 and by the end of June was at 138!!! Caught 4 swarms in one day, it was crazy. Also had my best production year, over 8000 lbs, despite all the swarms.
Covid happened and the farm market shut down for months and has never really fully recovered like it was, so I am sitting on a big surplus of honey. I have decided to switch gears this year, where honey production is not vital and will sell nucs instead. I stopped selling nucs a few years ago, tired of all the one here, two there stuff. I will sell nucs wholesale to a bee store, 50 at a go. I will end up with a smaller harvest but the surplus will offset that. Besides, honey never goes bad. :)
Have the honey house the way I have wanted it, just in time to start winding down. :D :laugh: Installed a 320 gal milk tank and hooked an rv hot water tank and pump up to it, works great as my primary.
 In a year and 2 months I will be old enough to collect Old Age Pension, and gonna live the life! :P

(https://i.ibb.co/TmXCBJT/20201207-100941.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TmXCBJT)

(https://i.ibb.co/zbQ5ZnQ/20210722-183015.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zbQ5ZnQ)

(https://i.ibb.co/qBPfDKR/20210722-183030.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qBPfDKR)
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: RAST on April 20, 2022, 07:24:17 am
Hey Ol Buddy, shame about the market, orange was a big flop down here this year. Seems like everyone (mostly newby's) that could keep a bee hive alive for 6 months started trying to sell nucs down here.
I know one guy got down to a hundred bucks for a five frame including wood box. I bought 2, inspected and treated and resold them for $100 bucks profit, so even me.
 Now, regarding this upcoming life of ease, all I can say is make sure you are close to a doctor cause that's when everything starts falling apart. Experience is speaking.
really good to hear from ya.
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Bakersdozen on April 20, 2022, 10:12:42 am

 Now, regarding this upcoming life of ease, all I can say is make sure you are close to a doctor cause that's when everything starts falling apart. Experience is speaking.
really good to hear from ya.

Ain't that the truth!
So glad to hear from you.  Hope you have time to drop in on a regular basis.  We could use some good humor and a slice of pie!
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: neillsayers on April 20, 2022, 04:54:12 pm
Hi Perry!  :)
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: LazyBkpr on April 20, 2022, 09:44:56 pm
PERRYYYYYYY!  man its good to see that honey house again... still remember the conversations when you were setting it up!  Glad to see your still kickin! ALSO looks like you did something about your face!  WAY cooler now!    :laugh:
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Zweefer on April 20, 2022, 10:04:41 pm
That is a sweet setup Perry!  thanks for sharing with us, and welcome back home  :yes:
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: tecumseh on April 26, 2022, 09:18:29 am
I retired from beekeeping last year and now live in California in the house that my wife grew up in.  She is also retired after spending 30 years as a professor at Texas A&M University. Big new is in 2021 I was given the honor of being named Texas Beekeeper of the Year by the Texas Beekeeper's Association. 

panther passing in the night... tecumseh
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Bakersdozen on April 26, 2022, 10:49:22 am
Congratulations tecumseh! on retirement and Texas Beekeeper of the Year.  I hope you will drop by again.  It's good to hear from you.
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Jen on April 26, 2022, 05:23:54 pm
Tecumseh, warms my heart that you have great recognition for all you have done for bees. Please stick around, we miss you. And beekeeping is changing by the day with climate change and those nasty mites are becoming resistant to treatments.
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Zweefer on April 26, 2022, 06:53:28 pm
Man it is nice to hear from some of these Old farts (title of the thread)!
Seriously though, don't be a stranger guys!
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: LazyBkpr on April 26, 2022, 08:36:34 pm
What Zweefer said... Really good to hear from you guys! Definitely stop in once in a while!!!
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: tecumseh on April 26, 2022, 08:37:35 pm
I still show up on 3 'local' Texas beekeeping sites.  Seems in some places old men and old beekeepers do get some respect.  I will try and swing by here a bit more often.   Thanks for the reminder zeefer!
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: RAST on April 27, 2022, 07:47:32 am
Congratulations Tech
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: LazyBkpr on April 27, 2022, 10:15:16 am
NOT having your own bees is not a reason to stop popping in...  Knowledge, is not something that vanishes with your last hive. Add to that, the enjoyment  of the stories and experiences of the past, and the enjoyment of JUST having good conversations....   FRIEND, is not defined by living CLOSE, meeting face to face, or having grown up together.   Instead, let it be defined by the enjoyment derived by good company, good conversations and the willingness to help each other with knowledge gained, possibly from a PAST lack of wisdom.. because everyone knows we no longer lack wisdom!
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Zweefer on April 27, 2022, 10:31:59 am
 :yah:
I mean iddee hasn't really kept bees for a while, and he still graces us with his pearls of wisdom on a regular basis.
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: BoilerJim on April 30, 2022, 08:21:21 am
Hello 'ol friend.
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Zweefer on April 30, 2022, 08:42:52 am
:shocked:

Welcome back!
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: LazyBkpr on April 30, 2022, 10:22:46 pm
Hey Jim!!!!
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Wandering Man on May 05, 2022, 11:12:01 pm
I've missed you Perry!

I've got a friend who has gone commercial.  He said he has found his niche down here.  He has Ross Rounds on all of his hives.  He charges more for the ross rounds and does less work.  And he pretty much has the market to himself.

I'm glad to hear you are doing well and keeping Canada in it's place.
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Perry on May 07, 2022, 09:28:15 pm
Wow, good to see some familiar names, tec, boiler, etc.
If any of you are ever in Nova Scotia I sure hope you'll pay a visit, and don't forget to bring a suit! Just kidding, I have plenty to spare. :D
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Jen on May 07, 2022, 09:49:15 pm
What is a Ross Round?
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Zweefer on May 07, 2022, 09:53:11 pm
Ross round is a brand of comb honey.  it is a specialized super you put on a hive to create said product.


(https://i.ibb.co/R2r1HnF/ross-rounds-comb-honey-super-kit-ch-100.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R2r1HnF)

(https://i.ibb.co/kczLYtH/ross-round.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kczLYtH)
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Jen on May 08, 2022, 01:11:00 am
Cool! Thanks
Title: Re: Old fart checkin in!
Post by: Wandering Man on May 08, 2022, 09:32:17 am
What is a Ross Round?

My friend likes ross rounds because all he has to do is remove the round comb, place it in the round container, slap a label on it, and it is ready to sell.

I've got one Ross Round box.  The bees did very little with it last year, so it lived in my freezer for 9 months.  I've got it back on a hive, and I think I'll have a few of the rounds to sell this year.  I'm underwhelmed so far.