What are your Beekeeping Goals this year?
Without Goals, it is difficult to benchmark progress.
At the same time, if goals are set too high, especially in beekeeping, discouragement can set in.
I would like to share a few things I have learned from my beekeeping experience:
-Keep your bees away from pesticides, and keep them mite-free. There is growing evidence that commercial chemicals are the greatest threat to beekeepers. Mites can be managed with an increasing list of treatments. It is difficult to remain motivated when sustaining heavy winter loss and queen die-off. Keeping your bees mite-free and near plenty of organic food sources is top priority.
-Marketing Honey: Local Ontario Honey is in high demand. Our local climate produces a pleasing array of flowers. Whether bulk or boutique, marketing honey is not a difficulty. This is a great asset to the honey producer. If you can produce it, someone will buy it.
-Find a friend. Beekeeping is a great hobby or weekend small business. Find someone who has experience to keep you on the road to success.
-How much time per hive? Assuming one beekeeper can manage 300 hives fulltime, this equates to roughly 7.5 hours per hive, per year. Of course, your first years will be more time intensive as you learn all about bees.
-Bees multiply quickly. During a nice spring, it is possible to restock your winterkill hives at a surprising rate.
- How much honey will I get? An established hive will produce a surplus of 50 lbs. on average with very little management skill. Experienced beekeepers can harvest in excess of 100 pounds per hive on a good year.
-Keep it simple. Keep your costs low and expand as your confidence and cash flow allows. Beekeeping is labor and experience intensive. It is not kind to those who are not diligent.
-Beekeeping can work. There are several large local operations. While not easy, there is real potential in this industry.
-Take good care of your honey supers! Mice and wax moths will make short work of your empty supers if not stored properly.
-Feel the buzz! Remember to register your bee-yard, get permission from a landowner and harvest the sweet rewards!