The life of a Beekeeper. We just never have enough time to get it all done. You sure have progressed over the years and looks like you have everything going your way. Congratulations
I moved to Kentucky from California this year. Wish i was closer to you and could shadow you. I was st 75 hives last year until i had someone poison them in my lay down yard getting ready for the move. I left 8 in California and brought 8 with me. 2 of the 8 made it and i feel like im starting over. California hives are doing gain busters, go figure. Anyways with all my free time now wish i could help. Met you at Nambe bought a queen wheel and some honey. Enjoyed talking to you and Cory Steven's at the same time.
Nothing quite like the pressure of providing for your family and having everything riding on your shoulders. You're going to be successful! I have no doubts. Follow your heart. God's got you! Really enjoy the videos and watching your journey. Take Care!
Well done video. Looks like you've got plenty to keep you busy. You're going to love it when your kids get big enough to really help. My daughter does almost all of my bottling for me and labeling now and she helps me out in that department so much. She also is my grafter. You'll find out the older you get how much better their eyes are than ours. Might want to get them practicing soon on the grafting part. ;) Remember the time for your family this year, even though you are doing it for them, they need you too. Don't be your own boss that never let's you see your family. Blessings to you.
I feel you with the pressure. I got behind because I made a trip. Had 45 swarms that didn't request due to rain for 2 weeks. I got a lot to learn but I felt really beat up. The pressure is on. But Saturday my one yard I had two busting hives that completely filled up 4 supers. So that encouraged me. I feel kind of alone found here so your videos encourage me
You’ve got this Nathan! We’ve been watching you since day one..we feel like proud parents! We’ve watched you grow in so many ways! You’re doing a great job! Keep on keepin’ on!! 💕💞
Hey Nath. Hard work is great for healing the soul. Gives purpose, meaning and pride. I’m going through your grafting videos now. Very keen to do that also. No need to reply mate, we know you read and appreciate all the support we try to provide to you and your family.
Blessed Easter! Jesus is Alive! Thanks for the updates! Wishing you wisdom as you navigate life!! Am also feeling the pressure of the spring bee work starting!
I have to say I enjoy how you put your vlogs together. The ideas I have got from you, Bob, and Ian over the last couple of years has helped me to refine my style of beekeeping. This is my " make or break" year as well to see if I can manage flows well enough to be a sustainable sideliner with the ability to pull the trigger into full time at a moments notice. I'm looking forward to seeing your split video! I will be pulling splits on mine in a couple weeks as well! Happy Easter!!
Would love to see some videos on the background side of the business. Give someone starting out what the hard not fun part of the business would be like. Good look at weather or not you want to start.
Your Honeys the best so far that I have had Thanks for sharing your videos with us. Try not to feel overwhelmed Give it your Best and that's. ALL ya can do 😊 Happy Easter. I'll keep you in prayer as well 🙏 Also are you catching swarms Still
I’m in central Louisiana and I find the opposite in bee yards. I like north facing bee yards. In a warm winter bees will fly if the hives get sun. It’s vested for them to stay cool and dormant in those months and use less feed.
Have you had the bees for a long time in "the pond beeyard"? Some books say that having the bees flying over water on the way back, will increase mortality.
Chomping at the bit here in PA... 60 today (Easter) but three days of rain coming, then three days in the 40's probably with winds (lots of dang wind in March) before we get another 60 on April 8th. Hoping this forecast improves have folks wanting their nucs and even had a hive or two with eggs in cups so giving them a 4th box - just getting antsy to get some in depth inspections done and make some double screen splits!
Im sure you thought about this as you build your business. Selling bees is great income, nucs more specifically. What is the medium frame nuc market like? Also, many years from now, when you sell your business, like Bob Binnie is doing, what is the attraction for a bee business on mediums? When you finally hit a certain size, equipment will be needed like loaders and skid steers regardless of whether you are medium or deeps, i.e., totes of sugar syrup, drums of honey, or pallets of supers to name a few. So why use mediums that an old man would use at a hobby scale if you will eventually reach a commercial size business, looking for more income selling bees and resale value? Someday, you will have more bees that you want, and you will have to sell bees to keep a certain number, will mediums be an easy sell?
Good questions. I’ve thought about all those. It’s easier to go from all mediums to deeps and mediums than it is to go from deeps and mediums to all mediums. And yes, there are commercial ops that use all mediums.
Nathan good video thanks for the update on your plans. I am not sure if you are aware of working with distributors. just like I said to you on your larger grocery store chains video. Many distributors here too my follow a review schedule, with paperwork. if you get into a distributor many may charge a slotting fee per sku. Also, keep in mind that many of their retailers if they get your product into here too may. e a slotting fee or a free fill per store per sku. Again, even at the distributor, will want 16 weeks of deals typically. Honey, and the size of your operation should fall under natural/specialty. Also distributor will have their target markets meaning some will sell to grocery stores only. Some distributors service convenient store only and the same with food service. Just some insight, I hope this helps you out.
Always nice to see someone else making mediums work. Good looking cell frame, happy to see a medium cell builder. I think I am too far north for spring queens in North Iowa, but I could make queens for fall splits. Is that basically a shortened deep cell frame or do they actually make a medium holder?
Building right up! You're doing well, Nathan. Side question: What brand of jacket are you wearing? I have a Dadant jacket, but i hate the hood. I dont have the room around the neck that yours looks to have.
I think you’re under estimating the power of bougie farmers markets with your operation, we shall find out…. You’re gonna need to sell honey with how good you’re doing…
I don't call them 'head hunters'. Bees that just randomly are determined to sting me, I call them "59ers". They are 59 day old bees that are full of venom, old, grumpy, and will likely die tomorrow, but instead decide to go out as kamakazi's! My bees really love me.
Хобби
Pressure is what motivates business owners to put the time and thought into our decisions… and to get up and going in the morning
How true Ian. No one could have pushed me as hard as I pushed myself when I was self employed. LOL
Good stuff, Nathan, I enjoy drinking my coffee on Sunday morning and following along on your journey!
I’ve got my black dark roast in hand as well!
The life of a Beekeeper. We just never have enough time to get it all done. You sure have progressed over the years and looks like you have everything going your way. Congratulations
Thanks Michael!
I moved to Kentucky from California this year. Wish i was closer to you and could shadow you. I was st 75 hives last year until i had someone poison them in my lay down yard getting ready for the move. I left 8 in California and brought 8 with me. 2 of the 8 made it and i feel like im starting over. California hives are doing gain busters, go figure. Anyways with all my free time now wish i could help.
Met you at Nambe bought a queen wheel and some honey. Enjoyed talking to you and Cory Steven's at the same time.
Nothing quite like the pressure of providing for your family and having everything riding on your shoulders. You're going to be successful! I have no doubts. Follow your heart. God's got you! Really enjoy the videos and watching your journey. Take Care!
Thanks Mike!
Nice looking cells! Thanks for sharing
Thanks Tom!
Well done video. Looks like you've got plenty to keep you busy. You're going to love it when your kids get big enough to really help. My daughter does almost all of my bottling for me and labeling now and she helps me out in that department so much. She also is my grafter. You'll find out the older you get how much better their eyes are than ours. Might want to get them practicing soon on the grafting part. ;) Remember the time for your family this year, even though you are doing it for them, they need you too. Don't be your own boss that never let's you see your family. Blessings to you.
Thanks, I appreciate it. I do make time for the family, that’s important to me.
I feel you with the pressure. I got behind because I made a trip. Had 45 swarms that didn't request due to rain for 2 weeks.
I got a lot to learn but I felt really beat up. The pressure is on. But Saturday my one yard I had two busting hives that completely filled up 4 supers. So that encouraged me. I feel kind of alone found here so your videos encourage me
Good luck!
Nathan, i feel like we're buddies. Been following your story since Ep1. Im growing my own business too. Goodluck from Jersey. 👍
Thanks Jack!
You’ve got this Nathan! We’ve been watching you since day one..we feel like proud parents! We’ve watched you grow in so many ways! You’re doing a great job! Keep on keepin’ on!! 💕💞
I appreciate that Meloney, always great to read your comments.
Sounds good 👌 Good luck this season hope you pass your goals this season 👍
Thanks Brian!
Hey Nath. Hard work is great for healing the soul. Gives purpose, meaning and pride. I’m going through your grafting videos now. Very keen to do that also. No need to reply mate, we know you read and appreciate all the support we try to provide to you and your family.
Thanks Wayne, always great to hear from you.
Thanks for video and those queens cells look terrific.
Thanks Rainier!
What a day King Bob, Ian, and Duck River all drop videos. Now to get to watchin
👍
Scaling labor is a excellent point. One man show.
You got it! Running more woodenware is cheaper than cloning myself.
A good spring video , full of hope and opportunity
Thanks!
Great job grafting! Hoping you have a great year!
👍
Blessed Easter! Jesus is Alive! Thanks for the updates! Wishing you wisdom as you navigate life!! Am also feeling the pressure of the spring bee work starting!
Thanks!
You did a nice job with the video! I think you’ll do well this year. 👍🏻
Thanks!
I have to say I enjoy how you put your vlogs together. The ideas I have got from you, Bob, and Ian over the last couple of years has helped me to refine my style of beekeeping. This is my " make or break" year as well to see if I can manage flows well enough to be a sustainable sideliner with the ability to pull the trigger into full time at a moments notice. I'm looking forward to seeing your split video! I will be pulling splits on mine in a couple weeks as well! Happy Easter!!
Thanks Noah, good luck!
Would love to see some videos on the background side of the business. Give someone starting out what the hard not fun part of the business would be like. Good look at weather or not you want to start.
Love the video! Excited to see the new grafts in action
Thanks!
Your Honeys the best so far that I have had Thanks for sharing your videos with us. Try not to feel overwhelmed Give it your Best and that's. ALL ya can do 😊 Happy Easter. I'll keep you in prayer as well 🙏 Also are you catching swarms Still
Thanks! I’ll set out a few swarm traps this year but not many.
Great video. Look forward to hearing how the queens do in the future. Hopefully they will be gentle and have above average varroa resistance.
Thanks William, that’s the goal!
Looking good Nathan. It will all work out, just wait and see.
Thanks Russ!
@@DuckRiverHoney The good Lord has a plan for all of us and he'll guide you. Lean on Him.
I definitely feel like I’m being called to do this.
AWESOME as usual
Thanks Harold!
I’m in central Louisiana and I find the opposite in bee yards. I like north facing bee yards. In a warm winter bees will fly if the hives get sun. It’s vested for them to stay cool and dormant in those months and use less feed.
Have you had the bees for a long time in "the pond beeyard"? Some books say that having the bees flying over water on the way back, will increase mortality.
It’s my oldest yard.
Oh snap, what is that hive moving tool youve got?!? It looks like the ticket for a one man show
www.beebreedingcentre.com/product-page/hives-lifter-model-3
Chomping at the bit here in PA... 60 today (Easter) but three days of rain coming, then three days in the 40's probably with winds (lots of dang wind in March) before we get another 60 on April 8th. Hoping this forecast improves have folks wanting their nucs and even had a hive or two with eggs in cups so giving them a 4th box - just getting antsy to get some in depth inspections done and make some double screen splits!
Tough to get going in that sort of weather. Good luck Nancy!
Im sure you thought about this as you build your business. Selling bees is great income, nucs more specifically. What is the medium frame nuc market like? Also, many years from now, when you sell your business, like Bob Binnie is doing, what is the attraction for a bee business on mediums? When you finally hit a certain size, equipment will be needed like loaders and skid steers regardless of whether you are medium or deeps, i.e., totes of sugar syrup, drums of honey, or pallets of supers to name a few. So why use mediums that an old man would use at a hobby scale if you will eventually reach a commercial size business, looking for more income selling bees and resale value? Someday, you will have more bees that you want, and you will have to sell bees to keep a certain number, will mediums be an easy sell?
Good questions. I’ve thought about all those. It’s easier to go from all mediums to deeps and mediums than it is to go from deeps and mediums to all mediums. And yes, there are commercial ops that use all mediums.
Nathan good video thanks for the update on your plans. I am not sure if you are aware of working with distributors. just like I said to you on your larger grocery store chains video. Many distributors here too my follow a review schedule, with paperwork. if you get into a distributor many may charge a slotting fee per sku. Also, keep in mind that many of their retailers if they get your product into here too may. e a slotting fee or a free fill per store per sku. Again, even at the distributor, will want 16 weeks of deals typically. Honey, and the size of your operation should fall under natural/specialty. Also distributor will have their target markets meaning some will sell to grocery stores only. Some distributors service convenient store only and the same with food service.
Just some insight, I hope this helps you out.
I appreciate it Joseph, I've got a lot to learn about the industry, and how to be sustainably profitable in it.
Always nice to see someone else making mediums work. Good looking cell frame, happy to see a medium cell builder. I think I am too far north for spring queens in North Iowa, but I could make queens for fall splits. Is that basically a shortened deep cell frame or do they actually make a medium holder?
I cut the end bars to fit medium boxes.
Building right up! You're doing well, Nathan. Side question: What brand of jacket are you wearing? I have a Dadant jacket, but i hate the hood. I dont have the room around the neck that yours looks to have.
UltraBreeze is what I use.
Thanks, I'm going to look into them.
Do you have a video discussing your push pin method?
Wish you happy Ester ! I’m 4-5 weeks after you.
Thanks, you too!
Those are indeed good looking cells 😊 Does that hive lifter save your back or just make it easier to move hives?
Hive lifter does both. Hard to move big hives solo without it.
I think you’re under estimating the power of bougie farmers markets with your operation, we shall find out…. You’re gonna need to sell honey with how good you’re doing…
I don't call them 'head hunters'. Bees that just randomly are determined to sting me, I call them "59ers". They are 59 day old bees that are full of venom, old, grumpy, and will likely die tomorrow, but instead decide to go out as kamakazi's! My bees really love me.
Lol!
I’ve called them headhunters, but usually “assassins”
👍😆
Will them high lifters work if you have boards nailed to side of boxes for hand grips instead of hand holds cut into side boxes
I don’t know, I’ve never tried it.
Why only a few what's your thoughts on swarms. Thanks
It’s more time efficient and lower risk for me to make splits and rear queens. I’ll set up some traps for fun and insurance in case some hives swarm.
Probably isn't going to cut it as far as queen rearing. Run a queen excluder for 4 days and then you will know where she's at.
Didn’t have the weather. I’ve used that trick.
Think that hand truck could do 2 way pallets?
I believe he makes an attachment for two way pallets.
The weight of double’s worries me. I may give him a call. Appreciate your content, thank you!
I don’t know it would handle two full doubles.
Is Bee business profitable? ❤❤❤
It’s agriculture. Lots of work for a little money, and good quality of life.