30) Kirk Webster (US)

Kirk has been keeping bees for over 50 years and has not treated for varroa since 2002. His methods are inspired by his experiences with organic farming. Kirk’s approach to varroa is very hands off. He maintains the colonies by producing nucs that he overwinters. Apart from some issues resulting from modern agriculture, Kirk feels as though his beekeeping experience at present is almost the same as before he first came across varroa. You can read more about Kirk's work here https://kirkwebster.com/Comment or leave feedback on the episode post in the Facebook group for this podcast https://www.facebook.com/groups/breedingthehoneybeeThis podcast is proudly brought to you by Brent Nixon at Nixon Queen Bees in Ballarat Australia. Email Brent at [email protected]:52 Why people should raise their own queens 4:58 Kirk’s start raising queens 8:04 Kirk’s mating nucs 10:50 Beekeeping at Buckfast Abbey11:34 Feeding mating nucs 16:18 Early experiencing with selective breeding 19:11 Selection for varroa 23:57 Starting the treatment free route 26:45 Nucs that survived winter 28:28 Survivor stock29:29 Last treatment in 200231:47 Mite counts 35:02 Open apiary Episode Musichttps://audionautix.com/