Queen Grafting & Rearing Workshop

1401 Hark Ave.,Rock Rapids IA 51246

20 May, 2023

Description

Phil Westra is a pastor and sideline beekeeper (westrabees.com) from Sanborn, IA who learned the craft of queen rearing in Vermont. With more than five years of queen rearing success, Phil will discuss and demonstrate how to multiply a favorite colony, to save money by raising queens, and to rear winter-hearty queens. This workshop will provide basic information for raising queens from using a simple walk-away split to grafting larva into queen cell cups. Attending beekeepers will practice the grafting of larva. Topics: • Working with the biological instincts of honey bees. • Prioritizing and selecting for genetic traits • Setting-up a cell builder colony • Gathering equipment for grafting, rearing, and mating queens. • Evaluating raised queens • Making splits & introducing queens • Re-queening colonies • Caring for queen cells that are available after the workshop. Workshop fee: $75/person to be paid no later than May 18th. The fee will cover: • Instructor’s stipend • Queen grafting workshop equipment/supplies • Refreshments & lunch • Queen rearing door prizes • Each workshop participant will receive up to three queen cells picked-up on Memorial Day, May 29th. Workshop details will be emailed to participants on May 18th. If you have questions about the upcoming May events, please contact: • Tim Olsen – 507-227-5919 or email: [email protected] • Sean Johnson – 515-320-0805 or email: [email protected]