The Walrus and the Honey Bee

By: Steve Donohoe
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  • Summary

  • A friendly, informative space for both new and seasoned beekeepers, offering practical advice, personal storytelling, and an emphasis on responsible care for honey bees. Steve Donohoe is a bee farmer, author, and magazine editor based in Cheshire, UK. He works alongside his son, Alex.
    2017 - 2025 Steve Donohoe
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Episodes
  • Beekeeping Essentials: Introducing Queens

    Beekeeping Essentials: Introducing Queens
    Mar 1 2025
    Imogen reads from Steve's blog post, in which sets out his latest learnings and understanding of this sometimes tricky subject. How to introduce a new queen into a colony that has lost it's own.Bluesky Threads Instagram YouTube Facebook
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    18 mins
  • Early Spring 25 Update

    Early Spring 25 Update
    Feb 21 2025
    As we move from winter into spring here in England, Steve Donohoe discusses over-wintering success, feeding colonies, and plans for once the season kicks off.Bluesky Threads Instagram YouTube Facebook
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    9 mins
  • Room For All Types Of Beekeeper

    Room For All Types Of Beekeeper
    Jan 27 2025

    Intro

    00:25 New book by Dorian Pritchard on conservation of native bees

    01:10 Argument for conservation of native bees, legally protected areas should be created

    02:40 Is the black bee really the best bee for all people? I think not, but each to their own.

    04:40 Sue Coby's New World Carniolan project could be a template to follow

    05:00 Examples of human interference in nature to domesticate wild animals into farming livestock. Also BEAGLES!

    07:20 Modern commercial bee farming, selective breeding of honey bee queens

    08:15 Good things about bee farming, pollination increasing crop yields

    09:15 Some negative things about bee farming: miticides, reduced diversity, competition with wild pollinators, spread of pathogens

    11:20 EU policies to assist apiculture and pollinators

    11:50 Selective breeding - objectives and methods, isolated mating, instrumental insemination

    12:55 Natural selection - survivors pass on resilience

    14:10 Advantages of natural selection

    15:00 Downside to natural selection, low honey, unpredictable temperament, short term high losses

    15:55 Conclusion - we can have both

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    18 mins

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