We are now accepting students for the 2026 Instrumental Insemination Courses. See course dates below:
First course: June 24-25, 2026
Second course: July 10-11, 2026
Third course: July 24-25, 2026
These classes are designed for beekeepers and researchers who want to improve their population of honey bees and maintain a breeding program with increased survival for their area. Pre-registration required!
Detailed instruction and hands-on practice of semen collection and insemination of queens will be emphasized. Selective breeding principles will be presented along with the preparation and care of virgin queens and drones. Successful queen rearing skills are a prerequisite.
Virgin queens and drones will be provided for the students. Students will take their successfully inseminated queens home.
Students will be provided the use of a Queen Station at no additional charge.
To register send an email to: dale.mcmahan@sbcglobal.net.
Please do not send cash. A $600 non-refundable check deposit is required. The remaining $600 registration fee will be collected on-site.
Prerequisite:
Advanced beekeeping skills and a thorough understanding of queen and drone rearing.
The cost of the two-day interactive course is $1,200
Instructors: Krispn Given, Apiculture Specialist, Department of Entomology, Purdue University
Dale McMahan, Apis Engineering, Master Beekeeper
The two-day course is taught principally by Krispn Given, who has extensive beekeeping/ honey bee breeding experience including running & maintaining the honey bee breeding program at Purdue University for the last eighteen years. He has also been involved in several scientific research projects. He was instrumental in developing the “Mite-Biter” bee strain that is gaining popularity with beekeepers across the country.
2026 Master Classes
Individual training will also be offered with custom classes specializing in advanced training for individuals with some previous II training who want to target problem areas or refine their instrument technique. II’Q introduction and care will be explained in detail along with successful breeding program paradigms.