Successful Queen & Drone Rearing Workshop

May 17-18, 2024

Instructors: Dale McMahan & Krispn Given

This course is designed for those who want to learn the art of queen rearing using the larval transfer technique (grafting). The two day course will be held at the Apis Engineering Facility.

In addition to hands-on practice, those attending the course will get a video (DVD) with their queen rearing manual (Given and Harpur) demonstrating the queen rearing techniques.

Enrollment is limited to 10 students with their own veil and protective suit, so register early! Pre-registration is required.

Cost of the two day course is $150 per student.

To register send an email to: dale.mcmahan@sbcglobal.net.
Please do not send money. A $50 non-refundable deposit is required. The remaining $100 registration fee will be collected on site.

Prerequisite:
At least one year of beekeeping experience

You will Learn:

  • Introduction to Queen Rearing Systems
  • Biology of Queens
  • Equipment Used
  • Record Keeping
  • Selecting Winter-Hardy Mite-resistant bees
  • Drone Biology
  • Commercial Queen Production
  • Preparing Finishing Colony
  • Preparing Swarm Box
  • Cloak Board System
  • Grafting (Hands On)
  • Alternative methods
  • Biology from Egg to Queen
  • Mating

Hotels Near Apis Engineering Headquarters


Agenda:

Friday, May 17th

8:00 am: Registration
9:00 am – Noon: Lecture: Queen and Drone Reproductive Biology. Queen Rearing in the 21st Century. Discussion.
Lunch (provided)
1:00 pm – 4 pm: Colony manipulations, set up starter colony and swarm box. Set up cloak board (optional).

4:00 pm Adjourn

Saturday, May 18th

8:30 am: Hive manipulations and practice grafting (In the laboratory)
12:00 pm: Lunch (provided)
1:15 pm: Placing grafted cups in finishing colony and swarm box

3:00 Place drone comb in drone nursery colony

4:00 pm Adjourn