Campuses:
Why not rear your own queens? The University of Minnesota Queen Rearing short course teaches one method of rearing queens that works consistently for both hobby and commercial beekeepers. Topics covered include queen and drone biology, timing of queen rearing in northern climates, stock selection and breeding for hygienic behavior, setting up mating yards, and record keeping. Everyone will have a chance to try their hand at grafting larvae and raising their own queens. A unique feature of the course is the section on queen rearing equipment designs that will allow you to build your own!
The cost for the 2 1/2 day course is $250.00 which includes Successful Queen Rearing manual, Honey Bee Diseases and Pests manual, lunch, and refreshments. Those attending the course may purchase a professional video (VHS or DVD) demonstrating the queen rearing techniques at a discount price of $30. Enrollment is limited to 32 people, so register early!
This course is for anyone interested in learning how to raise queens who has at least one year of beekeeping experience.
Due to the very high demand for this class and the limited number of people we can admit, we will be accepting 32 people by application only. There are many beekeepers that want to raise queens as part of their business or to breed locally adapted stock. Other beekeepers are simply curious how to produce queens but do not plan to raise them. In the past, we accepted people on a first-come-first served basis, which meant that sometimes people that need the course did not get in. This year we request that everyone submit answers to the questions listed below. We will put everyone on a waiting list, review the applications, and let you know if you have been accepted into the class by June 1. We will accept a limited number of people from all interest levels so we encourage everyone to apply. You will not be charged until you are accepted.
1. Explain your reason for taking this course, including why you want to raise queens.
2. How many years beekeeping experience do you have?
3. How many colonies do you maintain?
4. Have you raised queen bees in the past, and if so, how many?
Please Register online - click here -
Friday, July 6
8:30 Registration
9:00 Class
12:00 Lunch (provided)
1:00 Class
5:00 Adjourn
Saturday, July 7 (note: bring your own veil and other protective gear!)
8:30 Hive Manipulations and Grafting (Indoor, practice run)
12:00 Lunch (on your own)
1:15 Hive Manipulations and Grafting (Outdoor, real thing)
4:30 Adjourn
Sunday, July 8 (note: bring your own veil and other protective gear!)
9:00 Taking Grafting Cells out of Swarm Box and Placing in Finishing Colony
10:30 Adjourn
Marla Spivak, Professor, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
Gary Reuter, Scientist, Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota
by Kristen and Michael Traynor
View the 2012 registration form and agenda (pdf)
Refunds: $225 will be given to participants who cancel in writing by June 23, 2012
Cancellations: Send to Gary S. Reuter, 1980 Folwell Ave. Room 219, St. Paul, MN 55108-6125 or by email.
U of M Parking Service Website
Days Inn Roseville, Roseville, MN (651) 636-6730
Radisson Hotel, Roseville, MN (651) 636-4567
Super 8 Motel, Roseville, MN (651) 636-8888
