Beekeeping

[CloverKnollFarms]

I harvested mine 2 weeks ago. Got honey from 8 out of my 10 hives and ended up with 237lbs to go with the 75lbs I got in July. Yields were down but still a pretty decent amount considering the drought conditions for out area.

We had a pretty extensive drought too. No measurable rain for three months. Brutal.

We had 5 established colonies from last year, the others were all added this year.

I have two new locations that have some great nectar flows, that we just placed hives on this year.

We harvested honey from (4) of the (11) we have going into winter. The first year swarms, except one, didn't make excess. Several new swarms were too weak to put up enough for winter, so they were culled.

Considering the weather and the few established hives we had this year, I'm happy. We earn more from building hives than we do honey sales... I don't think that will ever change.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Off to buy another $1000 in lumber for hives and stand builds this winter.

Its a good feeling having the shop stocked for 5 months of building. Now I can just hibernate.

These new frames are turning out amazing. I think I'm on track to build my 700th frame!

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Luckily lumber prices have been really stable.

6 hives there. Some assembly required.