This year’s cool spring posed some challenges for beekeepers across the state, forcing them to rush to get everything prepared for this year’s honey production. However, despite the cold weather, the honey harvest is looking promising.
James Hillemeyer is the Co-Owner of LB Werks and a Director of the Wisconsin Honey Producers Association. He gives a look at how the honey harvest is coming along this summer and what beekeepers must do to prepare for the fall and winter months.
Hillemeyer says that harvest started around mid-July and will go through the end of August and possibly into September. Right now, he says that early reports from beekeepers are projecting the crop to be larger than last year.
Hillemeyer adds that beekeepers are constantly working to get ahead.
“There’s a saying in beekeeping,” says Hillemeyer, “‘There’s just not enough hours in the day’, especially in the spring, summer, and fall.”
As beekeepers approach the fall months, they work to remove excess honey from the hive while leaving enough for the bees to feed on during the winter time. They also administer medications for any diseases and pests that the bees are facing. A large amount of beekeepers then send their bees south for the winter. Many of those bees go to California to pollinate the almond crop.
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