President: Kenneth Hammond
Kenny@okbees.org
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Honey Marketing and Production Tips
Sugar
Cakes 1 - Sugar Tray, 2" deep 1. Mix water and vinegar. Honey
Marketing and Production Tips I started keeping bees about 1970 with five hives. My sales were to friends and at work. Soon I increased to ten hives, then twenty. At that time, I started looking at how to expand my market. A local health food store in Edmond became my first customer twenty-seven years ago. As my market expanded, I had to increase the number of hives. I made the decision that once a new store or market was added, I would be able to supply them with honey year-round. I hoped I could produce enough honey to do this, so I work even harder to keep my bees healthy and on good locations. As my honey production increased, I added more markets. I have purchased honey from other beekeepers who had a surplus and who were not able (because of time constraints or for health reasons) to market their honey. My customers want local honey, not honey from other states or foreign countries. Believe me, local honey will sell! Potential Markets
Planning the Size of the Business Think small and build up. Start with ten to fifteen hives that can be split each year, increasing your production without having to buy new bees. The particular market you choose will determine the number of hives you will want. A hive will produce from four to five gallons of honey per season. Some will do better, some not as well. When I started selling my honey off-premises, my processing facility (honey house) then had to be inspected by the county/state health department. Basic requirements are a floor drain, concrete floor, three-compartment sink, hand-washing sink, mop sink, and a paper towel holder. Time Required The time required to keep bees depends on the number of hives you have to work and where you locate your hives. I have hives in a thirty-mile radius of my home in six locations. Next spring I will add another location. In Oklahoma, bees produce honey between February 15 and October 1. During the other months, I make new hives and frames, repair worn-out hives, and add additional hives. I also cook sugar patties for winter feeding. Starting in February, hives are checked about every twenty days. In mid-March this changes to every two weeks. From April through July, hives must be checked every seven to ten days. April is the month to split the hives and order queens. Splitting hives enables me to use my own bees to start new hives. By the end of July, the honey is usually ready to be pulled. County Extension agencies can direct a potential beekeeper to a local beekeepers' club in your area. Oklahoma has a state Beekeepers Association that meets once a year and publishes a newsletter. Great friendships are formed through these clubs, and members are always available to answer questions and give help. Visiting other bee yards is another activity of interest and help. Two journals I have subscribed to for years and years are The American Bee Journal and Bee Culture. There are about a dozen good bee supply companies in the U.S. offering nice catalogs. Examples are: American Bee Journal, http://www.dadant.com/, Bee Culture, http://www.beeculture.com/beeculture/index.htm . Equipment It isn't necessary to start with all new equipment. Used equipment and established hives are a good and economical way to begin. Some may want to build their own hives. You will need:
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