• Mann Lake Ltd.

Thanks to these sponsors, you can enjoy this website without annoying popup ads!
You can show your appreciation by clicking on their banners above to go directly to their websites.


Miscellaneous articles


Welcome to the 4th Agricultural Revolution!

Contents THE OTHER AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTIONS. 3 The First Revolution (The Neolithic Revolution) 4 The Second Revolution. 4 The Third Revolution (The “Green Revolution”) 5 The Fourth Revolution (“Agriculture 4.0) 6 The Almond Industry. 6 The Honey Industry. 7 Miticide Resistance. 7 FACTORS INVOLVED IN ALMOND POLLINATION. 8 Demand from the Almond Industry. 8 Climate Change […]

Read More

Bear Fence

Updated parts list: May 23, 2014. In my area, our apiaries need to be protected from black bears.  Over the years, I’ve developed a simple and effective electric fence design.  You can download a pdf of plans and photos here: Bear Fence PDF  (updated 11 June 2023).

Read More

Queens For Pennies

First published in: American Bee Journal, March 2014

Queens for Pennies Originally published in ABJ March 2014 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com I’ve been encouraged in recent years by the number of beekeepers who appear to be successfully keeping locally-adapted stocks of bees without treatment for varroa.  I am a strong supporter of their efforts, and see them as the wave of the future. But […]

Read More

Reflections on the Honey Bee Health Summit

First published in: American Bee Journal, August 2013

Reflections on the Honey Bee Health Summit (And Other Random Thoughts) Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in August 2013   Into The Belly of the Beast Plant Breeders Drop the Demonization Let’s Be Logical Take Home Sound Bites Colony Health The Varroa/Virus Complex Pesticide Issues Agriculture and Nutrition Toxins Sentinel Apiaries Weighing the […]

Read More

A California Beekeeper Reports from Down Under

A California Beekeeper Reports from Down Under Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in Sept. 2008 Australia is in a unique situation—long-term drought, a massive feral bee population, honey flows every month of the year, a burgeoning demand for almond pollination, and the varroa mite knocking at the door. I’m freshly returned from an […]

Read More

A California Beekeeper Returns Down Under

A California Beekeeper Returns Down Under Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First Published in ABJ in October 2009 I’ve never had the means to travel to faraway places. Recently, however, I find myself in the fortuitous situation of having beekeepers actually pay my way to speak at conferences, so I am taking advantage of what is likely […]

Read More