Episode Details

What can beekeepers learn from Australia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Georgia, and Thailand?

This week Jeff Ott and Dr. Becky Masterman welcome Dr. Robert Owen, beekeeper, educator, researcher, author, and international consultant, for a wide-ranging conversation about honey bees, beginning beekeeping, queen breeding, honey bee genetics, disease management, and global beekeeping practices.

Robert shares the remarkable story of purchasing his first colony in Australia, building a successful beekeeping supply company, earning a PhD in honey bee genetics, and writing several influential beekeeping books.

The discussion explores his newest publication, Beekeeping Success: Start Right, Grow Strong Colonies and Harvest More Honey, which was designed as a practical field guide organized around the questions beekeepers most frequently ask.

Listeners will also hear Robert's perspective on Varroa management in Australia, emerging concerns surrounding Tropilaelaps mites, international bee health programs, integrated pest management, queen isolation techniques, and the importance of collaboration among beekeepers worldwide.

From migratory pollination in Australia to beekeeping development projects in Africa and Asia, this conversation offers a fascinating global perspective on honey bee management and the future of beekeeping.

Websites from the episode and others we recommend:

• Robert Owen's Book on Amazon: Beekeeping Success: Start Right, Grow Strong Colonies, Harvest More Honey
• Honey Bee Health Coalition: https://honeybeehealthcoalition.org
• Project Apis m. (PAm): https://www.projectapism.org
• The National Honey Board: https://honey.com
• Honey Bee Obscura Podcast: https://honeybeeobscura.com

Copyright © 2026 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

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Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Vi