Paul Densem is a queen breeder based south-east of Christchurch in the Port Hills of Banks Peninsula New Zealand. Paul has created his own line of bees descending swarms that he caught when he first started beekeeping. Paul’s line of Italian bees have been selectively bred to produce high yields of honey and display calm temperaments. Paul’s business is Valley Apiaries. He offers queen bees for commercial and hobbyist beekeepers. 

1:14 Paul’s Swarms 

1:43 What Paul looks for in his queens 

6:30 How long Paul worked on his bees until he was happy with them

7:20 How Paul got into breeding

9:20 What mating nucs Paul uses

10:40 Paul’s small amount of introduced stock

12:30 Diversifying genetics 

12:45 Drones

13:10 The rearing system Paul uses

17:50 Paul’s climate  

21:00 Where you can find Paul

21:44 Paul’s honey

23:20 Varroa

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Podcast proudly brought to you by 

Brent Nixon at Nixon Queen Bees (Ballarat VIC, Australia)

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