Grafted Splits, Mated Queens, and Drought Stress

Today I’m back in the apiary after about two weeks without filming. I’ve been super busy with my day job, and also trying to keep things moving, and emergency feeding because of the drought, so this video is a full catch-up on where the queen rearing project, grafted splits, mini mating nucs, and mated queens stand now. I walk through the apiary and explain what happened with the splits, how many queens are marked, which hives are still waiting on mated queens, and how the mini mating nucs performed. I also move a double nuc with two newly mated grafted queens over to the Wolf Yard, release them, and inspect the setup so you can see how those new queens are progressing. This is one of those real-world apiary update videos where a lot has happened between filming days—some progress, too many setbacks, and plenty of lessons learned along the way. What you’ll see in this video: • Two-week apiary catch-up • Grafted split updates • Marked queens and mated queen progress • Mini mating nuc results • Moving a double nuc to the Wolf Yard • Inspecting newly mated grafted queens • Managing splits during dry/drought conditions 🐝 Subscribe and follow along as I continue this queen rearing season, track these grafted queens, and work through real beekeeping decisions in the apiary. 2026 Channel Supporters: 🐝HiveAlive: Feed Supplement, Pollen Patties, Fondant and EZ feed bags: https://usa.hivealivebees.com?sca_ref... Use Coupon Code DARREN10 to get 10% off your purchases at HiveAlive. 🐝Apimaye: https://apimayeusa.com/?sca_ref=62808... 🐝Guardian Bee Apparel: https://guardianbeeapparel.com/ Guardian Vision Pro Fit Veils: ➡️ guardianbeeapparel.com/shop/guardian-vision-round-veil/ ➡️ guardianbeeapparel.com/shop/guardian-vision-profit-veil/ 🐝Apis Tactical: https://apis-tactical.com/ 🐝HillCo LLC: https://hillcobees.com/ 🐝Bee Smart Designs: https://www.beesmartdesigns.com/ Social Media I’m on: Facebook:   / jeromebeefarm   Instagram:   / jerome_bee_farm_and_homestead   My wife’s Instagram:   / jerome_barbara   My Wildlife Channel: Game Cam Wildlife:    / @gamecamwildlife9158   Stay cool with - Neck Fan: https://amzn.to/3QeGMaz & FlexiFreeze Ice Vest: https://amzn.to/3Yd2M7O My Guardian Bee Apparel Jacket with Pro Fit Access Veil: https://guardianbeeapparel.com/shop/v... Newer version of My Hilco Bottling tank: https://hillcobees.com/products/delux... Newer version of My HillCo Cappings tank: https://hillcobees.com/products/profe... Beekeeping Equipment I use Regularly and Recommend: Queen Rearing: JZBZ Queen Cell Cup Frame with 4 bars and cups 56 $20.99 https://amzn.to/3YbtOOgHair Roller Cages (20) with frame mounting fixture (Nicot) $12.99 https://amzn.to/42M4ks0Queen Rearing Cups (brown) (for Nicot) 500 $18.06 https://amzn.to/4iCDf0v or $9.49 https://amzn.to/3RyMQKEWood queen frame $29.95 https://amzn.to/3YgTAk6 Test Tube Holder: https://amzn.to/44qVzEP Queen Cage Carrier with 20 Cages: https://amzn.to/44gEMpt Queen Release Cages 20 ea: https://amzn.to/3Ezkux6 Genesis Incubator: https://amzn.to/4iFTtG1 Mann Lake Part Numbers for roller cage type: QC 117 Roller cage, C111 Brown Queen Cup, QC124 Cup Holder QC103, Wood Queen rearing frame, QC102 Wood Cell Bar Frame Lorob 20V instavap – purchase at Apimaye: https://apimayeusa.com/?sca_ref=62808... Honey Refractometer: https://amzn.to/2Vi9z3E Beetle Blaster Small Hive Beetle Traps: https://amzn.to/3hNEEBT Easy Mite alcohol Wash Mite Checker: https://amzn.to/2T19ME0 One handed queen catcher: https://amzn.to/2A5fQlf Posca Queen Marking Pens: https://amzn.to/3b1EN4r Metal Queen Excluders: https://amzn.to/36qeKjJ Equipment you see in my videos: Gorilla Cart 1400 lb wagon: https://amzn.to/2DGgYRz Work Tunes hearing protection: https://amzn.to/2C8jX4K Weather Station: https://amzn.to/2PA1y4b Syrup Dispenser that I assembled with a North Star Sprayer: -Gas Pump style fill nozzle: https://amzn.to/3iu3Zoo -North Star Sprayer: https://amzn.to/3zfGlSI -Adapter Fitting: https://amzn.to/3iAZdpn Check out other equipment and tools I regularly use in our Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/jeromebee... Jerome Bee Farm & Homestead T-Shirts, Mugs and other merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/jerome-b... Some of the links in this list are affiliate links, which Jerome Bee Farm & Homestead, as an Amazon Associate, will earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. These funds help maintain my camera gear, beekeeping equipment and improve the quality of my videos. Thank you for supporting Jerome Bee Farm & Homestead. #beekeeping #queenrearing #graftedsplits #honeybees #apiary #beekeeper #matedqueens #queensplits #minimatingnucs #beekeepinglife