Judging Apiary Products Dr. Fred Baxendale Department of Entomology University of Nebraska

Adult Divisions Extracted HoneyBeekeeping Photograph Creamed HoneyArt Design in Beeswax Chunk CombLotion & Soap Bars Cut CombBeeswax Candles Section CombGift Basket Beekeeping Craft

Youth Divisions Extracted Honey Beeswax, molded or sculpted Hive Products Display Drawing, Painting or Poster Beekeeping Craft

Judging Standards

Appearance & uniformity of containers5 Uniformity & accurate volume of honey5 Uniform honey in all containers of the entry5 Color10 Brightness10 Freedom from impurities, including froth20 Freedom from crystals10 Flavor & aroma15 Density, no additional points below 16% moisture20 TOTAL:100 Extracted Honey

Moisture Rankings* < pts pts pts pts pts pts pts pts pts pts pts pts pts pts pts. >18.60 pts. *Ellis Scale

Problems and Comments (Extracted Honey) High moisture (>18.6%) Improper fill depth Crystallization Pollen, lint, air bubbles or debris Fermentation odor, smoke, Bee-Go Scratched caps, defective jars

Creamed Honey Appearance & uniformity of containers5 Uniformity & accurate volume of honey5 Firmness of set (not runny but spreadable)20 Texture of granulation (smooth & fine)20 Absence of impurities, including froth15 Uniform honey in all containers of the entry10 Color10 Flavor & aroma15 TOTAL: 100

Problems and Comments (Creamed Honey) Firmness (too firm/not firm enough) Uneven granulation Liquid front present Improper fill depth Pollen, lint, air bubbles or debris Scratched caps, defective jars

Chunk Comb Honey Uniformity/cleanliness/general appearance30 Freedom from impurities & granulation20 Quality of the liquid honey25 Quality & neatness of comb honey20 Uniform & accurate volume of honey5 TOTAL: 100

Problems and Comments (Chunk Comb – Comb Phase) Uniform thickness of comb Neatness of cut Comb orientation (tilt of cells) Freedom from pollen White cappings desirable

Problems and Comments (Chunk Comb – Liquid Phase) High moisture (>18.6%) Improper fill depth (fill to bead) Crystallization Air bubbles, wax flakes, pollen, lint Fermentation odor, smoke, Bee-Go

Cut Comb in Plastic Boxes Accuracy & neatness of cut edges of comb20 Uniform depth & filling of honey cells20 Complete, uniform & clean cappings20 Quality & uniformity of honey20 Freedom from leakage & general appearance20 TOTAL: 100

Problems and Comments ( Cut Comb ) Size & uniform thickness of comb Neatness of cut Travel stain Improper drainage (leakage) Wax flakes Pollen cells

Section Comb Honey (Wood or Round) Suitability, uniformity & cleanliness of sections15 Completeness, uniformity & cleanliness of cappings30 Uniform & completely filled honey cells30 Quality & uniformity of honey15 Weight & completeness of attachment of comb10 TOTAL: 100

Problems and Comments (Section Comb Honey) Incomplete attachment to section Non-uniform thickness of comb Incomplete capping Travel stains, excess propolis Leakage

Art Design in Beeswax (Molded) Color between straw & canary yellow25 Cleanliness (free from honey & impurities)25 Novelty of molded item25 Neatness of workmanship25 TOTAL: 100

Beeswax Candles Color between straw & canary yellow 25 Cleanliness (free from honey & impurities) 25 Freedom from cracking, shrinking & marks 25 Neatness of workmanship 25 TOTAL: 100

Problems and Comments (Beeswax) Shrinkage due to improper cooling Unnatural odors (e.g., cigarette smoke) Edges not smoothed Dust, debris, wax flakes Ideal color: straw to canary yellow

Beekeeping Photograph, Drawing or Painting Originality25 Technical merit25 Educational merit25 Framed display25 TOTAL:100

Gift Basket or Hive Products Display Originality25 Eye appeal & neatness25 Suitability of containers & contents25 Quality of contents25 TOTAL: 100

Originality25 Neatness of workmanship25 Educational merit25 Eye appeal25 TOTAL:100 Beekeeping Craft

Preparing Apiary Products for Exhibition

Preparing Liquid Honey for Exhibition

Use fully-capped frames of honey Use fully-capped frames of honey Press honey and store in closed containers Press honey and store in closed containers Warm honey to 145°F in heated water Warm honey to 145°F in heated water Strain honey through nylon Strain honey through nylon Cool honey to 130°F, let bubbles rise Cool honey to 130°F, let bubbles rise Preparing the Honey

Use new, washed jars with no defectsUse new, washed jars with no defects Run out 1 lb. of honeyRun out 1 lb. of honey Tilt jar, fill with small stream down inside wall of jarTilt jar, fill with small stream down inside wall of jar Fill to bead (1/4" from top)Fill to bead (1/4" from top) Check lid for defects, scratches or debris; tighten firmlyCheck lid for defects, scratches or debris; tighten firmly Filling the Jars

Place jars in sunny locationPlace jars in sunny location After several days, check for:After several days, check for: Ring of foam on honey surface -- remove with toothpickRing of foam on honey surface -- remove with toothpick Debris on lid liner -- remove with clean, damp clothDebris on lid liner -- remove with clean, damp cloth Repeat procedure several times before displaying honeyRepeat procedure several times before displaying honey Final Preparations

Preparing Beeswax for Exhibition

Use only capping wax Use only capping wax Wash cappings and place in sack until thoroughly dry Wash cappings and place in sack until thoroughly dry Melt cappings over heated water Melt cappings over heated water Skim debris from surface Skim debris from surface Filter wax through cloth into block molds for future use Filter wax through cloth into block molds for future use Preparing the Wax

Carefully remove dust and debris from moldCarefully remove dust and debris from mold Melt wax in double boiler at 185 °FMelt wax in double boiler at 185 °F Pour molten wax through filter into molds using one continuous pouringPour molten wax through filter into molds using one continuous pouring As wax cools, add more wax to insure a smooth, flat bottomAs wax cools, add more wax to insure a smooth, flat bottom Molding the Wax

Carefully remove wax from moldCarefully remove wax from mold Remove seam if necessaryRemove seam if necessary Clean and smooth bottom of entryClean and smooth bottom of entry Final Preparations