Remembering Apple Bees: Hansen’s honors legen-dairy queen

By Meta Hemenway-Forbes, Hansen’s Dairy Marketing Manager

Farmer Blake and Apple Bees wear special glasses to watch the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

“The family lost a great one today.”

That’s the heartbreaking text Herd Manager Farmer Blake sent out on Wednesday last week. It wasn’t a surprise. Still, it wasn’t easy.

On Wednesday, Aug. 20, Hansen’s Dairy lost a legend. Apple Bees, our sassiest superstar cow, died at the age of 11. She was the oldest cow on the farm, but more importantly, she was the boss. And she made sure everyone knew it.

Apple Bees was never just another Holstein. She was the farm’s queen, our social media celebrity and Farmer Blake’s right-hoof gal. Together, they brought fans joy through countless silly videos: summer swims in the pond, knock-knock jokes, giant handmade eclipse sunglasses, and even dramatic movie reenactments. (Hollywood, you missed out.)

Big and bold

At right, a very sassy Apple Bees strongly encourages a herd mate to move out of her way.

Apple Bees’ personality was larger than life. She was bold, bossy and stubborn in all the best ways. She didn’t ask for respect. No, ma’am. She demanded it. And the rest of the herd gave her the requisite space.

“If she could talk, she would have said: ‘I’m the queen of the farm and can do no wrong,’” Blake said.

Last fall, Apple Bees fell seriously ill. We thought we’d lose her then. As was her way, she lived life on her own terms and made a miraculous recovery.

“I loved how strong she was, how she was never ready to give up without a hard fight,” said farm employee Bri Snyder. “She was one of a kind, and I hope that cow gets to cow heaven.”

Making history

From left are Apple Bees; her daughter Apple Salad; granddaughter Apple Shreds; great-granddaughter Apple Donut; and great-great-granddaughter Apple Pastry.

Apple Bees wasn’t just special to us. She was historic. She became the matriarch of five living generations of cows, plus a sixth-generation bull. That’s a rare, hard-won achievement in the dairy world, requiring excellent herd care, plenty of patience and, let’s be honest, a little luck.

Apple Bees lived long enough to see her family tree branch into daughter Apple Salad; granddaughter Apple Shreds; great-granddaughter Apple Donut; great-great-granddaughter Apple Pastry; and great-great-great-grandson Apple Jack.

Apple Bees’ bond with Farmer Blake was especially sweet and evident in every social media video starring the two. There was a mutual fondness and respect. Our Facebook fans will really miss her.

Apple Bees meets her great-great-great-grandson Apple Jack in November 2024.

Queen Bees

We’ll miss her, too. Apple Bees wasn’t just a cow. She was an icon. A queen. A diva with a heart of gold (and probably a crown tucked away somewhere).

“My favorite thing about her was when she got the opportunity to roam the farm, she always chose to lie down in the spot where she could both look out over her ‘queendom’ and watch the kangaroos,” said Blake’s wife, Jordan Hansen.

Apple Bees was laid to rest on the farm in that very spot. Rest easy, Queen Bees. We’ll keep your queendom safe, and your legacy will live on in our family, in our barn and in the laughter of everyone who ever watched you don giant sunglasses, party hats, pool floaties and blonde wigs. RIP, legen-dairy girl.