I concur with Charlie's latest post--the queen producers that I know are
professionals whose queens must compete each year in the demanding market
of other professional beekeepers.  Do some select for color?  Yes, since
part of the market demands queens of a certain color.  Do they select for
performance?  Yes, if they wish to stay in business!

> In a prior note you singled out  OHB,  I happen to know Ray fairly well
and I am quite positive of his style and influence on the bee industry that
his entire family has been a part of.  Ray has more class than me,  if you
were to make this claim to him,  he would quiz you on it first, and
probably wouldn’t argue.

I also concur--the Olivarez's are personal friends, and some of the most
conscientious people that I've ever met, with respect to attempting to
produce quality products, in how they treat their employees, and how they
help our industry.

> A few were more aggressive than the rest, but once the pheromones are in
the air in a yard, even a normal hive will turn defensive.

Absolutely my experience also.  We work bees all day, every day.  If it's
not raining or snowing, we rarely wear any protective gear, or at most a
loose veil thrown over our head.  At the first whiff of alarm pheromone, we
immediately back off for a few minutes, since if we don't, under some
circumstances the entire yard can become unworkable (without protective
gear) within minutes.  On the other hand, a pause will allow us to continue
happily working with gentle bees.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html