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> The beekeeper took the best of survivors from around the U.S. ( a few of
> these queens had been a one in two thousand survivior) , added a super
> hygienic queen which was twice as hygienic as researchers consider
hygienic,
> used an SMR queen, Russian genes and started a six way closed breeding
> program using instrumental insemination to control mating.
>
> The first few years were disappointing but then varroa tolerance began to
> show up.

> Bob Harrison

Hi Bob and All,
The knowledge and push for hygienic behavior goes way back to Steve Tabor.
The info has been out for a long time. The real problem is breeding for
hygienic behavior
Two genes are involved , that is known.So you can be going along just fine ,
then you loose one.
A six way cross gives you some diversity. That is one reason Dr. Rinderer
has gone back to Russia
to get more stock.To make a sustainable change in the bee, you need a large
pool of genes. Inbreeding will come back to bite you.
No matter what stock that has a resistance to varroa , you will need to cull
out the bees that don't meet your needs.
I wish we did have a straight line to heaven, its a little more complicated
that just putting in a new queen and your there.
Beekeepers need to be beekeepers and pay attention to there hives. There is
no option for GOOD beekeeping.
Dee has got one answer. I think it is a good one. Russian stock has worked
for me.Both have taken a lot of work and attention.
We do need more breeders to get onboard. I know one up here in Washington,
that I'm mentoring. Young and knows bees and queen production.He came from
Kona.  Keep pushing improved stock by nature and it will work in the long
run.
Best Regards
Roy

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