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Sun, 19 Aug 2007 15:16:08 -0400 |
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Dave Cushman <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>There is constant chopping and changing to whatever is 'flavour of the
>month' with strains imported over vast distances. This has been so for
>the last fifty years if not the last century,
Hello Dave,
ONLY since the quest for a varroa resistant mite (IMO, after 1995) have I
seen such a Hodgepodge of ‘bee flavors‘. Prior to this, the ‘so called
Italian’ strains dominated my area since the later 1800‘s so I
understand. Any swarm caught would have accompanying traits that were
very predictable and highly manageable. NOW, it’s a risky adventure to
collect swarms without heavy assessing and heavy culling.
>I do not think the answer is exotic breeds or any particular bee,
I agree.
However, I believe it can potentially be beneficial if ‘properly
implemented’.
IMO< The quest for varroa tolerance has been largly at the expense
of 'management traits’. The complaint I hear most often in my area
nowadays is NOT concerning varroa problems, but instead about hot
colonies. This IMO, seems to suggest a failure in proper selection
occurring at the breeders end. I don’t want to publicly describe the
situation as catastrophic, just that it is certainly a severe annoyance
and thorn in the side (or should I say stinger in the side) ;) of
beekeepers in my area.
Joe Waggle ~ Derry, PA
‘Bees Gone Wild Apiaries'
FeralBeeProject.com
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