>I think it only fair to bring this to your attention, we all seem to be
>using the term 'Buckfast' too easily. My information tells me that there has
>been no importation of 'Buckfast' into the US for many years, with my
>knowledge of bee breeding and the gradual loss of purity I would suggest
>they cannot be called that anymore. It is highly unlikely that the traits
>you are looking for are still there. Buckfast Abbey have a licensing policy,
>and very strict controls of quality. To my knowledge there is no licensing
>agreement between Buckfast and the U.S.A.
 
 
According to "KEEPING BEES" by John Vivian, he writes:
  Native English brown bees were crossed with Italians, and used by the
bamous beekeeper Brother Adam and confreres fo Buckfast Abbey to save the
British bee industry from acarine disease in the early decades of this
century.  This vari-colored bee was bred for superior honey production,
gentleness, a compact brood nest, and good wintering on limited stores.
Their sale is lecensed in the USA only to Weaver Apiaries, Inc. of Navasota,
Texas.  Brother Adam's order gets a royalty on each queen sold.
 
<[log in to unmask]>  Vine Grove, Kentucky, USA
It's a great place to BEE!