> I got started with NZ packages and used them to supplement losses as
> necessary. I now find local breeders can supply all requirements. In my
> view Canada is now independent from need to source queens/packages
> externally.

Canada imports a lot of packages and queens, the latter item both legally and
illegally.  Bees are very expensive, so I presume those who purchase them need
them.  Even with imports, there are shortages of bees in some areas, and some
good bee pasture is not exploited because of the high cost of replacement bees
and the difficulty and uncertainty of managing overwintered bees.

Some operators in prime areas have been very successful at maintaining their
numbers over a decade or more without much outside assistance and are pretty
cocky about it, not realising that they are riding on luck, and that their turn
could come at any time.  They are also not considering all the other types of
operators in the diverse regions of the country that want or need cheap bees.

My experience in this part of Alberta is that the successful commercial
operators typically purchase packages amounting to about 10% of their numbers
each year as a form of insurance and to reduce the demands on their hives from
splitting.  Offshore queens are consumed in high numbers in early spring.  Sure
they could get by without buying bees, but they have enough to do without trying
to compete with those who are better situated to raise replacement bees.

Sure we can get by without any imports.  That applies to more than bees; we can
get by without Florida oranges and Mexican tomatoes, and Middle eastern oil, and
Korean microwaves and Dodge turbo diesel trucks from the states, but the quality
of life and the effort to maintain it would be much higher, and the
opportunities less.

There is no doubt that if all imports were to be cut off, there would still be
successful beekeepers in Canada, but there would be many less and the areas with
resident large beekeepers would be fewer.  Some essential activities that depend
on bees, but are hard on them, like pollination, would suffer.

> > In regards to Canadians being dissatisfied with NZ packages.  The last
> > few years I've been using NZ packages and found very good results with
> > honey production and with wintering.

In the past 30 years, I have had good and bad packages from the USA, good and
bad packages from Australia, good and bad packages from New Zealand.  I've had
good and bad queens from the USA, including Hawaii, good and bad queens from the
Australia, and good and bad queens from New Zealand.

Each country is diverse and each producer has good seasons and bad seasons.
Generalizing is like saying all dogs are Great Danes.

Cheers

allen