Hello All,

"Queens for local conditions" does not mean the queens have to be from the
area.

Bees are bees! Some are a joy to work and other lines area a pain. All races
have got their pro's & con's.

In my * opinion* all the current lines being sold in the U.S. reflect what
the queen producer  is selecting for. Why would they not?

I would love to use names here but will stick to my rules.

The top three queen producers  selling Italian lines place prolific and
honey production at the top of their selection criteria.

I have listened to many Sue Cobey talks and  what she said on what she
selects for in her breeder queens . Plus what the other carnilolan sellers
sellect for   honey production is say 5 or 6 on the list.

Now if you requeen every year as many commercial beekeepers do and your
business is only honey production (mine is not) then which of the above
races do you go with?

I might add you will get bees which vary in gentleness, honey production
etc. if you are only raising queens from survivors. After years of raising
survivors and you get a line able to tolerate the mites then selection for
other traits can be done from those survivors.

If you have been using NWC or Italian queens from U.S. queen producers and
you switch all your bees to Russian (unless one of the decent hybrids I have
discussed before but those are less varroa tolerant from my tests) I think
you might be  disappointed in the bee you are working with. Those which have
switched their whole operation to Russian/Russian report many traits they do
not care for or *are not used to*. Reason  is simple! The lines have not
been selected for the traits they are used to seeing from the NWC & Italian
lines. Keeping Russian lines needs a management change .

I do not care for the heavy use of propolis by many Russian and survivor
lines. I guess I am not used to the propolis use after my other lines.
getting supers off is a pain and upsets the bees as frames are pulled up
from below! Also a problem with the lower box when removing the top brood
box.


Bob

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