> My experience is that small cell doesn't seem to make a difference.

Having tested small cell and spoke at length with Dee I am always amazed at
the number of beekeepers (even some on BEE-L) which do not understand her
methods. Dee has never said her success is only because of cell size. read
the articles.
No outside wax for foundation. no chemicals or antibiotics. No outside
queens.
She sells honey into the U.K. and welcomes testing of her honey.

As far as the AHB hoax I still hear people giving presentations saying not
to buy a queen from Texas.

Interesting *old*  story from the Los Angeles Times: (1994)

Market Scene: Killer Bees make Honey of a deal with Brazil:
"Production has Soared sine the ornery invaders took over beekeepers hives"

HTTP://articles.com/1994-04.05/news/wr-42272_1_afri


Dee's  success has continued decades. If because of AHB then I want some
queens.

Did Warwick Kerr succeed in creating a "super bee"?

In my opinion California queen and package sellers pushed the AHB hoax
story to get the Texas business. Then pushed the story small hive beetle was
a reason to not buy from Georgia or Florida.
AHB and SHB have been in California for a long time. (personal experience).

By scaring beekeepers they created a new demand for California queens and
package bees driving up prices. Think about what I am saying. When did the
prices go up? Where did the prices go up?

In quantity Georgia packages still  almost half California packages.

In America markets are manipulated as I have watched and saw money made.

I enjoyed the presentation by Dee Lusby pertaining to the U.S. commercial
beekeeping industry in the documentary "Vanishing of the Bees".

Many were upset but personally Dee was more right than wrong in her
assessment in my opinion.

Does not matter if you agree with the conclusion or not the documentary
should be viewed by all beekeepers. Long list of beekeepers and researchers
were interviewed for the documentary.

The chemical treadmill is predictable in the result. ALL of Big Ag and most
farmers are on the treadmill. What happens when Big Ag runs out of chemical
options?

2 4 D is the next big move. related to the dioxin relative in Viet Nam named
"Agent orange". The herbicide is being used today with corn as roundup is
failing.

*If* small cell is not the reason for Dee's success maybe Dee could sell us
some queens. Completely legal to ship right.

Cheers!

bob

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