>> > What was interesting was that the most prolific hive was the first to
> show AFB this year.

I can give you an observation-wouldn't start a war over it. It is possible 
it is
applicable here.
I try to be careful to not try to use a hive for a breeder simply because it
produces  both an abundance of honey and is a few years into the
no-mite-treat cycle.  Without really elaborating(except to say that I 
believe that there is a limit on
the amount of variability a "kind" of animal can have) It seems to me that
as you push an animal to its genetic limit in any direction you  pay a
price that is reflected in loss of genetic information,and (in general) in a
reduced ability to survive.
I call certain hives "one shot wonders" .and it "seems:" to me they tend to 
be
vulnerable to all sorts of attacks.
( This is not  in contradiction to the positive effects that may come from
hybridization.)
This observation seems to be confirmed not only  in beekeeping but in animal
breeding in general.

John Horton
N Alabama

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