"Roger White" wrote about AMM v Italians.

Roger, you hit the nail on the head.

Today I have been around something like 130 colonies (Spring has arrived at
last!).

Most colonies are a mix, but leaning towards AMM.  Pure AMM colonies were
fed approx 6kg of fondant last Autumn, mongrels 8kg, one Italian stock (a
swarm from a neighbouring beekeeper!) was fed 12.5kg.

Today, as the flow from rape starts, pure AMM had on average 3kg still
unconsumed, mongrels had used their fondant and were heavy, but the Italians
were on the point of starvation!

Despite the difference in colony size and winter stores requirements, there
is no significant difference in the crop gathered - the AMM produce just as
much honey as the mongrels or Italians.

This year I plan to increase the number of pure AMM.  Not only do they
produce as much honey for less input, but they are also low swarming and
tend to supersede, so no swarm control inspections are required (as huge
saving in workload!) and they live happily in one British National brood
box - light to handle and ideal for moving to other crops, e.g. heather.
Difficult to understand why anybody would keep anything else!

Peter Edwards
[log in to unmask]
www.stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk/

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