On Thu, 21 Mar 1996, Robert Stevens wrote:
 
> Why can't we have a two pronged approach, let the scientists, what
> few are left with funds, do the testing and assaying. But, at the
> same time, let the commerical beekeepers and the queen breeders bring
> the semen from wherever and get the queens out there.
 
        A good start. I think we need a few more prongs to prepare
the industry. I'm sure there will be more but heres a start:
 
        1) Genetic education aimed at the average beekeeper. I don't mean
average in colony count, but average ability and knowledge. These are the
guys we need to support the effort.
 
        2) Research of improved, simple assay techniques for the
characteristics involved with varroa resistance. I've heard some of this
is being done, it probably needs support.
 
        3) Goverment money is getting scarce. If we really want this to
happen, we will have to pay. How do we get this concept across to the
industry? Who will organize the effort? Maybe national organizations?
Should we look to the grower organizations (almonds, apples, ect.)?How?
 
        4) Reasearch to determine how "precision" the breeding and production
matings must be to effectively control varroa, and if that degree of
precision is practical.
 
        5) Education of the queen production industry regarding the knowledge
and techniques they may need in the future. I,m thinking of things like I.I,
isolated mating, and all the other stuff that can lead to reliable
disease control though genetics.
 
        6) Maybe the most important- someone or some organization to
coordinate all this stuff, I think we need it all. How about some ideas
from the industry leaders and scientists out there.