>>I think it only fair to bring this to your attention, we all seem to be
>>using the term 'Buckfast' too easily. My information tells me that there has
>>been no importation of 'Buckfast' into the US for many years, with my
>>knowledge of bee breeding and the gradual loss of purity I would suggest
>>they cannot be called that anymore. It is highly unlikely that the traits
>>you are looking for are still there. Buckfast Abbey have a licensing policy,
>>and very strict controls of quality. To my knowledge there is no licensing
>>agreement between Buckfast and the U.S.A.
>
>
>According to "KEEPING BEES" by John Vivian, he writes:
>  Native English brown bees were crossed with Italians, and used by the
>bamous beekeeper Brother Adam and confreres fo Buckfast Abbey to save the
>British bee industry from acarine disease in the early decades of this
>century.  This vari-colored bee was bred for superior honey production,
>gentleness, a compact brood nest, and good wintering on limited stores.
>Their sale is lecensed in the USA only to Weaver Apiaries, Inc. of Navasota,
>Texas.  Brother Adam's order gets a royalty on each queen sold.
>
><[log in to unmask]>  Vine Grove, Kentucky, USA
>It's a great place to BEE!
 
Yes Sean and Patti, you're absolutely right
 
I went to a talk last October here in Sheffield, given by Brother O'Donovan
from Buckfast.  There is no doubt that Weaver's have the exclusive licence
and they receive drone semen and queens on a regular basis from Buckfast to
maintain the line.  They pay $1/ queen royalty to Buckfast.
 
Cheers, max
 
 
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Max Westby                                    (/
(Among other things a Sheffield Beekeeper)
South Yorkshire Beekeepers Association  BBKA apiary reg: JQ34
Phone (Home):          +44 (0)114 236 1038
Phone (Work):          +44 (0)114 282 6549 (direct)
Fax:                   +44 (0)114 276 6515
e-mail:                [log in to unmask]
World Wide Web Site:   http://www.shef.ac.uk/psychology/westby/
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