--- Dee Lusby <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Tim wrote: > Even big cattlemen use imported semen, etc.. > --- Dee Lusby <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Reply: Guess it depends upon what part of the USA you are in....don't really see it out here on the big ranches, or maybe I am missing something, and watching something else when in the field! :>) > Actually, according to my understanding, the cattlemen do use special breeding in their herds. They keep track of the progeny of their bulls, cull the ones that don't produce the traits they want <like rapid growth on minimal feed> < lean beef and not high fat beef>, and keep the ones that do. They use artificial insemination to try to produce these super bulls that they can then introduce into the herds. That's kind of what you did with your bees Dee, if I understand your breeding efforts correctly. You kept the queens that produced the resistant strains you wanted that still kept the other good traits, and destroyed the queens that were susceptable to the mite pressures that were placed on them. Correct me if I am wrong here. Mike __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business - Try our new Resources site http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/resources/ :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::