Bob wrote: > > > I have observed many queen breeding attempts to find a truly varroa > tolerant > bee. Only one attempt has impressed me. Dann Purvis (Purvis Brothers > Apiaries) in Georgia. > > Dann uses the "live and let die" method of breeder queen selection. Adds > varroa pressure to his possible breeder queens ( in other words adds > varroa > to the hive to increase the varroa pressure) and uses a six way > instrumental > insemination closed system to keep his varroa tolerant line pure. You can > read about the Purvis Brothers methods in the January 2004 (I think the > year > was 2004 but sure January) ABJ. Dann and sons on the cover and article by Bob, Whether it is "impressive" or not I will tell you where i am in my "varroa resistant " program! (First i will say-I do agree that the Dann Purvis is a very knowledgeable beekeper) -I have about 300 hives and feel I control most of the genetics in a small area here where i raise my bees. -I began selecting for varroa resistance some 6 years ago...this was built on a genetic foundation laid by BWEAVER and Rev Al Norton, and i assume, a feral population in the adjacent Wheeler Wildlife refuge Some facts about these bees: - all have not been treated for varroa at least 18 months. - about half of them at least for 3 years. - about 25% in at least 4 years -I had higher than usual winter losses-about 20% this winter....but our winter was as rough as i remember in a few years here with the latest frost on record here in Alalbama. My summer losses are very low- about 5 of 300 mature hives in the last 6 months or so. I just dont see high mite counts in my bees as a rule.....no noticeable difference in yards w/r/t date of last varroa treatments - I have requeened a highly infested hive with resistant stock and seen the infestation go down to very low levels -some have been in California adjacent to Koehnon (sp) Bros apiaries for about 3 months-we'll see what happens! So far they are looking great according to reports. -when put adjacent to a location of a 30 hive USDA program i was participating in involving VSH, Russians, and controls, both of the two hives of "my " stock performed in the top 30% of honey production the first year.this spring one tied for first place(the other got knocked over..it was doing well). No doubt these are not slam dunk statistically significant numbers, but they gave me a good feeling. -They seem to becoming gentler and gentler each year -as i value this quality greatly-many times I rob w/o a veil ...I essentially never wear a veil when fooling w/nucs(I do smoke and i do get stung a few times a day on a busy day when fooling with honey producing hives) - I am very aware of the location of BWEAVER Apiaries. I have NEVER had a queen from them of the hundreds I have bought that alarmed me. Now I have had some stingers in there, but so have I from several other queen breeders.I have also worked w/other beekeepers whose bees forced me to put on gloves..a rare occurence for me(30 minutes a year maybe w/my bees). - The queens sold this year have a very high acceptance rate.. -As i had mentioned earlier,this is certainly a work in progress, but I am very hopeful-even confident- in what I am seeing so far. - I have made mistakes, and am sure I will continue to some degree. Have a great day! .......and I hope you are impressed! If not maybe I can juggle one pounders while standing on one of my hives :) John ****************************************************** * Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm * ******************************************************