Hi Bob,

> Excellent point!  However when you look at the process involved in the
> Lusby's methods (let alone expense) it simply is not a reasonable option
on
> a larger scale with most operations struggling to survive.

You have wax. You could mill your own foundation and save $$$$ in the long
run. Yes you will have to work a bit harder, BUT it is your own product and
you can cull combs as needed saving much money. For what one pays out in
queens in a season in a commercial operation should easily purchase a mill.
By using no chemicals one save even more money. Do you truly believe
breeding alone will save the industry?  If 100% resistant queens can't be
produced consistently year after year it won't happen.  What happens when
supercedure occurs and natural mating occur with local stock?  Loss of
resistance??? One can't fight nature! It has a mind of its own and will not
cooperate. Man does not have the ability to keep that kind of control. You
as the beekeeper can control cell size with in a reasonable degree. But
mating of bees  for this type of resistance to last forever is pretty much
impossible. Knowing this it makes the Lusby's methods much more reasonable
of an option.(it is working even before these specially breed queens)

Nature has a way of working out problems.

Clay- hoping you would reconsider using 4.9