Subject: | |
From: | |
Reply To: | |
Date: | Tue, 29 Jul 2003 13:06:03 GMT |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
>>Waldemar, You said "reputable breeder". Sue Cobey who is the developer of NWC only sells breeder queens to 6 breeders, hand selected by her for their knowledge and integrity.
I like Sue Colby's NWCs and I have deep respect for Sue Colby (she has answered all my questions very frankly in the past). I think her selection program is excellent.
This may be the odd year in all respects! I will not drop names here but the queen was from one of the 6 breeders (they advertise as a member of the NWC project in major beekeeping magazines). I had very good success with queens from them last year but I could not believe the size of the queen they send me a few weeks ago. I asked if they had a 'minimum queen size spec' that they adhere to and have yet to get an answer.
I also heard of a local beekeeper who had received 50 queens from the same source and half of them are poor performers. Perhaps the breeder treated the colonies with Check-Mite affecting the young queens - I have no idea. In the past, they've said they would only use Apistan as needed.
>>I doubt that tour "reputable breeder" was a licensed breeder for NWC,
and if they are, you should report your problem to Sue Cobey.
I will give the breeder another chance to redeem themselves and, maybe, then contact Sue. Like I said, this may be the odd year. Last year, the breeder stood behind his queens.
>>look for the real expert, knowledgeable breeders, and we beekeepers will be so much better off. I doubt that I will live that long, but who knows?
I agree. It would be nice to have a Consumer Reports of sorts for honeybee queens. :) As a very average beekeeper, I can only go by what I read in magazines and by word of mouth from local beekeepers.
Best regards,
Waldemar
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
|
|
|