In the current beekeeping environment in North America, there is a 
serious challenge to small scale queen breeders.  Under the current 
conditions, making any serious progress in shifting gene frequencies is 
not for everyone.  After varroa, there were vast expanses with few 
managed colonies and possibly with emerging resistant ferals.  This was 
a great environment in which to start making progress.  After CCD made 
the news, the big general public concern over the fate of honey bees 
turned everybody and their dog into beekeepers.  Ironically, all of a 
sudden every nook and cranny became habitat for whatever honey bees 
people could buy.  Now most matings occur with whatever amalgamation of 
drones this situation has produced.  Only those who can achieve some 
geographical isolation, or flood an area with desirable drones (not an 
easy feat), or do instrumental insemination have a chance of changing 
frequencies.  I would be very cautious investing a lot of effort into 
small scale breeding unless one had done the homework to guarantee some 
level of success.  Also, for buyers, anyone can advertise whatever they 
want, and pretty much get away with it.

 

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html