Sue was talking about the documented SMR line as outlined by Harris &
Harbo. She had introduced the SMR trait using II breeders into a test
apairy and experimented with the resultant bees & queens. While the SMR II
breeders provided resistant daughters and lived up to their stated
specifications. Sue explained to us that they did not live up to "her
standards in other areas", therefore: she had added to her evaluation
process- suppression of mite resistance as she evaluated her queens yearly.
I have been using the SMR Carniolan breeder queens as supplied by Glenn
Aparies for 4 years and last year procured a SMR Minnesota Hygenic. I get a
new breeder each year and use the old breeder as a drone mother. I have
been very pleased with the results so far. Last year I tested my
productions hives and only treated 40% for varroa. This year was different
and I was unable to test each hive (circumstance beyond control) and did a
blanket treatment.
Frank Wyatt
Eden, NC

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