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

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