>So the apparent takeaway from this and the "Contradictory conclusions" thread is that any breeding program does need to have a fairly sequestered mating area, wherein the drones/patrilines can be more tightly controlled. If not on the level of Dartmoor, then at the very least with the kind of regional "drone flooding" that Randy described.

We are in an area with a fairly high density of beekeepers and colonies with very mixed genetics!  We use drone flooding as our land (an acre) is bordered by woodland on two sides and some good trees on the other sides.  The land for the mating apiary also slopes north to south so gives quite an enclosed feel.  A.m.m. tends to mate close to home.

But there is another aspect that has not been mentioned - culling.  We raise more queens than we need and cull the undesirable ones.

Using these simple techniques we were able to virtually eliminate bad temper - a primary aim - within two seasons.  We even made a huge difference in just the first season.

Best wishes

Peter 
52°14'44.44"N, 1°50'35"W

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