--- Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:


> I only know of three people doing serious research
> on a varroa tolerant bee.
> Only one is a USDA lab (Baton Rouge).
>

Bob, and all,
    I am currently working as a cooperator with Dr.
Kenneth Ward out of Alabama A&M University and Bob
Danka from Baton Rouge on a study of mite resistance
within various strains of bees.  I am only one of many
cooperators in the state of Alabama who are working
with Dr. Ward and Bob Danka.
    If you would want to know more about the study you
would need to contact Dr. Ward.  As a cooperator I'm
not sure of just how much about the program I can
disclose.  But, rest assured, there are both hobby
beekeepers and small commercial beekeepers working on
the development of mite resistance bees.
     I can remember my hives back in the late 1960's
and early 70's when the worst we had to worry about
was AFB.  Those were the easy days.  Even as a novice
beekeeper I was fortunate enough to have really good
success after learning a few lessons with a couple of
early failures (Like, don't confine bees in a hive
without a bunch of ventilation.  Makes for a really
messy hive to clean up.).

Kenneth E. Ward, Ph.D
Alabama A&M University
Center for Forestry and Ecology
Bob Danka with the USDA Bee Genetics lab in Baton
Rouge
>
> Brian said:
> It appears to me that the solutions to the mite
> problem are within
> reach but takes a regimented commitment to doing the
> work and
> selectvely breeding a mite resistant bee.
>
I believe that is what Dr. Ward has been doing and is
now in the evaluation stage.


Working with a lot of interest on the project and
encountering a few pleasant surprises.

Mike Stoops  Entrenched 1/2 way between Mobile and
Montgomery, Alabama




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