Is it possible to breed a Northern local honey bee?
Back from a long video hiatus with some thoughts on local adaptation in honey bees. The temperatures were cold and the bees didn't give a rippity rip - they were flying anyway.
Checkout The Sustainable Beekeepers Guild of Michigan: www.sbgmi.org
Need Free Honey Bee Swarm Removal: www.mibeeswarmremoval.com
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Rock on! They look so happy to be out and about! Can't wait to get going again next Spring after my back is healed fully!
Can't wait!
I've been making queens off the ones that get through winter the best for years now. My bees look great, haven't put a video up for a while now but you can tell from the ones I do have .
That's fantastic! I believe those who disagree with 'local' are truly in the minority. I hope the videos are more evidence of the fact than a chastisement... I'll be sure to check out your videos!
I had an over wintered swarm catch colony. A friend gave me a Carni package with a 'northern' queen, and they were from Georgia. Those Georgia peaches waited for the temps to rise another 5-10 f degrees before they would become active. Local is real.
Thanks for watching! Glad to hear you have a similar experience!
I firmly believe local gives a leg-up for year-over-year survival. Many of the first-year failure stories I hear start with an out-of-state nuc or (especially) package. I just split up a colony that came through its third winter after struggling a bit last summer. Preliminary wash numbers were disappointing, but something is helping them survive so we soldier on for now.
I have found in my own apiaries that the 3rd year queens - be it age - but moreso size - are more mature and fast-growing. They will inevitably take on larger mite/viral loads. That 3rd season will really test a queens mettle. Thanks for watching and offering your feedback!