Rearing Free Mated Mite-Tolerant Queens Without Chemotherapies

Final Report for FNE02-408

Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2002: $5,081.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2002
Region: Northeast
State: Vermont
Project Leader:
Jeffrey T. Cunningham
Honeyhunter Apiaries and Farm
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Project Information

Summary:

Note to readers, attached is the complete final report for FNE02-408

The beekeeping literature describes that queen breeding uses hives resources, ultimately reducing the honey harvest from colonies involved in the queen rearing operations. This was borne out by our experience in 2002-'03 when the project leader shifted more colony resources to queen breeding for this project. Add to this that bee forage is marginal as mentioned above and it is clear that the business plan for queen production in this type of setting cannot depend on annual significant honey crops. It is also apparent with this specific operation that, regardless of whether it is principally honey or queen producing, it requires an outlay of additional resources to work with landowners to increase bee floral forage.

Cooperators

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  • Steve Parise

Research

Participation Summary
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.