Sustainable Honeybee Strains for Western North Carolina

Project Overview

FS10-244
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2010: $9,959.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2011
Region: Southern
State: North Carolina
Principal Investigator:
Ryan Higgs
Blue Ridge Apiaries

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Animals: bees

Practices

  • Animal Production: general animal production
  • Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
  • Pest Management: genetic resistance, integrated pest management

    Proposal summary:

    The project involves the potential of three promising lines of honey bees in Western North Carolina. These include Minnesota Hygienic Bees, Russian Bees, and New World Carniolan Bees. The study also includes a control group comprised of local stock. These strains will be evaluated in terms of their ability to resist disease and mite pressure, winter over, pollinate commercial crops, demonstrate hygienic behavior, and capitalize on profitable honey flows.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    The objective of the project is to provide area beekeepers with objective analysis that will aid in their decision of what stock to use in their managed colonies. In addition, the project will provide local bee breeders with useful information regarding stock selection, who in-turn will have the opportunity to raise locally adapted stock with sustainable characteristics.

    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.