Project Overview
FNE08-631
Project Type: Farmer
Funds awarded in 2008: $4,347.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2009
Region: Northeast
State: Maryland
Project Leader:
Adam Finkelstein
VP Queen Bees
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Animals: bees
Practices
- Animal Production: livestock breeding, preventive practices
- Education and Training: demonstration, farmer to farmer, mentoring, networking, on-farm/ranch research, workshop
- Energy: energy conservation/efficiency
- Farm Business Management: value added
- Natural Resources/Environment: biodiversity, indicators
- Pest Management: biological control, disease vectors, field monitoring/scouting, genetic resistance, integrated pest management
- Production Systems: holistic management
- Sustainable Communities: local and regional food systems, sustainability measures
Proposal summary:
Honey bee breeder queens whose workers show tolerance to tracheal and Varroa mites are becoming essential for successful honey bee queen production. The farmer will compare mite-resistant queen lines with a normal line to see if two tests (selection assays) do indeed indicate mite resistance in potential breeding stock. Mite-resistant honey bee queens reduce the use of pesticides and labor from fewer treatments while enhancing overall honey bee colony health. Outreach will be through producer meetings, presentations at regional and county gatherings, and through a web site.
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.