The Breeder Queen - not your typical queen

#1 - Start with a Breeder Queen

The process begins with the purchase of a breeder queens from a highly reputable source. These queens have been instrumentally inseminated to enhance specific traits like VSH (varroa sensitive hygiene), disease resistance, and high egg production.

Instrumental insemination is a game-changer in genetic optimization. By starting with a breeder queen I can capitalize on the cumulative advancements spanning generations, particularly in developing resistance against varroa mites and other desirable attributes and characteristics. But the primary emphasis is varroa resistance.

New breeder queen stock is introduced every year to ensure my genetics stay fresh.

QUALITY IS NOT ASSUMED

#2 - Observe, Test & Evaluate

I put my new breeder queens to work in my apiary during their first year. This not only helps populate my operation with fresh genetics but also allows me to closely observe the performance of each new queen. As with anything else, some queens prove to be better than others.

Throughout the season, I monitor factors such as mite loads, egg production, temperament, disease resistance, overall strength, and health. I observe every aspect, and I have an entire season to do so.

BUT CAN THEY TAKE THE COLD?

#3 - Climate Acclimated

Winter survivability. Not only will she have a year of monitored production, she needs to survive the winter here in our climate.

With the arrival of spring, final assessments are made and the breeder queen is selected for grafting. Typically there is more than one.

The daughters of these breeder queens are the queens that are packaged in my nucs.

TIMING IS CRUCIAL

#4 - Grafting

The optimal age for larvae for grafting is between 12 to 24 hours after the eggs are hatched. If the larvae are too young or too old, they may not develop into well-mated and healthy queens.

Although not necessary, the use of a microscope ensures the perfect larva is selected.

The importance of this step cannot be emphasized enough. Not too early, not too late. Very specific. Queens can be generated outside of this very narrow window but the results just won't be the same. Some might differ but I believe it. Maybe it's not worth the additional effort or even matter to them? What do you think?

It's really something to be a queen breeder. I select an egg from among thousands. A choice that will transform a worker bee to the status of royalty - the Queen! That amazes me to this day!

the final check that you are getting the best

#5 - Observe & Evaluate

After mating, the new queen (first generation daughter of the breeder) is observed for her overall quality and production. What I'm looking for here is the general health and vitality of the nuc and the egg production.

New queens are vigorous and it doesn't take long to observe this trait. There is nothing like a new queen for productivity.

And again, all queens are not equal. Some are better then others but I still have enough time to evaluate their performance before the nuc is ready to be released to the customer.

A PROVEN WINNER - and i stand behind it

Quality, not quantity

I graft fewer than 400 queens per season. Someone responsible for grafting queens in a large-scale operation could easily achieve this in a day. This individual, undoubtedly skilled at grafting, is compensated based on the number of successful grafts produced. Moreover, they remain anonymous to you, while I am here, visible to all, open to critique.

My focus is on building a reputation and ensuring ultimate success by delivering a superior product. I aim to provide queens that not only meet but exceed expectations, generating satisfaction among customers who return and refer others. Although that person may be more efficient at grafting, I specialize in crafting superior bees.

You don't just want queens; you want my queens! There is a difference!