NO - GRAFT QUEEN RAISING

摘要

I am a fourth generation beekeeper in west central Minnesota, plant zone #3, where the annual low temperature is minus 30 below. I have 500 hives in 20 yards and have developed a method of raising my own queens over the past 15 years without grafting.I start with marking the production of each hive when I take off honey in the fall. After surviving Minnesota winter, I select for breeder hives. The breeder hives also have to be strong, show no American foulbrood or chalkbrood and be gentle. I selectfor hives with low varroa mite levels. I use 20-30 hives as breeders and have recently introduced Russian stock mated with VSH drones.