[…]of the surrounding area, by raising queens from their better colonies and culling the poor ones. BeeImprovement should be of interest to all beekeepers and for a number of reasons including temper, quietness on the combs and suitability to the locality. The queen is an important factor in the characteristics of a colony, so colony assessment and queen selection […]
[…]their own confines to wider circles of beekeepers, thereby improving bees overall. Forming a beeimprovement and breeding groupThere are several things you need to consider including:- Do you need a constitution, so members know what is expected? If you store personal data, are you GDPR compliant? What assessment criteria do you want in your bees? How are you going […]
[…]East Midlands BeeImprovement Group – Nottinghamshire NG13 The aim of the BIBBA East Midlands BeeImprovement Group is to breed near native Apis mellifera mellifera (Amm) queens of the best local genetic stock. Then making these queens available to members and ultimately to other beekeepers in the region, who wish to establish this sub species in their own […]
[…]our aims and are careful to keep local bees. This means that we are able to make good progress in beeimprovement. We also like to encourage other groups in the county and beyond and have helped some of them achieve dominance in their own locality. We also help with the local association’s policy of encouraging native bees and help […]
Cornwall BeeImprovement and Bee Breeders Group was founded in 2002 to assist Cornwall beekeepers in their quest for bees that reduced varroa enough to control them to non-lethal levels. So far, we have found several behaviours, most in the research literature, which lead to the removal or death of mites. Our inspiration was Alois Wallner who had attained a […]
[…]for 5 years and now runs over 100 colonies in Cornwall. Author of the book, ‘The Principles of BeeImprovement’. Lecture Title: “The Principles and Practice of BeeImprovement” A practical approach to ‘BeeImprovement’ aimed at showing that the selection and refinement of local bees is a better long-term approach than the constant import of bees of other sub-species. […]
[…]few years and was also the Branch apiary manager. In 2009, whilst still in Devon, he joined BipCo (BeeImprovement Programme for Cornwall), which was under the Chairmanship of Jo Widdicombe. At this time Nick became very interested in beeimprovement, realising that he had in fact been doing the same, with his own bees for a number of years. […]
[…] There’s a lot to cover here so I’m breaking this into two sections – part one was Simple BeeImprovement in last month’s edition, here is part two and the final part will be in next month’s edition. Starting Stock Once a beekeeper or group has mastered simple beeimprovement you may wish to expand your activities and as […]
Three representatives from existing bee breeding and beeimprovement groups, operating in different areas, under different conditions, will each give a short presentation on their own group. They will tell us about their history, how they have progressed and how they may have dealt with problems or opportunities. An open discussion will follow, which should cover the various aspects of […]
BIPCo would like to invite beekeepers to the 6th Annual BeeImprovement Day A one-day event organised by the BeeImprovement Programme for Cornwall (BIPCo) To be held at Lanhydrock Memorial Hall, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL30 5AE on Saturday 18th February 2017 commencing at 9.00am for registration (9.30am start) until 3.30pm A day for all those interested in […]
[…]Walden BKA with the BeeImprovement and Bee Breeders Association (BIBBA) are organising a ‘BeeImprovement for All’ day with Roger Patterson: A one day event packed with sound information to help all beekeepers improve their bees. The presentation will concentrate on encouraging beekeepers to raise their own queens to produce docile colonies that are productive, healthy and best suited […]
A one day event packed with sound information to help all beekeepers improve their bees. The presentation will concentrate on encouraging beekeepers to raise their own queens to produce docile colonies that are productive, healthy and best suited to their environment. The bees often give us opportunities during the summer and there will be plenty of ideas on how to use […]
[…]made using the following link (no payments accepted on the day) http://northsomersetbeekeepers.org/bee-improvement-for-all-27-january-2018/ course info: […]
[…]at Eden Project and four associated events on the same weekend, we have had to cancel the BeeImprovement for All Day at South Brent. This is a great pity because there have been over 40 of these popular events since 2014, many of which have reached venue capacity. We apologise for the inconvenience and hope we can reschedule it […]
[…]sharing of knowledge to widen beekeepers expertise in queen breeding with the long term goal of beeimprovement. Breed a locally adapted dark honey bee While we realise we are unlikely to be able to introduce a near native Apis mellifera mellifera (Amm) in the short to medium term, we wish to breed local adapted dark bees of the best […]
[…]differ on these numbers). So, if controlling the male line is so difficult what can I do? Simple BeeImprovement – controlling the female line. Anyone who has had the opportunity of hearing Roger Patterson speak at his BeeImprovement for All days will know that there is a lot you can achieve with a small number of hives (as […]
[…]long-term solution. If, as an alternative to the importation of queens, we established a National BeeImprovement Programme which selected and propagated the best local bees, a good reason could then be made for not using imported bees. Beekeepers would benefit in two ways, that is, in a reduction in the biosecurity risks associated with imports, and through the opportunity […]
[…]View Videos Welcome to the National BeeImprovement Programme (NatBIP) which has been launched in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. This is an initiative organised by the BeeImprovement and Bee Breeders’ Association (BIBBA), with the twin aims of reducing the number of imports of honey bees into Britain, Ireland and associated islands,* […]
BeeImprovement Days 2021 The BeeImprovement and Bee Breeders' Association (BIBBA) will be running a small number of practical and theoretical courses during the summer months. These will be aimed at beekeepers who wish to improve their bees, with emphasis on suitability to the environment, docility, calmness on the comb, ease of management, good use of stores, etc. The […]
[…]and skills to start rearing queens and developing their own bee stocks. Who is it for? This course is aimed at beekeepers who:- currently manage several colonies know the “basics” of beekeeping, i.e. the life cycles, swarming procedure of a colony, disease recognition, etc, are able to recognise eggs and young larvae, can handle bees reasonably well What equipment is […]
[…]and skills to start rearing queens and developing their own bee stocks. Who is it for? This course is aimed at beekeepers who:- currently manage several colonies know the “basics” of beekeeping, i.e. the life cycles, swarming procedure of a colony, disease recognition, etc, are able to recognise eggs and young larvae, can handle bees reasonably well What equipment is […]
[…]question any individual or group should consider is what method should I/we follow to Improve our bees and to produce queens. There are a few key choices depending on your aims, capacity (time and equipment) and capabilities. I’m assuming the reader is looking for a bee that is native and/or locally adapted. Kevin […]
[…]which form the outer layer tuck their heads inwards and the abdominal overhairs interlock from bee to bee, insulating the cluster like the fur of a mammal. In late summer, perhaps because of the diminution of brood rearing, the amount of biopterin in the larval food is greatly increased and ‘winter bees’ are formed, in which protein and fat accumulate […]
[…]evolve, but even in this race differences can be observed between strains. In France, where the bee has been domiciled longest, there are distinct differences in brood rearing pattern between the mellifera bees of the Landes district in the Southwest, the bees of the Paris area and those of Corsica. The Landes bees are typical “heather bees”, conditioned to a […]
[…]Northern Scotland. The successful raising of the virgin queens from these stocks was reported in BeeImprovement and Conservation 38 Late Spring 2012 pp15 -16 (see SBA website http://www.scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/dark_bee.html). Year 1. July 2010 – Timing of harvesting and hive selection was donor dependant. Where available, one piece of comb containing eggs and young larvae was cut from the colony using […]
[…]and update our group stud book. An offshoot of our activities is the fact that a number of smaller beeimprovement groups are in the process of being established in other places throughout the country and we hope that this trend will continue. The Department of Agriculture in the Republic of Ireland has co-operated with us so far by maintaining […]
[…]British Isles”. He edited many issues of The Bee breeder in the 1980s and since 2003 has edited BeeImprovement and Conservation. He is also Secretary of SICAMM, the European dark bee association. Lecture Title: “Towards a History of the Dark Bee in Britain” There are two common misconceptions about honey bees and the dark bee Apis mellifera mellifera in […]
[…]the intermediate beekeeping course for his local association. In recent years he has hosted BIBBA beeimprovementcourses at his home apiary. Lecture Title: “My Approach to Bee Selection” This presentation discusses the need for selective breeding and the advantages of the native honey bee Apis mellifera mellifera for the British climate, especially for more marginal districts. Desirable traits and […]
[…]race. References. Pritchard, Dorian. “Is the dark bee really native to Britain and Ireland?” BeeImprovement and Conservation 30 (2009), 14-17. Carreck, Norman. “Are honey bees native to the British Isles” Journal of Apicultural Research 47/4, 318-322. Bailey, Leslie. Honeybee Pathology. London: Academic Press 1981, 81-5. Cooper, Beowulf A. The Honeybees of the British Isles. Codnor: BIBBA, 31. Cooper, 18-21. […]
[…]may not suit their environment, or run the risk of importing pests and diseases. BIBBA Open Days BeeImprovement For All (BIFA) days One and two day BeeImprovementCourses If you would like an event in your area, either a standard one or something different to suit you, please contact BIBBA Conference and Workshop Secretary Roger Patterson by email […]
[…]the native bee was attractive to them and to The Wildlife Trust. Also BIBBA had in January run a BeeImprovement For All day in Colchester with Roger Patterson which was well attended and couldn’t have been more timely. Abberton Reservoir is about 10 miles south of Colchester and the area is sparsely populated with people and importantly beekeepers so […]
[…]community group focused on the re-introduction of the black bee, through sustainable breeding and beeimprovement. Teaching and community are at our heart. Contact: Claudia […]
[…]note on ‘Bee breeding’ and ‘Beeimprovement’ Attempts at improving the quality of honey bees have usually been based on ‘bee breeding’, that is where the bee breeder has control over both the male and female lines. This is achieved through instrumental insemination or isolated mating apiaries. Good results can be achieved in this way and beekeepers can buy the […]
[…]important issue in the 2020s as our knowledge of honey bee genetics increases), conservation, beeimprovement and queen rearing, and a review of the past, present, and future for the native honey bee in Ireland. This is not just an excellent read, it is one of those books that you will keep going back to time after time. reviewed by […]
A How often will I receive Bee Improvement Magazine? We now plan to issue “BIBBA Monthly” by email and once a year will issue a collated print version of the best […]
Improving bees by raising your own queens – course Tutor – Roger Patterson In conjunction with West Suffolk BKA and BIBBA Thursday 20 July and Friday 21 July at Nowton Park Apiary, near Bury St Edmunds. Course fee Early bird £50 if booked before 4 July the event £60 if booked on or after 4 July. Please bring your own […]
[…]it aimed at? This course is aimed at beekeepers who: - Have several colonies. Are involved in a beeimprovement group or are considering starting one. BKA teachers, demonstrators and apiary managers. It will suit those who want to raise good quality queens in batches of 6 or more by using "artificial" methods in controlled conditions. The techniques demonstrated and […]
BeeImprovement Days 2021 The BeeImprovement and Bee Breeders' Association (BIBBA) will be running a small number of practical and theoretical courses during the summer months. These will be aimed at beekeepers who wish to improve their bees, with emphasis on suitability to the environment, docility, calmness on the comb, ease of management, good use of stores, etc. The […]
[…]differ on these numbers). So, if controlling the male line is so difficult what can I do? Simple BeeImprovement – controlling the female line. Anyone who has had the opportunity of hearing Roger Patterson speak at his BeeImprovement for All days will know that there is a lot you can achieve with a small number of hives (as […]
[…]bees, having non-prolific bees and still getting plenty of honey. Simple factors to consider for beeimprovement Getting queen cells and two framed nucs set up How to get up to 11 colonies in one season Roger frequently signposted attendees to the Dave Cushman website (http://www.dave-cushman.net/) for more detail or information on the subject areas he was talking through. Overall, […]
[…]made using the following link (no payments accepted on the day) http://northsomersetbeekeepers.org/bee-improvement-for-all-27-january-2018/ course info: […]
