BBKA module 7

B+. · Apr 15, 2017

I looked back at the J.D. & B.D Yates study notes for module 7 (Selection and breeding of honeybees).
Section 7.1 Give the principles of the selection of breeder queens and drones starts with a reference to "Contemporary Queen Rearing" (p 140) by H.H. Laidlaw (1979).
The quotation says; "To keep a stock of honeybees pure is beyond the capabilities of most beekeepers".

Is this still the position taken by the BBKA?

My problem with this stance is two-fold:
1. It is based on a book written in 1979.
2. It is based on an American perspective.

I know that Yates isn't a particularly good reference, since it is both obsolete and inaccurate, in places. I just wondered if candidates were still taught this.

alldigging · Apr 15, 2017

The current book list for exams is
https://www.-------------/files/library/book_list_02-17_1486419377.pdf

Module 7
See General Library above
Background to Bee Breeding (1999) J. Atkinson NBB
Bee Genetics and Breeding T Rinderer NBB
Bee Sex Essentials(2008) L J Connor Wicwas Press
Breeding Better Bees Dews/Milner BIBBA
Breeding Techniques and Selection for Breeding of the Honeybee (1988) F. Ruttner BIBBA
Elements of genetics with special reference to the bee (1981) J Mesquida BIBBA
Queen Breeding and Genetics (1986) E Holm NBB
Queen Rearing Simplified (2004) V Cook NBB
Honey Bees of the British Isles (1986) B. Cooper BIBBA
In Search of the Best Strains of Bees (1983) Br. Adam NBB
Managing Mini Nucs (1998) R Brown NBB
*Queen Rearing and Bee Breeding (1997) H.Laidlaw & R.Page Wicwas Press
The Hive and the Honeybee (1992) J. Graham (Ed.) Dadant & Sons

I don't know how different the editions are but that's only one book out of 13 or so.