PBee
Drone Bee
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2011
- Messages
- 1,000
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- On Soffa
- Hive Type
- Dadant
- Number of Hives
- 120
In my experience the Celle Carnica queens are not particularly impressive. The Torfhaus open mated I found to be worse in temper and stability than my average Amm types. The Neuwerk are slightly more stable and slightly better tempered but are by no means docile. Also I wonder if they are particularly varroa tolerant as, with a comprenhensive treatment regime, I am (unscientifically) noticing some overt DWV in a couple of the Neuwerk hives this spring.
On the averages of selected Amm(Central European), Amc, Aml and Hybrids (Buckfast) – there is an interesting study of a direct comparison in Finland which did not find startling differences.
Because of the increasing variability in weather patterns my current impression is Amm types are better for sustainable ‘realistic’ average honey production and ease of varroa management. Also the weight of opinion (just from general observation) seems to be in favour of Amm so it is unlikely Amc will be adopted in great enough numbers to form pure breeding areas and their apparent competitive mating disadvantage in mixed Amm/Amc areas also works against them.
On the averages of selected Amm(Central European), Amc, Aml and Hybrids (Buckfast) – there is an interesting study of a direct comparison in Finland which did not find startling differences.
http://annals-wuls.sggw.pl/files/files/animal/asc2009no46full.pdf#page=37The winter food consumption was dependent on race: Central European race – 1.04 kg, Carniolan race – 1.06 kg, Italian – 1.26 kg and Buckfast – 1.34 kg. The spring development, measured the quantity of sealed brood was the lowest in Central European race (33.7 dm2, the highest in Buckfast (43.5 dm2). Central European race had the lowest honey production (33 kg). Races: Italian and Buckfast had similar honey production (38 kg), Carniolan race – 42 kg. The ratio of honey production to quantity of sealed brood was in Carniolan and Central European races identical (1.08 kg/dm2) and was higher than in Buckfast and Italian races (0.99 and 0.97 kg/dm2). There were not found statisticaly significant differences.
Because of the increasing variability in weather patterns my current impression is Amm types are better for sustainable ‘realistic’ average honey production and ease of varroa management. Also the weight of opinion (just from general observation) seems to be in favour of Amm so it is unlikely Amc will be adopted in great enough numbers to form pure breeding areas and their apparent competitive mating disadvantage in mixed Amm/Amc areas also works against them.