Author Topic: Which strain of bees make the best honey producers (Read 2824 times)

Myron Rotruck · « **on:** August 19, 2005, 11:27:04 pm »

I know there are alot of variables here, but everything being equal which strain of bees do you think are the best honey producers. Just honey now, not handling or temperment or anything else, just honey.

This could start a swarm. :lol:

Jerrymac · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2005, 12:19:18 am »

I think that would be African.

TwT · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2005, 12:40:28 am »

since I haven't dealt with african bee's YET, I would have to say italians...

Finsky · « **Reply #3 on:** August 20, 2005, 02:18:08 am »

My hobby as beekeeping crystallisizes as volume of honey.

I have had 6 races: feral, Caucasian, Buckfast, Elgon, Italian, Carnolian.

Just now I have 3 Italian, Elqon, Buckfast.

Strains are more important than races. Most unwanted feature is swarming.

What ever they are, they make honey, if they have good pastures.

What I do not want any more: feral, Carniola, Caucasian.

And what ever it is, not daughters from swarmed hives!

One stain may prodece 30% more honey, but different pastures produce normally 2-3 fold and even 5-fold,

I manage with races and strains. I bye a new queens. Pasture choices are in my hands. Pastures are difficult to know, do they give honey as much as I want. My want is over 200 lbs per hive.

Big hives, good pastures, calm no swarms! --> Over production :shock:

Joseph Clemens · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2005, 03:24:56 am »

My vote for best race of honeybees for honey production goes to live ones.

Michael Bush · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2005, 02:35:08 pm »

Some of it depends on your climate. Italians are, as Dr. Marion Ellis said at a recent event, "brood rearing fools". Meaning they rear brood all the time with no real anticipation of dearths and winter. This can work to your advantage in the right climate and with the right triggers (early feeding etc.) In some climates Italians will be your best producers.

The NWC seem to have a reputation for being the best producers in colder climates. They build up fast later in the spring and cut back more in dearths and in the fall, but seem to build up rapidly enough to make good use of the flow.

I've had good luck for decades with the Buckfasts until I got the viscious ones. My record with the Buckfasts was 200 pounds harvested from each of four hives.