SPECIALIZED CLASSES TO PROMOTE STOCK IMPROVEMENT, taught by Susan Cobey, will be offered at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis, in Davis, California.
1. THE ART OF QUEEN REARING WORKSHOP, March 17 & 19, 2009, is designed to provide an understanding and appreciation of what it takes to rear high quality queens. Basic biology and principals of queen rearing will be presented. Beekeepers will be involved in the various steps of the process including setting up cell builders, grafting, handling queen cells and establishing mating nucs. The importance of drone production and establishing mating areas will also be presented. The class will consist of a combination of classroom and hands on beekeeping. Two basic queen rearing systems will be demonstrated, a queen right system and a queen less system. Registration: $200. (Note: As of Feb. 2, this class is filled. Those on the waiting list can sign up for a priority list for next year.)
Optional Queen Tour, Thursday, March 19, 2009. For those who would like to see large scale commercial queen production, an optional one day tour will be offered following the workshop. We will visit several northern California producers during their busy spring season. You will observe a diversity of techniques and systems involved in queen production. Optional Tour: $50.
2. INSTRUMENTAL INSEMINATION & BEE BREEDING WORKSHOP, April 14, 15 & 16, 2009 is designed for commercial beekeepers who are involved in a breeding program and for laboratory personnel requiring the skill for research purposes. A practical hands-on approach to instruction is provided with emphasis on individual attention, therefore classes are kept small. Detailed instruction and hands-on practice of semen collection and insemination of queens will be emphasized and facilitated with the use of a video camera. Various types of insemination instruments are displayed and reviewed. The preparation and care of virgin queens and drones will be presented. Basic bee genetics and various breeding systems will be reviewed. Demonstration materials, virgin queens and drones will be provided for the class. Practical beekeeping and queen rearing skills are a pre-requisite. Provision of your own insemination equipment is required. Microscopes will be provided for use upon request. Registration $425.
3. ADVANCED WORKSHOP ON THE TECHNIQUE OF INSTRUMENTAL INSEMINATION, April 22 and 23, 2009, is designed as a follow-up to the Instrumental Insemination course. The focus will be perfecting insemination techniques and solving individual problems in the laboratory and in the field. Therefore, this class is recommended for those with some experience. Demonstration materials, virgin queens and drones will be provided. Experience in the technique is required. Provision of your own insemination equipment is required. Microscopes will be provided for use upon request. Registration: $375.
For Information:
Susan Cobey swcobey@ucdavis.edu
http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/courses/beeclasses
University of California, Davis
Department of Entomology
Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility
367 Briggs Hall
Davis, CA. 95616-8584
Tel. 530-754-9390 Fax 530-754-7757
