Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility: Specialized Classes to Promote Stock Improvement

Key Information: Index Page Art of Queen Rearing Workshop (link to more information and application) Instrumental Insemination and Bee Breeding Workshop (below) Advanced Workshop on the Technique of Instrumental Insemination (link to more information and application) Registration Form (PDF) Area Hotels Directions and Map Susan Cobey's CV Journal Article: Comparison studies of instrumentally inseminated and naturally mated honey bee queens and factors affecting their performance (PDF) Eversion of the Drone Endophallus (PDF) Semen Collection (PDF) Insemination of the Queen (PDF) Field Dissection of the Spermatheca (PDF) See News Article on Susan Cobey Photos from 2011 Class ~ Tour of Koehnens ~ Tour of Strachan Apiaries Photos from 2009 Class Photos from Previous Class INSTRUMENTAL  INSEMINATION &  HONEY  BEE  BREEDING WORKSHOP Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 17, 18 and 19, 2012 Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility University of California, Davis Due to the high interest, spring 2012 classes are full. We also will  be offering these in Washington state, so please send in the application and let us know of your interest and if you would like to attend a summer class in Washington The class 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. Download application in Word or PDF. Registration  $425. Instructor:  Susan Cobey Classes are taught principally by Susan Cobey, who has extensive beekeeping experience including running a commercial queen production and bee breeding business. She founded and maintains the New World Carniolan Breeding Program, which serves as a working model of a Closed Population Breeding Program and demonstration of stock maintenance techniques. Prerequisite: Knowledge of queen rearing is required.  Beekeepers must provide their own insemination equipment.  Microscopes will be provided for use upon request. APPLICATION INSTRUMENTAL INSEMINATION & HONEY BEE BREEDING WORKSHOP Return Application to: Class Registration Fee $425.00   Susan Cobey swcobey@ucdavis.edu Please make checks payable to UC Regents   Name    ___________________________________________________  Date     _______________ Address ________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Phone/Fax   _____________________________________ E-mail __________________________ Specify Class Date   (Circle One)                     TBA.       Level of Beekeeping   (Circle one)      Commercial     Sideliner       Hobbyist Number of colonies you work with   ________________ Do you raise queens for commercial sale?          Yes________            No_______   Briefly describe your beekeeping and queen rearing experience: _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Briefly describe your breeding program or research objectives. _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Do you have any experience in instrumental insemination? If so, please explain: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ What type of insemination equipment to you have/use? ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Will you need a microscope and light for the II Class? Yes___________  No___________ UC Davis registration form (PDF) and (Word) For Information: Susan Cobey        swcobey@ucdavis.edu http://entomology.ucdavis.edu/ http://beebiology.ucdavis.edu/ University of California, Davis Department of Entomology Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility 367 Briggs Hall One Shields Ave. Davis, CA. 95616-8584 Telephone: 530-754-9390 Fax: 530-754-7757