" Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new centre of gravity. Don't dight them. Just find a new way to stand."
-Ophrah Winfrey
Bees head to almonds this week. Going means surrendering to the reality of seeing mites in our hives by Christmas. Avoiding, however, doesn’t guarantee slowed transmission. I have been thinking about what I will do when the first mites appear in my hives. It will involve an expensive bottle of spirits, sitting with my bees, watching the sun set, and saying goodbye to an old friend- the enchanted life of Australian Beekeeping that is now a way of the past.
My single goal in beekeeping when moving to Australia from the United States in 2013 was to prepare for living with Varroa. I have now been blessed with 11 years without Varroa on top of the 10 years of beekeeping with Varroa in the United States.
Over the last decade, I have committed myself to bee breeding, understanding the mite, understanding honey bee defences, and meeting people and bees all over the world that have managed to find a balance. All of this learning and training can now shift into high gear.
We know that left alone, bees can find a way to live with Varroa. Our promise is to work with the nature of the bees, and the mite, fast-forwarding evolution while keeping pressure on temperament and honey production.
Our aim is to selectively breed Varroa resistant bees with exceptional commercial value. Thanks for being a part of this journey.
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