NSQBA

NSQBA provided packages and AHBs concerns.

 

We know of no northern breeders who produce packages in any large quantities. Almost all early spring packages are produced in the far south. Early season packages fill a vital need while also providing the bulk of bees purchased every year. While NSQBA is focused on northern genetics and breeding efforts, we recognize the need for packages. Without packages, many beekeepers would not get honey bees each year as northern breeders sell out due to tremendous demand. Northern breeders usually focus on late spring or early summer nucs with acclimatized and locally produced northern queens. 

Need Bees?


First, contact a NSQBA member to purchase locally produced nucs. But please understand the tremendous demand for northern raised nucs as more and more beekeeper realize the benefits of acclimatized and northern raised queens. Most northern nuc producers sell out very fast each year.


If no nucs are available, ask NSQBA members if they have packages available or who they would recommend from your area. As breeders, NSQBA members want the best stock in any packages being brought into the area. And not all package producers are the same. Demand the best from any producer regardless of the purchase of queens, nucs, or packages.

Package Bees and AHB

 

Some NSQBA members bring packages up from down south. And we have had a few beekeepers ask about this policy or how this fits into the breeding program and goals of the NSQBA. So we will address several questions on this page.

 

Why do some NSQBA members sell packages?

 

While our long term goal is the expansion of the northern bee industry, reality is that the northern breeders probably fills less than 2% of the demand for bees. The demand for localized, acclimatized, and northern raised stock would allow northern breeders to probably fill 50% or more, if the supply was available. But truth is that we just do not have enough northern breeders. And with the influx of new beekeepers every year, bees are going to be purchased anywhere they can be found. We think it's better to have more people with bees, versus having the unrealistic expectations that new beekeepers should not get bees from the south.

 

We would love to have all our members not bring in packages. But packages for at least the foreseeable future, are going to be brought in by someone to fill the demand. We feel confident that if NSQBA members do bring in packages, they will be there to correct any situations, help beekeepers requeen with better queen stock later in the season when northern queens are more available, and the northern industry will benefit by allowing an income source for northern breeders. Many package providers are beekeepers who bring up packages once a year, and make no impact or contribution to the northern bee industry beyond selling packages. Every northern breeder has many calls every year for replacement of queens and to fix package problems left behind by package providers that do not have the capacity to correct the problems. So who better to sell packages and provide this service?

 

What about Africanized honey bees?

 

Many beekeepers are concerned about buying packages from areas that have AHBs. The recent stinging incident and death in Georgia, and the confirmation of AHBs will no doubt raise new concern. NSQBA members have a vested interest in their businesses. And we have the utmost confidence that of all package providers, NSQBA members are dedicated to providing packages from areas free of AHBs. NSQBA is keenly aware of areas of AHBs. and will monitor the spread of AHBs to continue it's commitment of providing safe packages.

　

One of the main goals of the NSQBA is to provide northern raised queens, free of AHBs.

And we think that the future of beekeeping is the expansion of the northern bee industry to provide northern hardy stock and acclimatized bees.

 

But who better to also provide much needed packages? Someone who makes an annual trip down south to pocket the profits? Or a group of beekeepers committed to quality and providing continued service after the packages have been installed?

 

Make no doubt about it, NSQBA is about building upon the future. And hopefully the northern bee industry over the years expands to meet the growing demand for northern acclimatized bees. In the meantime, we ask that you buy packages from NSQBA members who will be there in the future.

Please do not hesitate to contact your closest NSQBA member if you have any questions.

We thank you for your support.